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Prof Eleka vs Dr Fayemi

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SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 699

N100

Who succeeds Fayose as Ekiti Gov? Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti and Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Ekiti people will today elect a new governor at the poll for the next four years.

Though 35 political parties were accredited for the

Eleka

election by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), only two major political parties were the focus of the people of Ekiti for the election.

The two political parties are the All Progressives Congress (APC) where we have Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who hails from Ishan Ekiti in Oye Local Government CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

One of my greatest challenges was losing my parents – Chika Ike

Fayemi

Africa to become world’s most dynamic market by 2045 -Areximbank CEO

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FIRS rakes N2.5tr in 6 months, achieves 75% target g3

Anti-graft war: Commonwealth scribe lauds Magu g6

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S’Court frees 12-year-old over murder conviction

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

3 Photo Times

Scenes from the African Export -Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 25th anniversary in Abuja Photos: Temitope Balogun

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

5 News

Eleka v Fayemi: Who succeeds Fayose as new Ekiti Gov?

Continued from page 1

Area of the state as its candidate just as we also have Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka from Ikere Ekiti as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the poll.

A total number of 4, 390 combined forces of soldiers and other paramilitary has been deployed to complement the 30,000 policemen that have been drafted to Ekiti to monitor the election.

Also a total of 913, 334 have been registered by the INEC out of which 667,064 voters had collected their PVCs, just as the INEC recorded a total of 246,270 unclaimed PVCs that were yet to be collected by owners for the election.

Both the police and the INEC have declared that they were 100 percent ready to conduct free, fair, acceptable, and credible election that will produce the people mandate.

Meanwhile, an election monitoring group, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has identified various violence prone areas in the state.

The group also bemoaned what it called over deployment of security agents to the state for the purpose of the poll.

The flashpoints identified, according to the group, include Ikere Ekiti, Oye Ekiti, Ire Ekiti and Efon Alaaye.

In Ado Ekiti, the state capital, areas like Ajilosun, Atikankan, Odo Ado, Mathew, Ogbon Ado, and Ijigbo were also identified s flash points.

Addressing newsmen on Friday in Ado Ekiti, the TMG chairperson, Abiola Akiyode- Afolabi, said the areas are noted for violence during election in the past.

Afolabi, who spoke alongside the Southwest Coordinator of the group, Sulaiman Argbagbu, however, called on all stakeholders to support peaceful and credible election in the state.

She said the identification became necessary for civil society organisations, security agencies and other relevant agencies to beam their searchlight on the areas.

“Traditionally, there are huge concentration of people who usually gathered in these areas.

“It is for civil society organisations and security agencies to concentrate their attention on the areas in other to reduce violence”.

On the security deployed in the state for the purpose of the election, Afolabi said over-policing of the poll may discourage many voters from participating in the election.

She said: “In a state as fragile as Ekiti, it is expedient that the gubernatorial election is done in a manner that ensures safety of lives and property, knowing fully that Nigeria in recent times has suffered preventable loss of lives and property, this election should therefore not add to the number of deaths already recorded.

“The level of tension in Ekiti State at present is high and a direct threat to voter turn out, the credibility of the process and the peaceful conduct of the election.

“TMG is also worried about the overwhelming deployment of police personnel for Ekiti Election. This is clear indication that politicians have not learnt their lesson from past experiences.

Over deployment of security agent and political violence or threat of violence are vicious cycle that undermine credibility of the electoral process, intimidate the electorate and result in poor voters’ turnout”.

The group, however, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election is free, fair and conclusive and

that the election materials be deployed on time at the polling units to avoid voters being apprehensive.

She said TMG will continue to support the government, Nigerian citizens and civil societies groups to ensure good governance is entrenched in Nigeria through responsible leadership.

Also, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Situationroom, has appealed to the security agencies that would monitor today’s election to arrest and prosecute whoever seen buying votes from the electorate.

The body commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies on the peaceful and orderly manners with which sensitive materials that would be deployed for the conduct of the poll were distributed on Friday.

Situationroom coalition consists of credible CSOs like Cleen Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Police and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), among others.

Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti during its first preliminary on the Ekiti governorship election, the Chairman of the Coalition, Clement Nwankwo, said the menace of monetised politics should be tackled in the country to sanitise the electoral system.

He urged security agencies to shun act of intimidation on the day of election to prevent apathy and that the 30,000 personnel deployed in Ekiti must be evenly spread to ensure safety cross all the towns and villages.

“We have made recommendations to the security agencies on how to tackle vote buying. It is a serious electoral offence that must not be allowed in our country.

“So, our security must be up and doing and remain committed to the success of this poll”, he advised.

S’Court frees 12-year-old over murder conviction The Supreme Court on Friday discharged and acquitted Yusuf Musa who was convicted of murder at the age of 12.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ejembi Eko held that the appeal had merit.

Eko, who read the lead judgment prepared by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said both the Jigawa High Court and the Court of Appeal Kaduna, should have handled the matter better than they did.

According to him, no legal precedence supports the decision of the Court of Appeal which ordered the detention of the appellant at the pleasure of the state governor.

He also said sufficient evidence was not adduced to warrant the conviction and sentencing of a minor to death by hanging.

According to him, the Court of Appeal had done well to have dismissed the death sentence but was wrong to have ordered the indefinite detention of the appellant.

“The appeal is meritorious and therefore the appellant is discharged and acquitted,’’ Justice Ariwoola said.

The appeal was against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, delivered on June 27, 2014.

The lower court had ordered that the appellant remain in detention at the state governor’s pleasure as the appellant was 12 years at the time of his conviction and sentence by the trial court.

The appellant was arraigned before Justice Ubale Taura for the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221 (b) of the Penal Code

applicable to the state.

The trial court however activated the full wrath of the law by convicting and sentencing the appellant to death by hanging on December 23, 2008.

The Court of Appeal however partially upheld the judgment of the trial court by dismissing the death sentence passed on the appellant and ordering his indefinite detention by the governor.

The appellant was accused of doing an illegal act by hitting Muhammed Hamza on the head and other parts of the body with a stick which led to his death.

Musa (appellant) had however pleaded not guilty to the charges, as according to him, his action against the deceased was a self defence and not with intention to kill him.

The appellant had asked the court to determine whether the lower court evaluated the evidence and defence of provocation raised in his extra-judicial statement before affirming the decision of the trial court.

He also asked the court to determine whether from the facts and circumstance of his case, the lower court was right in ordering that a minor be detained in prison at the pleasure of the governor.

Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), lawyer to the appellant, argued that culpable homicide was not punishable with death if the offender action was triggered by clear provocation.

He further argued that the trial judge and the justices of the appeal court did not properly consider the issue of provocation as provided in Section 222 (1) of the penal

code.

Dodo had also submitted that there were material contradictions in the inadmissible evidence of the prosecution witnesses.

Mr. Musa Imam, the Prosecutor, on his part, submitted that the defence of provocation could not be hung on the air without supporting evidence.

Imam argued that such defence could not also be built on scanty foundations as done by the appellant.

He submitted that it was the duty of the accused person to adduce credible or positive evidence to support the alleged provocation.

“Where the accused person fails to adduce evidence in support of his defence, as in the present case, the trial court has to rely on the evidence before it adduced by the prosecution,’’ he said.

He said the appellant did not raise any defence of provocation at the trial court, adding that the trial judge “suo moto’’ raised it for him.

He further submitted that the judge went ahead to consider and evaluate same and found out that it could not avail the appellant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appellant had in a deposition claimed that he only used a stick meant for the rearing of his father’s cattle to safeguard his life.

He said the deceased, also cattle rearer, had vigorously hit him multiple times with a similar stick to avenge for a fight he (Musa) had with the younger brother the previous day.

Nwankwo commended the security agencies for sustaining peace on the eve of the election, describing this as a sign that the election will be order and credible.

He observed that “the political parties must conduct themselves in a manner that does not encourage violence by their supporters, as they will be held liable for their activities that trigger violence.

“We call on the security agencies, including Army, police and other arms to assure election observers and electorate of their personal safety and urges voters to go out and peacefully to cast their votes in exercise of their constitutional rights to be part of democratic process.

“We reiterate that all elections must demonstrate the highest possible commitment from the security services to support INEC in completing its constitutional role of organizing credible elections that can inspired continued public confidence,” Nwankwo said.

Also, ahead of today’s Ekiti governorship election, the PDP has alerted that the APC and its candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, are clothing thugs imported from Imo and states neighbouring to Ekiti, with fake police uniform to unleash terror on voters.

The party also alerted of an alleged collusion between officials of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc and top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to print matching sensitive voting materials including ballot papers with similar serial numbers to enable scientific rigging of the election for the APC. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged plots by the APC to use the compromised policemen to offer each voter N10,000 at polling centres to vote for the APC. “Furthermore, the PDP questions why the police personnel detailed to Governor Ayo Fayose have been stripped to five

while invading APC governors, such as Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, are individually allowed to move around the state with squads of over 50 policemen and soldiers.

“The PDP is already aware of plots to detail the fake policemen to PDP strongholds to harass voters, attempt to cause confusion, and in the process smuggle in counterfeit result sheets to aid their planned declaration of false results.

“Our party also knows how the duplicate ballot papers were produced with the recently installed SDD German Machine in the Lagos factory under direct supervision of some officials (names withheld) who are to deliver them to Dr. Fayemi.

“What the APC and Dr. Fayemi do not know is that we have been monitoring their movements and we have the identity and scheduling of the fake policemen as well as details of the couriers and movement of the duplicitous ballot papers.

“They do not know that we already discovered the security errors in the fake police uniforms and we have adequately made such known to the people of Ekiti State, who are now fully rallied to expose the impostors and directly bring them to book with every intensity and energy available in a democracy”, said Ologbondiyan.

Consequently, the PDP cautioned the ‘fake policemen’ and the ‘couriers of the duplicitous ballot papers’ to note that nobody will come to their rescue when they face the wrath of the people.

The party said the recent invasion of the state and manhandling of Governor Ayo Fayose has toughened the people in their resolve to defend their will with every legitimate tool within the ambit of the law.

The PDP therefore cautioned INEC officials, electoral observers and security personnel in the election to ensure a free, fair and credible election as the people of Ekiti State will never accept any results that do not directly reflect their already known will in this election.

Anti-graft war: Commonwealth scribe lauds Magu Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, has commended the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, over what she described as Magu’s uncommon courage in fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The Commonwealth scribe gave the commendation in a letter dated July 6 letter and addressed to Magu.

According to Scotland, who was in Nigeria in May to attend the 8th Conference of the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies of Commonwealth Africa, Magu has recorded ground breaking achievements for the betterment of Nigeria.

She said, “I would like to thank you for your diligent, innovative and fearless leadership of the Commission. The initiatives that you and colleagues at the Commission undertake are reaping immediate, ground-breaking results for the betterment of Nigeria, the continent and wider world’, she said.

Scotland further pledged the Commonwealth’s continued support and assistance to the EFCC. She said, “As you so eloquently alluded to in your remarks at the opening

of the Commission’s new headquarters, the fight against corruption requires our continued commitment, perseverance and great fortitude. Rest assured that the Commonwealth Secretariat is committed to continuing to work with and support the Commission and colleagues in Nigeria in the fight against corruption”.

Scotland also thanked Magu for the honour done to her for witnessing the commissioning of EFCC new head office building by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Magu

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 13, 2018

IPOB, agitations to be solved through Short News restructuring - Atiku Osun to train 1000 youths in Software Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Former Vice President, and presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar says, he will ensure restructuring as a way of solving the issues of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitations in the country.

Atiku was in Umuahia Friday, to solicit the support of the PDP members ahead of the primaries asserting that the problem of agitations in the country arose because of the lopsided nature of the federation which favours one party or section of the country against the others.

Addressing journalists after the closed door meeting with the party executive at the party’s secretariat in

Umuahia, Atiku expressed his belief that when the country is restructured and more resources and power given to the component units of the country, as well as when power is devolved and self-determination allowed to the component units, all will be good in the country and agitations will end.

The PDP presidential aspirant said he has been an advocate of restructuring long before now, stating that it is the solution to pockets of agitation and IPOB issue in particular, pointing out that IPOB was a child of disequilibrium in the polity.

“When you restructure this country and you give more resources to empower the component units of this country you will not have the problem of IPOB. IPOB is looking for self determination and when you devolve more powers and resources that is self determination.”

He noted that restructuring was the

way to go to keep the country intact and on the path of progress.

“The North has already announced that restructuring is acceptable to them.

So it’s a question of the northern leaders and southern leaders meeting together to agree on the issues”, he said.

On the thorny issue of security, the former Atiku said, “Security is one of the fundamental challenges of the country.

Again, I have been an advocate of either local or community policing to deal with local issues. We have one single police. I do not know of any country that practices a federation and have this kind of policing, a centralized, one single police, I don’t know.”

