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Dana crash: Engine failure, pilot error responsible

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Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ The

Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB Monday released the final report of the accidents involving Dana Airlines, Bristow

Helicopters, OAS Helicopters (Nig) Limited and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security Continued on page 12

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 319

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37.05

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Politicians besiege Aso Villa as Buhari resumes

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Tony Ailemen & Emmanuel Iriogbe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ It has been a potpourri of

activities since President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom as several groups and individuals throng the Presidential Villa to catch a Continued on page 5

Contempt: Court 14 orders arrest of 2 Imo commissioners, 5 top govt officials

Ghost Workers: 14 Extend BVN to MFBs, minister advises CBN Diezani named in 12 Belgore, Sulaiman’s alleged N450m scam jƏ ƅ Əƍ n ƆƋƋƈ ^Ƌ Ɛë ƋéƏë ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛƃ &R jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^Ƌƅè æRƍƆƏ Ɛ Ə Ƈ jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^ ƓƆƏ GƈƌƈƐƆƗè n ƆƋƋƈ ^ ƓƆƏ ^Ƌ Ɛçè &ƌƌ ƑƆƋ M Ə ƌì ƈƏƌ è jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^Ƌƅ Ɨ jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^ ƓƆƏ GƈƌƈƐƆƗè LƏê j ƕ Rê &ƋƑƌƆƋƑè 6 ƑƏ ƄƋƆ Lƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ Ƈ ^ ƓƆƏè z ƏƊ ÷ 6 Ƒ ƈ è LƏê Ƅ ƐƑ ƗƆ 0 Ƌ æd Mçì 6ƈ &ƔƅƆƋƋƆ ƅƕè &ƔƆƅƑƐƈƒƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Ə Ƈ #ƆƋƐ dƐ ƐƆè #Ə 9ƇƆ ƕƈ RƊ Ɠ Ɨ &R jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^ ƓƆƏ GƈƌƈƐƆƗè E Ƌƕ dƑ Ɨ Ə ƌè ƗƑƏƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ ƌƌƈ ƈ ƈ Ƈ ơơǀLz 1 jƑƏƄƈ Ɔ ơǀ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ jƏ ƅ Əƍ ^ ƓƆƏ GƈƌƈƐƆƗè n ƆƋƋƈ ^ ƓƆƏ ^Ƌ Ɛ ƈ n ƆƋƋƈè #ƆƋƐ dƐ ƐƆ ČČČê L Ɨ ƕ

OPL 245 forfeiture: Malabu Oil stalls Shell, Agip’s efforts to discharge court order Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Fresh applications on Mon-

day by Malabu Oil to join as respondent to the applications by Shell Oil Exploration Nigeria Ltd and AGIP Oil to vacate the order of forfeiture of OPL 245 oil bloc, stalled the ruling of the federal high court, Abuja.

Shell Oil Exploration Nigeria Ltd and AGIP Oil had last month

urged the court to vacate the temporary forfeiture of the Oil Prospective Licence (OPL) 245 bloc to the federal government.

Recall that Justice John Tsoho had on January 26, 2017, granted the forfeiture order following an ex-parte application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge had last month reserved ruling for yesterday after listening to counsel representing

the two oil giants, who sought to vacate the order, and EFCC. But at the resumed hearing, yesterday, the ruling could not go on because of three fresh applications filed by Malabu Oil, principally seeking to be joined in the matter as well as for an opportunity to be a party in the already heard applications filed

by Shell and AGIP. Counsel to Malabu Oil, AbdulContinued on page 5

Pay IPOB, Shi’ites, others $5bn, group 14 tells FG

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Politicians besiege Aso Villa as Buhari resumes

Continued from page 1

glimpse of the president, who was away for about 50 days.

Not even the warning that people should stay away issued by the president himself has been able to dissuade them from coming to ‘greet’ him.

Calamity, however, struck, weekend, as the Borno State government convoy on their way to welcome the president in Abuja was involved in a fatal accident, which claimed the life of one of the governors’ aides.

The official residence of the president has been a beehive of activities as family and friends, political associates and top government officials struggle to have an opportunity to register their loyalty to Mr. President.

Recall that President Buhari had returned to Nigeria last Fri-

day to the warm embrace of anxious Nigerians, many of who had kept vigil praying for his quick recovery.

The president, who has been very conscious of what to expect, warned those that wanted to turn his arrival into another form of political jamboree to stay away from the Villa.

He also sounded it loud and clear that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will continue to do what he started while he was away, saying that he will continue his treatments and resting as prescribed by his medical team.

These pronouncements, Daily Times gathered however, did not go down well with the cabal within the Presidency as this was a signal that the Vice President will continue to oversee very important state matters. But on assumption of duties yesterday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and

other top officials took turns to brief the president on the actions they took while he was away.

The President had before assuming duties transmitted an official letter to the leadership of the National Assembly intimating them of his return from the vacation.

A statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, revealed that the President in compliance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), formally transmitted letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives, intimating the National Assembly “that I have resumed my functions as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from Monday, March 13, 2017, after my vacation.”

The Vice President when accosted by members of the State House Press Corps said the president was fully ready to resume as

Representative of Plateau State governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden (l) and Amadobo of Shidi Ama Brass of Bayelsa State, Otonye Efebo, during the coronation of new District Head of Kombun, Chief Tetmut Gambo in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State… recently.

he moves back to his position as vice president Below is the full text of Vice President Osinbajo’s response on the president’s first day in office after over 50 days of absence Q: Can you confirm if the president is fully ready for work?

VP: He is doing very well, he is in his office and we just had a meeting, a very long meeting.

We are basically trying to bring the president to speed on some of what has been done while he was away and he has given a few directives on what we should be doing in so many different areas; the North East, the budget, the economy, quite a range of issues.

We just had a meeting for over an hour and his readiness for work isn’t in doubt at all.

Q: Are you now back to your position as vice president?

VP: I’m back to my regular position as vice president.

Q: Was the president satisfied with your performance as acting president?

VP: I think the president was reasonably satisfied with the way I acted. I think so. I think one thing that we must recognise is the way this administration works, it has always been that of team work.

“There is very little that is done without the president’s clearance and endorsement, so generally speaking, even with some responsibilities that are mine constitutionally, we always have full discussions and agreements on them, and in some cases there is delegation. But by and large, I practically discussed everything fully with him while he was away and I had his endorsements before we were able to go on and do what we did.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on the other hand, announced that they received communication from President Muhammadu

Buhari on his resumption to duty.

Speaking shortly after the letter was handed over to him by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (House of Reps) Hon. Suleiman Abdurhaman Kawu Sumaila, Dogara said he will read the letter to his colleagues in plenary on Tuesday (today) since the communication was meant for them.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said the letter will be read on the floor of the House today ( Tuesday) “Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will read this to my colleagues on the floor of the House and thereafter make comments from there,” he said.

“However, permit me to thank you for working hard to ensure that there is hamonious working relationship between the executive and the National Assembly.

“In your own case, I can say it was an appointment that we can truly say amounted to putting a round peg in a round hole or a square peg in a square hole.”

“So no wonder we have seen to some extent some form of understanding between the National Assembly and the Presidency.”

“We promise that we will cooperate more than we fight like I said before we will always fight and that has been the practice in all climes and ours cannot be an exception, but we will cooperate more in the interest of our people rather than fight.”

While presenting the letter to the Speaker, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps) Hon. Suleiman Abdurhaman Kawu Sumaila, commended him for supporting the president and the executive arm of government.

OPL 245 forfeiture: Malabu Oil stalls Shell, Agip efforts to discharge court order

Continued from page 1

lahi Haruna, informed the judge, Justice John Tsoho, that the applications had been served on parties and that they have responded accordingly.

Haruna also told the court that the joinder application was aimed at reopening hearing to accommodate Malabu Oil on the applications made by Shell and AGIP, adding that the purpose “is to join us as respondents.”

Reacting to Malabu Oil’s applications, AGIP’s lawyer, Babatunde Fagbohundu and Muyiwa Balogun representing Shell, vehemently opposed the application and urged court to dismiss them summarily.

Opposing the application, AGIP said, “it was frivolous and I urge court to dismiss it summarily from the bench.”

Fagbohundu argued that

“when a court hears a matter and adjourns for ruling, party(ies) cannot pull back the hands of the clock.”

On its part, Shell’s lawyer, Balogun, reminded the court that at the last adjourned date being February 27, “counsel to Malabu Oil drew the attention of the court to his applications that were yet to be filed and served” but that the court ruled that the proposed applications “should be in abeyance.” “by these applications, Malabu Oil is asking the court to sit on appeal over its own ruling,” the Shell lawyer posited, even as he asked the court to dismiss the applications summarily.

Counsel to the EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane, did not file any application but rather left the issue at the court’s discretion.

“We did not file any application in respect of the application filed

by Malabu Oil, the decision of the court will determine whether or not we will join issues with them,” the EFCC lawyer said.

However, Haruna, pursuant to Order 27 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court rules filed what he described as “innocuous application” by way of motion on notice introducing a further affidavit (criminal charge filed against the defendants) by the federal government before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja.

Ruling, Justice Tsoho granted leave and deemed the further affidavit as properly filed.

Though Shell and AGIP had told the court not to accord any probate value to the further affidavit (criminal charge) because it was not yet filed when their applications were argued and date fixed for ruling.

However, after taking submis-

sions of counsels, Justice Tsoho, who expressed dismay over the applications, remarked that though Malabu’s application is irritating, “in the interest of fair hearing, an application before a court must be heard.

Consequently, the court adjourned ruling on Malabu’s application to March 17.

Recall that SHELL and AGIP had told the court that OPL 245 is an oil block that was validly allocated to them.

They insisted that the ex parte order asking them to forfeit it to the FG was unconstitutional and illegal.

According to the two oil exploration companies, the EFCC should have put them on notice in the interest of fair hearing rather than securing an ex parte order.

They argued that the EFCC cannot say the order was to preserve the res (subject matter OPL 245)

when in fact, the oil bloc is there and nothing is being done to tamper with it pending the determination of the matter.

But the EFCC said the commission derived its power to seek for the temporary possession of OIL from Section 44 (2k) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The anti-graft agency insisted that the application and order it secured “did not offend the constitution in anyway.”

The EFCC maintained that it was wrong for the applicants to say that the matter be dismissed, pointing out that, “this is not a civil case to say that the EFCC should have come by way of motion on notice.”

“OPL 245 is a subject of criminal investigation and prosecution before this court. There is a criminal charge pending before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Fed-

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria jƑƆ Ɨ ƕè L Əƅ ơƿè ƾƠơƣ

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News

Court to rule on Ajudua’s alleged $4.8bn fraud March 30 Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏ Ruling on the application filed by a socialite and businessman, Fred Ajudua, wherein he is challenging the right of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him over charges that he defrauded a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi of $4.8million has been fixed by a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso, adjourned the case to March 30 for ruling.

Ajudua is accused by the anti-graft agency of defrauding Bamaiyi while the duo were in custody at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in 2004 for different offences.

According to the EFCC, Ajudua had approached Bamaiyi who was facing trial for the attempted murder of Mr Alex Ibru, the late publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, convincing him that he could

help to secure his freedom.

He received $4.8million from Bamaiyi under the guise that the money was legal fees for the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola and Co. When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to Ajudua, Mr Norrison Quakers in an application dated January 6 challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

Quakers urged the court to quash the charge brought by the EFCC against his client.

He further said “We have filed an affidavit and a reply in points of law challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear this case.

“The law also provides that an information in this charge can only be filed by the Attorney-General of the state and not the EFCC,” he said.

While responding, counsel to the EFCC, Mr S.A Atteh said that there was a judgment of the

Court of Appeal upholding the right of the EFCC to prosecute the matter.

“We have filed a counter-affidavit dated Feb. 9 urging the court to allow the judgment of the Court of Appeal on whether the EFCC has a fiat to prosecute this case.

“I urge the court to dismiss the application of the defence and call the defendant to take his plea,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fred Ajudua is also seeking to quash another charge of $1 million fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency had on Feb. 13 reopened the $1 million fraud charge initially filed in 2005 against Ajudua after it was struck out in 2009 by Justice Morenikeji Obadina for want of diligent prosecution.

Obadina struck out the case after Ajudua failed to appear in court on 24 occa-

sions to face trial.

In the charge, the EFCC had claimed that Ajudua, an alleged serial fraudster, and Joseph Ochunor an accomplice, had sometime in 1993 defrauded one Ziad Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited, a company based in Germany.

During the proceedings, counsel to the EFCC , Mr S.A Atteh also told the court that the anti-graft agency was ready to proceed with Ajudua’s trial.

“We have before this court a motion on notice dated Jan. 21 seeking that this matter be released in the case list of this court “On April 16, 2009, Hon. Justice Obadina struck out this matter on the grounds that the prosecution could not produce the defendant.

“When he was available, we reapplied to the Chief Judge and all our witnesses are ready to testify.

“We support this motion with a 30-paragraph

affidavit,” Atteh said.

Counsel to Ajudua, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) in a counter-affidavit dated Feb. 9 however opposed the application of the EFCC. “We urge your lordship to decline the application

of the prosecution.

“Nothing has been placed before your Lordship by your learned brother Justice Obadina who struck it out for want of diligent prosecution,” he said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Politics

s

Political solution or Court decision: Which way out for the unending PDP crisis?

Sheriff,

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja Since the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, gave recognition to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he (Sheriff) had embarked on reconciliatory moves by calling and visiting the major stakeholders and leaders of the party .

These efforts, Sheriff said, are aimed at ensuring that the various aggrieved persons and groups within the party are pacified to enable the party come together as one indivisible entity, bring it back to its pre-1999 era and ultimately reposition it for future electoral fortunes.

The reconciliatory efforts have taken him (Sheriff) to the immediate past President of the country, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the party, Chief Tony Anenih and former Minister of Information and erstwhile BoT Secretary of the party, Prof Jerry Gana among others. Sheriff, a two-term governor of Borno State and erstwhile Senator also confirmed that he had spoken with the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, NCC, of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who is his main challenger in the tussle for the national leadership of the crisis ridden party, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’’ forum and Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and many other Governors of the party. He disclosed that it is only the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyeson Wike that he has not been able to reach out out as he was told that the Governor was out of the country when he tried reaching out to him. From most of these visits and calls, the preponderance of opinion was that the crisis rocking the PDP is better resolved through political solution.

After Sheriff met with Dr Goodluck Jonathan in his private home in Abuja behind closed doors, the former President told Journalists that the

Makarfi,

PDP is not factionalized.

According to the former President, “We are solving our problems. There are bound to be differences in politics. It is the way we resolve these differences that makes us human beings and that is what makes us leaders.

“We are not fictionalized. We are one. I have met with Sheriff. And I have met with others. I will meet with others, so that we will be able to do what is expected of us as a political party,” he said.

Also, the PDP governors at a point made it clear that they were not averse to employing political solution to resolving the party’s crisis which had lingered on for long.

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at the end of its meeting in Abuja a forth night ago, expressed satisfaction with the stand of the body of the elected governors of the party on the need to adopt a political solution in bringing an enduring peace to the crisis torn party.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting said, “The NWC noted with satisfaction the stand of the body of PDP governors on the need to adopt a political solution in bringing an enduring peace to the party” The NWC equally commended the immediate past President of the country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for his leadership role at ensuring that a

Fayose

lasting solution is found to the crisis rocking the opposition party (PDP) .

The communique of the NWC was signed by the National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladepo.

According to the communique, “The NWC commends the leadership role exhibited by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in finding a lasting solution to the PDP leadership crisis”.

The NWC restated its readiness to fully participate in the peace process.

The standing national committee on reconciliation of the PDP, headed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in the report submitted to both Sheriff and Makarfi, among others last week in Abuja, aligned itself with the option of political solution too to end the party”s crisis and went to recommend the formation of a national convention committee that would conduct a national unity convention.

According to the template suggested by the standing reconciliation committee, Senator Sheriff is expected to select, in consultation with party stakeholders, 12 members of the national convention planning committee.

The Standing Committee had also urged the national convention planning committee to consider appointing into the planning committee,

He must stop parading himself as the Acting National Chairman of the Party forthwith. Otherwise, we shall cause ‘Form 48’ to be issued against his recalcitrant behavior against the Ruling of competent Courts of Jurisdiction and his illegal activities and occupation of the PDP National Headquarters. “The Nigerian Police should act in line with its Constitutional mandate to force compliance of these Orders of the Courts.

seven state governors, seven senators including the Deputy Senate President, 12 members of the House of Representatives and six members of the Board of Trustees.

Also to be considered for membership of the convention planning committee according to Dickson, are National Vice Chairmen (one per zone), three State Chairmen per zone, six serving Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly and six former governors.

Others suggested for inclusion are six former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly (who are still members of the party), six prominent Women Leaders, six Youth Leaders of the party and six former Ministers of the Party.

Governor Dickson had restated the commitment of the Standing Committee on Reconciliation to the pursuit of a political solution as the best option for resolving the on going challenges facing the party without prejudice to the on going judicial processes He explained that this need necessitated the a template that would culminate in a Unity National Convention The Governor said the convention shall be responsible for the conduct of the elections to all national offices the party including the zoning of such offices.

Dickson said as part of the sacrifice to be made in order to reposition the party, the committee was of the view that all national officers who may claim that their tenure still subsists beyond the proposed convention “are hereby requested to relinquish their claim in the interest of the party. “ According to the template, “for the purpose of the convention, all officers elected at the ward, local, state and zonal levels before the first Port Harcourt convention of 21st May of 2016 are deemed validly elected except for the election held in some states that were declared by NEC as inconclusive.

“That the proposed National Convention should hold as soon as possible and not later than CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Etim, Ibokessien, other PDP stalwarts shun APC in A/Ibom Attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State to make a bold statement in Ikot Ekpene have hit the rocks, following the inability of the party to pull significant political heavyweights in the area into its fold.

It was gathered that despite several mouth watering offers allegedly masterminded by the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere, to lure them to their fold, former commissioners, Don Etim, Etido Inyang and former two-term lawmaker, Nsikak Ekong, and Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien have held sway as leaders of over 150 thousand unrepentant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Ikot Ekpene area of the state.

Mr. Ekere who it is believed has virtually abandoned his primary assignment at the NDDC with eyes set on the 2019 elections, was said to have been disappointed when none of the bigwigs he approached gave him a listening ear, despite his juicy offers.

It would be recalled that recently, Mr Ekere had allegedly used the same carrots approach to lure Barr Bassey Dan Abia Jr. to APC, after promising him appointment as his legal adviser in the NDDC. It was learnt that the PDP chieftains despite not holding any political office, rejected the baits on the premise that APC has not fared well at the national level and should bother more about rescuing the national economy from recession and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

In a bid to satisfy the cabals who he had promised to assist in capturing Akwa Ibom at all cost, Mr. Ekere pass-

ing through his lieutenants, Chief Sunny Ibanga and Mr Uyo Nathaniel, rented some young people from the area to come and denounce the PDP publicly.

However, despite the NDDC boss’s desperate efforts, only a few youths turned out to perform a decamping ritual which has not in any way affected the strength of PDP in the area.

Some eyewitnesses who commented on the alleged defection said it was embarrassing that Mr. Ekere was using his privileged position to embark on a wild goose chase over 2019, instead of bringing development to his

people using the instrument of the NDDC. Incidentally, none of the so-called defected PDP members in Ikot Ekpene was a former elected political office holder.

PDP members in Ikot Ekepne said “we are all in active support of PDP, our governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Akpabio”.

They thanked Governor Emmanuel for re-commencing the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene dual carriageway as well as executing and commissioning an emergency Infectious Hospital in the area.

Enugu gov to constitute reconciliation committee, to bring back defected leaders to PDP Moses Oyediran, Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State at the weekend said he will constitute a reconciliation committee that would be saddled with the responsibility of resolving all grievances among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Ugwuanyi, who announced this at a zonal meeting of the party in Enugu North Senatorial zone and at a Civic reception in his honour at Igboetiti Local Government Area of the state same day, added that the state has not seen development yet.

While addressing the people in both places, the governor promised to transform the senatorial zone and to kick starts his stomach infrastructural programme.

“The state has not seen any development yet, my government will ensure adequate transformation of the zones

in the state,” he said.

Ugwuanyi, while speaking on plans to reconcile interests in the party said, “The committee when set up would woo back all aggrieved members, we have gone past the era of bickering.

“We have to extend the hands of fellowship to one another, when there is true reconciliation the party will attain any level it so desires,” he said.

A reliable party stakeholder in the state told Daily Times in an interview yesterday that there was an underground plan by the party to reconcile aggrieved members as well as those who recently defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The source who spoke under condition of anonymity said PDP is also worried by the popularity the APC is gaining in the state, this is why the party wants to go all out to bring back aggrieved members who defected to APC.

Politics 11

Rededicate yourself to Nigeria, APC chieftain tells Buhari Patrick Okohue Following the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his vacation and medical trip to the United Kingdom last Friday, the Nigerian leader has been urged to keep faith with his avowed promise to rededicate himself to Nigeria.

Making the call in Lagos on Saturday, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Livinus Okwara said apart from rededicating himself to the country, all those working with him, including members of the Federal Executive Council and his aides should also key into the philosophy of the President and work harder to make the country better, in view of the current economic and other challenges facing the country.

He said, it was encouraging that the President said he would rededicate himself to the country; and would be unwavering to fulfill his vision for the country; especially the Change Mantra of his party, APC, on which platform he was elected into power by the overwhelming majority of Nigerians; adding that he should not forget in a hurry that some people, for reasons, which he (Buhari) now knows, deliberately did not want him to mount the leadership saddle as the president.

Okwara said, “I can assure that he would continue to get the prayers and support of Nigerians, because we see him as our Messiah, one who would liberate us from past ills, like corruption, hunger and poverty.”

Okwara said that Buhari has a good vice president in Professor

Buhari

Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, similar to late Gen Tunde Idiagbon, who was his Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters during his first coming as a military leader, adding that by the way Osinbajo has handled the nation’s affairs effectively while his boss was away, gives credence to the fact that a winning team for Buhari come 2019 general election was beginning to manifest now.

He said, “We are happy that some political jobbers who wanted to cause friction between Buhari and Osinbajo were shamed, as Osinbajo was faithful to his boss; Osinbajo should now be more dedicated to Nigeria and be more loyal to his boss as well.”

He said the South South states now see Osinbajo as the man they can trust, following his visits and activities there in the last few weeks, and these he said are capable of gaining some election potential for both himself and Buhari.

Which way out for the unending PDP crisis?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Jonathan

30th June 2017.”

The governor said the Committee shall continue to engage the party leadership and all relevant stakeholders with a view to having a hitch free convention.

While appreciating the efforts of former President Goodluck Jonathan, governors and other leaders of the party at resolving the leadership crises in the party, he called on all and sundry to work towards the realization of this objective. In his response. Sheriff has promised to study the template to see if there would be need for adjustments.

However, on Thursday in Abuja, strong signals emerged to the effect that the political solution being canvassed by some prominent organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the best way of resolving the crisis plaguing the party may have collapsed as the national caretaker committee, NCC, of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has distanced itself from.

The NCC of the PDP categorically declared that there is no meeting point between it and the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff camp.

The National Publicity Secretary of the NCC, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, insisted at a press confer-

ence that the committee will pursue its case before the Supreme Court to a logical conclusion.

The NCC called on the court recognized National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to vacate party’ national secretariat of be forced out by the police.

According to Adeyeye, “Again, we call on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to vacate the National Secretariat (Wadata Plaza) immediately in line with the subsisting and binding Judgment of the Courts in respect of his status of appointment which he did not appeal; and it’s out of the timeline already.

“He must stop parading himself as the Acting National Chairman of the Party forthwith. Otherwise, we shall cause ‘Form 48’ to be issued against his recalcitrant behavior against the Ruling of competent Courts of Jurisdiction and his illegal activities and occupation of the PDP National Headquarters. “The Nigerian Police should act in line with its Constitutional mandate to force compliance of these Orders of the Courts. “ Given the lawless and untoward behavior of Senator Sheriff so far, it appears that there will be no meeting point in this matter”, the NCC of the PDP maintained.

The Makarfi-led NCC vowed to purse it’s appeal at the Supreme against thenCourt of Appeal judgement to its logical conclusion in the interest

justice, fairness, equality and democracy.

However, since it seemingly appears that the political solution being canvassed by the leaders, stakeholders and most organs of the party to end the lingering crisis within the party is heading for the rock, how then will the crisis likely to be resolved?

If at the end of the day, the Supreme Court affirms the judgement of the Court of Appeal recognizing Senator Sheriff as the National Chairman of the PDP, will the Makarfi’s faction accept the judgement in good faith and sheath its sword? On the other hand, if the nation’s apex court reverses the court of Appeal judgement and give victory to the Makarfi-led NCC, will Sheriff and his supporters work with them? Are the various warring factions within thenPDP genuinely and sincerely worried about the dwindling political fortunes of the party that once held sway in the country by ruling for sixteen years consecutively? Will any of the aggrieved factions, after the eventual judgement of the Supreme Court , move to form a new party as being speculated or team up with any of the existing registered political parties in the country? Should the personal interest of any of the feuding parties be elevated higher than the overall political interest of the PDP and its teeming followers? Time will tell.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Dana crash: Engine failure, pilot error responsible

Continued from page 1

(PICOMSS).

The reports were released by the Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Engr Akin Olateru, at the agency’s headquarters at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.

Unearthing the possible issues on the accident involving Dana Airlines, Boeing MD-83 Aircraft with registration 5N-RAM on 3rd June 2012 at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos State at about 1545:00hrs, Engr Olateru stated that the possible causal factors are the fact that “Engine number 1 lost power seventeen minutes into the flight, and thereafter on final approach, Engine number 2 lost power and failed to respond to throttle movement on demand for increased power to sustain the aircraft in its flight configuration” Other possible causal factors as identified by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) include “the inappropriate omission of the use of the checklist, and the crew’s inability to appreciate the severity of the power-related problem; their subsequent failure to land at the nearest suitable airfield and lack of situation awareness, inappropriate decision making, and poor airmanship.

On OAS Helicopters accident involving Ecuruiel A350B2 Helicopter with Registration 5N-BKA atOke-Oba Hill, Ikonifin, Osun State on 29th July, 2011, the AIB boss stated that “non-adherence of the Pilot to Visual Flight Rules of clear-of cloud and obstacles while maintaining ground contact at all times led to Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) are the major causal factor.

AIB report, however, stated, that the Pilot was not Instrument Rated and lacks route fa-

miliarization”.

