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Greener pastures:

Libya returnees and tales of repatriation

Ï There is need for more awareness, says NAPTIP DG Ï Action, consequence of bad governance - Joe Odumakin Ï We can’t blame government – Ubani Ladesope Ladelokun Trapped in the chasm of destitution, he was ready to put his life on the line to escape poverty’s dark cell. After weighing all the available options, David Onah, a plumber and National Diploma certificate holder, concluded that travelling to Europe

South East Govs meet as Ekwueme goes home Feb 2 P.6

would bring the needed transformation he craved for. Having been repatriated to Nigeria from Libya after a botched attempt to cross the Mediterranean sea, his is a story of a lucky survivor that walked through the valley of the shadow of death but escaped being grabbed by the icy hands of

A’ Court dismisses Patience Jonathan’s request over $5.7m forfeiture P.7

death. On arrival via a Chartered BURAQ Airline 737 marked 5A – DMG at the Cargo wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on December 8, 2017, the joy of arriving back to his fatherland safe and

Anambra senatorial rerun holds today as judge vacates P.7 order

Continued on page 6

9mobile: NCC gives deadline for closure of takeover bids

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God will direct me on next chapter of my life - Ibinabo Fiberesima

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

5News

NDDC: Senate Committee flays FG’s alleged N1trn unpaid debt Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏ The Senator repre-

Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), interacting with one of the Engineers conducting test of resistance to heat and fire on the Meter casing, Mr. Jonathan Isise (2nd right), during an inspection visit to the NEMSA National Meter Test Station Oshodi, Lagos on Thursday.

Cattle colony: We’re not giving land to anybody – FG Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏTo

clear the air on the Federal Government’s proposed establishment of cattle colony in the country, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbe has said that the administration will not collect any ancestral land from anybody for that purpose. The Minister who described cattle colony as areas carved out for any species of animal, whether by nature or by human design found in a large community sharing the same terrain are referred to as colony also said, “We have big colonies in certain areas”. Speaking with the Governors of Plateau state, Simon Lalong and his counterpart from Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in his office on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy call, Chief Ogbe said: “If you go to the West Indies, crocodiles and alligators are bred in colonies where they harvest them for shoes, belts and ladies’ handbags; so a colony is a much bigger thing than a ranch. “They are basically about the same kind of thing, but we are talking of colonies because 20, 30, or 40 ranchers can share the same colony. A ranch is usually owned by an individual or a company with sometimes very few livestock. Some have more than 200 or 300 cows. In a cattle colony, you could find thirty thousand cows owned by different own-

ers. The reason we are designing the colony is that we want to prepare on a large scale, on economy of scale, a place where many owners of cattle can coexist, be fed well, because we can make their feeds. They can get good water to drink. Cows drink a lot of water. We can give them green fodder”. The Minister revealed that a team of Professors visited the Ministry on the production of cattle feeds that will make the cattle reproduce better. “A team from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria was here with one of the professors producing cattle feed seed. The different kind of seed will go for cattle. We will grow this on a large scale, harvest and feed the cows. We will give them veterinary services and, above all, protect the cows against rustlers. By a special design we have to make sure that rustlers can’t cross into the ranches and steal cows and walk away. That’s what we mean. We think that between governments, it’s cheaper to do this for herdsmen and others who want to rear cattle than for individuals to go and invest money because we know many farmers have difficulties raising bank loans. So, between the ranch and the colony, it’s simply a definition of size and scope”, he said. According to the Minister, the Plateau state governor has started it and the smaller ranches are working in the state.

“We intend to lend a hand to Plateau and the sixteen other states which have expressed interest by helping them to develop their colonies. “We want to emphasize that you don’t have to be a Fulani before you keep cattle. If anyone decides that you have some small space and keep ten milk cows and feed them well, look after them, you don’t need a job. If you are doing 20 litres of milk a day from a cow and there’s an off-taker processing the milk, it is very good money. “Once the colonies begin, we are also going into large scale artificial insemination to improve the breed of cattle so that the yield of milk can increase. As at today, our cows deliver just about one beer bottle which is a litre of milk a day. In East Africa, cows do 15 litres of milk. In Europe, they do averagely 50 litres of milk a day. So, we are a long way from achieving the target which other countries have achieved. “The idea is not to go and take anybody’s land. We are not doing that. We don’t really want to take anybody’s land to give anybody. It’s just a biological term and we’re not after taking land from anybody to give anybody. But indigenes will find that keeping cattle is profitable, keeping goats is profitable, keeping pig, sheep, just like keeping chicken, is profitable”. In his earlier remarks, the Governor of Plateau State

Simon Lalong said that his state was ready for the new Agricultural policy. “When the issue of ranching was introduced, the first request was that it was not compulsory but for people who have lands in their state or for government who had lands to give for the implementation of the programs. Many states said they don’t have lands. But for us in Plateau State, I called the people and told them, after a lot of consultation and explanation, there was no party that disagreed with the policy. Now we have more than two portions of land that were offered for the purpose of this agricultural policy. So even for this colony, we already have two settled. One belongs to the state government and the other donated by the people themselves”. Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello on his part said “Of recent, we had a peace and security meeting with some Fulani herdsmen in Kogi state. Our communities, traditional rulers, youths, farmers and the herdsmen that live amongst us: we have agreed to live in peace. And to be able to permanently live in peace, we must look for permanent solution which is ranching. While we are on that, we are aware that the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Agriculture is coming up with what we call Cattle Colonies Program which we want the State to pilot”.

senting Delta Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has flayed the Federal Government’s alleged unpaid N1trillion debt, adding that for the past 17 years, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has not paid a dime to the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Senator Nwaoboshi who also is the Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC told journalists in Asaba Friday, that the “NDDC does not even know the annual budget of the oil companies, so when we came on, we invited all the oil companies, and the issue of whether it is annual budget or the real budget came up, and we read the law to them, that is the annual budget, but where is the annual budget of the oil companies? Alleging that NDDC does not have it as the oil only relates with the committee on what they feel is convenient for them. He said that the bill which he sponsored and

which was subsequently signed into law in 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari, would address some “grey areas” hitherto denied the NDDC adequate funds, adding that the Federal Government had allegedly shown no concern in major issues unsettling the commission. While calling on the people of the Niger-Delta region to support the development drive being attracted to the region, Senator Nwaoboshi disclosed that NDDC must be allowed to concentrate on its core mandate, and not get distracted by delving into areas it was not designed to operate, adding: “we keep on saying that Niger-Delta is not being developed, we should also show some seriousness, and willingness as the people of the Niger-Delta to the development of that area”. Senator Nwaoboshi explained that the supports from his colleagues, irrespective of tribal learning, made it possible for the NDDC amended Act to scale through, and commended the Senators for their supports.

9mobile: NCC gives deadline for closure of takeover bids

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday fixed January 16 deadline for receipt of bidding offers from prospective bidders to acquire debt-laden telecom firm, 9mobile. The NCC, alongside the Central Bank of Nigeria approved the deadline after 9mobile Board requested a time extension. It added that Barclays Africa will review bids submitted before the deadline and make recommendations to 9mobile. Nigerian lenders picked Barclays Africa to try to find new investors for 9mobile after banks took over the telecoms firm, formerly called Etisalat Nigeria, for defaulting on its loan. “The winner will now apply to NCC in order to commence the processes for securing the regulatory approvals … to give full effect to the transfer,” the regulatory body said in a statement made available in Abuja on Friday. Etisalat Nigeria took out a $1.2 billion syndicated loan from a group of 13 local banks but struggled to make repayments due to a currency crisis and reces-

sion in Nigeria last year. The CBN then intervened to save the company from collapse and prevent creditors from putting it into receivership, leading to a change in its board and management, as well as the new name 9mobile. The crisis forced the telecoms company’s onetime parent Etisalat to terminate its management agreement with its Nigerian business and surrender its 45 per cent stake to a trustee following the central bank intervention. Private equity firm, Helios Investment Partners has submitted a bid to acquire 9mobile. Nigeria’s Globacom and Bharti Airtel’s local subsidiary have also submitted bids, sources say. Since the debt issue, 9mobile, the country’s fourth biggest operator, has lost subscribers. In October, its total number of users had fallen to 17.1 million, giving it a 12.2 per cent market share, from 20 million subscribers with a 14 per cent share earlier this year, the telecoms regulator said. South Africa’s MTN, the market leader, has 36.1 percent.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Libya returnees and tales of repatriation Continued from page 1 sound went sour with the thought of creditors anxiously waiting to be settled after bankrolling a failed trip that cost him N1.3million. But, David does not have the monopoly of stories that touch the heart. Another Nigerian, 27-year-old Eric Idemudia desired Eldorado but got stuck in the ghettos of Libya. He had thought slave trade had ended. Unfortunately for David, he was one of the Nigerians sold by Nigerians to fellow Nigerians as slaves in Libya. He drank his own urine like juice and watched humans die and thrown away like chickens while in the desert. Having seen it all, he has this advice for struggling Nigerians, “I cannot advise anybody to pass through this in life‘.’ Speaking like someone well taught by experience, he added that, “People died like chickens everyday there. I buried many people with my bare hands. So, it is better to suffer here than over there. Even if you don’t have food to eat in your country, it is better than going to Libya to die. I was a bricklayer before I left and I am ready to go back to it.’’ Almost on a daily basis in recent times, stories of how repatriated Nigerians from Libya hit the headlines. In their hundreds and thousands, they sing songs of lamentation and tell tales of woes over their sad experiences. While some Nigerians receive them with dry eyes, stating without mincing words that they got what they asked for, a handful of others sympathise with their compatriots over what they describe as man’s inhumanity to man. But, the repatriation of Nigerians and the obsession with Europe and America have sparked debate about whether or not the federal government is doing enough to make Nigeria comfortable for Nigerians in certain quarters. No reason to seek greener pastures abroad - Ubani Commenting on the matter, the second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, said Nigeria has enough resources for everyone to make it big. He, however, advised young ones to embrace agriculture, urging Nigerians not to waste their lives seeking greener pastures abroad. He said, “It’s been happening since Nigeria’s independence.

It’s a welcome development that they are being repatriated to Nigeria. Let them come back to their fatherland and go into agriculture and other businesses. We have land to cultivate. Nigeria is a rich country. Let us not waste our lives looking for greener pasture. How can a young man go to Libya and waste his life looking for what is in Nigeria? We have farmlands and mineral resources. How can a woman leave Nigeria and go for prostitution? Is that not what they are doing there? Let them come back and do good business and go into farming and cultivate to help Nigeria. So, why not be in Nigeria and do whatever business they want to do?’’ Ubani added that governments cannot be blamed if people decide to seek greener pastures. “We can’t blame government. Our families, the parents should be blamed. When they can be blamed is when they don’t provide the amenities for farming,’’ he added. Repatriation of Nigerians, consequence of bad governance’ - Okei-Odumakin On her part, rights activist and the President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, traced the repatriation of Nigerians from Libya to bad governance. She added that the inhuman treatment meted out to Nigerians in Libya was disheartening. She said,“The everyday repatriation is a direct consequence of bad governance we have had to endure for a long time. But beyond the issue of bad governance, we must as a people begin to appreciate what we have because not all that glitters is gold. “No matter how bad we may want to complain about the situation in Nigeria, people still make millions in this country legitimately without having to bend the rules or carry guns. It is in our best interest to have our nationals back home. The level of lawlessness and inhuman treatment meted out to Africans particularly in Libya is very disheartening.” Action and cause cannot be isolated- Effiong For the Convener of the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, Mr Inibehe Effiong, he says he will not dehumanise those in search of greener pastures by blaming them for their travails.

Inibehe said: “These are people looking for solution to the problems of unemployment, the problem of lack of infrastructure, the problem of poverty and the problem of poor economy. These are issues that are affecting the Nigerian people. For me, those who are leaving are leaving out of necessity. They are leaving out of compulsion. He continued: “While I do not agree with the risk being taken, my view is that the circumstance is created by the Nigerian government. “You are aware that we have so many issues in this country that the government has not resolved. I see the migrants as victims of the Nigerian state. Nobody will have a good condition at home and go to another man’s land. They are victims of bad governance.’’ On what the Federal Govern-

ment should do, Inibehe had this to say: “The government should ensure that policies are put in place to discourage Nigerians from embarking on this kind of journey. We need to educate Nigerians on the risk involved. And, we cannot isolate the action from the cause or the consequence. Look at why migration is taking place as risky as it is. It is not enough to bring them back, what are we doing to better the lot of our people? That is what should concern the Nigerian government.’’ There is need for more awareness – NAPTIP DG Meanwhile, the Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, has said that all hands must be on deck to stop smuggling and trafficking in persons by Nigerians within and outside Nigeria, saying that

there is need for a lot awareness to stop unsuspecting Nigerians from being smuggled to Libya. The NAPTIB boss also told The Daily Times that, “We have a working relationship with the government of Libya. We see this ending very soon. The smugglers who take them along take a lot of money. It’s not a free trip. By the grace of God, everything will be okay soon. Once people are aware of the dangers of being smuggled abroad, I think it will be reduced drastically”. Okah-Donli also said three Nigerians allegedly involved in trafficking of smuggled Nigerians in Libya had been arrested. “We have arrested two suspects that were identified by some of the returnees. They are being investigated and they are in custody. We have another one that has been sent to the Lagos command,” she added.

South East Governors meet as Ekwueme goes home Feb 2

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏThe Governors of the South

East geopolitical zone on Friday held a meeting at the Government House, Enugu, to deliberate on the preparations for the burial of the late elder statesman and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, scheduled to hold on Friday, February 2, 2018. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi stated that the South East Governors are “very

committed” to the programme, stressing that their presence at the gathering “underscores the seriousness the governors have attached to this important burial of our late father”. Governor Umahi noted that Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, was “out of the South East” and couldn’t attend the meeting in person. The Chairman of the forum added that the governors studied the budget for the burial, disclosing that the timetable was out and the details are with

the Director General of the Forum. He said, “We as Governors of the South East have set up a Committee headed by the Director General of our forum and he has been working very hard with the members of the committee especially the committee members from Amambra State”. He said that the forum also reviewed its previous deliberations on the railway for the South East, gas to industrial zones and other issues such as the recently held South East Economic Summit.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

News 7

2019: 7 Northern Govs hold closed-door meeting with Buhari

ÏÏÏSeven

Northern governors on Friday held a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari after the Friday Juma’at service at the State House Mosque, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The state governors, who met President Buhari behind closeddoor were Abubakar Bello (Niger); Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa) and Simon Lalong (Plateau). But speaking to the State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Ganduje claimed that the coming together of the seven governors was coincidence and not for any purpose. He said, “We are seven in num-

ber here but we came separately not for any purpose but after the Friday prayers, we decided to say hello to Mr. President. It is just coincidence that we met in the Mosque and some joined us later and we decided to go and greet him. When asked on the best way forward in resolving the Fulani herdsmen crises with farmers, Ganduje said, “The president met with stakeholders from the affected states and I think a suggestion has been put forward by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development concerning the colony and I think eventually that is the answer.” But Governor el- Rufai interjected when Ganduje was asked his response if people insinuate that the meeting was all about 2019, insisting that the governors

wanted Buhari to contest the 2019 presidential election. Governor el-Rufai said, “We are politicians and those of us you see here want the President to contest the 2019 election, we have no apologies for that. “We believe in Mr. President. We want him to continue running the country in the right direction. People can speculate about 2019 we have no apologies.” On whether those speculating that the meeting was about the 2019 election were right, el-Rufai said, “Whether they are right or wrong is besides the point. Everybody is entitled to its own opinion but as governors, and most of us here with the exception of Yobe Governor are first time governors, we are interested in the continuity and stability and we want the president to

continue with that. “Like our leader, the Kano Governor said, we just happen to be here by coincidence and we went to pray and decided to felicitate with the President and we feel satisfied that anytime we see him, he is getting better and better.” When further asked whether he directed the police to stop workers from marching to the Government House in Kaduna on Thursday to protest the alleged sacking of about 21,000 teachers in Kaduna State, el- Rufai said the right to protest was guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), saying that he was not in the state that day. He said, “I did not direct the police to stop the workers, I was not even in Kaduna. For me the right to protest is guaranteed in

the constitution, provided you don’t go violent and you don’t violate any laws. “I think the concerns of the police is because of the precarious situation in the country particularly in Kaduna made it unsuitable to have such protest. And the last time they did such a thing they attacked the State House of Assembly, a legislator for which they have filed criminal charges. “So, this is the concern, the concern is break down of law and order and not protest or strike. They are free to do so but it will not change our position.” The governor also ruled out the possibilities of recalling the sacked teachers, saying that the state government had made provisions for their severance package.

Appeal Court dismisses Patience Jonathan’s request over $5.7m forfeiture Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

ÏÏÏ

FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello (middle) the Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Mr. Wattana Kunwongse (2nd right), FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa (2nd left), and others, when the foreign envoy paid the FCT Minister a courtesy visit in Abuja…Friday.

Anambra senatorial rerun holds today as judge vacates order t Says he was misled in delivering consent verdict ÏÏÏ Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday vacated its own order made on December 13 , 2017 directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue certificate of return to Obiora Okonkwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), thus clearing the coast for today rerun election in Anambra Central Senatorial District. Justice John Tsoho vacated the order while ruling on the application filed by INEC. The judge added that he was misled in delivering the December 13, 2017 consent judgment . INEC had in an application asked the court to vary its judgment of December 13, to enable it conduct the rerun election slated for today in line with the

judgment of the Court of Appeal judgment, which directed INEC to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant position within 90 days. The appellate court has in its judgment of November 20, 2017, excluded the PDP and its candidate from participating in the rerun. Justice Tsoho had further held in his ruling that Okonkwo suppressed fact when he said he was not a party in the Appeal Court judgment, whereas his party, the PDP was a party to all the judgments, adding that the PDP has already filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal. He said that Okonkwo’s contention that he has not been a party was imaterial as he is a member of PDP. The judge also held that the PDP, having appealled the two Court of Ap-

peal judgments that ordered the rerun election ,the plaintiff should seek remedy from the appeals. The judge further stated that he was bound to set aside the earlier judgment because it was a consent judgment not based on merit On the priority of courts, the judge held that in the doctrine of precedent, Court of Appeal’s decision took precedent over and above that of any lower court. He held further that his court being a lower court, is bound by the decision of the Court of Appeal in the instant case. Justice Tsoho then said: “The consent judgment is hereby vacated and set aside”. He consequently adjourned the case indefinitely pending the outcome of the appeal filed by PDP at the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Friday dismissed an appeal by the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, asking it to set aside the temporary forfeiture of her $5.7million. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos had ordered the temporary forfeiture of the said $5.7million on April 26, last year, based on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The lower court also ordered the temporary forfeiture N2,421,953,522.78 found in an Ecobank Nigeria Ltd with Account No -2022000760 in the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd. But Mrs Jonathan had approached the Court of Appeal for redress, asking the appellate court to set aside the ruling which temporarily ordered the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government. The EFCC had informed the lower court that the money belongs to Mrs Jonathan, adding that the money is a proceeds of crime. According to EFCC, the money was received in dollars by an Ecobank Plc staff from Aso Rock (Presidential Villa) through one Esther Oba who alleged fronted for Mrs Jonathan. The Court of Appeal also dismissed an appeal by La Wari Funiture. Mrs Jonathan had urged the appellate court to dismiss the temporary forfeiture order on the grounds that sufficient materials were not presented at the lower court among other others. But in a judgment delivered by a Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA) Justice Mojeed

Owoade, the appellate court held that the appeals lacked merit. The appellate court further upheld the arguments of the lawyer to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo and resolved the issues against the appellant. The court upheld the constitutionality of Section 17 of the Advance Fee fraud Act, which empowers the EFCC to apply for the forfeiture to the Federal Government of property reasonably suspected to be proceed of unlawful activity. Justice Owoade held that the section was not in conflict with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantees fair hearing. Besides, the JCA added that Section 135 of the Evidence Act shifted the responsibility of proving how Mrs Jonathan came about the money. Justice Owoade then said: “The section merely shifts the evidential burden of proof on to the appellant to disprove the facts raised by the respondent in its motion on notice for final forfeiture of the funds. “To that extent, the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud are neither in conflict with Section 135 (1) of the Evidence Act 2011 nor with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. “There is nothing unusual or unconstitutional in the Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act. “The respondent placed sufficient materials before the court below to justify the grant of the ex-parte application. “Having resolved the two issues in this appeal against the against the appellant, the appeal lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. I make no order as to cost.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

8 News

Buhari thanks Nigerians as son leaves hospital

ÏÏÏPresident Muhamma-

L-R: Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); David Umahi (Ebonyi); Willie Obiano (Anambra); and the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, during the South East Governors’ Forum at the Government House, Enugu...on Friday.

Supreme Court dismisses Metuh’s appeal on ‘no case submission’

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal dismissing the “No case submission” appeal filed by Destra Investment Ltd. Destra Investment Ltd is owned by former national publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh and both are jointly standing trial before the Federal High Court Abuja for laundering N400million. While the apex court had on February 9, 2017 dismissed a separate ‘No case submission’ filed by Metuh for lack of merit the company pursued a separate appeal. Delivering a unanimous

judgment of five -man panel of the Supreme Court ,Justice Kumai Akaah said that the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is explicit that defendants can raise objection during trial which are to be resolved during the delivering of the final judgment. He stated that despite the clear provisions of the ACJA Act, the counsel for Destra Investment Ltd, Chief Onwugbufor (SAN) still filed the appeal. “This practice is highly untenable and is meant to obstruct the cause of justice” He described the appeal as a storm in a tea cup and noted that the senior lawyer was supposed to aid the legal processes and not his duty to obstruct cause

of justice. The apex court therefore ordered that the matter be heard by the trial court Other justices on the panel: Justice Datijo Mohammed, Justice Centus Nwaeze, Justice Ejembi Eko and Justice Sidi Bage agreed with the judgment. The appellant had approached the apex court to set aside the May 24, 2016 decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which dismissed Metuh and his company’s no-case-submissions. Destra Investment Ltd like Metuh had argued that the decisions of the lower court and trial court had pre-determined its fate in the trial ahead of its determination. Metuh is standing trial

alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on a 7-count charge brought by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N400 million from a former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Walter Onoghen

du Buhari and his family on Friday thanked all those who identified with them after the bike accident that involved their son, Yusuf, in Abuja on December 26. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the first family said prayers rendered by those within and outside the country let to their son being discharged from hospital. “We thank Nigerians from all walks of life, both within and outside the country, leaders of many foreign countries, groups, organisations, individuals, and many others, who prayed, visited, sent messages, and generally stood by us at the trying time,” the family said, praying that almighty Allah would

reward them all. Adesina confirmed that Yusuf was discharged from Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, on Friday, following what the Chief Medical Director described as his “extremely speedy response to treatment.” The presidential spokesman had earlier in the day issued a statement indicating that Yusuf ’s health had improved remarkably and he was ready to be discharged. He had said the news of Yusuf ’s improved health and imminent discharge was contained in a statement dated January 12, 2018, by the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Felix Ogedegbe. He reproduced Ogedegbe’s statement which also denied media reports that the President’s wife, Aisha, also suffered shock and was

Heart failure deadlier than HIV, cancer - Experts Motolani Oseni

ÏÏÏCardiologists in Nige-

ria have identified heart failure as a deadlier disease than the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and all forms of cancer except lung cancer. The heart diseases experts made this known at a press conference held recently in Lagos supported by Novartis, which had consultant cardiologists drawn from federal universities across Nigeria, was aimed at sensitizing members of the public on the dangers of heart failure, correcting the misconception about it and providing experts’ advice on how to manage the health challenge. Fielding questions from the newsmen, Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah, a Consultant Cardiologist University College Hospital, Ibadan, said 50 per cent of people living with heart failure don’t live more than five years before they die,

noting that the commonest cause of heart failure is hypertension. Speaking on the need for all stakeholders - government, pharmaceutical industries, the media etc- to play their roles effectively to reduce the spate of heart failure, the president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, Prof. Amam Mbakwem, Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, said a lot can be done by governments at all levels to make medications for people living with heart failure more affordable. Prof. Mbakwem called on the Federal Government to earmark more funds to the health sector in its annual budget, adding that there is need for the press to take the right information to the public sphere owing to the level of misinformation about heart failure among Nigerians.

N1bn spent annually on water in IDP camps - Minister Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Minister of

Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has disclosed that his ministry budgets about N1bn annually for the supply of water and sanitation services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ravaged by the activities of insurgents in the North-East.

Adamu also stated that the Federal Government was working out measures that would enable it transfer water from River Congo to Lake Chad in order to prevent the lake from drying up. The minister disclosed this when the United Nations Deputy Secretary-general, Mrs. Amina Moham-

med, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja. According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Margaret Umoh, the Minister informed the Envoy that the Ministry is committed to ensure regular water supply in all the IDP camps across the country. The Min-

istry, he maintains, puts in extra efforts to ensure that bore holes and other sources of water to the displaced persons are at optimal functionality at all times. Speaking on the cooperation between Nigeria and the UN as regards reintegrating citizens ravaged by the insurgency in the North-East, Adamu stated

that the ministry had been budgeting about N1bn annually for water supply and sanitation facilities for IDPs nationwide. He said the N1bn annual budgetary allocation had been on since the past two years, adding that the Federal Government on behalf of other governments of the Lake Chad Basin Com-

mission was planning an international conference to proffer solutions that would save the Lake Chad from drying up. The Conference, he said is scheduled for next month in Abuja. Adamu stated that the main objective of the Conference was to find workable solutions in recharging the drying up of the basin.

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

I’m a modern day Aare Ona Kakanfo to unite Yoruba race –Gani Adams -P13&14

Aare Ona Kakanfo: Buhari congratulates 2019: Christians, be politically Gani Adams active -Alao Patrick Okobhue

Patrick Okobhue

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate, Otunba Gani Adams, to use the office into which he is about to step for national unity. Adams will be installed today, January 13, 2018 as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, at Durbar Stadium, Oyo town, Oyo State. The admonition of the President to Otunba Adams, the Founder of the Oodua Progressive Union, which is spread across 79 countries, was contained in a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina. Adesina said Buhari warmly congratulates Adams, the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, on his investiture as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo on Saturday. He then charged the new Generalissimo of Yorubaland to use the position to pursue worthy goals of security, peace and national unity. So also did the President commend Oba Adeyemi on the appointment of a new Aare Ona Kakanfo,

A cleric and Baba Alakoso Imole 1 of Sacred C&S Church of Nigeria and Supreme Head, Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church World Wide, His Most Eminence Prophet (Dr.) Solomon Alao, has urged all Christians in Nigeria to be actively involved in politics to ward off corrupt and unpatriotic elements from the body polity. The cleric made this statement during a press conference held at The Sacred C&S Church, The Holy Mount of Salvation Model Parish, Surulere Lagos to commemorate the 88th Annual General Conference of the Sacred Cherubim &Seraphim Church. The spiritual father anchored his call on the fact that the wrong perception of many Christians out there about politics is taking its negative toll on the government and portends grave danger for nationhood. “Be registered and get your PVC and vote wisely to influence polity, stop saying politics is dirty, go there and cleanse the polity, those not in partisan politics should vote right. Speaking about the clamour for restructuring, the cleric urge the Federal Government to be sincere enough to re-

BUHARI

who, he said, will assist him in the arduous task of leading the illustrious Yoruba people. President Buhari urged the new Aare Ona Kakanfo “to bring quintessential courage, wisdom and astuteness to bear on his new office, for a more secured life for the weak, vulnerable and voiceless in the country”. President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant the Aare Ona Kakanfo a favourable reign.