The former Vice President was accompanied on the visit by the former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel and Okwesileze Nwodo, former Governor of old Enugu State, and Senator Abdul Ningi among other stakeholders.

Programming

No fewer than 1000 youths in Osun will be trained on Information and Communication Technology by the state government in partnership with a firm, America Tower Company (ATC).

The State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Remi Omowaiye, disclosed this on Friday during the inauguration of the e-Learning centres in Ikire, Ikirun, Ede, Ilesha and Ila areas of the state.

Omowaiye said that the 1000 youths in the five communities would be trained on computer and software programming for them to be selfemployed.

The commissioner said that the vision of the state government in the establishment of the Digital Village to be named Osun Coding Academy was to make the state an Information Technology hub of the country.

Keffi/Nyanya traffic gridlock worries Yamawo Idu Jude, Abuja After several years of failed attempt to find an anti-dote for the seemingly unending traffic gridlock that has bedevilled the ever busy keffi, Nyanya highway and apparently disturbed by the plight of commuters, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has again declared its determination to hasten completion of the ongoing Apo-Wasa-Karshi road.

This is not the first time the administration has attempted ending the gridlock, which has taken a swipe on the individual per capital income of every residents of Nyanya and Mararaba a neighbouring town to the FCT. Daily Times, recalls that the Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammed Bello, on assumption of office, set up committee on decongestion of the road as temporary measure to enable civil servants and business men and women get to their places of work on time.

S’ Court affirms Victor Oye as APGA National Chairman Andrew Orolua, Abuja

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Henry Imogiemhe Idogun; Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele; representative of the Governor and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Ehigiamusor; and Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, during the one-day workshop on Public Procurement organised for Principal Officers of the state’s 18 Local Government Councils, in Benin City, Edo State.

FMC becomes teaching hospital soon Sunday Nwakanma, The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia is among four hospitals in the country slated for upgrade to teaching hospital before the end of this year.

The chairman, Board of Management of the FMC, Umuahia, Sen. John Damboyi disclosed this during a courtesy call on Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu at the Government House, Umuahia.

According to him, a team from the federal Ministry of Health had inspected the hospital and made the pronouncement.

He said their visit to the Governor was to inform him of their determination to transform the FMC Umuahia and solicit his support towards the realization of the dream.

Sen Damboyi explained that the board has come up with the ‘Friends of FMC Umuahia initiative to be chaired by Governor Ikpeazu to ensure that the right structure is put in place to ensure the realization of the project.

He commended the Abia State Governor for his contribution towards the kidney transplant unit of the FMC, Umuahia as well as other novel interventions in the health sector of the state.

In his speech, the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said his administration has a vision to deepen universal health coverage for all citizens of the state.

He said that he does not see the FMC, Umuahia as a federal outfit but part of the state.

“FMC is FMC by nomenclature. We do not see it as a federal

hospital but we see it as our own hospital. We also own it.

There is no federal citizen”, he explained.

He promised to do everything to ensure that the FMC is upgraded to a teaching hospital soon.

“I’m happy with your approach. It is a welcome strategy to allow beneficiaries of infrastructure to part own it”, he said.

The Supreme Court yesterday affirmed Chief Victor Oye as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

In a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel of Justices, the apex court dismissed an appeal filed by Chief Martin Agbaso a factional leader of the party.

Justice Sidi Bage, who delivered the lead judgment, upheld the August 16, 2017, verdict of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which vacated the trial court order of mandamus that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to relate with and to recognise Agbaso as the authentic National Chairman of APGA. “In the final analysis, the two issues in the appeal are resolved in favour of the 1st Respondent. The appeal lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the lower court is affirmed. I make no order as to cost”, Justice Bage held.

Atiku continues nationwide consultations Tunde Opalana, Abuja Former Vice President and contender for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has restated his commitment to the promotion of a just and equitable federal structure of government, saying that it remains the panacea to reigniting the socioeconomic development of the country.

Atiku, who was in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State on Friday in continuation of his nationwide consultative meetings with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the

country was in a dire need of economic and political re-engineering in order to refocus our productive energies towards areas of respective competitive strength.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani, others dump APC

Members of Akida and Restoration groups of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Kaduna State on Friday announced their withdrawal from the party.

The Chairman of the Akida group, Matamaiki Tom-Maiyashi announced the decision of the two groups at a press conference in Kaduna.

He said they left because the APC was not ready to accommodate alternative opinions or allow democracy to take its course in the conduct of party affairs.

Prominent members of the two groups include Senators Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) and Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC Kaduna North), Tijjani Ramalan, owner of Liberty Radio and Television stations, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed among others.

Tom-Maiyashi said: “this joint

Press Conference is the culmination of extensive reviews and consultations over the state of the APC in Kaduna State as well as in the nation.

“As you will appreciate, groups such as ours that had been part of the efforts to keep our Party along the lines of survival, accountability and integrity will be diligent in ensuring that whatever steps we take are consistent with our high sense of responsibility.

“We are satisfied that the positions we have arrived at are in the best interests of our members and the ongoing-efforts to create options and strategies that will rid our nation of undeserved and avoidable challenges.

“Members of our two groups have decided to leave the APC because it is incapable of accommodating and responding to well-meaning

dissent, criticism and demands for inclusiveness and internal democracy,“ Tom-Maiyashi said.

He criticised the party, saying it had failed the millions of people who laboured to put it and who expected genuine change.

“We are hereby advising all our teeming members to formalize their withdrawal from the APC. “We are engaged in serious discussions with parties which share our values and principles towards political collaboration that best suits our interests, and in due course, we will make public the outcome of these discussions.

“We want to commend the resilience and commitment of our members in the face of institutionalized exclusion, marginalization and abuse. We urge them all to keep faith,” he said.

7 News

Short News ABSG to create another Aba in Abia North - Ikpeazu Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state says his government is thinking of creating another Aba in Abia North as the area holds great potential as a commercial nerve centre.

He was speaking at Akahaba stadium during a grand civic reception held in his honour by the people of Abiriba in Ohafia LGA. Noting that Abiriba businessmen and other businessmen from Abia North made Aba what it is, the Governor pointed out that Abia North can become another Aba. “There is no Aba without Abia North”, he said.

According to him, the strategy to achieve this is the Abiriba -Nkporo road under construction by his government which will give access to other parts of the South East.

Buhari mourns Sale Hassan Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep condolences to the family of Alhaji Sale Hassan, who was until his death, an elder of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Plateau State.

The President described the late veteran politician and community leader as “a tireless campaigner for peace in Plateau State and the entire country, who remained energetic until his final days. His legacy will remain with the nation for a long time.”

According to President Buhari, “The greatest tribute the people in this country can pay to the late statesman is for all of us to strive for sustainable peace in all our communities.”

Dogara’s constituent promises continued support Samuel Luka, Bauchi

L-R: Marketing Communications Manager, Dizengoff Nigeria, Humphrey Otalor; Edo State Chairman,Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Mr. Donatus Imaghodor; Edo State Women Farmers Coordinator, Apostle Patience Aiguobasinmwin; National Secretary, NCGF, Dr. Sylvanus E. Irondi; Mr.Sunday Daniel of NCGA; Sales Manager, Dizengoff Nigeria, Eastern Region; Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, during a one-day training

Fake News: FG will not gag media – Lai Mohammed The Minister, Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that there would be no censorship or coercion of any media organisation in its fight against fake news and hate speech.

Mohammed gave the assurance when he featured on the NTA flagship programme: ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ entitled, “Combating Damages of Fake News in Nigeria”.

He said the fight against fake news was a global trend with many technology companies like Google, Facebook, twitter and whatsApp also involved in the fight globally.

The minister added that the existing law would be strengthened and enforced to stem the tide of fake news and hate speech, adding that the law would be allowed to take its course.

According to him, the Federal Government will not censor, we will not coerce any media organisation, but we will allow the law to take its course.

“The laws that are there today to take care of this scourge but I think the most important thing is advocacy in order to appeal to the sense of responsibility of

ordinary Nigerian.

“Many people think it is a joke, that is, it is just fun when they see pictures being manipulated but some people also are mischievous and they are deliberately misinforming Nigerians because they actually want to destabilize the polity.

“We will not censor, we will not coerce, but we want to appeal to the every Nigerian that this is a national assignment and is in the interest of every one of us especially the media,’’ he said.

Mohammed said that the essence of launching the campaign against fake news was to sensitise Nigerians on its dangers and encourage everyone to get involved in the fight.

He said, “fake news poses serious danger not just to the peace and security of a nation, but also it threatens the very corporate existence of a nation.”

He also urged the media to always be sure of their sources, adding that even when story sources were identified, things that could divide the nation should not be emphasised.

According to him, a country like

Nigeria which is a multi-ethnic, multireligious, fake news laced with hate speech is a time bomb.

“It is important for us to sensitise Nigerians and seek the cooperation of the media, in particular, in fighting the scourge of fake news.

“We are also using tool of information available to us including using the National Orientation Agency and we have also spoken with the giant technological companies like Google, whatsApp, twitter and also Facebook.

“I must say that it gladdens to see that technology companies are also aware and they are very worried about fake news.

“Google has committed about 300 million dollars for the next three years to fight fake news, Facebook has taken out about 583 million fake accounts and twitter 70 million and WhatsApp has today come out with software to detect fake news.

“Ones we get the support and cooperation of these tech companies and the media in Nigeria as well as everyone, we will be able fight this scourge,’’ he said.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has received another massive support by youth from his constituents of Dass/Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency as they turned out in mass to pledge their unflinching support and loyalty to him, describing the speaker as their ‘party’, as they chanted.

Some of the youths who spoke to Daily Times Correspondent separately at the venue of the rally in Tafawa balewa LGA on Friday said the rally was staged to expressed their total support for the Speaker come 2019 and even beyond.

The youths who said they didn’t know what democracy was all about until Yakubu Dogara became their Representative in the National Assembly added that Dogara has built schools, roads, hospitals, markets, provided scholarships, water, electricity, etc, for them.

2nd Abuja Airport Terminal begins operation October - FAAN MD Idu Jude, Abuja The managing Director/CEO, Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Engr. Saleh Dunoma has said the new international terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja will be operational by October 2018.

Engr. Dunoma who spoke at the sidelines of President Muhammadu Buhari’s inspection of ongoing construction work at the airport yesterday however noted that terminal facility should be ready by August 2018 but will be officially commissioned around October.

“We are pressuring the contractor to finish (the terminal) in August so that we can start operations in October and all the stakeholders are working together to ensure this happens” he explained.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done, adding that the train station would be linked to the existing domestic terminal for seamless movement if passengers.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

FG begins IPPIS verification of civil servants July 16 - Oyo-Ita

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, says the verification of Federal Government Employees on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) will commence on Monday, July 16.

Oyo-Ita stated this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

She said that a total of 486 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with over 300,000 employees, had enrolled on the IPPIS platform.

According to her, the verification was part of the implementation of the eight priority areas of the 2017 to 2020 Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP).

Oyo-Ita explained that the verification was to authenticate the documents of individual employees of the Federal Government and that the procedure would entail everyone presenting themselves and documents for screening.

“In fulfilment of one of the cardinal

principles of the introduction of the IPPIS programme which is blocking loopholes and discouraging corruption in the administration of personnel records, it is important that the Human Resource information on the IPPIS portal be cleaned up with a view to having credible data for both payroll and personnel administration and analysis.

“The employees to be verified are only those that have completed their update on the online verification portal, which started April, 2017,” she said.

According to her, at the end of the verification, discrepancies will be resolved to ensure that what is finally uploaded unto the IPPIS platform has high level of data integrity.

Oyo-Ita said that the employees who do not comply with the verification would have their data deleted from the Federal Government employee database.

The Federal Government, on December 8, 2017, inaugurated the FCSSIP with the aim to reposition the federal civil service for efficiency and enhanced service delivery to Nigerians in line with the current administration’s change agenda.

The verification, which is scheduled to run for two weeks, will start with the Federal Ministry of Information, Health, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Ministry of Defence (MOD), from July 16 to 20 among others.

From July 23 to 27, it would be the turn of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, State House, Federal Ministry of Environment, Power Works and Housing and others.

The verification would come to a close on August 3, when officers would visit the Federal Technical College, Orozo, FCT.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Commissioner for Justice and Chairman, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe (left); and President, Great Benin Origins, Engr. Isaac Igbinosun, during the Town Hall Meeting, in Brussels, Belgium.

Ebonyi Govt, Ibeto Group to revive NIGERCEM Edward Nnachi, Abakaliki Plans have been concluded by Ebonyi state government and the IBETO Group, a cement manufacturing giant, to revive the hitherto moribund state’s owned cement firm, NIGERCEM Nkalagu in the state, with 6000 metric tons cement factory.