On the serious incident that involved Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) with registration 5N-BKA at Benin Airport, Edo State on 5th July, 2012, the aviation agency stated that the casual factor has to do with “the decision of the crew to continue the glide approach despite repeated landing gear warnings with the power lever below 25% rather than initiating a Go-around” Contributory factor to the PICOMSS incident, according to AIB, include “the failure of the crew to recognize the landing gear warnings; no Standard Operating Procedure/Training Policy in place; the crew low hours and experience, coupled with the rostering of two pilots with same capability on a training flight and lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM) training.

On the incident involving Bristow Sikorsky S-92 with registration 5N-BKA at MMA Lagos, on 27th February, 2013, AIB attributed it to the fact that “115v cable loom chafed and arced with hydraulic pipeline, puncturing it and causing a high pressure leak which ignited on contact with hot surface of the Right Hand heat exchanger, resulting in fire on the Upper Deck”.

It added other contributing factors to the Bristow’s crash, stressing that “the effectivity of the aircraft was excluded in the Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. 92-20-002A issued by the manufacturer; and that the Technical Directive TD-S92A-29-99 did not include Check/Inspection of the right hand side of the Upper Deck”.

AIB further gave recommendations on each of incidents. In the case of Dana Air, eight safety recommendations were made.

The safety recommendations

previously made in the Preliminary Report published on 5th September 2012 were four in number wherein three were targeted to Dana Airlines and all were accepted and closed.

One was to NCAA, accepted and closed. There were four Safety Recommendations made in the published reports; 1.1. 1.2. 1.3.

1.4. 2; One of which is to FAA targeting Pratt & Whitney the engine manufacturer; One to Dana Airlines; One to NCAA (with 3 safety recommendations in one); and One to NAMA on Quality Assurance Management.

In the case of OAS, Safety Recommendations made in the published report were 5; 1.1. 1.2. 1.3.

Three of which were targeted at NCAA; One to NAMA; and One to Nigerian Police Force.

On PICOMSS incident, there were two Safety Recommendations made in the published

report 1.1. 1.2. 4. One to NCAA; and One was targeted to the Nigerian Police Force.

The were two (2) Safety Recommendations made in this published report and both targeted to Bristow Helicopters.

However, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited issued a Technical Directive, TD-S92A-29-104 following the incident with the subject: “Inspect LH and RH MGB, and Upper Deck Heat Exchanger Area, All 1, 2, and 3 system Hydraulic lines, Clamping all Components, and wiring Looms for any damage, chafing, or wear”.

Engr Olateru who pointed out that the cost of investigating an accident or serious incident is very huge, advised the stakeholders to come up with a seminar that will involve the entire members to discuss these issues.

He said in the last couple of weeks, AIB has been engaging

with different agencies/stakeholders to see how they can collaborate and cooperate for the benefit of the flying public and assured they can all together achieve the desired objectives when all hands are on deck, just as he thanked Netherlands Honourable Minister for Transportation and the Honourable Minister for State(Aviation)for the continual support by ensuring that they stay focused.

Meanwhile, Dana Air has reassured its numerous passengers, the airline’s commitment to safety and comfort at all times.

Following the release of the final report of the June 3, 2012 accident, Dana Airline in an official statement issued Monday and signed by the Media/Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, stated that “we wish to reassure our guests of our total commitment to their safety and comfort onboard our flights” .

Commissioner/CEO, Akin Olateru (l) and Director of Engineering, Mohammed Wali, all of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), during a press conference on the presentation of reports of the 2012 Dana Air crash and other air accidents at AIB office, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos… on Monday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

Diezani named in Belgore, Sulaiman alleged N450m scam Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has named former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani AllisonMadueke, in the ongoing trial of the former gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and the former Minister of Planning, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman.

At the resumed trial of the two accused persons, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of a five count amended charge, where the name of former Petroleum Minister was conspicuously mentioned, and urges the court to allow the amended charge be read to Belgore and Sulaiman, for their pleas

to be retaken.

The application was not opposed by the accused persons’ lawyers. Consequently, the court granted the application.

In the five count charges, Diezani was alleged to have conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.

The trio was also alleged to have taken the said funds in cash, which exceeded the amount authorized by law, without going through the financial institutions.

Belgore and Sulaiman were also alleged to have paid the sum of N50 million to one Sheriff

Shagaya, without going through the banks.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, are contrary to Sections 18(a)15(2) (d),1(a), 16(d) and punishable under sections 15(3) and 4, 16 (2)(b), and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Upon the plea of the accused persons being taken, the first prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, a banker was called.

In his evidence, the witness, Olaobaju, while being led by the prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, informed the court that sometime in April 2014, his Managing Director gave them directives that certain individuals and companies will be sending money into some account, and that the purpose of

such monies was not made.

The witness stated that over the period the monies, which amounted to $115,010 million, were paid into the account.

He stated that in March 27, 2015, there was instruction from the former Petroleum Minister to the bank that the monies, which was in USD be converted to Naira and be paid to some beneficiaries, which included Belgore (SAN) and Prof. Sulaiman, and that the Minister’s instructions were fully complied with.

The witness also told the court that both Belgore (SAN) and Sulaiman, who are not customers to the bank received the sum of N450 million and filled the receipt of payment form to acknowledge receipt.

The form filled by the accused

persons were tendered and admitted as exhibits 1 and 1a.

Furthermore, the witness told the court no cheque was issued in releasing the money, and that the accused persons signed the form on March 26, 2015 and received the money on March 27, 2015.

However, lawyers to the accused persons, which includes; Mr. B. O. Shofunde, Mr. Charles Edosanwa, Mr. Seni Adio, and lawyer to Sulaiman, Chief O. Ayanlaja, Ladi Rotimi-Williams, and Olatunde Busari, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), pleaded with the court for adjournment for the cross-examination of the witness.

Consequently, the court adjourned the matter till Tuesday, for cross-examination of the witness, and continuation of trial.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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13

PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Encouraging local fuel refining

T

he call by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on the Federal Government to demonstrate commitment on local refining of crude oil is a welcome development. According to General Secretary of the association, Mr. Bayo Olowoshile, only domestic refining would end the crises in the oil and gas sector. He, therefore, advised that the importation of petroleum products be cut by 50 percent.

It is a sad commentary, that Nigeria as Africa’s largest crude oil producer is yet the continent’s biggest importer of refined petroleum products. This has undoubtedly created a lucrative market for refineries in Europe and the U.S.A. Only recently, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, advocated that for the country to surmount the current challenges of falling crude oil prices, it must increase local processing and consumption.

However, it is well known that progress in this area has been impeded by lack of investment in the downstream petroleum sector, as well as a very outdated policy and regulatory environment for the oil and gas sector. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the largest importer of Nigeria’s oil, the United States of America, is now the world’s biggest producer of Shale gas which is effectively competing against crude oil at the world spot market.

Until very recently, sustained high oil prices as well as an increasing demand by growth-induced countries such as China, India and other emerging economies, has encouraged the development of new sources of oil. It is therefore a crying shame that a country with over 35 billion

Publisher/Editor in Chief

crude oil reserves and production of over 2.5 million barrels per day has no functional refineries to process its fuel needs. Of all members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria is the only still relying on importation of petroleum products for domestic needs.

So far, all efforts to reverse this development has been thwarted, apparently due to mismanagement of government-owned refineries and lack of incentives to stimulate growth in local private refining capacity. Of all the more than 243 by-products associated with crude oil, only three are maximised in Nigeria. Presently, the country spends about $60bn for importation of refined products. What this entails is that local refining will not only reduce the cost and stress of exporting crude to bring in refined products, it will also create jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerians.

Currently, the country imports more than 35 million litres of petroleum products, representing about 85 per cent of domestic demand daily into the country at a cost of N3 trillion. Also, subsidy on imported fuel has been responsible for the enormous strain on the Federal Government budgets every year. Curiously, rather than spending the nation’s scarce resources on refining oil, government still prefer importing the refined products.

Unfortunately, the situation is unlikely to change any time soon because all the four refineries had been operating well below installed capacity, as they are at different states of disrepair. They should be rehabilitated and put to full use. We believe that domestic refining of petroleum products holds enormous economic benefits for the country and its citizens and should be given a chance.

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Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (m); his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (r) and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (r), during the commissioning of Osogbo West Local Council Development Authority (LCDA)… on Monday.

Monsignor Livinus Ukah

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Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara(r) receives a resumption letter of President Muhammadu Buhari, from Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House), Suleiman Kawu, at National Assembly, Abuja… on Monday.

Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Deputy General Manager Northern Operations Tony Ailemen 08036073601

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (r), briefing President Muhammadu Buhari, as Buhari resumed work after medical vacation in London at State House, Abuja… on Monday.

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Any priest who preaches resurrection of Jesus Christ without seeing the resurrection of the economy - is wasting his time

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ibrahim Babangida

Wole Soyinka

“The work of Nigeria is not complete for as long as there is any one Nigerian who goes to bed on empty stomach.”

“The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Contempt: Court orders arrest of 2 Imo commissioners, 4 top govt officials Val Okara, Owerri

ÏÏÏ A Federal High Court

sitting in Owerri has ordered the arrest of seven Imo state top government officials, including two commissioners, for contempt of court.

The affected officials are the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Josephine Udoji, her Lands, Survey, and Urban Planning counterpart, Lawrence Eburuoh, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Chibuzor Iwuagwu.

Others are the Director of Works, Ministry of Works, C. E. Egbuka; and the Director of Works Imo

state Government House, Owerri, Emeka Duru; and the General manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Chidiebere Nwogu.

Justice Lewis Alagoa, presiding over the civil suit number FHC/ OW/133/2016 filed by a former Interior Minister, Emmanuel Iheanacho, against the Imo state government, gave the order on Monday due to the absence of all the defendants in court.

He ordered the Inspector-General of Police and his officers to arrest the Imo state officials wherever they are sighted across the country.

The court had, during its sitting on November 14, 2016, summoned all the de-

fendants to appear before it on December 8, 2016, but none of them showed up.

The counsel to the defendants, Mrs. J. C. Ibe, told the court that the respondents had filed an appeal against the earlier order of the court.

Mrs. Ibe said that notices of the appeal and stay of proceeding, notice of preliminary objection and affidavit contesting the contempt order against the respondents had been served on the claimant.

However, counsel to the plaintiff, Ken Njemanze, said that his client was not aware of any appeal by the respondents as claimed by their counsel.

Mr. Njemanze said they looked up to the court on

the earlier order made against the respondents, adding that their attitude amounted to total disrespect of court.

“What is discouraging to us in this suit my lord, is the intentional act of frustrating progress in the suit by the defendants.”

Justice Alagoa, hearing the arguments of the counsel, made the subsequent order and fixed May 2 for continuation of the matter.

Mr. Iheanacho had gone to court over the demolition of part of his property on Orlu Road in Owerri Urban by construction workers engaged for road expansion by the state government.

The case was later adjourned to May 02, 2017.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Isox Shipping Limited, Pastor Ernest Okoli; Engr. Noble Alutu; his wife, Ogochukwu and Author, Apostle Peter. N. Peters, during the public presentation of a book titled: ‘The Holy Ghost God’s Answer to Man’ in Lagos… recently.

Ghost Workers: Extend BVN to MFBs, minister advises CBN Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has strongly solicited the cooperation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in extending the requirement for Bank Verification Number (BVN) to account holders in Microfinance Banks (MFBs), to facilitate the detection of bank accounts which might have been opened and operated in such banks for ghost workers by fraudulent syndicates.

The minister, who sought the cooperation of the CBN in that regard in a correspondence addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said that the introduction of the Bank Verification Number by the CBN has contributed immensely in improving the integrity of the federal government payroll on which more than 50, 000 ghost workers were detected and removed.

Mrs. Adeosun stated that operating bank accounts in microfinance banks without requirement for BVN has left a huge loophole which individuals intent on financial crimes could use to hide and launder proceeds of crime and successfully escape detection by law enforcement agencies.

“Our ongoing efforts to verify the integrity of Federal Government personnel costs and purge the system of fraud and error has made extensive use of the Bank Verification Number as a means of identifying recipients of multiple sala-

Pay IPOB, Shi’ites, others $5bn, group tells FG

Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏ A Non-Governmental Organization, the International Society for Civil Society and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has called on the federal government to pay $5billion as compensation to over 1,750 victims of state murder, 4,000 victims of police/army “custodial killings and about 3,000 Christians killed by the Fulani jihadists between June 2015 and January 2017.

In a special report titled ‘Welcome to bleeding Republic of Nigeria: A land flowing with blood and

tears,’ presented to newsmen in Anambra state, the group said that the $5billion compensation scheme would be subject to 50 percent upward review every five years if unpaid.

In the executive summary presented to the media and human rights activists in the South East as well as the relations of the dead victims by the chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group said that the compensation should be divided into four broad categories of $1 billion to members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), victims whose over 270 members

were slain and other Biafran campaigners, $500million to over 370 terminally shot and injured Pro-Biafra campaigners; $1.5million to 1,120 members of Shi’ite Muslims and IMN as well as $500million for over 400 of Shi’ite members terminally shot and wounded.

Intersociety asked President Muhammed Buhari to set aside $500m through the Ministry of Police Affairs for compensation of 4000 victims who were slain in the last 20 months through torture.

“The remaining $1billion should be paid by the Buhari government to the families and the churches

of over 2,800 dead Christians who were victims of the nomadic Fulani jihadists in Nigeria since June 2015,” the group stated.

They called on the Federal Government to immediately bring to a halt further senseless killings of unarmed and defenceless citizens by both security forces and armed opposition groups especially the nomadic Fulani and Boko Haram Jihadists as well as other forms of regime atrocities in the last 20 months.

“This government should totally reverse its policy by granting unconditional release of all political detain-

ees and end its policy of militarism and militarization.”

The human right group equally called on the federal government to arrest and prosecute all the perpetrators of the heinous murder and shooting of defenceless citizens since June 2015 to January 2017, including the Chief of Army Staff, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and the current IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, governors of Abia, Kaduna and Anambra states, among others.

Intersociety said that the principal officers of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria,

ries, and salaries paid into accounts with names that differ to those held on our payroll records. The success of this effort has to date yielded the removal of over 50,000 payroll entries,” the minister emphasised.

Mrs. Adeosun referred the CBN governor to the discovery that, prior to the deadline for obtaining the BVN, the movement of a large number of salary accounts of federal employees from commercial banks to microfinance banks, was observed.

“This is a suspicious activity and we have already commenced a review of such cases to identify and investigate any cases of fraud,” the minister explained.

While noting that extending the requirement for BVN to microfinance banks may put a huge financial strain on the smaller microfinance banks, the minister pointed out that “some MFBs, such as National Police Force Microfinance (NPF), have over 27,000 salary accounts. Our inability to perform checks on such a large number of salary earners is a key risk.

“I am therefore seeking your co-operation to enforce compliance with BVN on any MFB with over 200 active salary accounts or those above a certain size.

This will support the Federal Government’s efforts at reducing leakages to create headroom for the capital projects that will support the growth of the economy,” the Minister said in the correspondence,” the finance minister stated.

which Buhari is the life patron should be arrested and charged for manslaughter as well as the immediate ban be placed on the association and declare it a terrorist organization.

But where the government, said the group, “failed to carry out these recommendations within 90 days of the publication of this report, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the United Nation Security Council and African Regional Criminal Court should without delay act in accordance with the International Law’s principle of Complementarity and No impunity.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

ELAN hails FG on policy for economic recovery Kenneth Madueke

ÎÎÎ

The Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN) has lauded the federal government on the recent unveiling of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

These policies, which are intended to take the economy out of the current recession, is indeed timely and reflects government’s proactive measures to tackle the current economic challenges and grow the economy.

The association noted that the policy to increase export earnings and government revenues by an additional N800 billion ($2.63 billion) a year, is a welcome idea as this would further enhance our foreign exchange reserves as well as stabilise the Naira.

In the agriculture sector, government’s policy for self-sufficiency in

rice and wheat by 2018 and 2019 or 2020 respectively, as well as being a net exporter of rice, cashew nuts, groundnuts, cassava and vegetable oil by 2020, according to the plan, would further boost our food security plans.

On the overall, Federal Government’s expectation to grow the economy by 2.19% this year is highly commendable as this has the capacity to set us on the pathway of Growth and Recovery.

The association further emphasised that, equipment leasing plays a strategic role in economic development, and would be very relevant in the achievement of these set out policy initiatives.

Specifically, leasing will play an important role in the economic recovery process by, enhancing the activities of the value chain in all sectors of the economy, thereby facilitating employment generation

and wealth creation.

According to ELAN, “leasing has been used globally by developing countries to enhance growth and development including the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which is the engine of growth of any economy”.

No doubt, the provision of capital assets is crucial to the success of any productive venture, and in our peculiar circumstances, it is imperative that reasonable access to credit is at least guaranteed. A major way of achieving this is through equipment leasing, a financing option that can be utilised for the purpose of enhancing capital formation.

Stating the instance of the agricultural sector and promoting export, leasing can give players the unhindered access to the requisite farm machineries such as tractors, ploughs for mechanised farming,

which would in turn lead to enhanced yield and as well creating more jobs.

In other sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation and even infrastructure development, leasing has the capacity to facilitate the desired transformation, for the benefit of the MSMEs and the nation at large.

The opportunities leasing gives is very apt, much more at such times when Government is canvassing for the promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods, to further enhance our export potential and stabilise the economy.

Some of the benefits of leasing include: cash management/cash considerations; flexibility and convenience; obsolescence hedge; less restrictive form of financing; end of term options; absence of collateral/security; favourable financial reporting amongst others.

Aisha Buhari to flag off World Consumer Rights Day Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has disclosed that the Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, will flag off the commemoration of the 2017 World Consumer Rights Day in Abuja tomorrow to further stimulate the country’s crusade against consumer right abuses in the digital age.

The Council, which made this known in a statement made available to the Daily Times, said that the wife of the president will perform the ceremony in her capacity as the Consumer Ambassador of Nigeria.

CPC disclosed that the investiture of Mrs Buhari as the Consumer Ambassador of Nigeria will be performed on the World Consumer Rights Day, and that soon after the investiture, the President’s wife will conduct an inspection of exhibition stands of businesses mounted to educate consumers on various concerns relating to products and services involved in the use of digital systems.

The Council hinted that the commemoration, whose theme is Building a Digital World Consumers Can Trust, would involve a two-day programme, consisting of the investiture of the President’s wife, a stakeholders’ workshop and consumers’ inspection of exhibition stands of businesses.

The agency said the stakeholders’ workshop, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 2017, will feature presentations from Google, Microsoft, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, among others.

It will be recalled that CPC on Friday, July 15, 2016, named Mrs. Buhari as the Consumer Ambassador of Nigeria, while flagging off its nationwide grassroots consumer awareness programme with the country’s womenfolk as part of its strategies at stemming consumer abuses in Nigeria.

L-R: Acting Managing Director, Human Resources and Administration, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Achara Matthews; Acting Managing Director Finance and Account, NBC, Mr. Boniface Ekwealor; DG, NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu and Head, Public Affairs, NBC, Maimuna Jimada, during the NBC media conference on digital switch over in Abuja... on Monday. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

15 News Contribute your quota to the growth of Egbaland –Alake urges Egba indigenes Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe Alake and Paramount ruler

of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has appealed to Egba sons and daughters at home and in diaspora to redouble their efforts in contributing to the growth of Egbaland in all ramifications so that Egba will continue to witness the desired growth as envisioned by its founding fathers.

Oba Gbadebo, who made the call in Abeokuta at the presentation of 40 units of ceiling fan to Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta by the Egba United Society (EUS), Manchester chapter, said such gesture would go a long way in assisting the first hospital in Nigeria in further providing qualitative health care delivery to the people of Egbaland and beyond.

Represented by the Apena Keesi, Chief Akanni Akinwale, the royal father noted that either government or private institutions providing one service or the other cannot do it alone, but need the support and cooperation of philanthropic organizations, corporate bodies, individuals and societies to be able to deliver on their mandates.

“The need to encourage collective participation in the socio-economic development of Egbaland cannot be over-emphasized”, the royal father said.

“It is common knowledge that for any nation to develop, its citizens must contribute effectively and selflessly to its development”.

He therefore appreciated members of the Egba United Society in London, Manchester, Southampton, Northampton, United States of America and other places around the world for their contribution to the development of Egbaland.

Obaseki swears in new Revenue board members, demands professional competence

Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏ

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki on Monday swore in the new Chairman and members of the board of the Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) at The Government House in Benin City.

Governor Obaseki while congratulating them on their appointment, charged them to be professional and meet up with budgeted revenue targets.

He said that one of the challenges of previous boards was inability to meet budgeted revenue

targets noting that it would not be accepted anymore.

He commended the immediate former Chairman and members of the board for the level of patriotism and professionalism displayed during their tenure.

Meanwhile, the governor also called on the new board members to build on the already established benchmark of their predecessors.

“You are the calibre of people we can vouch for in terms of integrity and professionalism. We want you to help deepen the tax collection and administration

system in the state via high standards, but be humane to people in the state”, he said.

He also urged them to adopt the right technology and be prudent in spending to ensure effective performance of the board.

In his response, the Chairman, Mr Igbinidu Inneh, appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to him and other members of the board to oversee revenue collection in the state.

Inneh also praised his predecessor and former members of the board for repositioning the revenue service in the state.

He promised that the new board would live up to its expectations, be accountable and sustain taxpayers’ confidence.

He said that the board would execute its task with six principles: legal and regulatory, availability of data, human capital capacity, technology selection, enlightenment and social inclusion and value for money for optimal performance.

Other members of the board are Mr. Charity Aimamyaevbo, Mr. Emmanuel Okodugha, Hon Micheal Ohio-Ezomo and Mr. Efe Iserhienrhien as secretary.

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Tech Times

NBC threatens shut down to broadcast stations over N5bn debt Mr. Is’haq Modibo Kawu, director general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a three-week ultimatum to all erring broadcasting stations in the country to pay their outstanding licence fees or face sanctions including possible shut down.

Kawu, who spoke in Abuja, lamented that it was regrettable that many broadcast stations operating in Nigeria have refused to pay their license fees amounting to N5 billion and threatened to invoke all relevant laws against erring stations to recover the debt.

“There are very worrisome issues in our operations. The first is the situation whereby many stations have refused to pay their licence fees; even the statutory act of informing the NBC, six months before the expiration of licence and signifying intention to continue as a licencee is ignored.

“Our licencees carry on as if they have their licences for keeps and the NBC cannot withdraw licences. It is important to remind us all that all licences are provisional, no matter how long you have held them. And for emphasis, I want to let you know that stations are owing over N5 billion as licence fees. I will like to use this medium to inform you, that the NBC would be invoking the relevant laws against erring stations.

“Consequently, all stations without exception are expected to complete all payments owed to the Commission by March 15, 2017,” DG NBC said.

Commenting on the illegal and rampant use of transmission power in the country, Kawu disclosed that the Commission was also worried by the illegal and rampant use of transmission power by stations all over Nigeria.

He revealed that some stations procured transmitters without respecting the stipulated and recommended transmitter power in city-based FM stations.

“The consequence of this is that we have frequency clashes occurring all over Nigeria. As of yesterday, we had compiled a total of 69 stations around Nigeria, that have installed transmitters beyond the transmitter power stipulated in their licenses, and that is not even exhaustive,” he added.

He also drew attention to the dangerous trend of hate speech that has become a major problem in our country today.

s

Nigeria Cyber Security Report suggests ways to tackle cyber threats Stories by By Tony Nwakaegho A 2016 Nigeria Cyber Security Report has been published by Kenya based Serianu in partnership with Nigeria Demadiur Systems with contributions from various Cyber Security experts across Nigeria has suggested ways on how to ameliorate the threats related to Cyber Security, which cost Nigerian businesses a whopping $550 million in 2016.

The report, which many Nigerians in both the public and private sector have been applauded as first of its kind in Nigeria was analyzed recently at a Cyber Security Forum, organized by the Guardian Newspaper.

The report highlighted also that it is obvious attackers are performing more targeted attacks against specific members in organizations, hence it is crucial for organization to develop and implement a security awareness training programme, which can be done in-house or outsourced to qualified service providers.

The researched and analysed report commented on the private sector organizations, that considering the numerous attacks occurring as a result of patches and susceptibility to malware, it is critical for local organizations to focus on developing vulnerability and patch management programme with their institutions.

Mr. Ikechuchu Nnamani, President of Demadiur Systems disclosed at the forum that since more than 56.3 percent of Nigerian busi-

Executive Commissioner NCC, Mr Sunday Dare, Chairman of FCC of USA, Mr. Atit Pai, EVC of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, Min. Of Communications, Bar. Barrister Adebayo Shittu and another guest at the Ministerial Programme of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, recently. nesses continues to be exposed to cyber-attacks, the likely ways through which Nigeria can reduce the menace is to harden public and private ICT infrastructure and services.

He added that other modalities that can be adopted include enhancing the security competencies of technology users and ICT security practitioners, developing a vibrant ICT security ecosystem with a focus on people, process and technology that must be localized.

“Cyber Security is a huge threat to businesses in Nigeria. For us to tame it, we must develop a vibrant ICT security ecosystem and work closely with international counterparts

and also encourage cross border collaboration with Africans and global partners,” he said.

“In this era where the threat landscape is evolving and threat ventors increasing day by day, there is a need for maintaining an ongoing awareness of information security, vulnerabilities and threats to support organizational risk management decisions,” he said.

Nnamani disclosed that though, the 2016 Nigeria Cyber Security Report is the first edition, the Report is going to be a yearly report, adding that the 2017 edition is already being researched and will be published and launched

by November this year.

ITU, Digital Impact Alliance collaborate to speed progress on SDGs

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have unveiled a new partnership to advance the creation of appropriate digital solutions to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the next year, DIAL, ITU and others will work to convene the public sector, private industry and development organisations across sectors to collaborate on co-design initiatives, promote industry dialogue, and execute high-level events and innovation challenges to drive information and communication technology (ICT) innovation.

Despite the rapid expansion of telecommunications and mobile technologies, the digital revolution has not yet reached all populations, limiting the availability of socially beneficial digital services. One barrier to expanding the benefits of technology is that many tools and platforms created for high-resource environments are not fully designed to function with the constraints of low-resource environments.

Technologies can prove to be expensive or less suited where unreliable electricity, intermittent connectivity and limited expertise present everyday challenges.

