DTN-15-12-18

VP presidential debate: Osinbajo, Obi, others g 5 differ on good governance

APC govt has spent N2.7trn on capital devt despite earning 60% less than PDP govt – Osinbajo

Obi: Atiku’s govt will create jobs to eradicate insecurity, instability

Maternal deaths: https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 829

N100

Reversing a prediction World Bank report jolts Nigerians as mothers recount pains Medical doctors, other stakeholders chart way forward

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja “There were no signs that the morning of May 31, 2018 would be different until I started feeling the pangs, requiring medical assistance,” said Naomi Muyadeen.

“Initially, I dreaded going to the government facility but stepping into the health facility, I immediately noticed the change.”

A resident of Kuchingoro, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Muyadeen is a 23-year-old mother of one and nine months pregnant.

She has had previous antenatal visits to the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Kuchingoro.

Mrs. Muyadeen’s initial fear was informed by the demise of her elder sister while giving birth in a similar setting. According to her, members of her

Afreximbank approves $2.2bn trade, industrial parks deal with g 16 Nigeria Alleged N2.5bn fraud: Court orders ICPC to de- freeze Pinnacle’s account g

5

family were shocked as they held the widespread belief that one cannot die while giving birth in a hospital.

“My sister was consistent with her antenatal sessions and did everything a pregnant woman should do, yet she bled to death,” Mrs. Muyiwadeen lamented.

The head of nursing unit at Kuchigoro PHC, Mrs. Esther Adepoju stated there are several causes of maternal mortality.

“A woman can die while giving birth due to poor hygiene on the woman’s part, negligence by nurses and doctors, lack of consistency in attending antenatal sessions, and even fear can cause death during childbirth”, she said.

A joint report (Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Uproar as g 3 Deputy Commissioner of Police, wife butchered in Imo Court removes Duke, says Jerry Gana is authentic SDP presidential candidate g 8

Only the idle ones will be sexually g 11 harassed in the industry- Singer Annjay

2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

PHOTO TIMES

Maternal deaths: Reversing a prediction

Continued from page 1

to 2015 by WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and United Nations Population Fund) had estimated that Nigeria has approximately 58,000 maternal deaths, accounting for 19% globally.

Put differently, at least 800 women die in every 100,000 live births. Northeast has the highest maternal mortality rate, compared to other regions, with 1,549 deaths per 100,000 live births.

To address the high maternal mortality rates, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, in July 2017 inaugurated a 34-member Task Force to accelerate reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria.

“Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high in Nigeria, ranking among the highest in the world and the rate of reducing these deaths has been slow as many of the contributory factors remain unaddressed. The Federal Ministry of Health is committed to bringing it to an end,” Professor Adewole said while inaugurating the Task Force.

The World Bank of 29, November 2018 had revealed that Nigeria will take overtake India as the world capital for deaths of children under the age of five by 2021.

The bank’s report was based on the fact that India, with a population of 1.3 billion recorded 989,000 under-five deaths in 2017, while Nigeria, with 196 million citizens, recorded 714,000 deaths in the same year.

In its bi-annual economic update on Nigeria, the World Bank said Nigeria records the highest number of child malaria deaths anywhere in the world, adding that Nigeria had the highest number of outof-school children anywhere

in the world, and that 90 percent of these children are from northern Nigeria.

According to the Bank, “Nigeria’s weak revenue mobilisation has major implications for its growth and development including improving its dire social service delivery outcomes.

“Poverty remains high in Nigeria and access to basic social services is not universal.

In 2016, the World Bank estimated poverty at 38.8 percent of the population using the national poverty line.

“By international poverty line of PPP-corrected $1.90 per capita per day, an estimated 49.2 percent of the population lived below poverty in 2017.

“With nine million children out of school, Nigeria has the highest number of out-ofschool children of primary school age in the world: North takes over 90 percent of this figure.”

Meanwhile, some health experts have blamed the development to decay infrastructural facilities in the country.

According to them, until government at all levels give more priority to the health system, it will be difficult to stem the tide.

Speaking with The Daily Times, an Abuja based Paediatric Surgeon, Dr. Ike Nwachukwu, said: ‘’Nigerian health system as a whole has been plagued by problems of service quality, including unfriendly staff attitudes to patients, inadequate skills, decaying infrastructures, chronic shortages of essential drugs and the well-known “out-of-stock: syndrome. ‘’Tracking changes in maternal mortality in developing countries such as Nigeria can be difficult, because the data are

unreliable. Vital registration systems in rural areas of most developing countries are deficient and surveys produce estimates with wide margins of uncertainty. ‘’Nevertheless, strategies need to be more appropriately focused. This will enable pregnant women in whom complications develop have access to the medical interventions of emergency obstetrical care’’, he added.

Also, Dr. Iyabo Dapo of Maitama General Hospital, Abuja said that functioning health-care system, interventions at the community level, such as the use of misoprostol to strengthen contractions will help expel the placenta and control bleeding before transfer to a health care facility could contribute to significant reduction in maternal mortality. ‘’Programmes that are likely to make such care more widely available involve upgrading rural health centres and referral hospitals and stocking them with the necessary drug supplies and equipment, such as magnesium sulphate for eclampsia, antibiotics for infection and basic surgical equipment for cesarean sections. ‘’Coupled with this is the need to train cadres of health workers and develop strong referral systems between communities and health care facilities, since delays in care can be life threatening.

A referral system includes means of communication and transport as well as mechanisms for ensuring that referral facilities are able to provide services at all hours. ‘’The effective functioning of any facility will depend on whether pregnant women have skilled attendants at

Continued on page 5

Uproar as Deputy Commissioner of Police, wife are butchered in Imo Prince Nwankwo, Owerri Things have fallen apart for the Umuokeh community of Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State as yet-to-be identified persons on Friday slaughtered a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Innocent Brown and his wife in their home.

The husband and wife were said to be murdered with a kitchen knife by the assailants who jumped over their fence, entered their home and used kitchen knife to severe the neck of the wife while the husband who has been suffering from stroke was equally killed through the slicing of his ribs.

Neighbours who spoke exclusively to The Daily Times at the scene of the dastardly act, said the incident happened in the night of Thursday, December 13, 2018, at about 9:30pm, when they heard

the cry coming from the compound of the retired Police DCP. By the time they rushed to the place, broke the locked gate and moved in, the killers had already escaped, having completed their wicked act, leaving the knife they used in killing both of them in the house.

When The Daily Times correspondent moved to the mortuary where the two corpses were deposited, the morticians told our correspondent that the corpses were brought there by 12:11am on Friday. The corpses, according to the morticians, were brought to the mortuary by one of the kinsmen and three police officers.

There is palpable anxiety in the community as youths are demanding immediate explanation to what happened and threatening to embark on a protest if nothing is done urgently to unravel the

circumstances leading to the death of the retired Police officer and his wife.

However, the Police have deployed its personnel for effective control of the situation to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Imo State confirmed the tragic news, but emphasised that he was yet to get full details of what transpired, as it is a serious matter that needs serious investigations with much details.

Late retired DCP Innocent Brown, who had been at his home for years after retirement from the Nigerian Police officer, started a wholesale business on drinks, in his community, at Afor Umuokeh junction.

He was murdered alongside his second wife. His first wife and children have not been around for some time now.

3 News

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari , Acting Chairman, ICPC, Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, SGF Boss Mustapha and representative, United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Mr Oliver Stolpe during the Corruption Risk Assessment training for Leadership of National agencies in the African Union and the presentation of report of the corruption risk assessment of Nigeria’s e-government system at the State House Abuja...on Monday.

Minister of Power, Works & Housing; Babatunde Fashola, SAN (2nd right); Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige (2nd left); Federal Controller of Housing in Anambra State, Mr Nwachukwu Achebe and others during the inspection of the completed Zik Mausoleum and Conference Centre built in honour of the first President of Nigeria, late Nnamdi Azikiwe, in Onitsha, Anambra State...on Monday.

RETURNS ON THE UTILISATION OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 07/12/2018

S/N

CUSTOMER

ITEM OF IMPORT

DATE EXCHANGE AMOUNT RATE (USD)

1. OUTSPAN NIGERIA LTD 800MT INSTANT FAT FILLED MILK MALAYSIA ORIGIN 03-Dec-18 2. ARVEE INDUSTRIES LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (GRADE LL 03-Dec-18 LIMITED 1001AV AND/OR LL 118NJ) 3. A B VEE INDUSTRIES LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE ( GRADE LD E1970 ). 03-Dec-18 LTD 4. WANDEL INTL (NIG) LTD MOTORIZED TRICYCLE SPARE PARTS - TVS BRAND 03-Dec-18 5. WANDEL INTL (NIG) LTD MOTORIZED TRICYCLE SPARE PARTS - TVS BRAND 03-Dec-18 6. WANDEL INTL (NIG) LTD MOTORIZED TRICYCLE SPARE PARTS - TVS BRAND 03-Dec-18 7. MELVYN NICKSON LIGHT WHITE OIL 03-Dec-18 8. FLOUR MILLS OF 297M/TONS OF POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER 03-Dec-18 NIGERIA IN GRANULAR FORM OF GRADE PD701 9. FLOUR MILLS OF 297M/TONS OF POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER 03-Dec-18 NIGERIA IN GRANULAR FORM OF GRADE PD701

339.50 342.00

221,000.00 30,000.00

342.00

41,000.00

358.50 358.50 358.50 358.50 358.50

117,295.52 122,613.52 121,620.52 25,000.00 109,439.42

358.50

165,323.00

RETURNS ON SOURCES OF FUNDS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE WEEK ENDED FRIDAY 07/12/2018

S/N SOURCE 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

OTHER SOURCES OTHER SOURCES OTHER SOURCES INTERBANK INTERBANK

DATE

03-Dec-18 03-Dec-18 03-Dec-18 04-Dec-18 06-Dec-18

EXCHANGE RATE 339.00 341.50 358.00 306.85 306.85

AMOUNT (USD) 221,000.00 71,000.00 661,291.98 50,000.00 50,000.00

4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

VP presidential debate: Osinbajo, Obi, others differ on good governance

APC govt has spent N2.7trn on capital devt despite earning 60% less than PDP govt Obi: Atiku’s govt will create jobs to eradicate insecurity and instability

Tunde Opalana, Abuja & Patrick Okohue, Lagos About 60 days to the 2019 general election, political fireworks was kick-started on Friday as five vice presidential candidates of some of the 91 registered political parties presented to the electorate, their parties’ plans, policies and programmes towards ensuring good governance and national development.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); Mr. Peter Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Ganiyu Galadima of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Khadija Abdullahi Iya, of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Umma Gesto of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) told Nigerians what they have in stock during a debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group in conjunction with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The candidates differed on current situation of major economic and development indices in the country while they were not too different in proffering solutions to identified problems.

Prof. Osinbajo laid the foundation of his submissions on achievements recorded by the APC-led government in the past three years, most especially in the area of infrastructural development such as railway transportation, road projects, agricultural development and the social investment schemes of the government.

The APC vice presidential candidate said the Buhari administration has spent N2.7 trillion on capital development despite earning 60% less than the previous PDP administrations.

“We know where we were before this government come to power. APC government has begun the largest infrastructural development in the history of Nigeria.

“We used to import rice worth $5 million daily before but now we produce about 90% of our rice consumption locally.

“In every state, we have major road projects ongoing. For example, the Lagos -Ibadan expressway which is a major road in the commercial nerve centre that was abandoned for years by previous governments, is about being completed by the his administration”, he said.

Speaking on the social investment projects, Osinbajo said that the government has invested N500 billion in every cycle of the SIP scheme such as the N- Power scheme, the 9.2 million pupils’ home grown school feeding programme, market moni and tradermoni soft loan scheme and the conditional cash transfer scheme.

Osinbajo blamed infrastructural deficit inherited from PDP’s 16 years rule as an albatross to economic development which he said is coupled with sleazes in government.

On the issue of government committing over N400 billion to oil subsidy payment, the APC candidate said subsidy is inevitable but its implementation by past government has been responsible for the systemic failure in the subsidy regime.

While he posited that petrol subsidy helps, he said it should not be a permanent feature of any government.

Osinbajo pledged anchoring the foreign policy of the APC on economy and security.

Rounding off, he said: “Nigeria is where it is today because of the 16 years of the past government. In 2015, we set to reduce poverty through the Social Investment Programmes, to redress the damages that had been done and block leakages in government”.

The PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said Nigeria is presently not working but Atiku/ Obi Presidency is ready to make Nigeria work again.

Analysing various sector of the economy, Obi said Nigeria today has the highest concentration of poor people, out of school children, highest number of Internally Displaced Persons, abuse of human rights and disrespect for rule of law as well as being an unsafe country rated third most terrorist ravaged nation after Iran and Afghanistan.

The PDP candidate lamented the prevalence of unemployment in the country with about 44 million jobs lost.

He said: “We need to create jobs to avert crisis, insecurity and instability with a more definite entrepreneurial educational system that will guarantee self-employment and boost job creation”.

He said Nigeria invested a mere $30 billion in the capital market while South Africa invested $900 billion because the current administration was not doing what it supposed to do.

Obi said the Atiku administration will rejig the economy, attract foreign and local direct investments and revamp the dead manufacturing sector.

He said Nigeria’s manufacturing sector is under performing at just 8% which was responsible for closure of many factories and relocation of others from Nigeria.

Obi disclosed that “a mere 0.5% of the N19 trillion bank loans are given to manufacturing sector”, while he also was not satisfied with 1.3% growth in GDP while population grows at 3%.

On oil subsidy, he said what the APC government is subsidising is inefficiency and need to be reversed.

He said: “We cannot continue to pay for inefficiency. If we remove subsidy today, the price of petrol will come down”.

He also promised that the PDP administration will take ICT seriously as an economy component to be optimally developed, adding “We need to invest in ICT and that is what our government will do. That is what Atiku will do”.

But, obviously the key highpoint of the debate was the tackle between the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr, Peter Obi, when they tackled each other on the issue of whether or not the present Muhammadu Buhari-led government is fighting corruption the right way or not.

While Obi likened what the present government is doing to a situation where a shop owner shut his shop to be pursuing thieves, Osinbajo said that was necessary because if the thieves are allowed to steal everything in the shop, there will be no shop to open.

While Osinbajo faulted Obi’s position that fighting corruption is not be an economic policy, he stated that “one thing we have noted is that you cannot have a vibrant economy with the kind of grand corruption that we have had in Nigeria in the past 16 years. I have heard one of the candidates say that fighting corruption is not an economic policy. With all due respect, if you don’t have resources, if you don’t have money, if your resources have been stolen, you cannot generate jobs, you can’t build infrastructure. In the past three years, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has spent N2.7 trillion on infrastructure.

That is the highest ever in the history of Nigeria, despite earning 60% less than the previous government.

“We have spent N2.7 trillion within two budget circles and we are earning 60% less.

When oil was $100 and $114 a barrel, no infrastructure was built, now we are spending on building economy and infrastructure. The second thing is that you must have poverty if you don’t have a social investment scheme.

Like it has been mentioned, countries like India, like Mexico, like Brazil, these are countries that have social investment policies.”

However, Obi insisted that fighting corruption cannot be an economic policy.

He said: “Fighting corruption is not an economic policy. It is not that you cannot fight corruption, you can fight it more aggressively by addressing economic issues. For example, in 2015, unemployment and underemployment was 10%, today it is 40%. In 2015, we were attracting $21 billion in foreign direct investment, we attracted only $12 billion last year. Our GDP was $520 billion in 2015 and the per capital was 2500. Today, it is under 1900. If you look at our stock market, it has lost over N2 trillion in one year, so that is not a policy.

You are not creating jobs, you are not doing the right thing and you are just fighting corruption.

You cannot close down your shop and be chasing criminals.”

Not done, Osinbajo responded that, “If you allow criminals to steal all the things in the shop, there will be no shop. That is what has happened in Nigeria in the last 16 years, which is what the World Bank told us, that the major cause of our poverty is corruption; that is the major cause. So let me say that there is no way we can minimise what has happened. We can minimise corruption, we cannot do what we want to do unless we are able to minimise or eradicate corruption completely and that is what we are trying to do,” he said.

Speaking on the state of the economy, Obi bemoaned the way the economy was being run, arguing that it was bleeding under poor economic policies which is drawing the country back rather that moving it forward and that the economy was bleeding, noting that while the country was losing private sector investment, other countries were growing.