Fasehun faults Buhari over restructuring Iniobong Iwok Founder of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasheun has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous opposition to the clamour for urgent restructuring of the country by different eminent individuals, stakeholders and groups describing the President’s continuous opposition as tendencies of a dictator. Fasheun who is also the national chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), stated this in an interview with The Daily Times, noting that it was wrong for the President to continue to ignore the views of 170 million Nigerians who have acknowledge that the present structure of the country was faulty, while stressing that it was dictatorial for the President to continue to assumed his view was the most correct. He said Nigerians had become disillusioned with the current administration and its failure to fulfill its campaign promises, while berating the administration for its continuous buck passing, which according to him was an indication that it lacked ideas. On the herdsmen killing, the elder statesman, said the situation had aggravated due to the non seriousness of the administration in curbing the issue, and expressed surprise at the continu-

ous treating of the killings with kid gloves by the administration. Speaking further on the fuel crisis which marred the Christmas celebration, Fasehun called for the urgent appointment of a substantive petroleum minister for the country who would be responsible to Nigerians, adding that the President was too preoccupied with several issues to occupy the position. He said “citizens are met to create problems while the government would solve them, so if one part of the system have failed it does not mean other systems have. Some of us have said Nigeria is a failed state, no leader want to be associated with a failed state, but since he wants to continue to associate with this system good for him. “He has no reason to still be there, it has taken him more than two years, things are becoming worse. We applauded him when he assumed office, but he has not been able to change things and Nigerians are becoming disillusioned, when do we expect the change? “Nigerians know how best to run their country, it is unfortunate Nigerians are thinking of the way forward for their country and one individual is thinking otherwise, it is dictatorship and he think his own way is the best, rather than the views of 170 million Nigerians. “The killing is unfortunate, let him persuade Nigerians that he has not been

FASEHUN

treating the killing with kid gloves and we would say he is trying. The government is not serious about most of these things, see the number of Nigerians killed in the desert because of water and food and what they told journalist was that they are Nigerians trying to avoid situation at home. “Let the President appoint a minister of petroleum for the country who would work and can explain to Nigerians when thing are not working, what is happening is unfortunate for a country so blessed.”

structure the constitutional framework. “The only panacea to future disaster relies on restructuring of constitution, restructure the structure, devolution of power from the centre to the states, go back to constitutional federalism. “I believe in the interest of both the led and the leadership, the only viable option is restructuring the structures by transferring a lot of powers to the states to reduce the unnecessary workloads on the centre. Let us go back to what Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Papa Obafemi Awolowo begot us. “Restructuring will restructure the process that breeds tension. I am not talking of shifting local and state boundaries but the shift to true regional Federalism. It is not too late but before it is too late. “It would be sheer foolhardiness, if we continue to believe the political elites that all is well! “Various challenges facing our country seem to be multiplying and not abating. We still have the Boko Haram insurgency on killing mission virtually on daily basis. “Since then, kidnapping never heard of in Africa, has joined the bandwagon of our problems. Religious killings and persecutions especially, seemingly of Christian faith is gradually getting out of control. “Badoo ritual killings has been added to the list of our ever increasing challenges. The Niger Delta and the threat of secession in the South East with no final solution on ground should be of concern to those of us who see a united Nigeria as an advantage. “As if the foregoing are not enough, the Fulani herdsmen are now on the rampage, behaving as a ‘Super government’ dictating provocative terms and conditions to their host communities. “More worrisome is the umbrella body of these herdsmen now linked with a former V.P of our nation as being their financier against the background of a herdsman in possession of AK 47 rifle said to cost some N2million. “Petrol scarcity and lack of adequate energy to keep running our engines of development would no doubt compound our unemployment problems with far reaching consequences,” he said. The cleric also urge newsmen to help purge the Christian race of blemishes, “I would ask you to partner with us to educate the public. Any liturgy or practices not corroborated in the New Testament standards stands questionable.” Also present at the media parley were Reverend Apostolic Mother Folashade, Dr. Bilesanmi Samson, National Secretary of United Christian Campaign Organisation Mrs. Adesola Adeosin, state Secretary UCCO.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

ADAMS

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a modern day Aare Ona Kakanfo, to unite Yoruba race It will not be gainsaying that you have done well for yourself, is there anything in your past that suggested that you will come to this level of fame? I never thought I would get to this stage, the only thing I know is that I love my race, I love my country, I love being part of justice and I love a situation where I will defend the interest of oppressed people. There was no premonition, no signal, the only thing that my parents told me, my mother when she was alive is that when she gave birth to me I was in a poll of blood and she was bleeding seriously, and they took her to an herbalist in Omu-Ekiti, after stopping the blood, the herbalist later told her that this child will be a great child, that there was something he can describe as a global star on him, my mother told me this in 1989, and we lost her in 1993. That was the only thing. The second thing was something I still remember vividly. There was a prophet in our community called Stokoro, Stokoro came to our house I think around 1977 when I was five years old and he said there is a child in this house with a very big star, that they had to take me out of the community within three days or else something bad will happen to that child, that they have to take me out of Arigidi, that was what led me to reside with my grandmother in Irisu Akoko, and that happens to be the place of my mother besides Arigidi, that is all I can remember. At the time this OPC first started, Gani Adams was known to be very militant, you have much troubles with the Police and other security agencies, when you recall that period can you relate it with what is happening now? That is the foundation of every struggle all over the world, there is no good struggle that will not have their rough beginning, the background of your struggle if you are genuinely fighting for the interest of the people, at a stage the oppressors will provoke you and within the turbulent period you learn lessons, you will know your friends, you will know those who love your race and the cause you are fighting for. All over the world that is the trend. When you read Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela you will realise that the ANC was formed around 1904, from 1912 to 1950 Mandela was not a leader, he came into the picture in the 1950s, to change the course and the process of changing that course led him into trouble and he was in prison for a period of 27 years, there is no genuine

Aare Onakanfo means a lot of things in Yoruba race, it is a platform to unify Yoruba people, it is a platform to defend the interest of the Yoruba people on the basis of justice, it is a platform of a statesman in Nigeria, nobody becomes an Aare Onakanfo without being a statesman, starting from Chief SL Akintola in 1965, he was a statesman, Chief MKO Abiola in 1988 was a statesman, so definitely it is a position that transcends sectional part of the country, it is a platform that you have to look beyond Nigeria. struggle all over the world that will not have its rough stage, a time will come when the government or the state will want to provoke you, at a time you may not have learnt your lessons so that you can apply strategy to your cause. Even the IRA in Ireland, Gerry Adams, when you talk of liberation in Europe, like Russia and even our independence, the colonial masters called our leaders militants. I could remember from history that Adelabu of Pekelemesi fame, will go to Ikoyi and start drumming on the head of the colonial masters, inconveniencing them in their environment. We do not get liberation on a platter of gold. When you put your mind so much at what happened in the beginning you will lose a lot of friends, because those who misconstrued you in the beginning may be genuine, but maybe they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand you. Definitely my beginning is part of the struggle, what happened then are part of what I am today, many Police officers that maltreated me then are my friends now, even many journalists that wrote very negative stories about me then now write very good stories about me, because they were not well informed, so there is no permanent enemy in life, Obafemi Awolowo said there is no permanent enemy in politics and there is no permanent friend, your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow and your best friend today may be your worst enemy tomorrow, so, definitely you must have a past and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a past you will not have a book written about you. It is definitely a part of the routine. At what point in life did you realise that this is the area I have to face in life?

Otunba Gani Adams will today be installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, one of the most prestigious traditional titles in Yoruba Land, last held by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Ladoke Akintola before him. In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE, Adams speaks of the importance of the title and what it means in Yoruba Land and the difference he will bring to bear as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land. That was in 1993. After the annulment of the June 12 election, that was what led me to the struggle, because that was the first opportunity I had to exercise my franchise as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and after the annulment I joined the struggle through the Campaign for Democracy. That was the time I built my philosophy and ideology. The discussion to become the Aare Onakanfo at what stage did it start with the Alaafin? It was in May last year, 2017, when I signified my intention that I want to vie for the position of Aare Onakanfo, His Imperial Majesty was laughing, but he later came back to say you have the myth, the spiritual myth, and you have the structure, which is OPC, OPU, Olokun Festival Foundation and with the spiritual myth and the structure you can be the Aare Onakanfo, but I will consult, let me consult the stakeholders in Yoruba land, like the Obas, because I have the prerogative of giving it to you, but this is a title of all Yoruba land. So, it took His Royal Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo five months to call me back to say that I have consulted the who is who in Yoruba land and now gave me a letter of proclamation on October 15. If I get you right you were the one that made the first move Yes, definitely What does Aare Onakanfo mean to you? Aare Onakanfo means a lot of things in Yoruba race, it is a platform to unify Yoruba people, it is a platform to defend the interest of the Yoruba people on the basis of justice, it is a platform of a statesman in Nigeria, nobody becomes an Aare Onakanfo without being a statesman, starting from Chief SL Akintola in 1965, he was a statesman, Chief MKO Abiola in 1988 was a statesman, so definitely it is a position that transcends sectional part of the country, it is a platform that you have to look beyond Nigeria, you have to look at the interest of black people all over the world, so it goes beyond Yoruba race. This is a position that has been in existence for about 558 years. How many communities did we have in Yoruba land 558 years ago? The first time they installed Kokoroigongon of Iwoyi, definitely the position is older than many communities in Yoruba land, so it is a title that goes beyond chieftaincy, CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Business & Economy 11

Daily Times Nigeria

How retail investors can invest in commercial papers (CP)

Radisson Blu opens second hotel in Lagos Page 12

Page 21

Aviation agencies are full of incompetent personnel - Saidu Page 22

Seplat Petroleum, Zenith Bank commence closed period Bonny Amadi

Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (“Seplat”) and Zenith Bank Plc have commenced closed period , barring trade on the companies shares by insiders and connected persons, pending the release of their 2017 audited financial statement and audited accounts. Seplat , in a statement signed by Company Secretary Mirian Kene Kachikwu, and made released by

the Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE) pointed that the lose period was in pursuant of Pursuant to Clause 17.2 of the Amendments to the Listings Rules (the “Rules”) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. “ SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc (“SEPLAT”) hereby notifies the Exchange of its closed period for the entire Company , for trading in the Company’s shares which commenced from 31st December 2017 to end on the day after the release of its Full

Year 2017 Audited Financial Results for the period ended 31st December 2017 on the Exchange. It added.”Accordingly, no Director , Employee, Person Discharging Managerial Responsibility and Adviser of the Company and their connected Persons may directly or indirectly deal in the shares of the Company in any manner during the closed period” Seplat is Nigeria’s indigenous oil production company with a strategic focus on Nigeria, listed on the

Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) (LSE:SEPL) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE”) (NSE:SEPLAT). The company is pursuing a Nigeria focused growth strategy and is well positioned to participate in future divestment programmes by the international oil companies, farm -in opportunities and future licensing rounds. Meanwhile, closed period for Zenith Bank Plc commenced on January 08 2018, the statement signed

L-R: Dr Timi Austen Peters-Chairman Dormanlong,Daere Akobo-MD PE Energy, Wole Ogunsanya-MD,Geoplex,Stephen Aribeana-PETAN BOT Member and MD Ariboil,Emeka Okwuosa-MD Oilserv,Nicolas Terraz-MD Total E&P ,Bank Anthony Okoroafor-PETAN Chairman,DrMaikanti Baru-GMD NNPC,Bayo Ojulari-MD SNEPCO,IgoWeli-GM External Relations SPDC, Dr Diran Fawibe-MD IESL, Seyi Afolabi-Director Exxon Mobil, Austin Uzoka-Ag GM NCD SNEPCO, at a dinner party in Lagos recently. .

DPR seals 3 filling stations in Epe, Ibeju Lekki Simon Ugwu

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) sealed three filling stations in Ibeju Lekki and Epe this week in Lagos for hoarding fuel and selling above

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu

Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi Money Market Correspondent Motolani Oseni

pump price. The Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Department, Mr Igheghe Abel who led the inspection team said that two filling station were sealed in Epe while one was seal along Ibeju-Lekki Epe Road. Abel said the stations were sealed for hoard of products and selling petrol at N170 per litre which was above the official pump price. “In Epe, TAS Nigeria Ltd, were hoarding over 12,000 litres of petrol as at the time we visited the station on the pretence that their generator was faulty. But we got information from motorists that they were selling at N170 per litre, when they got wind that DPR is around they

stopped selling. We have summoned them to our office in Lagos to come and tell the management why they are hoarding and selling above the official price”, he said. “At T.Tab Global Merchant in Epe, they pretended that they did not have the stock because nobody was around to answer us, but the motorists confirmed to us that the stopped selling because of our presence in the town. We have sealed the station as well, the dealer has been invited to our office,” he added. Meanwhile, the petrol attendants at the two stations told newsmen that their generating sets were faulty that was the reasons why they were not sealing.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Abel said that at NIPCO filling station at Kilometre 32, Ibeju-LekkiEpe Road, the attendants were selling petrol at N170 per litre when the team arrived the station. He ordered that the station be sealed for selling above the official pump price. The dealer of the station who identify himself as a monarch of a community said he bought the product from a third party depot at N165 per litre. “For the past three weeks we do not have the product here, so I decided to contact a third party to get the product, they sold the product at N165 per litre and I am selling it at N170.

FG: Electricity tariffs correlate with metering of consumers Simon Ugwu It is impossible to have a fair tariff in an electricity market that has a low record of power users and yet ever more consumers. The minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated this in a televised interview this week in Abuja. Fashola was responding to a question regarding permission to allow the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to increase electricity tariffs. The minister noted that only about seven million households are recognised customers out of Nigeria’s 180 million people, adding that proper consumers’ enumeration is required to establish the true basis for calibrating tariffs in the sector. He also highlighted that the DisCos would have to improve their deployment of meters to consumption points and that until these were done, approving a cost reflective tariff for the market looked difficult. He further explained that as the minister of power, he does not decide when to increase tariffs but that the decision lies with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). “We need to do something with the entire value chain, from tariff to metering to energy conservation, consumer education, to the payment of debts by ministries and departments and ordinary consumers, and all of this are contained in the power sector recovery programme.

Why Seven-Up shareholders approve scheme of arrangement Bonny Amadi The relationship existing between Seven up Bottling Company plc and its shareholders and the manner the company handled agitation over earlier proposed scheme of arrangement has been inferred as motivation for the shareholders’ approval of the new scheme. Shareholders of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc in Lagos Thursday, approved the Scheme of Arrangement by which the majority shareholder, Affelka S.A. would acquire the outstanding 26.8 per cent shares of the company. The shareholders gave an overwhelming approval at the Court-Ordered Meeting that was convened at the instance of the Federal High Court. The meeting was held at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Tours&Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Radisson Blu opens second hotel in Lagos Stories By Simon Ugwu

Radisson Blu, a brand driven by innovation and design, is proud to announce the opening of its third hotel to open in Nigeria andits second hotel to open in the country’s largest city, Lagos. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group,one of the world’s fastest growing hotel companies now has a portfolio in Africa of 85 hotels and over 17,800+ rooms in operation and under development. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group,said “We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Nigeria, one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel LagosIkeja.We have identified Nigeria as a key country for scaled growth and the addition of our second Radisson Blu in the megacity of Lagos perfectly complements our development strategy. We are confident the appeal of the international upper upscale Radisson Blu brand and theexcellent location of the hotel will attract strong business from both international and domestic travellers.”

Radission blu hotel The hotel is centrally located in Ikeja, the capital of the Lagos State, home to many corporate headquarters, government offices and large manufacturers. It is situated on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Highway, [GB1] a main highway linking Ikeja with the rest of Lagos. The location of Radisson Blu Hotel LagosIkeja

is also just a few km away from Murtala Muhammed International Airport and close tothe suburb’s cultural and tourist attractions. The 155room Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja offers a choice of contemporary standard, deluxe and executive rooms and a range ofultrastylish 1,2 and 3 bedroom

suites[GB2] . All rooms carry a fresh and modern design with free High-Speed Wireless Internet. The hotel has an extensive food and drinks offering with six different outlets[GB3] [GB4] . Guests can enjoydining at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serving international and local cuisine, a

steak house restaurant ready to calm a carnivorous craving, as well as a destination rooftop terrace and stylish lobby café. Guests can also bask in the views from the pool terrace while sipping on a refreshing drink at the adjoining bar or play a game of pool in the afropolitan business class lounge. The hotel has impressive meeting and events facilities encompassing an area of 2,047m2and including a ballroom, expansive conference roomcapable of hosting over 400 guests and six meeting rooms with an adjoining business centre. All meetings rooms are equipped with modern meeting technology and break-out area. Leisure facilities include a wellness spa[GB5] , fullyequipped gym and swimming pool for travellers seeking to rejuvenate or maintain their fitness regime. George Balassis, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja said “We are excited and ready to welcome the local community and international guests toRadisson Blu Hotel, LagosIkeja. We are sure that the team’s passion to deliver the brand’s renowned Yes I Can!SM servicewill lead us to become the preferred hotel in Ikeja for all guests.”

Sheraton launches BBQ night The Executive Chef , Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Nicholas Geba, has revealed plans to create a tasty assortment of BBQ flavours for food and entertainment enthusiasts within the F.C.T. According to the General Manager of the Hotel, Nouman Irshad: “Our BBQ night will take place every Saturday. We are offering this well thought out leisure activity from 3pm-9pm and it will be truly an elevated experience for both our in-house guests and customers. “We have made the best selection of various live band entertainers within Abuja City so there will never be a dull moment. Our special freeflow-salad will be available for all diners. For beverages, you will be spoiled for choice with

our compelling selection of wines, beers, soft drinks and cocktails.” And for your added pleasure, we have Shisha with various flavours – on request. “Last but not the least, our collection of fun and interesting board games such as Ludo, whots, chess, local Ludo, scrabble and draft, are available for you to have an interactive and engaging time with new or old friends; the idea is that this creates the perfect activity during family bonding time.” “A relaxed evening around the most transformative ambience with great food and inspiring music is what we offer our loyal patrons and customers and so we encourage all our visitors to come experience something truly unforgettable on that Saturday onwards.”

Saraton

Ambode

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

13 Politics

‘ I’m a modern day Aare Ona Kakanfo to unite Yoruba race’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

it is the most respected chieftaincy title in Yoruba land. It is the title that every Yoruba recognises as their own. You can call yourself by any title in Yoruba land, but it is the only title that every remote village in Yoruba land accept that this is our title, although Kabiyesi Alaafin has the power and prerogative to give it to anybody who deserves it. Kabiyesi consulted with highly placed obas in Yoruba land, he consulted with some stakeholders not only with obas, I am privy to those information, even those who wanted to give some contrary reasons he convinced them otherwise, that this man has done a lot for our interest, even if you are not looking at the struggle, what about the promotion of culture. Promotion of culture and tradition is part of our liberation, he has done well for period of years without any sponsor and he even gave them my actions in OPU which is in 79 countries of the world now, that was the clearance for the general acceptance by the Yoruba people and in the history of that title, we may not know too much about others, but this is the one that is generally accepted by the people, even the government, I am even surprised about the comment of stakeholders and important personalities in Yoruba land. When Abiola was installed there was a lot of issues, hues and cries, but your own seem to have general acceptance, how were you able to achieve that? Well, we have to give glory to God, it goes beyond me to say anything about that, all thanks and adoration goes to the almighty God that allowed that. Because Yoruba is a diverse race, it is such a race that even with what seem like a general acceptance you still have critics, even in a community, we have to give thanks to God and give glory to our ancestors, it goes beyond me. But I will say that the issue of Abiola was a minor issue, just a small case in court and was resolved and the second day he became the Aare Onakanfo. It’s a title that has precedents, serious precedents, there is no room for argument or unnecessary questions about it, I am the 15th and it has a very strong precedent, Aare Onakanfo has saved Yoruba from a lot of civil war. The only time we lost Yoruba land that was when the Fulani killed Aare Onakanfo in 1824, that was as a result of crisis between Alaafin Arole and Afonja, when Afonja did not take clearance from Arole to attack Iwereinle and in the history of Yoruba land you don’t attack Iwereinle, it is an abomination. It is forbidden for you to attack Iwereinle during war, I don’t know what happened, Alaafin Arole said Afonja should not attack Iwereinle, that was the beginning of their crisis and that crisis later caused Afonja his life in 1824 and because there was no Aare Onakakanfo on ground to protect Oyo empire, to protect the Yoruba land, in 1835 the Fulani went ahead and burnt the entire Oyo empire, that is one of the major reasons we have three Oyo now. Because after that the empire moved from the old Oyo besides Bacita, Oyo Ile and now moved to Oyo Igbowo, then to Oyo Atiba where Alaafin is now. The vacuum of Aare Onakanfo caused

ADAMS

the problem, so, when the next Aare Onakanfo was installed, they could have taken Offa from us, the Aare Onakanfo led their warriors to subdue those planning to overrun Offa and Oshogbo, it was through the intervention of Aare Onakakanfo and his warriors and, even before the Kiriji Ijesha war, that was the time we had a serious crisis that the Ijesha voted against Laato Osha, that led to the splitting of Kiriji in 1886, that was the time, that was when the Yoruba stopped their internal civil war and we pray that there will no longer be internal civil war in Yoruba history. But my own Aare Onakanfo has a precedent of modern Aare Onakanfo, from the time of SL Akintola in 1965, he was not a warrior, he was an astute politician and lawyer, he was given the position because of his quality as a politician and Chief MKO Abiola was not a warrior, he was a philanthropist, politician and businessman, he was given the title. I am coming at the background of activist and cultural promoter. Every Aare Onakanfo has his own unique attribute that can be the reference for approval by the Aalafin. Cultural promoter and the person fighting for the interest

of the Yoruba race as an activist, that is my own reference of approval.

Mention Otunba Gani Adams in any circle, one of the things that come to mind is that of a modern warrior, it is like you are now shifting to a cultural ambassador, is there any link? Even with the antecedent, do we wage war against any ethnic nationality without any provocation? You have to trace my history, even when OPC was founded in 1994, OPC started reigning and gaining popularity in 1998, did we intentionally wage war against any tribe without provocation? In Yoruba land we have been living with a lot of ethnic nationalities, most of the businesses, about 40 percent of businesses in Yoruba land is owned by non Yoruba, do we provoke them, do we victimise them if they are not trying to provoke us. Even in their own land, do Yoruba provoke any ethnic nationality they are living with, do you ever see any Yoruba person rising up in the North against the Northerners, do you see Yoruba in the East rising against the Igbos, do you see Yoruba people living in the Niger Delta rising against the people there, My beginning is part of the struggle, what so, even with my recent history and popularity as OPC we do not provoke happened then are part of what I am today, people, I have more friends among the many Police officers that maltreated me then Igbos and Niger Delta than Yoruba, I have some friends of Northern extracare my friends now, even many journalists tion, I am not a tribalist, I am a person that wrote very negative stories about me that believes in justice, I hate injustice, then now write very good stories about me, I will not say because I am the Aare Onakakanfo I will encourage Yoruba to because they were not well informed, so maltreat any ethnic nationality living there is no permanent enemy in life, Obafemi within our region. It is against the will Awolowo said there is no permanent enemy of almighty God, every human being is created by God, if you say you want to in politics and there is no permanent friend, maltreat other people living with you what about Yoruba people living in US, your enemy today can be your best friend living in Ivory Coast, Benin Republic tomorrow and your best friend today may be and the rest of the places. Any injustice your worst enemy tomorrow you do against a people living with you, God will do it against your people living

elsewhere. A good leader should try to be part of the builders of the nation, I do not know the tribe my children will marry at the end of the day, I am not a tribalist, yes I believe in the cause of the Yoruba, I will first be a very good Yoruba before being a very good Nigerian, but not on the basis of injustice against others, or maltreating others. Since I was proclaimed the Aare Onakakanfo, I have had more people from other ethnic nationalities that visit me, surprisingly some youths who I have never known came from the North to present me an award and they read a very beautiful speech right in my house, they just called me that they wanted to come and they came from different states, well learned youths, I was surprised and the Igbos residing in Lagos, they came also and you have Joseph Evah leading different ethnic nationalities from the Niger Delta, 71 of them, matured men and women, retired top military men and other professionals, they came here last week, so why should I have ulterior motive about the people living with us. Even in our house here, we have non Yoruba working with us here, even in my business I have many non Yoruba working with me, in my own community most of the people that sell drugs as pharmacy are not Yoruba, we have a lot of them in Ikare Akoko. Yoruba is always very accommodating, it is in our spirit, in our history and in our background, we normally allow non-indigenes to thrive in our communities, in our states, we are not hostile to them and we will not be hostile to them, because anybody who is hostile to non-indigene in his community his place will not develop. After your installation what should the Yorubas expect from you? Unity, number one, I will pray for unity of the Yoruba race and will work towards it, I have my strategy in my chest, I will make sure I work for the unity of Yoruba race, we have every, because God has given to us, that only problem we are having is that we do not have a united Yoruba race, we will synergy between our people in homeland and our people in diaspora, we will not leave our people in diaspora out of what we are doing, we will carry them along. Yoruba race is about 260 million people all over the world, we are about 60 million in Nigeria, we are more than 200million in diaspora and we you, about 45 percent of people in Benin Republic are Yoruba, 15 percent of the population of Togo are Yoruba, even in Ghana, we traces in Kumasi, when you see our dressing, the similarity in high, in Coite D’voire we have not less than six to seven million Yoruba living their, people who have left Yoruba land for more than 200 years, they can’t even speak Yoruba very well, they speak French and their native language, we have them in Gambia and even in Mali. 18 percent of Brazilians accepted that their ancestral home is Yoruba land, Cuba is like that even majority of blacks in America have their ancestry from Yoruba. So, that potential is huge for us to develop and manage and even develop Nigeria, not only Yoruba land, we have to build synergy across and give them an atmosphere to convince that that it is safe for them to invest here

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

14 News

LPPC demotes 2 SANs for professional misconduct Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has demoted two senior lawyers: Oluwatoyin Bashorun and Kunle Ogunba by withdrawing the prestigious title of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) from them for professional misconduct. A statement by the LPPC secretary, Hadiza Mustapha, said the committee also bar re Bashorun from re-applying for the rank of SAN in the next three years while Kunle Ogunba has been relinquished of all privileges attached to the SAN title. The statement reads in part, “At the last Emergency Meeting which was held on September, 15 2017, the LPPC

by virtue of Section 5 (1) of the Legal Practitioners Act CAP L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. 2004 (as amended), decided to suspend the conferment of the rank of SAN on Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun Esq. pending the investigation of all petitions filed against her. “This is to notify the General Public that after a thorough investigation of the petition, the sub-committee was set up by the LPPC (at which the Applicant was given a fair hearing) at its 129th Plenary Meeting upheld the recommendations of the subcommittee to wit: “That the petitioner’s petition is meritorious, having found that the respondent stayed and continued to stay in

a rented property for nine years without paying rent. “That Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun Esq. being an officer in the temple of justice and an aspirant to the exalted position of SAN has conducted herself in a manner which is clearly in contravention of the provisions of paragraphs 18(2) (a) & (c) and 19 (a) (b) (c) & (d) of the Legal Practitioners Act. On his part :“Honeywell Group petitioned Kunle Ogunba SAN, alleging professional misconduct against him. The misconduct allegedly consists of the institution of multiplicity of proceedings before different judges of the Federal High Court on the same subject with the deliberate aim of abusing the process of court and derailing the course of justice.

“This is to further notify the General Public that after a thorough investigation of the petition by the sub-committee set up by the LPPC (at which the Respondent was given a fair hearing) it was decided that the petition is meritorious. Consequently, the LPPC at its 129th Plenary Meeting has withdrawn the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Kunle Ogunba Esq. and all other privileges attached to the rank forthwith.” According to the statement, the guidelines for the conferment of the title which Bashorun had not comply with include the following: “The candidate must be of good character and must have no pending disciplinary case or complaint relating to profes-

sional misconduct against him. A candidate shall be considered ineligible if in the opinion of the LPPC the candidate is adjudged to be of the following disposition: “Bad behaviour, whether in or out of court ; poor temperament or propensity to insult or assault people or cause them harm or put them in a state of fear of bodily harm; “Evidence of moral depravity or other socially unacceptable behaviour; 19 (I) A candidate must: “Demonstrate high professional and personal integrity; Be honest and straightforward in all his professional/personal dealings; Be of good character and reputation; Be candid with clients and professional colleagues.”

Release Dasuki, El-Zakzaky now, HURIWA ask Buhari By Tom Garba, Yola

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A civil society organisation and a pro-democracy body, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called for the immediate release from detention of over two years of the immediate past national security adviser to the president, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who is being extrajudicially detained despite obtaining two court orders from Federal High Courts of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African Court of Human Rights (ECOWAS COURT). The Rights group also called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiite), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, his wife and thousands of members of the hurriedly proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), just as it called for the conduct of audits of all detention facilities by stakeholders and the legislature. In a statement signed by Emman Onwubiko National coordinator, the group condemned the alleged continued suppression and killing by armed security forces of civil protesters belonging to the minority Islamic movement of Nigeria (Shiite) who are campaigning for freedom for their unjustly incarcerated leader Sheikh Ibrahim ElZakzaky and his wife. Also, the group expressed consternation over the growing list of disappearances of the now proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were allegedly whisked away to unknown detention centres by various segments of the armed security forces for months without trial in the competent courts of law. Similarly, the Rights group has carpeted Federal Government functionaries including President Muhammadu Buhari, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, Minister of Agriculture and Internal Affairs, Audu Ogbeh and Lt. Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazau (rtd), for pandering to the whims of armed Fulani herdsmen.