“I look forward to the day when women,

Kate Wilson, CEO, Digital Impact Alliance men and children in every community benefit from the life-enhancing benefits a digitally inclusive society provides. DIAL’s partnership with ITU reinforces our commitment to work across the public and private sectors to ensure that ICT innovations are utilized in a way that promotes achievement of the sustainable development goals,” said Kate Wilson, CEO, Digital Impact Alliance.

“As we embark on the implementation of the SDGs, both private and public sectors need to join forces in the ICT ecosystem to achieve socio-economic development. The

partnership between ITU and DIAL will help us identify innovation opportunities and drive ICT innovation for the benefit of all,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at ITU. To realize a set of ICT innovations that are appropriate, affordable, scalable and specifically designed for the SDGs, ITU and DIAL will: Convene cross-sectoral experts from the UN, the public sector and the private sector to identify opportunities for ICTs to advance the SDGs; Identify gaps and limitations in current technology platforms needed to achieve the SDGs; and; Work with the private and public sector organizations to promote to adaptation of existing technologies, and where necessary creation of new appropriate ones, to fill high-priority gaps.

“Collaboration with ICT experts, development program implementers and those in the private sector is key to identifying high-potential opportunities for technology platforms that can advance the SDGs. An analysis that maps existing technologies to opportunities, and identifies gaps where adapted and new technologies are required will be the first step in this effort,” said Jeff Wishnie, Senior Director, Platforms and Services, Digital Impact Alliance.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

19 Tech Times

Nigerians need trust for growth, businesses confidence –Ekeh Mr. Leo-Stan Nnamdi Ekeh, is chairman of Zinox Group, an indigenous Technology Company in Nigeria as well as Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited. In this interview with TONY NWAKAEGHO, he x-rayed why lack of trust, others are the bane of technology growth and development in Nigeria. Excerpts:

By Tony Nwakaegho What is the place of technology in this country?

So many Nigerians come out of world class institutions every year. Though we have the same training like every other person in the world; we are building it but we need to taste it. We have brilliant kids out of these local institutions, even the local companies are not doing very badly. We have whiz kids who are churning out applications, hard wares. Today we have telecommunications.

Are they not Nigerians that are maintaining it? So why do you condemn them? Telecommunications sector is quite efficient.

The biggest problem in the country first is trust. We need to use technology to delete some of these bad names. There is no need putting advert in the newspapers when they don’t have a product. Putting the advert is when people taste your product, they look for you. Every entrepreneur in the world is looking for a cheaper call Centre.

That is what we have. We have English as a power, people with smart brains, smarter than China. The government must help the youth to survives. We need to impart that survival culture.

And until we have it we have a problem.

ICT is key to development of the economy, how far have we utilized this?

It is like telling my grandfather to be digital. We are the interface between the digital age and the analogue age. And we are in transition from digital to analogue. We are on the right path and it is an incubation period that this country is going through politically, economically, but what is critical is that technology has made knowledge available to those who are interested. Look at the information they push to you on What Sapp if you read the informa-

MR. LEO-STAN NNAMDI EKEH tion you will know all about the global community. These were nonexistence in the past.

The operators are talking of taking off the OTT from their plan, may be because of the revenue. Is it not going to be counterproductive; what is your take on this?

The Telco sector, it’s a very sensitive issue because they are highly regulated. But what is critical to the country is that we must put those infrastructure and policies that will help a man that will need the service, who can afford it. There is no country in the world where everybody is a rich man. You talk about how many people are successful today and how many people will be successful in the future. Do you have a clear road map? If I were the government the first gift I will give to Nigerians is to put the country on a wireless cloud. So Internet becomes a right at a very cheap cost because it is the platform for learning and communication. So if today people are paying N500 per month and they have high speed Internet

Chairman of Zinox Group

they will explore the world. You don’t need to go to America or to Britain, because this is the magic of India.

What is the role of the law makers in all of this?

The law makers are trying their little best based on the content they have. If you are an analogue law maker how can you decide the digital future?

What they do all over the world is to employ people who are knowledge and digital driven who will advise them. That you didn’t come into the world in the last 20 years doesn’t make you irrelevant, but are you conscious to upgrade? So if you put a law maker who is not digital, it is not a priority to him. And that is why the country is mortgaged by oil, which is nature, nature mortgages you and this is the century people should utter their destinies. Change your story and the only way you can change your story today is through technology. These are some of the deficiencies, but should we lose hope the answer is no. This is the glorious nation in the world with population,

with smart guys who can copy. I can tell you in the next 10 years this will be the greatest country to live and that is what people like us believed and are here.

Have stakeholders like you been able to talk to the government on the right way to go?

Yes, we will continue to talk to the government, but you know it depends on what their priorities are.

What is you take about the local content being clamoured for in the IT industry in Nigeria?

Local content, today we are shortchanged and there is nothing we can do. Your grandfather is analogue, your own father is analogue and as a matured citizen you will be struggling for them to understand what they are talking about. This is where we are coming from. Have there been any change in the country?

The answer is no. The only local content talked about in this country is the oil sector where there is no pre-qualification for you to enter. If you want to go into oil sector and the country sees you as a successful person

you can get it. So local content in this country is covered by oil, but we started working before the oil.

Local Content is said in this country for political reasons.

Information is key. Any government you bring here will tell you about local content, but what is he using? What is his child using? You say you want to raise the Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), but when I pay my tax, you use the money to patronise my competitors.

They get the budget and disappear. Local content will happen in serious acceptance when the people of your age who are tech savvy starts leading this country.

The biggest shopping Centre in Nigeria is ShopRite, but in South Africa it wouldn’t be recognized; that is a bungalow.

10 years ago it was like an exhibition Centre with people coming from Badagry to come and see ShopRite, but since three years back a lot of people come there to see and for different activities. The Incubation Centres weren’t there in Nigeria but it became a reality under Mrs Omobola Johnson, former minister of Communication Technology. A lot of people are frustrated, but people who read computer in this age are smarter in the market place. The language we were using then is obsolete. You see a graduate who only five years old is telling you that his pay is N500, 000 last. The local content I will say will happen unconsciously because they will tell you it is real and it’s cheaper. I saw it in India where they continue to read and you will see someone who read chemical engineering, Agric economics, is a physician, psychologist and an architect and is employable compared to where you have one degree because where you need eight persons you find one capable person that will fill the space.

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Suspected crooks’ rip-off unemployed graduates in illegal sale of Delta employment forms Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎCrooks

masquerading as government officials in charge of employment have allegedly ripped-off over 60 unemployed graduates in Warri/Asaba through illegal sale of the Delta State Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP) in the past two weeks.

But the state government through the job creation of-

ficer, Prof. Eric Eboh, Monday confirmed that there has been growing syndicates who allegedly collect N50, 000 from each graduate with assurances to fix them employment through the scheme.

Saying that the GEEP forms are collected for free, Prof. Eboh further confirmed that over sixty unsuspecting graduates seeking employment via the scheme had been duped, disclosing that job scam-

mers often pose as government officials for employment with complimentary cards.

His words: “we are aware of scammers ripping off unsuspecting graduates for GEEP jobs, and we as a government are strategizing to bring the crooks to book, it is unfortunate that unsuspecting graduates pay for the forms that are free” adding security agents have been put in strategic places where the suspects would be arrest-

ed and brought to book.

Investigation revealed that since the commencement of the GEEP Scheme, crooks have allegedly hijacked the process with the collaboration of some officials of the job creation office in Asaba, but Prof.

Eric Eboh, the job creation officer dispelled as untrue, saying that the yet unidentified crooks are job scammers that had been operating over years in the state.

Their modus operandi,

further investigation revealed, is to pose as employment seekers, dressed in “heavy suits” within the job creation office along Awai road, Asaba where they allegedly hoodwink unsuspecting job seekers to doing the illegal business with them.

Some of the victims who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said: “They gave us complimentary cards indicating they are government officials, and we pay N40, 000 each for the

forms on the promise to assist us get the job.”

In a swift reaction, the police spokesman in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka said the police were yet to arrest any of the suspect, confirming that investigation was ongoing in the activities of the crooks.

Also speaking to our reporter, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths Development, Mr. Hope George, warned unemployed graduates not to be too desperate about the forms, saying that the forms were being distributed for free as it can also be accessed by logging in www Delta State job creation sales.

Gordons, Zebrudayah light up latest episode of Globacom’s Professor Johnbull

Unical receives a boost as Anambra businessman promises to erect engineering blocks

ÎÎÎHumour merchants, vet-

Calabar

eran Chike Okpala (aka Chief Zebrudaya, alias 4.30) and Godwin Komone (aka Gordons) are guest stars in this week’s episode of the Globacomsponsored TV Drama Series, Professor Johnbull which exposes the follies of extravagant ceremonies in the society.

In the new episode titled “Expensive Ceremonies” and billed for airing on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes at 8.30 p.m. today, the bombastic scholar, Professor Johnbull, acted by a top Nollywood star, Kanayo O. Kanayo, condemns the spendthrift tendencies of people who go overboard while celebrating various milestones.

The Executive Producer of the sitcom said in a statement in Lagos on Monday that “Expensive Ceremonies, the latest episode of Professor Johnbull, is not just comical but touchy as it depicts in a very sublime manner, the vanity in spending a fortune on social ceremonies and the attendant holes such tendencies create in the pockets of the celebrants.”

“We cannot deny the fact that spending lavishly on ceremonies is more or less a given culture in the country. The ceremonies are in legion: birthday bash, wedding, naming, funeral, house warming, freedom parties and what have you.

With the prevailing economic situation, no time can be more apt than now to sound a note of caution to all to be circumspect in the way they spend money on these ceremonies and that is exactly what Expensive Ceremonies intends to achieve,” the statement added.

Edem Edem,

ÎÎÎThe chairman Dozie Group

L-R: Head of ICT, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mr. Johnson Udobong; Acting Director-General, NCWD, Mr. Sadeeq Umar and Director of Human Resources Management, Memuna Mani-Yangora, at a 5-day programme on promoting women and girls’ access to ICT in Abuja… recently.

Impersonation: Group urges police to arrest “fake Oba” Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÎÎÎA

socio-cultural group in Kwara state, Omo Ibile Igbomina, has disowned one Warri -based legal practitioner, Rufus Olarewaju for allegedly parading himself as the Oba Igbomina kingdom.

The group is therefore urging the police and other security agents to arrest and prosecute the ‘fake’ Oba in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Monday, the president, Omo Ibile Igbomina, Eng. Timothy Adebayo, disclosed that Mr. Olarewaju had recently claimed in one of

the dailies that he is the ‘Obagbaja Arolagbade ii, Oba of Gbomina kingdom.’

Adebayo said: “The whole racket would have been dismissed for a mere monkey business, but for our knowledge of his background. He is an Igbomina individual from Rore in Irepodun local government area of Kwara state.

“In the said publication, he claimed he is the Oba of Gbomina-Ekiti Kingdom. He went further to purportedly give historical narration of Igbomina people albeit disjointedly and full of fabrications and lies.

“He also attempted a revisionist history of the Yoruba race where

he claimed Yoruba is the official language in the Garden of Eden. He concluded by saying that he has created an ‘Gbomina-Ekiti Development Fund for which N2.5 billion has been deposited for the provision of road network in his imaginary Gbomina-Ekiti Kingdom.

“It is pertinent to state abinitio that there is no territory known as Gbomina-Ekiti kingdom.

It does not exist neither in Kwara nor Osun state where we have the Igbomina people.

“Therefore, Mr. Olarewaju’s Gbomina-Ekiti is a figment of his own imagination and a fiction created to dupe and swindle people and institutions who are oblivious

of these facts.”

The Omo Ibile Igbomina added that “the entire sons and daughters of Igbomina, home and abroad dissociate themselves from the contents and forms of the claims.

“We call on the law enforcement agencies to investigate the claim. We equally call on the police to arrest and prosecute Mr. Olarewaju to protect the larger society from falling victims and for the serial crimes he has been committing using nonexisting traditional institution and impersonating kings and dynasties.

“As at today, the only association that combines Ekiti and Igbomina in the state is the Kwara South Consultative Forum.”

of Companies, Sir Daniel Nwanneka Chukwo Dozie, has promised to erect an ultra-modern engineering structure for the take-off of Engineering Department of the University of Calabar.

Dozie made the promised shortly after being awarded with a doctorate degree in Business Administration (Honorary Causa) at the 30th convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar.

Sir Chukwo Dozie said he cherished the honor done him, “to show that I am also an indigene of Cross River state and because I have several chains of businesses in Calabar where I had even named some after my late mum who did all that she could to bring me up, I am going to erect a solid structure for the Faculty of Engineering because I am told that they have no such structure.”

The former military administrator of Rivers state and one time Minister for Information, Brig.

Gen. Anthony Ukpo (rtd), who was awarded honourary doctorate degree in law and Alhaji Ummarun Kwabo Jamaar honourary doctorate degree in business administration, made various promises to the university.

Gen Ukpo told our correspondent on Monday that he felt elated and grateful to the University for honouring him; “It is a birthday present for me. I am not in politics, essentially I am in business, when I was the military administrator what I did in Rivers State and now Bayelsa speak for itself, I can go back there and everybody there receive me, not many of my predecessors or successors can go back to those states and they are received.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

ALAKOTO HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

21 Public Notice

OBANG-AJI PROGRESSIVE UNION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLUMAGIN HENRY ORITSEWEYINMI 2. ELIZABETH STELLA EGBEIGHU 3. TEMITAYO EWEGBEMI 4. MONDAY UGBEYAN 5. PATRICK NURUDEEN

TRUSTEES 1. ADODE SIMON ITITA- PRESIDENT 2. IGBUDU LAWRENCE EKAKA 3. ADAMA CHRISTOPER ERE 4. EGBENTA MOSES EGBAJI 5. OGAR COLUMBA OJIFO 6. EKUNKE SIMON OGAR 7. EJIM DAVID AGBOR 8. OGAR MARCUS CHIKO 9. OGER MICHAEL 10. ODEY CHRISTOPHER NKPUNG

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To strengthening the ties between old students of Alakoto High School 2. To participate in further development of the school and reward scholastic excellence 3. To crease a technical and professional networking platform that caters for members’ welfare and development.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

- VICE PRESIDENT. - GENERAL SECRETARY - ASST. GEN.SECRETARY - FINANCIAL SECRETARY - ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY - TREASURER - DIRECTOR FOR SOCIALS. - P.R.O - PATRON

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY, PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE RELATIONSHIP AND INTEREST AMONGST THE OBANG- AJI FAMILY MEMBERS. 2. TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL EMPOWERMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY. 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: OLUFEMI OLUTIMEHIN & CO Suite 303 Anbeez Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja

SIGNED: AFRIKE CHAMBERS 08066056601, 08029799759

DENNIS MEMORIAL GRAMMER SCHOOL CLASS OF 1988 ASSOCIATION

GLOBAL EVANGELISM MUSIC AND MIRACLES OUTREACH

BRIGHTER DAYS CHARITY FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named. Foundation has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees 1) Bosede Christy Atitebi 2) ADEYANJU Eniola Thomas 3) Busola Bamidele Aim and objectives 1.To provide vocational training and empowerment for the less privilege; like Orphans, Widows and the Physical Challenge in the society.

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: Secretary

THE SEED SOWING MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

Trustees 1. CHIDI MBANEFO 2. CHARLES OBI 3. CHINONYE UGBOMA 4. OLISA IFENU 5. CHUKWUNYELUM EMMANUEL

TRUSTEES 1. Rev Uche Onyekwere 2. Chidera Cherish Ezewafor 3. Chudalu Okeoma Ezenwafor 4. Favou r Somotoo Ezenwafor 5. Evangelist Didi Blessing Ezenwafor

1. AKINSOLA CLEMENT OLUWOLE 2. AKINSOLA TITILAYO OMOLAYO 3.OLUWOLE PRAISE AYOMIDE 4. OLUWOLE VICTORY OLUWADAMILAYO 5. OLUWOLE WINNER OLUWAKAYODE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: CHIBUZO OFOEGBU

MERCY BIBLE LIFESTYLE CHURCH THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR OLOWODUGBA JOHN ADEBAYO 2. MR. OLOWODUGBA SAMUEL OLUWASEUN 3. EVANGELIST TAIWO OLUWATOYIN TOPE 4. MR. OGUNLEYE SUNDAY FESTUS 5. EVANGELIST ADEBAYO OLUWATOYIN JANET Aims And Objectives Are: 1. To Prepare People Ready For The Lord.

2. To Preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world.

3. To preach salvation, healing and deliverance.

4. To help people discover their God given potential for maximal utilization in serving God and humanity to optimum level ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BUKOLA ASIYANBI ESQ

MOUNTAIN OF LOOSING BONDAGE MINISTRY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

Trustees are: 1. Rev. Samson Chinemerem Ibeh -Founder/general superintendent of the church.

2. Bro. Darlington Chisom Ibeh 3. Michael Sebastian Ndubuisi.

4. Nzekwe Florence Ifeyinwa -Secrrtary.

5. Pastor Kingsley Obinna.

6. Elizabeth Uzoagwa Ndidi -Treasurer.

7. Elder Peter Ifeanyi Ezuma.

Aim And Objective: To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the unreached ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Sigend: Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Christ 2. To advance the kingdom of God through His Word 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.

1. TO RECONCILE MAN WITH THE TRUE GOD, JEHOVAH, SAVE SOULS FOR HIS KINGDOM AND PREPARE SAINTS FOR THE RAPTURE 2. TO PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ALL MEN OF GOOD WILL AND THE UNREACHED THROUGH EVANGELISM, PRAYER MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND BIBLE -BASED PUBLICATIONS AND AUDIOVISUAL AIDS. ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: Barr Ayeni Adekunle

IFE ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1979 STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

SIGNED: SECRETARY

DIASPORA NIGERIA CHARITY FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. JOHN ADENLE ODOLE 2. PASTOR ASIYANBI BUKOLA AJIBOLA 3. MR. ADENOLA MARTINS ADENUGA 4. ARCHITECT AKEEM OLANIYI BAKARE 5. MRS. OLULEYE OLUSOLA EVELYN

Trustees Are: 1. Mirian Chinyere Ugokwe, 2. Lilian Chioma Ugokwe, 3. Mary Sonia Chizoba Ugokwe Aims and Objective:

Aims And Objectives Are: 1. To support & contribute to the development of the school 2. To support the welfare of the members ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

To support the less privileged, support humanitarian, organizations, raising awareness and support displaced people, embarking on charitable activities generally.

ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS 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: BUKOLA ASIYANBI ESQ

REACHME NETWORK FOR MENTORING THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

The Trustees: 1. Ogheneovo Anthony 2. Acho Patrick Ifeanyi 3. Adeeko Adebisi Christianah

- Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer

Aim and Objective: To bridge the gap between the mentors and mentees through skill acquisition

CROSSOVER HOLLARY FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS NO 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Engr Afolabi Raji Salami 2. Dr. Kenneth Ifeanyi Mordi 3. Mrs. Janet Bosede Mordi 4. Oluwatomisin Adaora Mordi 5. Alabi Emmanuel Oluwafemi AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To empower the less privileged youths and to establish and run orphanage homes.

ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS 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 THERETO SHOULD BE ADDRESS 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

MY ENVIRONMENT IS MINE INITIATIVE

JUDGE OF ALL NATION CHURCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

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

121 LJOKA STREET ONDO, ONDO STATE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Evang Olaloko Olufemi Adeola.

2. Pastor Shofela Ismaila Alade.

3. Pastor Mrs Afolabi Grace Omowunmi.

4. Pastor Olabisi Olushola Emmanuel.

5. Pastor Adebiyi Olasunkanmi Ibrahim.

6. Pastor Emmanuel Oluwafemi Oyeleye.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLUWADAMILARE HUSSEIN OREKOYA 2. SUNDAY SOLOMON OKEDARA 3. TAWAKALITU OLUBUKUNOLA TIJANI 4. ADEBAYO LATEEPH OREKOYA

GLORY REVEALING GOSPLE CHAPEL

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PREACH THE GOSPLE Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Steert, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To enlighten the rural communities in Nigeria on the need to protect their immediate environment for a sustainable development.

2. To organise various periodic educative lectures and awareness programs for youths in the rural communities on the protection of the environment.

3. To collaborate with the international communities on Green Environment and ozone layer protection in Nigeria 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 BY BAYO OREKOYA, ESQ

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Olubowale Akinnifesi 2. Oyebola Akinnifesi AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. Christian religious purposes 2. Christian evangelism charity 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: TRUSTEES

Public Notice 22 SARKIS-MICHAEL FOUNDATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) MRS YETUNDE ABOSEDE MICHAEL 2) DR. STEVE OLU MICHAEL 3) MR KESI-OLUWA STEVE MICHAEL 4) MISS FARRAH ANNE MICHAEL 5) MR AFOLABI OLADIPUPO ADEKOYA 6) DR STEPHEN KOLAWOLE OBARO 7) MRS HELEN ESEOGHENE OBARO 8) DR JUSTINA BOLOEBI PORBENI Aims & Objectives: (i) To provide & promote qualitative education within the targeted community (ii) To promote community based health programmes through proper orientation and education 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: The Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

THE VOICE OF THUNDER MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

THE CITY OF KINGS PROPHETIC MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED

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

MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLISE OSSAI PIUS - CHAIRMAN 2. ANORUE JOSHUA ONYEWUCHI - SECRETARY 3. ANORUE MERCY CHINWENDU 4. ADEWALE KOLA 5. OKOLI GRACE UGBOAKU

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) MATTHEW BIOLA BIODUN (2) MATTHEW DAODU

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 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.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 2. TO RUN A MINISTRY OF PRAYERS, HEALING, DELIVERANCE AND PROPHETIC 3. TO ORGANIZE SYMPOSIUM, CONFERENCE AND PRAYER CLINIC FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF MEMBERS 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: TRUSTEES

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

THE GLORIFIED TABERNACLE OF GOD

CHRIST CALLING BELIEVERS CHURCH

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to The Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR ELIZABETH ITOHAN EHONWA – Chairperson 2. PASTOR JOSEPHINE ESEOSA IRABOR – Vice Chair 3. EVANGELIST QUEEN ADESOMO ISIBOR – Treasurer 4. MR MARTIN UZOR – Secretary 5. PASTOR EYESAN LESLIE DABOR - Trustee

1. PROPHET ODUMOSU SAMUEL ABAYOMI 2. PASTOR (MRS) ODUMOSU MORAYO KHADIJAT 3. PASTOR ODUMOSU OLAMIDE MOSES 4. DCN. AKINSANYA ABOLAJI OLUFEMI 5. EVANG. ODUSOLA OLUWASEUN GABRIEL 6. PASTOR AKINYEMI OLALEKAN SAMUEL 7. PASTOR JEMISEYE TOLULOPE DANIEL.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To preach and teach sound doctrine and hold evangelical crusade 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.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 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: SECRETARY

NTA TELEVISION COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Sir, Joseph Ari 2. Halima Bewell 3. Aisha Bello Mustapha 4. Dr. Barnabas Gbam 5. Lawal Ahmed AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To seek ways of adding value to members and collaborate in ways of developing the college 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 twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

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 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO ESTABLISH A CENTRE THAT WILL BE DEDICATED FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS. 2. TO ASSIST IN PROVISION OF FREE DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICARE TO LESS PRIVILEGED, EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND DIABETIC PATIENTS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF FEDERAL PARASTATALS FORUM

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE 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. AIG DANLAMI DANBABA YAR’ADUA RTD 2. COL LAWAL ADEMOLA ABDULWAHAB RTD 3. CP VINCENT OKODUWA RTD 4. ALH SANI AHMED 5. MR TAJUDEEN TOYIN-OKE 6. BARR. AYODEJI AKANDE 7. MR IBRAHIM TAJUDEEN 8. UNACHUKWU CHRISTIANA NDIDI 9. HAJIA FATI KAKE’NNA ALKALI

- CHAIRMAN

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROMOTE OUR NATIONAL ETHICS AND VALUES AS A PANACEA TO A CORRUPTFREE SOCIETY. 2. TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST UNETHICAL CONDUCT, ILLEGAL AND ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL MISCONDUCTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. AYODEJI AKANDE

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: SECRETARY

POWER IN PRAYER INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 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 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prof Abubakar Sani Sambo (FNSE CON) 2. Engr. Mustapha Bello (FNSE) - Chairman 3. Mrs. Modupe Adelaja 4. Chief Dr Tonnia Iredia (CON) 5. Mrs. Ifueko Omoighie Okaru 6. Dr Mohammed Modibbo 7. Arc Ferdinand Agu (FNIA)- secretary 8. Engr. Emeka Eze (FNSE) 9. Engr. Buba Galadima (FNSE) 10. Mr. Sina Agboluaje (MNIA)

These are the Trustees: 1. PST. Jeremiah Overcomer Akhingbodemeh - General Overseer 2. PST. Alice Jeremiah Akingbodemeh - Assistant General Overseer 3. Evang. Blessing ilevibaodion Taiwo - Secretary

The aim and objective: 1. To foster unity and peaceful co-existence among members 2. To protect the interest and welfare of all members of the forum.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Aims: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: Kingsley O. Obue, Esq. 08063799609

SIGNED: SECRETARY

LITERACY FOR ADULT AND EDUCATION FOR WOMEN INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

2. GWOTT BULUS PAM 4. YUSUF ABDULRAZAQ ADEIZA 6. MOSHOOD IDAYAT OYINDAMOLA 8. OYEDIJI OLUREMI 10. MAL. LAFIA JERRY SAMAILA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO ENHANCE WOMEN AND CHILDREN EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION. 2. TO EMPOWER THE WOMEN, MOST ESPECIALLY THE LESS PRIVILEGE TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE.

AWKA ETITI SPORTS CLUB THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB 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. Chief Johnson Okoye Igwe 3. Chief Mike Arinze 5. Barr Chike Chikeluba 7. Sir Okwui Mbaegbu 9. Godfrey Ike

2. Engr. Okwui Emejulu 4. Chief Dr Chigozie Nwolisa 6. Chief Pius Ikechukwu Okpala 8. Chief Paul Okoye 10. Inno Anoliefo

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. Promotion of Sports and recreational activities 2. Welfare of members.