NIGERCEM, until its comatose state, had provided employment for over 15,000 indigenes of the state and with the coming of IBETO Cement, Ebonyi state will soon become one

of the most industrialised states in Nigeria, after Lagos and Ogun states.

This indication was made Friday at the Government House Abakaliki, the state capital by Chief Cletus Ibeto, the Chairman of IBETO Group of companies, when he paid the Governor of the state, Engr. Dave Umahi, a courtesy with the technical partners of the project.

Chief Ibeto, who said he was in Abakaliki to introduce his partners to the governor, added “I am here to introduce my team with the big company that will develop NIGERCEM, Nkalagu Cement plant.

“This is a peaceful meeting and we

are here to tell you that we are back to start the project. They will be going to Nkalagu every day and will do the design of the plant. All we signed in 2015 contract will be implemented.

“We are going to start with 6000 metric tons per day at Nkalagu.

Nothing is going to be touched in the moribund plant. A new one will be set up. We are going to set up another plant.

“In Effium community, Ebonyi state, we will produce 3000 metric tons. While we are doing 3000, we will also look before another place to compliment the limestone there”, he said.

Magu did not divert staff salaries, allowances- EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied media report that titled “How EFCC’s Magu diverted N702 million, 13 months salaries of new operatives”, which appeared in an online news platform.

Reacting to the story, EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to state that there is no N702 milllion that was diverted from the salaries of any group of employees of the Commission.

The idea of diversion of salaries of newly recruited cadet officers may well be part of a plot to incite impressionable young officers to mutiny against the Commission’s leadership.”

He further noted that “it is important to state that the Commission as a law enforcement agency has established protocols and regulations on the administration of emolument to all cadres of staff. Cadet Officers in training are entitled to allowances and this was duly paid to not only the Detective Superintendent Course 7 officers who completed their training on May 11, but to officers of Detective Inspector and Detective Assistant cadre who completed their trainings much earlier.

“By the EFCC regulations, these officers are not entitled to any 28 days allowance during training and the mandatory one year internship after training. As a result of this policy, the Commission maintains transit camps in all its offices where officers on internship are accommodated.”

Uwujaren also stated that “it is equally mischievous to allege that ‘Magu has unanimously (sic) resolved not to pay officers their June 2018 salary, as other staff of the Commission have been paid’. While it is true that officers of the DS Course 7 are yet to receive their June Salary, the delay was caused by the simple fact that they were not enrolled

into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) early enough to collect their June salary. They have since been enrolled and would be paid their entitlement.

“Equally false is the claim that Police Officers on secondment are being owed salaries of between five and seven months.

Police officers attached to the Commission are paid by their mother agency, the Nigeria Police. What they collect from the EFCC is the differential between their police pay and the salary of officers of equivalent rank in the EFCC. This differential unfortunately has not been paid to a few officers because the funds come from a separate platform from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“Perhaps the most ridiculous of the allegations is the claim that the Commission illegally diverted funds of the EFCC Staff Cooperative Society to finance the construction of its new head office. This is preposterous against the obvious fact that funds were appropriated for the project by the National Assembly. The Commission has no need for cooperative money to build its offices.

“The challenge being experienced by members of staff in accessing loans from the Cooperative arose from the dwindling resources available to the society. This was caused by the Commission’s recent migration to the IPPIS platform which is configured to accept only statutory deductions, consequently monthly receipts by the Cooperative dropped. But it is a temporary disruption, which is already being addressed by the Finance and Account Department of the Commission”.

Magu

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

9 News

Sokoto Attack: FG will beef up security, punish perpetrators – Dambazau

Short News

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Friday reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to beef up security in areas affected by security challenges in the country and punish the perpetrators.

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Gandi and Tabanni villages in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing 39 people, injuring and displacing many others.

The management of Garki Hospital, Abuja, says it did not insist on getting police report to treat Miss Angela Igwetu, a National Youth Service Corp member shot dead in Abuja on July 4.

In a video presentation to support its claim on Friday in Abuja, Dr Ibrahim Wada, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, said the presentation was to provide facts on the roles of the hospital when they brought Igwetu for urgent medical attention.

Wada explained that Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) was invited by the hospital to investigate the death of Igwetu.

He said that the inspection would correct the wrong impression in online news that the hospital demanded police report before taking the necessary action.

Dambazau gave the assurance on Friday in Sokoto when he led a delegation on a condolence visit to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari was worried over the incident and promised go after the perpetrators.

He said that Buhari had pledged to live up to the expectation of protecting the lives and property of the people by beefing up security in the affected areas.

“Measures to track the perpetrators have been put in place, and they will surely face the wrath of the law, ”Dambazau said.

Tambuwal, who thanked the minister for the visit, said that the incident displaced about 10, 000 people currently camped in four different places.

Dambazau was accompanied by the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, among others.

Shot NYSC member: Garki Hospital did not insist on police report - Medical Director

Old Bende rally: Abia Deputy Gov appreciates zone Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Following a successful rally by the Old Bende cultural divide of Abia State recently, the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, yesterday appreciated the people over the rally where he was honoured alongside the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, and adopted for a second term.

Ude Oko Chukwu who was speaking with President Generals of communities within the Old Bende in his lodge, stated that the rally was a huge success and will “to a large extent demonstrate to the entire world that we are still old Bende people” He re-assured that the administration of Gov. Ikpeazu will maintain his promise of “one-wardone-project”, urging those that the project was yet to reach to inform the state government.

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (left), His Royal Majest, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Julius Oluwole Olufaderin Adetimehin, Jimoko II, Jegun of Ile-Oluji Kingdom (middle), Olori (Dr), Adetokunbo Adetimehin (right), during a courtesy visit to the palace of Jegun of Ile - Oluji by the members of Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials, (FOWOSO) for the Empowerment Outreach Programme for Women, Youths and Special needs people in Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state.

Save Lagos from coastal erosion, NCF urges FG The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), on Friday appealed to the Federal Government to save Lagos State from being wiped out by coastline erosion.

NCF made the call at a conference in Lagos on the dangers of a fast eastward ocean current eating up several meters of land daily on the Lekki and Victoria Island axis.

NCF’s chairman, Chief Ede Dafinone, said several coastal communities had been washed away and if nothing was done, the Lagos Island would be underwater by 2030 and the whole of Lagos by 2050.

According to him, the problem of coastline erosion started during the colonial era when moulds were created to protect the Apapa-Wharf.

He said the impact caused a backlash on the Lekki axis causing an overflow of the Bar Beach, but that the Eko Atlantic City Project later protected the Bar Beach forcing the problem further downstream.

He said the Lagos State Government began the construction of groins around the Eko Atlantic City and Bar

Beach towards Elegushi Beach to solve the problem.

He explained that the state government had taken the initiative to erect over 15 groins that effectively protected and replenished the coast for up to 14 kilometres.

“It costs about one billion Naira to construct one groin and Lagos State Government’s inability to continue the project in the last 18 months suggested that they were overwhelmed by the problem,” he said While making a video presentation, Dr Joseph Onoja, NCF Director, Technical Programme, said by mid2011, the Eko Atlantic Project protected the Beach but that the problem moved eastward between 2015 and 2016.

He, therefore, stressed the need for the federal government to urgently move in to protect the shorelines to ward off the fast ocean currents worsened by climate change and other human activities.

“It took only 24 hours for a whole community to be wiped off in Kuramo Beach. Other countries are protecting their shorelines and we in Nigeria

must do same,” he warned.

The Director General of NCF, Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, appealed to the Lagos State Government and the Federal government to protect the shorelines as far as the Escravos to avert disaster.

“The immediate solution is for Lagos to take the groins construction all the way to Escravos.

“We are appealing to the managers of the ecological funds to look in the area of these shorelines in Lagos,” he said.

“It took only 24 hours for a whole community to be wiped off in Kuramo Beach. Other countries are protecting their shorelines and we in Nigeria must do same.”

- Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)

Bayelsa APC mourns elder statesman Akam James, Yenagoa The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Bayelsa State has described the death of one of its stalwart and elder statesman, Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo as an “indescribable loss” of a wonderful ally at a time his experience and energy were most needed.

In a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, stated that Jonathan-Omo who died Thursday was a forthright politician, and an illustrious son of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation who partook in popular activities to better the lives of his people.

The statement reads: “We do this tribute with great sadness over the indescribable loss of our leader, political mentor, and friend, Chief Lionel Jonathan-Omo. “Jonathan-Omo broke his limbs in a fall and fought bravely for his life at a private hospital in Port Harcourt to recover from the injuries he sustained. He never survived them. The chief died Thursday after an unsuccessful operation”.

NGO seeks to enthrone credible leadership in Bayelsa A Non Governmental Organization (NGO), and political pressure group under the aegis of G24 Embasara Foundation has called for a review of the leadership process to ensure that those who occupy public offices are answerable and accountable to the people.

The group, on Friday unveiled its plan at a one day summit on Visionary Leadership, Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Bayelsa.

Speaking at the event, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Amba Ambaiowei said that the organisation was made up of Ijaw people who are concerned about the under development in Ijaw land who believe that the people deserved improved social amenities.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

NASS moves to clear misconception about activities Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja The National Assembly has resolved to engender public empathy about its activities through the creation of platforms where information directly emanates from its domain.

Top management and staff of the National Assembly past and present, unanimously agree that one major setback the legislative arm of government in Nigeria faces, is gross misinterpretation of its roles and functionality.

This consensus was made in Abuja on Thursday, in an event to mark the one year Anniversary of the re-launch of National Assembly legislative digest.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented at the anniversary celebration by the deputy majority leader, Senator Bala ibn Naallah explained some of the misconceptions trailing activities of the legislature.

He insisted that Nigerians only read about how much members of legislature are paid, and are often in the dark about the sacrifices lawmakers make for the good of the country.

“Few know how many corrupt officials that have been exposed by the National Assembly through its oversight function in line with the constitution.

“For instance uninformed persons ascribe the functions of the executive to the legislature, leading them to appraise the tenure of their representatives by the number of infrastructural development influenced but not executed by them,” he stated.

“The National Assembly has been an object of public scorn, due to negative news about the legislature from the media.

“Whenever the legislative attempts to do its work properly and diligently it is accused of delaying or truncating the system,” he stressed.

However, he expressed confidence that with the revival of the Legislative digest and other information media, the anomalies can be corrected.

He stated that depending on the quality of reporting, Nigeria’s democracy can either be enhanced or destroyed by the media.

Also, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Abdurrazak Nandas, in his remarks, said budget passage is one of the causes of present bad image of the National Assembly.

He said some people believe that the budget is meant for only the 469 members of the National Assembly, adding that the National Assembly has staff that are not lawmakers, affiliated organs of the National Assembly, like the National Assembly Commission and NILDS that

are also on the payroll of the National Assembly.

To further clear the air about empty seats during plenary sessions, he emphasized that it is not out of place and it doesn’t mean the absent lawmakers are not working.

“National Assembly members have oversight duties that warrant their absence during plenary; for instance, lawmakers at this event, their seats will be empty in the chambers.

“We risk life to make laws, to the extent that our chambers can be invaded too by hoodlums,” he said.

In recent time, the National Assembly has intensified efforts in telling their own side of the story.

Just a month ago, the Nigerian Institute for Legislative Studies (NILDS), organised training workshop for state assemblies clerks, tasking them to facilitate access to information by the public, creating websites with up to date information about the activities of the state legislature.

With the revival of the moribund Legislative Digest, that was established in 2010, with the aim of closing the information gap between the lawmakers and the public, there is the fear that it may become a propaganda tool, just like every other government owned media organisations.

Short News Babysitter charged with abusing baby, hiding dead body in freezer A babysitter was dragged to a Malaysian court on Friday with two charges of murder for the death of a fivemonth-old, whose body was allegedly hidden in a freezer to conceal his death.

According to state wire agency Bernama, the 33-yearold maid, Noor Aqilah Abd Rahman, pleaded not guilty.

A post-mortem on the baby, Adam Rayqal, at the Kuala Lumpur hospital, showed he died of brain haemorrhage and suffered from skull fracture, according to the report.

The babysitter, previously a cook, is accused of abusing the boy, leading to the head injuries.

If convicted, Noor Aqilah could face a 50,000-ringgit fine (12,300 dollars), 20 years in jail, or both.

Buhari in closed door meeting with Pastor Bakare President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed door with the Leader of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Pastor Bakare arrived the presidential villa together with the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, at about 2.30p.m.

Bakare, former running mate to Buhari as then presidential candidate under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), in 2011, was led into the president’s office by the minister.

Pastor Bakare had recently criticised the Buhari administration over the economic and security situation across the country.

The minister of finance, Adeosun, had been enmeshed in controversy over the genuineness of her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate.

Delta approves completion of Asaba Airport fence

Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede (left) presenting a souvenir to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) during a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor at his office in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Photo by Lucky Francis.