L-R front row: Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang; Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Nigerian Ambassador to China, Amb. Usman Bakori; Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Roland Asoro; Managing Director, ICMG Securities Limited, Micheal Osime and other government officials, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a 5,500bpd modular refinery between Edo State Government and SINOPEC of China, at SINOPEC Headquarters, Beijing, China

Obaseki, Chinese firms seal construction deals for Gelegele Sea Port ÏÏÏ

Efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to transform Edo State into an industrial hub and create the 200,000 jobs he promised Edo electorates during his electioneering campaign are clearly in sight with the successful signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese companies for the development of Gelegele Seaport and other infrastructure as well as a 5,500 modular refinery in the state. While the Gelegele Seaport will open up Edo State to the international market, the 5,500 modular refineries will boost the refining capacity of local refineries and will address the age-long fuel supply crisis resulting from inadequate capacity to refine petroleum products locally.

The MoU signing ceremony in China on Monday, will see China Harbour Engineering Company, the biggest infrastructure company in China, with a robust portfolio covering the broad infrastructure spectrum, lead the development of the Gelegele seaport that will serve as the gateway for exporting manufactured goods from the Benin Industrial Park under construction and other manufacturing companies in the region. The MoU signing is the result of series of engagements between Governor Obaseki and the Chairman of China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), Mr Lin Yichong, which started last year. China Harbour Engineering Company Limited is a global player in infrastructure development handling the construction-dredg-

ing/ excavation for waterfront development in Yanbu, southwest Saudi Arabia and on the northern shore of the Red Sea as well as the Lagos moles repair project, being executed by the Nigeria Port Authority. Others are the Offshore Approach Light Structure in New Doha International Airport, which includes three terminal bridges and three temporary steel bridges and the Ma’aden Infrastructure Project Port Design and Construction, owned by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, amongst others. The MoU for the Gelegele Seaport project was followed on Wednesday by the sealing of a deal with another Chinese Consortium for a 5,500 barrel per day modular refinery in Edo State. The Chinese consortium is

made up of Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC), a world-leading modular refinery company; Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation (SIPS) which is a subsidiary of Sinopec, the top Chemical giant in the world and African Infrastructure Partners (AIP), a Nigerian Infrastructural company. The first phase of the project will be ready within twelve (12) months after all the necessary approvals are granted by the regulatory authorities. The MoU signing ceremony for the refinery took place at SINOPEC headquarters in Beijing, China, and was witnessed by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in the Asian country as well as staff of SIPS Nigeria, a major local fabrication company, with a branch in Benin City, Edo State.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

15 News

Security agents impound Davido’s luggage over attack on operatives Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏSecurity agencies at-

L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan; Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-ali (rtd), Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Juma’at prayer in Abuja… on Friday.

Ambode swears-in 2 new perm secs Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday swore-in two new Permanent Secretaries, with a charge on the appointees to add value to the State Civil Service and to come up with fresh ideas that will facilitate delivery of dividends of good governance to the people. Speaking at the brief ceremony held at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the position of permanent secretary was very crucial to the smooth running of government machinery, and as such the new appointees must justify the confidence re-

posed in them by making positive difference especially in the manner by which responsibilities are discharged. According to the governor, “In discharging their responsibilities as the accounting officers of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Permanent Secretaries are expected to provide leadership and ensure effective coordination of government business with one goal in mind, which is effective and efficient service delivery to the people.” While expressing confidence in the ability of the new appointees to deliver on their well-deserved appointments, governor

Ambode also lauded the Body of Permanent Secretaries in the state, saying the body had proven to be a reliable pillar of support to his administration since assumption of office. He said the new Permanent Secretaries – Engr. Abdul Adeniyi Omotayo and Mrs Adebimpe Dada, who were appointed from their previous positions as substantive directors, had been part of the process and well acquainted with the standards that have been set by his administration, hence they must bring their knowledge and years of wealth of experience to bear on the public service, adding that such remained

the only way to justify the confidence reposed in them. He said: “In line with the well-acknowledged policy implementation strategies that we have set out, which is driven by creative and innovative thinking, I expect you (new Perm Secs) to come up with new ideas that will make positive difference in the way and manner responsibilities are discharged in your assigned MDAs. “This is the way to go if we are to align with modern realities and also keep pace with the expectations of the diverse and enlightened population like a state that we are running.”

tached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have impounded 17 check-in luggage of the Nigerian musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido. The security agencies took the decisive action following the attacks on Aviation Security (AVSEC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Checkport personnel at the Lagos Airport when he arrived from a trip aboard Emirates Airlines on Thursday evening. A source close to the terminal told our correspondent Friday that crisis began when Checkport staff at the baggage reclaims area attempted to check the tags on the check-in luggage of Davido to confirm if it corresponded with the reclaimed luggage. But, the enquiry of the personnel did not go down well with one of the aides of Davido who refused to tender the tags and resorted to verbal attacks on the personnel. After few minutes of exchange of words, the aide, allegedly punched the Checkport staff in the face while another Customs personnel close to the scene of the incident did not escape his vicious attacks. The attacks on personnel led to the reinforcement of security personnel who bundled him to Tango City within the terminal. Tango City is place where unruly passengers and touts within the airport are taken to by security agencies. However, at the Tango City, rather than behave well, the aide continued his attack on two AVSEC

personnel, one of them was a lady who was writing the report and another Customs officials who he attacked and cut his wrist in the process. It was at this point that the attention of Davido who was already outside the terminal awaiting the collection of his luggage from his aide was called to the terminal incident. It was gathered that when Daivo arrived the scene, he attempted to ensure the release of the aide, which was rebuffed by the security agencies and insisted on taking the detained aide to Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti in Lagos. As at Friday, the 17 seized luggage of Davido were still at the airport while efforts were on to transfer the unruly aide to CID, Panti. The source close to the scene of the incident said: “Davido had arrived Lagos Airport as usual with about 17 luggages in all. The rule is that whenever you arrive, you are expected to release your tags to the Checkport staff for confirmation and verification, but rather than comply with the simple rule, one of his aides insisted he won’t allow them to check the tags. “But, unfortunately, this aide refused to be checked and rather than obey the simple civil aviation rule, he resorted to attacks on everybody. He attacked. No fewer than four officials were beaten by the person in question with at least two of them soaked in blood.” However, as at the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from FAAN but a top management staff confirmed the incident.

Abia south bares indigenes from deputy governor post Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

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Abia South Senatorial zone of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has risen from their meeting at Obingwa with the endorsement of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as their candidate in the 2019 governorship election and forbidden any of their sons and daughters from running as Deputy to candidates of other political parties. The endorsement followed a motion moved by Dr Solomon Ogunji, the National Ex-Officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party and supported by representative of the six Local Government Areas that

made up the Abia South including; Victor Ubani- Aba North, Obioma Ekpen-Aba South, Godwin NnaObingwa, Chibuzo Nwachukwu -Ugwunagbo, Emeka StanleyUkwa East and Sam Nwogu-Ukwa West. According to them, the Governor has done so well in the past three years that there is no need shopping for a replacement. They called on Ukwa Ngwa sons nursing the idea of contesting against the Governor to jettison the idea. Responding, the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu thanked his kinsmen for acknowledging the modest achievements his administration

has made despite two years of distraction. Dr. Ikpeazu noted that nobody has contested governorship seat and stays in court for two years, but him, and stated that in spite of the long legal battle he underwent, his administration was able to achieve much in less than three years. He pointed some of the deteriorated roads his administration has fixed ,most of which done with cement pavement technology and the ongoing ones in Port Harcourt road, Faulks in Aba as well as Aba road in Umuahia among others. The Governor expressed happiness that those roads he has fixed

have stood the test of time and assured Abia people of his determination to do more. He also said the efforts of his administration have changed the narrative of the Aba shoemakers as their products are now being recognized beyond the shores of African sub region. Earlier, the convener of the meeting and Abia South PDP Zonal Chairman, Chief David Chigbu said the PDP members in Abia south are happy with the giant strides of the administration and decided to pay him homage in his hometown. He said they have reviewed all his activities and decided to con-

tinue to throw their weight behind him assuring that he would complete his eight years tenure as the Governor of the State. In separate speeches, Chief Acho Nwakanma, Hon. Tony Mezie Nwaubani, Mr. Hanson Amaechi, Mrs. Stella Igbokwe and Godwin Nna among others all supported the endorsement of Governor Ikpeazu in view of his unprecedented record of achievements in office, reaffirming that no indigene of the zone would accept Deputy Governorship position or contest against Dr. Ikpeazu in 2019. They appealed to members of the party to ensure that their voters’ cards are available.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Personal Finance 17

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

How retail investors can invest in commercial papers Bonny Amadi A commercial paper? Commercial Papers are short-term debt financing securities no longer than 270 days in tenor IN Nigeria, consisting of unsecured and discounted promissory notes issued by large corporations with good credit ratings, which can be readily traded. Due to their relatively short maturity period, commercial papers are referred to as low-risk investments, offering competitive returns to investors in compensation for the issuer’s credit risk. Commercial Papers quoted on FMDQ’s platform are quoted on FMDQ and traded on the FMDQ-Bloomberg E-Bond Trading and Surveillance System. Commercial Papers (CPs) are unsecured money market instruments issued in the form of promissory notes. They are short-term, discounted instruments issued primarily by corporates. Many companies use CPs to raise funds needed for operations and find them to be a lowercost alternative to bank loans. The world of fixed-income securities can be divided into two main categories. The capital markets consist of securities with maturities of more than 270 days, while the money market comprises all fixedincome instruments that mature in 270 days or fewer. Commercial paper falls into the latter category and is a common fixture in many money market mutual funds. This short-term instrument can be a viable alternative for retail fixedincome investors who are looking for a better rate of return on their money. In Nigeria, commercial papers are usually issued by corporate organizations and financial institutions through the FMDQ OTC market. Key CP Terms in Nigeria Accredited Investor: means a Qualified Institutional Investor (QII) or an Eligible Individual

traded in the OTC market. Trades are executed by Dealing Members and CP Specialists via FMDQadvised dealing systems. Is there a minimum level of subscription for a CP issue? :

Bola Onadele Koko, CEO of the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Investor (EII) Collecting and Paying Agent (CPA): This refers to a deposit money bank or discount house appointed by an issuer to perform the functions of collecting and paying funds to investors and issuers where the commercial paper (CP) is sponsored by an Issuing and Placing Agent. CP Specialist: This means a dealing Member of FMDQ who is committed to making firm bid quotes at which it is prepared to buy the CPs that are quoted on FMDQ. The CP Specialist may also make offer quotes or give indicative quotes on the specific CPs. Eligible Individual Investor: An individual investor who is financially sophisticated and meets the qualifying criteria set out in the FMDQ CP Quotations Rules Issuing and Placing Agent (IPA): means a nonbank financial institution sponsoring the issuance of CPs on the FMDQ platform and the placement of CPs with the primary investors. The IPA must

be a registration Member (Quotations) of FMDQ. Issuing, Placing, Paying and Collecting Agent (IPCA): A financial institution sponsoring the issuance of CPs on the FMDQ platform and the placement of CPs with the primary investors. The IPCA must be a Registration Member (Quotations) of FMDQ ‘Offer Documents” means Information Memorandum for the issue of the CP, including any other documents containing relevant information to help an investor make an investment decision. Such documents may include pricing supplement, programme memorandum or equivalent document. How Retail Investors Can Trade in Commercial Paper It is possible for small retail investors to purchase commercial paper, although there are several restrictions that make it more difficult, yet retail investors can invest in CP and make good returns over equity and in some cases

fixed income investment. Most commercial papers are sold and resold to institutional investors, such as large financial institutions, hedge funds and multinational corporations. For a retail investor to participate in the bargain, a retail investor would need access to very large amounts of capital to buy and own commercial paper; otherwise, indirect investment is possible through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or a money market account administered and held at a depository institution. Factors such as regulatory costs, scale of investable capital, and physical access to the capital markets can make it very difficult for individual or retail investors to buy and own commercial paper, which informs why investing through mutual fund or collective investment scheme is appropriate. Secondary trading of CP: CPs quoted on the FMDQ platform will be

The minimum level of subscription for an issue may be determined by the issuer and stated in the Offer Documents. However, where a minimum level of subscription for an issue has not been stated in the Offer Documents, the minimum subscription level shall be 50 per cent of the amount approved by the issuer’s board of directors. Where the level of subscription is below the minimum level stated in the Offer Documents or below 50% of the amount approved by the issuer’s board of directors, the IPCA/IPA will, prior to allotment, provide a signed attestation that investors have been made aware of this fact, failing which, the issue shall be canceled. However, in the US, a commercial paper is typically sold in round lots totaling $100,000. This threshold in itself makes buying commercial paper generally exclusive to institutional investors and wealthy individuals. Further, broker-dealers issuing commercial paper on behalf of a client have pre-existing relationships with institutional buyers that make the market efficient through large purchases of primary offerings. They would not be likely to look to individual investors as a source of capital to fund the transaction. The Bottom Line Commercial paper is becoming increasingly available to retail investors from many outlets. Those who seek higher yields will likely find these instruments appealing due to their superior returns with modest risk.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

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News 19

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January `13, 2018

30 injured, as hoodlums unleash terror in Ondo community ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

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Armed hoodlums have unleashed terror on the residents of Ayetoro in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state, injuring over 30 people. The hoodlums numbering more than 10 were armed with weapons which included cutlasses, axes and clubs. Daily Times gathered that no fewer than 30 residents of the oil rich community were attacked and injured in the melee. Oba Michah Ajijo, traditional ruler of the local com-

munity was picketed in the crisis and accused of sponsoring the hoodlums who came from Igbokoda. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that crisis started when a young man in the community, Isaac Ikuyelorimi, was asked to stop a sound system he was playing to disturb the peace of the community. “They challenged Mr. Isaac Ikuyelorimi to stop the music because he is disturbing them but he told them that they have no right to stop him because the music was from his house.

“But before we know what was going on, it turned into a heated argument while the other hoodlums came from Ajijo’s house and rushed out to attack Mr. Ikuyelorimi. The source added that the hoodlums also unleashed terror on other people in the neighbourhood and stabbed them with bottles, knives and cutlasses. Speaking, Ajinde Iretolu the Chairman of the Ayetoro Youth Congress explained that the hoodlums disturbed the public peace in the town as everyone ran for safety.

Mr. Iretolu accused Joseph Oniyesan as the leader of the hoodlums, who was invited by Oba Ajijo with the sole aim of disrupting the Founder’s Day Anniversary in the town slated for Sunday 14 January. He disclosed that the mobile policemen stationed in the community to maintain peace had hectic time restoring sanity in the community. According to Iretolu, while effort was on going to restore peace, one of the thugs snatched a rifle from a policeman and shot at the people running for cover.

“After the situation had gone out of hand we called the police station in Igbokoda and Naval base for help, immediately the hoodlums ran back into Ajijo’s house”. He said that some of the hoodlums were arrested with Oba Ajijo and were all whiskered away by the police to Osogbo in Osun state. He added that those who were seriously wounded during the fisticuffs are now receiving treatment at one of the private hospitals in the community. Our reporter authoritatively learned that the mayhem in the community might not be unconnected

with the prolonged kingship tussle on the Ogeleyinbo title which began since 2015. In a swift reaction, one of the kinsmen to the king, Mr. Moboluwaji Ajijo argued that the community attacked his brother with his supporters while observing their morning devotion in his house. Mr. Ajijo accused one Prophet Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, the Alakoso and grandson of the founder of the community, late King Peter Ojagbohunmi, as the person who incited the people against the king who was a former ambassador of Africa Development

Police arrest kidnap suspects in bank premises

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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Ifeanyi Dike arrives court for trials

Suspected ritualist faints in court, as trial begins Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The trial of suspected ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike, commenced on Friday at the Rivers State High Court number 9, where he was arraigned before Justice Adolphus Enebeli. Ifeanyi Dike allegedly murdered the late 8-year old girl, Chikamso Favour in August 2017, after raping her and harvesting her genitals. Also arraigned before

Justice Adolphus Enebeli are: Ogochukwu Nnamiro (Second Accused Person) and Sergeant Johnbosco Okoroeze (Third Accused Person). They were arraigned as accessories after the fact. A mild drama ensued in court as Ifeanyi Dike, gave a loud shout after his case was mentioned. Thereafter, he refused to take his plea. His counsel, Lizinna Ameegua urged the court to order that a mental examination be carried out on

him to ascertain his mental status. Justice Enebeli declined the request. Thereafter, Ifeanyi Dike collapsed in Court. The Court entered a plea of not guilty for him, while the second and third accused persons pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned to January 16, 26 and 29, 2018, for definite hearing. Justice Enebeli said that the matter would be heard on a day to day basis. Earlier in the court,

Counsel to Dike, Lizinna Ameegua raised objection to the trial on the ground that the information filed by the prosecution was incomplete. He urged the court to discharge the first accused person. The Court dismissed the objection. Addressing journalists after the adjournment, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) said he expected the case to be heard expeditiously.

The Delta State police Command on Friday arrested two suspected kidnappers at the premises of a bank (name withheld), where they had gone to withdraw the ransom money paid by the relations of their victim. The suspects, Emeka Ndukwe 31 and Fabian Okara 34, it was gathered were arrested by police detectives attached to the Delta State Police Command Asaba at the bank premises upon acting on intelligence that the suspects were in the premises of the new generation bank to withdraw the ransome money deposited in the account by the victims relations. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Aniamakawho confirmed the arrest of the suspects. Expectedly, the kidnap suspects had before the bubble burst called the family of their victims (Names withheld) demanding for N400, 000 ransom and at the same time directed that the money be paid into a particular account. It was when they went to withdraw the money that luck ran out on them and were arrested. Mr. Aniamaka speaking further disclosed that the suspects upon interrogation confessed to the crime, adding that they will be charged to court upon com-

pletion of investigation. Meanwhile a disciplinarian and chairman of Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State Mr. Monday Oki has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 5 Benin City, Edo State to come to his aid, and protect him from the hands of some persons in the community who are allegedly after his life. A copy of the petition made available to our reporter, alleged that some persons in his community had threatened to eliminate him, adding that December 28, 2017 at the premises of Warri Pipeline and Petroleum Marketing Company depot to carry out some work when the suspects accused him of wanting to kill them, and ordered their boys who were around to deal with him. The Petition written through his lawyer, Alexender Esiyoma, however urged the AIG to investigate the threat to his client’s life and bring those behind it to book. Also, a female student Edith Okafor of the Delta State University Asaba Campus who resides at Camp 74 Area in Asaba has called on the police in the State to beef up security in the area as armed bandits who allegedly double as kidnapers make the area unsafe.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018 MR OLAOLUWADUNNI TIMOTHY OLALEKAN

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR. OLADUNNI TIMOTHY OLALEKAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED MR OLAOLUWADUNNI TIMOTHY OLALEKAN . FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

AKPAN ANIEKAN BENSON I formerly known and addressed as ABASI ANIEKAN now I wish to be known and addressed as AKPAN ANIEKAN BENSON . I was born on 27/10/1981. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CHIJIOKE ROSSANA NGOZI I, formerly known and addresses as SAMUEL CHIJIOKE ROSSANA now wish to be known and addresses as CHIJIOKE ROSSANA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MRS PELUOLA KAFAYAT TOMISIN

BUNMI TEMITOPE OLADIPUPO

MRS DEBORAH ADEOLA BALOGUN

SUNDAY GOODNESS CHIDINMA

MRS OLORUNDARE AGNES OJOGBANE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinsola Kafayat Tomi now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs Peluola Kafayat Tomisin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Bunmi Temitope Talabi. Now wish to be known and addressed as Bunmi Temitope Oladipupo. all former documents remain valid.general public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY MISS DEBORAH ADEOLA ABEJIDE, WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS DEBORAH ADEOLA BALOGUN. THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, NIGERIA AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA GOODNESS CHIDINMA , now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY GOODNESS CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OJUH AGNES OJOGBANE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLORUNDARE AGNES OJOGBANE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANIEKE JERRY SAMUEL I formerly known and addressed as ANEKE SAMKISS SAMUEL now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEKE JERRY SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADU OLUBUNMI ESOHE

MRS OGUNLOLA SAKIRAT OPEYEMI

MISS OGUNKUNLE RACHEAL FUNKE

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS RAHMAN SAKIRAT OPEYEMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OGUNLOLA SAKIRAT OPEYEMI,ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMIAN VALID,GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OLUFEMI RACHEAL FUNKE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OGUNKUNLE RACHEAL FUNKE,ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID,GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE

MRS. AMASIATU BASILIA CHINYERE

I, formerly known and addresses as MISS EGONACHU BASILIA CHINYERE now wish to be known and addresses as MRS. AMASIATU BASILIA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

IFEDUNNI OYINDAMOLA ADENIKE

AROMIRE NAIMAT MATANMI

Formerly Ifedunni Oyindamola Okeowo, now Ifedunni Oyindamola Adenike. Former document remains valid. General public should take note.

Formerly Ogunbiyi Naimat Matanmi Now Aromire Naimat Matanmi. Former document remains valid. General public should take note

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that my correct name is CHINEMELU CHIGOZIE CHARLES and not OKAFOR CHIDOLUE CHARLES and my correct date of birth is 10th January, 1985. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

NGENE SUNDAYPAUL I, formerly known and addressed as ARUM SUNDAY PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as NGENE SUNDAYPAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

AGBO NGOZI ANNERT

I formerly known and addressed as Adu Bunmi Ariyike now wish to be known and addressed as Adu Olubunmi Esohe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADDITION OF NAME In some of my documents including my GTB Bank Account my name was written as OGUNDOWOLE MICHAEL, I wish to add MAKANJUOLA to my name. Henceforth I wish to be known as OGUNDOWOLE MICHAEL MAKANJUOLA .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OPARAH TAIWO ABIODUN

Formerly Bello Taiwo Abiodun now Oparah Taiwo Abiodun. Former document remains valid. General public should take note. OLISAH CHIDIOGO RUTH

I formerly known and addressed as NWOGU NGOZI ANNERT, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBO NGOZI ANNERT. All formal documents remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EZEAKU CHIDIOGO RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as OLISAH CHIDIOGO RUTH. All formal documents remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

OSUIGWE MONICA UZOAMAKA

MRS APINE MSURSHIMA ELIZABETH

I, formerly known and addressed as ALIUGO MONICA UZOAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as OSUIGWE MONICA UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ATULE MSURSHIMA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS APINE MSURSHIMA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. IFEANYI- ANENE CHIDINMA CHIGOZIE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE CYNTHIA OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UZOMA CYNTHIA OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

BENNETH ONYINYE ESTHER I, formerly known and addressed as EZENTA ONYINYE ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as BENNETH ONYINYE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NWAIWU CHIDINMA CHIGOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as IFEANYIANENE CHIDINMA CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS OBUMNEME FAVOUR CHINASA

MRS ODIATU OSINACHI GETRUDE

MRS ATAMA STELLA ONYINYECHI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDEH CHINASA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBUMNEME FAVOUR CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IBETUBE OSINACHI GETRUDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODIATU OSINACHI GETRUDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLINYA STELLA ONYINYECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ATAMA STELLA ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CAROLINE HASSAN I formerly known as CAROLINE VICTORIA ADEBOWALE wish to be known and addressed as CAROLINE HASSAN. All former documents remain valid General public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

This is to inform the general public of loss documents in respect of PLOT R/1 AGBANI STATE LAYOUTRegistered as 1/1/110 at land registry belonging to OKOH ANAYO UCHE, loss of documents building certificate of occupancy. All effort of trace the said document has proved abortive. If found please contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.

This is to inform the general public of loss of LAND AT ISI LGA LAYOUT AWKUNANAW ENUGU in Enugu South L.G.A Registered as 20/10/1477 at land registry belonging to MR. CHRISTOPHER ENENDU C., the said are Plot 37 and 38 Deed of sub lease. All effort of trace the said document has proved abortive. If found please contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.

MRS UZOMA CYNTHIA OGOCHUKWU

ANYAEGBU BARTHOLEMEW IKE

I formerly known and addressed as IKE GOD ANYAEGBU now wish to be known and addressed as ANYAEGBU BARTHOLEMEW IKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

20 Public Notice

IKEH JOSEPH HARRISON

ONYEGBULE HELEN

I formerly known and addressed as IKEH JOSEPH ANAYOR now wish to be known and addressed as IKEH JOSEPH HARRISON. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONYEGBULA HELEN UGWUAKAMMA now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEGBULE HELEN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS. CHARITY AGBONMA MPAMUGO

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS CHARITY AGBONMA ANUEBUNWA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. CHARITY AGBONMA MPAMUGO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ESTHER SAMUEL ZHIYA

I formerly known and addressed as LYDIA FRIDAY now I wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER SAMUEL ZHIYA . I was born on 20/04/1998 not 24/04/1990.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OKUNADE AKEEM SALISU Formerly Okunade Akeem Ayinla and Okunade Hakim Change, now Okunade Akeem Salisu. Former document remains valid. General public should take note. OKONKWO CRESCENT AMAECHI

I, formerly known and addressed as NEBE CRESCENT AMAECHI, now wish to be known and addressed asOKONKWO CRESCENT AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

MRS ONU JUDITH OLUCHI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AJAH JUDITH OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONU JUDITH OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGEDENGBE JUSTINA EGBE I formerly known and addressed as AHONSIIKHUOEYA JUSTINA EGBE now I wish to be known and addressed as OGEDENGBE JUSTINA EGBE .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note. MR OKON UDO INYANG I, Mr Okon Udo Inyang wish to effect the following changes in my official documents. That Udo is my middle name while Okon and Inyang are my first and last surname respectively and my date of birth 24-121966 which appear on my identity card is correct. The General Public, Zenith Bank Plc, Unity Bank for Africa and Eco Bank should please take note.

OWUCHUKWU MARTIN OZOEMENEM

I formerly known and addressed as ONWUCHUKWU .S. OZORMENA MARTINS now I wish to be known and addressed as OWUCHUKWU MARTIN OZOEMENEM .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to certify that my correct name is IFEANYICHUKWU SUNDAY CHINANYERE and not SUNDAY CHINENYE NWANNE and my correct date of birth was 2nd December, 1976 and not 31st December 1976. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

EZE BLESSING NNENNA

MRS ONOVO IFEOMA ANTHONIA

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU CELESTINA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed asEZE BLESSING NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. Nkanu West Local Govt and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NGENE IFEOMA ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONOVO IFEOMA ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

EDMOND EKWUTOSI NKECHINYERE

MISS ONWUEKELU OBIOMA NONYELUM

I, formerly known and addressed as MENUBA EKWUTOSI NKECHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as EDMOND EKWUTOSI NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO OBIOMA NONYELUM, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ONWUEKELU OBIOMA NONYELUM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AGU CHINYERE FAITH

MRS NWOBODO MERCY AMARACHI

I, formerly known and addressed as EZE ANTHONIA IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKORO ANTHONIA IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as AGU BEANICE CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGU CHINYERE FAITH. My correct date of birth is 13th JANUARY 1971. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANYA MERCY AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOBODO MERCY AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNAMANI CHRISTOPHER UWAEZUOKE

MRS DOZIE NWODO CHINYERE ANTHONIA

MRS EZEH NGOZI EDITH

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENEKWE ANTHONY CHINYERE ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DOZIE NWODO CHINYERE ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE NGOZI EDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEH NGOZI EDITH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKORO ANTHONIA IFEOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as BENJAMIN KINGSLEY, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI CHRISTOPHER UWAEZUOKE. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I operate a saving account with fidelity bank with the name NWAJI BENARD, voters Card name as NWALI NWAJI BENARD and my name was wrongly written as BERNARD NWAJIDE. That I now want to change and correct that mistake to bear my correct name which is NWAJI BENARD.NWALI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OKWOR CHINONSO KUZITO

I formerly known and addressed as OKWOR CHINONSO STANELY now wish to be known and addressed as OKWOR CHINONSO KUZITO. All Former Documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME That I was formerly known and addressed as AMUJIOGU CHISOM, that I now wish to add NNENNA to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as AMUJIOGU CHISOM NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take notes. ENEDA CHIEMELIE GENEVIEVE

I formerly known and addressed as ENEDA,CHIEMELIE JANEFRANCIS now wish to be known and addressed as ENEDA CHIEMELIE GENEVIEVE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME That I was formerly known and addressed as EKOH SOMTOCHUKWU, that I now wish to add JOSEPH to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as EKOH JOSEPH SOMTOCHUKWU. My correct date of birth is 11th January 1999.All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take notes.