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

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: CHRIS & CHRIS SOLICITORS +23480373080539

ETHICS AND VALUES IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ

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 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABIRI SEGUN DANIEL 3. MUSANGO DENNIS ANTHONY 5. SUNMONU SAMUEL AYODELE 7. ADEJUMO ADEDAYO IBRAHIM 9. ABIRI JOSEPH OLUBUNMI

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. ROSEMARY OGU 2. DR. OMOSIVIE MADUKA 3. MR. CLEMENT OBAZE 4. ENGR. UGOCHUKWU NLEMIGBO 5. CHIEF HILARY OGU 6. DAME (DR) CLARIBEL ABAM 7. MRS. HELEN OKERE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OPARA EMMANUEL UGO 2. OPARA IFEJOLA ESTHER 3. AMUNENI OSHUH BASIRU 4. OPARA OZOEMENA SAMSON 5. OLUPEKA RAPHAEL AYOBAMI

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

SIGNED: Desmond Ekeh

CENTRE FOR WOMEN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS RESEARCH

THE CORE MINISTRY

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

AHAMEFULA BRENDAN FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION 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. Ahamefula Rochas charman 2. Amen Rochas secretary 3. Amamchi Rochas

SAIF ADVOCACY FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1.YAHYA ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN 2.COMFORT MUKOLLO 3. ADAMU SALEH

- CHAIRMAN - SECRETARY - MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Empower the poorest 2. Provide the poor with access to financial tools.

3. Inspire people to take action to change the world.

4. Inspire foundation visitors to change the lives of others.

5. Enhance education through innovation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To educate society in terms of social mobilization and behavioral communication strategies.

2. To assist the less privilege people in the society 3. To provide opportunities to outstanding less privilege people in the society.

4. To promote peace and unity in the society.

5. To educate the less privilege people in terms of different aspect of handwork.

6. To engage in capacity building, training and such other activities.

7. To enable the less privilege people relies their positive ambition in life.

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

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE FATIMAH ABDULLAHI HAMZA-ELAYO

ONYEDIKACHI CHESO PIUS

I formerly known as FATIMAH KANDE ABDULLAHI now wish to be known and addressed as FATIMAH ABDULLAHI HAMZAELAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly Known as ALEX PIUS ONYEKACHI now wish to be called ONYEDIKACHI CHESO PIUS. All former Documents remain valid, First Bank, Diamond Bank and the general public should take note.

OMOTOSHO SUNKANMI OLATUNJI

OKUSOTE OLUWOLE ABIODUN

That I am the same person bearing JUDE CHIBUEZE and NWOGBO JUDE CHIBUEZE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

EMMANUEL IBUKUNOLUWA MORENIKEJI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. YEKEEN IBUKUNOLWAU, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL IBUKUNOLUWA MORENIKEJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I formerly Known as EKWOMCHI HANNAH NGENE now wish to be called EKWOMCHI HANNAH ENYIDURU. All former Documents remain valid; University of Agric, Umudike and the general public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as BOSE MAGDALENE now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM BOSE MAGDALENE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

AHMED SADIQ

BILIKISU OLAJIDE

Formerly known and addressed as FRANCIS JOHN now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED SADIQ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AZEEZAT OLALERE, BUT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BILIKISU OLAJIDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as SALIMON RIDWAN TUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as SALIMON RILWAN AKANBI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ONYEMACHI NKIRUKA ROSELINE I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KALU NKIRUKA ROSELINE, BUT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONYEMACHI NKIRUKA ROSELINE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AS AYINOFU INNOCENT PRINCE NOW KNOWN AS AYINOFU INNOCENT OKWUCHUKWU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID PUBLIC NOTE.

Formerly Known As EBUKA VICTOR DIKE now known as VICTORY ONYEKACHI NWOKORIE. All former Documents Remain Valid General Public Note.

ABAYOMI OYEWUMI ADENIKE

ADEBIYI ADEWALE ADEOBA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ILORI MOSES ADENIJI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MOSES OLUWOLE ALAO ADENIJI-ILORI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS A.{ADENIKE} OMOBOLA OYEWUMI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABAYOMI OYEWUMI ADENIKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known as OLUGBODE ADEWALE ADEBIYI now known as ADEBIYI ADEWALE ADEOBA .All former Documents Remain Valid General Public Note.

MRS. POPOOLA MOJISOLA FAUSAT

AKANJI ASEGUN TEMITOPE REBECCA

RABIU HAJARAT AJIBOLA

ORIOWO MOBOLAJI OLUKEMI

ADIGUN LASISI

MOSES OLUWOLE ALAO ADENIJI-ILORI

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EKWOMCHI HANNAH ENYIDURU

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLAJUMOKE RACHAEL ADEGBOYE NOW WISH TO BE CALL AND ADDRESS AS OLAJUMOKE REBEKAH ADEGBOYE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SALIMON RILWAN AKANBI.

I formerly known and addressed as OGOM ISICHEI now wish to be known and addressed as ISICHEI CYPRIAN OGOMEGBUNEM. All former documents remain valid, General Public please take note

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUKOLU ADEBOLA DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as BANKOLE ADEBOLA ADESOLA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KADIRI FATIMAH JUMAT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EBOKA JUMAT KADIRI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

xzxz ABRAHAM BOSE MAGDALENE

ZAHARADDEEN UMAR

OGUNSOTE: Formerly Known As OGUNSOTE OLUWOLE ABIODUN now known as OKUSOTE OLUWOLE ABIODUN. All former Documents Remain Valid General Public Note.

BANKOLE ADEBOLA ADESOLA DEBORAH

OLAJUMOKE REBEKAH ADEGBOYE.

EBOKA JUMAT KADIRI

I formerly Known as ZAHARADDIN UMAR now wish to be called ZAHARADDEEN UMAR. All former Documents remain valid, First Bank, BVN and the general public should take note.

Formerly Known As ERINOSO OLASENI now known as OMOTOSHO SUNKANMI OLATUNJI. All former Documents Remain Valid General Public Note.

THAT I AM MRS. AKINSETE OLAYINKA, MY DATE OF BIRTH WAS WRONGLY WRITTING AS 11/08/1937 MY CORRECT NAME IS 11/08/1936. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AND GENERAL PUBLICS SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

23 Public Notice

I, formerly known and addressed as RABIU HAJARAT OMOTOYOSI, now wish to be known and addressed as RABIU HAJARAT AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That in some of my names documents my names appears as PRINCE ANAYO EZEAGU and PRINCE ANNIE JOSSY. All is my names. Now wish to be know and addressed as PRINCE ANAYO EZEAGU. All documents bearing both names remain valid; Banks and general public take note.

AYINOFU INNOCENT OKWUCHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEBOYE MOBOLAJI OLUKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ORIOWO MOBOLAJI OLUKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI ABDUL.

That I am the same person bearing OLUSESAN SHOBUKOLA and MICHAEL OLUSESAN SHOBUKOLA. My correct name is MICHAEL OLUSESAN SHOBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OHA BLESSING NGOZI

MORMAH JOSEPH

I, formerly known and addressed as OLASUPO BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as OHA BLESSING NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NMORMAHMONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed asMORMAH JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

LUMINOUS PEOPLE SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE. 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, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. JOHN JEFFERSON OKECHUKWU - CHAIRMAN. 2. SHITTU LANRE MONSURU - SECRETARY. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE LIVING STANDARDS AND WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED BY : BARR. INNOCENT JOHN UKWETANG, 08037978991.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to notify the general public of the loss of Receipt and Acknowledgment of Plot N0: 2424 with file B0 60700 located at Jahi cadastral zone B08 belonging to Paul .S. Marley all efforts made to trace it proved abortive. If found please report to the nearest Police Station or contact the owner on 07069657669. AGIS AND General Public. Please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOW AND ADDRESSEDVAS ADIGUN ABDULAZEEZ MOSOBA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOW AND ADDRESSED AS ADIGUN LASISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABDULLAHI AHMED MUHAMMED, BUT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI ABDUL.THAT MY DATE OF BIRTH WAS MISTAKENLY WRITTEN AS 16/5/1992 INSTEAD OF 22/5/1992. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS PAULINE IJEOMA CHINYERE OGBONNA. I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NJOKU PAULINE CHINYERE, BUT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS PAULINE IJEOMA CHINYERE OGBONNA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE UNITED CHRIST POWER BIBLE CHURCH INT’L. The general public is hereby inform that the above named Church has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ekpo, Paul Jonah 3. Jonah, Emmanuel Paul 5. Akpan, Emmanuel Jonah 7. Umoh, Nkereuwem

2. Udo, Augustine Ukpe 4. Jonah, Daniel Paul 6. Udo, Ekemini Etim

AIMS/OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affaira Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: CHAIRMAN.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the general public of the loss of R of 0 of Plot No.305, 261 and 262 with file Nos. FCT/MZTP/LA/2003/TR327, MFCT/ZC/ AMAC/KR261/ and FCT/MZTP/LA/200/AN3348 respectively all located at Karu Village Extension Cadastral Zone 09 07 belonging to Paul .S. Marley, all effort made to trace it proved abortive. if found please report to the nearest police station or contact the owner on 07069657669. AMAC, AGIS and general public please take note.

VICTORY ONYEKACHI NWOKORIE

I, formerly known and addressed as ASEGUN IJEBOI, Now wish to be known and addressed as AKANJI ASEGUN TEMITOPE REBECCA All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly Miss ODEKUNLE FAUSAT MOJISOLA now known as Mrs. POPOOLA MOJISOLA FAUSAT Born On 10/6/1987.All former Document Remain Valid Public Note.

OGBONNAYA MICHAEL CHINEDU

ABUBAKAR CHAMSA ABIGAIL

I, formerly known and addressed as CHINEDU MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBONNAYA MICHAEL CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR OHAMSA AUDU, now wish to be known and addressed asABUBAKAR CHAMSA ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

RAILWAY RETIREES ASSOCIATION PORT HARCOURT This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ebelogu Ubadinma Kaizer Chairman) 3. Ahana Victor A. 5. George Mathias

2. Ekwugha Gabriel (Secretary) 4. Orumbie Dagogowari

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To protect the welfare of members.

2. To foster peace and unity among members.

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: Chairman

NOAH’S HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. Etop Victor Okokon - Chairman 2. Uduak Noah Inyang - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ; in the society.

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.

AJUMONI IDERA CENTRAL MOSQUE LAGOS 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 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1. ALHAJI SAFARI ADISA ADARANIJO 2. ALHAJI KAMORUDEEN ADISA. SULAIMON 3. MR JUBRIL AKANBI KELANI 4. MR RASAKI ADISA IBRAHIM 5. ALHAJI ISMOILA OYEKOYA OWOLEWA AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. TO ESTABLSH AND MAINTAIN ISLAMIC RELIGION ACTIIVITIES FOR MUALIM YOUTHS AND AGED IN THE WORLD AT LARGE 2 TO. WORK WITH OTHETR ISLAMIC ORGANISATION FOR PROGRESS AND WELL PROPAGATION OF ISLAMIC AND WELFARE Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Public Notice 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

KANAYO BRIGHT EZE.

OZOUDE ONYINYECHI MODESTA

ANIEFIOK KOKO ANITA

OKOH OKOH PRINCE

Formerly known and addressed as UDOEKPO ANIEFIOK KOKO ANITA, now wish to be known addressed as ANIEFIOK KOKO ANITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JASPER PRINCE BROWN

Formerly known and addressed as NANMWA SAMYEL, now wish to be known addressed as OKOH OKOH PRINCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EZEAKU PRINCE, now wish to be known addressed as JASPER PRINCE BROWN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CANAYO NDENOJUO, now wish to be known addressed as KANAYO BRIGHT EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JEGEDE MODINATU FEHINTOLA

MRS. BLESSING ELUEMUNOR

CORRECTION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AJUMOKO MODINATU FEHINTOLA, now wish to be known addressed as JEGEDE MODINATU FEHINTOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS BLESSING ELUEMUNOR KELIKWUMA, now wish to be known addressed as MRS. BLESSING ELUEMUNOR ONAKPOSEBA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that my name was wrongly written in my document as MUKADAM LIADI SAHEED IYANDA instead of LIADI SAHEED IYANDA. That MUKADAM is a title like ALHAJI, SHEIKH etc. That henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LIADI SAHEED IYANDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that DANIEL ITH SUNDAY, DANIEL ITEH and DANIEL SUNDAY is one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MRS. ADEYINKA TEMITOPE ODUNAIKE, now wish to be known addressed as MISS ADEYINKA TEMITOPE ADENAIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODIKPO EDITH OLUMA

ADEYI SIKIRU OLAITAN

AZEEZAT OLAIDE ILESANMI

SUBAIRU AKANNI KADIRI

Formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL EDITH, now wish to be known addressed as ODIKPO EDITH OLUMA. That my correct date of birth is 26 September1982 and not 26 September 1980. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEYI OLAITAN, now wish to be known addressed as ADEYI SIKIRU OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABOSEDE JUMOKE GBENGA, now wish to be known addressed as MRS. ABOSEDE JUMOKE SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AZEEZAT OLAIDE OGUNYEMI, now wish to be known addressed as AZEEZAT OLAIDE ILESANMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SUBAIRU ALABI KADIRI, now wish to be known addressed as SUBAIRU AKANNI KADIRI.That my date of birth is 17 July 1946. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ITUA RACHEAL EWANHIFOEGBE, now wish to be known addressed as SALAU RACHEAL ITUA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKEREJOLA BLESSING ZAINAB

OLALEYE OLAIDE BISI

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

NURAT MOJIROLA AJISHIAN

OKOYE NNEOMA JECINTA

Formerly known and addressed as AKEREJOLA PERPETUAL BLESSING, now wish to be known addressed as AKEREJOLA BLESSING ZAINAB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

.Formerly known and addressed as FADEYI OLAIDE BISI, now wish to be known addressed as OLALEYE OLAIDE BISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This to confirm that Yusuff Idrisa Shola and Yusuff Rafiu Shola. refer to one and same person. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as YUSUFF RAFIU SHOLA. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as RURAT AJISHIAN now wish to be known and addressed as NURAT MOJIROLA AJISHIAN .All former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UMEANAKA NNEOMA JECINTA now wish to be known and addresssed as OKOYE NNEOMA JECINTA . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. MANUWA MOROMOKE OLUWATOBI

EHIAGHE OLUWATOYIN ADEBIMPE IMOLOAME

MRS KEHINDE ADENIKE RUNSEWE

MOGAJI KAFAYAT MOJISOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as EHIAGHE OLUWATOYIN ADEBIMPE ALIU now wish to be known and addressed as EHIAGHE OLUWATOYIN ADEBIMPE IMOLOAME. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Adenike Ademola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kehinde Adenike Runsewe.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Saheeb Kafayat Mojisola now wish to be known and addressed as Mogaji Kafayat Mojisola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONAKPOSEBA

MRS. ABOSEDE JUMOKE SUNDAY

KOSOKO OMOBOLANLE YETUNDE WURAOLA

JIDEOFOR AMAKA GLADYS

Formerly known and addressed as TALABI YETUNDE WURAOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as KOSOKO OMOBOLANLE YETUNDE WURAOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AZIE AMAKA GLADYS, now wish to be known and addressed as JIDEOFOR AMAKA GLADYS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

YAGBA RUTH SEWUESE

Formerly known and addressed as NWIGWE PHILOMENA CHINAGOROM, now wish to be known and addressed as NWIGWE PHILOMENA CHIJIAGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that JOHN COMFORT ABIKE and JOHN YETUNDE ABIKE is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN YETUNDE ABIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ABHULIMHEN SANDRA

This is to confirm and certify that OJO GBENGA OLUWAFEMI and OJO GBENGA EZEKIEL is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as OJO GBENGA EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as PETER SANDRA EHIS, now wish addressed as ABHULIMHEN SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OYEWOLE BEVERLY OLABISI Formerly known and addressed as OSADEBAY BEVERLY OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEWOLE BEVERLY OLABISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NWIGWE PHILOMENA CHIJIAGO

FAUSAT MOTUNRAYO ADEMOLA

Formerly known and addressed as RONKE JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as FAUSAT MOTUNRAYO ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SHERRY ENOBONG MAKINDE Formerly known and addressed as SHERRY KINGSLEY UKOH, now wish to be known and addressed as SHERRY ENOBONG MAKINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

AJADI OLUWASEGUN

I, KAMORUDEEN ALAO wish to add OPELOYERU to my existing names.

Henceforth, my names are now OPELOYERU KAMORUDEEN ALAO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AJADI SEGUN DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as AJADI OLUWASEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ISAAC JONATHAN OCHOFIE Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH EGBO IKWUNTOLE, now wish to be known addressed as ISAAC JONATHAN OCHOFIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UGWU ONYINYECHI MODESTA, now wish to be known addressed as OZOUDE ONYINYECHI MODESTA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MISS ADEYINKA TEMITOPE ADENAIKE

NJOKU CHINAKA PROMISE Formerly known and addressed as ENESCO C NJOKU, now wish to be known addressed as NJOKU CHINAKA PROMISE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SALAU RACHEAL ITUA

I, Formerly known and addressed as: Miss Anwo Moromoke Oluwatobi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Manuwa Moromoke Oluwatobi. All former documents reremain valid.

General public take note.

AFAMEFUNA EMMANUEL EZEIIRUAKU

DAMOLA MUINAT OMOTOLANI

I, formerly known and addressed as AFAMEFUNA EZEIRUAKU now wish to be known and addressed as AFAMEFUNA EMMANUEL EZEIIRUAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JUNAID MUINAT OMOTOLANI, now wish to be known and addressed as DAMOLA MUINAT OMOTOLANI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NJOKU ESTHER AMARACHI

PRINCE ECHETAMULA CORNELIUS

ABUMHENRE RUFUS OBOITE

Formerly known and addressed as AKUSHIE ESTHER AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as NJOKU ESTHER AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CORNELIUS DIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as DIKE PRINCE ECHETAMULA CORNELIUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IDANLE RUFUS, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUMHENRE RUFUS OBOITE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EZEH NNAMDI I, formerly known and addressed as EZE HENRY now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH NNAMDI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OJECHI UKAMAKA GRACE

ADEKUNLE AYO SOFIAT

Formerly known and addressed as OKPANACHI RUTH SEWUESE, now wish to be known and addressed as YAGBA RUTH SEWUESE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ONYECHI UKAMAKA GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as OJECHI UKAMAKA GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KOLAWOLE AJOKE ADEKUNLE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKUNLE AYO SOFIAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MRS. REBECCA OLUWABUKOLA FADIPE

BALOGUN BABATUNDE MUSBAU

ABUBAKIR LATEEFAH OLANREWAJU

ADEKANMBI KAFAYAT ADEOLA

Formerly known and addressed as KOLAWOLE REBECCA OLUWABUKOLA, now wish to be know and addressed as MRS. REBECCA OLUWABUKOLA FADIPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MUSBAU AREMU BALOGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN BABATUNDE MUSBAU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as YUSUF ARIKEWUYO LATIFAT TAIWO on my First Bank Registrar, BAMISEDUN LATEEF TAIWO under GTB shares and BAMISEDUN LATEEJAH under Fidelity Bank shares, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKIR LATEEFAH OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN KAFAYAT ADEOLA, now wish to be addressed as ADEKANMBI KAFAYAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IZOSEH ROSE

KAPO KUDIRAT OLUYEMISI

KUPONIYI LAITAN TAIWO

ROBERT ADEWALE JAMES Formerly known and addressed as OLUSANYA ROBERT ADEWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as ROBERT ADEWALE JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as and addressed as OGBOLE ADA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as IZOSEH ROSE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OSATOHANMWEN PATRICK AIGBOGUN

ADEMOLA OTUNUGA OLALEKAN ADEBOWALE

Formerly known and addressed as AIGBOGUN OSATOHANMWEN PATRICK, now wish to be known and addressed as OSATOHANMWEN PATRICK AIGBOGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEMOLA ADEBOWALE OKANMIYO, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEMOLA OTUNUGA OLALEKAN ADEBOWALE .

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KAZEEM KUDIRAT OLUYEMISI, now wish to be known and addressed as KAPO KUDIRAT OLUYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OHAHERE BLESSING I formerly known and addressed as JOHNSON Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as OHAHERE Blessing. all former document remain valid general public take note

OKORONKWO AMAECHI Formerly known and addressed as CHIMA CHINYERE STANRISE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKORONKWO AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AYINDE LAITAN TAIWO, now wish to be known and addressed as KUPONIYI LAITAN TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ONYEULO CHINEZE ––DIVINE I, formerly known, called and addressed as ONYEULO OZICHI DIVINE, now wish to be known, called and Addressed as ONYEULO CHINEZE DIVINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14 , 2017

ONYEMENAONU VICTORIA CHIDINMA

ANAGONOU KOKOU AMOUZOU

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ONYENKACHI VICTORIA CHIDINMA , now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONYEMENAONU VICTORIA CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ANAGONOU KOKOU ANASCO, now wish to be known, called and Addressed as ANAGONOU KOKOU AMOUZOU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

LABAKE WUNMI MACAULAY

OSHODI ADEYINKA ATINUKE.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That on some of my documents, my name appears as IDOWU-MOSES VINCENT FORIJIMI, while on my BVN with UBA Account 1 it appears as VINCENT IDOWU-MOSES and on my UBA Account 2, it appears as IDOWU MOSES. That I am the one bearing all the names mentioned above. That all former documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid.

General public take note.

BELLO-AFARIOGUN RASHIDAT ADEBIMPE.

I formerly known and addressed as LABAKE TOPE OLARIBIGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as LABAKE WUNMI MACAULAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OSERE ADEYINKA ATINUKE, now wish to be known, and addressed as OSHODI ADEYINKA ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BELLO RASHIDAT ADEBIMPE, now wish to be known, and addressed as BELLO-AFARIOGUN RASHIDAT ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

BASIRAT ADEROJU ADEGOKE

UFUOMA MATHEW IMONISA

MRS. IYELIH LOVETH ONYEMAECHI

25 Public Notice

GUSANU SUNDAY SEGUN

ADEBOLU OLUSUMBO OLASUNKANMI.

GIBSON YETUNDE DASOLA

I, formerly known, called and addressed as TAIWO BIODUN ITUNU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as GIBSON YETUNDE DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as IGUSANU SUNDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as GUSANU SUNDAY SEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEBOLU OLUSUMBO AKANGBE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBOLU OLUSUMBO OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ZOE THOMPSON

JOIE THOMPSON

GOLD AZUBUIKE OKOLO

I, formerly known and addressed as JOY NWOBI, now wish to be known, called, and addressed as JOIE THOMPSON due to change in my marital status. All former and existing documents with the name JOY NWOBI remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS GOLD OGOADI, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS GOLD AZUBUIKE OKOLO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as ZOE BIBLE THOMPSON, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ZOE THOMPSON. All former and existing documents with the name ZOE BIBLE THOMPSON remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I HEREBY CONFIRM THAT I AM THE SAME PERSON BEARING OKONKWO IFEOMA AND OKONKWO ULUNMA IFEOMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I HEREBY STATE THAT MY NAMES WERE WRONGLY WRITTEN AS OGBEBOR OGIE FRIDAYOGIELAUGEA INSTEAD OF OGBEBOR FRIDAY OGIELEGUEA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ONUH KENNETH CHIJIOKE I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONUH KENNETH CHIJOKE, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONUH KENNETH CHIJIOKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IDIESIE PEACE UFUOMA, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UFUOMA MATHEW IMONISA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NOSEGBE LOVETH ONYEMAECHI, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. IYELIH LOVETH ONYEMAECHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JANET UGOEZE NWATURUOCHA

EZEIKE PAUL INNOCENT UDOCHUKWU.

MISS ABIMBOLA ADETOUN ADESEMOWO

This is to confirm that the name LAWAL BUSOLA JANET and BUSOLAOBADINA JANET refers to one and the same person; now wish to be known and addressed as JANET UGOEZE NWATURUOCHA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS. DANIEL NNENNAYA CYNTHIA

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEIKE INNOCENT UDOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEIKE PAUL INNOCENT UDOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SIMON NNENNAYA CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DANIEL NNENNAYA CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

I, formerly known as MRS. ABIMBOLA ADETOUN AKINYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ABIMBOLA ADETOUN ADESEMOWO. All former document remain valid. UNILAG and general public take note.

I, formerly known as MISS SHONTAN ADEJUMOKE OLUWABUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKEWUSOLA ADEJUMOKE OLUWABUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBESHIN WALIU OWOLABI

ADENIRAN MORENIKEMI OLUWAFOLAKEM

OLUWATOSIN ROSE BLESSING I formerly known and addressed as IRUONAGBE ROSE BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOSIN ROSE BLESSING .All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BASIRAT ADEROJU BALOGUN, HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BASIRAT ADEROJU ADEGOKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. AKEWUSOLA ADEJUMOKE OLUWABUNM

IYADI GRACE SINKWA

TIJANI IBIJOKE OLUBUSOLA

OLEJE JOHN AMEH

I, formerly known as EGBUNA ANTHONIA I. and EGBUNA ANTHONIA IFECHUKWUDE, now wish to be known and addressed as IYADI GRACE SINKWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

1. I formerly known and addressed as TIJANI IBIJOKE KAFAYAT now wish to be known and addressed as TIJANI IBIJOKE OLUBUSOLA .All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABAH CLEMENT AKOR now wish to be known and addressed as OLEJE JOHN AMEH .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADESHINA FEMI now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBESHIN WALIU OWOLABI .All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNBIYI MORENIKEMI OLUWAFOLAKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as ADENIRAN MORENIKEMI OLUWAFOLAKEMI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

YUSUF KABIRU LAWAL

EFFIONG ADAOBI NNENNA

EFFIONG ADAOBI NNENNA

MICHEAL FRANCA NKEM

FOWOWE OMOLARA OLADUNNI

I formerly known and addressed as EFFIONG CYNTHA ADAOBI now wish to be known and addressed as EFFIONG ADAOBI NNENNA .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MICHEAL NKEM OBINNA now wish to be known and addressed as MICHEAL FRANCA NKEM.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEYI OMOLARA now wish to be known and addressed as FOWOWE OMOLARA OLADUNNI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

AMADI QUEEN WOBIARAERI

DR.(MRS.) AHMED ADESINA VICTORIA OMOWUNMI

WILLIAMS AYODELE EFE

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF KABIRU LAWAL.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Times Law

s

Justice in this case is for both parties- the Plaintiffs and the Defendants. The court has a duty to guard against an attempt by any of the parties to make an ass of the law and its rules of procedure.

Ngwuta, JSC. in MFA and Anor v. Inongha (2014) 1-2 S.C. (Pt. 1) 43.

Discordant tunes trail selection of lawyers to apex court FEATURE

Lawyers and stakeholders in the justice sector were divided over the selection of some senior lawyers by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sit at the appellate courts, writes PETER FOWOYO. Lawyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday disagreed among themselves over selection of some senior lawyers by the lawyers’ umbrella body to sit as justices in the apex court.