Miyetti Allah bans Fulani women from street hawking A Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has banned their women from selling cow milk (Nono) on the street, saying that the action is to protect them from danger and against their tradition.

National President of the association, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo made this known during a meeting with Fulani leaders and other stakeholders at Maliya Cattle Market in Tudun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

Bodejo said that all Fulani leaders should ensure they comply with the law so that Fulanis can be able to go back to their culture and tradition.

“This law of banning our women from hawking ‘Nono’ on the street is made to protect them from danger.

Many of our women have been

victims of kidnapping and rape due to this street trading.

“Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore is setting up a committee that would go round the country to ensure that the law is obeyed. Every Fulani women should take their ‘Nono’ to the market or wherever they are selling and station in one place for customers to come and buy, not to be on street which would cause danger for them,” Bodejo said.

The Fulani leaders added that the law is not restricted on women alone, also on Fulani youths that engaged themselves in illicit drugs, saying that the committee would fetch them out and hand them over to the appropriate authority.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle

Breeders of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alahji Mohammed Hussaini commended the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for the action, saying that it was as a result of this street trading that Fulanis have bastard that always led to bad name which they are facing today.

He said, “We want our women to follow our culture and tradition of selling ‘Nono’ for people, not on the street, they should station in one particular place to sell it, also the law should be extended to our youths,” he stressed.

The meeting was attended by all Ardos across the country, humanitarian organisations, women and stakeholders and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore chairmen from 36 states, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Delta Government has approved the completion of the fencing of the Asaba Airport to ensure adequate security.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, made this known on Friday in Asaba.

Ukah said that the approval was given at the last State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

According to him, the council took the decision to strengthen security at the airport and to ensure maximum protection of lives and property.

He said that the SEC also approved the construction of a befitting secretariat for the council of traditional rulers in the state.

“The council also approved the completion of Uzougba Link Road to Issele-Uku/Otulu Road, Ubulu-Okiti,’’ Ukah said in a statement.

Obasanjo causes a stir at Afreximbank annual meeting Former President Olusegun Obasanjo caused a stir at the on-going African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meeting in Abuja.

He chose to sit among the participants instead of a front row seat reserved for him among the dignitaries, at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton.

No one knew the reason for Obasanjo’s action and he did not explain to anyone.

Before Obasanjo’s arrival, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and Albert Muchanga, African Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Transport were already seated.

He arrived when Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank was delivering his welcome speech.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Life & Times

11

Chika Ike:

One of my greatest challenges was losing my parents For Chika Ike, the stardom she is currently enjoying today is as a result of her constant hard work and consistency put over time.

She kicked off her acting career at an early age of six in her local church and has since grown to the super-diva enjoyed in our various TV screens. Having featured in countless movies, Chika is an actress with exceptional and outstanding display of roles and characters. Recently, Chika added another feather to her nest as she turned an author with the unveiling of her first book titled ‘Boss Up’ where she opened up on never heard details of her upbringing, her Harvard business school experience, concerning fear and successful business tips. She spoke with MUTIAT ALLI about these and other sundry issues. Enjoy…

With your new book, you exposed a lot about of your family issues; what steps have you taken to reconcile with your father?

Despite the rejection by my father, all this are courage that has shaped me to the woman that I am today. Although my father is late now, but I was able to do that with the help of my mother.

We had a good relationship before he passed on like three years ago. We had that moment where we had to sit down and make amends.

Do you now have a good relationship with other members of your family after?

Definitely!! One of the reason why you have to read the book to know how we got that point ; I think it’s what happens to a lot of people because most time you don’t know what you are doing until you are been confronted on what you have been doing. My father is a wonderful man and good husband to my mother; looking at their relationship always made me to want to get married. My father is full of surprises and he made have this believe that marriage is beautiful depending on who are getting married to.

It’s been said that woman like to married a man like their father; was that applicable to you too?

Yes!! If I could have an husband like my father because he as a perfect gentleman and a good man& husband to my mother.

You talked about your previous marriage, is there any part of the book where you addressed finding love again?

Off course in the book I mentioned my past marriage and everyone is aware of it because it was all over the social media and also there is a part of the book where I also took part of the blame and all that.

Is there a new relationship now?

I think you have to wait for the big

announcement to come when it’s due.

Having spoke about your past relationship in the book, are you not scared that you may be dragged to court for revealing too much?

For me all I wrote in the book is equally all that have been addressed in the court and in the media, there is no defamation of character at all because it’s all there in the media. The court knew why I left my marriage because it is legal as it was due to domestic violence which was obvious. I don’t have a terrible relationship with my ex, I have forgotten and let go all that happened and moved on.

What will you miss most about your late mum?

I will miss everything because my mum was very strong woman, passionate and don’t forget she was a pastor. She was educated and very outspoken philanthropist. She was my pillar; like I always say to people when your parents passed, God becomes your father and mother and he will surely be there for you always.

When the media tries to play on your vulnerabilities; what will be your reaction?

The normal reaction because of course nobody wants his/her vulnerabilities is played upon. But at this point in my life; it’s a two-way street, life is either good or bad. You embrace the truth and leave the bad; at this point I think I am strong right now and for me to write this book showed that I am ready.

So how were you able to overcome those turbulence moments in your life?

I think one of the greatest challenges so far for me was when my parents passed, for two years I was living but I was not myself because I was going through a lot of emotion. Six months after mum passed I lost my sense of being what I meant by that is that I could not think straight

because I was going through a moment of depression. I never knew that the loss of a parent or a family member can make you pass through this but at the end, I prayed, went for counseling and I got better.

How affordable is the book?

Very affordable as a copy can be gotten for a token of five thousand naira but in some couple of days, I will be doing lots of promotions but you have to stay tuned to benefit from it. On Okada books download its selling for two thousand five hundred naira.

You equally said you took some blames in the book; young girls how there will like to know what part of the blame you took and how you were able to resolve it?

You have to read the book to understand all this phases I went through!! Truth be told, I took blames that were mine and how I overcome it is one of the reason you have to read the book.

You ventured into real estate at age 20, why then do you go into acting?

I have always loved to act because acting is my first love; it makes me wake up in the morning feeling happy. My latest movie

is titled ‘Small Chops’ and will be out in cinemas across the country. Real Estate on the side is equally one of my ventures because I am a business oriented person and acting has given me that platform to get favored and be involved in several projects.

With ‘Boss Up’, do we get to see like sequence of it into a movie or series?

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and just see how we unfolds because am very sure I will pull a Beyoncé on all of you. Currently I am looking at all the opportunities that will come with it but on the movie aspect I have not thought about it.

What is the scariest experience you have had in acting?

I was on clutches at some point and what made me to use that is part of the reason why you need to read the book.

That was one of my scariest moment because I thought I was going to lose my legs because the doctor told me I won’t be able to do some amount things for some years; that was my breaking point in the Nollywood.

Did it happen during a movie set?

Yes it was on a movie set.

Life & Times 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Gist

Sound Sultan signs first management deal with Temple Management Mutiat Alli, Lagos Notable pan-African talent and event management agency, the Temple Management Company has signed-on one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria, Olanrewaju Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan.

Both parties put pen to paper on Thursday, July 7 at the Temple Management office located in Lagos.

Expressing his glee at the new partnership, Sound Sultan remarked, “I am amazed at how much this organization has achieved within a short space of time and I excitedly look forward to a fruitful, interesting and successful journey with this new management team. Before joining the Temple Management, looking from the outside, I could tell that this organization has a well-structured plan, one that is synonymous with

the personal brand I want to continue building. I am indeed elated to be part of this family’.

Sound Sultan further disclosed that this is the first time he is being managed professionally since the inception of his career. He added that he took the decision to be managed

by Temple Management based on his firm belief in the vision of the organization and his confidence in the alignment of the organization’s vision with his.

Welcoming Sound Sultan onboard, the Chief Financial Officer, Temple Management Company, Hamza Idris-Kutigi, speaking on behalf of the Group Chief Executive and Founder of Temple Management Company, Idris Olorunnimbe expressed his delight at the relationship that has been birthed with high hopes for the future.

“Our inherent desire is to change the face of the entertainment sector has birthed a yearning to work

with rare talents such as Sound Sultan whose musical content is rich and inspiring. This synergy is the beginning of a journey we truly eager to commence and we promise to put nothing short of our best foot forward”.

Idris-Kutigi further assured Sound Sultan of Temple Management’s absolute confidence in his vision and brand pledging to ensure optimal delivery at every given time.

Sound Sultan is the latest addition to the Temple Management talents who are spread across entertainment, sports, the arts, media and other areas. Temple Management is a foremost agency specializing in the management of talents across Africa.

Within a short space of time, it has signed on both budding and established artistes which include Bisola, Jeff Akoh, Seun Adigun, Lekan Babalola, Fola David, Logor, and Kenneth Omeruo amongst a host of others.

U & I music act, Olakira debuts with two brand song Newly unveiled artiste signed to U & I Music, Olakira; makes a debut into the Nigerian music scene with the release of two singles titled Hey Lover and Flirty Signal. Olakira whose real name is ‘Ade Ebenezer’ is an AfroPop and RnB artiste who hails from Ogun state in Nigeria. He is a producer, composer, songwriter, singer and also plays most musical instruments. The artiste says he is fixated on showcasing the very best, beginning with these two new singles; as he gradually takes the Nigerian music industry by storm.

Speaking on his plans, Olakira commented: ‘Getting a platform to help develop and showcase my gifts had always been my major

challenge till I got signed to the U & I Music label, one that truly understands me and treats me like family. With this opportunity I want to make a positive mark in the industry that will stand the test of time and for Olakira to become a household name, both home and abroad.’

Commenting on the newly signed artiste, U&I Music executive, “Ra” said: ‘Olakira’s humility, loyalty and significant contributions to exceptional songs like “Akube” and “MyWoman” was outstanding. I have an addiction for good music and therefore could not resist but to develop and help showcase great talents to the world, it truly gives me joy….may GOD be our guide

Bovi teams up with Steve Egboro for unforgettable night in Atlanta

StarTimes signs broadcasting deal with Discovery and Fox Cable network, StarTimes signed deals with both Discovery and Fox to bring high quality entertainment to viewers across Africa through TV and OTT platform.

Amanda Turnbull, Vice President and General Manager for Discovery in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and StarTimes Head of Content Operation Center, Janet Liu, agreed on the broadcast rights of three general entertainment and lifestyle channels. The deal will see StarTimes subscribers enjoy the best in family entertainment with the new addition of Discovery Family, alongside suspense-filled,

true-crime channel, Investigation Discovery (ID), which will remain on the platform.

StarTimes and Discovery are also planning the launch of a new female lifestyle channel.

Customized especially for the modern African woman, Real Time will launch later this year.

Fox Executive Vice President, Adam Theiler, and StarTimes Head of Content Operation Center, Janet Liu, agreed to continue to broadcast Fox channels on StarTimes platform. These channels are FOX Channel, FOX Life, FOX Sports, FOX Sports 2, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Baby TV

and Voyage. They will be available in English, French and Portuguese.

Furthermore, StarTimes will also offer Fox and National Geographic content on its OTT platform. SVOD services Fox+ and NG+ will join some 70 channels already available on the StarTimes App. Pioneer of video streaming in Africa, leading digital TV operator StarTimes enriches its platform’s content to fulfill growing demand from African users. StarTimes App, the digital TV operator OTT platform, has been launched in partnership with 23 telecom operators and now reaches 450 million mobile phone users.

Popular comedian, Bovi did not disappoint when he teamed-up with Steve Egboro’s Antilia Heights Production to stage his soar-away comedy show, ‘Man On Fire’ in Atlanta, Georgia.

The expansive Infinite Energy Theatre, Georgia was filled to capacity by a multi-racial audience of fun-lovers who came in their numbers for an unforgettable night.

US-based event and TV production firm, Antilia Heights Production Company known for its reputation as its high-standards ensured there was no dull moment.

To add more spice, the event also featured performances as well as appearance by entertainers such as Elenu, Mr. Patrick and Nollywood actor, Joseph Benjamin among others.

Registered in Georgia, Atlanta as a limited liability company, the company operates in key areas such as arts, entertainment, and recreation. In a short time, the firm is establishing a niche for itself among the blacks and non-black US communities.

Meanwhile, Antilia Heights TV, the production arm is on the

movie set filming a feature length Nollywood flick entitled The Heir Apparent.’ Directed by veteran filmmaker, Robert Peters, the movie is stars Nollywood hunks, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Joseph Benjamin in leading roles among an array of tested thespians. Antilia Heights’ modest effort is already getting noticed as it was not long ago awarded a Certificate of Honors by organizers of the Nollywood Travel Film Festival.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

13 Mixed Grill

Why I want to work with Mode 9 fast-rising act - Yannick Philppe Young, vibrant and talented Yannick Philppe is not ready to let his guard and be swallowed by the struggles of a budding music act. The UK- Nigeria based aspiring music star has got all it takes to turn Nigerian Snoop dog in few years. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, the soft spoken rapper bares it all on his challenges, inspirations, music label and lots more.

