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SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 678

N150

Behold! Nigeria’s highest blood donor

Why I’ve been donating blood since 2005 - John Says blood donor is life saver

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja A member of staff of The Daily Times newspaper, Mr. Nathaniel John, who has voluntarily donated blood for 13 years, has said that regular blood donation helps save millions of lives

every year, lowers calories and improves body fitness.

The young looking 40-year-old John, who is the highest blood donor in Nigeria, also attributed the secret of his youthful looks to donation of blood.

Speaking during an

exclusive interview on Friday, John said that aside living a healthy lifestyle, blood donation enhances the production of new blood cells.

According to him, he feels satisfied donating blood.

Continued on page 4

There’s need to cement relationship between Liberia & Nigeria – Juli g L2

Why we paid workers salaries before Sallah

- Gov Dankwambo g 4

Anambra to spend N4.1bn on agriculture in 2018 John in his usual voluntary donation of blood

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Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Friday,June May16, 11,2018 2018 Saturday,

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Why I’m donating blood Why we paid workers since 2005 - John salaries before Sallah

Continued from page 1

John said, “Each time I donate blood, I feel satisfied knowing that the impact is not only on the patient who receives the blood and whose life may depend on the blood transfusion but also all those who may depend on the patient.”

He said that blood donation can help patients suffering from life-threatening health conditions to live longer with higher quality of life.

He said, “Transfusion of blood helps in saving millions of lives every year and puts a natural smile on the face of blood receiver.

“When blood is withdrawn, the donor’s body immediately begins to replenish the lost blood

within 24 hours of donation.

Commenting on the positive side of donation blood, John said, “Each time I donate blood, my body immediately begins to replenish the lost blood. I acquire new cells produced by the bone marrow within 48 hours of blood donation and all of the red blood cells that was lost during the donation are completely replaced within one to two months. All of the red blood cells the donor loses during donation are completely replaced within one month to two months.

“Therefore, donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new red blood cells in me. This process of replenishment helps my body to stay healthy and work more

efficiently”.

When asked about the side effect of donating blood, John replied that there was none.

He said, “For the 55 times, constantly for 13 years I have voluntarily donated blood, I never experienced any side effect, instead I always enjoyed my blood donations.”

He further called on voluntary regular non remunerated blood donors that are yet to do so to take up the challenge of voluntarily donating blood.

He added that the best way to ensure adequate safe blood supply for an effective health system was through regular donations by voluntary and unpaid blood donors.

Anambra to spend N4.1bn on agriculture in 2018 The Anambra State Government has said that it will spend N4.1 billion on strategic agricultural development initiative in the 2018 planting season.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Mr Afam Mbanefo, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Awka.

Mbanefo said that the state would during the period, evolve and apply sustainable cluster-based farming initiative to boost agriculture.

“The cluster-base is a major method in driving modern agriculture.

The ministry will apart

from development of cluster farming initiative, provide farm inputs and motorcycles to farmers in the state.

“Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration is keen in empowering small holder farmers and I urge more farmers to get registered with the ministry to benefit.

“Plans are underway to introduce a Mobile App for Agricultural Extension and Farmer Information Management System to develop the sector more.

“A comprehensive fouryear development plan has been developed for different agricultural produce and farm types to increase productivity and effective land utilisation,’’

he said.

The commissioner said that government aimed to achieve in the coming years, an agricultural system that would feed the people, protect the environment and return investments.

Mbanefo said that the state received commendation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for its effective implementation of good agricultural policies which had improved agriculture.

He said that the ministry had designed programmes to create more jobs and alleviate poverty through favourable agricultural policies.

- Dankwambo Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has said that payment of salary of workers should not be counted as an achievement as it is the legitimate right of those who work to receive their wage and as at when due.

The governor added that his administration has never failed to pay workers their salaries, since according to him, it is inhuman for any leader to deny citizens their legitimate means of livelihood.

Dankwambo stated this on Friday in a Sallah Message by his Senior Special Adviser, Press, Junaidu Usman Abubakar and made available to The Daily Times.