The NBA under the leadership of Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), had recently forwarded names of six Senior Advocates of Nigeria and three other lawyers to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) for consideration for appointment as Supreme Court justices.

Among the candidates nominated were former president of the NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe (SAN), Yunus Ustas Usman (SAN), Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), Miannaya Aja Essien (SAN), Awa Uma Kalu (SAN), Professor Awalu Hamish Yadudu, Tajudeen Oladoja and Ayuba Giwa.

The 1999 constitution as amended provides that after 12 years of qualification as a lawyer, a person can be made a justice of the Court of Appeal. For Supreme Court justice, the minimum requirement is 15 years post-call.

However, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, in an interview he granted at his Abuja home, warned that lawyers must not be considered for the exalted position of Supreme Court Justice.

To him, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who want to come to the Bench, should start from the level of the High Court or at best at the level of the Court of Appeal.

“Part of the problem is not just the ability of the judge you want.

There is the issue of integrity.

If you have been a judge at the High Court or Court of Appeal before coming to the Supreme Court, you would have done cases where whether you are a cor-

Justice Walter Onnoghen, CJN

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, (SAN)

Yusuf Ali (SAN)

Pa. Tunji Gomez

rupt person would have been discovered. From your judgments also, the Court of Appeal would have known how good you are, if you are from the High Court.

“But if you are a legal practitioner, you haven’t written any judgment, so, there is no way you can be assessed in that respect.

Again, you are not under supervision of anybody when it comes to integrity and those are the two points why we felt anybody, who is at the Bar, who wants to go to the Supreme Court bench, should start from the lower Bench.”

On why Justice Augustine Nnamani, who was appointed same day with him to the Supreme court was able to hold sway, even though he, Justice Nnamani, came straight from the bar, Justice Uwais said: “For Justices Nnamani and Elias, who were appointed to the Supreme

Court, they made good judges.

In the case of Justice Elias, what happened was that Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, who was then Chief Justice, was to retire and General Yakubu Gowon was the Head of State. Elias was his Attorney General. General Gowon, I know and a lot of people who knew this would confirm it, looked around for a successor to Sir Adetokunbo Ademola but it wasn’t easy to get someone.

“That of Nnamani -it’s true he was Attorney General to General Obasanjo’s regime at that time. He practiced law in the East. Obasanjo decided to nominate him to become Justice of the Supreme Court, which was alright. Like I said earlier, when it comes to appointment from the Bar to the Bench, the issue is not whether the fellow is capable of doing the work, but it is the as-

sessment of his integrity.

“Justice Nnamani was in the government; at least it was possible for the authorities then to assess his integrity. But had it been he wasn’t Attorney General, there is a difference between somebody who is Attorney General who is working in the system and somebody who is outside the system completely.

Another octogenarian Lagosbased legal practitioner who has spent over five decades at the Bar, Pa Tunji Gomez, also corroborated Justice Uwais views, noting that the move is aimed at killing the morale of Justices of the Court of Appeal, who, according to him, had paid their due over the years and were awaiting their turn to be elevated to the apex court.

Pa Gomez called on the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen, and

the National Judicial Council to immediately put a halt to the process, stating that it was done without consulting majority of lawyers in the country.

His words: “I am sure that the majority of lawyers will not appreciate the movement by which the procedure is being put into effect.

“It is inimical to the judiciary; it is inimical to the profession.

Besides, it is an unfair trading because, let us face it, they are now going to bring SANs above Appeal Court Justices to the Supreme Court.

“The Court of Appeal Justices, who have been there for years, are being portrayed as unfit for the post of a Supreme Court Justice. A man who passed through the High Court, Court of Appeal, and now suddenly, you say he is not fit and you went to bring a lawyer.

“It is demeaning, it is a sign of condemnation to the Court of Appeal Justices that they are not fit. And that is very bad. It is bad because people won’t respect them anymore.

“It is bad because Judges of the High Court are being told that these SANs are superior to them, which is not true. It creates tremendous fears in the Judges of the High Court.

But other stakeholders in the justice sector, who spoke to Daily Times yesterday, said deserving lawyers should be moved on first appointment as appellate Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to strengthen the judiciary.

They cited, in support of their position, precedents where such appointments had produced eminent jurists like Dr. Teslim Elias, who on first appointment as a judge, became justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of Nigeria. They also mention Dr. Augustine Nnamani, who on first appointment became a Supreme Court justice and illuminated the law reports with his awesome pronouncements.

Mallam Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate and also member of the committee set up by the NBA to shortlist names of legal practitioners, who, no doubt, eminently qualified to sit on the bench as appellate justicee, however disagreed with the views canvassed

by Justice Uwais and Pa Gomez.

He said: “I am satisfied with what has been done. The lawyers we selected have integrity. In any event, anybody that is taken will still have to undergo screening because the matter will not end there.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,March 14,2017

27 Law

Nigeria is not yet a federation -Akintola Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola, a Senior Advocate, is an astute politician, who is also a holder of M.Sc in political science. Chief Akintola, a former chairman, Committee on Public Petitions and Judiciary, Oyo state and former deputy speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, in this interview with PETER FOWOYO, said it is wrong for the Nationa Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola l Judicial Council (NJC) to be appointing judges into the various states high courts across the federation. He also spoke on the nomination of senior lawyers into the appellate bench, the various electoral reforms committees and other sundry issues.

How best do you think the problem of congestion across various courts in Nigeria can be addressed?

In Nigeria, we love fire brigade approach in resolving issues that are very fundamental. The issue of congestion in courts cannot be removed from the structure of governance we have in place in the country.

We are operating a very crooked structure. If Nigeria is a federation, why do we need anybody to sit down in Abuja and be appointing judges for the states in the name of the the National Judicial Council (NJC)? Ordinarily, each state should know his capacity and appoint judges in line with the work load and their capacity to pay. A situation where Lagos State that should have about 400 judges is having about 50 while state like Zamfara that does not have much is having 16, does not augur well for our justice system. When judges are appointed based on quarter system, that is the resultant effects.

In most states in the North West and North East, sharia courts hold sway above other civil courts. In those states, sharia courts should be given prominence over and above regular courts.

But, because we want to do everything in a uniform manner in Nigeria, such arrangements are jettisoned. We are not one but a country of diverse culture and background. It is a pity that we are not recognizing this and that is why a judge that is learned in sharia law, once he gets to the Appeal Court, is posted to Lagos to be sitting over maritme and shipping matter. What does he know about that? You posted a judge from Oyo State, who is well learned in the area of customary law and land matters to Sokoto state as an Appellate Court Justice. Is that not an aberration?

Some lawyers have argued that it is not all cases that should get to the appellate court. Do you share this view?

Yes, I do. There are cases that should not go beyond the state level that are being taken to the Appellate Court. All over the world, Supreme Court deals mainly in constitutional matters, but that is not obtainable in Nigeria. Matrimonial causes find their ways to the Supreme Court. The same thing with land, inheritance and chieftaincy matters.

The problem will persist until we change the structure we are operating. Each state of the federation must be allowed to develop at its own pace.

That is one of the principles of federalism. Even, the United States does not operate a uniform system.

In some states in the US, abortion is legalized while it is not so in other states. In order words, the peculiarities of each component parts that make up the United States of America is recognized.

The Court of Appeal was established by the Western Nigeria, being the pace setter and this was eventually embraced by the federal government. Its establishment was meant to clear congestion but when it was taken to the center, it now becomes an all comer affair. So, the fundamental thing is to restructure the country along federal line and all these problems will disappear.

If we cannot have state Court of Appeal, let us have regional ones. Do you know that of all the nine Justices of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, none of them is Yoruba. What type of anomaly is that? All these things are happening in an attempt to force us together, it cannot work. Ours is unity in diversity

and we must recognize our feelings. Our forefathers even recognized this fact. We must start to respect our differences and there will be a way out of all these problems.

Why do you think we are having ethnic crisis? It is because the settlers are not having respect for the locals where they settled. Can you imagine me as an Ibadan man and I found myself in Enugu. I now said I want to celebrate ‘Oro festival’, it cannot work because they will not allow me. Even though, I have constitutional right of movement, it cannot work. These are the kind of things that bring about communal clashes and we are not addressing it. So, what I am saying in essence is that there is absolute need for us to restructure the country along the lines of our peculiarities.

How do you see the nomination of some senior lawyers by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for appointment into the Supreme Court Bench?

Well, people are entitled to their own opinion. But, those of us who practiced law, not on the pages of newspapers, but who moved in and out of court everyday, know ourselves and we know it is the right thing to do. This is not the first time we are having lawyers being nominated to the Appellate Court’s bench. In 2004, some of us were invited but we turned it down. Members of the Bar were invited by Justice Abdullahi, the then president of the Court of Appeal.

So, it is not new.

What do you think can be done to address the concerns over the falling standard of law practice in Nigeria?

Well, on the issue concerning the legal profession, I don’t air my view on the pages of newspapers. My views are well known to the members of the Bar and the committee set up by the NBA. Even, the issue of tackling corruption at the Bar is part of the work assigned to the committee and I would not want to comment on it.

How do you view the Senator Ken Nnamani electoral reform committee that is pushing for a law that will make it impossible for anyone whose election is being challenged at the tribunal to be sworn-in until the final determination of the matter?

In the first place, there is no point setting up another reform committee on election when the Uwais report is still gathering dust and no one is interested in implementing it. But because in Nigeria we love moving one step forward and taking several steps backward. What is wrong with the Uwais report? I will always stand by the Uwais report. If we want the country to move forward, let us bring back the report and implement the recommendations contained therein hook, line and sinker. The Uwais report has covered everything that are needed to be done for us to have things done the way it should be done. As far as I am concerned, if Nigeria is serious, let’s go back to the Uwais report.

Would you agree with a statement credited to the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, that the current recession in the country is largely due to corruption?

Everything that needs to be said by me concerning the issue of corruption in the country has been said. I even presented paper on the issue. The same position has even been presented to the Presidency. I delivered the paper at the University of Ibadan since 2010 and is still very much relevant till today. There are a num-

Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola, ()

Apart from the president, do you know how many Nigerians are abroad now treating one ailment or the other ... the fact is that the presidency is an institution, Buhari is just a symbol of the presidency and in his absence, someone else has been occupying the position. ber of suggestions for a radical change in the country but sadly, there is no political will on the part of those in power to carry it out. To fight corruption in Nigeria, we don’t need rocket science, what is needed is just the political will. There are enough laws in this country for us to fight corruption. We are focusing mainly on the EFCC and ICPC Act when there are other laws that are even much more potent than those ones. The problem is that most of those in position of authority in this country are also culpable and as such, they cannot go the whole hog in the graft war. The laws are there for us to apply without breaching the constitution or use extra-judicial means

Some NBA branches are pushing for a law that will make it mandatory for every public office holder to publicly declare their health status before being sworn into office in view of the furore generated by the health status of the president. What is your take on this?

I don’t know how that will not run contrary to the principle of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The issue of health is a private matter. We might need to amend the Constitution if we must have such a law.

How long does the law allow the president to be away from work?

I think everybody is entitled to his privacy. The president of the country is human and can fall sick anytime like you and I. The fact is that governance in the country has not stopped running despite the president’s absence. The presidency is an institution and is not about any individual. The acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, is working and is doing a good job.

The National Assembly is working and government is also working at all levels. So, what is the problem?

Those that were showing concern have nothing to do. Many Nigerians are idle and instead of getting something to do, they are unnecessarily being anxious about non issue.

Apart from the president, do you know how many Nigerians are abroad now treating one ailment or the other? The president is not the only notable figure in the country. Do you know how many governors, ministers, commissioners and judges that have travelled out on health ground? The fact is that the presidency is an institution, Buhari is just a symbol of the presidency and in his absence, someone else has been occupying the position. We now have an acting president and we should work with him.

The constitution is very clear on this issue. I don’t see how the health challenge of one person should hold the entire country to ransom. Even if he had spent 60 days as being speculated, he can extend his vacation. We cannot apply one section of the law in isolation of the other.

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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I, formerly known and addressed as OGUEJIOFOR PETER ANIJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUEJIOFOR PETER ANI . All former documents remain valid .Banks and General public should please take note.

UMEH COLLINS CHINONSO.

ANTHONY IKECHUKWU OKELUE

I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR CHINWENDU FRANK, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH COLLINS CHINONSO. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

purposes, national electoral commission banks and general public take note.

OLUSOLA HEPHZIBAH AGBOOBA.

I formerly known as GOLOBA QUL THUMI ABOSEDE wish to be known and addressed as GOLOBA KALETUMI ABOSEDE .All former documents remain valid, General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DAVID ONWUGHAI, now wish to be known and addressed as AGHOLOR DAVID. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known as Miss.

Rachel Ewere Idiaghe, now wish to be known and called as Mrs. Rachel Ewere Ogunlana.

All former documents remain valid. General public note.

MRS ADENIYI KATE

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS OTOKITI SALAMI KATE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADENIYI KATE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

That my name was wrongly written as ABDULLAI SHAKIRUDEEN ADEOYE. The correct name is ABDULLAI SHAKIRU ADEOYE. All other document remain valid.

Sterling Bank and all authorities concern should please take note.

I formerly known as AIGBOGUN OSATOHANMWEN PATRICK wish to be known and addressed as OSATOHANMWEN PATRICK AIGBOGUN. All former documents remain valid, General public please take note.

OKE HAMMED OPEYEMI.

MRS. RACHEL EWERE OGUNLANA

I, formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY AMECHI ANIEKWE, now wish to be known and addressed as ANTHONY IKECHUKWU OKELUE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS OSHEWE MARY CHINWEOKWU I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE EDITH CHINWEOKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSHEWE MARY CHINWEOKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

I formerly known as ADEGBAMI OYENIKE ADEDAYO wish to be known and addressed as OKUNADE OYENIKE OLUWABUNMI ADEDAYO (NEE ADEGBAMI) .All former documents remain valid, General public please take note.

That I EVON PETERNWAIKE NNE UDO is the same person as PETERNWAIKE NNE UDO. All documents/ Credentials bearing these names remain valid, general public please take note.

AGBOJEY LUCY ISHORNETENG.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AGBOJE PRECIOUS ISHORNETING. DATE OF BIRTH 1993 now wish to be known and addressed as AGBOJEY LUCY ISHORNETENG. DATE OF BIRTH 1992. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODULAJA ANTHONIA ADEWUNMI

ODULAJA ANTHONIA ADEWUNMI

Formerly known and addressed as OYINDAMOLA BANKOLE now wish to be known and addressed as SANNI OYINDAMOLA BANKOLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as FOLARIN ANTHONIA ADEWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as ODULAJA ANTHONIA ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

OZOUDE ANTHONY ANINWOZUDE

This to inform the general public that my name EZEOKEKE INNOCENT OGOCHUKWU was wrongly written when opening account but now wish to be corrected and addressed as EZEOKOYE INNOCENT OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

BASIL EDEM I, formerly known and addressed as BASSEY EDEM, now wish to be known and addressed as BASIL EDEM. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

name is HUSSEIN AMMOURI and not HUSSEIN ANNOURI as was mistakenly written in my First Bank Domicilary Account.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UMONDIA LISA EHIWE I, formerly known and addressed as UMANDIA LISA UGBERASE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMONDIA LISA EHIWE. All former documents remain valid. UBA and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANI OZOUDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOUDE ANTHONY ANINWOZUDE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

AKUBUILO OBIAGELI FRANCISCA I, formerly known and addressed as EZEH OBIAGELI FRANCISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUBUILO OBIAGELI FRANCISCA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

At Cathedral Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Oguta on Saturday, 18th March, 2017. Time: 11:00am

29

News 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

TNFI DG hails Tincan Island Customs on increased revenue generation ÎÎÎThe director general of

Think Nigeria First Initiative (TNIF), Ambassador Abubakar Tsanni has commended the Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Command for generating a daily revenue of N1 billion since the beginning of March 2017.

Such a feat, Amb. Tsanni noted, could only be achieved by a well-coordinated and focused leader that has the interest of the country at heart.

Tsanni described the Area Controller, Yusuf Bashar as a certified trade facilitator that had brought a lot of changes and innovation to the entire command. He urged the Area Controller to continue with the impressive record, saying that if such feat can be sustained, the command can meet its monthly target of N25.4 billion and yearly target of N303 billion respectfully.

Meanwhile, the director general of Think Nigeria First Initiative (TNFI), Tsanni has said that the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical trip abroad is good news to the great people of Nigeria.

Tsanni while welcoming the president, prayed God to

Jos DISCO appeals to customers on data capture for newly installed pre-paid meters Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎJos Electricity Distribution

Plc (JED), has appealed to its teeming customers in Benue, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states not to be despaired as a result of the delay in the capturing process upon installation of the new prepaid meters in their premises.

The Spokesman of the company, Dr Friday Adakole Elijah in a statement made available to our correspondent, disclosed that JED was working assiduously towards ameliorating the situation.

The Company according to him has deployed more personnel and materials to all the affected areas in order to stem the tide, stressing that in a couple of days the delay would become a thing of the past.

The Company urges its esteemed customers to remain law abiding by not indulging in act of bye pass of meters, stressing that any customer found culpable of energy theft, Illegal connection and vandalisation of the network and other illegalities would be prosecuted according to law.

grant him total healing, saying Buhari’s return has rekindled the hope for a better change in Nigeria.

He therefore, called on every citizens irrespective of religious or ethnic background to join in praying for the total recovery of the President, peace and development of the entire country.

He said: “As citizens we have to remain patriotic, committed and pray for our leaders at any given time because they are humans and bound to fall sick as every other normal human being.”

He enjoined other citizens to follow the example of the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari who organised a prayer for the speedy recovery of Mr President saying “We need to pray for him because he is our president.”

He also commended the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Izala Islamic group as well as other well-meaning citizens who have continued to pray for the president, urging everyone to support the APC led administration of President Buhari in rebuilding Nigeria.

He noted that the prayers

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÎÎÎA mother of

Ambassador Abubakar Tsanni and good wishes from those who have been praying for Mr President’s recovery has yielded positive result as he addressed the nation on his return.

He extolled the exemplary leadership style of Buhari as

he transmitted power to his Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, adding, “this shows unity of purpose in governance.”

The TNFI’s boss said that President Buhari’s anticorruption drive is yielding

positive result as the federal government has continue to recover huge sums of money from treasury looters, also commended the Nigerian military for decimating Boko haram and other forms of militancy in the country.

Ife crisis: It’s not a clash, we’re attacked, Hausa leader cries Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÎÎÎThe Sheriki Hausawa

of Ife, Alhaji Abubakar Madagali, has alleged that there was no clash in IleIfe but an attack on Hausa indigenes by Yorubas.

He said this at a press conference organised by the Ife Progressive Forum/ Action Council on Monday in Ile-Ife. The Sheriki explained that many of his followers had their houses razed, properties damaged, secured injuries and even lost their lives.

The Hausa head in IleIfe, who cried while responding to questions from journalists, said, “The Hausas are peace lovers, the people that left are those that came here to seek greener pastures initially not those that sees this place as their homes.

It is not a clash between us and the Yorubas. We were attacked, our houses were

One dies as buildings collapse in Ogun

razed. We are highly devastated. There is no need to look for the root of the crisis again. All we want is peace.”

He, however, assured that his members would not retaliate, noting that they see their misfortune as ordained by Allah (God).

He added, “We believe that everything that happened to us has been ordained. We hope that this kind of incidence will not happen again in Ile-Ife and Nigeria as a whole. Even when we travel (to the North) to visit our people, they ask us when are we going back home (Ile-Ife).

We have been attacked but we are not going to retaliate.”

On his part, President of Ife Progressive Forum/ Action Council, Comrade Lawrence Awowoyin, argued that the crisis was masterminded by hoodlums.

According to him, a committee has been set-up to

look into the root of the crisis and find a lasting solution to it.

He clarified that there was no political undertone to the crisis but land matters between a Yoruba family and Hausa community.

He said: “It is in view of the above, the entire citizenry of Ife-land wish to express our abhorrence to the unfortunate clash between certain individuals around Sabo area of Ile-Ife which led to loss of lives and property. The love of Ife people towards all ethnic groups from time immemorial is not in doubt.

“The crisis was an offshoot of a misunderstanding between two individuals at Sabo area of Ile-Ife. The misunderstanding was unfortunately hijacked by hoodlums in the area.

“In view of this, the fracas did not emanate from Ife community but was masterminded by hoodlums from the two aggreved

individuals.”

He appealed to security agents to be fair and objective in handling the issues at hand so as not to aggravate the existing tension in Ife Land.

He added, “We condemn in its entirety any form of ethnic clash, militancy and insurgency anywhere in Nigeria. It is our position that we are all creatures of Almighty God, hence we are all citizens of the world and we abhor bloodletting in all ramifications.

three, Mrs. Modupe Bankole, on Saturday lost her life following the partial collapse of a building in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The victim, a mother of three, died when the concrete railings of a storey building in Olomore area of Abeokuta caved in and collapsed on her.

Also, what could have been a major disaster was also averted at another location in Abeokuta when another building under construction collapsed at Leme area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Unlike the Olomore incident, no casualty was recorded as the contractor handling the building on seeing the defects of the construction ordered for its total pull down.

The Olomore incident, which happened on Saturday evening had ignited panic among residents.

Tenants were seen packing their belongings out of the building when our correspondent visited the scene on Monday.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, Yetunde Dina, who also visited the scene, said the state government would investigate the incident.

Dina stated that the ministry would deploy engineers to the site and examine whether the structure was still in good condition or not.

She said the remaining structure may be pulled down if found defective.

The husband of the victim, Mr Samuel Bankole, who is a teacher at the Army Children School, Lafenwa, Abeokuta told our correspondent that the couple had been living in the building for the past 12 years.

He disclosed that he was preparing his lesson note when the incident suddenly happened.

According to him, the owner of the building died about two and half years ago and the house was being managed by a caretaker.

PURSUING GRACE MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Act , 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Mr. John Bako - Chairman 2. Barr. (Mrs) Veronica Bwaigu Fungo -Secretary .3 . Mrs. Blessing Bako -Worship Director 4. Pastor Grace Jacob - Prayer/Evangelism Director.

5. Emmanuel Simon. -Trainning/Curriculum Director 6. Mr. Philemon Abdul. -Treasurer.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world 2. Teaching the word of God to youth.

3. Guiding them in the discovery of gifts, talents to fulfil their purpose.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED BY :SECRETARY

a

Obasi shines in Shenzen debut

Obasi

N

Obasi

igeria’s Chinedu Obasi made a big impact on his official debut for Chinese side Shenzen FC on Sunday, scoring two goals in their 6-0 win over Dalian Tran-

scendence.

The Super Eagles attacker scored his first, and his side’s second, in the 32nd minute, finishing with a left-footed shot inside the penalty area.

He netted his second goal

to make it 3-0 early in the second half, this time with a well-placed right-footed shot.

A hat-trick for Harold Preciado and a goal for Cameroon’s Aboubakar Oumarou completed the scoring for

Shenzen, who are managed by former Ivory Coast coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

Obasi, 30, signed a oneyear contract with an option to renew with Shenzen back in January.

Page 31

I

mo State Cricket team emerged the winner of 7th edition of the South-East Cricket Championship tagged Chuma Anosike Cup when it defeated Anambra Cricket team A (1) by 2 wickets.

Imo batted first and scored 113 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Obidike Obiefuna had 39 runs off 35 balls, Okere Chike scored 27 runs off 12 balls in 24 minutes, Rickson Teteh got 19 runs off 19 balls in 98 minutes, Ogbue Prince 16 runs off 12 balls in 1: 7 minutes.

Anambra’s Chukwudi Mgbojikwe took 4 wickets in 4 overs, Adaogu Chisom caught 2 wickets in 3 overs, Emmanuel Ifediora, Ezeaguba Chijioke , Nnonka Frederick all took 1 wicket each.

In the second inning, Anambra, scored 97 runs

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

all out in 19.4 overs, Obidike Obiefuna scored 35 runs off 40 balls in 50 minutes, Ifediora Emmanuel scored 15 runs off 20 balls in 1 hour 7 minutes .

Imo’s Onwunrili Nnaemeka took 4 wickets in 4 overs, Onwunrili Chukwudi had 3 wickets in 3 overs, Ogbue Prince took 3 wickets in 2.4 overs to hand Imo state the cup for the first time.

Imo cricketers lift Chuma Anosike Cup

Competition Stand outs are: Bagshaw Miebaka of Ebonyi state won bowler of the series, while Fielder of the series went to Pascal Okoye of Anambra 1.

Best batman of the series went to Onyenka Tabansi of Anambra 1, Ogbue Prince of Imo State emerged Wicket keeper of the series, while Douglas Humble of Ebonyi won cricketer of the series.

Abia State won best behaved team.

Victorious Imo cricket team at the just concluded South-East Cricket Championship.

Rangers sign 5-year ticket deal with Global Lottery Moses Oyediran, Enugu

A

He has represented Nigeria in the Olympics, Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup, and has featured for the likes of Hoffenheim, Schalke and AIK in his club career.

s part of measure to ensure prudent management of resources, as well as enhance its financial base, Nigeria’s League Champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu, has signed a 5-year contract deal with a private firm, Global Lottery Nigeria Limited, to handle sale of tickets during her international and home matches.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony at Rangers administrative office in Enugu, the club’s General Manager, Chief Executive officer (CEO) , Christian Chukwu expressed happiness with the development which he described a groundbreaking deal that will go a long way in enhancing the club’s financial base.

He added that the involvement of the private sector in the development of football in the country was a welcome development.

The ex Super Eagles coach said: “I

want to express my joy over what has happened today because this is a deal that has brought fresh air to Rangers.

“This is the kind of thing we have been preaching to see happen over the years, and I’m very happy that my club has been able to go through this process of embracing the private sector to help in the growth of the club”.

Rangers central attacker, Edoh Ocheme

In his comment, elated Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Global Lottery Nigeria Limited Innocent Dura, thanked the Enugu State Government and Rangers Management for giving his company the chance to work with them.

Dura disclosed that plans are in top gear for the introduction of some innovations which would soon be unveiled as a way of encouraging the fans to come to the stadium to watch Rangers’ matches.

Meanwhile, Enugu Rangers central attacker, Edoh Ocheme has said his side are capable of upturning the huge deficit against the Egyptian giants, Zamalek Sporting Club.

The Nigerian champions went down 1-4 to the Mediterranean Knights in Sunday’s CAF Champions League first round fixture clash at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.