CORRECTION OF NAME My name was wrongly written during the registration of BVN as SUNDAY DADA instead of SUNDAY ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018 ISHAKA AISHAT IYE I formerly known called and addressed as MUHAMMED AISHAT IYE, now wish to be known called and addressed as ISHAKA AISHAT IYE. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

UDUAK LAWRENCE ESHO I formerly known called and addressed as UDUAK LAWRENCE UKPONK, now wish to be known called and addressed as UDUAK LAWRENCE ESHO. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

Public Notice 21

MRS. CHRISTIANA EKEMOGIE

EZEH NWAOYIBO DEBORAH

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IYOBASU CHRISTIANA IZEKOR now wish to addressed as MRS. CHRISTIANA EKEMOGIE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NWOSU OYIBO DEBORA now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH NWAOYIBO DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UJU ROSELINE CHUKWUSON I formerly Known and addressed as UJU ROSELINE IFEDIKE and now wish to known an addressed as UJU ROSELINE CHUKWUSON All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS YASHIM RUTH MBWANKO

ADEWOYE OPEYEMI BIOLA

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

This is to certify that OKPO EMMANUEL ROYAL CHIMECHEFULAM; OKPO EMMANUEL .C. and OKPO EMMANUEL ROYAL;refers to one and same person ; now wish to be known and addressed as OKPO EMMANUEL ROYAL CHIMECHEFULAM. All Former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public take note.

FORENSIC AUDIT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED, HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ANUMBA, ANTHONY OKWUDILI. 2. MADU, KIZITO CHUDI JEROME 3. ANUMBA, OBIAGELI NNONYE. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CREATE FINANCIAL FRAUD AWARENESS, 2. TO RAISE ANTI FINANCIAL FRAUD CONSCIOUS CITIZENS, 3. TO TEACH MEMBERS FINANCIAL FRAUD PRONE AREAS IN THE SOCIETY, 4. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

WONDERFUL WORD OF LIFE FOR CHRIST ONLY MINISTRY

I formerly known and addressed as MISS JIBRIN RUTH now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS YASHIM RUTH MBWANKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLAYEMI OPEYEMI BIOLA now wish to be known called and addressed as ADEWOYE OPEYEMI BIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

INTEGRITY CLUB ENUGU This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration Under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF HON. EDWARD NNAJI - (CHAIRMAN) 2. ENGR JOSEPH OGBU – ( SECRETARY) 3. HON. JUDE OKWOR – (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) 4. PRINCE KENNETH NNAJI – (TREASURER) 5. HON OBUMNEME EKEH – (P.R.O) 6. HON BARR PETER ANEKE – (LEGAL ADVISER) AIMS & OBJECTIVE 1) To render selfless humanitarian services to humanity. 2) To propagate peace and foster unity in the society. 3) To collaborate with relevant Government Agencies in fighting corruption. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed CHIEF HON. EDWARD NNAJI (CHAIRMAN)

GRACE COMPASSIONATE IN REVIVAL POWER MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. PASTOR ANDREW PETER MUSA - PRESIDENT 2. EVANGELIST ROSEMARY PETER 3. OLONISAKIN K. EUNICE 4 JEREMIAH FRIDAY 5 AGBOGO U. VICTOR.

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR JIMBA T. PAUL - PRESIDING SENIOR PASTOR. 2. SAMUEL T. SHIGABA 3. JIMBA Z. COMFORT 4. PETER KURE 5. JOSEPH SHAGARI.

AIMS: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

AIMS. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: JOHN SAMUEL OPEYEMI ESQ 07017040083.

TURNER AND MIRIAM ISOUN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE BUSINESS MEN OF NIGERIA THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. USIAKIMI IGBASEIMOKUMO. 2.DISEYE ISOUN. 3. EBITARI ISOUN LARSON. 4. TARIYE GBADEGESIN. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENHANCE FEMALE GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATION IN OIL. 2. TO PROMOTE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION IN BAYELSA. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

HEAVENLY LIFE TRANSFORMATION GOSPEL INT’L

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. MR LI BIN - NATIONAL CHAIRMAN. 2. MRS WANG JIA. 3. MR LI WEI CAI. 4. MRS LIU LIN MEI - NATIONAL SECRETARY. AIMS: 1.TO BOOST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY AMONG CHINESE RESIDING IN NIGERIA. 2 TO CREATE BUSINESS AWARENESS AMONG MEMBERS.

FRESH DIVINE ANOINTING MINISTRY

TOCHUKWUJI MAUREEN CHUKWUTO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AGHA MAUREEN CHUKWUTO and now wish to known and addressed as TOCHUKWUJI MAUREEN CHUKWUTO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to certify that CHIDOZIE CAROLINE NWONU and CHIDOZIE CAROLINE ONUGBO refer to be same person I now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDOZIE CAROLINE NWONU. That my date of birth when bears 1st January 1930 instead of 24th March 1933. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANAGBOGU GIFT OGOCHUKWU

IVOTE NNENNA VICTORIA

I formerly known and addressed as Nnodu Gift Ogochukwu and Unodu Gift O now wish to be known called and addressed as Anagbogu Gift Ogochukwu . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed SIMEON NNENNA VICTORIA now wish to be known called and addressed as IVOTE NNENNA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PETER IDOKA I formerly known and addressed as LENGPAN MONDAY now wish to be known and addressed as PETER IDOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. NZE SCHOLARSTICA IFEOMA

This is to certify that NZE SCHOLARSTICA IFEOMA and NZE CECILIA IFEOMA refers to be same person now wish to be known and addressed NZE SCHOLARSTICA IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODOFIN DAMILOLA BASIRAT Formerly known and addressed as OYEWUSI DAMILOLA BASIRAT now wish to be known and addressed as ODOFIN DAMILOLA BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS NWOSU IFEYINWA I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AGWUNCHA IFEYINWA BLESSING NOW KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS NWOSU IFEYINWA BLESSING. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, AUTHORITIES CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NEW LIFE AND GOD’S REIGNING MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999 TRUSTEES: 1. PST UGBEDEOJO F. ANIBE - PRESIDENT. 2. EMAOJO UGBEDEOJO 3. SHAIBU OJONUGWA 4. SIMON JOSEPH ACHIMUGWU AIMS: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: JOHN SAMUEL OPEYEMI ESQ 07017040083.

DIVINE CHURCH OF ALL NATION FOR WORDS OF TRUTH AND SALVATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. NNAJI OKEKE EMMANUEL 2. DANIELS IFUNANYA CECILIA 3. UDENRI UGOCHUKWU DANIEL 4. PASTOR CHIOMA PRECIOUS 5. FERDINAND UWAKWE AKOMA AIMS: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: JOHN SAMUEL OPEYEMI ESQ 07017040083.

ADVOCACY NIGERIA FOR IMPROVED MATERNAL AND CHILDREN HEALTH INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1) PST. JAMES EFU 2) FAVOUR EFU JAMES. 3) PST. HASSAN Z. BUI. 4) MRS JAMES REGINA. 5)BENARD CALEB.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1) PST. DENIS GYUNDU 2) MRS. MARYAM SULE GBANA 3) SUSAN S. HARUNA 4) PST. SULE H. GBANA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DR KOLE SHETTIMA. 2. DR MAIRO MANDARA. 3. AMINA MOHAMMED. 4. DR I. J. DAUDA. 5. DR MOJI ODEKU. 6. MIKE EGBOH. 7. HON SAUDATU SANI.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS

AIMS. TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF IMPROVED MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Business Interview

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Aviation agencies are full of incompetent personnel - Saidu The Secretary General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdul-Rasaq Saidu, recently spoke on the challenges facing aviation In this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO, he raised several controversies on other national issues in the industry. Can you look back at 2017 and give a candid review as regards the aviation sector in Nigeria? As far as we are concerned in Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals(ANAP), we see the outgone year-2017 as a year of ups and downs in the sector. This is so because there were some policies that were not consistent with ICAO policies and best practices. There are many also that are merely politically formulated by government that are not in line with ICAO’s set standard. For example, the remodeling of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) and the loan they took from China was(allegedly) mis-managed. The original master plan of MMIA and Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja were badly depleted. The depletion has seriously affected the Control Towers of both airports. What justification or right do they have ? They ought to have followed the original master plan of MMIA and NAIA. Even, if you talk of Security, most of the sterile areas of the airports have been given out to individuals on political basis. So, God is just saving Nigeria. If not, anybody that has evil intention in blowing up MMA, will do so with ease because they have easy access to the terminal building. In addition, security is so much complicated that you don’t really know who to hold responsible when there is any breach of security at the airports. For example, there is a law which authorises aviation security personnel of FAAN carry firearms. Can you tell me one person among AVSEC officials that bear arms or trained on how to handle rifle today? The other security agencies that have taken over everywhere have continuously been manipulating, beating and harassing officials of Avsec. Avsec of FAAN have been trained to maintain and enforce Aviation Security at the airports. So, this is one of the issues that bedeviled the industry in 2017. The second is- before now, the promotion of staff in the agencies have been carried out as at when due, but for the past three years, workers have been made to stagnate on a level whereas political cronies were constantly sent to the aviation agencies from

‘above’ to fill top management positions without requisite trainings and knowledge on the job they were given. This has brought frustration and diminishing returns in productivity of experienced staff. How can you impose a youth corp member to occupy positions meant for levels 14-15 in the agencies, thereby ignoring those staff that have been working for years who ought to be promoted to fill such positions. The illegal imposition comes from not only the Presidency, but also from the National Assembly and the Ministry of Aviation. We have majority of those cases in FAAN, NiMet, NCAA and NAMA. These agencies were flooded with people that cannot add value to the operations and productivities of the agencies other than increasing the wages bill of the agencies. This is more annoying when actually the Federal Government has not been been funding the payment of salaries,wages and gratuities of staff and pensioners of the agencies. The agencies generates their own funds. Another problem is the lack of training and restraining; refusal of the government to appoint board of directors for the agencies by this government and the previous one, If this had been done, it will have drastically reduce the interference of the Ministry of Aviation in directly interfering with the day-to-day administration of the agencies. You cannot tell me that all is well in these agencies in the past three years.....we have a government that has been administering us with fiat! But recent media reports indicated that board members have been appointed for these and other other federal agencies? We heard of the controversial issue of appointment of dead people as board members. As at now, we have not seen any of the so media publication with details of the lists of the boards. So, in the present circumstance, we are taking it as Abracadabramagical publication- for their own political suitability. They are not being sincere. This year will be a year of possible face-off between the labour, civil societies and the government on various issues. If government of Buhari is sincere, let it publish the names of those board members not from unverifiable sources.

Saidu

Government must also ensure that such board or boards in the aviation agencies include representatives of Labour and Civil Societies. Anything short of this will not be Is there any portion of the Acts that sets up the Agencies stating that Labour and Civil Societies shall have representatives in the Boards? Government is an employer of labour. Without labour there is no employer and without capital there is no labour and vice-versa. There is no need putting that in the Acts since the says that the Minister upon recommendations to the president shall board members and others which we strongly believed must include Labour and Civil Societies. What is your take on the claim last year by the Minister of State on Aviation that labour was part of the Committees on Conces sion of four Airports he sets up? We have debunked that. We categorically stated that we in ANAP and the FAAN branch of National Union of Pensioners (NUP) were not part of the Committees. At a meeting we held in the presence of the Minister of Labour with the Minister of State,

Aviation and the two permanent secretaries, the Minister, Hadi Sirika agreed that it was only the presidents of ATSSSAN and NUATE that were members of the Committees and we told him that NUATE and ATSSSAN are not the only unions in the Aviation sector. He thereafter apologized and that he was sorry that ANAP and FAAN NUP were not part of the Committees and that he was not aware the two unions were in existence as at the time and that he was misinformed. Since we were sidelined, we prepared our position papers and sent to the National Assembly, its Committees on Aviation and the Minister himself. If there had been a in place, all this would not have happened with the Ministry running the agencies on day to day basis. The organ that is allowed by law to have direct access are the Management and the Board of Directors and not the Ministry. So, in absence of the Board of Directors, which was deliberately made by the former administration and now we have an administration that profess change and we expected that it should have moved away from the antics of former administration by appoint-

ing Board of Directors for these agencies, but what do we see, it is business as usuàl. If you look at the composition of this government, you will see that it is 50% APC and 50% PDP and that is why we are not not moving forward and we are not going to tolerate this any longer. Look at the last May Day celebration, they mentioned the issue of minimum wage and later set up committee with Governors who have not been able to pay the existing N18,000 minimum wage as members. How can such governors agreed that the minimum wage should be increased? It’s all a taboo. The next May Day will soon be here and they will continue to still be talking of Minimum Wage. How can we be deceiving ourselves? It is now or never for Labour to face this government squarely, until they put things in proper perspective. I think the President and Commander-in-Chief is now seeing the reality. He has now known that he has assembled destroyers and deceitful people and we are not going to allow it. We are going to make this country ungovernable for him . Enough is Enough. How has Labour faired in 2017 under this government? Labour in this country, as far as I am concerned under under NLC declined after the exit of Sunmonu and Adams Oshiomohle. After the exits of those two characters, Labour has been a ‘ChopChop’ organisation and later went astray under Wahab Goodluck and due to undemocratic way of doing things, NLC finally sunk under the leadership of Comrade Ayuba Waba. What has achieved for Nigerian workers. Also, coming to other labour front such as the TUC, it’s “High Soletto,High my Pocket.” Labour has failed Nigerian workers woefully, otherwise, I challenged them to mention one or two things they-NLC and TUCachieved for Nigerian workers in the recent past and presently, none! They cannot fight for minimum wage, they can’t fight for high level of unemployment, they can’t fight the issue of petroleum problems and yet they dabbles into issues politics and security that does not concern them. Another area they kept quiet on is the- Who fixes the salaries and remuneration of members of the National Assembly A serious Labour Center ought to have challenged this, yet the Salaries and Wages Commission that is authorised by law to fix this as it is other climes. So, the two labour centers have failed the workers. As regards aviation, what goes around, must surely comes around. The leadership at the labour centers transcend other industrial unions.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

23 News

Benue killings: Don’t misquote me, Lalong tells media Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏSequel to the statement

credited to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, at the State House in Abuja Thursday, where he was quoted to have said he advised the Benue State governor not to implement the anti grazing bill, Lalong has said the media should not misquote the intent of his statement, as Benue Plateau remain unquestionable ally. In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, Emmanuel Nanle and made available to newsmen, Lalong said he is disappointed at the manner in which

reports making the rounds on social media and some broadcast stations, concerning the interview he granted to members of the Press, after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso villa Abuja. The statement reads in part, “it is sad that my expression which bothered on the plateau situation, in which I said I was waiting for the provision of the ranching alternative ahead of the total ban on open grazing in the State, was taken out of context and completely misquoted when my response on peer review of policies with my counterparts from neighbouring state was responded to in the affirmative”.

Lalong berated those who have taken to the social media to make negative statements and draw political capital out of the unfortunate situation in Benue, while the pains in the grieving hearts of the victims were still fresh. Similarly, a group under the aegis of Plateau Regeneration group (PRG), has condoled with the people of Benue over the unfortunate incident that led to the wanton lost of lives Speaking through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Choi Bandung Chuhwak, said: “We wish to use this opportunity to clear the air on our Governor’s interview with the State House Correspondents in Abuja where he was

quoted out of context. “Our findings revealed that what Gov Lalong actually meant was that implementing a policy like ban on open grazing without alternative measures would be counterproductive”, he said. However, the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) has expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Benue State over the unfortunate series of attacks that took place in the wake of the New Year. The Director General of the Agency, Mr Joseph Lengmang, in a statement made available to our correspondent said, the Plateau people are particularly saddened by the unnecessary loss of hu-

man lives and properties. His words, “we do understand more than anyone else the pains and hurts that the people of Benue are subjected to: we understand because we have been there before and the risks we face are still as stark as ever, yet, we must not lose hope and faith in the promise of a better tomorrow: our destiny as a people offers not a cup of despair, but of multiple streams of opportunities and blessings. “These ugly incidents should not serve as a motivation for vengeance or incentive for hatred; on the contrary, let the memories of the loved and lost inspire deep ratiocination in our minds such that never again will evil

prevail as it has for all those who lost their lives to brutal attacks on the eve of 2018. “As an agency of government saddled with the responsibility of promoting the culture of peaceful and harmonious coexistence through advocacy, research, multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnerships, we fully appreciate the magnitude of the existential threat facing our people in Plateau state, Middle Belt and across the country: we submit that we can only triumph over this evil when we are united over a common purpose and also strategic in our thinking as opposed to being merely reactionary”, Lengmang said.

Ogun 2019: It’s Yewa/Awori turn or nothing –Aspirant Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏAn House of

Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari (2nd left) and other Muslim faithful at the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Juma’at prayer in Abuja… on Friday.

Nigeria has suffered under APC –Abia PDP Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democrat-

ic Party, PDP Abia Chapter has berated the hunger bestowed on Nigeria by the activities of the All Progressive Alliance, APC at the national level, stating that PDP wants to change the bad change. Speaking in Umuahia when the leadership of the party in the state had interaction with journalists, the chairman of the party in Abia, Sir Johnson Okebaram Onuigbo said Nigerians are passing through terrible period in the hands of APC, regretting, “we were warned”. “Nigeria is passing through a terrible period at the hands of APC. We, PDP want to change the bad

change. PDP want to ensure that there is security in the country. The spate of killings under the APC is unprecedented and PDP is working had to give Nigeria peace and tranquillity”, he said. He further said, “There is hunger in the land. Hunger is ravaging the country and Nigeria is suffering under APC. It is important all put hands together to remove the bad administration. We need to change the change”. Sir Onuigbo said the Benue killings are not pleasant, stating “we have to remove APC and bring in PDP who knows the problem of the people. There must be restructuring if you want us to stay as one Nigeria. Let us talk”. The Abia PDP chieftain said that there are many rea-

sons Nigerians must struggle and remove “the monster” ravaging the country; otherwise, all will become Muslims. According to him, “APC does not love Nigeria as protests are everywhere” in the country, “we must speak out”. He described PDP as a peace-loving, God-fearing party that ruled the country for 16 years “before the enemy came and sowed the tars”. “Nigeria was enjoying, better and competing with other nations until locust came and ravaged the nation”, stating, “but in our nature, we want change”. In the state, he said PDP will give all aspirants level play ground and there will be no automatic ticket, pointing

out “there will be no returnreturn, including at the office of the governor. Time of imposition and impunity is gone. “We have learnt our lessons and we are going to right the wrong. That is the position of PDP today in Abia State”. Sir Onuigbo used the opportunity to describe the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu as having human face, stating that it is only in Abia that salaries are being paid. Responding, the Abia state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade John Emejor described the occasion as unique and first in history, disclosing that the interaction “does not suggest that all is well with journalists in Abia”.

Assembly aspirant from Ogun West senatorial district of the State, Hon Kola Lameed Muyideen has called on Elders from Yewa Awori zone of the State to remain resolute in the bid of making an Ogun West Indigene Governor come 2019. He also charged them not to be used as instruments of division by political gladiators who may not be sincere with the Yewa/Awori agenda. Kola Lameed made the call while speaking with news men in Ota during empowerment for some youths from Yewa Awori area of the State. He noted that Ogun West has been marginalized and deprived of necessary social amenities and basic infrastructures since the return of the country to democracy in 1999. Mr. Kola Lameed Muyideen who is a communication expert berated the LAMDEN RICHARD LOHVANG I formerly known called and addressed as LAMDEN LOHVANG, now wish to be known called and addressed as LAMDEN RICHARD LOHVANG. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note. MS OLUFUMILAYO OLAWUNMI ADESINA

I formerly known called and addressed as MRS OLUFUMILAYO OLAWUNMI ADESINA OSIGWE, now wish to be known called and addressed as MS OLUFUMILAYO OLAWUNMI ADESINA. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

action of some elders as political parasite whose action is aimed at affecting the bright chances of Ogun West to produce governor for the first time. He also lamented that present eight years of Ibukunle Amosun led administration has impoverish the people of the area the more without any achievement to show for it. Mr. Muyideen said the people in Ogun West deserve more than newly created Ogun State Polytechnic in Ipokia Local Government which the governor is seen as Laudable development particularly when there is no motorable road in the axis. He therefore advised all elders who wanted t to create political crisis in the zone all because of their selfish interest to first think about backwardness created by the present and past government before making any moves that may jeopardize the chance of the zone to produce governor in 2019. MRS ADEOYE SINMISOLA MARY

I formerly known called and addressed as MISS LAKEHINDE SINMISOLA MARY, now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS ADEOYE SINMISOLA MARY. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

PETER AWU EDOH

I formerly known called and addressed as JOSEPH EDOH ADAH, now wish to be known called and addressed as PETER AWU EDOH. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should please take note.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

EXTRATIME

he Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday inaugurated its newly –composed Technical and Development Committee, just as the committee held its inaugural meeting at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who represented NFF President Amaju Pinnick and the Executive Committee, hailed the calibre of the membership, before charging them to bring their experience, astuteness and sagacity to play to ensure that Nigerian National Teams not only maintain the impressive form of 2017, but go ahead to perform better internation-

NFF inaugurates technical and development committee ally in year 2018. “The NFF leadership took its time to compose this very important committee, and this is evident in the calibre of people we have in this room. Your responsibility is indeed huge because the National Teams must not only maintain their good showing of 2017, but must perform even better this year. “Nigerians will not take excuses for poor showing by any of the National Teams. The ball is now in your court to fashion policies and programmes that will guarantee great performances by our teams internationally.”

Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ thanked the NFF for the opportunity given the members to serve, and assured that given the pedigree of persons in the panel, he has no doubt that the National Teams are headed for even better days. “I am excited that we have juggernauts in this committee; people who have seen it all and have much to contribute to the development of Nigerian Football. On behalf of the committee, I make bold to say that we will work assiduously and energetically, and bring our

experience to bear in steering the National Teams to higher glory.” Also present at the inauguration were Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Alhaji Ahmed Muazu Kawu, Ambassador Fanny Ikhayere Amun (MON), Mr. Isah Ladan Bosso, Barrister Isaac Danladi, Alhaji Balele Kurfi, Mr. Mutiu Adepoju, Mr. Victor Ikpeba, Mr. Garba Lawal and Mr. Haruna Idris (all members), Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (NFF Technical Director) and Dr. Robinson Okosun (Assistant Director, Technical). Mr. Chidi Ofo Okenwa (vice chairman) sent apology for his absence.

CHAN:Video Assistant Referee, VAR, technology to be used A

Lobi targets win over Eyimba

obi Stars captain and central defender, Anthony Agbaji has said his side will kick-start their title campaign on a winning note the 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season which commences tommorrow, Sunday, January 14. The Pride of Benue will face seven-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 1 clash at their hallow ground, Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi. Agbaji said the clash promises to be entertaining, interesting and tough given the pedigree of the revered opponents but that his side will come out victorious at the end of football hostilities. “Every first league match is quite important as the outcome has a way of shaping how the entire season’s campaign will go so we are going to give it our very best to see that it ends well in our favour. “We are playing good side, continental campaigners so it is not a clash we will like to be seen as spectators rather active campaigners. “Besides, we are going to be playing right before our teeming supporters as well as on our hallow ground nothing short of the best result is expected from us. “The clash is sure going to be interesting and tough given the traditional status of Enyimba in the land and outside but we

are hopeful to emerge victorious at the end of the day. “We cannot say outright that we are 100% ready but we have done the needful to be prepared for the commencement of the new league season. “We hope to leverage on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents to continue to advance our course. “We are ready to start the league as our recruitment is perfectly in order to bring to the fore the expected gains. “Lobi Stars want to kick-off the title chase on high and winning note so we are coming out strong from the blast of the whistle to ensure we achieve the goal at the end of 90 minutes,” said the Makurdi landlords’ strongman to frontpixs.com. The Makurdi outfit finished the immediate past 20-team top-flight on the seventh position on 54 points. NPFL match day 1 fixtures: Kwara United – Niger Tornadoes Akwa United – Enugu Rangers Katsina United – Kano Pillars Rivers United – El Kanemi Warriors FC IfeanyiUbah – Yobe Desert Stars Lobi Stars – Enyimba Nasarawa United – Plateau United Heartland – Sunshine Stars Abia Warriors – MFM FC Wikki Tourists – Go Round FC

Agbaji, Lobi Stars captain

new technology Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that allows off-field match officials to assist referees in “game-changing” situations such as goals, penalty kicks, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity has been confirmed to be used during the African Nations Championship, CHAN, .which kicks off on Saturday with hosts country Morocco. The system according to sources, has been in vogue in developed countries especially in the Italian Serie A and German Bundesliga this season and England. VAR is scheduled to be used in Morocco from the quarter-finals of a unique national team competition as participation is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth. The overwhelming majority of African stars play professionally in Europe, leaving the Nations Championship as a platform for emerging talent to impress scouts. First staged in the Ivory Coast nine years ago, the CHAN quickly doubled in size from eight nations to 16, and the last edition in Rwanda was superbly organised and well attended. Fellow east African country Kenya were due to succeed Rwanda as hosts, but surrendered the right to Morocco after falling behind with stadia preparations. Morocco were keen to stage the 23-day showcase of African domestic football talent as it brings them in from the cold after being stripped of the 2015 Cup of Nations hosting rights. The north African kingdom wanted the elite African national team competition postponed because they feared visiting supporters might be infected with the deadly Ebola virus. Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials rejected the request, citing contractual obligations, and banned Morocco from the next two Cup of Nations qualifying competitions. The suspension was later lifted and relations between CAF and Morocco have warmed since Ahmad Ahmad of Malagasy last year replaced long-serving Cameroonian Issa Hayatou as CAF boss. Commercial capital Casablanca plays host to the opening match between Morocco and Mauritania, a northwest Africa derby that should deliver a home victory. Morocco have included six of the Wydad Casablanca team that won the 2017 CAF Champions League, including star striker Achraf Bencharki. The other Casablanca giants, Raja, also supply six of the 23-man squad and there are three stars from 2017 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists FUS Rabat. Guinea, fourth behind the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and the Ivory Coast in Rwanda two years ago, and Sudan complete Group A. Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda and Namibia make up Group B and shock 2014 champions Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda and debutants Equatorial Guinea comprise Group C. David Pierre Eto’o, a younger brother of Cameroon legend Samuel, is part of the Cameroon squad that tackles Angola, Congo Brazzaville and Burkina Faso in Group D. Group winners and runners-up advance to the quarter-finals and the eventual champions pocket $1.25 million

Saturday, January 13, 2018

EXTRATIME

McGregor on sick bed with his son last week

Deadly Australia Flu: McGregor back to training

ans desperate to see the return of Conor McGregor have been given a boost with his longtime coach John Kavanagh revealing that the UFC star is back training almost every day. The Irishman has been living the high life since his money-spinning boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in August but is now beginning to switch his focus back towards his combat sports career. And head coach Kavanagh says the lightweight champion is settling down and working on getting back into fighting shape. ‘I’m just happy to see him back, just regular training,’ Kavanagh told BBC Sport. ‘He had a lot going on in his life. A lot of stuff outside of fighting was going on in his life and he seems to be getting the hang of all that.

‘Now he’s back training almost every day now and I think 2018 will be another big year for us. Exactly what that is, I don’t know yet, but the plan is forming. Stay tuned.’ McGregor, who has not competed in the octagon since November 2016, must make a decision soon after UFC president Dana White said he would have no choice but to strip him of his lightweight title if he does not defend it in the first half of the year. The Notorious’ absence since winning the belt at UFC 205 has seen the creation of an interim title, held by Tony Ferguson, and led many fans and fighters to call on him to defend or vacate his undisputed championship. ‘Conor’s still the champion,’ said Kavanagh in response. ‘They can say what they want but I have his belt at home. He’s still the champi-

Coutinho writes Liverpool after £145m move

on. He’s making the decision on what makes sense for the next move but it’s kind of early days yet. ‘We’re just watching how that has developed while he’s been away. Let’s see what happens in 2018. I’m excited about it.’ Of course McGregor, who has been called out by the likes of Pauli Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao, may choose to stay in the boxing

ring where he can earn more money. That won’t be the case if his coach has anything to do with it, however. ‘You want to know my opinion?’ said Kavanagh. ‘I’ll be pushing very hard for MMA. The boxing was a nice detour from what we’ve done but mixed martial arts is my passion so if I have anything to do with it, he’ll be in the octagon this year.’

Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in chase of Cristian Pavon

hilippe Coutinho has offered his sincerest goodbyes to Liverpool supporters after confirming his ‘dream’ £145million move to Barcelona. The Brazilian enjoyed five years on Merseyside, during which he grew from a precocious talent to one of the most exciting players in world football. It is no secret that Barcelona’s new record signing longed for a move to the Nou Camp – he did, after all, hand in a transfer request last summer as Liverpool rebuffed three giant bids. But, despite the best efforts of the Anfield club — and Jurgen Klopp — the lure of the Catalans proved too much. ‘I leave Liverpool because Barcelona is a dream for me,’ Coutinho wrote on Instagram. Liverpool was a dream that I was fortunate enough to realise and I have given five years of my life to it. ‘A career on the pitch only lasts for so long and to play for Barcelona as well as Liverpool is something I want to experience and enjoy while I am blessed enough to be able to do so.’ Coutinho scored 54 goals in 201 appearances for the Reds, a record which was enough to prick up the ears of Barcelona chiefs.

McGregor now confirmed good for training by his medical personnels

Coutinho saying: ‘goodbye’ to Liverpool fans after moving to Barcelona

rsenal have made further enquiries over Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavon. The 21-year-old has been discussed amid Manchester City’s pressing interest in Alexis Sanchez. Pavon is understood to have a £27million release clause and was originally considered by Arsenal as one for the summer. Already capped by Argentina, he is expected to be named in Jorge Sampaoli’s squad for the World Cup in Russia. Similar in stature and style to Alexis Sanchez, Pavon can play on either wing and as a secondary striker. Boca have been reluctant to let Pavon leave until they complete their Copa Libertadores campaign. Liverpool, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have all been following Pavon’s progress in recent months.

Pavon

Saturday, January 13, 2018

EXTRATIME

PREMIER LEAGUE...................PREMIER LEAGUE....................PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp: Liverpool had no option but to sell Coutinho

iverpool fought “until the last second” to convince Philippe Coutinho to stay at Anfield but ultimately had no other option than sell him to Barcelona, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday. After months of speculation, the 25-year-old Brazilian joined the Spanish club for £140 million in what he described as his “dream move”. The sale surprised many on Merseyside, particularly after Liverpool fought so hard to keep Coutinho in August when the owners made clear that the Reds should no longer be seen as “a selling club”. Yet that strident tone changed ahead of the latest transfer window and, in his first public comment since Coutinho’s sale, Klopp made clear that Liverpool felt they had no choice but to negotiate the move. “There was no other option,” said Klopp at a news conference ahead of the Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday.

“If someone is angry or disappointed it could be the manager but I’m not. We tried everything to convince Phil to stay here. “This was his dream. He would only leave Liverpool for one club. The club was fighting until the last second to keep Phil. It would have been difficult to say no and then use him in the second half of the season. “Phil, what a character, but he still wanted to leave. We have to make the best of it. We still have fantastic players here.” Klopp stressed that he has lost biggame players previously as a manager and called on everyone to move on from Coutinho’s departure. “We lost plenty of players at Dortmund. You always have to react. It’s about the atmosphere in the club. If we get a free kick on Sunday and anyone is thinking ‘Phil!’ that wouldn’t be too cool,” he said Although Liverpool have been linked with several high-profile replacements for Coutinho, Klopp gave little away and straight-batted suggestions they are ne-

gotiating to bring in Naby Keita from RB Leipzig ahead of his scheduled arrival in the close season. Klopp stressed that if the club do any business “we want right before expensive”. “First of all we have to replace (Coutinho) internally. We have our eyes open in this window but we won’t do crazy things,” he said. “We don’t need to replace him, we need to step up. We have played fantastic football without Phil. We only have to carry on.” On Sunday Liverpool get their first opportunity against the Premier League’s runaway leaders City, who beat them 5-0 in the reverse fixture, a game that saw Sadio Mane sent off. “The red card changed the game and maybe for Man City the season,” said Klopp, who confirmed that Mo Salah is likely to return after recovering from the thigh strain that caused him to miss the past two matches. “He’s doing fantastically well. If nothing happens in this moment Mo is back.

“In a football way we should look to clarify something (after the 5-0 defeat). We need to show we can cause them problems and make their life difficult. It’s Anfield, I’m really looking forward to it.” Klopp said his side will not be fazed by City, who have swept all before them this season and enjoy an 18-point advantage over fourth-placed Liverpool. “If you are not brave in the things you do, you have another problem,” he said. “Use the past, don’t suffer it. You have to show up in a game like this. If you react to the things they do, you will lose. We need to show up. That’s how it is. “It’s interesting to play against City. They play really good and if you don’t respect that, you have a problem. But if you are not brave in your game, you will also have a problem.” Klopp said that Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno, who are both recovering from injury, are back in training but unlikely to feature on Sunday.

Anything is possible with Chelsea - Says Conte

Conte

ntonio Conte says it is up to Chelsea whether he stays at the club or not. The Italian won the Premier League title last term, in his first season as head coach with the Blues, who play Leicester on Saturday. Conte signed an improved contract last summer, but it was not an extension to his deal which still expires in June 2019, and there has been continual speculation over his position. The former Juventus and Italy boss says that goes with the territory of working at Chelsea and does not happen at other clubs. He said: “I have another year of (my) con-

tract with this club. But as you know very well everything is possible. In one moment you stay here, in another moment another person replaces you in your job.” Asked if he would extend his contract with Chelsea, Conte added: “In this case, I think the club has to decide to send me away.” Conte’s position has been the subject of speculation regarding a rumoured frustration over transfers. He added: “For the manager of this club it’s normal to have this type of situation, also if you won last season the league and you reached the final in the FA Cup. This is the history of this club for the manager.

Sanchez Flores mecome Stoke manager

toke are closing in on their next manager after offering Quique Sanchez Flores a five-year deal to replace Mark Hughes. The Espanyol boss refused to discuss a potential move back to the Premier League after leading his side into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday night. But Sportsmail understands that Flores could be announced within the next 24 hours and he is expected to attend Monday’s game against Manchester United. It is unclear whether the Spaniard will pick the team at Old Trafford, with firstteam coach Eddie Niedzwiecki lined up to take charge against Jose Mourinho’s men. Asked about a move to the bet365 stadium on Thursday night, Flores said: ‘I’m not going to talk about me on such an important day for Espanyol.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

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PREMIER LEAGUE....................PREMIER LEAGUE....................PREMIER LEAGUE

abriel Jesus has handed Manchester City a fitness boost after Pep Guardiola revealed he could return within three weeks. The striker has been in Barcelona with Dr Ramon Cugat this week and looks set to be back sooner than expected from a medial collateral ligament injury. Jesus, who sustained the problem at Crystal Palace, left the Selhurst Park pitch in tears but has set early next month as a target for coming back. Guardiola suggested the Champions League last-16 first leg with Basle on February 13 as a possible date but also claimed he may be back in training inside a fortnight. ‘Yesterday (Thursday) he was in Barcelona with Dr Cugat and at the end he was quite good,’ Guardiola said. ‘Two or three weeks, the Champions League game against Basle, he could be fit and ready.’ Sergio Aguero is Guardiola’s only available striker ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool at Anfield. Guardiola would not be drawn on interest in Sanchez, who has told Arsenal he intends to leave this month, and warned his stars not to be distracted by the pursuit. ‘You know my answer: I’m focused on Liverpool,’ he added. ‘We need to choose which world to be focused on. ‘I wouldn’t like my players to listen to a manager talking about another thing. The important thing is the 90 minutes and that’s what I want to speak about. ‘They have two choices: follow what you said or follow me. Hopefully I’m going to try to convince them about what’s happening on the pitch. ‘Spain made a good step: journalists ask about what happened on the pitch. The people speak more than usual what happens on the pitch. The game. Of

Jesus left Selhurst Park in tears following a recent injury, but it well on the road to recovery

Guardiola reveals Jesus may return to Man City course I answer your questions.’ City, 18 points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, have a wretched record at Anfield and Guardiola believes Sunday will give him a fair idea of how far his side can go in Europe this year.

Samir Nasri under probe for doping

‘It is a real test at Anfield, one of the most prestigious stadiums. It’s a big game for us and we’re going to prepare as best as possible,’ Guardiola said. ‘If you want to achieve something good, win titles, you have to not just win

Uefa probe into an alleged breach of doping rules by Samir Nasri, former Manchester City midfielder which could see him banned - will now continue after an appeal by the former Manchester City player failed. Officials at Uefa opened an investigation into the French midfielder following a bizarre incident in December 2016, when he appeared to use an intravenous drip at a Los Angeles clinic. However, it has not been previously reported that the player, now with Turkish side Antalyspor, requested that Uefa retrospectively grant him a therapeutic use exemption (TUE), which would have allowed him to escape punishment. That request was refused – and Nasri appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, CAS have now rejected that appeal, meaning the probe – which could see 30-year-old Nasri hit with a four-year ban – has restarted. Nasri was on loan at Spanish side Seville from City when the curious incident took place. Then on £120,000-a-week, he paid a visit to the LA intravenous therapy clinic ‘Drip Doctors’, who tweeted that they had provided the player with ‘an IV drip to keep him hydrated and in top health during his busy soccer season with Sevilla’. The Spanish Agency for the Protection of Health in Sport initially launched a probe, which was passed over to Uefa. Such treatments are banned by the World AntiDoping Agency unless administered in quantities of no more than 50 millilitres per six-hour period, or when a certificate of special dispensation on medical grounds has been obtained. Nasri would have needed a TUE to lawfully use the treatment. Last summer Nasri moved to the Turkish club. At the time, Sportsmail revealed that the threat of a ban hanging over the player, prompted City to let Nasri go, without taking a penny for a player who cost them £24m from Arsenal in 2011. Instead, they accepted a host of add-ons and a sell on clause to get him out of the Etihad Stadium.

but win at these kind of stages. At Stamford Bridge we were able. Old Trafford we were able. ‘We’ve still got tough teams to come. It is such an important game to see if we are able to do big things - especially in the Champions League stages. ‘It means a lot in terms of how complicated it is to play there. Records are there to be broken. I met Klopp when I was at Munich. He’s always been a guy to play forward without fear. ‘We have to defend but I’m not expecting him to wait and wait. He’s going to try to make his own game. We didn’t make a good performance there last season Sanchez is expected to leave Arsehopefully this will be better. These kind nal this month, with Manchester of games depends on your mentality. United joining the hunt Play with personality, like who we are.’

Everton stakes £27m on Cenk Tosun E

If found guilty, 30-year-old Nasri, who now plays in Turkey, could be banned for four years

verton supporters are set for their first glimpse of Cenk Tosun after Toffees boss Sam Allardyce confirmed the new signing would be included in his squad to face Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday. Tosun completed a £27million transfer from Besiktas to Goodison Park last week and is set to make his Everton debut against Mauricio Pochettino’s side. But what can Everton fans expect from the Turkish striker? And can he fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku? Sportsmail has answered some of the burning questions on Tosun. Who is he?/What’s he achieved so far? Tosun was born in Germany and joined Eintracht Frankfurt’s academy at the age of six before progressing through their youth system. Despite thriving for Frankfurt’s Under-19s side, Tosun wasn’t given his chance in their first team and managed just one Bundesliga appearance. In search of regular football Tosun moved to Turkey, the country of his heritage, to join Gaziantepspor in a £355,000 deal back in 2011. It was here where Tosun began to

make a name for himself as he scored 49 goals over the course of four seasons and earned a call-up to the Turkish national team. His form alerted the attentions of Besiktas and Tosun moved to the Istanbul giants in 2014. He bagged 64 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions there, winning two league titles in the process. In total Tosun has eight goals in 25 appearances for Turkey and has played for Besiktas in the Champions League, help-

Tosun

Saturday, January 13, 2017

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Sanchez future is not decided – Wenger

A general view of the stadium, which Khan hailed as a ‘world class sports arena’ — it will cost nearly £750million

adiq Khan, London mayor and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has confirmed the £750million stadium will be ready for used in October 2018. The Chairman, Daniel Levy last week showed London mayor Sadiq Khan around their new stadium on the day it was announced that White Hart Lane will host the first NFL London game of 2018. Oakland Raiders will take on Seattle Seahawks on October 14 at the 62,000-seater stadium, with the NFL announcing a further two matches to be played at Wembley at the end of October. Khan said: ‘London is the international home of the NFL and I am really excited to welcome the world’s best American football stars and their thousands of fans from around the globe back to our city. ‘I’m delighted Tottenham Hotspur’s fantastic new stadium is joining the line-up of world-class sports arenas in our great city. ‘Spurs’ new ground will stage one game in its first year of opening and in 2019 we look forward to going back to staging at least four NFL games in London. ‘Once again, London has shown why it is the sporting

£750million Tottenham stadium to host NFL London match on October capital of the world and open to the very best sports events.’ Spurs have been playing at Wembley this campaign while their new ground is constructed. They moved out of the old White Hart Lane at the end of last season. And despite a relatively tight development time for the £750million ground, it looks as though Spurs’ new home will be ready for the start of the 2018-19 campaign. Levy took Khan and NFL executive vice-president Mark Waller around the ground. Khan was enthusiastic about the development and the benefits that it will bring to a traditionally deprived area of London: ‘I welcome the commitment from Spurs in building not just a fantastic stadium for Premier League football and the NFL, but also lead-

ing the regeneration of this area of London and investing in local people.’ Levy said: ‘Our vision was always to deliver far more than a stadium – we have looked to create a new sport and leisure destination for London and to start real place change in Tottenham – an area about which we are passionate. ‘The additional developments, new homes, new schools and shops, restored historic buildings and new jobs delivered has started to transform this area and it’s vital that the momentum we have created is supported and utilised to the benefit of the local community.’ On the NFL fixture, Levy added: ‘The announcement of the first game of the NFL’s 2018 London Games to take place at our new home heralds the commencement of our 10-year partnership.

rsene Wenger insists that Alexis Sanchez’s future at Arsenal is still undecided, amid fresh speculation regarding the Chilean’s future. Reports circulating in Italy yesterday claimed that Manchester United could rival Manchester City for the signature of Sanchez this month after reportedly entering the race to sign the 29-year-old. It was suggested that Jose Mourinho’s side were willing to offer Arsenal more than their city rivals in an attempt to beat them to the Chilean during this transfer window. The former Barcelona forward’s contract is due to expire at the season, but despite increased speculation regarding his star player, Arsene Wenger insists that Sanchez’s future is far from decided. “Nothing is really concrete at the moment. You conclude [that Manchester United are also interested] – but I don’t want to give you the wrong information. Nothing is decided one way or the other,” he said. “Normally he should stay here until the end of the season but we shall see.” Wenger was also asked whether he’d rather play for Mourinho or City boss Pep Guardiola. “If I was a player I would play for the club where I am and with 100% commitment,” he added. The Arsenal boss confirmed that the club would be in the market for a replacement, should Sanchez leave in January. “Do we find the same player, certainly not? There is always a way to find a balance. “If it happens we have to find a different balance. “I don’t rule it out. Not at the back, in midfield or up front. We are open, we are in the market, we are active. “This transfer market at the moment is very difficult. Things change very quickly.”

Balotelli undergoing physiotherapy

orrmer Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli shared an amusing video of himself in great discomfort bent over in front of his physiotherapist. In the compromising footage, Balotelli jokes: ‘This is not how it looks, I promise!’ Now playing in France with Nice, the Italian forward was undergoing hamstring treatment and found the exercise particularly painful. The Italian groaned in discomfort while the Nice physio massaged his tender areas Mario Balotelli undergoes painful physiotherapy in funny video

The Italian player, Ballotelli groaned in discomfort while the Nice physio massaged his tender areas

Wenger

Saturday, January 13, 2017

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Joyce has high hopes for Konta

Johanna Konta in action

Wilder sentenced to community service H

eavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder was ordered to perform 60 hours of community service after being found guilty of misdemeanor marijuana possession. The 32-year-old American, who last fought in November when he beat Haitian-

World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has been given 60 hours of community service

Canadian Bermane Stiverne with a firstround knockout to retain his WBC heavyweight title, was arrested in Alabama last June. Wilder, who received a 30-day suspended sentence and two years of probation, was ordered to perform the community service at a local YMCA. “We respect the court’s ruling. Of course we were hoping a dismissal would be granted,” Wilder’s lawyer, Paul Patterson, said. “We are going to look at our options of appellate relief and then move on from there.” When Wilder was pulled over last June for having windows tinted beyond the legal limit, officers smelled marijuana coming from inside his Cadillac Escalade. Patterson said at the time the marijuana did not belong to his client, who had been out of state for several days and returned home from Georgia in his Rolls Royce before switching to his Cadillac Escalade to run some errands. Patterson said Wilder has a large fleet of vehicles that associates and friends can access and prefers the Escalade for errands because the tinted windows offer more privacy. “All in all it’s a lesson learned for Mr. Wilder not to leave his many vehicles in the care and custody of numerous people or allow them to use them while he is out of town,” said Patterson. Wilder, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is scheduled to defend his title on March 3 against Cuban Luis Ortiz.

ichael Joyce has no doubt his new charge Johanna Konta is capable of winning a grand slam. American Joyce linked up with the British number one during the off season following her split from Wim Fissette. The Australian Open will be their first grand slam tournament together with Konta among a remarkable number of players considered in the frame for the title. Reigning champion Serena Williams is missing her fourth slam in a row and Joyce sees no reason why Konta cannot be the one to step out of the pack. He said: “Women’s tennis has changed a lot in the last 10 years. I feel the top 10 maybe aren’t as good as the top 10 was 10 years ago. “When I was with Maria (Sharapova), you had Serena and Venus, (Lindsay) Davenport and (Kim) Clijsters and (Justine) Henin. But I feel girls that are ranked 40, 50 are a lot better now. “Jo has proven she belongs in the top 10. She’s had some great results, winning Miami, and she’s been close at some of the grand slams. I have no doubt that – her game and where she is – she can win a grand slam.” A 44-year-old who reached a high of 64 in the rankings during his playing career, Joyce was the longtime coach of Sharapova during the first part of her career and worked last season with Victoria Azarenka. That arrangement came to an end in November, with Azarenka mired in a custody dispute over her young son and unwilling to travel, and Konta announced the new partnership a week later. After a few weeks training at the National Tennis Centre in London, Joyce refused an offer of a week at home with his family over Christmas to travel with Konta to an exhibition in Thailand. An encouraging first tournament of the season in Brisbane was cut short when Konta retired during her quarter-final against Elina Svitolina with a hip injury. Thankfully that turned out not to be anything serious and she was able to defend her title in Sydney but lost in the first round against Agnieszka Radwanska.

Many observers felt ‘GGG’ did enough to win but Canelo was awarded a controversial draw

Alvarez agrees to meet Golovkin in May 5

aul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin are set for another money-spinning middleweight megafight after the Mexican sensation agreed to a May 5 rematch. In September, the two fighters clashed in one the most eagerly-anticipated fights of the decade. But, despite many observers feeling ‘GGG’ had done enough to retain his titles, the Las Vegas showdown ended in a controversial draw. The two camps have been in negotiations for months and Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions revealed on Thursday that Canelo has agreed to resume the rivalry on the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. Golovkin is now expected to finalise the match-up ‘within the next few days,’ the LA Times report. If completed, the fight would see ‘GGG’ put his IBF, WBA and WBC titles on the line once more. During the first meeting, the two fighters endured 12 gruelling rounds in Las Vegas, with the controversial result only whetting the appetite for another showdown. But Gomez, who promotes Canelo, has revealed that

there is no rematch clause for their second meeting. ‘It’s going to be another great fight, so it’ll likely be a natural to do another rematch, but it’s not in the agreement,’ Gomez told the LA Times. ‘We want to concentrate on getting this (second fight) done and then we can talk about a third fight later. ‘I know Canelo’s going to win. I think Canelo figured him out in the last three rounds. Look at that fight. Canelo handled those last three rounds. And this time around, Canelo’s going to have an easier time with him. Not an easy fight, but he has the experience now and he wants this fight.’ He added: ‘We’ve exchanged contracts. We’ve gone through three revisions. I’m hoping for the last revision (Thursday night or Friday) and we’ll see,’ Gomez said. ‘All the major points have been worked out. There’s some details that are important, but they’re not the major points.’ The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosted the first fight and would be the obvious venue for a second meeting. But Gomez has said the pair could also clash at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

Saturday, January 13 , 2018

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OTHER SPORTS..................OTHER SPORTS................................... BOXING:

Amir Khan announces April 21 comeback

mir Khan claimed he is reaching the ‘peak’ of his career after he announced a return to the ring at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on April 21. The Bolton boxer, who has not fought since a knockout defeat by Canelo Alvarez in May 2016, has signed a three-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn. During his time away from the ring, the 31-yearold has had surgery on an injury hand and taken part in ‘I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here’. The former unified super-lightweight world champion had previously vowed not to work with Matchroom chief Hearn. But the pair have put their differences aside and are now plotting a journey to the top of the welterweight division. AMIR KHAN RECORD Fights: 35 Wins: 31 Defeats: 4 Draws 0: KO percentage: 61 An opponent is set to be announced next week ahead of the British fighter’s comeback, with Hearn revealing he wants to jump straight in ‘at the deep level’ before targeting fights with the likes of Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jnr and Danny Garcia. ‘It’s great to be here. No one ever thought me and Eddie would be sititing on the same table. Probably against each other but not on the same team. ‘But we decided to put everything behind us and move forward, Khan said at a press conference in London on Wednesday. The Bolton boxer has not fought on these shores since April 2013. But nearly four years on he said: ‘Eddie in my opinion is the best promoter in the UK. I want to start fighting in the UK more and it’s all about being with the best team. ‘This is where I belong, I started my career here, my last few fights have been in America. ‘My last couple of years have been up and down... but now it’s time to put that behind me and become a champion again. The decision to sign with Hearn means Khan is now a stablemate of his long-term rival Kell Brook. The British pair have been talking up a huge domestic dust-up for years but have so far failed to reach an agreement.

Djokovic is desperate to be ready for the Australian Open, which he called ‘the big one’

Djokovic returns after 6mths absence by beating Dominic Thiem in 2 sets at Kooyong Classic

rmed with a new serve and a dose of cautious optimism, Novak Djokovic resurfaced in public for the first time since Wimbledon as the most interesting exhibit of the Australian Open’s walking wounded. The six-times Melbourne champion played in not just one exhibition tournament but two on Wednesday as he prepares to take his unaccustomed seeding of number fourteen in Thursday morning’s draw. That was two more than managed by former champion Stan Wawrinka, whose participation remained uncertain after he withdrew from the pre-Open Tiebreak Tens event, a quickfire T20-style form of the game. He has been recovering from a knee injury although the official reason yesterday was shoulder problems. The Swiss could join Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori on the star absentee list. Djokovic has taken to wearing a sleeve on his right arm after contending with elbow issues which last saw him pull out of his Wimbledon quarter-final on the same day that Murray played his last proper match. His first assignment was to play in the Kooyong Classic four miles from Melbourne Park, where he beat world number five Dominic Thiem 6-1 6-4.Thiem, however, looked so disinterested it was hard to read too much into it, and he lost 10-6 in a tiebreak to Lleyton Hewitt later in the day. The most notable aspect of his return

Thiem was taken apart by Djokovic, who won the first set in just 21 minutes on Wednesday

was that Djokovic – whose consultant coach Andre Agassi is due to arrive on Saturday – has slightly remodelled his serve, shortening his action and cutting short his takeback. ‘It’s the first match ever that I am playing with a sleeve on, I am trying to serve well, it went good today,’ he said. ‘I am trying to do everything possible to get my arm and my elbow ready for the Open. ‘That was the biggest question mark. Because of the elbow, that shot in my game was compromised prior to Wimbledon in July when it actually happened that I had to stop. ‘I am very happy with the way it went. I don’t want to say it’s 100 per cent. I will say that when I start the tournament and when I get to actually feel that it’s 100 per cent. ‘It’s the first time in my career that I’ve had such a long break. It will probably be ideal if I got another tournament under my belt coming up to the Australian Open but I haven’t had a chance, it wasn’t meant to be, my elbow was not ready. ‘Of course I had doubts coming here,

personally I don’t know what is going to happen.’ This has been the longest hiatus in the career of Djokovic, who has admitted in the past that he has had to deal with personal issues off court. ‘The break came at the right time, even though it was an injury. My wife was pregnant for the second time,’ he said. ‘I am going to applaud her as well because she has been through a difficult time, once a man is alongside a woman in labour and sees first hand what a woman goes through, you give even more respect and appreciation for them and so I love my wife, I send her all my love and kisses.’ As the qualifying got underway Laura Robson was dealt a second blow in 24 hours when she was unable to get into the 96-woman field trying to make it into next week’s main event proper. Robson’s ranking of 227 was not high enough to gain entry, as the Australian Open is with Wimbledon and the French Open in having a smaller qualifying event than that of the men, who have 128 in the preliminaries. Only the US Open have parity in this re-

spect and the historic anomaly of the status quo was criticised by British Fed Cup Captain Anne Keothavong who tweeted that it was ‘not right’. Keothavong has this week overlooked Robson for her four-woman squad for next month’s week of Euro Africa Zone promotion matches, preferring the higher ranked Katie Boulter and doubles specialist Anna Smith to support Jo Konta and Heather Watson, who has had a decent week in Hobart. Of course the solution to the guaranteeing a qualifying spot is to improve one’s ranking, as the cut off for entry is still a modest 216 this year.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

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OTHER SPORTS..................OTHER SPORTS...................................

Mayweather, McGregor at war on social media

he bickering didn’t end on Twitter as the two fighters took to Instagram to exchange pictures of each other during their mega-bout last summer. The Irishman took the first shot after posting an image of Mayweather bent over with his hands on his head during their boxing match last August, while captioning the picture ‘Violate these nuts’. The American retorted soon after with a picture of a groggy McGregor on the ropes with ‘You violate and I will demonstrate!!’ as the undefeated retired boxer stands over him. ‘Money’ took the final shot of the exchange as he asked his followers to caption the last picture, which sees Mayweather landing a right hook on the mixed martial artist as sweat flies from his face. The 27-year-old has talked about having a rematch with Mayweather but wants it inside the Octagon after losing their huge Las Vegas boxing showdown back in August. McGregor’s coach revealed the Irishman trains ‘almost every day’ as he seeks a return to the sport after enjoying some time off following last summer’s mega-bout.

Floyd Mayweather has reignited war of words with Conor McGregor on social media

Dillian Whyte boast: ‘I hate Lucas Browne and want to hurt him’

illian Whyte will look to boost his hopes of challenging for a world title when he takes on Lucas Browne in a heavyweight grudge match on March 24. Whyte defends his nominal WBC silver heavyweight title at London’s O2 Arena but a standout performance could put him in the shop window to challenge for world honours. WBC titlist Deontay Wilder and old rival Anthony Joshua, the IBF and WBA champion, are the obvious targets, but Whyte is not underestimating his Australian foe with whom he has traded online barbs. The 29-year-old Briton, who will be putting his number one ranking with the WBC on the line, said: ‘I can’t wait, I hate Lucas Browne and I want to hurt him.

He’s said some nasty things and he’s going to have to pay for them. ‘I’m not overlooking Browne, I’m focused on going to town on him. If I don’t knock him out, I will not be happy. The plan is to beat Browne and move closer to a world title shot. ‘Beating him should make me a mandatory challenger for a world title - I’m highly ranked across the board, I’ll be a more than credible world title challenger. I’ve been building my way up so we’re set for a big year.’ Whyte improved his professional record to 22 wins from 23 fights, with 16KOs, in a humdrum points victory over Robert Helenius in Cardiff in October. Both Whyte and Browne have served suspensions for doping offences in the past, the latter stripped of his WBA title after he tested positive for a banned substance in his victory over Ruslan Chagaev in March 2016. The 38-year-old was most recently in action last June as he stopped the unheralded Matthew Greer and spoke dismissively of Whyte as he aims to bolster his own world title ambitions. Browne (25-0, 22KOs) said: ‘I don’t like anything about him. He’s a loud mouth and I want to take his head off. I know if I stop Whyte impressively I’ll be getting another world title shot.’