According to him, Gombe State started paying salaries of workers on Wednesday and the aim is to ensure that workers and their families celebrate Sallah with happiness and ease.

Junaidu said, “Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo is number one in Nigeria when it comes to salary payment as in many other areas.

The Talban Gombe considers it as inhuman for anybody to deny workers their legitimate means of livelihood. So, here in Gombe, workers’ salaries come first.

“The Governor approved the release of salaries since Tuesday. By Wednesday, workers began to receive their pay. For Gombe, we don’t even consider salary payment as a big deal because from beginning the governor made it clear that

Dankwambo

nobody that worked should not be denied his means of livelihood.”

The statement also contained goodwill message by the Governor to the people of Gombe State and Nigerians in general.

“The Governor wishes the good people of Gombe State and Nigerians in general a peaceful celebration as he prays for the continued unity and progress of the Nigeria,” the statement added.

But when reminded that two other states like Adamawa and Bauchi states equally paid their state workers before Sallah, Junaidu said there is a wide difference between the pre-Sallah payment by Gombe State and that of others because while the other states have months of unpaid salaries, Gombe is on a clean slate.

“We in Gombe don’t like competitive competition or comparing ourselves with our sister states.

However, since you raised the question, I would like to say that Gombe does not owe workers at all while these other states owe their workers. If you owe workers six months salaries and pay June Salary because of Sallah, it may just have cosmetics effect because people will still be grumbling that they are being owed. So it is quite a different scenario with what obtains in Gombe.

“You should also be reminded that the Nigeria Labour Congress has earlier conferred on Dankwambo the award of the most labour friendly governor because of the priority he attaches to not only workers salaries but their welfare in general,” Junaidu added.

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, during a courtesy visit to Gowon

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Peace Corps member arrested for robbery, drug peddling Akam James, Yenagoa

A member of the Peace Corps of Nigeria has been arrested in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital in connection with robbery and drug peddling.

The arrest was made by the combined team of police detectives from the Bayelsa State Police Command and officers of the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the suspect, Seiyefa Okorie, 33, was arrested on Thursday in a coordinated raid of a criminal hideout at Amarata area of Yenagoa, the state

capital.

Butswat said the operatives recovered a locally-made pistol and an identification card of Peace Corps of Nigeria from the suspect.

The police spokesman said, “In a coordinated raid of a criminal hideout at Amarata, Yenagoa, operatives arrested one Seiyefa Okorie, male, 33 years old and a member of the proscribed Peace Corps of Nigeria and recovered a locally-made pistol from the suspect.

“The suspect (Okorie) was arrested fully dressed in PCN’s T-shirt and was with the proscribed organisation’s ID card. The suspect confessed that he

peddles drugs and robbed innocent persons in Yenagoa and environs. Investigation is ongoing.

“The command hereby appeals to members of the public to continue to provide useful information to the Police in order to ensure a safer Bayelsa.”

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, has said the court, witnesses and administration of justice are some reasons why some crime suspects regain freedom unpunished.

The police commissioner was reacting to questions from members of the public during his familiarisation visit to the Yenagoa Area

Command of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday.

During an interactive session, a concerned individual asked the police commissioner to clear the air on why some crime suspects regain freedom from the police net and back in society to pose more threats a few days or months after their arrests.

Responding, Awunah said, “in administration of justice, it is not only the police that is involved. You have the court system, you have the witness system and you have the ministry of justice.

“Sometimes, the police cannot kill. We don’t kill. If you arrest anybody for any

offence, you must go through the mill of justice. Sometimes when you see a bail, a bail is not the end of justice.

“The law provides that anybody who commits an offence is bail able except murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and there is abundant evidence, you cannot be granted bail.

“Sometimes, when these suspects are arraigned in court and no one comes to give evidence, the magistrate will have no other option but to release them.

“This is because in our criminal justice system, everybody is a suspect until proved otherwise.

Even if you see him killing somebody but you did not

5 News

go to court to bear witness that he used this weapon to kill this person, he will be set free.”

The CP thanked the general public, especially the various vigilance groups for supporting the police in fighting crimes, noting that cultism remained central to most of the crimes being committed in the state.