“We have lost about $8 billion in the last one year, but look at South Africa, it is $900 billion and it is the second economy in Africa.

That shows the shallowness of your economy, that shows that you have a government that is doing what it is not supposed to do.

“The role of government is supervision and creating the support and the guarantee that will enable the private sector to drive the economy, so that investment needs to triple because it is even low compared to the size of your economy. That is why it is not creating jobs, that is what we have; the level of unemployment that we have today, you must look at how to drive up investment. We need to look at the overall economy, rejig properly and get the private sector to drive the economy with more investment.

“Your banks today with all the loans they have given is about 15% of the GDP, when other countries are doing 50% and 100%.

China is doing 250% of their GDP as credit to businesses, to private sector.”

For Osinbajo however, the reason the economy is not growing is because of the poor or decay in infrastructure which has made it difficult for foreign investors to come into the economy, “Our country over the last several years had suffered a major infrastructural deficit. We don’t have rails, we don’t have roads, power. When we came into power in 2015, power was at 4000 megawats after 16 years, so you need strong infrastructure and nobody can make excuses about that, that is one problem that our administration is tackling, putting in place infrastructure,” he said.

The debate was a period of intense emotion as each candidate tried to sell the agenda of their party to the Nigerian public.

Kicking off the debate, Galadima in his opening statement, urged Nigerians to look at the candidates and their manifestos to make informed choices at the polls.

He said: “Nigeria is in a critical stage, the intended economy is vulnerable and need an expert like Oby Ezekwesili that can reform the economy. ACPN will help fix Nigeria”.

On the other hand, Abdullahi-Iya of the ANN said she believed all Nigerians should be concerned about the plight of children to secure the country’s future.

She stated that her decision to run for the office stemmed from her concern about “every one of the over 2.1 million children in the North-East and IDP camps scattered across Nigeria’’.

Getso in her opening statement said she was passionate about girl-child education, adding that she “spent the early years of my adulthood in the development of a common Nigeria’’.

The YPP vice presidential hopeful said she was a pioneer member and founder of a women multi-purpose cooperative society in Bauchi State that had impacted the lives of a lot of rural women in the state.

Getso said her presidential candidate, Prof Kingsley Moghalu, was a person with a lot to offer in terms service to the nation.

“If you compare all the choices we have, you can see that Moghalu is among the best because he has experience in all sectors of the economy,’’ she said.

5 News

Alleged N2.5bn fraud: Court orders ICPC to de- freeze Pinnacle’s account Andrew Orolua, Abuja Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Friday ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately de- freeze the account of Pinnacle Communication Limited with Zenith Bank.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave order in a judgment he delivered on Friday in the suit filed by the company challenging the no debit restrictions placed on its account with Zenith Bank by the antigraft agency.

The Court dismissed the preliminary objections raised against the suit by the Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation, earlier during the judgment on the ground that the objection lacked merit.

In arriving at its conclusion on the preliminary objections, the court disagreed with the defendants that the suit bordered on a simple contract and tort of an individual customer and his bank.

On this, Justice Dimgba held “it is clear from the claim of the plaintiff that the suit did not border on a simple contract of tort, but one which bordered on the administrative act of the 1st defendant (ICPC) and therefore confers jurisdiction on the Federal High Court.

Dimgba conceded that the ICPC has statutory powers to freeze accounts of individuals and corporate entities, he however noted that where such freezing is not done properly, the court has jurisdiction to review it.

On the contention by the ICPC that the freezing of the account was ordered by a Magistrate court, Justice Dimgba held that the defendants cannot hide under the umbrella of a Magistrate court which is an inferior court, to foreclose the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court.

The court further dismissed the claim of the defendants that it was sitting as an appeal court over the order of a Magistrate court, but “the plaintiff’s suit is rather challenging the action of the 1st defendant (ICPC) in directing the 2nd defendant (Zenith Bank) to freeze it’s account. “ “This court has the powers under section 6(6) and 251(1) of the 1999 constitution to review the administrative

actions of the 1st defendant to determine whether it was right or wrong.”

The court said though the freezing of the company’s account was lawful and within the statutory powers of the ICPC, but the freezing of the account cannot be indefinitely but on a temporary basis.

“The order of temporary freezing of the account was to allow the 1st defendant to conclude investigation and file an action in court if a prima facie case is established.

“It is not to freeze the account for a long period of six months. The account was frozen on June 14, 2018, and today, a period of six months period has elapsed and no criminal charge has been filed against the plaintiff. The word temporary should be for a short time and not a period of six months.”

“If there is indeed any prima facie case against the plaintiff, I am at a loss as to why a criminal charge has not been filed in court. Freezing the account of the plaintiff indefinitely is an overkill, and amounts to killing a fly with a sledge hammer”.

“I resolved the issues in favour of the plaintiff and grant all the reliefs sought.

The 1st defendant should file a charge against the plaintiff before a competent court if a prima facie case is established against it, rather than a perpetual freezing of its account, “Justice Dimgba held.

Pinnacle Communications Limited is a private licenced signal distributor for the Federal Government approved implementation of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting in Nigeria in accordance with the 2012 government White Paper section 11.2 (a) which approved that ‘more than one signal distributor be licenced in addition to NTA-the public licenced signal distributor, another signal distributor should be licensed immediately.

In 2014, Pinnacle emerged successful bidder out of nine companies after a rigorous public tender and full compliance with due process.

It is the claim of the ICPC that Pinnacle Communication was fraudulently recommended to the Minister of Information and Culture for the release of N2.5 billion against the guidelines contained in the White Paper.

Maternal deaths: Reversing a prediction Continued on page 6 delivery–an accredited health care professional (e.g. a doctor, midwife or nurse) who can conduct normal deliveries, identify and manage complications, and refer women to the next level of care, ‘’ he added.

In Nigeria, World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners are supporting government to develop and adapt various guidelines and policies on reproductive, maternal, new-born and child health. Records indicate that between 2000 and 2015, the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria reduced from 1,170 deaths to 814 deaths per 100,000 live births (30.4% decreases).

Additionally, WHO with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is providing technical support for implementation of the initiative in Federal Capital Territory, Sokoto and Kebbi states as well as supporting the Federal Government through the Quality, Equity and Dignity

(QED) network for coordination and monitoring implementation in Nigeria.

There is also in the pipeline, a maternal and newborn Quality of Care (QOC) initiative to be supported by partners (led by WHO & UNICEF) which will focus on instituting quality improvement in selected health facilities towards ensuring positive pregnancy and birth experience for women.

According to Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, QOC interventions will improve the capacity of health workers to provide efficient, evidence-based interventions to pregnant women.

“In order to effectively reduce maternal mortality rates in Nigeria, it is imperative that government, working with other stakeholders, including community and traditional leaders at all levels; ensure provision of affordable quality maternal and new born services to the people wherever they live at a cost that will not impoverish them while accessing the services,” Dr. Alemu noted.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Senator Akpabio’s wife disrupts Aisha Buhari protocol as 11,600 get empowered in A’Ibom Isaac Job, Uyo The first official visit of the wife of the President, Aisha Mohammed Buhari to Akwa Ibom State was Friday disrupted by a security breach allegedly caused by Senator Godswill Akpabio’s wife, Mrs Unoma Akpabio.

The incident occurred when Mrs Akpabio attempted to assume the responsibility of the wife of the Governor, pre empting the protocol officers from the presidency to wade in.

It was gathered that while the door of the aircraft opened and the First Lady Aisha Buhari alighted, Mrs Akpabio suddenly stood up from her place to shove aside Mrs. Martha Emmanuel in order to receive the President’s wife to the state.

Akpabio’ wife, it was gathered had shoved aside the wife of the Governor of the State, who had been positioned rightfully by the presidential protocol team as the State’s First Lady to receive the country’s First Lady officially into Akwa Ibom.

This led to the door of the aircraft being shut as the President’s wife retreated and waited inside for another 25 minutes before the senator’s wife was persuaded to stop further attempts to ridicule the state by her actions.

Normalcy was restored as the aircraft doors were opened once again for Mrs Buhari to step down for a warm embrace with Mrs Emmanuel who introduced her

to other Akwa Ibom women at the airport to receive her.

Meanwhile some women at the airport who spoke with our correspondent expressed displeasure at the show of shame by Mrs Akpabio.

They recalled that no former first lady in the state came to embarrass her, throughout her tenure as first lady between 2007 and 2015, wondering why she is too power drunk to forget that her tenure expired in 2015.

“See this woman I used to respect behaving like a little girl in a secondary school hostel.

“She received the wife of President Yaradua during her time, and also received Mrs Patience Jonathan, no woman ever insulted her this way,” an angry Mrs Akon Umoren told our correspondent.

It would be recalled that reports had emerged that there was an attempt by the APC to disrupt the protocol during the visit of Mrs Buhari, to score cheap political gains.

Mean while over 11,000 women and youths drawn from the 31 local governments of Akwa Ibom on Friday received various forms of empowerment from Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari in furtherance of the FG’s Social Intervention programme.

The empowerment programme which was in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is part of efforts by the Future Assured Programme , a pet project of Mrs Buhari to encourage Nigerian women and youths to be self reliant and boost the growth of the economy.

She commended the NDE for their forward looking approach to the empowerment of Nigerians and charged participants to submit themselves to the training in order to become grounded in their area of training In a remark, a former Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio lauded Buhari for his transformative policies adding that many of them left the PDP because of the President’s transformative programme including reducing corruption and reducing over 500 accounts used by the FG to one and introduction of Social Intervention programmes.

Akpabio commended the President for increasing the electricity capacity of the country, appointing many people from the state into positions of authority and assured the President that strategies have been put in place to ensure that the APC win with a landslide in all elections in the state next year.

Also in a remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate) Barr Ita Enang regretted that Governor Udom Emmanuel has continued to deceive the people of the state with promises of industrialisation when the state government has not invested anything on any industry in the area.

Earlier the governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Mr Nsima Ekere commended the FG for their priority attention given to poverty alleviation programmes in the country adding that change would come to Akwa Ibom with the anticipated victory of the APC in next year’s general elections.

Short News PH International Airport workers protest over poor welfare conditions Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Port Harcourt International Airport Chapter on Friday staged a protest over what they described as poor conditions of workers’ welfare.

Citing other work related matters as some of their grievances, the union was also protesting the delay in the release of conditions of service of all aviation agencies by the national salaries and common wages commission.

The aggrieved employees were seen at the international airport carrying different placards with various inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs to drive home their points.

The workers barricaded the offices of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The protest, however, did not affect flight operations at the international airport as airlines and passengers went about their businesses without harassment by the workers.

Efforts to reach the aviation transport management failed. Recall, however, that the National President of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue, had earlier told journalists that for quite a long time the workers and management of the aviation agencies had signed the conditions of services, which were yet to be implemented.

Solving problem creates wealth ANP Senatorial candidate Tom Garba, Yola A senatorial candidate of the Alliance National Party (ANP) and Adamawa Central senatorial zone hopeful, Engr Salihu Garba Mama Aliyu has said that he is out to rescue the jobless youths of the zone with a pet project under the SAGMA Youth empowerment.

Salihu a young retiree of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a software developer said there are lot of untapped opportunities that modern technology in computer has that’s not being properly harness.

He is targeting about 20 youths, two from each LGAs of his constituency to empower them with training on solar system designs and installation, computer software development and general programming.

According to him it’s through solving problem that you create wealth and his non political NGO, Salihu Garba Mama Aliyu (SAGMA) Youths Empowerment Initiatives is poised to create wealth for nation build said and to reduce high rate of hooliganism, thuggery, restiveness and crimes caused by youths as a result of joblessness.

He revealed that SAGMA is embarking on the nomination of suitable and qualified Adamawa youths from the age of 18-45 for a stage one 3-days weekend workshop on solar systems design and installations (on-grid and off-grid).

Police nap 4 fake drugs manufacturers Andrew Orolua, Abuja

L-R: Professor, Jerry Gana, Formal minister of Police affairs, Barr. Humphrey Abah and Elder. Aureo Vianana during the press briefing of Prof. Jerry Gana over his victory at court in Abuja... on Friday.

Photo: Temitope Balogun

N1.3m fraud: Court convicts business man Andrew Orolua, Abuja

Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna, has convicted Aliyu Ibrahim, Isiayaka Mohammed, Tukur Aliyu and a company, Marhaba Motors Nigeria Limited for forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Upon their convictions the Court sentenced Aliyu Ibrahim, Isiayaka Mohammed and Tukur Aliyu to five years imprisonment for committing

the offences.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who filed the charges against the convicts, had proved its case that on October 11, 2018, the convicts sold a Space Wagon car to their victim using fake vehicle documents.

Their journey to jail began in 2016 when they sold the said vehicle to the victim for N1, 320,000 with fake Customs duty particulars. Their motive was however, uncovered when the victim was accosted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service on a routine check who

impounded the vehicle having discovered the fake papers.

The convicts had pleaded “not guilty” when they were arraigned, but later changed their pleas to being “guilty” to an amended charge on December 11, 2018.

Justice Abubakar thus found them guilty and sentenced them to five years imprisonment on each of the counts, with an option of N50, 000 fines on each of the count.

Prior to their conviction, they had initiated a plea bargain, in which they obliged to refund N1 million to the victim.

Nigeria Police on Friday paraded four fake drugs manufacturers its operatives arrested in Ikotun area of Lagos State.

The suspects are Emeka Madu aka Cabara 47yrs - Owner Of the suspected Fake Drug Manufacturing Factory, Eze Young 26yrs – Staff in the suspected Fake Drug Manufacturing Factory, Chijoke Umunna 19yrs – Staff in the suspected Fake Drug Manufacturing Factory and Kingsley Obilo 22yrs – Staff in the suspected Fake Drug Manufacturing Factory.

The police during the arrest recovered the following exhibits; plastic buckets of different types fill with suspected fake drug, cartons of packed suspected fake drug for distribution, a vehicle being used for the distribution of the suspected fake drug, Large quantity of unprocessed suspected chemicals and substances used in manufacturing the suspected fake drug, several Machines fabricated for processing, manufacturing, packaging of the suspected fake drug and forged pharmaceutical papers.

The police said it raided the fake drug factory hidden based on intelligent report that it is located in the residential Area of Ikotun in Lagos State and discovered that the factory is engaged in substantial production, packaging and distribution of suspected fake drug to different parts of the Country is being carried out.

“These dastard acts may have resulted in several deaths, health complications and physical disabilities to many victims nationwide,” the police said.

Scarcity of LAKE Rice hits Lagos markets

Scarcity of the Lagos-Kebbi States collaboration brand of local rice, popularly known as `LAKE Rice’, has hit the Lagos markets, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN correspondents’ visits to some of the major markets and distribution outlets within the state showed that there were no LAKE Rice on display or in stock for sale to consumers.

Some retail traders at major markets and distributors of the product told NAN that they had yet to restock after exhausting the stocks they had since September and October.

One of the distributors, Mrs Augustina Nwanze, said she was still expecting new stocks which she had ordered for since October.

“I paid for new stocks of the product but unfortunately they had yet to be delivered.

“Once l receive a phone call from Alausa to come and pick the products, l will go and pick them.

“The delivery is usually on first come first serve, so l am waiting for my turn,” Nwanze said.

Another distributor, Mrs Bimbo Ogun, said she ran out of stocks since early November.

“Since then, l have been waiting for new supplies from the state secretariat.

“The product (LAKE Rice) is not readily available like the foreign rice.

“The state government is still fine-tuning ways to flood the market with the product.

“I have been telling my customers to be patience as the product will soon be available, especially since it is festive season, “ she said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Court declares Prof Jerry Gana as SDP presidential candidate Andrew Orolua, Abuja

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an Abuja High Court, on Friday declared, Prof. Jerry Gana the rightful winner of the Presidential Primary election of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted on Oct. 6, 2018.

Consequently, the Court ordered the SDP to forward the name of Gana to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace that of its erstwhile candidate Donald Duke in the 2019 presidential election.

The court in addition, ordered that Duke should stop parading himself as the party’s flag bearer for the coming election.

The judge who gave the order while delivering ruling in a suit brought by Gana nullified the election that produce Duke on the grounds that it contravenes the SDP’s constitution.

Duke had emerged winner of the SDP Presidential Primary election having polled 812 votes over Gana’s 611 votes and was accordingly declared flag bearer of the

party in the 2019 general elections.