The Australian (right) is unbeaten so far during his professional career in the ring

Venus draws Bencic in Aussie open

enus Williams will face Belinda Bencic in the headline match of the Australian Open following Thursday’s draw. Last year’s beaten finalist could have asked for an easier draw than Hopman Cup winner Bencic, while US Open Champions Sloane Stephens and rising star Elina Svitolina are also in Venus’ quarter of the draw. British Number One Jo Konta will open her campaign against Madison Brengle of the USA and faces a tough route to the final with Karolina Pliskova and Simona Halep in her quarter of the draw. And fellow Brit Heather Watson will need to be firing on all cylinders to get past likely second and third round opponents Kristina Mladenovic and Madison Keys. Also in Watson’s tough quarter of

the draw are big threats Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, Anastasija Sevastova and Caroline Garcia. Maria Sharapova will face Tatjana Maria in the first round and played a starring role in Thursday’s draw. Responding to the host’s questions about her “time away”, Sharapova discussed how she spent the time during her drugs ban shadowing NBA commissioner Adam Silver and working with Nike. She also added: “I very much love what I do. I love training when the stadium isn’t full and when there isn’t anyone watching. I still have the drive. As long as the body holds up, I’ll keep playing. I didn’t consider retiring (during her ban). But here I am as I feel I have a lot to give to the sport as it has given me so much.”

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Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ ơƢè ƾƠơƤ

CEO of the Year - Nnamdi Okonkwo

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Nigeria’s highly competitive banking industry is written, one bank whose place in history cannot be glossed over is Fidelity Bank Plc. The entry of Fidelity as it is popularly called by its numerous customers both in Nigeria and elsewhere across the world, though gradual, has grown like the oak tree, stamping its unique authority and statement on the Nigerian, business (banking) terrain. With a chain of branch networks spread across the country, Fidelity has today emerged as one of investors’ brides- emerging to its ecstatic stakeholders and an envy of its peers. Indeed, the human factor played a key role in its recent growth. The emergence of the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, who, with a strong finance background combined this potential to effectively manage the bank’s human and material resources together, attest to this giant stride. Okonkwo is being assisted by equally highly cerebral and professional top shot, like Muhammed Balarade, Deputy Managing Director, among others. Today, the young man, in spite of the vicissitude of life he had faced in the course of this tasking job, is popularly described as a banking wizard. Okonkwo is not one to be carried away by his long list of achievements. He remained committed to growing the bank, its customer base, bouquet of products offering and its customer base. He knows he is in a race to win when he was appointed as the helmsman of the bank. As an uncommon gogetter, observers can say confidently that he has redefined Nigerian banking industry. Yet, he remained undaunted. A peep into Fidelity Bank’s inroad into the Nigerian banking sector will suffice here. Fidelity Bank, also known as Fidelity Bank Plc., is a commercial bank in Nigeria. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and national banking regulator. In 2011, the bank was ranked the 7th most capitalized bank in Nigeria, the 25th most capitalized bank on the African continent. As of December 2013,

Fidelity Bank Plc. was a large financial services provider in Nigeria with total assets estimated at over US$6.318billion (NGN:1+ trillion), and shareholders’ equity in excess of US$1 billion (NGN:158 billion). This has since increased. At that time, the bank served 2.3 million customers at about 239 business offices nationally. The bank currently has over 400,000 diverse shareholders. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in May 2005 and has consistently paid dividends annually since its listing. As of June 2016, according to BGL Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc had a market capitalisation of NGN:37,072,109,685.76. Fidelity Bank of Nigeria was incorporated in 1987; and began its operations in 1988. The bank converted to a commercial bank in the year 1999 in an attempt to grow, as a private limited company and became a Public Limited Company also in August, 1999. It rebranded to Fidelity Bank Plc that year. It secured its Universal Banking License in February 2001 and also obtained its International Banking Licence in the year 2011. Fidelity Bank of Nigeria has grown to a stable banking institution. During the 2005 Nigeria Banking consolidation, Fidelity Bank acquired FSB International Bank Plc (FSB) and Manny Bank Plc to become one of the top financially stabled banks in Nigeria. Fidelity Bank currently has presence in all the states and major cities in Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has been reputed for its financial stability. Fidelity continues to rank among Nigeria’s most capitalized banks, with tier-one capital of nearly USD1 billion (One Billion US Dollars). The bank maintains a large network of interconnected branches in all Nigerian states and major cities in Nigeria. It has a wholly owned bank subsidiary in Ghana. Fidelity Bank actively has imbibed its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a core function of its banking services. It established the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, where its area of focus is education, the environment and the health and social welfare. It has over the years actively engaged and supported through its CSR, activities aimed at improving its area of focus through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme.

He knows he is in a race to win when he was appointed as the helmsman of the bank. As an uncommon go-getter, observers can say confidently that he has redefined Nigerian banking industry. Yet, he remained undaunted.

’

RƊ ƊƓ The bank is today ranked amongst the top 10 in the Nigerian banking industry, with presence in the major cities and commercial centres of Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has been reputed for integrity and professionalism. It is also respected for the quality and stability of its management. Fidelity staff are also respected in the Nigerian banking industry for the quality of training they receive on the job, as well as in good business schools both in Nigeria and Overseas. The Management is particular about the quality of people that join the system. To qualify as a member of Team Fidelity, a candidate is expected to possess three vital statistics, with the acronym TAC: Talent (an innate mental aptitude), Ambition (a desire to succeed); Character (a total quality of integrity which will guide the talent and ambition to productive ends). The Management is focused on building and maintaining a virile and well-respected brand that caters to the needs of its growing corporate, commercial and consumer banking clientele. For this purpose, the bank is leveraging its pedigree in investment banking (Fidelity was a merchant bank for 11 years) and its structures and service offerings for a retail populace.

Fidelity Bank also enjoys the respect and partnership of a network of off-shore institutions with which it has correspondent banking, confirmation lines, credit and other relationships. These include, ANZ London, Afreximbank, Cairo, Egypt, ABSA South Africa, Commerce Bank, Frankfurt, Citibank, N.A. London and New York, FBN Bank, UK Ltd, SCB, London, US Ex-im Bank, USAID, etc. Only recently, Okonkwo’s Midas touch in Fidelity saw it being honoured at the nation’s capital market Foe example, in November last year, Fidelity Bank Plc emerged the best performing stock in percentage terms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In fact data sourced from the NSE for the period under review showed that the stock increased by 35.53 per cent to close at N2.06 per share in contrast with the month’s opening price of N1.52. As part of its robust strategy to remain competitive, the bank’s bouquet of promos came to its rescue. For example, as part of deliberate efforts to change the face of service and create total customer experience in the financial services industry, Fidelity Bank has deployed a ground- breaking and

innovative solution for the collection of internally generated revenue (IGR) in Lagos State. Working in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, Fidelity Bank developed the tax collection/payment solution via its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel (*770#). The solution, which is first of its kind in the industry, is in response to some of the challenges faced in making tax payments and remittances to Lagos State Government. Fidelity Bank has, over the years, positioned itself as a key player in the Nigeria’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across Federal and State mandates. The Bank successfully deployed easy and convenient payment solutions in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Kano and Sokoto states through Point of Sale (PoS) Terminal Tax Collections, Automated Electronic Motor Vehicle Licence, Land Registry Automation Processes and web payment platforms. Again , through its well known promo, Get Alert in Millions reloaded, the bank has continued to soar in operations and performance. Fidelity Bank Plc splashed N19million to 13 of its customers in the second monthly draw of “Get Alert in Million Reloaded” promo in various regions

of the country. Okonkwo, the bank’s managing director, speaking at the promo draw in Lagos, said the initiative was the seventh in the series of promos organised by the bank to reward customers for their unflinching loyalty and patronage. Okonkwo said the promo tagged ‘Get Alert In Millions Promo Reloaded’ was in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) financial inclusion policy. He said the promotion was introduced to raise requisite awareness on the need for Nigerians to imbibe savings culture. The bank also has a collection of awards to its credit. Fidelity is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 3.8 million customers who are serviced across its 240 offices and various digital banking channels. The bank is focused on select niche corporate banking sectors, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and is rapidly implementing a digital based retail banking strategy which has resulted in the following over the last three and half years; a 93 per cent growth in savings deposits, 50 percent customer enrollment on debit cards and 30 percent of its customers now using its flagship mobile/internet banking products. Fidelity Bank recently released its Audited H1 2017 results, which showed a remarkable improvement on all indices with Gross Earnings increasing by 22 percent to N86billion, Expenses declining by 2 per cent to N31 billion and Profit Before Tax (PBT) increasing by 67 percent to N10bn. All these are the result of disciplined execution of the bank’s mid-term strategy. No doubt, for Fidelity Bank, the sky is the beginning of its continuous record performance.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Life Impact Award

Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar

Ï The dynamic royal father with distinction ÏÏÏ Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar

III is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria, head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam - JNI), and presidentgeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s seventy-million Muslims, roughly 50 percent of the nation’s population. Sa’ad Abubakar succeeded his brother, Muhammadu Maccido, who died on ADC Airlines Flight 53, the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and had been destined for Sokoto. Sa’ad Abubakar is a younger son of the 17th Sultan, Siddiq Abu Bakar dan Usuman, who held the Sultanate for over 50 years. Abubakar is the fifth heir to the two century-old throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio (1754-1817), leader of the Maliki school of Islam and the Qadiri branch of Sufism. The royal father attended the prestigious Barewa College, Zaria and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975 where he was a member of the 18th Regular Course. Abubakar was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1977 and served in the elite Armoured Corps. Abubakar holds important administrative influence in Nigerian religious life. He is the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria and is also the head of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Leadership of this council means that the Sultan of Sokoto remains the only figure that can legitimately claim to speak on behalf of all Nigerian Muslims. This role has become increasingly influential over the years with a rise in interreligious tensions in the country. Sultan Abubakar is one northern leader highly referred for patriotism and oneness of Nigeria devoid of ethnic, tribal or religious colouration. To him, religious tolerance among Nigerians remain the key

Sa’ad Abubakar role of the sultanate because in doing so, other issues like ethnicity and politics will steadily addressed. Former American Secretary of States, John Kerry, during a visit to the Caliphate on August 22, 2016 commended the Sultan for not only preaching religious tolerance but demonstrating it among his followers. He said that the US Government would always be ready to give its support to the Sultan in his various moves to ensure reli-

gious tolerance in the country. Kerry said that the Sultanate Council was building a community of tolerance for peace progress and political stability in Nigeria. According to him, the United States would work with the sultanate to strengthen religious harmony and knowledge. To him, the Nigerian military has done well in subduing terrorism, adding that , “US will continue to identify with the role played by the sultan.”

Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar promised that he would not relent in promoting religious tolerance to ensure that the county is politically and economically stable. The Sultan totally condemned terrorism and insurgency as anathema to the teachings and practice of Islam. He said that those who shout, “Allah” while killing people will end up on hell. The monarch said anybody who killed in the name of Islam was not a true Muslim because the religion frowns at such act. He said: “We cannot restore the dignity of man by killing innocent people. The herdsmen killing people are criminals and not Fulani herdsmen. Anybody who kills people while shouting Allah, is a terrorist and not a true Muslim and will go to hell. Allah hates people who kill and says they will go to hell.”He sees education as a veritable tool for human development as it promotes unity, peace and economy. He said: “A country that takes education serious tends to develop healthier and happier. Education is light and means to restore dignity of man while ignorance is darkness. Education will continue to be a veritable tool for human and societal development.” The royal father headed a presidential security unit of the Armoured Corps that guarded the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, in the late 1980s. Abubakar also commanded a battalion of African peacekeepers in Chad during the early 1980s as part of the Organisation of African Unity’s force and was military liaison officer for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the mid-1990s. He was appointed Commanding Officer 241 Recce Battalion, Kaduna in 1993. From 1995 to 1999, he was ECOWAS military liaison officer and commanding officer, 231 Tank Battalion (ECOMOG Operations) in Sierra Leone from 1999 to 2000. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Defence Attaché to Pakistan (also accredited for Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan). He later retired as a Brigadier General.

Life Impact Award

Chief Olu Jacobs

Ï Redefining Nollywood for global acceptance ÏÏÏ Actor and the Africa

Movie Academy Awards winner, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, aka Olu Jacobs, was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State,to parents from Egba Alake, on July 11, 1942. He spent his early childhood in Kano and he attended Holy Trinity School where he was a member of the debating and drama societies. He was inspired to take a chance with acting when he attended one of Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party at Colonial Hotel in Kano. Afterwards, he secured a visa and traveled to England to study acting.

In England, he trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He then starred in various British television shows and series in the 1970s (e.g. The Goodies, Till Death Do Us Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals). In 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day. In the 1980s, Jacobs starred in several international films some of which include John Irvin’s war film- The Dogs of War, Ro-

man Polanski’s adventurecomedy Pirates (1986) and the family-adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985). On television, he was a cast in TVS’s The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series). Jacobs has starred in over 120 Nollywood films and is considered one of the top Nigerian Nollywood actors. Jacobs is married to Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, since 1989. They have children. Asked why his wife still bears her maiden name, Jacobs answered: “ She is her own individual. When I met her, she was

an actress known as Joke Silva so why should marrying me now deny her and her audience her name. She is Miss Joke Silva who is Mrs. Joke Jacobs. It is as simple as that. People now begin to say what they like. They have even written that we are separated and all sort of stuffs. When she is working, she is Joke Silva but she is Mrs. Joke Jacobs at home.” Olu Jacobs was honoured with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards He has starred in several

Jacobs British television series and international films. In 2007, he won the African Movie Academy Award

for Best Actor in a Leading Role in March 2007, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, March 2007.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Times Heroes Award

Chief Olusegun Osoba

ÏÏÏ Chief

Olusegun Osoba, the Akinrogun of Egbaland and Aremo Awujale of Ijebuland was born to Pa and Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba. Chief Olusegun Osoba attended a series of professional courses after high school graduation from Methodist Boys High School Lagos. He obtained a diploma in journalism at the University of Lagos and went for one-year course in the United Kingdom on the scholarship of the Commonwealth Press Union in 1967. In 1969, he was studying in Bloomington, USA at the Indiana University’s department of journal-

ism. In 1974 he won the Nieman Fellowship Award for journalism for year’s postgraduate study at Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He is the first Nigerian to have won this prestigious Nieman Fellowship for Journalism. Osoba started his career in journalism in 1964 working with the Daily Times as a trainee reporter covering crime stories and by 1966, he was the diplomatic correspondent of the Times. He became news editor in 1968, deputy editor of the Sunday Times in 1971 and deputy editor of the Times in 1972. In August 1975, he became

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ ơƢè ƾƠơƤ

the Editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria, then left the firm in November 1975 to take up the task of General Manager of the Ilorin based Nigerian Herald. He returned to the Times in 1984 as the managing director. Internationally, he worked as stringer or local correspondent for the following organisations: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),The Times of London ,Newsweek Magazine, U.S.A, United Press International News Agency (UPI). He was the chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute representing Black-Africa from 1984-1992. He was a

member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly in 1988. He is also member of the Commonwealth Press Union, London and the Nigerian union of Journalist (NUJ). Osoba was elected at two different occasions as Governor of Ogun State first from January 1992 until November 1993 with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was removed from office by Sani Abacha’s administration on 17 November 1993. In 1999, he was elected again as governor with the Alliance for Democracy Party (AD), holding office between May 1999 and May 2003. He holds the National Honours of the Commander of the Order of the Niger CON. He is a member

Osoba of the National Conference 2014. He got married to Beere Aderinsola and is the fa-

ther of four children, two boys and two girls: Kemi, Olumide, Oluyinka and Tobi.

Times Heroes Award

Sam Amuka-Pemu ÏÏÏ Prince Sam Amuka Pemu (born 13 June

1935) is a Nigerian journalist, columnist and founder of the Vanguard, Nigeria’s leading newspaper. He co-founded The Punch, the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria. Sam Amuka Pemu was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, Southern Nigeria into the family of the late Pa Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma AmukaPemu, who died in May 2014. He was formerly a Daily Times of Nigeria editor and the first editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late Olu Aboderin, in 1971. He later established Vanguard Newspaper in 1983 with three other Nigerian columnists. Amuka was described as a “Gentleman of the Press” by PresiAmuka-Pemu

Times Heroes Award

Prince Henry Odukomaiya ÏÏÏ While celebrating his 80th birthday

with a thanksgiving service at the Arch Bishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos recently, Prince Henry Odukomaiya is generally seen as one of the brains behind the birth of Concord Newspaper. He was also the former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers and a former Deputy Chief Editor of the Daily Times. Prominent Nigerians who attended the

event included former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce, Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam AmukaPemu, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi. The celebrant also launched a book: Henry Odukomaiya @ 80: In the Eyes Of Associates, which was reviewed by the former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi. Odukomaiya

dent Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday. He was described as an icon and a leading light in Nigerian journalism by Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. Amuka-Pemu is the oldest practising media professional in Nigeria today who had been cited by peers. A book entitled From 1939 to the Vanguard of Modern Journalism written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him, acknowledged his immense contributions to journalism in Nigeria. Uncle Sam, as he is fondly called, as the publisher of Vanguard, is a great team player. Always leaves a lasting impression on his audience, as he llistens to everybody’s opinion and the justification for such opinion.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Times Heroes Award

Prince Tony Momoh

ÏÏÏ

He was born 27th April, 1939 is a Nigerian journalist and politician who was Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture (1986–1990) during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida Momoh was born in Auchi, Edo State, of Edo origin. He was the 165th child of King Momoh I of Auchi. He attended Government School, Auchi (1949–1954) and Anglican School Okpe, 1954. Momoh was Pupil Teacher at the Anglican School, Auchi (January– December 1955) and Headmaster at the Anglican School, Ubuneke, Ivbiaro, Owan Local Government (January 1958 – December 1959). He went to the Provincial Teachers Training College, Abudu, Edo State and Government Teachers College, Abraka in Western Region(1960–1961). Later, while working at the Daily Times or on sabbatical, he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (September 1964 – October 1966) where he earned a degree in Mass communication, and then the University of Lagos where he studied Law. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (October 1974 – May

1975), and was called to the Bar in June 1975. Momoh started his journalism career as a sub-editor at the Daily Times in October 1962, rising steadily through the ranks to become Editor and deputy general manager (June 1976 – May 1980). In June 1979, during the lead-up to the transition from military to civilian rule at the start of the Second Nigerian Republic, Momoh said of the five presidential candidates: “They are all the same ... It’s going to turn into a personality contest”. In 1981 the Senate led by Joseph Wayas summoned Momoh for contempt. This caused a major legal battle in which Momoh successfully argued that as a journalist he was empowered by the Constitution to hold government accountable at all times. In Tony Momoh v. Speaker, House of Representatives (1982) it was held that a person had the right to refuse to disclose his source of information. However, in Senate v. Tony Momoh (1983) the Court of Appeal held that the press is not a fourth arm of government. A newspaper publisher has no special immunity and the press can

be ordered to disclose its sources in some cases. Momoh was general manager of the Times from June 1984 to Sept 1986. Momoh was appointed Minister of Information and Culture by General Ibrahim Babangida, holding this position from September 1986 until 1990. He was Chairman of the African Conference of Information Ministers from 1988 to 1990. In 1983 the editor of Newswatch, Dele Giwa, was detained for a week by police for publishing what they called “classified material”. On 17 October 1986 Giwa was accused by Colonel A.K. Togun of the State Security Services (SSS) of anti-government activities including attempting to import arms to forment insurrection. On 19 October 1986 Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb. At first, Momoh pledged that there would be a government probe of the incident. He soon backed down, saying “a special probe would serve no useful purpose”. Speaking at a seminar in Lagos in 1987, Momoh said that radio, television and newspapers should be seen as tools “for the promotion of national unity and integration”. In 1988 Momoh announced that the government was trying to find

radio sets that could only receive approved broadcasts from the federal and state radio stations. This was “as a means of ensuring that information about the country was adequately disseminated” In a February 1990 interview published in Ebony magazine Momoh talked about the rich and diverse Nigerian culture. He stated that British-style parliamentary democracy and the American-style presidential system had both failed in Nigeria because they were not compatible with these local cultures. He said that Nigeria was now establishing a system of grassroots democracy in a twoparty system. In May 1990 party elections were held for local ward positions using an “open ballot”, where voters showed their preference by standing in front of a photograph of the candidate. Party elections were then scheduled for the state and national elections. Momoh said the government would not interfere in the inner workings of parties. Soon after, all the National Republican Convention candidates for national offices were disqualified on the grounds that there were irregularities in their application forms. Babangida followed a

Times Hereos Award

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu

ÏÏÏ Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was born in November 9,

1944 in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a BSc in Economics. He is married with four children. A highly revered Nigerian economist, journalist, and politician, Ugochukwu served as the senior Special Adviser on Communication to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). On February 25, 2008, an Abia State elections tribunal declared Ugochukwu the winner of the 2007 gubernatorial election and Governor-elect of Abia State. However, on February 11, 2009 an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, the River State capital, overturned the ruling, declaring that Chief Theodore Orji of the PPA had in fact won the election. Upon graduation from college, Ugochukwu was hired as an Economic Research Assistant by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He remained with CBN for two years before he abandoned a promising career in economics to pursue his true passion, journalism. Ugochukwu joined the Business Times group as an Economic Analyst and a pioneer staff of what would later become the most influential financial newspaper in Nigeria. He rose in the ranks to become the Editor of the Business Times Newspaper (1977 to 1982). In 1983, Ugochukwu became Editor-in-Chief of the London-based West Africa magazine, where he wrote extensively on development issues, to provide a better understanding of the African debt crisis. He eventually returned to Nigeria to become the Editorin-Chief of the Daily Times of Nigeria and he was subsequently appointed to its board as the Executive Director of

Ugochukwu Manpower and Development. He retired from newspaper journalism in 1994 as the Executive Director of Publications. Ugochukwu remained active as a media consultant for the Dow Jones Financial News Service. Throughout his distinguished career as a journalist, Ugochukwu met and interviewed numerous Heads of States – including then Minister Margaret Thatcher, former South African President Nelson Mandela, Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, French President Jacques Chirac, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cuban President, Fidel Castro, Nigerian presidents Ibrahim Babangi-

Momoh policy of donating money, vehicles, offices and so on to local governments, political parties and others on the basis that this would keep them free of influence by the rich and powerful. As Minister for Information Momoh justified the practice, saying of Democracy “is not as expensive as people are thinking in relation to the alternative. The alternative is allowing one man to dictate to the whole Nigeria because you don’t want it to be expensive. If money is not spent on democracy and a one-man dictatorship emerges ... it is

the same Nigerians who are talking of expensiveness now that will shout that one man is a dictator”. Babangida was tough on the press at times, but tried to avoid open conflict. When the press began calling for Momoh’s dismissal he was slow to respond, since Momoh was intelligent and reflective, and had experience from his own days as a newspaper editor. However, he finally dismissed Momoh and replaced him with Alex Akinyele, who had previously been in the customs services and had been a director at Newswatch.

da, Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha, and Abdusalami Abubakar – and presented papers on African economic and political development at various fora including Oxford University, England, and Uppsala University. With Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1998, Ugochukwu became the Director of Publicity at the Obasanjo for President Campaign Organisation, and contributed immensely to the election of Olusegun Obasanjo as the President of Nigeria. He was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Orientation and Public Affairs. He spearheaded a National Rebirth campaign aimed at instilling patriotic virtues into a national psyche ravaged by years of political instability and corruption. It was on this platform that Ugochukwu launched “The Nigerian Declaration of Human Responsibilities”, which declares in part: “This Character on Human Responsibilities… Seeks to bring freedom and responsibility into a better balance, to highlight and increase awareness of the obligation which we owe each other and to our nation.” To soothe the political unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, President Obasanjo signed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act of 2000 into law. He was appointed as the pioneer chairman of the newly created commission, charged with developing the nine oil producing states of the country, with excess oil revenues. Ugochukwu helped to articulate the president’s vision of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, and developed a policy which encouraged partnership amongst its stakeholders—Niger-delta communities and their traditional rulers, youths, oil companies and their executives, the Nigerian government, and Non-Governmental Organisations, and international organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. During Ugochukwu’s tenure, the NDDC focused mainly on economic revival and prosperity, environmental rehabilitation, and the development of social and physical infrastructure.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, January 13, 2018

Ibinabo Fiberesima: On new movie, ‘Along came a Butterfly’ B6

Society circle B6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 13, 2018

God will direct me on next chapter of my life â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Ibinabo Fiberesima Delectable Nollywood actress and movie producer, Ibinabo Fiberesima is one of the celebrities who have made remarkable impact in the entertainment industry. As a philanthropist, Ibinabo has helped many with different needs. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, she talks about her last marriage, her movie

What have you been up to in recent times?

Will you seek love again after the last marriage?

Can you give us an update on your movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Along Has the breakup derailed your plans or are you

At over 40, how do you maintain your beauty? What inspired it?

You recently worked with Rivers Government, what was it all about?

State

What is the next chapter in your life?

Your photos where you dressed in traditional Rivers attires went viral, what was the occasion?

Do you see yourself shooting a biopic or writing a memoir anytime soon?

How have you been able to reinvent yourself over the years and remain relevant?

You have been giving out scholarships to school children, why are you doing this?

Who really is Ibinabo?

Life&

bringing warring Nollywood actresses together; how?

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Gist B7

Mutiat Alli

Wizkid, Jidenna to perform alongside Beyoncé at Coachella music festival

Jidenna Mobisson have been included among the lineup of performers for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Simply known as Coachella, the festival holds yearly in California and it features performances from some of the

Beyoncé as headliners of the singer was forced to pull out in 2017 following the advice of her doctors to keep a less rigorous

schedule. Beyoncé, who was pregnant with twins Sir and Rumi at the time, was later replaced by Lady Gaga. The 2018 Coachella festival will hold from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 22. Some of the other artistes performing at the festival include Tyler the Creator, David Byrne, Post Malone, Fleet Foxes, Black Madonna, Vincent Staples, Jean Michel, Benjamin Clementine, Black Coffee, Daniel Caesar, Kali Uchis, Migos, French Montana, Cardi B, and Miguel. 2017 with respect to taking Nigerian music international. He ended the year winning a number of international awards.

top 17 music videos of last year.

‘Don’t take every job’, Olorisupergal advises influencers in new episode of ‘Influencer Marketing’

Judith Audu

Judith Audu makes directorial debut with short film

Nollywood actress, Judith Audu has made her directorial debut with a

Produced and directed by Audu, the movie is an adaptation of a poem of the same title, written by actor/TV Presenter, Moses Akerele, who also plays lead in the movie. The coming movie features other

acts like Naomi Ojochide Yahaya, Chris Iheuwa, Omowunmi Dada, Tunbosun Aiyedehin, Maimuna amongst others. The movie, Mirabel, is an intense emotional drama about love lost and love found. It follows the lives of two

Dada) and how an unplanned pregnancy not only pulls them apart but totally ceases their world. Not accepting the emptiness that comes

back happiness. Will he get it and will

Comedian Alibaba, Aunt Landa announce Media Panache as PR Agency for Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation Olorisupergal Following the official announcement of her YouTube a few weeks back, renowned blogger and social media influencer, Tosin Ajibade, otherwise known as Olorisupergal, has released a new episode titled, The new episode will mark the fourth episode of the series which has been described as insightful in regards to online marketing and publicity for social media influencers. In this episode, Tosin elucidates the most common mistakes ignored by social media influencers when executing a new campaign or project. The blogger goes on to highlight the importance of tailored contents when offered a job as an influencer as it is imperative for your contents to resonate or appeal with the interest of your on their demographics and psychographics. Olorisupergal also indicates

that not every job should be considered as you should only take up jobs that align with the defined style of your usual contents day in, day out. She also points out the importance of fluencer when executing a new encers in the creative process of their marketing/campaign you to pervade your creativity in the execution in its entirety. She job you get. As an influencer, you know your brand more than anyone, so if a brand comes to will this content connect with my followers?” Other noteworthy points elucidated include communication process of brands with influencers, projected output of campaigns, measuring the reach, your contents during a campaign, among others.

After several months of blossom partnering and working hand in hand in the execution of a surfeit of projects, Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation, an NGO owned by revered humanitarian, Dr. Yolanda N. George-David and the chairman of the foundation, Alibaba have announced budding Public Relations agency, Media Panache, The announcement was made by Aunt Landa on her Instagram page. In her caption accompanied with a graphic designed image bearing “I am so excited to announce Media

Ali Baba & Aunty Landa

Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation. The Timilehin Bello. love and support this agency has Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation shown to me and the foundation and Media Panache have a number of projects planned for 2018, and as together for a long while now and lives of thousands and the restitution competent. Watch this space – of the Nigerian communities. Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation for the not too distant future!” was founded by Yolanda and since Media Panache had made headlines a number of weeks back, initiatives and incentives have been after winning the Future Awards less privileged but to also imbue category – an award which was

a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones. Some of the noteworthy projects Aunt Landa Bethel Foundation and Media Panache have executed in the past an empowerment programme, where the needy get to buy food, clothes, medicine and several other things for free, initiative which rendered a helping hand to thousands of homeless children, by providing them with pivotal items needed them for the future ahead, among others.