For how long have you been in the music industry?

I have been in the industry for about five years now dropping singles and shooting videos.

Cross section of cast and crew

What inspires to do music and what genre of music do you do?

Yes some Nigerian rappers inspire me like Terry Tha Rapman, Mode 9, and 2face Asa. I do Hip-hop, Rap music, Afro pop and anything that I can vibe to.

Are you currently under any label or management?

My record label is called Yannick Philippe Music Group and my management is run by my manager.

Do you have any special features that you think would stand you out in no due time?

Yes. I had collaboration with Terry Tha Rapman and Pherow but I’m already planning to work with Mode9 on a new single which I believe it’s going to be a big hit. I have always admired Mode 9 style of rap, one of the reason I look forward to working with him on project too.

Executive producer, Biola Alabi, Seyi Shay and Vector

Lara and the Beat world premiere celebrates the best of Nollywood, Afrobeat

By Mutiat Alli, Lagos Biola Alabi Media’s world premiere of its 2018 hit production ‘Lara and the Beat’, held on Sunday night at the Lagos Continental Hotel. It was a celebration of film, music and fashion, and the who’s who of the film and music industry came out colourful, runway ready and bold.

The lavish event was a resounding evening of fabulous fashion presentation and a mesmerizing music concert, taking cues from key themes explored in the movie – music, fashion and culture.

With less than two weeks to the movie’s cinematic release nationwide on July 20, the cast and other members of the production team took to the carpet to hint about the excitement that ‘Lara and the Beat’ promises.

“We had a lot of fun on set making this movie, and I am particularly excited about the cultural elements that stand out in this movie,” said Seyi Shay, who plays Lara Giwa in the movie.

“Music is a big part of this movie, and to see how it was perfectly

fused with this production, makes me really proud as a music artiste.”

“We are now starting to see a brilliant collaboration between Nollywood and the music industry,” says Tosin Coker, Director of Lara and the Beat.

“This is very special for me because I started my career as a music video director, and to see this happening now and to be a part of it, is something I am really proud of.”

Like the director of the movie, Seyi Shay who plays the role of the lead protagonist, Lara Giwa, and Vector who plays her love interest, Sal, also have a music background, both being major music stars. Other cast members from the music industry include DJ Xclusive (who plays Jide), and Toni Tones (who plays Trish).

“It’s great to see how this blend of movie and music has played out tonight, all the brilliance shown not only by the music cast members, but especially by the traditional Nollywood cast members as well, who really made this a pleasant experience,” said Vector.

Lara and the Beat also has an original music soundtrack produced by ace music producer Tee Y Mix, with significant input

from the team at Universal Music Group in Nigeria.

Tee Y Mix who has worked with some of the music artistes in this movie before, said “Regular studio recording is not quite the same as when you’re making an original music soundtrack for a movie, but it’s not any less fun.

I’m really proud of what we’ve created.”

“What drew us to this production was the vision they had to fuse music with movie, and this is something our mother brand has done in other parts, and we were glad to be able to do the same in Nigeria,” said Eze Ezegozie of Universal Music Group (UMG) Nigeria.

Lara and the Beat produced by Tolu Olusoga stars award winning Nollywood heavyweights Somkele, Chioma Akpotha, Chinedu Ikedieze, Uche Jombo, Lala Akindoju, Bimbo Manuel, Wale Ojo, Shaffy Bello, and Saidi Balogun. Other cast members include Deyemi Okanlawon, Demola Adedoyin, Folu Storms, Sharon Ooja, Anne Icha, Akan Nnani, Dara Egerton Shyngle, Bollylomo, David Jones David, Cookies, Keira Hewatch, Patrick Oke and Demi Banwo.

In the next 3 years, where would you love to see yourself?

I see myself doing more collaboration and dropping more videos, singles and establishing a brand for myself.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on an EP of six songs and I will be getting collaborations on it as am I equally planning on drop an album before the end of the year.

What’s your educational background?

I have a Higher Diploma in film making and acting for TV/Film in Paris and London.

Are your parents fully in support

of your music career?

Yes. They are my biggest fans. My Dad and Mom have always been in full support.

Would you say you were born with a silver spoon?

No. Just want to survive because I wasn’t born with even a bronze spoon How was growing up days like?

Any fond memories?

Yes, was fun playing in the park with friends and didn’t have much so I had to put in work.

What are the challenges you’ve faced as an upcoming act?

If you are not popular yet, no one wants to know you until you ‘blow’.

Too many free shows to expose yourself and it’s not easy on me at all.

If you have better offer by an established record label will you jump on it?

Well, It’s good to get sponsors but am working on my label if I get I might jump on. It all depends on the offer. I just want to establish my brand before making moves.

Any plans to dabble in Afrobeats?

Yes, I have always loved Afro pop right from my early days so I would maybe with small doctor it depends because i love his songs Can you compare life in Nigeria and UK? Yes, it’s very different especially when it comes to security, power supply, human rights, educational standards and love Since you studied Film writing and production; have you featured in any movie?

Yes, in a movie called invisible men in which I was the lead actor and it got nominated at the British Film festival and picked up by channel 4 London

Society Circle 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Unveiling Apostle Sediq Moses Isaac Oguntoye, Lagos Though not every man of god wishes for any calamity, but when a man of God speaks it pertinent for one to listen. Apostle Sediq Moses, who is widely known as Moses of our time, is another dynamic spiritual filled pastor to look out for.

Pastor Sediq has no doubt joined the league of prominent who predict and earn the general public against any form of calamity of disaster.

One of his prophesies was when he predicted and warned against the disaster that happened on Thursday, 28th of June, 2018 on Friday, 6th, April, 2018.

Before then, he predicted the death of Ras Kimono far back in May, 27th, 2018 and the prophecy came to pass in June 10th.

The amiable man of God and the general overseer Christ Holy Mountain Liasu Road, Ikotun, Lagos also predicted the victory of Nigeria incumbent president far back in 2013, where he said a certain man from Northern part of the country in “Agbada” regalia would rule the country and unseat the ruling party, this came to pass in May, 2015 as Muhammadu Buhari emerged the President of the country beating the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

He however warned that a lot of disaster still lying ahead if proper things are not done “God is aware of what is happening in Nigeria and until the right thing is done, Nigeria may still encounter more calamity. God told me to tell all the churches to come together and do one crusade in one place, and I remember I said July which is this month’ concluded apostle mosses who was born a Muslim to Islamic chief imam

Youths tips Abdulquadri Olubaji for public office As the 2019 General Election approaches, some Nigerian youths are determined to take charge of the political future of Nigeria and initiate steps towards guaranteeing a brighter future for the upcoming generation.

One of the dogged youth who has been a leadership coach, organizing leadership talks and a lawyer of high repute is Abdulquadri Olubaji Esq. The Ogun State University now known as Olabisi Onabanjo University graduate and a former Legal practitioner at Femi Okunnu (SAN) & Co. Solicitors & Advocates will be vying for the position of Lagos State House of Assembly member from the Surulere Constituency 2 under the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.

Besides being a young and vibrant lawyer turned politician, he continues to be at the forefront of most youth struggles especially when it concerns the upliftment of his community.

Abdulquadri Olubaji who is widely known as “The Law” and highly respected amongst the youths and the community as a whole; has been described by the people in his constituency as an amiable humble, likeable philanthropist who tries to give back to his community and society at large. The Philanthropist par excellence has been holding several meetings with indigenes & stakeholders across ethnic lines and religious backgrounds within the community with a view to charting a way forward on how to salvage his constituency.

2019: Femi Babalola declares his candidacy

Corporate Amazon, Mary Udoh Bassey Akpobome clocks 50 The ever-radiant corporate guru, Mary Udoh Bassey Akpobome clocks 50 few days ago.

The accomplished banker is the wife of Ali Baba, veteran comedian and entertainment legend.

Akpobome attended Qua Iboe Mission Secondary School, Etinan, Akwa Ibom and proceeded to University of Benin where she studied Theatre Arts graduating in 1991, In 2001, she enrolled at the University of Lagos where she obtained her MBA. She is also an alumnus of the prestigious INSEAD and INSEAD Business

School, Orchestrating Winning Performance (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland and the Lagos Business School (LBS). She is member of the institute of Directors (IOD), a fellow of the institute of Credit Administration (ICA). She is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN).

Akpobome is a director of Heritage Banking Company Limited of Nigeria (HBCL) In a series of post on Instagram, Alibaba shared beautiful pictures of his wife and he appreciated her beauty.

The 53-year-old expressed

his love to Mary, appreciating her hard work, strength and perseverance.

“Happy 50th Birthday to @ mummymary_ you deserve a huge celebration. You have persevered. You have labored.

You worked hard. You sacrificed.

You prayed. You hustled. You put in the time. You were bruised. You were discounted… still you rose.

“Above everything you had God. You had friends. You had mentors. You had family. You had guts. You have it all… so happy 50th Birthday my MTO… MaryB… MaBrandi… love you scatter,” he wrote.

Businessman and philanthropist, Femi Babalola has declared his intention to contest the 2019 Nigerian Presidential election, saying governance in the country needs creative and fresh ideas to deliver the country from its current woes.

Babalola in a statement from his Media Officer Mercy Ayo-Oloye said it’s time for Nigerians to come together and rescue the Country from professional looters who had been ruling the country.

Babalola noted that challenges facing the country are not rocket science but lack of sincere political will has kept the country in bad shape.

Unveiling his agenda, Babalola said he will create jobs through... and fight poverty to make life meaningful for majority of the populace.

‘My focus is to create more than 10 million jobs opportunities to reduce unemployment in Nigeria to less than 5% in the next four years. Provision of constant Power Supply through advanced and green technology will lay the foundation for an Industrial Revolution, to turn Nigeria to a 21st Century Industrial powerhouse.’

He said Nigeria needs a better sustainable and secured environment

to utilised their potentials for communal development, saying government must embrace the 21st century socio-economic and political pattern for youth development in the country.

Babalola is the CEO of Abiye World S. S. L, Oil and Gas-Eur-Afrimpex Nigeria Limited and founder of the Femi Babalola Skills and Acquisition Foundation which has empower thousands of Nigerians.

Babalola aspired to be a presidential candidate in 2011 and also of Kowa Party in 2015 primary election.

His ceaseless zeal for a better Nigeria prompted his coming back as a Presidential aspirant to contest this coming 2019 general election under a new political movement.

politics

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

My mission to Senate is to change face of politics in Lagos East –Abiru AS a senatorial aspirant for Lagos East, what are those things you know that your constituency needs that you want to pursue if given the opportunity?

When you look at the population of the youth generally, in every nation they constitute over and above 6065% and that means that that segments of the population is a critical factor in the development of any nation.

There is wide unemployment, but then there is employment.

More of our youths should look inwards.

Most of them think that the only way they can make it is to partake in politics, because to them they think politics will afford you cheap money and cheap popularity and I can tell you for free that the in thing now which I think if elected is to aggressively encourage our youth into is ICT, software development is the in thing now. There is still shortage of people in that area and how much does it cost to train one person? Less than N300,000 one person is trained.

So when you look at all of these areas that are under Lagos East senatorial district, if on a yearly basis, you are able to train 30, or 40, or 50 people, you would have done a lot of good for a lot of persons, because it’s a system that those persons you are training will also train some others and that person will also train others and by the time you know it, by the time you look at the four years of your tenure, you would have trained about 200, 300, 400 people.

Take 400 off the streets.

Those 400 are the people who have direct links with you and you can imagine the ripple effect of that. Like I told you, people say there’s no job, I always tell people, even selling fruits is a minor investment, but you have a greater output, barbing job, people will say can I do barbing, I know a guy in my area, he is doing this barbing job for quite some time and he’s doing a fantastic job.

He is doing wonderfully well. Infact there was a vagrant in my area, the guy always asks for money and I called him one day and I asked him why don’t you go and learn barbing.

He said he doesn’t have money. Well, some few people gathered together, sponsored him and he went through the barbing within six, seven months, he has perfected the art of barbing. He has gotten himself a shop now and he has also gotten apprentices.

Otunba Ganiyu Olusagun Abiru, is the immediate past Clerk/Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The Ikorodu born retired civil servant is aspiring to represent the people of Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2019. In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE, he speaks on his ambition and his plans for his people.

So what I’m saying in essence is that most of our youths do not have mentors, do not have coaches, do not have guidance. By the time we will come onboard, these are the things we will do. We will have offices in all the local governments which are under the Lagos East senatorial districts.