But Gana dissatisfied with the process and outcome of the election had approached the court to declare him the winner citing the zoning and rotation formula of the party’s constitution.

The Court stated that the regulations contained in the party constitution was binding on every member of the party and must be obeyed.

He held that the zoning and rotation formula as contained in the party constitution stipulates that both the chairman of the party and flag bearer should not come from the same zone.

“In this instance, the chairman Chief Olu Falae is from the South and Duke is from the South too, the law is clear and there is nothing to write in between”.

“The law has crystallized that political parties should abide by the regulations which they have made by themselves.

“The claimant has led sufficient evidence to have the judgment in his favour, it is clear violation of the party’s constitution, and the court cannot wave right over illegality” he held.

He held that the election was an exercise

in futility and therefore declared Gana the winner of SDP’s party primaries conducted on Oct. 6.

Gana, had joined SDP; its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae; National Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam; Chairman, SDP Presidential Screening Panel/ Deputy National Chairman, South, Prof Tunde Adeniran; Duke and INEC as defendants in the suit wherein he prayed for an order that Duke was not eligible to stand as a candidate in the party’s presidential primaries held on October 6 in Abuja.

He also sought a declaration that he ought to have been declared as the winner of the SDP presidential primary election having polled the highest valid votes in the said election.

Gana also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Duke from parading himself as the SDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election, among other reliefs.

He had argued that under Article 15(3) of the SDP Constitution, the office of the National Chairman of the party and the president shall rotate between the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

7 News

Short News Gov Lalong begins journey to 2019, leverages on peace, security Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has officially began his journey to return to Government House come 2019, leveraging on relative peace and security attained in his sojourn as governor.

Lalong said beyond peace and security the All Progressive Congress (APC), has both at the National and state levels has also brought prosperity and progress in the country.

He said both the opposition party governors and the APC governors have all prayed for president Buhari today in Abuja urging him to continue with the good works of fighting poverty, insecurity and corruption.

“I have just returned from Abuja where all the governors gathered to greet President Buhari including the PDP governors. We have all assured the president that we shall all work to return him as president to continue with the good works”.

Lalong who was thrilled with the crowed that turned out to witness the commissioning of his campaign office said he is rest assured that victory is certain in the next general elections.

2019: Group tasks youths to check leaders for accountability Yakubu Salisu, Kano As the campaigns for 2019 general elections commenced in top gear, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has called on Nigerian youths to engage in critical thinking in order to checkmate the activities of public office holders for accountability.

The Assistant Programme Manager, Maryam Haruna, made the call yesterday, during the opening of the 2nd edition of Ibrahim Mu’azzam Institute of Philosophy for Young People.

Often, the government presents budgets that just pass without proper scrutiny to check how the budget will be judiciously utilized as well as other policies.

For governments at all levels to live up to expectations, Haruna opined that, the youths who are the back bone of the nation must engage in critical analysis of government policies for which would serve as a checkmate for accountability in governance.

She urged the youths to wake up and take charge of their future by becoming actively active in matters of governance in order to have a safe tomorrow.

NGO trains 1000 on skills acquisition Samuel Luka, Bauchi

L-R: Victoria Okorie; Dr. Nnamdi Anyim and Mr. Omotayo Oyeyemi, all of Flying Doctors Nigeria, on board with a patient lying on a medical stretcher through Emergency Transport Unit (ETU) with their multiparametre monitor, mobile ventilator held at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...on Friday.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Wike to INEC, police: Commit yourselves to credible polls Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has called on the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commit themselves to credible polls in the interest of the nation.

Governor Wike stated that it was the alleged negative actions of the police and INEC who, he claimed, manipulated the electoral process that made it difficult for politicians to be held accountable by the electorate.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Calabar, Governor Wike said that politicians took advantage of the illegal electoral system to deny the people good governance.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be used

negatively to influence the electoral process.

Please save Nigeria so that we can continue to remain united beyond 2019. The greater interest of the nation is paramount.

“You people make politicians not to be accountable. If votes count, every politician will sit up. Here, our votes don’t count. People rely on police and INEC to get into office,” he alleged.

The governor noted that the alleged illegal actions of the police and INEC generated violence in the political space.

“Violence is caused when security agencies lay the scene for the rigging of elections. INEC manipulates the process and it leads to violence.

Our major problem in the country is the Police and INEC,” the governor alleged.

He added that it was the duty of the police to stop the crime of rigging.

The governor assured the police that the state

government would always support them with the logistics and funding to fight crime.

Speaking earlier, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 6, Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi assured the Rivers State governor that the police would perform their responsibility professionally to ensure credible polls in 2019.

He said that officers and men were receiving the required training to be neutral and professional during the polls.

The AIG commended the Rivers State governor for his logistical and financial support which, he said, had assisted the police in carrying out her duties.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, informed Governor Wike that the Zone would arrange a peace accord for security agencies, political leaders, and INEC ahead of the 2019 elections.

Not fewer than 1000 vulnerable women and persons living with HIV/AIDS were trained on various skills acquisitions in Bauchi state.

The skills acquisition programme was carried out by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Rahama Women Development Programme in the state.

The Executive Director of the NGO, Mrs Miriam Iliya who made this known on Friday at the inauguration of Board of trustees in Bauchi said, “We embarked on the trainings in collaboration with the support of some international partners, the training was conducted within the period of nine months.

She added that, “the NGO was committed to making the trainees become employers of labour in the future and be self reliant. The beneficiaries include the People Living with HIV/AIDs and other vulnerable women whom were trained on different skills acquisitions such as Tailoring, Knitting, Barbing, Hair dressing saloon, Pomade and soap making and baking”.

According to her, the NGO also give counselling to (PLWHA) to let them know that being positive is not the end of their lives and also disabuse their mind on the stereotype.

2019: Focus on issue-based campaigns, TUC tells politicians The Bayelsa chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns that will project the image of the country ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The State Chairman of the TUC, Mr Tari Dounana, gave the advice in Yenagoa on Friday at the closing ceremony of the 2018 seminar organised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bayelsa chapter.

Dounana stressed the need to promote industrial harmony between employers and employees across the country.

The member representing Yenagoa Constituency II in the state House of Assembly, Mrs Ebiuwou Obiyai, said the importance of capacity building in public service growth could not be over emphasised.

The lawmaker stressed the need for employers and employees to respect civil service rules in order to achieve the desired industrial harmony.

According to her, a harmonious relationship will go a long way in improving the state and national economy.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Court removes Duke, says Jerry Gana is Short News authentic SDP presidential candidate Take advantage of law to arm Neighbourhood Andrew Orolua, Abuja Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an Abuja High Court, on Friday, declared Prof. Jerry Gana the rightful winner of the Presidential Primary election of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted on October 6, 2018.

Consequently, the Court ordered the SDP to forward the name of Gana to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace that of its erstwhile candidate Donald Duke in the 2019 presidential election.

The court in addition, ordered that Duke should stop parading himself as the party’s flag bearer for the coming election.

The judge, who gave the order while delivering ruling in a suit brought by Gana, nullified the election that produced Duke on the grounds that it contravenes the SDP’s constitution.

Duke had emerged winner of the SDP Presidential Primary election having polled 812 votes over Gana’s 611 votes and was accordingly declared flag bearer of the party in the 2019 general election.

But Gana dissatisfied with the process and outcome of the election had approached the court to declare him the winner, citing the zoning and rotation formula of the party’s constitution.

The Court stated that the regulations contained in the party constitution was binding on every member of the party and must be obeyed.

He held that the zoning and rotation formula as contained in the party constitution stipulates that both the chairman of the party and flag bearer should not come from the same zone.

“In this instance, the chairman, Chief Olu Falae, is from the South and Duke is from the South too, the law is clear and there is nothing to write in between”.

“The law has crystallised that political parties should abide by the regulations which they have made by themselves.

“The claimant has led sufficient evidence to have the judgment in his favour, it is clear violation of the party’s constitution, and the court cannot wave right over illegality,” he held.

He held that the election was an exercise

in futility and therefore declared Gana the winner of SDP’s party primaries conducted on October 6.

Gana, had joined SDP; its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae; National Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam; Chairman, SDP Presidential Screening Panel/ Deputy National Chairman, South, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Duke and INEC as defendants in the suit wherein he prayed for an order that Duke was not eligible to stand as a candidate in the party’s presidential primaries held on October 6 in Abuja.

He also sought a declaration that he ought to have been declared as the winner of the SDP presidential primary election having polled the highest valid votes in the said election.

Gana also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Duke from parading himself as the SDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election, among other reliefs.

He had argued that under Article 15(3) of the SDP Constitution, the office of the National Chairman of the party and the president shall rotate between the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

Corps, Falana tells Lagos govt

Alade Tasma, Lagos Renowned lawyer and human right activist, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN) has charged Lagos State government to take advantage of the law of the country and empower the State security outfit, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

Falana made this call while speaking at one day public hearing on a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Security Trust Fund organised by the State House of Assembly.

The lawyer who said Lagos State required not less than 100,000 police officers to effectively police over 20 million residents of the State maintained the State is greatly under police and therefore, charged the State government to take advantage of Section 214 subsection 2(b) of the 1999 constitution to empower its security outfit, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps with possession of fire arms to help it perform its duties effectively “The corps can also pick up school children roaming the streets during school hours, return them to school authorities.

Speaking earlier at the parley, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho assured the stakeholders that their contributions would be worked upon in the course of amending the law. Stressed the opinion of the people is very germane to the amendment of the law.

Spiritual cleansing: Man docked for allegedly defrauding woman N830,000

The police in Ibadan on Friday arraigned a 33-year-old man, Yomi Adebayo, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N830, 000 in the guise of giving her spiritual cleansing.

Adebayo, who resides at No.1, Esifo St., Adegbola, Akure, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

According to the Prosecutor, ASP Samad Aliu, the accused committed the offences with some other persons still at large on Nov. 19, at Eleta area of Ibadan.

Aliu said that the accused collected the sum from the complainant, one Mrs Abiodun Akande, with a promise to carry out a spiritual cleansing for her, a representation he was false. ” The accused converted the N830,000 to his own use; all efforts by the complainant to get her money back proved abortive,” he said.

Aliu said that the offences contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Muideen Salami, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until Jan. 29, 2019, for trial.

Atiku vs Buhari: Allow us to decide, Arewa youths caution Northern Elders Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; with the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the state, Chief Bayo Adelabu, during the flag off of the party’s governorship campaign at the APC secretariat, Ibadan... on Friday. Photo: Governor’s Office.

Buhari won 2015 election with 13.5m fictitious votes, PDP alleges Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 presidential polls with 13.5 fictitious votes casted by unauthorised persons that participated in the polls.

This illegality, the party contends, was perfected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s adoption of incidence forms in place of biometric accreditation of voters.

The PDP vowed not to accept such ambiguous and electoral fraud by INEC in the 2019 polls, warning the electoral umpire to strictly adhere to implementation of biometric accreditation as stipulated in all extant Electoral laws.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja said the party will reject “The plan by INEC to substitute biometric accreditation with manual verification on self-recognition and thumbprint on the voters register”, for next year’s elections.

The party said it was aware of the frenzied desperation of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the 2019 Presidential election and foist President Buhari back to office against the desires

and wishes of majority of Nigerians.

“Our party completely rejects the plan by INEC to substitute biometric accreditation with manual verification on self-recognition and thumbprint on the voters register.

“Such primitive method of accreditation only opens the way for unlimited rigging, multiple, underage and alien voting, as well as ballot stuffing which will afford President Buhari and the APC to manipulate themselves back to power against the wish of majority of Nigerians”, he said.

“Intelligence available to the PDP, including those from our sources that are privy to clandestine meetings between the Presidency and INEC, shows that instead of the open offshore voting centres, the Buhari Presidency had directed INEC to circumvent the checks by secretly opening illegal voting centres at the desert fringes and remote border lines with Chad and Niger, and use them to achieve its original plans to rig the Presidential election.

“Part of the plot is to use these illegal remote centres, which will not have functional Smart Card Readers, to allow unchecked voting by aliens, and underage persons as well as provide the unlimited latitude for criminal allocation of fictitious votes for President Buhari and his party, the APC. It further informed Nigerians that, as part of the Buhari Presidency’s rigging plot, INEC has

been instructed to deploy defective Smart Card Readers to IDP camps, particularly in some strategic northern states, to pave way for direct manipulations, including alteration of voter register and voting by unregistered persons, particularly, with the foreclosure of incident forms for manual accreditation.

The party attributed this as the essential reason President Muhammadu Buhari has deliberately refused to sign the amendments to the Electoral Act, which among other things checked manual manipulation by insisting on the use of card readers for biometric accreditation of voters and elimination of over-voting.

The PDP therefore rejected, “as completely deceptive, the untenable assurances and lip service by this overtly compromised INEC that it can deliver a credible election without an across-theboard biometric accreditation of voters and the use incidence form.

“Our party completely rejects the plan by INEC to substitute biometric accreditation with manual verification on self-recognition and thumbprint on the voters register”.

The PDP therefore cautioned INEC under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not to be used to set the nation on fire but to immediately retrace its steps and untangle itself from the scheme of the APC as Nigerians will never allow them to have their way.

The Northern Emancipation Network, a member of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) responsible for the Kaduna Declaration made against IPOB last year has cautioned the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to reclaim statesmanship by allowing northerners to make independent judgments on the choice between Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Last week, a section of the NEF led by Professor Ango Abdullahi was reported to have said that the northern region was not disposed to re-electing President Buhari for another four-year term and showed preference for his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar.

In a swift reaction, NEN urged the Elders Forum to invest more energy in advising the upcoming generations correctly instead of the futile attempt to continue to manipulate the thinking of the youth for their personal interest.

A statement by coordinator of the Group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman who doubles as spokesperson for the Northern Coalition, described as sad that those who today constitute themselves as northern elders are in more ways than one directly responsible for the multiple challenges faced by the region.

“It is saddening that all the men talking as elders were at various times in positions of influence which they used for self serving purposes instead of for the overall development of the region.

Youths’ empowerment: AEA trains 2,000 in skills acquisition Idu Jude, Abuja Over 2,000 youths have so far benefited from the Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA) in the last one year as part of its contributions to reduce unemployment and boost private businesses in the country..

The beneficiaries are selected individuals who received trainings in the construction, beauty, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

He said, “We are pleased to announce that AEA has put in place a Credit Scheme such as the Federal Capital Territory FCT microfinance Bank, the Bank of Industry [BOI] where soft loans are given to beneficiaries to boost their business on a single digit rate not more than 9 percent, these financial assistance are made available to our graduates to properly finance their projects’’.

On monitoring, the AEA chief explained that the agency has also put in place an Evaluation and monitoring Department to help in review and making sure that money given are properly utilized as well as ensure that the loans are paid as at when due.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Condition of service: Aviation unions give FG 14 days ultimatum Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos Unions in the aviation industry have given the Federal Government a 14- day ultimatum from December 17, to release the reviewed conditions of service of the agencies in the aviation industry.

The unions have threatened to embark on industrial action if at the expiration of the ultimatum nothing was done.

At a protest rally at the Lagos airport yesterday, leadership of the three unions in the industry insisted that their patience had been stretched to the limit waiting for over 7 years for the release of the conditions of service by the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

President, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ben Nnabue who addressed members of the unions who gathered at the Freedom Square at the

airport said, the morale of the workers was low as efforts to dialogue with commission to release the conditions of service had failed.

He emphasised that they cannot continue to fold their hands as they could no longer give excuses to their members, which could perceived that the leadership were handling the issues with kid gloves.

Deputy National President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association, ATSSSAN, Comrade Sarah Riddams said the conditions of service had been reviewed and the Agencies have agreed that they have the capacity to pay but the unions were surprised that the Commission was still foot dragging in the release.

She noted that all issues raised in the document submitted to the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission many years ago had been addressed, stressing that they do not know what was delaying the release.

According to her, the harmonization of salaries in the agencies put forward by the Commission was a tactics to withhold

the release of their conditions of service, adding that some agencies like the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT Zaria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET were not generating revenue but get a percentage from the other three agencies.

Comrade Riddams observed that the Commission must thread with caution on the proposed harmonization of salaries as the six agencies in the industry have their different roles spelt out, responsibilities and overheads.

During the rally, the gates of the aviation agencies were locked for over three hours the rally lasted.