Society circle B8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Isaac Oguntoye

Security analyst, Wole Madariola honoured The erstwhile President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation, Wole Madariola Olumide, has admonished the government to let complaints disappear and ensure morale is boosted amidst security personnel. The Isreali-trained Weapon Expert made this clarion call during the Crimeworld Security Award held in Lagos recently where he delivered a paper on: The SocioEconomic Impact of Kidnapping on developing nations using Nigeria as a case study. At the event, he was honoured alongside Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, former IGPs, Mike Okiro, and Solomon Arase among others. During the lecture, he emphasised that acquisition and procurement

Who is after Ayodele Fayose?

Gov Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has been the only standing Peoples Democratic Party governor that is not -

Wole

of hardware without improving the welfare of military personnel is maladministration, saying “Food, clothing, allowances, medical supplies and temporary accommodation are all impor-

Between Amosun, Osoba

defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in a free and fair presidential election, citing his record of having defeated two incumbent governors in separate governorship elections in Ekiti State. And ever since he made his intention known, he has been experiencing different attacks here and there. If you recall, his SUV,

for the failure of continuity. And anyone who opposed her husband risk the divine wrath, saying, “God told me expressly, years back, that he needed Ayo Fayose in Nigeria. What brought about this was that, I was praying that the trouble of this man was too much, that I wanted God to take politics away from him, to separate him from politics that I have had too he is in the hollow of my palm, l needs him in Nigeria, it is not only Ekiti. He is amount of “gang up or political manipu-

while being driven to the airport last year on the Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway in Lagos. After series of attacks, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose had to come out to defend her husband citing divine intervention from God. According to her, nobody should hunt

from the good plan God has in stock for Now, the question on the lips of everyone is that, who is after her husband? Is it the presidency or other party chieftains? All these rhetorical questions are begging for answers.

On Femi Adeshina’s chieftaincy title

Olusegun Osoba and Gov Amosun

As the people of Ogun State prepare to cast their votes in the forthcoming election, the two power houses in the state politics - former Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and incumbent Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, are said to be at loggerheads over who governs the

ally emerged as Governor, he kicked against his benefactor, striking out all he promised the former Governor. This led to the bad blood between them. Although, Gov. Amosun is yet to unveil his anointed candidate as many

the many and complex issues affecting the state, the cold war between the

Chief Tolu Odebiyi, but ever since Osoba endorsed Yayi and pledged his support for the senator as the next

that Aremo Osoba was instrumental to the emergence of Amosun in 2011, adopted him due to the pressure from party chieftains. But after Amosun

Governor Amosun and Aremo Osoba have renewed their rivalry politically as they no longer see eye to eye since then.

As a media aide to the president, Femi Adesina is a different personality to different folks. He has been called so many unprinted names both on social media and newspaper but one thing you can take away from the soft-spoken image-maker is his simplicity and focus. Some have gone as far as calling for his resigna-

closed to him is seeing Nigeria competing remarkably well with other developed nations. When he was recently conferred with a chieftaincy title as the Kingdom, Enugu State, most people were not surprised due to his role in making sure Nigeria remains as one. Also the honour is coming from the Southeastern Nigeria where many had thought will break away due to the incessant crisis of marginalisation.

Femi Adeshina

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Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ ơƢè ƾƠơƤ

Man of the Year: Ibe Kachikwu Ï j Ɗƈ ƈƋ ÷ ƆƅƐ Ə Ɛ ƆƔƐ ƋƆƒƆƋ ÏÏÏ Given

his track record as an accomplished technocrat with enviable professional and academic track record in the industry in which he has had over 30 years of cognate experience locally and internationally, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s appointment as the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to many industry watchers was a ‘round peg in a round hole’ and kudos was given to President Muhammadu Buhari who made sanitisation of the oil sector a cardinal plank of his presidency. It was argued that President Buhari couldn’t have looked for a better upright manager of the nation’s oil resources than Kachikwu especially at a time when there was a record breaking mind boggling malfeasance in the management of the NNPC and Nigeria in desperate need of more oil sales revenue to support government budgets, protect foreign reserves and help stop the ongoing devaluation of the national currency. At his assumption of office, these formed the essential part of the challenges that Kachikwu confronted “as he tried to halt selling of crude oil to politically-connected, ”carpetbaggers” that lack the capacity to perform, establish and adhere to strong internal policies for vetting and choosing buyers of oil, and for apportioning cargoes of oil among buyers, publicly account for earnings from sales of crude from NPDC and its oil trading subsidiaries, and cease unconstitutional withholding of federal revenue”. As the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Kachikwu, said that the NNPC was to be unbundled into 30 profit-making companies with separate Managing Directors as part of the ongoing transformation of the national oil company. Under his supervision, the NNPC moved from a loss position of N160 billion to some N3 billion by January 2016, Just as by

year end, NNPC started to make some profit. “For the first time, we are unbundling the subset of the NNPC to 30 independent companies with their own Managing Directors. Titles like Group Executive Directors are going to disappear and in their place you are going to have Chief Executive Officers and they are going to take responsibilities for their titles. At the end of the day, the CEO of an upstream company must deliver an upstream result,” Kachikwu stated. The Minister noted that the President Buhari administration is focusing on developing the nation’s gas resources in order to boost revenue as part of the diversification policy of the Federal Government. Kachikwu said the petroleum sector, under his watch, would rapidly review the contracting cycle of projects from two years to six months in the upstream, stressing that efforts are in top gear to review the existing Production Sharing Contracts which is long overdue. In what could be described as a face-off between Kachikwu, and his successor at NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the Minister of State was compelled to accuse Baru of “completely eroding” some of the reforms he introduced as head of the oil firm. Buhari had appointed Kachikwu as NNPC GMD in August 2015 but replaced him with Baru in July 2016. His reformation drive was endorsed by the United States Government which pledged its readiness to work with the Management of the NNPC in achieving the Federal Government’s reform agenda in the oil and gas industry. The then USA Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle assured Kachikwu of United States willingness to provide all necessary support to the NNPC Management to realize its set goals and objectives. Amb. Entwistle noted that though the job of the GMD of NNPC is about the most challenging job in Nigeria, the USA is

convinced that Kachikwu has the skills, training and requisite experience to lead the oil and gas industry in Nigeria towards the path of growth and sustainable development. Commending the USA for the pledge of support, Kachikwu reiterated the determination of the new NNPC Management to implement the spirit and letter of President Buhari’s reform agenda in the petroleum industry. The GMD stated that the new NNPC would be driven by a deep sense of commitment to service delivery anchored on the principle of transparency, efficiency, people, purpose and profit. ``My mission is to redirect and re-energize the work force for greater value addition and I believe that the NNPC, given the right leadership has what it takes to achieve this objective,’’ he said. His intervention in the face-off between NigerDelta activists and the Federal Government led to a restart of the amnesty payments and discuss investment initiatives that boost the regional economy and its social services. His argument is that the Federal Government’s plans for capital investment in Niger Delta – more roads, more power stations, better water and sanitation with big investment in schools and clinics – will benefit the people more than ad hoc payments to militant gangs, past or present. Kachikwu steered the much-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill to restructure the NNPC through the Senate (AC Vol 56 No 20. It sets out clearer rules for investors and the NNPC would be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and compelled to issue timely financial statements. With a great input from Kachikwu, the government put an end to fuel subsidy, a policy designed ostensibly to help the poorest people but which in reality became a statefinanced welfare scheme for fuel importers, most of them multi-millionaires. As Group Managing Director of NNPC and as

Kachikwu Minister, he has fought many battles with oil marketers in his bid to stem acute fuel scarcity, increase revenue accrue to government’s purse and in stabilising the industry. He has said it repeatedly that current fuel scarcity which has become a national embarrassment was not caused by government, but rather blamed it on profitminded marketers who were alleged to have hoarded fuel in anticipation of an increase in pump price of petroleum products. Kachikwu was an active player in the private sector where best business practices and corporate good governance are sine qua non. He was the former Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil (Africa Operations). He wrote legal books. His bestseller is “Legislation and Policy on Foreign Investment in Nigeria”. The man also authored about 20 different publications. Kachikwu was appointed as the NNPC Chief Executive in August 2015. The

first thing he did when he entered the new position was to reduce the number of directors. There were eight of them. Kachikwu removed four of them. He was born on December 18, 1956 to late Justice Francis Kachikwu and Maria Kachikwu. He attended St. Peter’s Primary School Ogwashi-Uku before gaining admission into St. Pius Grammar School OnichaUgbo, and left in 1968 with top level performance recorded. He attended Edo College from 1973 to 1974 and spectacular performance. He studied Law at the University of Nigeria 1978, where he made a first class result and the best graduating student. At the 1979 set of Nigerian Law School, he emerged with another First Class and best graduate winning 7 of available 9 prizes. At his LLM programme at Harvard University in 1980, it was another First Class performance. His Doctorate degree programme did not come with lesser performance.

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His intervention in the face-off between NigerDelta activists and the Federal Government led to a restart of the amnesty payments and discuss investment initiatives that boost the regional economy and its social services

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Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Woman of the Year: Mrs. Aisha Buhari

Ï An uncommon First Lady with passion ÏÏÏ For exhibiting unprec-

edented courage and coupled with the fact that she usually speaks to power in a government in which her husband is the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is an unusual First Lady. “A woman is a full circle; within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” The above quote by Diana Marriechild aptly described our Woman of the Year, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the First Lady and wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the annals of Nigeria’s political history, Mrs. Buhari has earned for herself a place in history among women in the ‘inner seclusion’ of the corridors of power. She has debunked the postulation that ‘women are to be seen and not to be heard’ as she has effectively lent her voice to national issues even criticising her husband’s administration on issues of national interest. She has conscientiously displayed her love for humanity especially concerned with transforming the fortune of women, girls and children. It is instructive to note that Mrs. Aisha Buhari has called for a probe of the State House Medical Clini over poor health facilities in the hospital despite the huge budgetary allocation to it. She condemned the “lack of facilities” at the clinic during a programme in Abuja and equally lamented the total or dearth of some necessary hospital facilities such as syringe, drugs and equipment needed for saving lives. Mrs. Buhari, who spoke at the opening of a two-day stakeholders meeting on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition organised by her pet project, Future Assured in Abuja, said the ongoing renovations at the clinic was baseless because the hospital lacked the equipment to save lives. She Said, “If somebody like Mr. President can spend several months outside Nigeria, then you wonder what will happen to a common man on the street in Nigeria. Few weeks ago, I was sick as well, they advised me to take the first flight out to London, I refused to go. I said I must be treated in Nigeria because there is a budget for an assigned clinic to take care of us. If the budget is N100 million, we need to know how the budget is spent. Along the line, I insisted

they call Aso Clinic to find out if the X-ray machine is working, they said it is not working. They didn’t know I am the one that was supposed to be in that hospital at that very time. I had to go to a hospital that was established by foreigners in and out 100 percent. What does that mean? So, I think is high time for us to do the right thing. If something like this can happen to me, no need for me to ask the governors’ wives what is happening in their states. This is Abuja and this is the highest seat of government, and this is Presidential Villa.” The wife of the president calls on the government, civil society and private sector to address social norms that permit women and girls to be treated as lesser breed than men and boys – she called on government at all levels to give priority to education and empowerment of women and children. Aisha made this call in Abuja at the International Sheroes Forum with the theme: “Advancing women’s roles in business leadership and governance.” The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 2012 released a report which said that “Nigeria has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the world. One in seven children dies before her or his fifth birthday.” Aware of these challenges and to let every citizen feel the impact of government, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is determined to give everyone a sense of belonging, beyond the channeling of attention to women and children only. This is evident in the christening of her pet project- Future Assured and its offshoot, Get Involved – names that are by no means suggestive of asymmetry but inclusive in form and nature. As the future is assured for women, so it is for men through the various action plans that Mrs. Buhari is rolling out for the upliftment of families and society. To her, needless to empower a woman only, when the man also needs empowerment to cater and support the woman and child. The man, after all, is also a crucial component of the family unit. It is based on this understanding that the wife of the President recently launched Get Involved- a quick interventionist programme to halt yearly deaths of malnourished children in the country on the strength

that every child is entitled to a meal every day. She believes that when children are fed regularly and in the required proportions, their parents save money for medications and are free from mental and financial stresses. And with the commitments Mrs. Buhari is showing in promoting girls education and other issues concerning the girl-child, Nigeria is likely to benefit from the grant and other grants that have been set aside by development partners in implementing policies aimed at guaranteeing quality food, health, education, sanitation and safe drinking water for every Nigerian. She has commenced these intervention measures at Bama and Maiduguri camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) where she donated four tonnes of ready to use products (Soy Kunu for adults/ pregnant and lactating mothers and Soyalac for children) to fight malnutrition prevalent among inmates in the camps. These inmates are not only women and children but also adolescent boys, fathers and grandfathers. She is known for her nonflamboyant life-style. Mrs. Buhari had in her twitter handle denied receiving SUV vehicles from the Nigerian Police for personal use, saying “I am still using my personal cars.’’ Politically conscious Aisha Buhari, the wife of the President, had in the wake of a sickness that had kept her husband out of the country for over two months, given an insight into the power play at the Nigerian seat of power. In a Facebook post, she alluded to some elements around her ailing husband as “the hyenas” and “the jackals,” hoping that they would soon be sent out of the “Kingdom”. She responded to a post by Senator Shehu Sani who said “Prayer for the absent Lion King has waned; until he’s back then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple. Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispered; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not… “It is the wish of the Hyenas and the Jackals that the Lion King never wakes up or come back so that they can be kings. It is the prayers of the weak animals that the Lion King comes back to save the kingdom from

Mrs. Aisha Buhari

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For exhibiting unprecedented courage and coupled with the fact that she usually speaks to power in a government in which her husband is the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is an unusual First Lady.

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the Hyenas, the wolves and other predators” She wittingly responded to Senator Sani’s comment by saying: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker Animals. The Hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom. We strongly believe in the prayers and support of the weaker animals”. Mrs. Aisha’s comment attracted some comments from her followers on Facebook, wishing her husband quick recovery. The First Lady also warned her husband that she may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his government. In a BBC interview, Aisha Buhari suggested his government had been hijacked by only a “few people”, who

were behind presidential appointments. She said the president did not know most of the officials he had appointed. President Buhari, who is on a visit to Germany, had responded by saying his wife belonged in his kitchen. Standing alongside German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at a news conference, the president laughed off his wife’s accusations. “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room,” he said. Mrs. Buhari on an interview with a BBC Hausa service programme, was quoted to have said: “The president does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.” She said people who did not share the vision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were now appointed to top posts because of the influence a “few people” wield. “Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position,” she said. Mrs. Buhari was prompted to speak out in an effort to end those practices so that party loyalists who contributed to his election victory could benefit. Aisha Buhari campaigned vigorously for her husband in the 2015 general election, organising town hall meetings with women’s groups and youth organisations across the country. However, she kept a low

profile at the start of the administration and was barely seen or heard. She was restricted to her work on the empowerment of women and helping victims of the Boko Haram conflict in the north-east of the country where she is from. Aisha (née Halilu) Buhari is the second and current wife of President Buhari. She was born in Adamawa State in the family of the first Minister of Defence, Mohammadu Ribadu. She was raised in the best traditions of Fulani culture. Aisha graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University where she earned a Bachelor degree in Public Administration. She also has a post-graduate diploma of the Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France in Cosmetology and Beauty. Moreover, she is an alumnus of the famous Carlton Institute of London. Mrs. Buhari is reportedly engaged in a private enterprise where she has become an employer of labour, a mentor to all aspiring cosmetologists and a consultant to the KRCP/ NNPC on skills acquisition. She is also a member of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust (VTCT), The International Health and Beauty Council (HBC). She also helps women politicians to raise funds for campaigns. She speaks English and Arabic fluently. In December 1989, Muhammadu Buhari married Aisha Halilu. Together they have five children, a boy and four girls. They are Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zarah and Amina.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Politician of the Year- Gov Willie Obiano

Ï Impacting positive lives on Ndi-Anambra ÏÏÏ For

the almost four years that he has been in office as Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, has proven that he is a politician with the interest of present and future generations of Ndi Anambra at heart through various development projects his administration has embarked upon. Born on August 8, 1955, Obiano is a Nigerian banker, technocrat and the fourth democratically elected governor of Anambra State. Governor Obiano hails from Aguleri, a town in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. He attended his early education at Holy Trinity primary school Onitsha and obtained his higher school certificate and WASSCE from Christ the Kings College, Onitsha. In pursuant of his education, Obiano obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Lagos in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration from the same institution. To add more value to his academic career, he successfully obtained an MBA in Marketing from the same university in 1993. In search of greener pasture, Governor Obiano began his Banking career at First Bank of Nigeria before he left to join the services of Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc as accountant and rose to the position of Chief Internal Auditor in 1989. He was one of the Auditors that audited Texaco Refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands and in 1991, he joined the Fidelity Bank as Deputy Manager and Head of Audit unit and rose to the position of Executive Director on October, 2003. He left the banking system to join politics and in 2013, he contested the November 16, 17, and 30 Anambra State gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He won the election and was sworn in on March 17, 2014 to succeed former Governor Peter Obi. To an Achiever, the good people of Anambra State re-elected him for a second term in office on November 18, 2017 gubernatorial election. He won overwhelmingly in all the 21 local government areas of the state to beat other 36 contenders

Obiano

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Governor Obiano has continued to maintain cordial relationship with other political parties in the state by practicing politics of inclusion, national cohesion and consensus building, a political culture most needed for the country’s growth and development.

sponsored by godfathers. Governor Willie Maduabuchi Obiano has no doubt brought governance to the people of Anambra State through the pursuit of lifechanging programmes and projects. His intervention in all sector of human life has raised hope of a brighter tomorrow presently and future generation. Although, a member of the APGA, the Governor has continued to maintain cordial relationship with other political parties in the state by practicing politics of inclusion, national cohesion and consensus building, a political culture most needed for the country’s growth and development. In the past four years before his re-elected for second term, Obiano has learnt to balance the diversities in the state in terms of religion and ethnicity to deliver on his campaign

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promises to the people. In a county where payment of workers’ salaries has become a major headache for some Governors, Obiano stands out a reference point for prompt payment of salaries. For Obiano, nobody knew the secret employed by this accountant and banker turned politician but the Governor employed civilized method, using the police and installing of street lights at strategic places in the state especially from Onitsha Bridgehead to Borrmeo Hospital Roundabout through old road to Amawbia Awka. Today, Anambra State can be said to have the best security network. Many prominent Anambrarians who had relocated to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and other places in Nigeria now have started coming back to the state. Since then, business has picked up

across the state. Night life has returned to Onitsha, Awka and other major cities of the state. Obiano’s security presence in the state expectedly has multiplier effect on the socioeconomic development of any place as it engenders confidence among the people, business community and investors. Indeed, Governor Obiano’s improved security situation has increased the number of hours of doing business in the state as well as brought back night life which had died long ago. Anambra State known as the “LIGHT OF THE NATION” under Obiano has major investment in rice production like Coscharis farm in Ayamelum as well as poultry in Igbariam and others in various parts of the state. The state’s investment in Agriculture has resulted in

exportation of vegetables from Anambra State to European countries and yam to United States of America. In furtherance to boost food sufficiency, the Governor has made available to farmers in the state 291 hectares of land, seedlings, fertilizers and herbicides to encourage mechanized agriculture across the 21 local government areas. No wonder, traders in the state are happy that his administration has impacted heavily on them in one way or the other. Obiano took the bull by the horn by setting up 10 million projects in all the major markets in the state. In the area of chooseyourself N10 million projects, every market in the state benefitted from the largess worth of project. Many of the markets used the opportunity to build office complex, halls, access road, motor park complex, electricity, water borehole and overhead tank among other projects. His achievements did not stop there. Fire fighting vehicles were also bought and distributed to strategic market in case of any fire outbreak. Obiano has also extended the kind gesture to all the communities in Anambra State by asking them to choose any N20 million project. The outstanding and achieving Governor went further to challenge the communities which finished their first projects time frame to choose another tranche of N20 million project, which some communities have already benefited. The goodnews about the banker-turned politician is that virtually all the communities have completed all their projects, while some who finished on time have been given another N20 million for second projects. These projects are dotted all over the communities like town halls, skill acquisition centres, road rehabilitation, and borehole among others. In short, Governor Obiano in the almost four years he has been in office has done more than excellent in the construction of roads and bridges. Apart from constructing three world class bridges in Awka at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Kwata and Amawbia junctions in the state capital, the performing Governor

has also done a bridge across Mamu River at Amansea NdiukwuenuAwa- Ufuma. To crown it all, he has also constructed about 180Km of roads throughout the state as well as rehabilitated the existing roads through the State Road maintenance Agency’s zero pothole programme. The working Governor also constructed the Iyiora bridge believed to be the longest in the state, which connects Anambra west, part of the food basket basin of the state to the rest of the world. It is hoped that as he takes another oath in office this year for his second term, the ongoing roads construction in different parts of the state, one of them being the construction of bridge across NtejeUmanya bye- pass along the Onitsha- Enugu Expressway will be speeded up. On education, the Governor gave out a total of N700 million to mission schools, constructed over 2,500 classroom blocks for primary and secondary schools in the state, installed 30KVA generating sets and provided transformers to the schools to enhance effective teaching and learning. Interestingly, the Governor’s administration also awarded scholarships to a total of 200 students of Anambra State of origin to the tune of about N120 million as a source of encouragement to academic excellence among Anambra children. The school sector under Obiano has recruited 70 contract teachers for the 11 technical colleges in the state to boost their staff strength. The welfare of teachers was not left behind as the Obiano administration consequently increased the salary of 1,634 teachers in core subjects in the state school system as well as the salary of 2,732 teachers in rural areas of the state by 20 percent to motivate them and provide more access to quality education to the children in riverine and agrarian areas of the state. No doubt, the outstanding achievements by Obiano’s administration in Anambra State made it possible for him to record a landslide victory in the November 18, 2017 gubernatorial election.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Governor of the Year: Gov Nyesom Wike

Ï Redefining Rivers landscape through massive reconstruction ÏÏÏ

Born on December 13, 1967, Governor Nyesom Wike, an outstanding administrator, lawyer and politician is referred to as the Golden Governor. He just turned 50 and had the singular fortune of taking Rivers State to its glorious Golden Jubilee anniversary in May, this year. Barrister Nyesom Wike was born to the family of Reverend and Mrs. Nlemanya Wike of Rumuepirikom community, Obio/Akpor in Rivers State. He spent most of his academic life in Rivers State, hence, he once proudly declared himself a local champion. A holder of several traditional chieftaincy titles, Barrister Nyesom Wike is happily married to Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, a High Court Judge with the Rivers State Judiciary. The union is blessed with three children. He holds degrees in Political and Administrative Studies as well as in Law. However, after a brief stint with the private legal practice, Barrister Wike was elected twice as the Executive Chairman of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area and served out two tenures from 1999 to 2007. A one-time Deputy President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Governor Nyesom Wike was later elected as the substantive President of the Association. From the position of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor, he moved on to serve as the Chief of Staff, Government House, between October 26, 2007 and May 28, 2011 under the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State then. From there, Barrister Nyesom Wike was appointed the Director-General of Governor Amaechi’s reelection Campaign Organisation. He was reputed for being the brain behind the success of Rt. Hon. Amaechi second race to the Brick House after which he became the most powerful Chief of Staff in the state. On July 14, 2011, Barrister Wike was subsequently appointed and sworn-in as the Minister of State for Education. This feat is widely attributed to the recommendation of the then governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Amaechi. Subsequently, following a cabinet shakeup, Barrister Wike emerged the Supervising Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the end of fierce political and legal battles

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Governor Wike has completed numerous projects including 50 medium-income flats at Iriebe, Iloabuchi-Eagle Island Link Road, AbonnemaObonoma Link Road and the NBA Port Harcourt Law Office, reconstruction of roads from Borokiri Road in Old Port Harcourt Township to Rumuwoji (Mile 1) Market Phase 2 ground breaking, Mile 1 Flyover Park, Abonnema Wharf Road, Woji-Elelenwo Road, Woji-Trans Amadi Road, Onne Seaport Access Road and Abuloma-Woji Road

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between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015, gubernatorial election in Rivers State, Wike emerged as the sixth governor of the State and has, since his swearing in on May 29, 2015, recorded numerous achievements, some of which prompted the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to dub him ‘Mr. Projects.’ But his most remarkable achievements dated back to his tenure as the Minister of State for Education and subsequently the Supervising Minister of Education. He made enviable impacts in the basic education subsector, spear-heading a nationwide reform of the nation’s education system. It is worthy to note that as Minister of State for Education, he created access to quality education for 9

Wike million Almajiri children in the Northern part of Nigeria through the construction of appropriate schools in affected states. He was also the driving force behind the construction of basic education vocational training schools for out-ofschool children in Southern Nigeria and Special Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16 states of the federation. He also superintended over the distribution of over 60 million text books and library resource materials to various schools in the country, among other achievements. Determined to leave his footsteps in the sands of time, Governor Wike swung into action as soon as he was sworn-in as the governor of the state. The newly sworn-in governor said: “Never again will we allow projects meant for the people to be abandoned just because we did not award it. I will never do any project that will be abandoned. No part of the state will be neglected in the infrastructure renewal programme of my administration.” Less than 24 hours after taking his oath of office, Governor Wike announced the return to work of the ju-

diciary and the re-opening of courts in the state which were shut down during the tenure of Rt. Hon. Amaechi, now the Minister of Transportation. He also ended the controversy surrounding the appointment of the Chief Judge of the state as he swiftly appointed Justice Daisy Okocha (now retired) in acting capacity to fill the gap. The opening of the courts brought financial relief to practicing lawyers in the state who had also suffered professional setbacks throughout the period the courts were shut down. Governor Nyesom Wike deeply delved into what he termed ‘Operation Zero Potholes’ on roads round the state, particularly in Port Harcourt, capital city of the state. As at May 2017, the governor had reworked roads totaling over 33 kilometers under its Operation Zero Pothole scheme. In his 100 Days in office celebration, Governor Wike has completed numerous projects including 50 medium-income flats at Iriebe, Iloabuchi-Eagle Island Link Road, Abonnema-Obonoma Link Road and the NBA Port Harcourt Law Office, reconstruction of roads

from Borokiri Road in Old Port Harcourt Township to Rumuwoji (Mile 1) Market Phase 2 ground breaking, Mile 1 Flyover Park, Abonnema Wharf Road, Woji-Elelenwo Road, WojiTrans Amadi Road, Onne Seaport Access Road and Abuloma-Woji Road. Others were the Kpopie-Bodo Road in Gokana LGA, Second Nkpogu Bridge in Trans Amadi, SakpenwaBori Road, Igwuruta-Etche Road and Ogoni-AndoniOpobo Unity Road. Spreading infrastructural development across the state, Governor Wike also completed the N150 million ATC Jetty at Okrika and the Bonny/Bille Jetty on Creek Road as part of measures to boost marine transportation in the state. Just before the celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary in the state, a number of projects were initiated while others were commissioned. These included the flag-off of Bakana land reclamation in Degema LGA; flag-off of Oyigbo-Mbano CampIriebe Road reconstruction; commissioning of rehabilitated Brick House building in Government House; commissioning of Port

Harcourt Pleasure Park which now yields revenue for the state, and the Ecumenical Centre on Abonnema Wharf Road. Governor Nyesom Wike Wike has within less than three years of his administration made inroads in the development of other sectors of the economy such as education. Some notable accomplishments in the education sector included the rehabilitation of select schools across the state, such as the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema, and Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, just to mention a few. Hospitals and health institutions were not left out in the development strides by Governor Nyesom Wike. Some of those rehabilitated and upgraded to provide better services to the people included the Elele-Alimini General Hospital and the School of Nursing in Port Harcourt, among other health institutions. Governor Wike has invested tremendously in the area of security. A few months into his administration in 2015, Governor Nyesom Wike received the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and donated 64 patrol vans to the Rivers state police command and other security agencies to help combat crime in the state. During the presentation of the vans, the governor stated: “The most important role of any responsible Government is the security of lives and property.” The governor had said on different occasions that he had zero tolerance for crime and criminality. This, then, explains why he took huge steps to lure cultists, kidnappers, and robbers out of criminality by granting them amnesty. The gesture yielded some fruitful results as many youths surrendered their weapons and genuinely embraced the amnesty programme. Today, Governor Wike ranks among governors in Nigeria who are not in arrears of payment of salaries and pensions. Speaking while flagging off the construction of Isiokpo Town, an ancient city of Ikwerre land, Wike said: “The Paris Refund Club they paid us will be used to execute meaningful projects in the state. For us, we have passed the stage of payments of salaries and pensions. We have cleared all those and our focus now is to roll out projects for the benefit of our people.”