Ocheme however admitted that the goal margin is quite massive but insisted that nothing is impossible in the round leather game.

Ajayi set to miss Bidvest Wits clash

E

gypt Premier League (EPL) giants Al Ahly have revealed that their Nigerian striker Junior Ajayi sustained an injury during their clash with Bidvest Wits.

Al Ahly edged out South African Absa Premiership side Wits 1-0 in the 2017 CAF Champions League first-round first-leg clash in Egypt on Saturday.

Ajayi, who was part of the Nigeria squad at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was substituted three minutes after the hour-mark with Al Ahly already leading.

The Red Devils have since released the following statement following their narrow victory over the Clever Boys.

“Ajayi suffers from a muscle strain after sustaining a knock during the 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits in the first leg of the CAF Champions League round of 32 on Saturday,” read a statement from Ahly.

The 21-year-old forward could miss the second encounter which is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa this weekend.

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Editor Daily: ROSE MOSES

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

VOL. 2. NO. 319

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Stallions name ‘killer’ squad against Nigeria Aristide Bance tops Burkina Faso’s squad for Nigeria friendly.

LBA reveals February shortlists for NPFL ANDREW EKEJIUBA The League Bloggers Awards (LBA), on Monday, announced an eight-man shortlist to vie for the Manager and Player’s awards respectively for the month of February in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The list include four managers and four players from the top division in the country.

Abubakar Bala of Tornadoes, Ladan Bosso of El-Kanemi Warriors, Abdu Maikaba of Akwa United and MFM FC’s Fidelis Ilechukwu are the four men in the race for February’s manager award while Moses Ebiye, Sunday Adetunji, Samuel Mathias and Ernest Governor are listed for the player’s prize.

Tornadoes head coach Bala helped his club to three wins, including a 1-0 win at struggling Remo Stars. Bala also led his team to a 1-1 draw against Katsina United in one of their three home games in February.

The performance earned Bala and Tor-

nadoes 10 points despite a two-nil loss at Plateau United.

Bosso’s El-Kanemi Warriors were in fine fettle in the month under review. Out of five matches played, they won four including a 1-0 success at Abia Warriors. Their other wins were at home against former Nigerian champions Enyimba, Gombe United, Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United.

It was a period of resurgence for Akwa United under Maikaba as he guided the Promise Keepers to three wins and a draw at Gombe United in five matches in February.

Their only defeat was a 0-1 loss at Enyimba.

Ilechukwu had just three games to oversee for MFM FC and had a decent return considering that two of the games were played on the road. MFM won 1-0 at Sunshine Stars and then stunned champions Enugu Rangers 2-1 at their Agege Stadium ground with their only loss (at ABS FC sandwiched by the wins).

ABS defender Governor was very influ-

ential in his team’s outing in February. He put in a massive shift in defence at Kano Pillars despite their 0-1 loss and replicated same performance when his club edged MFM FC 1-0 in a home game. Governor then showed he has a scoring dimension to his game when he netted twice at a difficult Akure Stadium venue where he earned a point for his team in a 2-2 draw with Sunshine Stars.

With three goals and an assist, ElKanemi’s Mathias was one of the top picks in February. All three of his goals were at home against Gombe United and Nasarawa United while he provided the assist for their famous 1-0 win at Abia Warriors in midFebruary.

Adetunji got among the shortlists for February’s prize on the back of scoring all of Abia Warriors’ four goals in February in five matches. The former 3SC man scored two times at home against Gombe United and Sunshine Stars while the other two were at Nasarawa United and Akwa United.

Obasi shines in Shenzen debut P 31

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Burkina Faso have named a list of 25 players ahead of next week’s international friendly against Nigeria in London.

The Stallions squad is made up of players that featured at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nation in Gabon – where they defeated Ghana to place third.

The West African team face Morocco first on March 24 before facing Gernot Rohr’s men as they prepare for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.

Their full squad includes: Germain Sanou, Kouakou Hervé Koffi, Aboubacar Sawadogo, Kabore Paterson , Oueraogo Dylan, Paro Issouf, Malo Patrick, Dayo Issoufou, Coulibaly Yacouba, Yago Steeve, Traore Razack, Sare Bakary, Toure Ibrahim, Guira Adama and Kabore Charles.

Others are Traore Alain, Yabre Meyker, Stephane Aziz, Bayala Cyrille, Koura Anthony, Prejuc, Nakoulma, Aristide Bance, Traore Bertrand and Banou, Sirima Sina.

The Abia Times

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Igbo language is too big to go AT 4 into extinction – Eze Ibeakanma

Implement healthcare reform AT 3 act, Group urges ABSG ALGON hails Ikpeazu over council election ÏÏÏ The Association of

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle) flanked from left by Managing Consultant, Phillips Consulting, Mr. Olufunso; Partner, Phillips Consulting; Mr. Oluwaseun Ngonnase; Chairman/CEO, Phillips Consulting, Mr. Foluso Phillips; and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Okochukwu, when the management of Phillips Consulting paid Gov.Ikpeazu a courtesy visit in Umuahia...recently

ABSG approves palliative work on Ibeku-Bende-Ohafia road Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ Abia State Government says

it has approved the undertaking of palliative work on the IsiekeIbeku/Bende axis of the BendeOhafia-Arochukwu federal road to alleviate the plight of the people.

The palliative work is to cover the first five kilometers of the road.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this while speaking when he re-

ceived at the Government House, Umuahia, the factional executive of the Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association led by Chief Emeka Enyiazu, directing also that the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro, to instruct state Ministry of Public Utilities to assess the cost of revitalising the long abandoned Ugba Ibeku regional water scheme.

He announced that four transformers will be given to the community to improve electricity and

promised to look at the UmuaguEmede- Amaoforo erosion site and Umuchime River Bridge for attention.

The Governor appreciated Ibeku people for their support for his administration and called on the group to work closely with the government.

In his speech, the factional President General of Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association, Chief Emeka Enyiazu, appreciated the giant strides of the Gover-

nor so far in spite of the economic downturn and series of litigations against him and thanked him for fixing some bad roads in the community including the Ukome, Ossah and Aba roads among others as well as for appointing their sons and daughters into his government.

Also speaking, the chairman, Ibeku Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Henry Ezekwem, assured the Governor of the support of Ibeku people at all times.

Foundation settles school, exam bills of indigent pupils in Abiriba

ÏÏÏ A non-governmental organ-

The Abia

T E A M

isation, Bourdex Foundation, has settled the school fees of some indigent pupils of Nmaju Memorial Primary School, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

While making the financial assistance to the school recently, founder of Bourdex Foundation,

Chief David Ogba Onuoha, said he was touched by the plight of the indigent pupils in the community as well as in the senatorial district and decided to provide the financial assistance to enable them acquire the basic education.

Chief Ogba, who is the Ugoena of Abiriba and who was repre-

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Sunday Nwakanma

sented by the Chairman of the foundation and former member, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ndukwe Ojukwu, also paid for the First Leaving Certificate examination and that of the common entrance examination of the indigent pupils of the school.

Responding, Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Mercy Okafor, thanked Chief Onuoha for his humanitarian gesture.

The Headmistress, whose joy knew no bounds, maintained that the best gift parents, care

givers, guardians or anybody can bequeath to a child is education and called on the well-to-do in the society to emulate the example of Chief Onuoha.

Recalling what led to the gesture, Chief Onuoha, wrote in his Facebook: “Last week Friday, a group of children visited “Rich House” my house in Abiriba; I had just returned from Lagos and was resting. They were welcomed but we’re told I was sleeping having just returned from the airport but they insisted on seeing me.

Local Gover nment of Nigeria (ALGON) has congratulated the Gover nor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for conducting a peaceful local gover nment election in the state.

In a letter addressed to the Governor and signed by the National President of ALGON, Hon. Ibrahim A. Karaye, the group said that Gover nor Ikpeazu’s courage in conducting the election that other governors shy away from, stands him (Ikpeazu) out amongst others after a decade of inability of past administrations in the state to conduction local gover nment elections.

The letter reads: “On behalf of National Executive Council (NEC) members of Board of Trustees (BOT) and entire membership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), we write to heartily congratulate Your Excellency on the recently concluded peaceful local gover nment election in Abia State.

“Your courage in conducting an election most of your colleagues shy away from, stands you out amongst your peers and we commend you for taking an action that will further entrench and deepen our local democracy as well as enhance good gover nance and service delivery to the grass root.

“We pray that other Gover nors shall borrow this good practice from your example and work in line with the constitution that they swore to uphold.”

It would be recalled that Abia State under Governor Ikpeazu conducted the local gover nment election in December 2016, after nearly a decade that past administrations in the state failed to conduct elections at the third tier of gover nment.

The Abia Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Kick-start of Ntigha Inland Container Dry Port excites council boss ÏÏÏ The Chairman of

Isialangwa South Local Government Area, Ginger Onwusibe, has expressed his gratitude to Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State on returning to site to kick-start work at the Ntigha Inland Container Dry Port.

Onwusibe made the commendation when the chairman of the State Implementation Committee of the project, Architect Dan Nwankwo, led the concessionaires and their partners on the inspection of the project site and thanked the land donors, pointing out that the people are desirous of the project because of its economic importance.

In his speech, chairman of the State Implementation Committee of the project, Architect Dan Nwankwo expressed his happiness that at last, the project has become a reality.

He commended Governor

Okezie Ikpeazu for his interest in kick-starting the project during his tenure.

He thanked the land donors and every other group that has contributed to the kick off of the dry port.

In their separate speeches, the South East Coordinator of the Nigeria Shippers Council, Mrs. Ify Okolue; Phil Nkemdirim of EastGate Ltd and Bonny James, who is the President of BRJ USA, thanked the governor, the chairman of Isialangwa South LGA, and the land donors for their interest in the project.

Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers from Ntigha clan, Eze J. N. Nwabeke expressed gratitude to God and Gov. Ikpeazu, the concessionaires and their partners for realising the project.

The group later visited the Mbawsi railway station where a connecting line to the Ntigha Dry Port will be constructed.

3 supporters of factional PG have died mysteriously, says Ibeku Prime minister ÏÏÏ Three people who supported a

factional President General of Ibeku Egwu Asaa Developemnt Association led by Emeka Enyiazu are said to have died mysteriously after taking part in crowning the factional President General.

The Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, High Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu, popularly known as BAWAS, disclosed this chilling news to newsmen in Umuahia, stating that the latest death who was buried recently also died after a cluster of bees came to rest in his house in Ajata Ibeku.

This issue came after the Ibeku Development Association election that took place on December 26, 2016 produced two President Generals, Princewill Ukaegbu, a former Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area and Emeka Enyiazu, also a former Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area and personal assistant to the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Theodore Orji, who is also from Ibeku, all claiming to be the authentic President General.

According to Chief Akwukwuegbu, “because they lost the election, they went to court and obtained an injunction that Princewill Ukaegbu should stop parading himself as the President General of Ibeku. The injunction was for seven days and has been vacated by the court through the instrumentality of our Lawyer who is a longstanding legal Adviser of Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association”.

Bawas said that of the 31 persons that were sanctioned by the paramount ruler of Ibeku, Ogurube the IV, Eze Sir Onuoha, the remaining 17 people asked not cleared by the court

from appeasing the Ogurube Ibeku “must do that, whether they like it or not. So far, three of the people who stood for the opposition after the Ogurube had made his proclamation, have died. One was buried last week after the beehive surrounded his house. He married from Ugba Ibeku and is from Ajata Ibeku”.

But the real people in Ibeku are supporting Princewill Ukaegbu, he said, regretting that members of the opposition who are in government have stopped paying the Ogurube Ibeku the monthly stipend due him as a traditional ruler in the state and who stated that the Ogrube is on suspension, but expressed his relief that some Ibeku people are paying the Ogrube more than what government pays him.

He advised Ibeku people who are joining tradition with politics to respect the Ibeku tradition and the Ogurube Ibeku, as well as follow the truth as after two years, there will be another election for a President General in Ibeku land, adding “if you want to contest, start doing the good things for people not to challenge you”.

Reports have it that after the botched election that produced the two factions, the man who poured libation for Emeka Enyiazu as the President General on December 26, 2016 died on the 31st of that same month, while another who prayed for the same factional President General died later.

The two President Generals have been functioning side by side, while the immediate past President General was said to have handed over all the concerns the office, including the association’s bus, seal, and keys to the Isieke Town Hall as well as the certificate of incorporation to an election he personally supervised and which produced Princewill Ukaegbu.

Nigerian Army expresses readiness to battle crime in Abia Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Army says it

is prepared to tackle the multiples of crimes going on in Aba, its environs and other parts of the state.

The new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu State, Maj. Gen. Adamu Abubakar, disclosed this in Umuahia when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, stating that his men are well prepared for that.

While disclosing that the Nigerian Military has re-enforced its 14 Brigade in Ohafia for the task ahead, Gen. Abubakar thanked the state governor for the support he has been giving the army, stating that the military is aware of the security situation in Aba. Responding, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu applauded

Nigerian Army for providing security in the country, especially in the North East zone, stating that Aba has been the home of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria, hence the need for adequate security.

He advised the GOC to collaborate with his counterpart in Port Harcourt in providing security at the border communities between Abia and Rivers states, noting that criminals attack Aba through the border towns and commended the military and other security agencies for remaining resolute in providing security in Aba and other parts of the state.

Ikpeazu, consequently, called on the Federal Government to engage technology and other scientific equipment in battling crime in the country with the use of tracking gadgets, disclosing that his administration in Abia has made the op-

erations of security agencies in the state easy by providing for them.

He tasked the military and other security agencies in the state to redouble their efforts in providing adequate security to the state and their ability to respond to challenges whenever such challenges arise.

The Abia State governor also solicited their assistance to begin to look into the relationship between the proliferation of the hideouts for narcotics, drunks and other violent crimes as when the criminals make inroads to a new environment, the first place they go is where the drugs are being sold.

“So wherever we have issues with black spots for drugs, we seek your assistance to dislodge them as they would not get a foothold in the state for them to launch any serious assault on our people”, he said.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (r), receiving from Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, the Award of Best Governor on Security Matters, presented to him by Security Watch Africa in South Africa...recently

Mrs. Ikpeazu provides limbs to 140 amputees ÏÏÏ Wife of Abia State Governor,

Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, last week Wednesday, gave hope to more than 140 amputees.

Speaking while handing over artificial limbs to the beneficiaries in Umuahia, Mrs. Ikpeazu urged beneficiaries to be courageous on whatever they are doing and prayed against anything that will lead to further amputation.

She expressed her hope that the artificial limbs will help them live normal life and thanked Governor Ikpeazu and other Abians for assisting her pet project, Vicar Hope Foundation, to impact on the lives of the indigent in the society.

Speaking earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Nnenna Chikezie, said the occasion was to give hope the less privileged through Vicar Hope Foundation (VHF) and thanked Mrs. Ikpeazu for the gesture.

She disclosed that Vicar Hope Foundation is in collaboration with Tonaram Foundation to give mobility to the amputees.

In her speech, Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Chinedu Brown, expressed her gratitude “over the outing by VHF, stating that the gesture has gone a

long way to take care of the physically challenged in the state.

With this assistance, she said the beneficiaries were no longer physically challenged, but can now live normal life.

In his speech, Commissioner for Health, John Ahukanna, who was represented by the Medical Director in-charge of Abia State Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Uwa Iweha, said with the limbs, the beneficiaries can now work and stop begging.

According to him, they can now drive vehicles, stating that Mrs. Ikpeazu did that to make the beneficiaries live normal lives.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

3 The Abia Times

US clerics lay foundation for media centre, seek empowerment of indigents ÏÏÏ Three United State of America-

Abia State PDP chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo (middle); Executive Chairman, Ikwuano LGA, Mrs. Ngozi Oji,(First right) and others rejoicing with Onuigbo when he marked his 63rd birthday recently

Implement healthcare reform act, Group urges ABSG Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ Abia State Government has

been called upon to implement the Primary Health Care (PHC) Reform Act 2015 without further delay.

Making this call during a oneday training/interaction with select journalists at Ovim in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the state on the imperatives of the reform recently, a coalition of civil society organisations, said the implementation of the act would assist the state to access huge financial grants from the Federal Government and foreign development partners.

The coalition urged the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, “to muster the political will to implement the reform,” in order to ensure an effective and efficient primary healthcare delivery in the state.

Highlighting some of the benefits the state will stand to lose should government continue to delay the implementation of the reform, the coordinator of the coalition and President, Dr. Ejike Orji Community Development Foundation, Dr. Ejike Orji, said the state would continue to lose about 10 million U.S. dollars (about N4.5 billion) annually from the National Health Act, “if the government failed to do the right thing.”

No health system, he said, can work in the state except the PHC is effective and functional,” as

PHCUOR reform was required for PHC to work in Nigeria.

Orji, who described the South East states as the worst in the reform process across the federation, with Abia, which had achieved less than 60 per cent, rated the best in the zone, however said 28 states of the federation had made giant strides in achieving total reform, adding that only Jigawa State had made 100 per cent success.

According to him, the essence of the media interaction was to draw government’s attention to the imperatives of putting PHCUOR in place for a more functional primary health care system.

The training featured a media

tour of two health centres in the area for an on-the-spot inspection of the available facilities on ground, where it was noticed that the two centres were faced with the challenge of erratic power supply and the lack of generating sets.

The centres were the community-owned health centre manned by a professional, Dr. Panama Walter, at the government-owned health centre at Amangele-ukwu and the Health Centre, Ovim, manned by a nurse and midwife, Mrs. Uloma Onwuso, where Dr. Panama Walter and Mrs. Uloma Onwuso disclosed that they work with lanterns at night, even while delivering women in labour.

based clergymen and an entrepreneurial business leader have laid the foundation of an international conference and media centre named after a philanthropic Ozuitem man, Jacob Ukeje Agwu, in Ozuitem in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

The visiting team included the Reverend Prof. Nkechi Madonna Adaleine Agwu of the Glorious Miracle Embassy International; Bishop Ebony Kirkland, the founder and CEO of Ebony Marketing Research, Inc.; Elder Pastor Bernadette Logan of the Union United Methodist Church, South Ozone Park and Nicole Langlaise, a fashion designer, an entrepreneur, global business leader and motivational speaker.

Speaking during the occasion held recently, Rev. Prof. Nkechi Agwu said the centre was aimed at training young journalists and story tellers as the centre will also house a centre for storytelling for digital mother storytelling, including other entrepreneurial centres for GSM repairs, and a centre where young ones will be helped to discover their hidden talents and build inventions.

She said under the umbrella of World Wide Association of Small Churches, the centre and the organisation will offer empowerment to the indigent in the society, the youths and all who will be interested in being assisted in being creating wealth for him or herself, as well as help fund small churches and helping them grow.

Rev. Prof. Agwu, who is the Chief Facilitator, a Professor of Mathematics for over 40 years, said the centre was named after her father, Jacob Ukeje Agwu, who through the tutelage of his mother, became one who selflessly assisted other people to be what they are presently in the society, describing her grandmother as one who was the first to build a shopping plaza at Alayi, also in Bende LGA. Earlier in a press interaction, Rev. Prof. Agwu explained that they were in the country, especially in Abia State to see how to partner with the

state government to mover the state forward, as well as to foster mutual relationship with all in the state.

Speaking while laying the foundation of the centre, Bishop Ebony Kirkland expressed her belief and the need to serve God in a more profound way through sharing her talents and expertise in expanding and working on behalf of the kingdom.

Earlier in their interaction with the press in Umuahia, Bishop Kirkland said she saw the zeal, brilliance and zealousness in the people of Nigeria, stating that the country is capable of launching Africa into international business world.

The group, she said, is also interested in “forwarding the gap between small churches and enabling them to rise”, including helping them to put up their vision through entrepreneurship, as well as “to see how to create economic development for Nigerian through resources and knowledge, coupled with their resource input using small churches as a medium to empower people”.

“We want to be global in our quest, thinking globally and acting locally”, Bishop Kirkland said, expressing her excitement at being in the country and stated that the group will also delve into schools development to inculcate traditional careers in construction and building, even for women.

In his opening address at the occasion in Agbua Ozuitem, in Bende LGA, the founder of the centre and Chairman, Hitto Communication Vendra, publishers of Bende Local analyst Newspaper, Comrade David Kalu added that the centre will conduct researches, seminars, conferences, retreat to support practicing journalists and students of mass communication.

He said the centre will also feature and support school children press clubs in primary and secondary schools “to motivate them to develop interest in the value of information gathering and dissemination from the grassroot” to serve as research bank and to help foreign journalists in their quests.

NCWS president urges prudency as Abia chapter inaugurates new exco ÏÏÏ The National President of

the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Chief Mrs. Gloria Laraba Shoda, has charged the new executive of the council in Abia State to be prudent and carry out its activities in peace, love and unity in order to promote the welfare of women.

This advice came after the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Abia State Chapter elected its 15-member executive officers recently that will pilot the affairs of the council for the next four years.

NCWS, she said, is undergoing re-branding in order to make it stronger and called on Nigerian women and organisations to par-

ticipate fully to bring the desired change as well as better lots of the women.

Speaking shortly before the election, wife of Abia State Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, noted that only peace and cooperation of members with leaders of the association will move it forward.

Mrs. Ikpeazu charged officials of the association to ensure positive change through their leadership in grassroots and urban areas and expressed her confidence in the ability of the electoral committee members to carry out the election accordingly, pointing out that the presence of the National Executives made the election more credible.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Chinedu Brown, charged the new leaders to ensure that their leadership programme will be proactive to uplifting of women affairs and support of the programme of Governor’s wife in the state.

The Commissioner advised the new executives to carry along those at the council areas and evolve activities that will attract other women sub-organisations to their umbrella.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Chikezie, extolled Abia women for their contributions to the growth of NCWS and advised those that lost in the elec-

tion to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.

In another remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chief (Mrs.) Nnenna Onwusogh, said that the election of new officers in the state will create opportunity for NCWS Abia State chapter to participate in their national activities or programmes, pointing out that State Executive of the association is expected to work in harmony with the wife of the State Governor to promote her pet-project.

In her valedictory address, the outgone State President of NCWS, Lady Ify Ezuruike, prayed for the new team to achieve more in order to grow the association from strength to strength.

The Abia Times 4

Interview

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Igbo language is too big to go into extinction – Eze Ibeakanma Eze Godfrey Chikwendu Ibeakanma, the Ezeukwu 1 is the traditional ruler of Ezeleke Autonomous Community, in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, and member of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, South East Council of Traditional Rulers and member, National Council of Traditional Rulers. Recently, the traditional ruler and the people of Ezeleke Autonomous Community celebrated their prestigious annual Ekpe festival. The traditional ruler in this interview with SUNDAY NWAKANMA, speaks on the potentials of the Ekpe festival as a tourist attraction and the impact of westernization on the Igbo language among others.

Excerpts: Ekpe in Ezeleke Though it is our cultural day and we have two or three cultural ceremonies, we usually uphold and respect each year but of them all. Ekpe is the king and more so, the festival is of the highest class in the sense that we have the “oke ekpe” (the female type) and the “nne ekpe” (the male type). The one we celebrated last week is the “oke ekpe” which comes up once biannually.

Origin of Ekpe in Ezeleke It is as old as the history of this community and transcends time and that is why nobody can say very effectively or tag a particular date to this festival. This is because it has been there. Our progenitors who migrated to this part of Igbo land some thousands of years back came with it. So, it goes beyond the records of modern history.

Significance of Ekpe The Ekpe is of great importance and is of enormous significance and careful observation showed that the population of the people has enlarged. A lot of our children within and outside the country are at home for this festival. This celebration is a tourist attraction and a celebration this community, the Ezeleke people can boast of. In addition to our children who are here to celebrate, there are still well-wishers and friends who are around to witness this festival. The festival is part of our identity and is like something that we cannot do without because without it, then I do not know if culturally if we will be able to boat of a festival or culture that Ezeleke people can be proud of. We are showcasing this even to the world and by the time this festival is over, our children in Diaspora will be calling or through the internet. Those

that couldn’t make it home definitely will be on the watch out to know precisely how the festival took place.

Ekpe ceremony meeting tourists’ standard Yes and that is where publicity comes in. Within our lean and limited resources, the community alone cannot project effectively to the world, this heritage. That is why we call on the state government to come in. In foreign countries like the west, the government comes in and that attracts even investors who do the promotion, highlight it in the internet, radio publicity or television. All these things take initial resources. We as individuals do not have the capacity to foot these bills. If we lack the ability to foot these bills, prospective publicity, this is where the government should come in. But I tell you, it can compare with every cultural heritage of the larger Nigeria, no matter where it comes from, whether from the west, from the north or the middle belt, just name it.

It is the one that people should showcase, but then, the ability to project it is the one that makes it look as if it is not of world class and I pray that one day, the totality of the world would know what is happening and I believe that would enlarge the tourist capacity of Abia State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Relationship of Ekpe Ezeleke with the Ekpe of Calabar Not necessarily. It is relative coincidence and at the same time, historically. You cannot divorce one Igbo man from the other. This is one fact that remains which nobody can ever challenge that fact that there is no Igbo man that will be divorced from the other whether you are from Calabar. If they are Calabar people, Akwa Ibom and others, the issue of language which is based on environment, as it were then that influenced the change in language, one can equally agree with me that during migration, we came along with this people and settled on this part of the Niger. So, it is not unlikely that there are those things of relationship. I am not ruling that out whatsoever.

Igbo language and culture on the brink of extinction At the zonal level of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, I was once the chairman, People, Culture and Tradition Development of which all member states and their representatives or traditional rulers as appointed by member states as members of that commit-

western education we embrace, that Igbo language which is the foundation of our culture does not diminish and I know it will not diminish.

Eze Ibeakanma tee meet in my house to attend executive committee meetings.

I will tell you that we have written what I would call blueprint to all the state governments in the zone and that we equally did to all institutions of learning, not just higher learning, whether it is the university, secondary, even the primary schools. They are there. I know that during my time, in some states as a result of that recommendation, it was made compulsory that our legislators at the state levels on Fridays should turn up in their traditional attires. I know that even here in Abia State, that did happen. But the only problem we are having is the relative impact of westernisation. The Igbo man is very Republican in nature.

He is one who will not listen to your advice. Again, some of our people, mostly those in Diaspora, when they come would want to exhibit their degree of westernisation by making that even their children don’t speak vernacular.