We will have offices where these people will come and we will tell them what to do to make a living. The second point is that when you look at this side, the Lagos East senatorial district, we have not really tapped our agricultural potentials. We have not really tapped it. In Ikorodu here there is a place that crabs, we call it crab colony. It’s there.

There is never a time that if you go there you will not see crab. The tourist attractions are numerous. Government attention has not been attracted to that. We are going to do all of those things.

In Ikorodu West, there is a lot of money. So what we are saying is that by the time we do all of these things, we will use our influence in government to pressure government to come and look at what we are talking about and then through that process, employment can be generated, revenue to the state government, and also the community can be enhanced in terms of tourism.

So you know there are sights. There are sights which are historical that are within Lagos East senatorial district, but which of course we have not really looked into.

These are areas that we will look into and then ensure that we will do. There is nothing bad in empowerment or buying whatever, but what I see about that empowerment of buying machine or whatever for them is that immediately at that point where you are giving them those machines they sell

Abiru

them off. I am not saying it’s not good. Out of the 100 people that are given such equipments probably you will see five or ten of them that will make use of it. Most of them would have sold it. But the beauty of it is that those who buy it are still part of the citizens of the state and per adventure they are also gaining the dividends of democracy.

But I think that we should be looking at something that is long-lasting, something that will impact on them directly, something that they can also sit down and say yes God you have been wonderful to us.

But as beautiful as your ideas are, to get this kind of position

requires some fact. Number one is the endorsement of the leadership of the party in the state. How confident are you that somebody like Asiwaju Tinubu will be favourably disposed to your aspiration?

Well, there is no doubt in the fact that the Jagaban of Africa is a great leader not only in Nigeria, but in Africa, but I think the situation is not as people make it to be. The person you are talking about is a man with intelligence. He is a man with native intelligence.

African native intelligence and definitely would have listened to people before he makes his choice, so I would think that Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu wouldn’t have made

I’m not saying that I’m the best in Ikorodu. I am not saying that, but I can say for sure that I know what I am doing. And I know that if elected, we will change the face of politics in Lagos East senatorial district. The dividends of democracy will be felt by the people in the place. Not in terms of monetary gifts, but in terms of what will impact their lives eternally.

an endorsement on somebody, wouldn’t have opted for somebody without thinking of the capacity and ability of that individual. And I want to say that Asiwaju is not the only person that calls the shot. The primary is going to be held and the primary is not going to be held in the dark. It is going to be held in the open and everybody will know who comes first and last. And by so doing, I think we should deemphasise the issue of Asiwaju will endorse.

We are presenting him as being undemocratic. I don’t see him as such, I see him as a democrat per excellence and I see him as a person who can read people. When he gave us Fashola, people complained and what did Fashola do?

He did wonderfully well.

Now when he also opted for Ambode, at least everybody also knew that there were primaries for all of those also. And Ambode also came and you would see the transformation that Ambode has made out of Lagos, which means also that like I said the man has native intelligence and he couldn’t have won against the will of the people.

If the will of the people say Mr. this, I am sure that Asiwaju will also dance along with the people. But whatever happens in politics, the party is supreme.

There is always the supremacy of party. If the party says this is where we are going, I have no choice but to follow the party because without the party, I cannot contest and there is no way that I can be struggling or be fighting the party because the party knows best and the party knows why it has taken some actions, but I think that everyone that wants to contest will have a level playing field so that you can display whatever you have.

All the contestants that I know are going round consulting and seeing people to be helpful to them in their cause. Of course I am going round. I have gone to Epe, Ikorodu and things like that.

It’s a game and I believe that somebody will win, but I always say and that is where I am particularly interested. We should, our politicians must play down the issue of money because when you overplay the issue of money you are likely to have problems. The

good people may not want to come in, and you’ll have the bad people having the whole field to themselves.

You talked earlier about bring propelled from your constituency, your community. Who are those behind you in Ikorodu? Who are those big wigs that you are sure are behind you?

Well, I wouldn’t want to sing my song. I don’t want to exaggerate issues, but you can do your investigation and see that God is with us and our people are equally with us.

Like I told you initially, I didn’t want to come out for senate. I had my eyes on something else, but the pressure was so much to the extent that even the kabiyesis around and the elites and particularly the youths, you know have to come to me, pressure me. I say well, what am I? If people could come to me and tell me that they want me to play a certain role. I have no choice than to come in and do the little I can do. I’m not saying that I’m the best in Ikorodu. I am not saying that, but I can say for sure that I know what I am doing.

And I know that if elected, we will change the face of politics in Lagos East senatorial district. The dividends of democracy will be felt by the people in the place. Not in terms of monetary gifts, but in terms of what will impact their lives eternally.

How confident are you?

My confidence is in the lord.

Whatever is mine will never miss me and whatever misses me surely is not mine. That has been my principle. I’ve never been desperate about any position. I have never been desperate about anything in my life. When it comes, I believe it’s the will of Allah, and if it does not come, I also believe that this is how God wants it to be. And I also tell my children to also try, work hard, if you achieve, thank God. If you don’t achieve, try again and if you try and try and you don’t achieve, then it means it’s not meant for you. This is my first time of contesting election and it is my belief and prayer to almighty God that with His support I’m going to represent the Lagos East senatorial district 2019 in Abuja.

BUSINESS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

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CBN lifted retail foreign exchange segment with $358m Mathew Daiya, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has, Friday, injected the sum of $358 million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention sales (SMIS).

Confirming the figure, the Bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor noted that the figure was meant to address foreign exchange needs in the agricultural, petroleum products, airlines, raw materials and machinery sectors.

Mr. Okorafor, while noting that the foreign exchange market was currently enjoying a great deal of stability, said the Bank would continue to intervene in order to ensure liquidity in the market.

According to him, the Bank’s effort had guaranteed access

to foreign exchange to all those requiring it to meet their genuine needs, stressing the objective remained to sustain market liquidity and confidence in order to boost production and trade.

It will be recalled that at its last retail SMIS intervention on

Friday, June 29, 2018, the CBN intervened with the sum of $318.73 million in the inter-bank foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at N361/$1 in the Bureau de Change segment of the market on Friday, July 13, 2018.

NSE: All-Share Index rebounds by 0.45%

L-R: Sir Remi Omotoso; co-founder, Guarranty Trust Bank, Mr. Folsom Adeola; author, Chief Ololade Ogunlana; chief launcher, Chief Akinola Disu; and Former chairman, The Punch, Chief Jibola Ogunshola at the public presentation of the books Out of the Black Pot & Selected Tales in Lagos... on Thursday. Photo: Olatunji Wale

$1bn pipeline contract: NNPC, Total shun Senate probe The Senate Committee on Gas on Friday said major stakeholders’ absence at its investigative sitting on the alleged $1 billion pipeline contract, saying it was a setback to the committee.

The Chairman of the committee, Bassey Akpan, told News Agency of Nigerian in Abuja that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Total Nigeria Plc led the oil companies and other stakeholders that failed to appear at the session on Thursday.

He said the committee was forced to adjourn the session due to poor attendance by those expected to defend their levels of involvement in the allegation.

According to him, the development has set the committee back as we ought to submit our report before the National Assembly proceeds on its annual

break on July 26.

The lawmaker disclosed that while Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) obtained permission for absence, other stakeholders did not do so or were represented by officers below the rank of Managing Directors, adding that it was unacceptable.

“We have been investigating the astronomical cost of completing two major gas pipelines – Northern Option Pipeline (NOPL) and ObiteUbeta-Rumugi (OUR) Pipeline by Total.

“We have been on this investigation for a couple of months now. Only recently we had an on-the-spot assessment of the pipeline, about a 100-kilometre pipeline.

“A section of it is about 26 inches; another section is 22 inches and the 100-kilometre pipeline was

completed at the cost of over one billion dollars.

“In view of this, the Senate mandated the committee to investigate the matter.

“The meeting was meant to communicate our findings and who we need to indict on the astronomical cost of completing this major pipeline but it did not hold.

“NNPC was not there, NAPIMS was not there and the MD of Total was not there.

“As you know, it is the tradition of the Senate not to attend to anyone below the rank of a Managing Director or Group Managing Director or Deputy Managing Director,” he said.

The lawmaker said the meeting was adjourned until Thursday, and urged those involved to be in attendance unfailingly.

He said, “We had to adjourn the meeting for one week owing to the fact that we are embarking on annual recess soon and this report must be laid before we proceed.

“This report must be laid at plenary so that we can concentrate on other legislative activities.

“We urge all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that by Thursday, next week, everybody is in attendance so that we can communicate our findings and recommendations to all the major stakeholders.

“We give them the benefit of the doubt till Thursday.”

The mandate for the committee to investigate the $1 billion contract for the construction of OUR and NOPL was given to the committee in August, 2016.

The All-Share Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday rebounded by 0.45 per cent, halting three days of decline.

The index rose by 166.33 points or 0.45 per cent to close at 37,392.77 compared with 37,226.44 posted on Thursday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N13.485 trillion rose to N60 billion, 0.44 per cent, to close at N13.545 trillion.

Nestle led the gainers’ table, gaining N27 to close at N1, 527 per share.

Seplat Petroleum Development followed with a gain of N15 to close at N650, while Lafarge Africa gained N3 to close at N37.50 per share.

CAP added N2 to close at N37, while Dangote Sugar Refinery gained 50k to close at N17.50 per share.

On the other hand, Flour Mills recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ chart, dropping by N15 to close at N29 per share.

Forte Oil trailed with a loss of N1.30 to close at N29.90, while Cadbury lost N1.15 to close at N11.15 per share.

Custodian and Allied Insurance declined by 68k to close at N6.12, while Eterna Oil shed 40k to close at N6.40 per share.

An analysis of the activity chart indicated that Access Bank was the most active stock during the day, trading 84.88 million shares worth N864.66 million.

Dangote Sugar Refinery followed with an account of 15.21 million shares valued at N272.59 million, while Sovereign Trust Insurance traded 14.66 million shares worth N3.27 million.

FBN Holdings sold 12.09 million shares cost N125.49 million, while United Bank for Africa sold 6.55 million shares worth N65.59 million.

In all, investors bought and sold 212.88 million shares valued at N3.24 billion achieved in 3,143 deals.

This was lower compared with 350.47 million shares worth N4.60 billion transacted in 3,228 deals on Thursday.

Business Times 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

17 Business Times

Africa to become world’s most dynamic market by 2045 – Afreximbank boss Says next 25 years will be challenging but full of opportunities Ibrahim Mohammed and Mathew Dadiya, Abuja African Export -Import Bank (Afreximbank) has projected that in the next 25 years from now, Africa will overcome direct and indirect ploys from world powers to take control of its abundant natural and human resources to become the world’s factory for manufacturing as well as most dynamic market.

However, to achieve this, there will be the need to also bridge the trade and infrastructure gap on the continent.

President and Chairman Board of Directors, Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah, made the revelation on Friday in Abuja, while delivering a welcome address on day three of the bank’s Annual General Meeting and 25th Anniversary, saying, “there is no doubt that Afreximbank has made a tremendous difference as envisaged by its Founding Fathers.”

Oramah noted that the work is not done yet judging from the $120 billion trade finance gap that needs to be closed.

He added that an annual $93 billion trade infrastructure gap is required to be filled; a global trade share, at 3 percent, that needs to be raised; and IntraAfrican trade that is still far below ‘‘our aspirations.’’

He said: “We will be celebrating a continent that has responded to the realities of global trade relations to become more integrated, with intraAfrican trade rising to more than 50% of the continent’s total trade; I see an Africa in full control of the value chains of its key commodity endowments.

“About 25 years ago, right in this very conference facility, a momentous event in the annals of Africa’s institutional development unfolded; Africa decided to take its destiny in its own hands!

Challenged by an unprecedented debt crisis that ravaged the continent like a plague, a Child of Necessity conceived for Africa and by Africans was effectively delivered by Africans; The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), was born!

“Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of a child that has come of age. Afreximbank has become an

established, mature and reputable bank. However, the real celebration is about the real outcomes of those 25 years of work, outcomes that cannot be adequately measured just by the number of clients served, the size of the trade finance gap filled, number of new products launched, nor the number of partnerships developed.

“The Bank’s Mission goes beyond providing financing. It also involves empowering African businesses to gain global competitiveness, facilitating structural transformation, facilitating collective self-reliance through expanded intra-African trade, creating jobs and improving the lives of the African people and securing their future. The goal is to transform despair into hope and to transform hope into tangible dividends!!

“As a delegate to the First General Meeting of Shareholders where the vision of an African Export-Import Bank became a reality, I bore witness to the hope and inspiration that swept through this very hall; I danced along with others almost all night as we celebrated the outcome of the first major collective action Africans took in an attempt to turn around their economic misfortunes.