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Good Governance Award - Gov Ibikunle Amosun Ï Transforming Ogun for maximum impact

ÏÏÏ Having realised that the Education sector is one area

where Ogun State for ages, has comparative advantages over other states in Nigeria, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has invested heavily in rebuilding of infrastructure, training, retraining and motivation of personnel, encouraging students and pupils to excel and also sanitised the entire sector for effective delivery. These achievements can be summarised as follows: -Free Education in all public PrePrimary and Secondary Schools with abolition of tuition fees and all forms of levies -Construction of 15 Model Schools with boarding facilities out of the proposed 28 each designed to accommodate 1,000 students and over 200 teaching and non-teaching staff -Introduction and underwriting of Unified Termly Examination for all Public Primary and Secondary Schools and Government Science and Technical Colleges Students across the State with a total sum of N754,076,670.00 expended in the Secondary sector alone -22-23% of annual budget devoted to Education almost in line with the UNESCO recommendation of 26% -A sum of N1.8billion was expended on the purchase of free textbooks distributed to all Primary and Secondary School pupils and students in all public schools -Payment of Bursary Awards to 16,277 indigenous Ogun State Students in all tertiary Institutions in the country between 2011 and 2015 Teaching Service Commission -Between the Financial years 2011 and 2015, a sum of N13, 820,000.00 was given to the Commission as revenue to be generated. Thus, the Commission recorded a sum of N14, 703,852.18 representing 106.40% of the targeted Revenue Generation. -Recruitment of 445 teaching and non-teaching staff, especially in core subjects (314 teaching and 131 non-teaching staff), increasing the staff complement in the Commission to a total of 15,006 as at March, comprising a total of 12,921 teaching and 2,005 non-teaching. -Payment of Peculiar Allowance at the rate of 15% and 10% of Basic Salary respectively to Teaching and NonTeaching staff with effect from July 2013 -Appointment of 208 principals, 506 vice-principals and 23 zonal secretaries as administrators in Public Secondary Schools from 2011 till date -Approval of Career Progression Adjustment for 1,345 NCE + Degree stagnated teachers Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board -Promotion of 14,115 teaching and non-teaching staff for 2011 and 2012 while a total of 6,988 teaching and nonteaching staff benefitted from the 2013 and 2014 promotion -Payment of government contributions towards teachers’ pensions to the Bureau of Pensions for onward submission to the various Pension Fund Accounts -Re-charting of teachers career progression (that led to the discovery that some teachers who had overstayed on the job) -Payment of N1.6billion for 2008/2009 UBE counterpart fund -Payment of N1, 495,309,272.34 for 2010/2011 UBE counterpart fund. Bureau of Tertiary Institutions beneficiaries that failed to return to serve the mandatory 3-years bond with Ogun State Government. July, 2011 till date flicts between the management and Unions of Institutes of Technology, Itori and Igbesa on 21st June, 2011 and 22nd July, 2011. Health In 2011, 47 Primary Health Care Centers were rehabilitated. Equipment, boreholes, backup power supply and Corps Medical Personnel were also provided to make the facilities functional. In 2014, the Ministry effectively responded to the Ebola scare in the country by investigating all rumoured cases and sensitizing communities within the state for effective surveillance and prevention. In the bid to improve the quality of service delivery in all the State’s primary and secondary health facilities, the ministry in partnership with Support for National Malaria Programme (SUNMAP) introduced the integrated Support Supervision/On the Job Capacity Building (ISS/ OJCB) programme. -Ogun State Ambulance and Emergency Service (OGSAS) In 2012, four modern Advanced Life-Support ambulances were procured and six abandoned vehicles were refurbished to Basic Life Support standard as the first step in the ongoing programme to revive the Ogun State Ambu-

State as at 2013. Commerce facility between Ogun State Government and Bank of Industry (50% equity each) to empower indigenous MSMEs. between 2011 and May, 2015 thus bringing the total number of factories in the State to 371. Six (6) more are to be commissioned before the end of June, 2015. More than 100 companies made requests for land, while over 30 are at various stages of construction. Market Development Board rose from N14,470,720.00 in June, 2010 – May, 2011 to N23,831,750 in June, 2013-May, 2014 ing of facilities at

Industrial Service Centre and Technology Incubation Centre, Abeokuta. 700 meters were duly completed On 29 May, 2011, Senator Amosun was sworn-in as the fourth elected Governor of Ogun State, having won the election held in April 2011. He contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). This party merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2013. He was re-elected for a second term in office on 11 April 2015 and duly sworn- in on 29 May 2015. Upon assumption of office as Governor of Ogun State, he outlined the Mission to Rebuild Agenda of his administration which is anchored on a 5 point – Cardinal Programme:

Amosun

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Having realised that the Education sector is one area where Ogun State for ages, has comparative advantages over other states in Nigeria, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has invested heavily in rebuilding of infrastructure, training, retraining and motivation of personnel, encouraging students and pupils to excel and also sanitised the entire sector for effective delivery

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lance Services. (OGSAS). -Schools of Nursing and Midwifery In 2012, a total of 99 health personnel were recruited for the Ministry of Health. This number includes 30 B.NSc. Graduate nurses which were employed as tutors for the School of Nursing and Midwifery f.Hospital Services g.Starting form 2013, the Computerization of record of private medical facilities in the State was done to provide for easy monitoring, data analysis and improve internally generated revenue within the State h.Procurement of affordable drugs/consumables from reputable companies and suppliers through a competitive bidding and at valued prices – 2011 till date i.Renovation of the Central Medical Store – 2011 till date j.Commencement of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (ARAYA) in Ogun State which has now been adopted naturally as a best practice. k.Sustenance of wild polio free state. No case of wind virus has been recorded since 2011 till date. Agriculture tors fromMay2011 to date

Generation The programme is aimed at the Welfare, Prosperity and Security of the Citizenry and the State. His administration has since recorded significant achievements in various critical sectors such as Free Education, stimulation of the Investment Environment, Agriculture, Women Empowerment, Security, massive Infrastructural Development and Urban Renewal. Laurels and Awards: His leadership qualities and outstanding achievements have earned him recognition nationally and internationally, some of these include: ca” by Security Watch Africa. In Accra, Ghana – October 2012 can Leadership magazine in New York – September 2013 Growing State Economy by Businessday Newspaper in Lagos – November 2013 the Niger (C.O.N) by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – September 2014

Zonal Station) – March 2017 Works Road reconstructed or rehabilitated during the Amosun administration include

kuta

Depot project produced 4,000 metric tonnes of various classes of feed between May, 2011 and April 2015 to back up various Livestock Projects.

Elite Road

were raised and supplied to Owowo Farm Estate.

beba road, Ijebu-Ode.

with green Houses, Fish Tanks, Poultry Houses and crop Production established in Abeokuta (Ogun Central), Ijebu –Ife (Ogun East and Ilaro (Ogun West) at a total cost of 15,000,000.00. Registration, were 197,699 farmers were registered in the

Street, Ijebu-Ode junction, Ijebu-Ode

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Good Governance Award - Gov Aminu Tambuwal Ï Delivering dividends of democracy in Sokoto for positive change

ÏÏÏ Since becoming the chief

executive of Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has left no one in doubt that he was and is really prepared for leadership and is at home with the needs and demands of the people of the Seat of the Caliphate. His profound achievements in the last two years are what informed the honour and recognition accorded him. As governor, Tambuwal has raised the ante of purposeful leadership and good governance. He has transformed Sokoto State and has imprinted indelible marks in the sand of history in the state. His achievements traversed all sectors of human endeavours, which space and time would not allow us to enumerate here. Aware that education is the bedrock of human capital and enduring societal development, Tambuwal upon becoming governor declared a state of emergency on education and has accorded priority attention to girl-child education in the state. In 2016, the governor made history by laying the foundation for the construction of a new secondary school in Balle, Gudu local government area, the only local government area without a senior secondary school in the whole country. Determined to make the necessary impact, he allocated more funds to education in the state’s budgets in 2016 and 2017 than any other sector. Importantly, the allocations were more than the UNICEF recommended 26 percent. Last year, Sokoto became the first state in Nigeria to pass the Right to Education law which makes education compulsory and free for all children between the ages of five and 18. It also criminalises refusal to send children to school, and parents will be liable to criminal prosecution if they stop their children from attending schools. So far, over 22 Doctors and Engineers sponsored for medical and engineering studies in foreign universities under the Higher Education Scheme Programme. Over 8,000 Sokoto students have benefitted from Government’s free JAMB forms for the joint admissions and matriculations board unified tertiary institutions admission examinations. Over 500 new teachers recruited by government to boost manpower in secondary schools. More than N3bn has been expended in the payment of tuition/living expenses to students studying in various disciplines across the globe. Presently, Sokoto has over 342 foreign students under full sponsorship by the State Government with over 17,000 students studying various courses in institutions of higher learning, within the country. in the area of pupil enrollment, significant improvement has been recorded with 1,193,760 enrolled in the Basic Education Schools for the 2015/2016 academic session alone. The results of the interventions became apparent when UNICEF announced few days ago that the number of out of school children in Sokoto has dropped from 67% in 2015, to 31% in 2017. This presents one of the highest drops in the history of Nigeria. The administration has made significant progress in improving the health condition of the people of the state through provision of standard health care facilities and making access to healthcare easier. Hence infant and maternal mortality rate as well as incidences of VVF has drastically reduced. There has been a massive upgrade of premier health facilities in various parts of the state. Some of these projects include repairs and total renovations of 19 General Hospitals in the state, repairs of the Maternity Unit of State Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, completion of the second phase of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, comprising of 47 staff houses, two wards and landscaping. The Government has converted the Amanawa Leprosarium into Infectious Diseases Hospital and the conversion MMSH into a Renal and Cardiac Centre. The government also introduced the Community Contributory Healthcare Scheme with the Governor setting aside N100m as seed fund for the take off. About three million residents, more than half of the state’s population, will benefit from the scheme. The government has released N874.9m as counterpart funding for intervention in health along with Dangote Foundation and Bill/Melinda Gates Foundation. At least over 25 International Development Partners have been attracted to Sokoto to work in the health sector. 213 Doctors and Health Professionals engaged to develop Sokoto State Strategic Health Plan for 2016-2020 in collaboration with RTI/LEAD/USAID. 583 NOMA patients have so far received free plastic surgeries at the state Noma Children Hospital. Over 6,500 epilepsy and psychiatric patients have received free medication from government; and they were drawn from 65 wards in the 23 local government areas of the state. Most importantly, N10 million is being expended monthly to provide free drugs to patients in hospitals and other health facilities in Sokoto.

Tambuwal

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Tambuwal has raised the ante of purposeful leadership and good governance. He has transformed Sokoto State and has imprinted indelible marks in the sand of history in the state. His achievements traversed all sectors of human endeavours

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Of course, housing is one of the primary needs of man and Governor Tambuwal is not oblivious of this hence since 2015, 300 Civil Servants have benefitted from Home renovation loan guaranteed by the government, and expended through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Already, Government has completed work at the 500 housing unit Kalambaina Estate. There is another 500 housing unit Kalambaina Estate completed; with another 500 Units of houses at Gidan Man Ada inherited from the previous administration and funds provided for their completion. In an era, where majority of the states are unable to pay workers’ salaries, it is gratifying to note that Tambuwal has created not less than 1000 new millionaires in Sokoto after the payment of retirement benefits to 1907 pensioners. His administration is up to date in the payment of salaries and pensions. Governor Tambuwal has created wealth and empowered youths and women in the state. When some states are downsizing their workforce, Sokoto state has employed 500 new junior and mid-cadre staff into the state civil service. In line with this administration’s diversification policy, Sokoto state under Governor Tambuwal is a reference point as in his first year in office, 9,000 tons of fertilizer were bought and sold to farmers at subsidized rate for the 2015 farming season at the cost of N1.2 billion and this has continued up till today. Already, a new Organic Fertiliser Company has been established in Sokoto and production has continued since it was unveiled in earlier this year. For two years running, Sokoto allocated more funds to the agric sector than any state in the country. $250m has been voted for the establishment of a Tomato Processing Factory by Erisco Foods Limited in Sokoto. An MoU has already been signed while land for the project has been handed over to the company by the Government. N1,660 billion has been expended in the provision of water pumps, seedlings, drilling tube wells and other agricultural machineries for farmers. AnotherN1,690 billion for the procurement of 1000 units of Tiller Machines for farmers in the state. The Government has not rested in the war against cor-

ruption and as at today, N1.5 billion redundant funds has been recovered by Government from 100 previously unknown accounts in various commercial banks after the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) payment system. In short, Governor Tambuwal has demystified governance. Described by those who know him closely as a kind hearted and passionate individual, Tambuwal is a committed professional who excels in any given task. In the political stratosphere of today, he has remained his true self. Besides his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies of double-speak, his utterances and actions have been guided by the need to do what is right, and what is in the best interest of the country. The Man, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, lawyer, parliamentarian, administrator, was born on January 10, 1966 in Tambuwal, Sokoto State. He had his early education at the Tambuwal Primary School from 1972 -1979 and Government Teachers College Dogon-Daji where he obtained his Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984. Determined to become a lawyer, young Aminu proceeded to read Law at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, graduating in 1991 with an LL.B (Hons). In 1992, after successfully completing his one year mandatory studies at the Nigeria Law School Lagos, he was called to the Nigerian Bar. His charm and vibrant pursuit of an egalitarian society was soon noticed by his colleagues who persuaded him to run for office and he was elected the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sokoto in 1997. Subsequently, he was to serve variously as the association’s Assistant National Financial Secretary, 1st National Secretary, and Secretary of the Human Rights Committee, between the years 1998 - 2002. Political Career After working as the Personal Assistant to the then Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Wali, Tambuwal ran for the House of Representatives seat for Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency of Sokoto State in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and won. In 2004, he became the Minority Leader of the House. His knowledge, charisma and erudition, made him a very efficient leader of the opposition. Determined to continue rendering qualitative representation to his constituents, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal again contested the National Assembly elections in 2007. Following wide ranging consultations, orchestrated and spearheaded by his Leader Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Tambuwal recontested, this time on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He won the seat to represent his constituency from 2007-2011. No longer in the opposition, he was promptly elected the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, bringing his varied legislative experience, vast array of friends in different parties and sound judgment, to bear on the leadership of the House. In 2011, when Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal again stood for and won election to the House of Representatives, he had become one of the most experienced and most regarded members of that hallowed chamber. His integrity, knowledge of procedure and people, and his charming intelligence made him a very popular ranking member of the House. When the time came to elect a Speaker for the House therefore, it was inevitable that he would become the top contender. His nationalistic vision, his leadership by consensus, and his popularity with people across party, religion and ethnic lines, earned him the trust and ultimately the vote of his colleagues to become Speaker of the 7th Assembly of the House of Representatives. Against almost insurmountable odds, Tambuwal emerged Speaker in 2011 and ran a clean House, devoid of the controversies, corrupt charges and jostles for power that seemed to have characterised the tenure of his predecessors. Tambuwal is a man of many parts who has been able to distinguish himself in all of them. Some of his other achievements include: Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to African, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly; Leader of the Federal Government team to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the controversial denial of visas to Nigerian female pilgrims; Member, International Bar Association, Member, Nigerian bar Association; Member, National Executive Committee Nigerian Bar Association; he has attended courses in Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, USA; Oxford University; Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Tulane University, both in the USA.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Life Achievement Award: Bola Tinubu Ï A colossus politician of repute

ÏÏÏ Nigeria

is a country where heroes are scarce and visionary leadership is even more rare. However, Nigeria can still take pride in one leader who has demonstrated rare courage and commitment to justice. One who has made personal sacrifices to advance the common good, and who remains unrelenting in the search for good and responsible governance. That leader is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a two-term former Lagos State Governor and the national leader of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Tinubu is that rare leader who combines practical political acumen, strategic vision and moral principles. When the history of the first score years of the 21st century in Nigeria is written, it will state that Tinubu’s rare courage and foresight in guiding his party abolished the determined efforts of the then ruling party to turn Nigeria into a one party state. More than any person since the return of civilian rule in 1999, Tinubu’s actions in maintaining his political party and helped salvage multiparty electoral democracy in Nigeria. With this contribution alone, he has helped his nation keep to the path leading toward good governance, human rights and prosperity for all. While Nigeria still has far to go to reach these objectives, it would have turned toward a less just and democratic without Bola Tinubu. In a political culture where most members of the political class gravitate towards the ruling party to ease the path towards fulfilment of personal ambition or for pecuniary reward, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resilience and steadfastness in giving inspirational leadership to the APC is remarkable. It is a testimony to the depth of the convictions that have motivated and sustained him in politics over the last two and a half decades. One of Nigeria’s leading national newspapers in a published piece described him as Nigeria’s Political Samurai. “…By his focus and determination, Senator Bola Tinubu, has over the years carved out a distinctive personage for himself in politics. With a towering political stature, former Lagos State Governor and one of the national leaders of the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, isn’t just a household name; he is an authority in the artery of the nation’s body politics. He may have

Tinubu attained his enviable status through consistent ideological standing; it is certainly a journey of many years of struggle and the grit for change”. As each day passes by, Tinubu thinks new strategy, options and style in both politics and governance. He envisions and muses with deep reflection, the Nigerian problems as well as the best approach possible. He knows politics much as he understands the game of power…” Indeed, Tinubu’s democratic footprints go beyond Nigeria; it spawns the continent, especially in the immediate West Africa Sub-Region where he has helped sustain democracy and popular participation. The virtues of courage, determination, commitment, vision, focus and strong sense of purpose that have characterised Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s politics drove his emergence as one of the country’s most successful governors after Nigeria’s return to democratic governance 13 years ago. His stewardship of Lagos State for 8 years remains a reference for good governance in Nigeria and across the region. A first class financial strategist, Bola Tinubu, overhauled and reformed government and revenue collection in the state, taking Lagos from a yearly

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Tinubu remains Nigeria’s most relentless fighter for democracy, justice and the rule of law. No history of modern Nigeria can be complete without giving due regard to his contributions to safeguarding the democratic aspersions of an entire nation and its people, regardless of creed and ethnic background, at a time when those aspirations were deeply threatened.

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Internally Generated Revenue of N14.64 billion in 1999 to N60.31 billion in 2006. By March 2007, the state had achieved monthly Internally Generated Revenue of N8.2 billion. His innovations laid the groundwork necessary for Lagos to have the revenue to improve the state and modernize living conditions of all of its inhabitants. An irrepressible fighter for democracy and protection of civil liberties, Bola Tinubu endured political persecution, including numerous arrests and detentions, harassment, constant threats to his life and years in political exile. Despite the wrongs done to him he never has sought retribution. He has forgiven those who did injustice to him. Instead he has chosen to focus on the future by building a democratic and peaceful nation. Leadership newspapers, one of Nigeria’s national dailies, said it best when it conferred on its “Person of the Year” on him in 2011: “Out of the socio-economic and political fog that 2010 represented, at least three great themes emerged: the struggle between the search for democratic legitimacy and subsisting electoral injustices; the tenacious resolve of courageous characters who dared hypocritical authority to prove points

of principle; and a pervasive sense of self-doubt as the nation marked its 50th anniversary of independence.” Tinubu remains Nigeria’s most relentless fighter for democracy, justice and the rule of law. No history of modern Nigeria can be complete without giving due regard to his contributions to safeguarding the democratic aspersions of an entire nation and its people, regardless of creed and ethnic background, at a time when those aspirations were deeply threatened. Today, he remains the most vociferous voice in the call for Nigeria to return to the path of true federalism and for him, the star prize is the enthronement of fiscal federalism that will give governors and Chairmen fully funded mandates and accelerate grassroots development. One of Nigeria’s leading daily newspapers, ThisDay, in 2013 selected Bola Tinubu as its “Man of The Year”. The paper described him as the man who rebuilt Nigerian Opposition. In the words of the Newspaper, Tinubu “from the scratch he built the Action Congress of Nigeria to a formidable political party that within a short time became the major opposition party in Nigeria. He deployed his resources, energy, and political acumen to give the ruling party a fight in the political space”. The altering of Nigeria’s political landscape and balance of power that occurred in November 2013 had Tinubu’s imprimatur all over it. The political merger that produced the All Progressives Congress is Nigeria’s first and Tinubu was its chief architect. Thanks to Bola Tinubu’s untiring political maneuvers and nationalistic approach to politics, Nigeria is now a 2-party state presenting Nigerians with clear choices. This is in tandem with his tradition of selfless sacrifice, political foresight and unequalled commitment to progressive and people oriented politics. Bola Tinubu has served the cause of humanity and expanded the frontiers of freedom and democracy in Nigeria and the African Continent. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and champions of federalism. He is one of the few leaders and champions of democracy with the potential and experience to take Nigeria to the next level. Tinubu was not in Lagos on March 29, 1952. He is married to Senator Oluremi Tinubu while the couple are blessed

with children. Graduated 1979 Sumna cum laude (with First Class Honours) in Business Administration (Accounting and Management) with cumulative weighted average point of 3.54 out of a maximum 4 points) from Chicago State University, Illinois, USA. Chicago State University Dean’s List (throughout his stay at the university). He received Outstanding Student’s Award and Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance He was the President, Chicago State University Accounting Society, in his final year in 1979. He worked with Arthur Anderson, Delliotte, Haskins and Sells (now Delliotte and Touche). He also worked at Mobil Producing Nigeria as Senior Auditor and Company Treasurer. He joined politics in 1989 and elected as Senator on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992. He later joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in opposition to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which SDP candidate, the late Basorun Moshood Abiola won. He was elected as Lagos State Governor in 1999, and served two terms till 2007. As Lagos State governor, Tinubu carried out educational reforms, under which mission schools were returned to their original owners, after decades of government takeover. The Christian mission schools handed back were CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba, Igbobi College, Yaba, Aunty Ayo Girls High School, Keffi, Ikoyi, Lagos, Maryland Comprehensive High School, Ikeja, Lagos, Howells Memorial Grammar School, Lagos, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos, Our Lady of Apostles Girls School (Primary and Secondary), Yaba, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School, Yaba, Baptist Academy, Shepherd Hill, Obanikoro, Lagos, St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos, Holy Child College, Obalende, Lagos, Agbowa Ikosi Baptist Grammar School, Agbowa-Ikosi, African Church College, Ifako, Lagos, Aladura Comprehensive High School, Lagos, Apostolic Church Grammar School, Orisigun, Ketu, Lagos, African Church Grammar School, Lagos, Eva Adelaja School, Gbagada, Lagos.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 13, 2018

Lifetime Achievement Award

Aliko Dangote

Ï A business mogul with passion for jobs creation

ÏÏÏ

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a northerner, precisely from Kano State, was born on April 10, 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. Aliko Dangote is the founder and president/chief executive of the Dangote Group, the largest conglomerate in West Africa. His eyes for business started right from when he was young as he recalled: “I can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets (sugar boxes) and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time.” He studied business from the Al Azhar University, Cairo in Egypt and thereafter returned to Nigeria to work with his uncle, Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata. His uncle later provided him a loan of 500,000 when he was just 21 years old to start a business. The Dangote Group, which started as a small trading firm, was established in 1977. Today, it is a multi-trillion naira conglomerate with many of its operations in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. At present, Dangote has enlarged his line of businesses to also cover food processing, cement manufacturing and freight. The Dangote Group also dominates the sugar market in Nigeria and is a major sugar supplier to the country’s soft drink companies, breweries, and confection-

Dangote ers. The Dangote Group has also moved from being a trading company to being the largest industrial group in Nigeria and these include: Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, and Dangote Flour just to mention but a few.

In July 2012, Dangote approached the Nigerian Ports Authority with the idea of leasing an abandoned piece of land at the Apapa Port, which was welcomed and approved. He later went to build facilities for his flour company there. So also in the 90’s,

he approached the Central Bank of Nigeria with the idea that it would be cheaper for the bank to allow his transport company to manage their fleet of staff buses which was also approved. In Nigeria as of today, Dangote Group with its dominance in the sugar market and Sugar Refinery is the main supplier (70% of the market) to the country’s soft drinks companies, breweries and confectioners. It is indeed, the largest refinery in Africa and the third largest in the world producing 800,000 tonnes of sugar annually. Apart from these, Dangote Group owns salt factories and flour mills and also being a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement and fertilizer. It is instructive to note that Dangote Group currently has presence in 17 African countries and is a market leader in cement on the continent. One of the Group’s subsidiaries, Dangote Cement Plc, is the largest listed company in West Africa and the first Nigerian company to join the Forbes Global 2000 Companies list. The Group has diversified into other sectors of the Nigerian economy including agriculture and is currently constructing the largest petroleum refinery, petrochemical plant and fertiliser complex in Africa. Internationally, Dangote sits on

the board of the Corporate Council on Africa, and is a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative, the Clinton Global Initiative, the McKinsey Advisory Council, and the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. He was named Co-chair of the US-Africa Business Centre in September 2016 by the US Chamber of Commerce. In April 2017, he joined the Board of Directors of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which is helping countries build the systems necessary to provide health services to their people. A dedicated philanthropist, Dangote made an initial endowment of $1.25billion to the Dangote Foundation in March 2014, enabling it to scale up its work in health, education and economic empowerment. In addition, he is collaborating with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight polio. He is also on the Board of ONE, the anti-poverty group, co-founded by Bono. In 2013, Forbes listed him as the ‘Most Powerful Man in Africa.’ In April 2014, TIME Magazine listed him among its 100 ‘Most Influential People in the World.’ He also made the list of CNBC’s ‘Top 25 Business men in the World’ that changed and shaped the century.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Leo Stan Ekeh

Ï A computer guru with a difference ÏÏÏ

Whenever anyone talks of technology in Nigeria, the name Chief Leo Stan Ekeh must be mentioned. Born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli in Imo State, Ekeh is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the wellknown indigenous firm, Zinox Technologies Limited, makers of personal computers. The technology guru surprisingly does not have a technology background as he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Panjan University in India and a postgraduate degree in Risk Management from Nottingham University in England. Ekeh began his journey in the technology business when he set up Task Systems Limited which was a pioneer in desktop publishing and computer graphics

in Nigeria. The company was so successful that it is to his credit the computerisation of a high percentage of print media in Nigeria. The astute businessman also founded other companies including ITEC Solutions Limited and Technology Distribution Limited. He then set up Zinox Technologies Limited in October 2001 to produce locally made computers. Always pioneering, his computers were the first Nigerian made computers certified internationally. Zinox was the first computer manufacturer in West Africa to attain the WHQL certification and the ISO 9001: 2000 certification. In October 2013, Zinox Technologies unveiled their first tablet computer called Zipad produced locally at a media conference at the company’s headquarters in Lagos. The company is the

leading computer manufacturing company in Nigeria and is patronised heavily by the Nigerian government especially during elections. Ekeh through his company, Zinox Technologies, has given back to the society in several ways. One of which is the Computerize Nigeria Project which was launched on August 5, 2000. The goal of the project was to sensitise and encourage development in the use of computers by Nigerians. Another such project is the CANi Scheme which was set up to provide quality desktop and laptop computers to the Nigerian populace at below normal market prices with the option of bank financing and a 24 month repayment period. The testimonial of Ekeh’s business genius can be seen in the numerous awards won by both him and his company. They include but are not limited to: Zinox computers as ICT Company

of the Year at the Thisday Awards for Excellence in 2007, Computer Brand of the Year in 2006 at the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecom Awards, 4 doctorate degrees from reputable universities, etc. Ekeh was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) of Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 and is also a board member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. Ekeh also serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Zinox Technologies Ltd and Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited. He founded TaskDirect Limited in 1987. Chief Leo Stan Ekeh as a first rate Indian trained economist and risk Manager, was honoured as an ICON of Hope by President Olusegun Obasanjo October 1, 2002 for his sustained pioneering effort in the area of information

Ekeh technology and also as a pride to modern Nigeria. He attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri in Imo State for his secondary education. As a young man, he wanted to own the biggest transport company in Nigeria. He later went to India for his university education, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Punjab

University. Ekeh believes that studying in India was “a great turning point in my life because I found the economy of India a realistic economy”. After his university education in India, Ekeh opted to study at the Cork City University, Ireland, and later transferred to Nottingham University, United Kingdom, earning a degree in Risk Management.