Placards were also displaced with different inscriptions that read, ‘FAAN Management should stop playing politics with our conditions of service, CoS’; ‘Sirika please prevail on Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Our workers morale is low and poses danger to aviation safety among others’.

9 News

Short News Nasarawa JUSUN urges CJ to refund N1.9m staff deductions Augustine Kuza, Lafia The Chairman, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Nasarawa state, chapter, Jimo Musa has directed the Chief Judge of Nasarawa state, Ahmed Ubangeri, to refund the sum of N1.8 million, deduction and other benefits to judicial staff workers of the state in order not to kill the judiciary system in the state.

According to Musa, the Union has embarked on strike because the CJ has conspicuously deducted money from the works salary, stagnation of workers and accelerated promotion of staff who are relatives of the constituted authority hence the need to cry out.

The State Jusun, boos went ahead to explained that the Judicial workers of Nasarawa state, wrote a protect letter to their head, given time and date of their protest but nobody stand to addressed them.

He further explained that after due process the CJ said the Union has committed contempt of court, what follows is the alleged dismissal “is that how they dismiss people? No fair hearing, even the construction allows fair hearing. He added.

2019 Elections: PDP hatching Dubai plans – APC Tom Okpe, Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the major opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of hatching its Dubai meeting plans by enlisting Russians to hack into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Server to manipulate the 2019 general election to its favour.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party Yekini Nabena, speaking with journalists in Abuja said the PDP had enlisted the services of some hackers from Russia with a view to compromising the servers of INEC wondering why PDP was now unease with the same law that it had used in conducting past elections in the country.

According to Nabena, the current disposition of the PDP is the fallout of the various plans it hatched during their recent meeting in Dubai with their presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar towards the next year election.

He said: “The Act we are using now was created by the PDP. They created a law and they are now afraid to use it. That does not sound right.

What the PDP is doing, is the fall out, playing out what they designed in Dubai.

Your administration best in 14 years, pensioners tell Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Falana, Tejuosho and the Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade at the public hearing on Friday.

IRI, NDI probe Nigeria’s political environment ahead 2019 Two reputable organisations, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have jointly delegated some critical auditors for analyses of current Nigeria’s political environment ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The mission, which commenced Friday, will last till Thursday 20th December, 2018.

According to a statement signed

by Lady Nkiru Celine Okoro, Media Consultant to PEAM, the delegates include Lewis Lucke, Former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland, US Department of State (USA); Dickson Omondi, Kenya Resident Country Director, NDI (Kenya); Linda Thomas-Greenfield (lead delegate), Former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, US Department of State (USA), and John Tomaszewski, Africa Director, IRI

(USA).

“With just nine weeks until Nigeria’s presidential and legislative elections, the international community is looking closely at the prospects for free, fair, and credible elections in a country that can greatly influence the democratic trajectory of subSaharan Africa,” the statement quoted Thomas-Greenfield as saying.

It says that during the mission, the delegation will meet with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to assess election preparations and explore ways of fostering peaceful and credible polls in the country. The mission will present its findings at a press conference in Abuja on December 19, 2018.

“IRI and NDI conducted first preelection assessment in July 2018 and the second in September 2018, and will

jointly deploy international observers to the February 2019 presidential and legislative elections and the March 2019 gubernatorial and state assembly polls.

“IRI and NDI have organized more than 200 international election observation missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism.

The IRI-NDI mission to Nigeria will conduct its activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005 and will base its findings and recommendations on Nigerian laws and international standards for elections. All activities will be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process,” the statement concluded.

Retirees, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS), have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, applauding his administration as the best they have seen in 14 years of the pension scheme.

In a letter dated December 10, 2018, signed by the Chairman of the union, Comrade Sylva C. Nwaiwu, the pensioners said they were registering their “unanimous acknowledgement and commendation of the good performance” of the administration in the Contributory Pension Scheme sector in particular, and Nigerian Pension Industry in general.

Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, “Your insight, determination, political will and commitment as demonstrated in the release of bailout funds to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerian workers/pensioners is unequalled and highly appreciated by the union and other stakeholders.”

The union also urged President Buhari to “complete the good work you have started” by authorizing additional bailout to clear the outstanding backlog from last year.

$1.05bn NLNG dividend not missing, Senate C’ttee Idu Jude, Abuja The Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Bassey Albert, Thursday in Abuja, clarified that the ongoing investigation of the application of $1.05 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividend to support the importation of petroleum products into the country has nothing to do with any missing funds since no such money was missing in the first place.

Senator Albert, who doubles as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Application of the NLNG Dividend, explained that the clarification became necessary due to sensational and misleading reports in some sections of the media.

He said the mandate of the Committee was to determine the instrument under, which NNPC relied upon to affect the said withdrawal and subsequent application of the NLNG dividend to meet pressing national demand for fuel supply, noting that the Committee relies on NNPC to provide informed perspective on the issues.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Short News Magu has proven to be good in fight against corruption - Enugu CP 2019: IGP trains police, other agencies on Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Danmallam has described the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu as a very professional officer who has proven his mettle in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

The Commissioner made the remark when he hosted the new Zonal Head of the Commission, Usman Imam who paid him a courtesy call in his office at the Area

Headquarters in Enugu.

“CP Ibrahim Magu has done excellently well and the records are there. Indeed, I think, he is one of the best to have headed that place.

He has made us proud as officers and Nigerians,” Danmallam stated.

While describing EFCC as a reliable and complementary ally in the fight against crime, the CP assured of the Command’s support to the Commission in the discharge of its duties.

“We shall give our maximum cooperation to your Commission to ensure that you perform your constitutional functions without any fear or intimidation”, he

assured.

Earlier, the zonal head while addressing the CP said: “I am here, having newly been seconded to the South East zone by the Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu to say thank you for all your support to EFCC. Indeed, the Nigeria Police could be said to be the fulcrum on which the Commission stands.

“I am here also to ask for the continuous assistance that our agency has gotten from the Nigeria Police.”

The visit is part of the zonal head’s familiarization tour to the Commission’s stakeholders in the zone.

crime detection

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris said the Force has trained Police personnel as well as other security agencies on Advanced Detective Course aimed at detecting and prosecuting crimes ahead of the 2019 general elections and beyond.

The IGP said the course is primarily designed for junior officer’s cadre and their counterparts in other organisations to train and equip them with contemporary methods of investigating emerging crimes in our society.

The Police boss stated on Friday at the Police Staff College in Jos, the Plateau state capital, during the graduation ceremony of the Advanced Detective Course 67.

He said, “It is an opportunity for reinvigorating the need for a symbiotic working relationship with other security agencies leading to the ultimate result of strengthening the internal security of our dear country.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the course has been able to achieve its objective going by the rich curricula and the quality of resource persons invited for the same purpose.”

FCTA to strengthen safety measures around schools Idu Jude, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has said it is working to strengthen measures that will promote safety around schools in the FCT as well as reduce road casualties to make the city a model for road safety in the country.

Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who made this disclosure in Abuja while receiving the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Trust Fund in Abuja, assured that zebra crossings will be strategically placed across schools in the FCT to protect the children from road hazards.

Malam Bello appealed to stakeholders in the FCT, including NGOs, individuals, government officials and institutions to ensure safety on the roads while calling on road users to ensure that road traffic regulations are obeyed.

The Minister directed the FCT Transportation and Education Secretaries to work together with the KRSD to ensure that zebra crossings and other road signs are placed across schools in the FCT to make the roads safer for the children and other road users. He also suggested that road marshals should be drafted to the schools during break, resumption or closing hours to ensure that road signs are obeyed.

NSCDC assaults journalists in Lafia Augustine Kuza, Lafia

An alleged notorious suspect, Sani Rabiu, during his parade by police in Abuja.

Gov commends minister, seeks tougher action against fake news Tom Okpe, Abuja Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir ElRufai has called for the enactment of a legal framework to ensure the expeditious prosecution of purveyors of fake news and hate speech, while commending the Minister of Information and Culture for being in the vanguard of the fight against the twin evils.

The Governor made the remarks in Kaduna on Thursday when he received the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on a courtesy visit, on the sidelines of the 47th National Council on Information, with the theme “Tackling Fake News and Hate Speech to Enhance Peace and National Unity”.

He said because of the challenges posed by fake news and hate speech, the Kaduna State Government is establishing a legal framework, beyond the Penal Code, that recognizes the peculiarities of spreading fake news and hate speech with the use of technology.

“We have fundamental problems

Your Excellency. First, we need to give state governments and state high court’s the jurisdiction to try this because the Federal Government cannot do it alone. What we are thinking of doing in Kaduna State is to enact our own legislation against fake news. Right now we have enough in the Penal Code to try people that do that but we need a stronger framework that recognizes the technologies and the processes that are used now more than ever”, he said.

Mallam El-Rufai commended the NCI for adopting the menace of fake news as its theme recommending that State Governments should be given broader jurisdiction to try offenders, thus putting the states at the forefront of the campaign against fake news and hate speech.

“This is a very important issue that you are discussing, and I think the program you launched against fake news in all the Federal Government media is quite commendable and should be sustained. But beyond that, what we found here in Kaduna State is that the Cyber Crime Act, which is the one that provides a framework for prosecuting people

that use Social Media to proliferate fake news, vests jurisdiction in the Federal High Court, so we cannot easily and quickly prosecute those involved, so we have to rely on the Penal Code”, El’Rufai said.

In his remarks, the Minister said fake news has become the most potent weapon in the arsenal of the political opposition, in view of their inability to take on the Administration because of its great achievements in all spheres.

“You would have noticed in recent times that fake news has been on the increase and this is very simple, because the opposition cannot debate the federal government on issues. We challenge the opposition to debate us on the achievements we have made in agriculture, security, economy or in fighting corruption, but they could not do that. Rather, they have found out that their most potent weapon is fake news and hate speech.

“We have it on good authority that the opposition has engaged consultants from other parts of the world, whose only duty is to churn out fake news at intervals and confuse the gullible”, he said.

The Nasarawa state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the Nasarawa state Pensions Bureau yesterday attacked journalists in Lafia.

Rabiu Omaku, who is the state correspondent of the Universal Reporters, an online medium, had gone to the Bureau and was having shape shots of the list of pensioners posted on the notice board for a report.

According to him, the information officer of the Bureau, Ibrahim Dawaya directed personnel of the NSCDC to seize his phone and upon refusal; they gave him a beating of his life as they broke his head with the butt of their gun.

“I got information that some pensioners were delisted from the list of beneficiary for allegedly dragging the state government to court over their entitlement,” Omaku noted.

Other journalists, who came to intervene in the matter were also assaulted in the likes of Gambo Ahmed, of People’s Daily sustaining injury, Augustine Kuza, of Daily Times, Isaac Ukpoju, News Agency of Nigeria, Aliu Muraki , Radio Nigeria, Kaduna and Igbawase Ukumba, of Thisday Newspaper.

Omaku is currently receiving treatment at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

Meanwhile, the state commandant of NSCDC, Mohammad MahmoudFari condemned the assualt on the journalists.

Buhari appoints Hassan Environment minister Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhmadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Surveyor Suleiman Hassan as the Minister of Environment.

The appointment follows the resignation of the Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril who resigned to ascend the throne of his forefathers as the Emir of Nasarawa, in Nasarawa State.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday, stated that the President announced the succession at the Ministry of Environment at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday.

Prior to his appointment, Surveyor Hassan has been the Minister of State Power, Works and Housing.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Life & Times

11

My love life is intact but not for public - Singer Annjay With a new single and several business ventures, budding singer, song writer, model and entrepreneur, John Angela Chioma, better known as Annjay, is one artiste to look out for. Speaking with MUTIAT ALLI in this interview, the former journalist says that she is not willing to compromise her dignity for a shot at fame. She also talks about other issues including career, love and marriage. Enjoy…

How and when did your journey start as an artiste?

I started singing from the church and later I contested in the Nigeria Idol season 1 and later I wasn’t picked. So I moved on and everything is a story today.

You own many businesses, how do you combine it with music?

I have staffs working for me because I can’t do it alone but with grace of God I have been able to combine both and it worked out.

How would you describe the experience so far?

Everything is cool now compared to when I just started. I work hard and harder every day for a better me. I’m not perfect but trust me everything about Annjay is cool by God’s grace. I can perform anywhere in the world with A list just as I have been doing in Nigeria and other countries. I’m working on Better me and every day is for hustle (Work).

What is the nature of your business?

Beauty products.

Why did you go into beauty product?

I went into beauty business because I like it and it’s part of my profession as a singer and a model. I have been doing this business before I went into journalism but not as big as its now. Annjay products is international now. We have our clients globally. Some USA U.K., SA, Ghana and many more. People order our goods products from there and we ship to them.

When did you record your first single and what’s the title?

I recorded my first single back then in 2010 titled Fly High.

What inspires you?

God and myself. My hard work inspires me a lot. I like beauty products too and I can spend my last kobo on it. As a teenager back then if I want to buy any beauty product and my money is not complete will go into installment agreements with them, after payment they hand over my what I paid for to me. I use quality expensive beauty products on myself and that’s why we sell good things.

What were the things you didn’t well in the first single that you had improved on?

Production wise and composing. But as I speak now if you listen to my new songs you will know that a lot of job has been done. I work every day for improvement and Jehovah is helping out.

How would you assess your music career in terms of its acceptance by your fans?

I have my fan based now everywhere compared to when I just started music. They like my song and demands for more from me. I’m working and I can’t stop working as music is not something you rush. It requires patience and timing.

It’s always not been easy for female Entertainer to rise without been sexually harassed by men, Have you experienced that?

No! I have never experienced it because music is all about you. If you have something doing for a living that is generating funds for you I don’t see why you should be sexually harassed. It’s those looking for free things that are sexually harassed. Everyone know me as a workaholic. I started working as a journalist and making my own money from advertisement at age 16.I don’t look for free productions or free song writers. And funny enough the producers I work with are my big brother friend and also family friends.

You were a journalist turned musician, what prompted this, is journalism not paying your bills anymore?

Journalism prepared me for everything

You got endorsed by a Chinese solar company of recent, how does it feel?

I feel very great about the whole thing.

Working as brand ambassador for an international company as Ja Solar Energy Equipment ltd feels good You are sexy with good curves, how do you maintain your Gods Given Beauty?

I do normal thing. I drink a lot of water, fruits and more vegetables. Generally i watch what I eat and the time I’m eating it.

I don’t take sugar but I take honey. I don’t use strong chemicals on my skin.

Annjay

I’m today. It pays but the truth is that I have many other businesses I’m doing that’s helping music and pay bills. And I can no longer combine both careers together because my hands were full already for other things. So I stopped working as a journalist. Many people recognized me as a journalist in the industry. So my passion for

journalism is intact if you ask me.

What should your fans expect from you musically?

They should expect more cool sounds and good music from me. I’m not done yet but taking my time to do things right musically.

I’m not in a rush at all to release wack songs.

What is your love life like? Are you single or engaged?

My love life is intact but not for public as I don’t like talking about my love life on the pages of news pages. I no dey market and I’m not searching.

Words of encouragement to your fans?

Stay humble and happy .if you plan to go into entertainment make sure you have something doing to back yourself up or else you not going anywhere.

12

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 15 , 2018

Mixed Grill

Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, Kenny Blaq, others to perform at Future Awards tomorrow Bolanle

Mutiat Alli, Lagos Popular artistes, Mr. Eazi, Yemi Alade, Timi Dakolo, Teni the Entertainer, Ric Hassani and comedian Kenny Blaq are set to perform this Sunday, 16 December, 2018 at the 13th edition of The Future Awards Africa taking place at The Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With 100 nominees selected by the Central Working Committee this year, the awards event acknowledges their inspiring work and initiatives that have made impact through social enterprise and creativity. It celebrates a new class of innovators, philanthropists, activists, technocrats and creators promoting the shared mission of changing the African narrative.

Some of the inspiring nominees at this year’s Awards include artistes, Burna Boy and Simi; athletes, Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, and Thursdaline Peter; actors, Adesua Etomi and Alex Ekubo; entrepreneur, Chidi Ajaere; scientist, Dr. Mahmoud Maina, and many more.

However, Media personality,

Olukanni and ex-Big Brother Nigeria Tobi and Bolanle housemate, Tobi Bakre will host the 13th edition of the award.