So that is the other aspect of it, but however, Igbo language is too big to go into extinction. It can never. During my time, there

It is our responsibility as parents to ensure that no matter the level of western education we embrace, that Igbo language which is the foundation of our culture does not diminish and I know it will not diminish was nobody who read a doctorate degree in Igbo language, but today, we have professors in the universities. If that is the case, I think Igbo language is growing than diminishing. So I am still very hopeful that locally, it is our responsibility as parents to ensure that no matter the level of

Ekpe being fetish It is like laughing out loud over that type of thinking. It is very ridiculous. You came in here and I did not know if you saw a shrine where I went to slaughter even a lizard, not to talk of otherwise.

Now, I equate this our Ekpe tourism with that of foreign countries and that is why we need its promotion. I equate it to the cultural heritage of the Israelites for which each year, the government at the three tiers, spend hundreds of millions of naira to sponsor people on pilgrimage. The Christians who go there, inasmuch as, even at the site of these historic relics and those people are not even Christians, but these are their cultural heritage, historic facts that at a time like this, there was this, there was that and these are some of the relics. So it is with Ekpe festival. As an ardent Christian, I will not subscribe to it being fetish. In the past, people were not idol worshipers, but using their shrines to communicate with God. Now that we are Christians, some people say it is Mohammed. The people of old used trees as medium to worship God. So, there is nothing fetish about that. People saying that it is fetish are trying to sponsor cheap propaganda against it Advice to such people People should not allow themselves to be brainwashed by such propagandists.

Advice to federal and the state government on making Ekpe a tourist festival The Federal and Abia State governments should come to finance the Ekpe festival, publicise it and make it a state and national event that will attract tourists and will in turn generate the required revenue in hard currency for the state in particular and the country in general.

Ikpeazu fulfills promise of bus to Aba NBA

ÏÏÏ

Abia Governor State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, at the weekend, fulfilled his promise of donating a brand new Hyundai bus to the Nigerian Barr Association, Aba Branch.

While handing-over the vehicle, Governor Ikpeazu said it was a way of encouraging the branch, stating that he views NBA as the conscience of the state as its members speak for the welfare of Abia people, especially less-privileged

individuals in the society.

The Governor promised that as fortunes of the state improves, need by need of other branches would be analysed and further support would be extended to them.

Ikpeazu prayed God for safety of the bus as they make use of it, while congratulating the association.

Responding, the Chairman, NBA, Aba Branch, Chief Ken Nwakanma, expressed gratitude of the association to the Gov. Ik-

peazu for the gesture and redemption of his promise, thanking him for demonstrating that he is a man of his words.

He promised that the NBA would continue to partner with him to ensure Abia moves forward.

It would be recalled that last week, while at the NEC’s of the NBA at Aba, Governor Ikpeazu had promised to donate a bus to the association to ease their mobility problem.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Dangote Salt, NAFDAC collaborate to sanitise food market

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FG craves extension of BVN to MFBs

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FG fixes new date for minimum wage review Page B6

Gas, grid constraint: How power sector lost N2b in two days

... Stalls 4,405MW of electricity

L-R: Kikanwa Akpenyi (Head Customer Experience & Analytics) of Heritage Bank Plc, Anthonia Ojenagbon, CEO, Silton African Kitchen, Cynthia Erigbuem (Group Head, Market Intelligence & Analytics) of the bank, Raliat A. Oyetunde (SME Consultant), Mrs. Ini Abimbola (CEO Thistle Praxis Consulting), during the event organized by Heritage Bank to mark the 2017 International Women’s Day recently in Lagos.

OpeOluwani Akintayo Nigeria’s power sector has lost a whopping N2.114 billion to gas, water and grid constraints in two days, a daily report of the power sector has said.

The report released on Monday, said 4,405MW of electricity was impaired within the two days.

It however stated that a total of 4,096MW was sent out on Friday against the previous day of 3,934MW from 53 turbines.

A breakdown of the constraints revealed that gas constraint accounted for 1,977MW, high frequency constraint was 147MW while the water management constraint accounted for 150MW, totalling 2,174MW equivalent to N1.043 billion against

BUSINESS TIMES Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

2,231MW, about N1.071 billion recorded previous day.

According to the report, Afam VI is currently generating at its peak of 517MW while Agip’s Okpai plant produces 368MW. The hydro power plants of Kanji, Jebba and Shiroro are generating 384MW, 364MW and 256MW respectively.

Egbin power plant is currently operating at its lowest ebb with its gas plant generating 173MW and ST 6 at 134MW. All the National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) owned and operated by Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHc) are currently functioning, though at lower capacity.

Presently, Olorunsogo plant is out of production.

Geregu NIPP, a unit, is generating 71MW to the national grid, Sapele NIPP with two units 217 MW is linked to the grid.

In a bid to improve electricity generation in the country, the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) on Sunday, said that the Federal Government might turn to solar to generate more of its power.

According to The Executive Secretary of REAN, Godwin Aigbokhan, senators will come to the conclusion this month, on the allocation of $30 million to solar projects in the 2017 budget.

According to him, the money will be used to fund off-grid solar projects, photovoltaic manufacturing, and transmission upgrades.

Bonny Amadi

omy through increased sustainable interest in agriculture, with agric fair opening in Lagos on Tuesday March14,2017.

The Expo, organised under the theme “Reinventing Agriculture for sustainable national develop-

“It just gives you an idea of how the government sees solar as part of the total energy mix,” he added.

Newest report says Nigeria is part of a growing list of OPEC countries increasing the use of green power.

A study by German developing agency, GIZ, revealed that households and small businesses in the country currently spend about $21.8 billion annually powering diesel generators so as to have access to electricity.

In this regard, the Federal Government said it would increase the contribution of renewables to its energy mix from 13% in 2015 to 23% by 2025.

In this framework, the Niger Delta Power Company in January signed an agreement with Azuri Technologies to provide power systems for 20,000 rural households without access to the grid. According to Yemi Osinbajo, acting President, this deal falls in line with the government’s commitment to boost access to electricity.

Nigeria is experiencing a drastic drop in power generation after the Nigerian Electricity System Operator, SO, website, a sub agency of TCN, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, recently announced that generating capacity dropped from 3,959 megawatts on January 4 to 2,662 megawatts.

It would be recalled that the country celebrated attainment of 5000MW mid 2016 as a result of the heavy rain.

Aside the relapse in power production caused by lack of rain, there is also gradual folding up of gas to the power generating companies due to inadequate gas supply for generation.

Recently in the Nigerian Elec-

Firstbank leads joint effort for Nigeria’s Agric development

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, subsidiary of FBN Holding Plc, is spearheading effort to enhance sustainable development of Nigeria’s econ-

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

ment” and will hold at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh and Minister for Trade CONTINUES ON PAGE B2

Soludo faults Nigeria’s economic growth plan … Says it lacks projections for competitive real exchange rate Motolani Oseni Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has faulted the recently released 2017-2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) by the Federal Government, saying it lacks projections for competitive real exchange rate.

While assessing the current state of the Nigerian economy, the ex-CBN boss said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had dropped by half in dollar terms in less than two years of the President Muhammodu Buhari’s administration.

Prof. Soludo, who was the Keynote Speaker at the Vanguard Economic Discourse in Lagos at the weekend, queried the ownership of the plan, which he believed will determine whether the plan was just a public relations document or whether it will be implemented.

“Is the extent of the plan consistent with the APC manifesto, which promised a conscious plan for post-oil economy and to restructure the country and devolve power to units with the best practices of federalism?

Is this plan that plan?” Soludo queried.

He went further to describe the envisaged 15 million jobs to be created under the plan as a “very nice wish.”

“The plan envisages continuing the practice of the past government of borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure.

Up until 2018, recurrent expenditure will continue to exceed total revenue. The deficit will continue to exceed capital budget, meaning that capital expenditure will continue to be borrowed, as done by the last government. So, what has changed?” he queried.

Soludo said there were no projections for the trajectory of exchange rate or foreign reserves in the plan, stressing the need for a competitive real effective exchange rate.

He said, “The plan as packaged is a good effort, but in terms of our expectations as a plan for transition to a post-oil economy as promised by the APC, it is a missed opportunity.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Energy theft: Eko Disco promises whistle blowers 20% Theft by some unscrupulous elements 20 percent of the money recovered from such thefts.

Mr. Oladele Amoda, the Chief Executive Officer of EKEDCP, announced this at a stakeholders’ forum with Festac Town residents in Lagos.

Amoda said the measure became necessary against the backdrop of over N1 billion lost to the various forms of energy theft and vandalism in the zone.

The CEO, who was represented by Mr Sam Nwaire, the Chief

Operating Officer, said it cost the company about N1 billion in the last three years to replace vandalised equipment and damaged meters by customers in a bid to bypass the meters.

According to him, a task force has been set up to inspect houses of consumers and impose a penalty of N1 million on anyone caught in energy theft.

Amoda said the company would henceforth commence effective prosecution of energy theft suspects and also publish their names in the national dai-

lies.

“We appeal to our customers to avoid engaging in bye-passing the meters because its criminal and punishable under Electricity Regulation Code of Conduct Act. “ l will advise customers to exercise patience with EKEDCP as we promise to address all the issues as regards estimated billing and other challenges,’’ he said.

On pre-paid meters, the CEO said the company has started installation of over 4,000 pre-

paid meters to residents of Festac and its environs, adding that the first batch of 1,000 meters had been installed.

He said that the company would ensure that 4,000 pre-paid meters are installed before the end of the year, while appealing to residents to ensure prompt payment of their bills.

Amoda stressed: “We have deployed the first phase of 1,000 meters to residents of Festac, we promised to install over 4,000 meters before the year ends. “ We will ensure effective roll-

out of pre-paid meters to residents of Festac, Satellite Town, Amuwo and its environs because we are committed to serving our customers very well. “ We appeal to residents to place order for the meters and it will be installed. Most residents prefer to pay little bills because they are cheating the company through bye-passing of meters.”

The EKEDCP boss said the company was owed N4.2 billion by residents of Festac Town and urged consumers to settle their debts.

Poor telecom services: Minister enjoins Nigerians to be proactive

L – R: Brand Marketing Manager, OLX, Fifemayo Aiyesimoju; Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje, PR and Communication Lead, OLX, Uche Nwagboso and the Business Operations and Finance Manager, OLX Goodluck Ikporo, during OLX courtesy visit with the Corps. Commander Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos recently.

Firstbank leads joint effort for Nigeria’s Agric development CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

& Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, special guests of honour at the event, will present Nigeria’s economic road map via agriculture.

First Bank, Nigeria’s Most Valuable Bank Brand, commitment to enhanced food production through sustainable farming, is in keeping to its objective of commitment to supporting agriculture businesses across the value chain and to play its enabling role in the nation’s drive for economic diversification through agriculture, The expo is geared at leading a national discourse on a sustainable agriculture value-chain as an alternative source of economic development and foreign exchange earners. Key policy influencers, agriculture service providers, primary producers, exporters and key players in the agric value chain are attending the expo.

The event will also feature

a C-suite plenary session on the topic “Driving sustainable growth through Agriculture”.

The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh is expected to officially declare the expo open and lead other dignitaries on a tour of the exhibition booths.

MD/CEO First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Subsidiaries, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan stated that, as a nation builder and key enabler of economic growth, First Bank is leading the discourse on revitalizing the nation’s agriculture sector and creating value for the agric value chain.

Adedutan said that enhancing Nigeria’s agric sector and enhancing its value chains is achieved via alignment with its core strategy of galvanizing thoughts towards rejuvenating the agric business through resourceful diversification that will stimulate sustainable development for both the business and the economy.

Mr Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communications, has urged Nigerians to join hands with the ministry and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to be proactive in the fight against poor telecom services.

Mr Victor Oluwadamilare, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Shittu gave the advice while reviewing the ministry’s efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of service by telecom service providers in the country.

The minister called on Nigerians to assist the ministry and NCC in the much touted short comings such as poor quality services, unsolicited SMS and unauthorised deductions by telecom service operators in the country.

“Rather than name callings and transferred aggression being

exhibited on the social media,’’ he said.

The minister frowned at the substitution of name calling for good argumentation on the need for all hands to be on deck to checkmate the unwholesome and obvious detestable conduct of operators in the area of poor quality service, unsolicited messages and outright extortion. ‘’The social media should be put to more productive use in such a way to project the country well in the comity of nations and proffer enduring solutions to tame the monstrosity of epileptic services by telecom operators.

“Nigerians have the right to complain about unsavoury services they experienced in recent times from telecom operators, but I assure them that the ministry was not folding its hands or shying away from its responsibility of ensuring that normalcy prevails in the industry.

Dangote Salt, NAFDAC collaborate to sanitise food market

The management of Dangote Salt and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have expressed their readiness to collaborate and corroborate efforts to rid the food market of unwholesome practices by unscrupulous traders.

The two managements resolved to work together closely to monitor the quality of products that are delivered to the market after ascertaining that the right quality of products are taken out of the factory.

The management of NASCON Allied Industrieds Plc led by the Managing Director, Mr. Paul Ferrer and the Dangote Group’s Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Mr. Anthony Chiejina had paid the Agency Director-General, Mrs Yetunde Oni a courtesy visit in her office in Lagos.

Mr. Ferrer had expressed satisfaction at the efforts of the Agency leadership to sanitise the food market by getting rid of fake and substandard products and turning the heat on the perpetrators, adding that the efforts had paid off.

He however explained that he observed an infringement on the directives of the Agency on the packaging of industrial salts by some undesired elements.

According to him, contrary to the directives of the NAFDAC that industrial salt should only be packaged in 50kg, his organization observed the existence of the industrial salt in small sizes as 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, and 20kg.

He reasoned that someone somewhere has been has been repackaging the 50kg size to smaller sizes and supplying to the markets, a development he said is dangerous as people may be misled to be buying the indus-

trial salt in place of the table salt which comes in the smaller sizes.

The Dangote salt boss therefore enjoined NAFDAC to help see to the development as the unsuspecting consumers might not know the difference between the iodised table salt and the industrial salt In her response, Mrs Oni thanked the NASCON management for the confidence reposed in her Agency. She said the observation was one of the many infringements the her agency has been battling tooth and nail and that the NAFDAC management would not relent in the fight against every infringement to see that the people have access to right quality products always.

She advised companies in the food sector to have a Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) unit in their establishment for self regulation of their market to make enforcement easier for NAFDAC.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

B3 Money Market

Naira closes at 459/$1, as CBN sells forex at official market Stories by Motolani Oseni The local currency, the naira on Monday gained a point to close at 459 per US dollar against 460 traded over the weekend at the parallel market, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) again sold dollar on the official interbank market.

The naira, at the early hour of yesterday was seen bought at 456 and exchanged at 461 but strengthened later in the day, as it was bought at 455 and closed at 455 against the dollar.

At the official market, the local currency fell to 306 per dollar from the 305.50 level it has traded since last year. Traders said the central bank intervened at 305.50 on Monday and then commercial lenders resold dollars at a 0.50 naira margin. A total of $6.25 million was traded.

However, there was a clear indication that the

apex lender will this week inject more dollars into the foreign exchange market as part of efforts to improve the level of liquidity in the interbank market.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, confirmed the plan to release more dollars into the forex market.

Okorafor, in a statement on Sunday, said the CBN would continue inject more funds into the market to strengthen the price of the naira against the dollar.

He said the bank was determined to sustain the provision of liquidity in the forex market in order to enhance accessibility and affordability for genuine end users.

He also cautioned forex dealers not to engage in any unwholesome practice that would be detrimental to smooth operations in the market, warning that the CBN

would impose heavy sanctions on any organisation or official involved in such act.

Based on the forex intervention by the CBN, about $1.35bn had been released into the interbank forex market within the last three weeks.

During the first intervention in the foreign exchange market three weeks ago, the CBN had offered $500m for sale to banks.

At the second intervention, a total of $221.3m was made available to 16 banks for forward sales to end users of forex.

During the third intervention two weeks ago, the apex bank released about $367.13m into the foreign exchange market to ensure more liquidity in the market.

At the fourth intervention last Tuesday, the sum of $100m was released before last Thursday’s offering of $170m into the forex market.

Dollar and Naira notes

FG craves extension of BVN to MFBs Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend bank verification number (BVN) requirement to account holders in microfinance banks.

She said this would facilitate the detection of bank accounts which might have been opened and op-

Ecobank donates to heart of Gold Hospice Ecobank Nigeria staff at the weekend donated various items to Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Lagos as part of activities to mark this year’s Inter-

national Women’s Day (IWD).

According to Omoboye Odu, member, Organising Committee, IWD, Ecobank Nigeria, the kind gesture is borne out

DTN EXCHANGE RATES

13/3/17

USD

GBP

EUR

INTERBANK

314.88

384.28

336.07

LAGOS

459

566

460

ABUJA

458

565

408

PH

457

570

467

External Reserves Date

Gross

Liquid

Blocked

%

3/9/2017

30,038,995,233

29,335,502,859

703,492,374

2.34%

3/8/2017

30,014,586,927

29,310,676,127

703,910,800

2.35%

3/7/2017

29,967,367,379

29,262,914,936

704,452,442

2.35%

3/6/2017

29,920,349,406

29,215,738,867

704,610,538

2.35%

of a desire to touch the lives of the children by assisting to shape their future, education and lifestyle in a more positive way.

“As mothers working in Ecobank, we decided to do something that will show bold and inspire change in our community. Hearts of Gold is a community we are committed to and is very close to our hearts.

So we are here to donate gift items mainly foods, beddings and others that will help the caregivers to take good care of the children living in the home.”

She opined that the donation is in also in line with Ecobank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy to help improve the lives of children in need.

“What we are doing today is part of Ecobank DNA. We are not here to show but to touch the lives of these children

and to create a society alert to encourage other people to come and donate financially and materially to these children who need their support.”

The Founder, Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Mrs Laja Adedoyin, commended Ecobank staff for regular show of love to children in the home. According to her, “We are grateful for your support. Ecobank has remained our reliable and good friend and we treasure our warm relationship.”

She enjoined public spirited individuals, corporate organizations and others to partner with them for the betterment of the children.

Established 13 years ago, Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice provides care, fun, laughter and emotional support to abandoned babies and young children with life limiting and life threatening conditions.

erated by ghost workers and other syndicates.

Salisu Dambatta, director of information in the ministry of finance, said Adeosun has written to Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, to make her case.

She said the introduction of BVN by the CBN has contributed immensely in improving the integrity of the federal government payroll, on which more than 50,000 ghost workers were detected and removed.

She said operating bank accounts in microfinance banks without requirement for BVN has left a huge loophole which individuals’ intent on financial crimes could use to launder and hide proceeds of crime and successfully escape detection by law enforcement agencies.

In the letter, Adeosun reportedly told Emefiele that when a deadline for obtaining the BVN was announced, several salary accounts of federal employees were moved from commercial banks to microfinance banks.

“This is a suspicious ac-

Adeosun

tivity and we have already commenced a review of such cases to identify and investigate cases of fraud,” he said.

“We know that extending the requirement for BVN to microfinance banks may put a huge financial strain on the smaller microfinance banks; but some such as National Police Force microfinance (NPF), have over 27,000 salary accounts.

“Our inability to perform checks on such a large number of salary earners is a key risk. I am therefore seeking your cooperation to enforce compliance with BVN on any MFB with over 200 active salary accounts or those above a certain size.

“This will support the federal government’s efforts at reducing leakages to create headroom for the capital projects that will support the growth of the economy.”

In September 2016, CBN announced its intention to extend BVN requirement to microfinance banks but the exercise has not commenced.

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Investors lose N35 billion to profit taking on NSE Afolabi Adesola

Equities trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed the week on a bearish note as investors engaged in profit taking activities leading to market capitalization loss of N35 billion.

This follows a growth of 0.90 percent recorded at the equities market last week amidst improved market sentiments, as investors transacted 245.4 million units of shares valued at N2.3 billion in 3,260 deals as against 216 million units worth N2.2 billion traded in 3191 deals previously.

The Market cap on Monday thus closed at N8.699 trillion, 0.40 percent lower

than its opening figure of N8.734 trillion while the All Share Index also lost 0.40 percent or 101.38 points to close at 25,136.63 points.

Biggest losers for the day include Forte Oil with a loss of 4.99 percent to close at N49.09 per share, it was trailed by Livestock Feeds which shed 4.48 percent each to close at 64 kobo per share, NEM Insurance was next with a decline of 4.40 percent to close at N87 per share, Sterling Bank dropped 4.11 percent to close at 70 kobo per share, while AIICO lost 3.39 percent to close at 57 kobo per share.

Mobil, Stanbic, Oando and Transcorp were also listed on the losers chart

having dropped 1.75, 1.59, 1.57, and 2.39 percent respectively as FCMB, Dangote Cement and Vitafoam also shed 0.83,0.62 and 0.52 percent each.

The day’s biggest gainers were led by United Capital which rose 6.20 percent to close at N2.57 per share, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) followed with a growth of 4.93 percent to close at N4.90 per share, Eco Transnational Incorporated (ETI) also added 4.69 percent to close at N10.50 per share. Axa Mansard and UACN closed 4.64 percent and 4.09 percent higher to close at N1.58 and N13.74 per share respectively.

Other gainers were Africa Prudential Registrars

(+3.95%), Diamond Bank (+3.70), Guinness (+2.98), Total (+2.94), FBN Holdings (+2.68), Zenith Bank (+2.23) and Guaranty Trust Bank (2.04%) Top traded stocks for the day were Diamond Bank with N50.5 million shares worth N40.97 million, FBN Holdings was next with 13.2 million shares valued at N39.7 million while Fidelity Bank emerged the third most traded stock with 9.6 million units of shares worth N7.8 million.

Access Bank and Zenith Bank also made it to the top five traded stocks for the day, having transacted 8.4 million and 7.2 million units of shares each, worth N56.6 million and N95.3 million respectively.

Neimeth Pharmaceuticals reports loss of raw materials to inferno Afolabi Adesola The Management of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc has said an entire stock of raw materials at the company’s warehouse were destroyed by a fire incident which occurred at the facility on Tuesday 7th March.

The company in a statement filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Monday 13th March, stated that “The Company experienced an inferno which affected a section of the Manufacturing plant specifically the Raw Materials Warehouse on Billings Way Oregun, Lagos.”

According to the statement signed by Head Corporate Affairs/ General Service O.E Nwaka, the incident occurred at about 3am on Tuesday 7thMarch 2017 and was brought under control by a combined team of Lagos state fire Service and LASEMA.

“Although the inferno was limited to the company’s warehouse, it consumed the entire stock of raw materials in the facility” it said The company however noted that efforts are being intensified to ensure that the incident does not in any way jeopardize the operations of the company Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc is one of the top health sector companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

For the First Half of 2016, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc declared a profit of N116.7 million, improving its bottom line by over 300 percent from a loss of N56.7 million declared in the first half of 2015.

The company’s share price has however remained flat, recording a slight change of 2 kobo from 69 kobo to 67 kobo in the one week of the incidence.

FG reviews investment volume on instruments, auctions N213.76bn T-Bills

Bonny Amadi

Trading a the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

RT Brisco‘s audited statement re-echoes N4.3b debt to banks

Bonny Amadi

Recent release by RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc on the company’s inability to meet the March 31st 2017 deadline for submission of 2016 audited financial statements, may have been influenced by lingering debt.

Daily Times Nigeria findings show that RTBriscoe is indebted to two banks N4.3 billion as at July 2016.

The company owes N2.5 billion to Diamond Bank, and N1.8 billion to UBA. Meanwhile, the board of management of RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc in a statement issued by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday March 13, notified the general public and the Exchange of likely delay in the filling of audited financial statement of the company for the year ended 31st December 2016.

The statement signed by Seyi Onajide, MD/CEO RTBriscoe, partly

read “Our external auditors, KPMG professional services who are currently auditing the financial statements have confirmed that there might be an “emphasis of matter” in the audit opinion which might require that the financial statement be initially referred to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria for review, before it is filled with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and announced to the public” The company said that even as the review period at the FRC falls beyond its control and therefore uncertain, “we do not expect it to go beyond April 28, 2017 for which we have received an extension by the Nigerian Stock Exchange for submission of the financial statement.

Meanwhile, Daily Times recalls that Diamond Bank Plc’ through its counsel, Mr. Kunle Ogunba, in July 2016 , sought for a court order appointing a provisional liquidator

to take over R.T. Briscoe’s assets, following a debt of N2,478,284,729.88 as of May 2016. A similar request was made by counsel to UBA over N1.8 billion debt.

According to publication on national daily not Daily Times, dated July 07, 2016, the Diamond bank request was sequel to Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court Lagos order, barring R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc from accessing its funds in various commercial banks in the country over an alleged bank indebtedness of N2.5bn.

The court restrained the company, “its directors, staff, management, employees, officers, agents, privies or any other persons under the authority of R.T. Briscoe from operating, withdrawing or otherwise tampering with the respondent’s funds under whatsoever name or guise in any bank or financial institutions within Nigeria.”

With the opening of the Federal Government of Nigeria Savings bond (FGNSB) on Monday March 13th 2017, the government has reviewed investment volume on its instruments, Treasury-Bills, FGN Bonds and savings bonds.

This was coming as government ‘s primary auction of Treasury Bills (T-Bills) to raise N213.76 billion holds on Wednesday, a development, cross section of analysts say would further tighten liquidity.

However, with the addition of the new Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bond to the Nigerian market which commenced on Monday 13th

of March 2017, the Federal government reviewed the investment market structure for investing in Nigerian Treasury Bills, FGN Bonds and FGN Savings Bonds; the new market structure for the FGN securities market will be as follows: The new FGN instruments’ investment structure garnered by Daily Times Nigeria from Capital Bancorp research indicated that minimum of N5, 000, and maximum of N50,000,000 for investments in FGN Savings bonds.

Investments in Nigerian Treasury Bills requires a minimum subscription N50, 001,000, while N50, 001,000 was also pegged as minimum subscription for FGN bonds.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

25,136.63 2,909.00 135,404,296.00 681,163,478.10 8,699,311,801,887.79

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

W e e kly M ark e t Ro u n d U p E q u i t i es M a r k e t Re vi e w a n d O u t l o o k Th e Nig eria n b o urse re b o u n d e d t his w e e k as invest ors t o o k a dva n t a g e o f b arg ain o p p ort u nities in valu e st ocks tra din g in t h e m ark e t. D urin g t h e w e e k, Tier-1 Le n d ers

G U A R A N T Y a n d A CCESS p ost e d im pressive FY:2016 results,

b o t h d eclarin g fin al divid e n ds o f N1.75 a n d N0.44 resp ectively. Co nse qu e n tly t h e b e nchm ark in d ex closed hig h er o n 3 o f 5 tra ding sessio ns. Th e largest g ain w as record e d o n Tu esd ay (+2.2 %) as invest ors t o o k p ositio n in m ark e t b ell w e t h ers D A N G CE M a n d G U A R A N T Y w hich h a d e arlier p ost e d p ositiv e results w hile t h e ASI a p precia t e d 0.7 % a n d 0.3 % on Th ursd ay a n d Frid ay resp ectively. Co nse q u e n tly, th e b e nch m ark in d ex close d 0.9 % hig h er W -o-W w hile YTD loss p are d t o -6.1 % . Similarly, m ark e t ca pit aliz a tio n incre ase d N78.2b n t o se t tle a t N8.7t n. A ctivity level h o w ever m od era t e d d urin g t he w e e k as avera g e volu m e a nd valu e tra d e d slid 26.2 % a n d 9.2 % t o 204.7m u nits a n d N2.5b n W-o-W resp ectively.