“And as I caught a few hours of sleep that night, the voice of the late

Dr. Babacar N’diaye, President of the African Development Bank at that time and chief architect of the Afreximbank Project, reverberated in my ears and I quote: “The Memorandum of Understanding which was adopted by potential shareholders in Cairo spells out clearly the kind of export-import bank that Afreximbank’s shareholders wish to establish. … the Bank will operate on sound commercial principles on a profit making basis … the impact of the Bank will be most manifest in increased supply of short-term trade credit, which will enhance growth, and ultimately social progress.

“The new bank would boost intra-African trade, especially in non-traditional and manufacturing products … and will play a crucial role in the promotion of African regional integration... if Afreximbank is to attain the proud position of a panAfrican organization, it will also need to redress the dearth of knowledge and information about trading opportunities within Africa…,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was a guest speaker at the event, hailed the giant strides of Afreximbank, recalling

that ‘‘we (Africa) did not understand early enough that the world we live in is not sympathetic to us.’’

Besides, Obasanjo, pointed out that ‘‘we are getting to our destination with what regional banks are doing.’’

He also said that Africa need to look beyond capital and also apply innovative solutions in the quest to develop.

Commenting on then African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the former President further said that it is a clear demonstration that African leaders are becoming more realistic.

He recalled that at the formation of AfCFTA ‘‘we were hoping to 25 countries endorsing the agreement. But interestingly, 44 nations have signed into it.’’

Obasanjo, commended African leaders for imbibing the spirit of working closely under the AfCFTA platform for the continent’s development.

For his part, founder and Chairman of Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa, as well as other panelists at the event, lauded the Afreximbank for its supportive roles, adding that at inception ‘‘I know that the bank was going to be important for Africa’s development.’’

L-R: Commercial Excellence Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited(NBC),Samuel Oluwatoye; Sub-Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Dr. Arinola Ajayi; Country General Manager,Power and Gas Siemens Nigeria, Mr. Nasir Giwa; Director of Business Development, Axxela, Mr.Frank Umole and Director, Research and Innovation, University of Lagos, Prof. Wellington Oyibo during the second edition of Professor Ayodele Awojobi Design Competition held at the University of Lagos auditorium.

FIRS rakes N2.5tr in 6 months, achieves 75% target Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Federal Inland Revenue Service has disclosed that it has realized a total of N2, 529,615,174,601.25 (two trillion, five hundred and twenty-nine billion, six hundred and fifteen million, one hundred and seventy-four thousand, six hundred and one naira, twentyfive kobo) from various taxes from January to June 2018.

The amount indicated that the Service had realized 75% of its total target for the year, which is an improvement over what was realized at the corresponding period in 2017.

Hassan Dodo, Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance on Friday stated that a report on the revenue performance by the Agency, submitted to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, confirmed that the N2,529,615,174,601.25 has an increase of N746,107,323,247.26, representing 42%, when compared to the N1,783,507,851,353.99 total tax revenue realized in the corresponding period in 2017.

An analysis of the total amount shows that N1,168,627,365,306.67 was collected as Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) as against N636,170,585,753.57, resulting in a variance of N532,456,779,553.10.

From the Company Income Tax (CIT), the FIRS realized a total of

N680,093,730,362.25, which was N128,151,996,465.68 more than the N551,941,733,896.57 in the previous year.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) yielded a total of N536,525,540,228.39 in the period under review, which was N68,841,756,240.06 more than the N467,683,783,988.33 realized in 2017.

The Education Tax brought in N77,191,051,329.11 compared to the N58,868,372,910.79 in 2017, showing an increase of N18,322,678,418.32 The revenue from Stamp Duties was N7,492,592,658.35, which was N2,346,472,953.70 higher than what was realized in 2017 from Stamp Duties which was a total of N5,146,119,704.65.

The FIRS said it realized

N1,006,543,151.07 from capital Gains Tax , an analysis of which shows that the amount was N64,916,270.95 more than the N 941,626,880.12 in 2017.

From NITDEF, a total of N9,249,618,573.91 was realized, resulting in an increase of N736,357,883.29 when compared to the total of N8,513,260,690.62 in 2017.

The Consolidated Tax Revenue for January to June 2018 was 49,428,732,991.50; an amount that was higher than the N54,242,367,529.34 by a total of N4,813,634,537.84.

With continuous revenue generation strategies, the FIRS expressed optimism that its effort will have a significant outcome, particularly in increasing revenue for 2018.

FG committed to tackling aviation challenges-Sirika Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has again reiterated the Federal Government commitment to address the myriads of challenges the industry is facing namely in the area of finance and safety.

The Minister, speaking at this year’s Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives of Nigeria AFARN summit and award ceremony in Lagos, said despite these challenges, the government was determined to addressing these challenges to ensure that the target to make air transport the safest and more secure in the country was realized.

“Government is making concerted efforts to ensure that issues likely to inhibit steady growth in the industry is nipped in the bud”.

Senator Sirika who was represented by the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, (AIB) , Mr. Akin Olaterunoted that government was seriously committed to addressing the need for a true National carrier, improvement in investment climate and the challenge of unviable airport system that bedeviled the industry.

According to the minister, it was not all tales of woos as some remarkable achievement had been made in the areas of in the introduction of the Ease of Doing Business, reconstruction of the Abuja Airport Runway, rescue of Arik airline from extinction.

“Improvement and streamlining of travel process, the proposed concession of the airports by the Federal Government , FG’s approval of the upgrade of Lagos-Airport road,, completion of multi-storey car park, release of air crash reports and connecting Nnamdi Azikiwe airports by rail to the city of Abuja”, he added.

Sirika observed that to achieve a conducive atmosphere for aviation business to thrive, the active participation of the private sector was key.

“We should not lose sight of the active private sector participation.

Government through various means is encouraging everyone in the system to remain afloat and meaningfully too. This way there will be additional jobs created for Nigerian youths”.

On this year’s AFARN theme: ‘Promoting the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Through Safety Consciousness in the Aviation Industry’, Sirika said the topic was apt and could not have come at a better time when Nigeria was truly diversifying the economy.

“Aviation being one of the pillars of global economic trade, points to the fact that by the year 2034 eight of the fastest growing markets in percentage terms will be in Africa of which Nigeria remains a major force due to her population on the continent and will thus continue to have a fair share of the growing market regionally”.

He commended AFARN for putting the programme together,” I am thrilled at the efforts of the President of this group Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma whom I learnt has continued to bring together professional and various stakeholders to discuss on issues of safety which is key to the growth and advancement of the aviation industry.”

Health18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

UNICEF G4G Initiative: Improving menstrual and personal hygiene in Northern states Thirteen year old Ummi Salma Hassan who would like to become a medical doctor in future is a primary six pupil of Tundun Wada Model Primary School Tsakuwa, Talata Marafa Local Government Area of Zamfara state, before now, Hassan said that she was using pieces of cloths in place of sanitary pad during her menstrual circle but the situation has changed with the G4G initiative.

“I was afraid the first time I saw my menses. I was afraid to clean up the used pieces of cloths that were already soaked with my blood. It was indeed a difficult task for me getting use to the trend of recycling the used pieces of cloths until succour came my way through the G4G initiative.

“The G4G programme has taught me how to make re-usable pads. During our training, we were given materials to make the pads by ourselves. Before then, I put any rag I find in my pant when my period comes. This rag absorbs the blood for some time and later stains my pants. This programme has helped me improve my personal hygiene” she said.

The story was not different from that of Fatimatu Abubakar who recounted her gains from the G4G Initiative. She said that aside learning how to take care of herself during menstruation and even when she is not menstruating, she was taught her how to make creams, soap and other handwork that has transformed her life.

“I now have my bath three times daily during my monthly period, and at each interval I change my pad. I wash each pad after use, and put it under the sun to kill germs and prevent infection. After my menstruation, I put all the pads together and keep them for my next menstruation. The pad has a pin that I hook to my pant, this stops it from falling off unlike the rags I used before.

“My G4G mentors and teachers taught me the importance of good hygiene. Aside my personal hygiene, I can now make my soap and cream from what I’ve been taught here” Abubakar said.

She added that she was happy to and grateful to her parents for allowing her to be a part of the group.

“I am grateful that my parents allowed me to be going to school, unlike some of my friends. If I will have the chance, I will go to school before I grow up and marry. I hope that we shall be given all the necessary books and teach us all that we need to know”.

On her part, Talata Jibrin, one of the mentors to the girls of Tundun Wada Model Primary School thanked UNICEF and other sponsors of the project saying, G4G is a life changing programme for both mothers and girls in Zamfara state.

“We appreciate UNICEF for coming to our aid and we pray God to bless them more to reach other girls that are yet to take part in this programme. The programme has helped women and girls in the State to improve on their personal hygiene and self esteem.

It has also given us opportunity to learn various skills like pomade making, Izal making, liquid wash, beads making and others.

Most of the girls use the skills acquired to make money for their families”.

Cross section of G4G beneficiaries

Most girls in some Northern part of Nigeria were before now ignorant of how to take proper care of their personal hygiene especially during their monthly menstrual circle. Using pieces of rags was the common trend until the situation changed following the introduction of the Girls for Girls (G4G) initiative in the region. DOOSUUR IWAMBE in this report examines the gains and impact of the programme on girls.

While calling on the State government to improve the standard of education in the local government through funding, she called on parents to allow their children to come out and be part of the program.

What is G4G Initiative The G4G initiative is a component of the Girls’ Education Project phase 3 (GEP3), launched by UNICEF in 2017 and is being implemented in Northern Nigeria through collaboration between UNICEF Nigeria and the federal government, with funding from United Kingdom aid (UKaid) and Department of International Development(DFID).

The G4G empowers girls with information and knowledge to help build their capacity to stand up for themselves. It aims at creating equal opportunities for girls to access education.

According to UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall during the launch of the project in 2017, the primary goal of G4G was to empower girls with knowledge, skills and confidence needed to enroll and remain in school, completing the full course of education so they can be role model to other girls in their communities.

“Working with members of the Mothers Association as mentors, girls will initiate and lead a range of activities to identify barriers to the education of girls in their communities and work to remove such barriers so girls will enroll and remain in school.

So far, the G4G program has been established in over 100 selected schools in Girls Education Project

(GEP) in Zamfara State with the aim of developing the girls interest in education, life skills and health. There are also 150 trained mentors on health, social and educational issues.

According to Mrs. Azuka Menkiti of UNICEF, More than 15,000 girls from Bauchi, Katsina and Zamfara have been enrolled and are currently participating in 813 established G4G groups across 18 LGAs in the 300 pilot schools in three states.

She said that the G4G support systems through Mothers Associations and Female Mentors was able to build a capacity of 3,536 members of Mothers Associations.

This according to her was to enhanced on strategies for increased enrolment and retention for 300 schools. She added, “450 members of mothers’ associations in 300 school communities are engaging in the production of reusable sanitary towels for adolescent girl members of G4G groups while 400 Female mentors trained on G4G strategies and facilitation skills are supporting the G4G groups”.

Challenges The Executive Director, Life Helpers Initiative, Mr Tayo Fatinukun, said that about 4,099 girls enrollment were spread to 100 selected schools in six Local Government Areas of Anka, Talatu-Mafara, Shinkafi, KauraNamoda, Bugudu and Tsafe.

He added that each of the schools had three mentors who were trained to relate with the girls on their challenges.

He also said that out of the 4,099 girls, 960 among them were trained on social, vocational and health based

issues.

On the challenges, Fatinukun who identified insecurity in some communities and LGAs, as part of the challenges hindering the progress of the program called on the Federal government to provide security to schools. “some girls do not come to school regularly do to lack of access to some communities for mentoring. We always invite the mentors to safer locations” Fatinukun said.

He added that Media involvement, Low infrastructural development, and complimentary are also part of the project affecting the project.

150 mentors trained on health and education issues Meanwhile, about 150 female mentors have been engaged in the schools to train the girls on social, vocational and health based issues.

100 local women from Mothers Associations across many communities of selected GEP LGA, who has some knowledge in sewing were selected and taught the skill of making Reusable Sanitary Pad, which is very cheap, friendly and affordable.

Start up kits were provided for them so that these pads can be made available to many girls in the communities in a very sustainable manner. Some may not have seen or even never get to see an Always Sanitary Pad but now, they need not worry, they now have what meets their need.

These mothers are supporting their girls at the community to ensure that the challenges faced of not going to school during their menstrual period is entirely overcome. This is dignity

recovered.

Talatu Jibrin, one of the mentors who also double as their teacher said that the program has broaden her knowledge beyond things she never knew. “There are some things I never knew about as a teacher, but when G4G was introduced, they trained us and taught us a lot of things that has changed our lives.

“After we were trained, it was easy for us to convince the girls to partake in the G4G programme. Now, they are all happy to be part of it. We have all benefited in one or two ways from this programme. We are grateful to UNICEF and other partners directly and indirectly involve in making this a success,” she said.