The Future Awards Africa 2018‎ is

and H20h.

presented by The F u t u r e Project, Guaranty Trust Bank,

Burna Boy, Wande Coal, Daddy Showkey for GOtv Boxing Night 17 The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, will on 28 December, host the heavyweight clash between music and boxing. The occasion is GOtv Boxing Night 17, which is tagged “Boxing Jams Music”. Performing live at the show are Burna Boy, Wande Coal, Teni da Entertainer and Daddy Showkey.

With its combination of boxing and music, the event, according to Flykite Productions, the organisers, is the ultimate entertainment package for the festive season.

“Music and boxing are major sources of entertainment. It is why we have contracted four of the country’s top musical acts to add plenty of spice to the show, which will feature eight bouts, including the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental super featherweight title bout. Our aim is to provide a well-rounded, yearend entertainment package for Nigerians,” said Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Productions.

He added that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure fans feel safe in and around the event venue.

“Security is very important. One of our partners, KSquare Security, is a leader in the sub-sector. The

Kelly

Rising star, Kelly Anthony out with ‘Elevate’ Fast rising artiste, Kelly Anthony Osifo, having made an impression with two solo singles ‘Unstoppable and Maye’ is sure not leaving any stone unturned as he is out with yet another brand new song ‘Elevate’ which is currently available both on audio and visuals which was shot by Seeds visuals; a Nigerian-Canadian director.

Speaking on his new song, Kelly disclosed that ‘Elevate’ is a life growth song to further change the orientation of people never to look down on others. He said ‘In this life, it’s like people don’t like to see others succeed and grow in life; I was speaking for myself and my surroundings.

I lost a lot of friends in my life as God blessed me. People became extremely

envious of me as things started to change in my life for good.

On why he never used scantily dressed vixens in his music video, Kelly further noted that he has never been a fan of flaunting scantily dressed vixens in music videos because music for him is a form art and videos has to be able to explain thoughts.

He said’ so in this video for ELEVATE I wanted to show life as a successful musician from all my hard work. My goal was to motivate others with the song and video for them to focus on their art, goals and keep pursuing their dreams.

Kelly currently shuttles Toronto and Nigeria.

Blockbuster movies to show on StarTimes during festive season Burna Boy firm is vastly experienced in handling events of this magnitude.

In addition, we will also have government security personnel.

There is nothing to fear. Since the

event began in 2014, there has not been a single untoward incident in and around the venues we have used. This event is conceived with the family in mind,” he explained.

In a bid to deliver unmatched entertainment to its subscribers during the Christmas season, StarTimes is rolling out blockbuster movies from Nollywood and in local languages all through this December and January 2019.

According to the pay-tv company, more than 100 blockbuster movies from some of the best produces in Nollywood, Yoruba, Igbo & Hausa language.

Some of the movies include Last Date, Enigma, Blind Spot, Friendship Betrayal

and Criminals in love all showing on ST Nollywood Plus while AMC Movies would show Fall Guy, Rage, The Keeper, Crazy People among others showing on AMC Series.

Others include Ajo Obi, Ife Chukwu Dere, Oku Nso, Osu and Munachi showing on Isimbido while Mama Swaga, Ekundayo, Somolu Babes and Mr. Ambode on ST Yoruba.

Hausa speaking subscribers are not left out with Haske: Matan Arewa, Gari ya Waye showing on Arewa 24.

Gist 13

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

On ex-Skye Banker, Tunde Ayeni Following recent reports published by a national daily that the anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has detained a former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc., (now Polaris Bank,) Mr. Tunde Ayeni, for alleged fraud, it has been reliably discovered that Tunde Ayeni was only invited for questioning at the Abuja office of the commission hours ago.

Confirming the development, the acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said Ayeni was only being grilled by detectives over some issues

related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed when he was chairman of the bank few years ago.

“I can confirm that he is in our custody on an invitation, for questioning and interrogation. More information will be released tomorrow,” he said.

It would be recalled that the anti-graft agency had entered into an agreement with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to check out some banks and their officials, who facilitated the huge non-performing loans in AMCON’s portfolio.

Suleman

Apostle Suleman hosts crusade in Lagos Today’s history, like the past, is filled with great pastors, teachers, and ministers who preach the Word of God by which one can find the key to total recovery. In Apostle (Prof.)

Johnson Suleman’s teachings, in his thoughts concerning God, he does expect believers to also reach and teach others.

Apostle Suleman is a teacher at heart; his preaching styles show the concern and care he has for those he brings to the Lord, and his aim continuously is to draw, to win, to establish and to equip believing souls.

These qualities of the President of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide are evidently chronicled in books that he writes to inspire lives.

The ‘Oracle of God, as Suleman is fondly addressed, was in full swing at the OFM’s ‘The Supernatural’ campaign in Lagos which held

between Tuesday, 27th and Wednesday, 28th of November, 2018.

Expectedly, it was not disappointing, as the crowded crusade venue witnessed life-changing sermons, amazing prophetic signs and rich testimonies. Reports have it that many are still in awe of the prophetic touches on their lives at the crusade.

As Apostle Suleman hosts his regular prophetic conferences, he ministers and, according to participants, the Holy Spirit falls, as described in ‘Acts of The Apostles 2’; tens of thousands of believers do have their lives restored. A glorious reality, indeed.

There were two significant events that proved to all that, indeed, God through Christ Jesus is doing the impossible. First is the story of a man who walked into miracle with a short leg. The servant of God spotted him,

prayed and laid hands on him and, instantly, the shorter leg grew into normal. This was called ‘creative miracle’ by sea of heads that witnessed the special session. In another service, the crusade saw a man with chronic kidney ailment healed as Apostle Suleman charged that his health be fully restored.

Presently, Apostle Suleman and his able Ministers are rounding up a two-day Apostolic visitation to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.

The crusade which was hosted on Tuesday, 11thand Wednesday, 12th of December, 2018, saw a lot of people receive sundry blessings, while many more were supernaturally healed.

In the words of Apostle Suleman, “the right relationship with God and consistent prayers are the guarantee that God will answer man’s prayers, no matter how long it takes.”

Stop blackmailing Tinubu, Idris Aregbe fires back at Jimi Agbaje Stories Mutiat Alli The Lagos State Youth Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Idris Aregbe, has warned the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje, to cease from blackmailing and assassinating the character of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He sent the strong warning while reacting to Jimi Agbaje’s campaign for ‘freedom for Lagos’ during a youth round table meeting today where he hosted hundreds of Lagos youths discussing the further development of the state.

He said “at this age and time in Nigerian politics, we can all campaign in peace without maliciously spreading falsehood about one another in a bid to create chaos in a

peaceful state like Lagos.”

“I want to emphatically state here that no one is living in bondage. If you look at Lagos of today, Lagos is successfully competing with several other great cities of the world. We are enjoying all these developments today because of one selfless man and that man is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his vision for Lagos” He added.

While further emphasizing on the development of Lagos so far, Idris Aregbe quizzed “We have also seen several PDP governors trooping to Lagos to acquire templates for governance and economic development, so tell me how are we in bondage?”

“We’ve seen lots of governorship candidates from other parties that have no single plan for Lagosians but will be looking for all means to dent the good image of a visionary like Asiwaju.” Aregbe recounted While he urged youth to participate

actively in the electioneering process, he also advised youths to stay away from chaos and mischief makers as they are bent on ruining the peaceful existence of Lagos state.

Idris Aregbe

Tunde Ayeni

Why I want to feature Wizkid, Davido -Fast-Rising star, CKay As Nigerian entertainment industry keep evolving, so also new talents keep emerging. One of the new wizard kids on the bloc is CKay. The Anambra state born singer cum producer is one of the creative young dynamic singers who has been behind the scene over the years perfecting his stage craft in the most competitive industry.

CKay play urban music with fusion of Afrobeats while his music is inspired by his day-to-day emotions and experiences.

When he was asked about his style of music, he said “I infuse different elements with my Afrobeats. It’s not just plain. I’m a pretty excellent producer, so i try to stay creative with it and always search for the next angle to the sound. I infused jazz in it sometimes, highlife sometimes. Basically, I try to be creative with my sounds.”

At the moment, the sonorous voice singer just finished working on his EP, called CKay The First.

No doubt, the EP will be a new down in the industry especially this yuletide period as it has amazing set of songs that show different sides of him as an artist. He has Peruzzi, Terri, Boj, Reminisce and other amazing artists on it.

I’m his words; he said “I’m super excited about it! Y’all just stay tuned and watch out for my EP! I don’t hype music anyhow, so when I say it’s mad just know that it’s mad!”

The young dude with scintillating voice also state reason why he wish to work with Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy in

the near future saying “I intend to stay relevant by constantly challenging myself and taking the sound to the next level every single time. I also value teamwork in the process of making music. As much as I’m a pretty fantastic producer, I always like to collaborate with other talented producers when making music which is the reason why I wish to work with Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy in the nearest future. You know, they say two heads are better than one.

Also, I’ll constantly make efforts to push the Afrobeats culture beyond the shores of Nigeria, so help me God.” CKay concluded.

Ckay

Romance 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

4 signs your husband is losing interest We live in the days where most women claim their husband suddenly started losing interest and walked away a while after. The truth is that they have seen the signs for a while but have just chosen to live in denial. Most women may have been blinded and would not have noticed it. Most marriages tend to end earlier than expected because of things like this. So today, we took it upon ourselves to highlight some points to let you know signs you should watch out for in your marriage to let you know you’re husband is losing interest.

It is important to recognize these signs and to confront them as soon as you can.

1. His behaviour is not consistent Women, when you discover that

your husband is exhibiting erratic behavior, it may be a pointer to the fact that he has begun losing interest. If he constantly fights and causes trouble only to turn around to beg every time, it may be a sign of trouble. Chances are that he is just biding his time and is not really into you anymore. If he does not take out time to resolve issues but just glosses things over, he is definitely not into you anymore. You shouldn’t sleep on this. This should hint you up first and you should act. A wise woman builds her home.

2. He blames you When a man is interested in a relationship, he recognizes that he should play his part and shoulder responsibility where it matters. When he begins to withdraw from playing

his role, it is a sign that he has lost interest. A man like this will constantly put all the blame on you and claim you are behind all the issues in the marriage. This shows that all he is doing is bidding his time until he can find a reason to walk away. When you notice that he begins to lazy around, or you find that he just isn’t willing to do things and begins to blame you when things go south for both of you or especially for him, he’s already losing his interest and it’s time for you to act.

3. He stops trying While it is true that it is hard to change a man, any man who is committed to his marriage will constantly take steps to evolve. This is because, in marriage there has to be a compromise between two conflicting personalities. If you are

the one that always has to sacrifice and bend over to suit his needs, it may be a sign that he is simply not interested in putting in work anymore. He is the man and he should be the person to sacrifice and bend over to suit you. But when he doesn’t, like we have just said, girl, its time for you to act.

4. He doesn’t compliment or give gifts This is a very obvious sign. Love is not silent; it is expressive and always looking to give. If your husband does not compliment you or notice the effort you are putting in, it may be a very telling sign. If your birthday and other anniversaries go by without any notice from your husband, it is an indication that there are problems plaguing your relationship that need

to be addressed. He shouldn’t forget to compliment you. For the food you prepared, for the children you carried for him, for the home you’ve built for him, he should always compliment you.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

15

Condition of service: Aviation unions give FG 14 days ultimatum Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Unions in the aviation industry have given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum from 17 of December to release the reviewed conditions of service of the agencies in the aviation industry.

The unions have threatened to embark on industrial action if at the expiration of the ultimatum nothing was done.

At a protest rally at the Lagos airport yesterday, the leadership of the three unions in the industry insisted that their patients had been stretched to the limit waiting for over 7 years for the release of the conditions of service by the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

President, National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue who addressed members of the unions who gathered at the Freedom square at the airport said, the morale of the workers was low as efforts to dialogue with the commission to release the conditions of service had failed.

He emphasized that they cannot continue to fold their hands as they could no longer give excuses to their members which could be perceived that the leadership was handling the issues with kid gloves.

Deputy National President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association, ATSSSAN, Comrade Sarah Riddams said the conditions of service had been reviewed and the Agencies have agreed that they can pay but the unions were surprised that the Commission was still foot-dragging in the release.

She noted that all issues raised in the document submitted to the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission many years ago had been addressed, stressing that they do not know what was delaying the release.

According to her, the harmonization of salaries in the agencies put forward by the Commission was a tactics to withhold the release of their conditions of service, adding that some agencies like the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT Zaria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET were not generating revenue but get a percentage from the other three agencies.

Airtel excites Nigerians with ‘5 days of love’ Christmas initiative Ladesope Ladelokun In the spirit of the Yuletide season, telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with UAC, through its popular franchise, Mr.Biggs, rolled out the drums in celebration of the season as they fed over 2,000 Lagosians at Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos.

The party, which was held to uplift, encourage, inspire and share with indigent people, was par to activities fordayoneofAirtel‘5Days of Love’ Christmas programme Through the initiative, Airtel says it is sharing the reason for the season–love–andcelebrating with the underprivileged by providing quality, hot meals amides thrilling atmosphere of fun, good entertainment and love.

The telco also expressed its commitment to touching the lives of underprivileged persons in the society as well as empowering stakeholders in the communities where it operates.

The 2018 ‘5 Days of Love’ train moved to Sokoto at the Sultan Mosque, Opposite Sultan Palace, Sokoto, on Tuesday, December 11.

Also, on Wednesday, December 12, over 1,000 underprivileged persons will be fed at the Gyadi Primary School, Kano while the Sango Tipper Garage, Ibadan and Isaac BoroPark, PortHarcourt will also host the Airtel‘Five Days of Love’goodie train on Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14, respectively.

Speaking with journalists about his experience, a Lagosian and beneficiary who only gave his name as Tolu expressed his gratitude: “Today I didn’t think I was going to get free food until I saw Airtel setting up. I, then, asked and I was told Airtel was feeding everyone.

I was so happy. Thank you Airtel forgiving us food to eat.’’

Another beneficiary, Miss Falila also appreciated Airtel for its kind gesture.“GodblessAirtelforgivingmeandmybabyfoodtod ay, Thank you Airtel for touching our lives”, she said.

L-R: Senior Partner Banwo and Ighodalo, Mr. Olufemi Banwo; Lead Partner Desarrollar Group, Mr. Ikemefuna Mordi; Managing Director/ CE UTL Trust Management services, Mrs Olufunke Aiyepola and Managing Director FBNQuest Trustees, Mr. Adekunle Awojobi at the official All Parties signing ceremony between Desarrollar group, a leading Lifestyle and Real Estate solutions company and its partners in Lagos…recently

States to share N272.16bn World Bank facilities - Finance Minister Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Minister of Finance Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has disclosed that the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will soon access World Bank’s N272,160 billion ($750 million) loan and grant facility.

Mrs. Ahmed disclosed this on Friday while addressing the 7th Community of Practice (CoP) made up of State Commissioners of Planning and Budgeting, in Abuja.

The conference tagged: Achieving Realism in State and Federal Budgets for Effective Service Delivery, was the founder of CoP in September 2016, as the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Media and communications, Paul Ella Abechi stated that the minister was invited to speak on issues concerning the CoP. Ahmed expressed optimism that states will continue with their fiscal responsibility which will serve as a platform to access the loan and grant from the World Bank.

The Community of Practice meetings enhance the State Commissioners of Planning and Budget’s capabilities in performing their functions and serve as platforms for facilitating peer learning and information exchange, strengthening coordination, collaboration, and networking.

Issues being discussed at the 7th CoP meeting include expanding the forum beyond the current membership to include the Minister of Finance and Commissioners of Finance from States for better coordination of planning, budget, and public finances.

She said: “During these meetings, we had the benefit of hosting the World Bank and several other opportunities including the Governors’ Forum.

During this exercise, the Ministry of Finance had to on instruction from the President provide bailouts to the state because at one point states were not able to pay salaries.

“Part of the conditions that were given for those bailouts is a fiscal responsibility plan which needed to be implemented for the state to continue to be qualified to access the funds that the Federal Government was giving.

“This FSP was quite successful because as a result of that we saw improvements in the public financial management in a lot of states, some of which is evident in the increase in the IGR and also the increase in the frequency of the preparation of financial statement in the availability of budget that used to never been found anywhere.

“We are in the process of going to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to get the approval; the World Bank on its own has already approved this and others. So we hope that you will continue to implement your fiscal responsibility so that you will qualify for this facility as well as the grant.

“And those principles agreed by NEC are still as relevant today as they were in 2016. So I want to urge the CoP to ensure that the monitoring aspect of this is continuing in one way or the other.”