To p 10 G ain ers Tick er NESTLE U NILEVER NE M H O N YFLO UR C O NTINSURE PAINTC O M AIRSERVICE TRA NSC ORP CH A MPIO N JBERGER To p 10 Losers

Price(N) 734.99 32.3 0.9 1.05 1.06 0.65 2.91 0.72 2.45 40.25

Pric e C h g % 16.96 % 11.46 % 9.64 % 5.00 % 4.95 % 4.84 % 4.68 % 4.35 % 4.26 % 4.11 %

Tick er A FRIPRU D N A HC O 7UP LIVEST O CK ETERN A U NITYBN K ASH A K A CE M W APC O FBN H M A NSARD

Price(N) 2.28 2.2 86 0.67 2.97 0.67 10.36 36.28 2.99 1.51

Price Ch g % -15.56 % -12.00 % -9.47 % -9.46 % -9.45 % -8.22 % -7.91 % -6.97 % -5.08 % -5.03 %

To p 10 Tr a d es b y V olu m e Tick er V olu m e (m) ZENITHB A N K 135.7 A CCESS 92.1 FIDELITYBK 63.4 G U ARA N TY 58.2 UB A 54.2 FBN H 45.2 TRA NSC ORP 39.0 ST A NBIC 30.0 DIA M O N D BN K 27.0 FLO URMILL 22.2 To p 10 Tr a d es b y V alu e Tick er V alu e (m ) ZENITHB A N K 1,984.7 NB 1,606.4 G U ARA N TY 1,450.3 G UIN NESS 958.7 A CCESS 585.1 SEPLA T 551.7 ST A NBIC 533.0 FLO URMILL 383.1 U NILEVER 357.1 UB A 272.3

Ch g % 23.93 % 16.24 % 11.18 % 10.26 % 9.57 % 7.97 % 6.87 % 5.30 % 4.76 % 3.92 % Ch g % 22.86 % 18.50 % 16.70 % 11.04 % 6.74 % 6.35 % 6.14 % 4.41 % 4.11 % 3.14 %

NSE A ll Sh ar e In d e x

O verall, p erf orm a nce across sect ors w as b e arish as 2 sect or in dices a dva nce d w hile 3 d eclin e d. Th e Co nsum er G o o ds in d ex ch aire d sect or g ain ers, u p 5.2 %

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

29,500

13,000

W-o-W d u e t o price a p precia tio n in N ESTLE (+17.0 %) a n d U NILE V ER (+11.5 %) w hilst t h e Ba n kin g in d ex m argin ally rose 0.1 % o n acco u nt o f ZE NIT H (+3.0 %) a n d U B A (+0.2 %). O n t h e o t h er h a n d, t h e In d ustrial g o o ds in d ex e m er g e d t he

9,500

27,000

w orst p erf orm er, d o w n 2.9 % W-o-W o n t h e b ack o f sell pressure o n W A PC O 6,000

(-7.0 %) w hile t h e O il & G as in d ex traile d, losin g 2.4 % W -o-W as invest ors t o o k pro fit in SEPL A T (-5.0 %) a nd T O T A L (-3.9 %). Th e Insurance in d ex closed t h e

24,500 2,500

w e e k fla t.

10-Mar

07-Mar

04-Mar

01-Mar

26-Feb

23-Feb

20-Feb

17-Feb

14-Feb

`

11-Feb

08-Feb

05-Feb

02-Feb

30-Jan

27-Jan

24-Jan

21-Jan

t h e w e e k w ere N ESTLE (+17.0 %) U NILE V ER (+11.5 %) a n d N E M (+9.6 %) w hile

(1,000)

22,000 18-Jan

previo us w e e k -23 st ocks a dva nce d w hile 27 d eclin e d. Th e b est p erf orm ers f or

15-Jan

M ark e t se n tim e n t (a dva ncers/d eclin ers ra tio) so f t e n e d t o 0.9x fro m 1.0x t he

A FRIPRU D (-15.6 %), N A H C O (-12.0 %) a n d 7 UP (-9.5 %) w ere t h e w orst p erf orm ers. In t h e w e e k a h e a d w e exp ect m ark e t p erf orm a nce t o b e bro a dly d e t ermin e d by sh ort t erm sp ecula tive tra din g as t h e w e a k er m acro eco n o mic f u n d a m e n tals co n tin u e t o w eig h o n se n tim e n t.

Term of t h e d a y D e m u t u aliz a tio n is w he n a m u t u al co m p a ny o w n e d by its users/m e m b ers co nverts in t o a co m p a ny o w n e d by sh are h old ers. In ef f ect, t h e users/m e m b ers exch a n g e t h eir rig h ts o f use f or sh ares in t h e d e m u t u aliz e d com p a ny

Priv a t i z a ti o n Priva tiz a tio n is t h e tra nsf er o f o w n ership o f pro p erty or b usin esses fro m a g overn m e n t t o a priva t ely o w n e d e n tity.

Labour B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

NDE calls for synergy to tackle unemployment

dƐ ƏƈƆ Ƅƕ C ƕ &ƊƆƊƆ

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has called for synergy among Nigerians to build business initiatives that would create jobs for the youth and boost the economy.

Speaking at the 38th Kaduna Trade Fair in Kaduna, the agency’s Acting Director-General, Mr Kunle Obanya, called for more collaboration between the private and public sectors to tackle the challenge of unemployment.

Obanya said the government could not effectively shoulder the burden of employment creation, especially in the economic situation facing the nation.

He, therefore, called on all other stakeholders to support the directorate

in resettling beneficiaries of its programmes and schemes who, due to paucity of funds, might not enjoy any start-ups from the NDE. He said: “I urge all categories of the unemployed to embrace the great opportunities for self-reliance as presented in all states through the National Directorate of Employment. Let me equally re-affirm the commitment of the NDE to the continual provision of innovative employment creation models that will always compliment the micro economic policies of the Federal Government.

“In the NDE, collaboration towards employment creation is a model that we keep fine tuning in order to meet the ever changing dynamics of mass unemployment. I am glad to state

here that our collaboration with other stakeholders in the employment sector is yielding the desired results and we remain com-

mitted to expanding the scope of our operations in this regard.’’

He recalled that in the last one year 12,457 un-

skilled and unemployed persons benefited from the various employment creation initiatives of the directorate.

Group advocates improved workplace environment

Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, (HuCaPAN) have urged employers of labour to imbibe better workplace practices to improve working environments for employees.

Speaking at the yearly general meeting of the

group in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Clement Illoh, said protection of the human rights and absence of social protection at work were other impediments to decent work.

He noted that these have

led to the inability of some employers to retain their workers and pay minimum wage.

He advised private employment agencies to comply with labour laws by enforcing safety in workplaces, ensuring employee compensation and pay-

ment of minimum wages.

While pointing out the role of the group in promoting decent work agenda, he said: “To what extent are you training your people? There are workers without boundaries as a result of globalisation.

How are you moving with

respect to the new forms of work? To what extent are you contributing to sanctions, monitoring ad rewards for employment?”

The permanent secretary praised the association for being effective, despite the economic challenges in the country.

FG fixes new date for minimum wage review The Federal Government on Friday announced a new date (March 14) has been scheduled for the meeting of the technical committee on minimum wage at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to deliberate on the proposed N56,000 minimum wage for workers in the country.

The FG also refuted the Nigeria Labour Congress’ (NLC) accusation of footdragging to constitute a tripartite committee stressing that the new date had been communicated to both the government and worker’s representatives of the technical committee.

Sen Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Di-

Ï z ƄƄ

rector of Press in the ministry.

Ngige said his attention had been drawn to publications in some section of the media, accusing the Federal Government of intentionally stalling the process of constituting a tripartite committee for the minimum wage.

“The above statement is false and misleading as the Federal Government has demonstrated its com-

mitment to improving the welfare of the Nigerian workforce by holding series of meetings with stakeholders on the subject matter.

“The final meeting of the technical committee on new minimum wage was slated for 23rd February 2017 but could not hold as scheduled.

“The Nigerian Labour Congress and its Trade Union Congress counter-

part requested for a postponement of the meeting.

“This was in order to attend the delegate conference of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction/ Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), at Asaba Delta State, ‘’he said.

Ngige, therefore, said the allegation as ascribed to the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, was `”mischievous and unfounded”.

“The NLC President is fully aware of the rescheduled meeting and the reason for the postponement of the earlier meeting which was at the instance of labour unions,” he added.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lamented over the frustrations of Nigerian workers over of federal government’s delay tactics

over the issue of new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, saying cannot wait indefinitely for the government to respond at its own time.

Speaking at the 4th NLC National Gender Conference in Abuja, the National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that despite the fact that the minimum wage was due for renegotiation after 5 years, the Buhari administration was dragging its feet in constituting a tripartite committee as is the practice to negotiate a new minimum wage.

“Nigerian workers were getting tired of government’s delay tactics in constituting a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage for the country and ask the government to act immediately.”

TUC lauds FG on 10% housing equity waiver The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has commended the Federal Government on waiver of the initial payment of 10 per cent housing equity on mortgages below N5 million from housing off takers.

Mr Bobboi Kaigama, TUC President gave the commendation on Monday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

The Federal Government had recently approved that henceforth mortgages below N5million (five million naira) will not attract the initial payment of 10 per cent equity from off takers.

According to him, this is to demonstrate its commitment to the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians, especially the low income earners.

Bobboi noted that the waiver was a welcome development, especially in this period of economic recession being experienced in the country.

“The government is using the same fund contributed by workers to build houses for them, if it can as well give out houses at much lower rate it will be nice development because it is workers’ contribution.

“The Federal Government has no contribution in the fund and the worker’s representatives do not have a say on how the funds are being managed,” he said.

Commending the effort of the government, he said that it needed to do more in the course of delivering houses to Nigerians.

The TUC president said that the number of houses that have been delivered to workers since the constitution of the National Housing Fund (NHF) programme was not impressive compared to the percentage of workers contributing to the fund.

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

B7 Business Feature

Bond/Equities: When certainty meets uncertainty in capital market Bonny Amadi Are bonds crowding out investments from equities market and starving listed companies opportunity to raise funds from the stock market?

This question tallies with the submission of Mr. David Imafidon Adonri, a senior stock broker, who urged newly inducted qualified dealing clerks in 2016, to work towards reviving the equities market which has been taken over by bond.

As the federal government’s savings bonds debuts on Monday, to herald the way for green bond, cross section of capital market experts have projected that more funds would exit the equities market to the bond market.

On March 13th 2017, the debt management office (DMO) on behalf of the federal government will open for subscription a total value of N120 billion retail bond, divided into three categories of short, medium and long term instruments.

The DMO, also authorized to receive the subscriptions, will open offer for or subscription of N45, 000,000,000, a 14.50 per cent coupon FGN JUL2021, 5 -Yr Re-opening bond. N50, 000,000,000 -FGNMAR2027, 10-Yr New Issue bond and N35,000,000,000 -12.40 per cent FGN MAR2036 a 20-YrRe-opening bond.

In February, the government raised N110 billion bond, in support of N130 billion raised in January 2017. As at the close of week on Friday March 10 2017, 15 FG bonds were listed on the Nigerian stock exchange (NSE) for secondary market trading.

In the last two months, the federal government has raised bond papers to borrow from the public.

Such instruments are dated,10 Jan 2017,07 Feb 2017 and 07 Mar 2017.

On the equities end, Greenwich Asset Limited, ETF funds, Greenwich Plus Money Market

Nwankwo

Fund, Forte Oil Plc bonds, Jaiz Bank, Med View Airline Plc, and SIAML Pension ETF 40 funds, have so far listed on the NSE. None of the companies listed on the NSE raised funds through IPO or public offering, but through private placement not regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Irrespective of the security of the fixed income instruments, only Forte OIL Plc ranked the first to list its bond on the FMDQ and the NSE. Daily Times Nigeria findings show that when government issues debt instruments regularly, investors divert their appetite to the FG instruments, while financial institutions also invest more on such papers, leaving little funds to lend to business organization at very competing rate.

Executive director, business development, NSE, Mr. Jalo-Waziri commenting on the FG retal bond offer for subscription billed to open on Monday said recently that the NSE’s Retail Bond Market was launched in 2012 with the aim of providing retail

Onyema

investors access to high quality debt instruments, as well as afford them portfolio diversification opportunities in an efficient and reliable way.

He added that the Launch of the Federal Government National Savings Bonds is consistent with the NSE’s commitment to grow domestic investor participation in the Nigerian Capital Market, “After the offer closes, the bond will be listed on the NSE and can be traded on our Retail Bonds Market. DMO Accredited Distribution Agents and the Government Broker will provide liquidity by continuously making 2-way quotes throughout the trading session” he explained.

Meanwhile, the dominance of capital market activities by debt instrument s either in the FMDQ or the NSE has been attribute to one of the factors mitigating against early recovery of the equities market and the primary market.

Stock brokers who spoke to Daily Times on the impact of increasing bond offering to the equities segment of the

market, said that hence the debt instrument offers guaranteed returns, most investors, including banks, PENCOM funds, and sovereign wealth funds ,would continue to avoid the high risk equities market.

Jessica Okechuku, Lagos based stockbroker, told Daily Times in an Interview that drift of attention from equities to bond is by investors with preference for guaranteed returns on investments, against higher returns with high degree of uncertainties.

The stock broker said that the bond market currently provides better alternative to the equities market, for investors taking flight for safety.

She said “ equity is supposed to be the heartbeat of the capital market because of higher earnings that comes from investments in stocks, but when taking cognizance of the market now, and when you have idle funds, if you have good money and you want to make good money, it better to have a fixed income than nothing at all” Though investment in equities market is gradu-

Stock brokers who spoke to Daily Times on the impact of increasing bond offering to the equities segment of the market, said that hence the debt instrument offers guaranteed returns, most investors, including banks, PENCOM funds, and sovereign wealth funds ,would continue to avoid the high risk equities market.

ally picking up, uncertain earning opportunities may warrant some liquid investors to take to investing in bonds for guaranteed income.

“You know that investment in bonds yields coupons ones or twice a year and investors can leverage on this to grow their funds over a given period” she said. According to her, investors who have taken to investing in the secondary bond market, stand the opportunity of realizing their objectives, adding that this informed the decision of more drift from the equities to the debt instrument market.

Mr. Solomon olaosebikan, also a Lagos based stock broker told Daily Times that debt instrument represents an integral part of the capital market and that investment in the instruments also represents investments in the market.

“The debt instrument market is of lower risk and lower returns while the equities market is of higher risk and higher returns, those that have opted or are opting for the debt instrument market have conditioned their minds for lower risks and lower earnings, while others that have remained in the equities market are for higher earnings hence there are exposed to higher risks” The Director General, Debt Management office (DMO) Dr. Abraham Nwankwo recently revealed to Daily Times that the federal Government is concerned on the crowding out effect of bonds over equities market.

Nwankwo said that the federal government is gradually shifting the mix from government borrowing to external borrowing in order to create more space for the private sector foray into the debt market to boost economic growth.

According to him, the current spate of government borrowing was empowered by the 2010 policy direction to develop the domestic bond market and that government pio-

neered the move by issuing sovereign bond in order to create the enabling environment for the private sector to come into the scheme.

‘We are also sure that there are no crowding out effect of funds from the capital market to the debt instrument starving the market of funds “ He said that the debt that the government is raising has been based on what has been approved, and taking into emphasis all that the government needs to do with the funds and also the approval that more of the funds required come from external sources.

“We leave more space for the corporate, for the domestic market to develop the bond market alongside the government. Nwankwo said “In the 2016 budget , you finds out that nearly 50 per cent of the borrowing has to come from outside federal government borrowing, that was not so in the past” However, as the Nigerian pension Commission (PENCOM) fund limits investments into the equities market, while banks and other blue chip investors keep raising their investments in FG bonds, activities sin equates may continue to be subdued as the secondary and primary equities market have remained inactive.

Low investor confidence will continue to frustrate effort to float Initial Public offer (IPO) or public offer, thereby further stifling companies of funds needed to boost operations and expand. The sustenance of operations by organizations helps to keep employment of many Nigerians while expansion, creates more employment opportunities.

Where the chances to raise money from either the bond or equities market remain slim for the corporates, coupled with banks’ high lending rate, fulfilling its mandate of providing platform for raising cheap funds is gradually weakened by concentration on steady income from bonds.

Energy B8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 14, 2017

How government policies can reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector OpeOluwani Akintayo

For over half a century since it began operations, the Nigerian oil and gas sector has witnessed a decent level of activities.

The industry has witnessed twists and turns as a result of policies or lack of it.

It has equally not been spared the volatility that has characterised the global oil industry in recent times. Industry experts as well as players believe that despite what could be happening in the oil industry globally, the responsibility for giving direction to the Nigerian oil and gas sector rests on the government.

Its actions or inactions will ultimately determine how well the industry fares.

According to energy experts, there is an urgent need for government to resolve with speed and finality, lingering issues that have slowed down investment in the sector.

Oil revenue has over the years become a major source of funds for the country’s budgets.

Despite being a major revenue source for the country, the sector according to experts is being driven by outdated laws and regulations that need to be overhauled.

For the oil and gas sector to become attractive and profitable to investors, its antiquated framework has to be updated to address current industry realities.

“The current law and regulatory framework is not responsive enough. The sector is being governed by outdated legal and regulatory framework. We have to re-examine the continued relevance of existing framework”, said an energy analyst.

Expressing support for the need for urgent reforms in the sector, another expert and Chairman Africa, Schlumberg-

er, Mr. Sola Oyinlola said the present government should put in place or implement policies that would spur growth in the industry.

He said; “The Buhari administration has its work cut out for it and the industry awaits with bated breath any new policy directions, but we are all optimistic that challenges would be tackled expeditiously to provide a new dynamic investment destination”.

However, despite uncertainties in the operating environment, recent accomplishments by some operators in the oil and gas industry has further demonstrated that there are still untapped opportunities in the sector.

In his opinion, Ildar Davletshin, Head of oil & gas research, Renaissance Capital tasked the new government in the country to use its mandate to implement much-needed reforms in the oil and gas sector, which continues to be the driving force behind the economy.

“While it is unlikely that Nigeria will escape its dependence on the sector, there is clear potential for the country to strengthen its oil and gas industry and develop a more diversified and balanced economy, following the successful models of resource-rich countries such as Canada, Norway and Australia”, he said.

He added; “It is essential that the new administration avoids making the same mistakes as most other emerging nations and does not launch a complete overhaul. Nigerian taxes for onshore production are in the highest quartile globally, so some easing could make sense, especially in the weaker oil price environment”.

Equally, the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) while supporting

OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, during a working visit to Nigeria recently. During the visit he met with Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, as well as other senior government and corporate leaders.

reforms in the sector however warned that the rationale for such reforms should be to enhance the sustainability of petroleum wealth that would impact all stakeholders.

In a paper titled “An Appraisal of Oil and Gas Industry Reform and Institutional Restructuring in Nigeria”, the Association said; “The rationale for restructuring the oil and gas sector in a petroleum dependent

economy like Nigeria should be to enhance the sustainability of petroleum wealth and its impact on all stakeholders. Undergoing such reforms presupposes that the current state of the industry is inefficient in service deliveries and ineffective at promoting society’s welfare objectives. This notwithstanding, such reforms or restructuring must not only focus on enhancing industry effectiveness and efficiency, it

must be mindful of equity issues with respect to wealth distribution among all stakeholders—governments, communities, and operators”.

To begin with, a prompt passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), provision of infrastructure and security for oil installations across the country would be a good start. And these are what government can do to support the industry.

OPEC Secretary General meets top officials in Nigeria The Secretary General expressed his deep gratitude to Osinbajo for Nigeria’s steadfast support during the recent period of extensive consultations between OPEC and nonOPEC nations that led to the three historic decisions: the ‘Algiers Accord,’ the ‘Vienna Agreement’ and the Declaration of Cooperation with 11 nonOPEC nations.

The Secretary General also briefed the Acting President on the implementation of the decisions, as well as recent oil market developments and prospects.

In a keynote speech to the Nigeria Oil & Gas conference whilst in Abuja, the Secretary General also focused on these key oil market matters. He stressed that the landmark decisions taken last year were central to the market stability required by oil-producing countries, for their economic growth and development.

The Secretary General said that recent data confirmed that the OPEC-11 achieved a conformity level of 94% in January 2017, while together with participating non-OPEC producing countries the conformity level stood at 86%.

He added that all 24 countries are committed to the process and are confident of further improvements to reach the full and timely conformity of the decisions taken.

The decisions, he said, have already positively impacted the market as seen by the onset of a more bullish sentiment among oil investors and the global oil industry, as well as a welcome spillover effect to the global economy with improved performance in some key industrialized countries.

“These positive indicators”, he added, “are leading to better short- and medium-term

perspectives for the market, in particular for investment.”

Looking longer term, the Secretary General said that “there is no doubt that oil will remain a fuel of choice for the foreseeable future.”

He stated that oil demand is anticipated to climb to over 109 million barrels a day (mb/d) by 2040, an increase of 16.4 mb/d from 2015, and by then oil and gas would still satisfy 53% of the total primary energy demand.

The Secretary General also delivered a speech at an event hosted by Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum

Resources, with invited guests including the Nigerian-based Ambassadors of the other 23 countries that were party to last year’s OPEC decisions and the non-OPEC Declaration of Cooperation.

The Secretary General said it was a “great honour” to speak to all those present, and specifically thanked Nigeria’s President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari and Kachikwu for their “support, guidance and encouragement”, in aiding OPEC and non-OPEC nations deliver the historic decisions that were taken at the end of 2016.

Life &

TIMES Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Kenny Saint

Brown

Gospel music is not fading at all

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Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Gospel music is not fading at all –Kenny Saint Brown

Did you get much support then when you were an upcoming as you give to the upcoming now?

I think all the support I needed to get my brother gave me. You can see how the extension of that to all other artistes have made them to become international brands and then all the support any other artiste could ever need Keke Ogungbe had and I enjoyed that. Apart from my brother, another person that supported a female icon was Onyeka Owenu.

I realised she was an elite and she could still do grassroots music and she holder. I could liken myself with her and how she was able to integrate herself into the Nigerian scene and I learnt from her and I think the rest of the people I got support from was the media because people thought they Ogungbe. But somehow for the few that saw my performances, they saw there was more to this lady than just the support I got and because our industry was not very big then, there was nothing called sexual harassment and so I had to take the girls in and protect them as much as I could and to encourage them. It was the training Kenny gave me to support young girls. Our job was to discover, develop support, manage and I personally could not just limit that to artistes under wherever being in comedy industry, fashion I just have to give my support all the way.

Do you agree that gospel music is losing relevance in Nigeria?

I do not think it is exactly correct what I did was to bring gospel music to the mainstream and God gave me the grace to do it. Unlike many other gospel music, my songs were being played constantly on radios and the streets. For you to be on radio, it requires a lot of money. People buy

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name as an artiste or you have money to share. If I release a song now, it

would be played. But for the up-comingones, the media is not helping them.

Gospel musicians cannot buy the media like the secular musicians do.

Also, the Nigerian Christian Committee is used to praise and worship. But I was doing urban contemporary gospel music. After I became successful with it, certain people picked the style up too. While some had to go fully secular along the way, others retuned to praise when acceptability was low. In my case, I was totally into contemporary urban gospel music and I was consistent with it. Do not forget that I had the support of the media too. Nikky energy; all she needs now it to connect with the streets.

Was there a time you strongly thought of becoming a secular musician?

I did popular music. I was doing hiphop too, but with a message different from that of the secular world. My belief is that I do not need to sing worldly songs before I do commercial music.

In some cases, some of my songs can be inspirational as well. But I was never tempted to go secular songs despite mingling with them. But for gospel music, I would not be singing. I just tried to upgrade my music to be relevant

in the mainstream. My stance is that if the radio stations and DJs do not play you, no way you could be heard. And if you are not heard, it means you are not doing anything despite sleeping in the studio and making songs daily. I was also lucky, as we had our own radio and television stations. If you had decided not to play me, our radio and television stations must play me. I even got advice from DJs on music productions, but it did not change my direction. I was under the tremendous grace of God to continue to do gospel music. It might not sound like a gospel song, but when you listen to the message and its content, you would be proven wrong.

Are you aware that certain people I have had lot of situations like that. born again and some said I was hiding under gospel music. But I could handle the pressure. I lost certain things too. I was not getting invitations from churches because they wanted people who could lead their praise and worship sessions.

But I knew I was pioneering something new, I knew it would be lonely and I had to understand that I would not be accepted in some gatherings. When they put together names of gospel artistes, it. Initially, it was painful and I felt I was being rejected by the church. But I had to hold on to God since he gave me the

play my song next to it. Gospel music could be groovy and still carries the gospel inside it.

It is a challenge, but it is a jinx I broke. Other needs to follow suit; I cannot do it for them.

Have you seen traits of your children taking after you?

stronger and songs kept coming. And the acceptance by the streets was stronger than that of the church. I was able to evangelise to people who were impossible. Once my music could be played in clubs and on streets, and it was acceptable by God, It became okay for me.

Is it not disturbing that radio stations only play gospel music on Sundays?

direct their paths. My son raps and he calls me to listen to him. I just smile. If he chooses to do secular music, I would not stop him. I am only expected to put him through being an entertainer as well. My daughter acts already and she has done a couple of jobs with M-net.

What do you wish to change about yourself?

everything inside it. I do not understand why they cannot play gospel music on radio stations like any other music. Like I said earlier, it was the reason I changed to contemporary urban gospel music. If

I like to have differently. For every mistake or good step I took, it was ordained by God. If I had power to change something in me, I would probably not be where I am today. I just want the will of God to take place in my life.