Also, one of the mothers, Amina Abdulahi whose daughter is a participant in the program commended the sponsors of the program. She said that since G4G Initiative was introduced into the community, their children have regained their self confidence as well as personal hygiene.

“During our time, we didn’t know anything like pads, we used pieces of clothes for our menstrual period and also avoided going out through out that period, but that has changed as we were thought how to make pads for ourselves. Today we use pads, we can go out when we are menstruating without fear of being stained.”

For many mothers, their words are, ‘‘even though we didn’t have the time and opportunity to have gone to school, not our daughters, with the support of G4G we will do ensure they do.’’

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

g20 Man pays for parking ticket 44 years late

Man with world’s longest fingernails cut them after 66 years The Guinness World Record holder for the longest fingernails ever on a single hand has had his claws cut after 66 years.

Shridhar Chillal’s extraordinarily long nails have now gone on display at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in New York.

The 82-year-old’s talons have a combined measurement of 909.6cm (358.1ins). His thumbnail, the longest of the set, measures an incredible 197.8cm (77.8ins).

The record holder, from Pune, India, stopped trimming his fingernails in 1952 after he was told off by a teacher for messing around with a friend and accidentally breaking the teacher’s nail.

The teacher said Mr Chillal would never understand what it took to take care of long fingernails and the student set out to prove his teacher wrong, going on to dedicate his life to taking care of his claws.

“I don’t know whether the teacher is dead now or not but I would definitely like to say that the thing for which you scolded me, I took it as a challenge and I have completed the challenge and now, I am here,” he said.

Mr Chillal said he did not take the decision to part ways with his nails lightly.

“When I decided to cut my nails, it was difficult for me to make this decision,” he said.

“But when I realised that after cutting my nails, my nails will be at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and they’re going to maintain it very nicely and for a lifetime, then I felt like I was doing the right decision and that’s why I decided to cut my nails.”

Despite Mr Chillal’s fingernails causing him to lose function in his left hand due to their weight and length, and his fingers being permanently fused together, he went on work as a photographer for a government agricultural magazine for 22 years.

He also married and had two children, and now has three grandchildren.

Source: Sky News

A man named Dave has paid a parking ticket in Pennsylvania - 44 years after he got it.

Police in Minersville, in Schuylkill County, received a handwritten note from Dave confessing that he had an unpaid parking ticket - along with a $5 bill.

The ticket, for parking in a restricted zone, was from 1974 and was for $2.

The letter said: “Dear PD, I’ve been carrying this ticket around for 40+ years. Always intending to pay. Forgive me if I don’t give you my info. With respect, Dave.”

The return address said: “Feeling guilty, Wayward Road, Anytown, Ca.” Police Chief Michael Combs said he was blown away that someone would keep a ticket this long, let alone pay it, according to CBS Philly.

“He paid his fine. So that’s 44 years later, so that means I only made $3 in 44 years,” he joked.

He said he would like to meet the driver and thank him.

Poisonous books found in university library Three rare books dating from the 16th and 17th centuries have been found by scientists to be covered in a deadly poison.

The discovery in a university library has echoes of the novel and film The Name Of The Rose, which sees a string of monks in a 14th-century Italian monastery killed off by the toxic pages of a forbidden manuscript.

X-ray analysis of the books held by the University of Southern Denmark revealed a large concentration of arsenic on the covers.

The volumes were being studied because it had previously been discovered that mediaeval manuscript fragments had been used by bookbinders to make their covers.

In attempting to identify the Latin texts used, researchers found they were hard to read because of a heavy layer of green paint obscuring the letters.

The study of this green pigment layer revealed it to be arsenic - one of the most toxic substances in the world.

Kaare Lund Rasmussen, an associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark, told Fox News: “The moment we put the X-ray beam on the green surface we saw the fantastic high amounts of arsenic.”

It is likely that it was applied to the books to protect them against insects and vermin.

The three volumes are now stored with safety labels in a ventilated cabinet.

It is planned to digitise the content to reduce the handling of the books.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

21

Foreign Affairs To achieve real change, Liberia should look closer home Liezelle Kumalo and Jacqueline Cochrane Liberian President George Weah’s first few months at the helm saw much focus on his pro-poor development agenda, which was touted as the cure-all to the country’s ills. But ills abound, and as he heads towards his sixthmonth mark as leader on 22 July, Weah will need more than a good campaign line.

So far, attempts to reduce poverty in Liberia have not yielded significant results. A 2016 report found that over 51% of the population was living in poverty, almost 40% was food-poor, and just over half suffered from food shortages. Economic growth in the country has stagnated, with a modest rate of 3.9% predicted for 2018.

The Weah administration maintains that it can kickstart its pro-poor agenda.

However, the odds don’t look promising. A staggering 87% of the 2018/19 budget ($488.7-million) is dedicated to paying the salaries of government staff. This leaves only 13% ($73.4-million) to spend on solving the country’s myriad challenges.

The pro-poor agenda focuses on five thematic areas – health, the economy, youth development, infrastructure and education. But beyond financial resources, economic growth will also need social action. The people of Liberia must start to question the way things have been done.

Not only question though – but demand the necessary change.

Can these challenges be overcome? It’s clear that Liberia’s sluggish economy must be jolted into action by a rapid influx of capital and skills. If the country’s past taught it to look outside of Africa, it must now turn its gaze inward, and closer to home.

One way to achieve this is through South-South Cooperation – especially regional partnerships. This approach is encouraged

by the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment, which recognises that cooperation among states in the global south is key to achieving its goals.

These kinds of partnerships have significantly intensified in recent years, according to the UN Development Programme: ‘SouthSouth has liberated and strengthened productive capacity of developing countries. This has been achieved mainly through increasing South-South investment and trade, often with a supportive policy environment created by developing country governments.’

In the case of Liberia, it is worth emphasising the reference to ‘a supportive policy environment’. The country must do all it can to attract southern partners and prioritise ease of doing business. At the same time, a new culture of zero tolerance to corruption must be implemented. In a country where the mention of graft elicits little more than a shrug, efforts to stamp out corruption can’t start soon enough.

Liberia doesn’t need to look very far to find solid examples of economic success and sustained development gains to help kick-start its development.

South-South Cooperation facilitates mutual learning and the exchange of knowledge, and examples from neighbouring Sierra Leone’s economic diversification can help Liberia’s own development plan. Similarly, Côte d’Ivoire – one of the fastest growing and most robust economies in Africa sustained economic growth of 7% – can help Liberia overcome its persistent development challenges.

When it comes to seizing opportunities for regional cooperation, Liberia has barely scratched the surface.

South-South Cooperation could be applied to

Weah

Weah’s five thematic areas and beyond, offering opportunities in agriculture and fisheries, education, health and scholarships.

The private sector and civil society also have a role. Reenergising Liberia’s private sector will go a long way to curb its almost compulsive dependence on aid and stimulate the economy.

But for Liberia to tap into these benefits, it will have to show that it has something to offer. That would require a mind shift, and Weah’s administration ought to drive home the message that things simply can’t be done in the same way while expecting different results.

Mutual benefit is one of the core principles of South-South Cooperation.

This means that Liberia can’t approach African states as it would donors but rather as equal partners. Effective regional partnerships require shared development goals and trajectories – which

in turn can enable muchneeded capacity building in Liberia.

For northern donors like the United States and the European Union, Liberia’s post-conflict period has been 14 long and tense years of heavy dependency.

Global donor fatigue is one more reason for Liberia to be forced to move beyond its ‘business as usual’ comfort zone.

However, this doesn’t mean that northern actors are cued to exit stage left. SouthSouth Cooperation should complement traditional donors, and linkages between northern and southern actors are still required to sustain the peace gains in Liberia.

More specifically, this means exploring trilateral cooperation, and how northern partners can better support partnerships between southern states, especially in infrastructure development. At a national level, this calls for improved strategic engagement

between donors, the UN, the AU, and regional and bilateral African actors.

There are several elephants in the room of Liberia’s future, and it is time for frank discussion about where the country is going; and how it intends getting there.

Liberia’s greatest potential lies in the resilience of its people.

Any external actor, whether a northern donor or an African partner, can only ever support Liberia – partners cannot develop nor implement policies unless they are Liberiaowned. Driving the pro-poor development agenda and effecting real change starts at home.

Kumalo, is a Researcher, Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, International Security Studies (ISS), Pretoria, South Africa and Cochrane, Communication and Evaluation Specialist, ENACT project, ISS. Source: Polity.org.za

22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, July 14, 2018

23 Sports

FIFA President: Nigeria risks ban for interference FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned today that Nigeria risks a worldwide ban for interference in the running of the game in that country.

At a press conference in Moscow today, the FIFA boss restated the stance of the world football governing body on the latest leadership tussle that has hit Nigeria football.

A court has installed Chris Giwa as NFF president after Amaju Pinnick

was asked to step down until a case to determine the true leadership of the FA was determined.

“The NFF president is Pinnick, we are clear about this,” Infantino said when asked about the crisis in Nigeria.

“The situation is very clear.

He is the president elected by the members of the Nigeria FA. That’s the end of story.

“We have statutes and regulations – no interferences in the

running of the association for this reason.

“If any external body thinks they can change this situation, of course Nigeria risks a ban, like we have with any other association.”

He continued: “We have democratic processes that have to be respected. It’s very clear-cut and simple case.

“If this didn’t come clear enough, you could help us transmit that message.”

Only Pinnick is known to FIFA as NFF president, Infantino insists FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the world football ruling body sees only Amaju Pinnick as president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and will not accept any outside interference in NFF’s affairs.

Infantino, while responding to questions at a press conference in Moscow on Friday, said Pinnick was duly elected and in accordance with FIFA rules.

“The situation is very clear.

Pinnick was duly elected some years ago and FIFA is aware of all this.

“It is also clear to all within the family that there can be no interference in the runnings of the national federations by any party, especially those outside the football family.

“So, Pinnick is the President of NFF for FIFA, because he is the one elected,’’ he said.

The FIFA president added that Nigeria as a member-association of

Dwight Yorke Tips France For World Cup Glory Mutiat Alli , Lagos SuperSport analyst Dwight Yorke, who has been sharing his expert opinion on DStv and GOtv during the World Cup, has put his neck on the line by predicting victory for France in Sunday’s final.

The former Trinidad and Tobago captain will be on duty for the Russia 2018 showpiece match, with the build-up live on DStv and GOtv from 2pm, along with Andy Townsend and Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha.

Yorke believes that the French have enough quality to overcome Croatia and win a second world title.

“On paper, they are favorites and rightly so with the number of potential match winners in their squad when compared to their opponents. Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann and Kante all have the ability to turn the game on its head in an instant and it’s the quality possessed by these players that will see them win,” he said.

On their unconvincing run to the final, he said: “It’s the World Cup final and it doesn’t really matter how you get there so long as you get there.

They never really hit top gear in the group stages where they always squeaked through by the odd goal, but one always felt that they were just one gear away from overrunning

their opponents,” he explained.

He, however, cautioned against writing off Croatia on the assumption that they’ll be weary after having played three matches that went into extra time.

“People read too much into playing matches which have gone the distance of extra time and Croatia showed that against a much younger England side, who were expected to run them ragged. The hunger and desire they displayed in that match showed they wanted it more.

“They’ve earned their right to contest Sunday’s final and have a really good chance of pulling an upset,” he said.

FIFA would then be at the risk of facing the world body’s sanctions if the situation continued as it is now.

“There are processes that need to be respected, and we will take action as necessary if the right things are not done,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFF has Chris Giwa as its president presently, owing to a compliance with a court order.

Giwa had obtained a Jos court order to take over the running of affairs at the NFF in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

The apex court had directed all parties involved in the matter to return to the lower courts for another look at the case against NFF’s Sept. 30, 2014 elections in Warri.

Giwa had insisted that his earlier election on July 24, 2014 in Abuja should stand, while Pinnick’s election in Warri took place contrary to laid-down regulations.(NAN)

Maurizio Sarri agrees to become Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has agreed a deal to become Chelsea head coach, with Gianfranco Zola as his assistant, Sky reports.

Napoli’s president revealed Sarri was close to finalising a deal to take over at Chelsea on Wednesday, two days before Antonio Conte’s sacking was confirmed by the Premier League club.

Sarri’s regular brushes with Italy’s football authorities had looked likely to cost him the chance of becoming Chelsea’s next manager earlier this summer.

A series of misdemeanours – the most recent a 20,000 euros fine and two-game ban in January for alleged homophobic abuse of Roberto Mancini – looked to have steered the west London club away from appointing the 60-year-old.

Sarri was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti as Napoli manager last

month but remained at the club as a compensation settlement between the 51-year-old and the Serie A club was agreed.

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