“Let me add that the need for monitoring is beneficial because it will enhance process improvement, it will also help us to refocus ourselves as well as our principles to stay on those commitments that are made, but most importantly it will enhance public service delivery to the citizens”, she stated.

Nigeria’s first gold refinery sets for completion by H1 2019 - Kian Smith Motolani Oseni The first gold refinery in Nigeria which is being developed by an indigenous minerals company, Kian Smith Trade & Co Ltd. (“Kian Smith”) in Ogun State is scheduled to start production in 2019.

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, celebrated the groundbreaking of its first gold refinery in Ogun, even as the refinery will start with a production capacity of 3 tonnes per month of 99.99 per cent gold and 1 ton per month production of 99.99 per cent silver when completed by mid next year.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Bwari, pointed out that the present administration is determined to develop the mining sector to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth of the country.

According to him, “Part of our marching orders in the Mines and Stell Development ministry is that we are expected to develop the sector to increase its

contribution to the nation’s GDP, improve its capacity to create jobs and engender sustainable mining,” the minister added, stressing that it was in keeping with his ministry’s mandate that a roadmap was developed for the growth and development of the mining sector.

“During the focus labs of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of this administration, we discovered that a well organised gold value chain can trigger an economic revolution as it did in India, South Africa, Switzerland, and others,” he said further.

He noted that the ministry has continued to work in this light to develop a gold value chain for the country. The refinery will start with a production capacity of 3 tonnes per month of 99.99% gold and 1 ton per month production of 99.99 per cent silver.

“We will be supplying the Central Bank, the Jewellery and the Electronic Industry,” said Nere Teriba Vice Chairman of Kian Smith at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We have already secured a significant monthly supply

of gold from Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Ilesha and about 100kg per month from other parts of Africa.

We are presently finalizing supply agreements and terms from suppliers in Kano. Next week, we will be securing supply from Kogi State,” she added.

According to Teriba, “the refinery when completed will provide more than 500,000 jobs in two years as it continues to support its suppliers in their bid to become registered business entities in the mining sector.”

Also speaking, the Governor of Ogun State Sen. Ibikunle Amosu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture Adepeju Adebajo expressed enthusiasm about the refinery project which she said was in line with the state government’s industrialization plan.

According to her, the project is a significant boost to the Nigerian mining sector.

“Apart from the fact that the strengthening of our mining industry will reduce importation of refined products, it will go a long way in affirming our country’s status as a world mining power.”

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Afreximbank approves $2.2bn trade, industrial parks deal with Nigeria Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM), launching a $1-billion Nigeria-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (NATIPP) aimed at promoting and expanding trade and investments between Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

In a second signing ceremony, Afreximbank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to

jointly develop industrial parks and special economic zones worth $1.235 billion in Nigeria, bring the total amount approved to $2.235 billion.

The signing ceremonies, which took place during the Nigeria Day at the ongoing inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, Egypt, was witnessed by the Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who led the Nigerian delegation to the trade fair.

President of Afreximbank, Prof.

Benedict Oramah signed the NATIPP agreement on behalf of the Bank while Segun Awolowo, Chief Executive Officer of NEPC and Abubakar Bello, Managing Director of NEXIM, signed on behalf of their two organisations.

Under the terms of the programme, Afreximbank will work NEPC and NEXIM to identify, prepare and appraise trade transactions and projects; explore co-financing and risk-sharing opportunities; and share knowledge, with particular emphasis on intra-African trade matters, through technical cooperation, staff exchange, research, and joint events.

Kanayo Awani, Managing Director of the Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of the Bank while Femi Edun, Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, signed on behalf of the Ministry.

Both NATIPP and the memorandum

of understanding with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and investment are being implemented in pursuance of Afreximbank’s strategy, IMPACT 2021: AFRICA TRANSFORMED, which prioritizes intra-African trade, industrialization and export manufacturing.

The IATF, which opened on Tuesday, is organized by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union, and hosted by the Government of Egypt. It will last until 17 December and is expected to attract about 70,000 visitors.

Transactions worth about $25 billion are expected to be concluded at the IATF which has almost 1,100 registered exhibitors from 42 countries.

Niger govt collabrates with Africa firm on power, others Niger Government is set to partner with Africa Finance Corporation,AFC on power, roads and mineral resources.

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of Africa Finance Corporation, AFC in Lagos.

The Governor, who said he was committed to meeting infrastructural deficit in Niger state, noted that despite huge potentials available in various areas in the state raising finance to fund projects have been major challenges.

“I am here to discuss areas of mutual

benefit between Niger state and AFC that is why I have some members of my cabinet. The whole idea is to see areas we can work together to develop Niger state for the benefit of all. I know raising finance has been a major challenge for both states and federal government. As a state, we have huge potentials and we believe on the merit of the projects.”

Speaking on efforts so far by the state, the Governor mentioned Suleja Smart City where Niger State Government is partnering with UN-Habit, Singapore, and South Korea to build first class infrastructure very close to Abuja.

On mineral resources, the Governor disclosed that some companies have approached the state noting that Niger is a state with huge deposits of mineral resources. He noted that enough investment have not been done in the studies in mineral resources sector as done in the oil and gas sector.

“We set up Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, Zuma Mineral Development Corporation. As a state government through SPV, we have some assets and we are ready to partner with AFC to develop them properly. I know that it takes time to achieve the desired result.

We are in a hurry to get it done because both the state and FG are loosing revenue.”

The Governor noted that all steps to explore mineral resources in the state would recognize local partners with capacity and also carry out environmental impact assessment, EIA in line with international standards and best practices.

On roads, Minna-Bida dualization and Minna-Tegina road top the discussion where it was revealed that there are bankable documents on the projects.

Diamond Bank partners Facebook, Afrinolly to boosts entrepreneurship in Nigeria Temitope Adebayo Diamond Bank Plc has continued to deliver on its promise of going beyond banking by organizing an entrepreneurial training program targeted at young creatives in partnership with Facebook and Afrinolly Creative Hub tagged: ‘Facebook for Creators’.

The Area Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Chigozie Onyecha, said that the bank believed in small and medium scale enterprises and is ready to give all

its support to see them succeed. That is why the bank partnered with Facebook and Afrinolly Creative Hub to train young creatives in digital marketing.

Speaking on behalf of Facebook at the event, the Facebook creator trainer, Ewonro Amune, said Facebook America and its partners are ready to help SMEs grow their businesses online. He stated that ‘we want them to leverage on the social media tools to boost and enhance their performance, build community and make profit.’ He also said that Facebook was offering business owners knowledge by showing them how to

run a successful business in the 21st century.

‘Facebook is offering a lot of incentives to Nigerians, all they need is to show themselves ready. It is up to creators to harness their potential by keying into the data world because data is the new oil to explore the world and any entrepreneur who is not in the data world is playing.’

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Legal & External Networks for Afrinolly, Jane Maduegbuna said, ‘Afrinolly with its partners are helping young people

to identify and position their brand identity, saying that the training is geared to make entrepreneurs monetize their products.

Mr Chigozie Onyecha of Diamond Bank Plc, further stated that ‘the aim is to help individuals with feasible and viable initiatives to reach out to the global space by providing an online platform for networking, financial aid, advisory, business clinics workshop and technical know-how. We are poised to boost talents in young people provided their initiatives are bankable,’ he stated.

Desarrollar, First Bank Trustees, others to improve real estate services Motlani Oseni Desarrollar Limited a real estate solutions company has partnered with Union Trustees Limited, First Bank Trustees Limited and Banwo & Ighodalo and The Lodt Legal Partners to improve real estate services and solutions.

The partnership which was signed on Monday, in Lagos, will unveil Nigeria’s most secure and institutionalized real estate trust consortium aimed at safeguarding the financial investments of Nigerians and Africans living abroad and in Nigeria.

According to the Lead Partner, Desarrollar Limited, Mr Ikemefuna Mordi, the trust framework includes Nigeria’s leading Trustees, legal firms and real estate firms which will work towards ensuring and providing real estate solutions.

Ikemefuna said, “Desarrollar and its partners have created an institutionalised safehaven to protect Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora and those living on the African continent from fraud, deception and, sometimes, misplaced dependence on dishonest family-based relationships, through delivering full, seamless and stress-free lifestyle colutions to the Nigerian and African communities both at home and abroad.”

He explained that Desarrollar applies a premium standard of excellence to its residential development, commercial development and real estate acquisition services in Nigeria, The United States and the United Kingdom.Their website www.desarrollargroup.com throws more light on their Service offerings.

Edo Govt to invest N5bn in Agric sector – Obaseki Ladesope Ladelokun Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that his administration will invest over N5 billion in the agricultural sector to create more jobs and guarantee food security in the state.

Obaseki said this while speaking to beneficiaries of the federal government’s social investment programme, N-Power, in Edo South Senatorial District of the state, at an event tagged “Better Future” which held in Benin City.

According to the governor, over 10,000 people are expected to benefit from the

investment in the state.

“From January next year, we are preparing over N5billion to be invested in agriculture and we expect that it will attract many people in the state.

“We are setting up agricultural clusters where farmers can sell their produce. We are also getting farmers to bring their produce to the cluster for processing,” he added.

He described the N-Power programme as a world-class programme and urged beneficiaries to see it as an opportunity to gain skills and work experience, they could use to build a future for themselves.

“We applaud the federal government for introducing the programme, we believe in

the programme and have keyed into it, like no other state.

“We want you to see N-Power as a stepping stone to your achievements in life hill you look for more opportunities in the state where your skills can be fully harnessed.

“For instance, my administration is looking for health personnel to train to manage the Primary Health Centres in the state. N-Power beneficiaries stand a better chance to be trained as they already have the basic technical skills. So don’t wait for the programme to end before you seek better opportunities,” he advised the beneficiaries.

Obaseki

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

17

PDP lacks moral right to ask IGP to resign – Umohinyang Emmanuel Umohinyang, social commentator and analyst is the convener of Re–elect Buhari Movement (RBM). He speaks on recent national issues, declaring in this interview with select journalists that there is no basis for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bosses to resign. PATRICK OKOHUE was there.

What is your reaction to the call by the PDP for the resignation of The Inspector General Of Police and the INEC Chairman?

I think the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known for its antics does not have the morality to ask heads of institutions to resign, because under the 16 years maladministration of the PDP, we saw how the abuse of institutions was carried out during that era. Under the PDP, the office of the IGP was an appendage of the ruling party.

We also saw that under the PDP, INEC, which is now truly independent, was not, so, when a party like that begins to make insinuations, one begins to wonder whether, we have lost our sense of history. Funny enough, their call is targeted at the person of Ibrahim Idris, the IGP, but I think instead of PDP calling for his resignation, Nigerians should be calling for the IGP to be given an extension of office because in the last couple of years, he has done credibly well. Don’t forget that IGP Idris is UN–trained.

He has worked in various missions abroad. He had been a pillar of strength to so many countries where he performed creditably well. He is a man who has won several awards including UN awards. When a party like the PDP makes such insinuation, it baffles me, and I think we must commend President Muhammedu Buhari, who made Idris IGP. Under his watch, he has brought sound, workable, credible reforms of the police.

He is pro-welfare. He ensures his men are properly taken care of. Recently, you saw the increment in the salary of the police. This may have been started by other IGPs, but he ensured that he brought that process to a conclusive end by getting the President to approve an increase in salary for his men. Idris does not sit down in the comfort of his office and push out orders, he leads his men from the front line. Those calling for his resignation over claims of partiality do not know who IGP Idris is, because if they do, they would have known that this is a man who will never allow any of his men to be used to circumvent the will and wishes of Nigerians. Under his watch, we have had the conduct of elections which have been adjudged as credible by foreign observers.

On the INEC Chairman, I have not seen any area where INEC has performed below expectation under the administration of President Buhari.

I think such insinuations are largely due to the fear of where Nigerians have decided to pitch their tent in 2019. I think Nigerians should forget the PDP because they do not enjoy their support.

Having gone through the era of stealing is not corruption; nobody would want to return to that era.

Don’t you think the call for IGP’s resignation over the repeated changes of Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa State is an issue?

It is not the duty of any governor or political party by reason of the police act to decide how long a commissioner of police is to stay in a state.

The IGP is the one in charge of the operations of the police. The information the IGP has you and I

administration will do same, but they got it dead wrong because under Buhari nothing like that will happen. Accusing the IGP of interfering in the House of Assembly crisis is ridiculous. The IGP will never stoop so low as to interfering in an issue connected with the House of Assembly of a state. What for? Does the IGP want to become the speaker of the State House of Assembly?

People who make these kinds of statements are people who have lost substantially. Nobody will use the police for political advantage in 2019.

Whosoever has such intention should bury it, not under this administration. The President will not allow the wishes of Nigerians to be truncated because he is involved. That is the President and that is the President Nigerians will return by the grace of God in 2019.

Umohinyang

do not have. Don’t forget that the disadvantages and advantages of the police staying long in a place. If a police officer stays too long in a place, familiarity may be taken advantage of, and there is the danger of compromise which may throw up security risk. The IGP has necessary information and it is on the strength of such information that he relies on since he owes it as a duty to Nigerians to pull out CPs who may no longer be able to carry out the policing of that State or those who have over stayed in such a place. The argument of some of these governors is that staying long will allow better policing of the terrain, but that is not enough because it is not the CP who goes after criminal elements. His own is to give directives to his men. Even when he leaves, his men are there to do the job on the field. The police act gives the IGP the powers to

regulate the affairs of the Police, it is not the duty of governors or political parties to interfere.

How do you see the role of the police in the recent Akwa Ibom House of Assembly crisis?

Those who make allegations against the police are those afraid of their shadow. They think we are still operating the old order where the magic of 16 is greater than 19 in the governors’ forum election under the past administration. Under the Buhari administration, institutions have been given the power to work independently. Look at what the EFCC is doing. We no longer have a situation where EFCC is let loose on political opponents. We don’t have anything like that. You should know that the party that is complaining has always had the habit of abusing institutions of government, and so they think the present

I think the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known for its antics does not have the morality to ask heads of institutions to resign, because under the 16 years maladministration of the PDP, we saw how the abuse of institutions was carried out during that era. Under the PDP, the office of the IGP was an appendage of the ruling party. We also saw that under the PDP, INEC, which is now truly independent, was not, so, when a party like that begins to make insinuations, one begins to wonder whether, we have lost our sense of history.

What is your reaction to CUPP’s adoption of Atiku Abubakar as consensus presidential candidate in 2019?

I think the endorsement by CUPP should not take anybody by surprise. All the officials of CUPP are PDP, and some of these political parties like Festus Keyamo said are husband and wife political parties, but I tend to disagree with Keyamo’s position. Husband and wife means they are two. I believe they are cousins and nephew political parties. They don’t have offices. They have no structures, no organs of the party as it is outlined in the constitution.

What they do is fronting as political parties with a common goal, going back to where we are coming from. If you look at them too, you will discover that they are almost children of the same parents. They all started PDP and returned back. Endorsement does not translate to victory in an election, if it does, former president Goodluck Jonathan would have continued in office. It is Nigerians who will determine their President in 2019, not political parties without structures.

What is your position on the President’s refusal to sign the election bill into law?

I think our constitution made it very clear that where the President withholds his assent, the Parliament with two – third majority can override the President, but can this parliament muzzle two – third? The answer is no.

The President did not refuse to assent the bill as people may want to say because he feels it will work against him, no. This bill was passed on the 20th of October, 2018. The president looked at the closeness of signing the bill and the 2019 election, two months and some fractions away from now. INEC had been working with the previous electoral act in preparation for 2019, so the President felt signing the new bill may cause confusion in the polity. Don’t forget that this President believes in the improvement of our electoral system because he has been a victim of a spurious election on three occasions, but he was a beneficiary of a credible process in 2015, thanks to the card reader.

Politics Times 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Group urges Nigerians to beware of fake news, false narratives The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has dismissed a report suggesting that 75 percent of Nigerians who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 had no Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).

Describing the report as skewed and lacking in credibility, the group urged Nigerians to regard it as yet another in a series of misinformation couched as well-researched reports by pseudo-intellectual groups linked to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that it is a misrepresentation of facts aimed at giving a false impression of the President’s support base, especially in Northern Nigeria.

“It is interesting to note that

the report by the faceless group was released at a time PDP elements were selling the false impression that President Buhari does not want the smartcard readers used in 2019.

“Here’s a man that was previously denied victory until technology- in form of PVCs and smartcard readerswere introduced to reduce the possibility of manipulation of the electoral process,” it said.

The group noted that the fact that the purveyors of the damaging report attributed it to data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows the extent they can go to attach credibility to their evil mission.

“If indeed there was any data from INEC that shows that about 13 million Nigerians were allowed to vote in 2015 without

PVC, how is it possible for anyone to determine who an individual cast his ballot for when it was not an open ballot system?

“So on what basis would anyone conclude that 75 percent of voters without PVCs were Buhari’s supporters in a region that gave the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan surprisingly far more votes than he got in Southern Nigeria.”

On another note, BMO says it finds it worrisome that INEC did not deem it fit to issue a statement dissociating itself from the report as soon as it was issued before it went viral.

The group then urged INEC, as well as other Federal Government agencies, to be fast in countering disinformation, misinformation and false narratives that are capable of eroding their credibility.

Lagos 2019 polls: I’m candidate to beat - Owolabi Salis Benjamin Omoike The governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Owolabi Salis, has said that he remains the man to beat in the governorship race of Lagos State.

Salis, who made the remarks at a meeting with the state Council of Imams in Epe Division, said he was poised to run a government that will be for the people, especially those of the grassroots.

Beaming with confidence and downplaying insinuations in some quarters that he didn’t stand a chance against the two frontrunners of the APC and PDP, he stressed that with a level playing field, he stood a good chance in the race.

“There is suffering in the land, and we cannot continue to let our commonwealth be in the hands of certain individuals,” he said.

He noted that he was not contesting to bargain, stressing, “I am a man of good pedigree, and I am not a man anyone can push around, I mean business.”

He said he has embarked on doorto-door campaign so as to know the needs of the people. The gubernatorial aspirant said: “There is need for us to restructure and get people involved in governing the state.

“I am in this race because of the poor and I am going to empower the masses and teach them how to be rich, because they have already rejected the governance that does not care for them.

“We are going to get people at the grassroots involved and teach them how to make money and by so doing, we will be eradicating poverty.”

Salis further said he will look into the issue of Mile2/ Badagry Road and improve on the tourist centers because it is one of the historic towns in Lagos.

“A lot of contractual fraud is going on in the state, they have

hoodlums and they are carrying guns for them but we are empowering the Lagos youths already and we are still going to do more.

“The only way forward

Owolabi Salis

collected different grants on that road over the years, yet the road is being abandoned.

“Restructuring is a must for us, when I get there, because it is being embraced in other parts of the world and it is a system to stop fraud.

While encouraging the Muslim leaders to urge their followers to vote right, Salis said, “let us rescue this state, it’s not all about fantasy and promotion, we need to take back our lives now.

“They have turned a lot of unemployed youths to political

is to rescue power and give it back to the people and make them involved in how their resources are being handled.

“I encourage all voters to vote for candidates whose loyalty is to the people, not candidates whose loyalty is to anybody or individual,” he said.

2019: Oyo PDP announces Olaniyan as Makinde’s running mate Patrick Okohue The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced Mr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, an engineer as the running mate to the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr Seyi Makinde, also an engineer ahead of the 2019 general elections.

State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, who made this announcement during the inauguration of the campaign committee of the party held in Ibadan, the state capital, said that the decision to pick Olaniyan as the running mate was arrived at after consultations with the party’s stakeholders and elders.

At the event were former Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Dr. Saka Balogun, Alhaja Bosede Adedibu and Chief Sunday Ogunlade.

Others are: Dr. Kola Balogun, Dr. Nurain Adeniran, Engineer Femi Balalola and Elder Wole Oyelese and

the Campaign Director General, Chief Bayo Lawal.

Olaniyan, an indigene of Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area in Oke Ogun geopolitical zone of the state, served as General Manager of Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) during the tenure of Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja as governor.

Olaniyan was among the thirteen gubernatorial aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before he later joined the PDP. Makinde, while speaking, promised to incorporate the people living with disabilities, the aged and the vulnerable groups in his government, through various polices that will enhance their standard of living.

Former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ms. Jumoke Akinjide said that the people of the state had tested both the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and have seen that the party was better than the APC.

Ex-Osun governor, Aregbesola says Delta is for APC to lose in 2019 The Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC), SouthSouth Zone, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has boasted of his party’ chances in the Delta gubernatorial election in 2019, saying “Delta State is for our party to take”.

Aregbesola, who is the immediate past governor of Osun State, appealed to the party faithful to sheathe their sword and embrace peace to claim the governorship position in 2019.

He spoke in Asaba, Delta State, the state capital on Friday at a reconciliation meeting between the various factions in the party in the state.

Ogbeni Aregbesola who was flanked by party stalwarts including the governor of Niger among other committee members said that success was directly proportional to how well the members manage their differences.

According to him, “If we insist on having our way in all areas, it will scuttle our chances” The chairman explained that victory of the party is also assured in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states except for Rivers which he said, he cannot stick out his neck because there are issues.

Aregbesola advised the factions to consider the efforts of the presidency in resolving the crises.

The chairman urged members not to despair in the unlikely event that the party loses in the state saying, “the party at the center will still benefit all loyal members.”

The different groups presented their position papers to the committee which they hoped would help in resolving the differences.

One of the points canvassed for is

5 0 sharing of

the 5 0 percent positions at

Aregbesola

the state and federal level.

In his document, APC chairman in the state, Prophet Jones Erue said the party has made appreciable progress in resolving all grey areas that almost marred the party chances of winning the 2019 election in state.

Defectors from the Modi Sheriff faction of the PDP led by Dr. Cairo Ojougboh expressed bitterness that the 14,000 members that moved into APC have been sidelined while the late Sen. Francis Okpozo group led

by Chief Hyacient Enuha was of the view that the structure of APC in the state be dissolved immediately after the general election and a fresh and credible congress should be conducted.

But a gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Prof. Pat Utomi insisted on pursuing the legal option, adding that his action was without prejudice to ongoing peace efforts.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

OZALLA OBOSI COMMUNITY WELFARE ASSOCIATION. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1. AGBA CHUKWUDI FELIX 2. ABOSI FERDINAND CHUKWUCEGEONU 3. EMEDOM LUCKY CHUKWUDIMMA 4. IBEH UDEAGHA PATRICK. 5. MBONU UZODIMA EVILITUS 6. CHRISTIAN ONYIMA 7. OGILI EJIKEME KIZITO 8. OKEKE OLIVER ECHEZONA 9. NZELUM OBUMNEME 10. AGUSI IKECHUKWU GILBERTH. 11. ARUKWE ALAN NDUBUISI. 12. UKAEGBU ANTHONY NNAMDI.

THE BROOK CHURCH REMOVED TRUSTEES: 1. REV. SANDRA IMIEMOHON 2. DR. PATRICK AKANDE 3. MR. OLAJIDE ALAJE REASON FOR THE CHANGE IS THAT THE TRUSTEES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND MEETINGS AND OTHER FUNCTION DUE TO THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. ADEBAYO SULAIMON ALIYU 2. USMAN BABATUNDE OYEBANJI

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IJESHATEDO CENTRAL MOSQUE LAGOS THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

NEW TRUSTEES ARE 1. PASTOR MRS. NAOMI OSE IMIEMOHON 2. DEACON ONUOHA EKUMANKAMA 3. ENGINEER. CHARLES NWABUEZE OKORIE -- SECRETARY.

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

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO CARTER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBER

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR -GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B 198, MAITAIMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY: SECRETARY

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OKUGBE ENYAHARO EMO ISOKO INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1. AMOS IWARY 2. KINGSLEY OMOEFE OYISAMA 3. OPA WILLIAMS 4. ERUMENA AMATA 5. VENO MARIOGHAE MBANEFO 6. ELOHOR EDIVRI 7. LONGLEY EVRU 8. EMMANUEL EKWERIGBE. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. PROMOTING AND PROTECTION OF ISOKO CULTURE, LANGUGE , EDUCATION, COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND INTERESTS. 2. PROJECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF ISOKO NATION AND HERITAGE AND WORTHY CAUSES MISSION 3. THE MISSION IS TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR ISOKO PROFESSIONALS TO COME TOGETHER, KNOW THEMSELVES, (NETWORKING) PROMOTE THE ISOKO NATION ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR -GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B 198, MAITAIMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OGHALE ENUKU SECRETARY, LEGAL TEAM

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ARTS & CULTURE TIMES g20

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Erinmo Day: We’re people with diverse cultural heritage, says Oba Ajayi Stories: Chris Onuoha His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Odunnayo Ajayi, Arowatawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesha, Osun State, marks the famous ‘Erinmo Day’ cultural festival happening on December 22 in the ancient town of Erinmo-Ijesha.

In this epoch-making event, one thing is certain to come to mind and it will be no other than how the strategically positioned tourist town with enviable ancestral history has stood out as a place of historical reckoning.

The Paramount ruler, an educated, successfully retired businessman and a Yoruba first class Oba is celebrating the annual festival in his fourth year on the throne. He is one among the modern day monarchs who has strived to revitalize the Oodua cultural heritage. Within this short stade on the throne, one among his numerous deeds was effort to change the rulership narrative in Yoruba land, by heading the maiden edition of Ooni of Ife’s sponsored ‘All Yoruba Oba’s Conference’ held recently in Ile Ife. Describing the significance of the Erinmo Day cultural festival, Oba Ajayi disclosed that Erinmo is strategically positioned within the Oodua descent and the indigence are directly descendants of the past third Ooni after which he established the kingdom and went back to Ife to become the 3rd Ooni of Ife, hence, the affinity with Ooni of Ife. “We are celebrating Erinmo Day festival as an opportunity to bring all indigenes together to felicitate with the King. We use the opportunity to showcase our diverse cultural heritage, in the sense that we are very warm and courteous to several other communities around us who we refer as the Oyos, Igedes and Idomas alongside Isobos from Warri side, Niger Delta. So many different ethnic and diverse people live in Erinmo for several generation and have become part of the community.

Oba Michael Odunnayo Ajayi

“Within the Elerinmo in Council, we have 8 Chiefs who are differently in charge of these communities that we call the Alakosos. They are part of Elerinmo in council of chiefs. We allow everyone to live in peace and harmony. On the festival day, all of them will showcase their different culture from their place of migration. It will also be an opportunity for visitors to see the other side of Erinmo from being an ancient town with a religious toga because of the spiritual mountain in the land, ‘Ori Oke’.

“People have assumed that we have only one mountain but you will be surprise to see several others and so many other cultural treasures that Erinmo is

noted for,” Oba Ajayi added.

Meanwhile, taking a literary journey into the history of Erinmo land, Oba Ajayi, seated in a quiet corner of his palace beamed with enthusiasm over his vast knowledge of the Erinmos which he is the current custodian.

Oba Michael Ajayi narrates: Erinmo is a prominent ancient town in the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State founded about 1100 AD. by the fifth Ooni of Ife, Obalufon Alayemore.

The town is located about 5 km from Ilesa within the rain belt region of South West, Nigeria, bounded in the East by Efon Alaaye, in the West by Iwaraja, in the North by Ijeda and in the South by Omo. The town which covers an area of over 3000 square kilometers is sited on fairly elevated plain area and almost surrounded by mountains.

History has it that the people in the present day Erinmo originated from the cradle of Yoruba people, Ile Ife and are direct descendants of Oduduwa the great ancestral father of the Yoruba race through the 5th Ooni of Ife OBALUFON ALAYEMORE who fled ife with his loyalists for fear due to a misunderstanding with his brother.

The name ‘Erinmo’ originated from two contrasting tales.

There are two contrasting story about the origin of of the name Erinmo. According to oral history, the first assertion had it that while the founder, Obalufon Alayemore was running for safety from IleIfe kingdom, on the way, it seemed that his warriors were getting tired and he will encourage them with the words “Erin” “Erin” “Erin” meaning “Walk” “Walk” “Walk”. However, they decided to stop and relax after sometime, using palm fronds called “Imo” in Yoruba to make houses for themselves hence, the name Erin-Imo which is now known as the present day Erinmo.

The second version had it that the present day people of Erinmo initially settled at Ita araye before migrating to Ilobi, a place very near Odo, Iponle and

Ooni showers gifts to QMA winners

As Adedamola Toluhi emerges as new queen

Certainly, divine providence often times visits at a place of providence, and when such grace beckons, the joy becomes superfluous. Such is a touching narrative of one of the contestants in the just concluded Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural pageant sponsored by the House of Oduduwa Foundation and held at The Providence Event Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Going by the name of the venue, ‘Providence Event Place’, one would not but imagine that it is truly a place of providence for the young ladies who found fortune and fame participating at the finals of the QMA pageant. And liitle did Miss Adedamola Toluhi, winner and crowned Queen Moremi Ajasoro 2018/19 knew that a casual move to get registered in the prestigious cultural pageant will materialize into something as big as being a proud owner of the latest Toyota Camry car, a N1million cash prize and watering endorsements accrued. For her, it is a grace visitation in a place of providence.

In a competition laced with mixed feelings by cultural observers as one with mostly inexperienced young girls who perhaps, picked the free registration form and wanted to give luck a chance, but however became engrossed, having realised that pains and gains of such venture is a life changing experience. This was quite noticed in their initial ineptitude, cladded with naivety synonymous with their age bracket, but when the grace of God decides to be a pulling factor, it became a different story for some of them. And that is Adademola story who won the contest having tried and won Miss Surulere sometime ago However, armed with a winner spirit, it becomes easier to adapt and comprehend the rules of the game which is epitomising the characteristics of the Yoruba heroine - Queen Moremi Ajasoro. This also goes with many thanks to the organisers who did not relent in their quest to get the best candidate out of the whole contestants for the revered position of Queen Moremi torchbearer.

Miss Adedamola Toluh is a 300 level English

student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU IleIfe, Osun State. She emerged as the winner in the just concluded Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural Pageant held last Sunday at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In the highly contested pageant sponsored by the House of Oduduwa Foundation, palace of the Ooni of Ife and hosted by the wife of Ogun State governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Miss Adedamola beat other five finalists to clinch the coveted crown as the new Queen Moremi Ajasoro 2018/19, having certified the four-man judged that conducted the finals. She took home a brand new Toyota Camry car, N1 million cash prize in cheque and other incentives. The new queen, who was Miss Surulere 2017, broke down in tears of excitement and joy as soon as the result was announced in her acceptance speech, that her first mission would be to work with the motherless homes to care for disabled and needy children.

Other winners, 25-year-old Agara Oluwatoyin from Ondo State came second while Adejuwon Oluwaseyi, a creative fashion designer from Ogun State bagged the third position. They went home with N7500,000 and N500,000 respectively, while other two winners got N200,000 each.

Some of the participants also received various awards. Miss Shaba Oluwabukola, (Most charismatic) Miss Ololade Lawal, (Miss Amity), Miss Adelekan Funke (Miss Culture) while the best talent award was given to Miss Oyetola Oyewumi. Miss Toluhi Adedamola also received the best model award while Miss Deborah Oyedele received Miss Photogenic award.

Notable personalities that grace the occasion were the Ooni of Ife, His imperial majesty, Oba Adeyeye, Ogunwusi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Olugbon of Orileigbon, Oba Francis Alao; Elerinmo of Erinmo kigdom, Oba Michael Ajayi and hosts of other monarchs and traditional rulers across the Yoruba land.

Others were Senator Ibikunle Amosun, governor of Ogun State and his wife, Olufunso Amosun

as chief hosts; government officials and cultural enthusiasts.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who initiated the project, said the aim was to promote the Yoruba culture among the youth to prevent it from extinctions. Ogunwusi thanked Gov. Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun and his wife, Olufunso, for accepting to host the event in the ancient city of Abeokuta.

He noted that the new queen automatically becomes the cultural ambassador to the Ooni and would enjoy the privilege of being part of his foreign trips’ entourage and also added that every other contestant would go home with N200,000 cash gift to compensate them for their efforts.

In his goodwill remarks, the Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun thanked the Ooni of Ife for granting the hosting right of the competition to Ogun State and especially modelling his wife as the living model of Queen Moremi Ajasoro legacy.

“I am really honoured to host this memorable event. It is actually my wife who is at the forefront of this project, it is a laudable cultural tourism that will boost our economy,” he said.

He noted that the cultural pageantry is an effort to reawake the Moremi legacy in Yoruba land, saying the awareness has brought together brothers from all the yoruba of the Southwest Nigeria including Kogi, Edo and Kwara states to promote the cultural heritage of the Yoruba land.

Gov Amosun reiterated the importance of such programme as a way of reminding the young ones their cultural values and who they are. He also said that the contestants had done really well, and deserved commendations from all.

Speaking to newsmen, the Queen Moremi Cultural Ambassador, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi, said that part of the requirements used in the selection was that a contestant must be between ages 18 and 25.

She added that others include: such a contestant must be an undergraduate and at least one of her parents must be Yoruba.

Mogbara. They had to move because of the constant quarrel that erupted between the two sons of Oba Obalufon, Agidanyin and his brother Owari due to their incompatibility especially because Agidanyin was more powerful, stronger warrior equipped with very potent charms, zealous and very charismatic.

After several failed attempts by Owari to kill Agidanyin he eventually poisoned the stream used by the cimmunity leading to a lot of deaths among Agidanyin’s people. After consulting the Ifa oracle it was revealed that the stream had been poisoned and Agidanyin had no option but to lead his people out of Ilobi to a “promised land”. Some story even has it that Erinmo got its name from what the people experienced in Ilobi. It was said that when Ifa oracle revealed the cause of deaths in Ilobi, the people were amazed and was saying among themselves “Emimo re” meaning “unusual things had happened”. It is this “Emimo” that gave birth to Erinmo.”

The great ancestor of Erinmo was AGIDANYIN son of Obalufon Alayemore later to be christened “Solomon Agidanyin” through divine Holy revelations by the great man of God from Erinmo Prophet (Dr.) S K Abiara (Agidanyin was a great fearless warrior who participated actively in several wars especially the numerous inter tribal wars at that time). After Obalufon Alayemore installed his son Agidanyinmosa as the ruler of Erinmo - Ijesa, known today as the ELERINMO, he also went ahead to found Efon and installed another son as Alaaye of Efon before returning to Ile-Ife to ascend the throne as the fifth Ooni of Ife. Wondering how they will know where the people will finally settle, ifa oracle told them that a spiritually powerful dog will guide them, they will set this dog before the people and follow his movement till he stops. A great multitude of the people then began the exodus from ilobi using the dog as compass and guide till the dog got to a place where he made scratches, there they performed rituals as directed by the ifa oracle and planted a tree there. The place is located within the present day Odo – Oja quarter of Erinmo around the Elerinmo’s palace. After several exploits in the war front and as a powerful leader, Agidanyin is believed to have disappeared into the bowels of the earth and was succeded by his son Alula. Alula himself was a fierce warrior who fought side by side with the great Ogedengbe of Ilesa and Fabunmi of Okemesi It should also be noted that the four ERIN’s namely ERINMO, ERIN ILE in Kwara State, ERIN OSUN, ERIN – IJESA were among the group that left Ife with Obalufon Alayemore who is the father of Erinmo and Efon Allaye where his sons were installed as rulers hence they are brothers, Alua of Erin – Oke is the son of Akinla of Erin – Ijesa which shows the close knit relationship between all these towns.

The present day Erinmo Oba Odunnayo Ajayi also posited that the present day Erinmo had three quarters namely; Oke Ode, Odo Oja, and Igbajo – erinmo (history has it that Igbajo – Erinmo people migrated from their former abode of Igbo – Irayo due to some problems , they requested the Elerinmo to accept them and give them a small place to settle within Erinmo, which the Elerinmo graciously did by apportioning to them a small portion of land within Erinmo towards the hilly side. After several years of struggle for autonomy, the igbajo – erinmo people were recently granted autonomy under the Aringbajo hitherto known as loja Igbajo-Erinmo. We have lived peacefully ever since with lots of inter marriage and family relationship.

Aside these, Erinmo has many villages under it like:- Araromi, Ayegunle, Medayese, Orisunmbare, Oregba and Edeju under the administration of the Elerinmo who appoints a Baale whose loyalty and allegiance is to the Elerinmo.

Erinmo is surrounded by about eight rivers: ODO ABOKE, ODO AAYO, ODO ATUNRUN, ODO ARIOYUN, ODO AIYA, ODO AROOLO, ODO MIFUNFUN and ODO ERESI which all posses healing powers and provide a refreshing succor for household and personal purposes.

Being very hospitable people, Erinmo has a lot of non indigenes some of whom were born here and have been engaged in gainful farming occupations and other trades, these includes the Oyo people under the headship of a chief appointed by the Elerinmo and known as “Alakoso Oyo”, the Igedes under the headship of a chief known as “Oba Igede” and the Isobos under the headship of a chief known as “Oba Isobo”, all these people have been contributing to the well being of Erinmo in their respective ways.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

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SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

Sikiru Olatunbosun: Plateau United ready to fight for 2019 NPFL title

Plateau United new signing, Sikiru Olatunbosun, says he’s confident the club can win the Nigeria Professional Football League again with Abdu Maikaba in charge.

Olatunbosun joined Plateau United a few days back after three successful seasons with Lagos based Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry Football Club.

The former CNN goal of the week winner is the latest addition to Abdul Maikaba side after Bernard Ovoke and Godwin Obaje also joined the club in this current transfer window.

The left-footed attacking midfielder said he left MFM to seek a new

challenge with Plateau United.

“It’s a fresh start for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I have some great memories with MFM which will linger with me for a long time,” “Now, I’m beginning a new journey with Plateau United, one of the best teams in the country and I will give my best to make it a memorable experience.

“There are also a lot of quality players here which is good for the team. As a footballer, you get better by playing with good players and I’m also looking forward to that challenge

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as well.”

On the chances of winning the 2019 Nigeria professional football league title, Olatubosun said the management of the club has worked hard to bring the best talents to reclaim the league title again.

“If you look around here, there are a lot of quality and tested players in the team which gives one the confidence that we can do well next season,” he added.

“We just have to continue working hard in training and make sure we are ready for the new season,” he concluded.

Alex Iwobi, Mo Salah, Asisat Oshoala, others make 2018 CAF awards shortlist The shortlists for the 2018 Confederation of African Football awards were announced on Friday:

Player of the Year Alex Iwobi (Nigeria, Arsenal/ ENG), Andre Onana (Cameroon, Ajax/NED), Anis Badri (Tunisia, Esperance), Denis Onyango (Uganda, Mamelodi Sundowns/ RSA), Mehdi Benatia (Morocco, Juventus/ITA), Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool/ENG), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon,Arsenal/ENG), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester

City/ENG), Sadio Mane (Senegal, Liverpool/ENG), Walid Soliman (Egypt, Al Ahly) Women’s Player of the Year Abdulai Mukarama (Ghana), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Bassira Toure (Mali), Chrestinah Kgatlana (South Africa), Elizabeth Addo (Ghana), Francisca Ordega (Nigeria), Gabrielle Onguene (Cameroon), Janine van Wyk (South Africa), Onome Ebi (Nigeria), Raissa Feudjio (Cameroon), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) Youth Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Franck

Kessie (Ivory Coast), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria) Coach of the Year Aliou Cisse (Senegal), Herve Renard (Morocco), Moine Chaabani (Esperance/TUN) Women’s Coach of the Year Desiree Ellis (South Africa), Joseph Ndoko (Cameroon), Thomas Dennerby (Nigeria) National Team of the Year Madagascar, Mauritania, Uganda Women’s National Team of the Year Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa

Mo Salah named BBC African Footballer of the Year Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has become the fourth player to be named the BBC African Footballer of the Year a second time, making history for club and country in doing so.

The 26-year-old defended his title from 2017, as announced by the BBC on Friday.

Salah beat club teammate Sadio Mane, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Juventus’ Medhi Benatia, and Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey to the prestigious award.

He is the third Egyptian to be named the BBC African Footballer of the Year, but unlike his predecessors Mohamed Barakat, who won it in 2005, and Mohamed Aboutrika, who was crowned in 2008, Salah managed to defend his title.

As a consequence, the Reds attacker has joined Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha and Yaya Toure in being players

who managed to win the prize twice.

Salah is also the first Liverpool player to win the award a second time, with former Reds striker El Hadji Diouf winning it once in 2002.

Nigeria Squash Federation gets new constitution The Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) on Friday, adopted a new constitution that would reposition the sport for better performance in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new constitution, containing guidelines for Nigeria’s squash community, was adopted by members of the federation’s General Congress in Abuja The President of NSF, Boys Oyerinde, said the constitution as adopted by the Squash General Congress in Abuja would help to guide the operations of the federation.

According to him, the adoption of the

constitution is long expected, “we thank God that we are able to have a full house to deliberate and adopt it.“ ”The constitution is a document that will guide the activities of federation. We enhance what was in the draft constitution to strengthen and performance,” he said.

Oyerinde also said the new constitution would create awareness about the sport in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

The NSF president said the new constitution would address “everything” that concerned the governance of squash in Nigeria, including elections, competitions and a code of conduct for athletes.

Marcus Rashford: Manchester United aren’t underdogs at Liverpool Marcus Rashford insists Manchester United do not head to Liverpool as underdogs, and that Jose Mourinho is a winner.

United head to their bitter rivals sitting sixth in the Premier League, 16 points behind Liverpool after 16 games of the season.

Though the odds may be stacked against United getting a win, and Rashford is wary of Liverpool’s intensity, the 21-year-old says Mourinho’s side are focused only on themselves.

He told Sky Sports in an interview: “We don’t go there as underdogs, I think we go there to win the game, like any game.

“But they are a good team, the intensity they play at makes the game difficult, but we have to match that and try to improve it. But I think it is important to focus on us, and see how we can hurt them, and score some goals.”

Unbeaten Liverpool face another tough test at Anfield against United, after two straight goalless draws with their rivals in the past two seasons in this fixture.

Asked if manager Mourinho is different before these types of games, Rashford says it

is difficult not to feel the buzz and excitement but insists his manager is focused on getting a win.

“I think he’s a bit different, like we all are leading up to these games. It has a special buzz and excitement, and as people we

can’t hide that.

“But he’s a winner, you know, so leading up to the game he’s just thinking about winning, how are we going to win, and what we are going to do to win the game, because the three points is what matters.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 15, 2018

23 Sports Times

Premier League calls on fans to behave after incidents of abuse The Premier League published a message to fans on Friday calling on them to support their teams in the right way following recent incidents of abuse that have blighted the game.

Raheem Sterling was subjected to alleged racial abuse during Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea last week.

The England forward later issued a statement accusing the British media of fuelling racism in the way it reports certain stories about black players.

Chelsea banned four supporters pending an investigation and were then forced to condemn anti-Semitic chanting during Thursday’s Europa League tie with Vidi in Budapest.

A Tottenham fan was also arrested during the recent north London derby at Arsenal after a banana skin was thrown onto the pitch in the direction of PierreEmerick Aubameyang as he celebrated putting the Gunners ahead.

With a packed festive schedule to come, the Premier League has asked for any abuse to be reported.

“Some brilliant football has been played this Premier League season and the vast majority of fans have generated exciting and passionate atmospheres in stadiums,” the statement said.

“However, there have been incidents recently where a very small minority have behaved unacceptably.

“As we head into the festive season, with matches coming thick and fast, we ask all supporters

to get behind their teams in passionate, positive and respectful ways. Support for a club should never include excessive aggression or discrimination towards the opposition.”

Chelsea earlier promised to take the “strongest possible action” against any supporters found to have sung an anti-Semitic chant in Budapest.

Minutes into the match with Vidi, which ended 2-2, a vocal minority of Chelsea fans were heard singing a derogatory chant about Tottenham supporters, featuring anti-Semitic language.

Chelsea in January launched a campaign to raise awareness and educate fans about anti-Semitism in football and the club, including owner Roman Abramovich, who is Jewish, have expressed disgust at the latest incident.

“Anti-Semitism and any other kind of race-related or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans,” said a Chelsea spokesman.

“It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities.

Anti-discrimination leaders and Jewish groups condemned the chanting.

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has been named Premier League manager of the month for November.

Newcastle were 19th in the table at the start of November, with no wins from their first 10 games, before three straight victories moved them out of the relegation zone.

The Magpies beat Watford and Bournemouth at St James’ Park

before an away win at Burnley.

It is the fifth time the Spaniard has won the award in the top flight.

“It’s always good to win trophies,” said Benitez, whose side currently sit 15th.

“Obviously I would like to win more manager of the months, then we would be in a better position in the table.

“But it’s always positive and it is good also for the staff.

Everybody is helping you and it is an extra motivation.”

UEFA: AC Milan risk Euro ban over FFP breaches

Rafael Nadal to join Roger Federer in 2019 Laver Cup Spaniard Rafael Nadal will team up with perennial rival Roger Federer for the third edition of the Laver Cup in Geneva next year.

The team event featuring the best of Europe against a World team will be taking place for the third time, with Nadal and Federer also teammates in the inaugural match in 2017.

Team Europe non-playing captain Bjorn Borg said having Nadal and Federer was a boost for the September competition.

“It doesn’t get much better for a captain than naming both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the Laver Cup in Geneva,” former world number one Borg said in a statement.

“Bringing together two of the greatest players, and rivals, the sport has ever seen together, on one team, is very exciting for our sport — and will give us the best possible chance to win

the Laver Cup three years in a row.”

Federer and Nadal, first and second in the all-time list of men’s Grand Slam winners with 20 and 16 respectively, won a doubles match together at the Laver Cup in Prague in 2017.

“I think we all underestimated how powerful it would be to see them sitting side by side, coaching each other and cheering each other on,” Borg said.

Swiss Federer, one of the instigators of the event, said having Nadal in the team again after he missed this year’s edition in Chicago due to injury was an exciting prospect.

“We had a lot of fun in Prague and it will be very special for me to team up with him again in Switzerland to try and defend our title,” Federer said.

Next year’s match will take place on a black court inside Geneva’s 17,000seat Palexpo venue.

Wolfsburg demand €3 million from Ajax for Victor Osimhen German club Wolfsburg are asking for €3 million for Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, from Dutch club, Ajax before he can be released during the winter transfer window.

Osimhen who is on loan to Sporting Charleroi of Belgium is being wanted by the Dutch club due to his haul of goals in Belgium.

Wolfsburg are however determined to hold on to the former junior international who has since rediscovered his form.

Newcastle’s Rafael Benitez wins Premier League manager of the month

During his time with Wolfsburg, Osimhen struggled with injuries and loss of form.

Reports suggest that Ajax have been on the trail of Osimhen after his superlative outing at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile where he emerged the highest goal scorer.

Charleroi, however, have the first option of signing the player on a permanent deal but with the recent price tag on the player, could see them back out.

AC Milan risk being excluded from European competition in the coming seasons if the club fails to “break even” after falling foul of Financial Fair Play regulations, UEFA announced Friday.

The Serie A giants are one of several clubs to have been investigated for breaching UEFA’s rules — which state clubs can not spend more than they generate by their own means.

After winning an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year, following a UEFA ban from the Europa League due to breaching FFP regulations, Milan crashed out of the competition on Thursday after a 3-1 defeat at Olympiakos.

UEFA said Friday the former seventime European champions again face suspension from continental competition in future seasons “should the club not be break-even compliant at 30 June 2021”.

A UEFA statement added: “Accordingly, should the club not be break-even compliant at 30 June 2021, it will be excluded from participating

in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify, in the two seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24.

“The club will also have 12m euros of its UEFA revenues from the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League withheld and will not be permitted to register more than 21 players for participation in UEFA competitions in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.”

UEFA said Milan had the right to appeal both decisions “to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with …. rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body”.

Tunisia appoint Alain Giresse as new head coach Former France international Alain Giresse was named Tunisia coach by the country’s football Federation on Thursday after signing an 18-month deal.

It will be the 66-year-old’s sixth appointment as a national team coach after previous stints with Georgia, Gabon, Mali (twice) and Senegal.

Giresse will lead Tunisia into the African Nations Cup finals in June, before the start of qualification for the next World Cup. His contract runs until June 2020 with an option to renew, the

federation said.

Tunisia qualified for this year’s World Cup in Russia but coach Nabil Maaloul stepped down after the tournament.

His replacement Faouzi Benzarti was sacked in October despite Tunisia being among the first countries to qualify for next year’s Nations Cup tournament.

Giresse played in midfield for France alongside Michel Platini in their 1984 European Championship winning side and won 47 caps for his country. He later coached at Toulouse and Paris St Germain.

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