In his welcome address, the Assistant Police Commissioner in charge of Yenagoa Area Command, Mr. John Actsu, described the CP’s visit as a morale booster.

Traditional rulers, vigilance groups and various community representatives were in attendance.

SON decries unhygienic practices by fast food outlets

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on Friday condemned the unhygienic practices by some fast food outlets in Niger, saying they were endangering the lives of patrons.

The SON Coordinator in the state, Mr Badawale Sunday, told journalists in Minna that the surveillance exercises carried out indicated that many of the outlets were yet to imbibe good hygienic practices. ” Our experience through surveillance inspections have shown that much still remains to be learnt as some of the fast foods outfits or restaurants in the state are not practising Good Hygienic Practices,’’ he said.

Sunday said that some of the unhygienic practices include operating in dirty environment, dispensing water with dirty filters and bad personal hygiene.

He identified others as not using the right utensils and inadequate cleaning after usage.

The coordinator said that non-compliant outlets had been warned and compelled to comply with the right hygienic requirements.

He also said that a sensitisation workshop had been proposed for stakeholders in the sector.

Sunday said that the ongoing compliance monitoring of materials and products in supermarkets and open markets was a continuous exercise to verify the various products being displayed for sale.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa (2 right); Chief Imam Papa Asafa Central Mosque, Alhaji Aliu Sheriff (right); Obasa’s children Abdur-Rahman (left) and Hamzat (2nd right), during Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at Oyewole Primary School Agege, Lagos.

Video review system makes World Cup debut If the strongest advocates of Video Assistant Referees are to be believed, World Cup football will never be the same again after the TV review system makes its debut at the finals on Thursday.

With this one innovation, they believe, contentious refereeing decisions will be a thing of the past, wrongs will be righted and the prospering of cheats brought to an end.

Had VAR been around, goes the thinking, German keeper Toni Schumacher’s assault on France’s Patrick Battiston in 1982 would have been properly punished.

Similarly, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986 would have led only to a direct free kick.

For the opponents of this technology, video reviews, particularly of goals, interrupt the natural rhythm of the game as tension builds before being released when the ball hits the back of the net.

Others suggest it brings only confusion where it should bring clarity and some question the technology itself, pointing to some embarrassing failures in leagues around the world which were early adopters.

One of such was this year’s A-League final between Melbourne City and the Newcastle Jets, when the Australian title was decided by a single goal despite three City players being offside.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) later conceded the VAR had been unable to review the footage from the relevant camera because of a software glitch.

However, while accepting the technology is not yet perfect, FIFA believes it has this eventuality covered by the sheer number of feeds the VAR and his assistants will have at

their disposal.

And whatever the flaws of the system, the possibility of a retrospective red card for an incident missed in real time by the referee is certainly going to concentrate the minds of defenders.

Australia’s Matthew Jurman is used to VAR from his club football in the K-League.

He would be highly aware of the all-seeing eye of the camera if he is handed the task of shackling France’s attack in Kazan on Saturday.

“These days you can’t do much without everybody seeing it,” the center half said

on Wednesday.

“So you have obviously to be smart about defending, especially around the box.”

In spite of VAR’s World Cup debut, the battle over its future in the game is not yet won and a high-profile failure in Russia could be fatal to the cause.

For players such as Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine, such considerations are well above their pay grade.

“It’s one of those things we don’t have control of,” he said.

“Hopefully, it’s going to make sure the big decisions are clear and decisive with no issues.” (Reuters/NAN)

News 6 Police arrest 20 cult suspects in Akwa Ibom The Akwa Ibom Police Command says it has arrested 20 suspected cultists in Eket Local Government Area.

The Eket Area Commander, ACP Emeka Nwonyi, made the disclosure at an emergency security meeting with stakeholders on Friday in Eket.

He said the suspects had been terrorising residents of the locality before they were arrested.

Nwonyi said the police command was determined to fish out those perpetrating the act, adding that it would ensure that the arrested culprits faced the consequences of their actions.

“We are on top of the situation; they will not crush us, we will crush them, I feel bad when people don’t give useful information to the police to work with.

“I am appealing to you to give us useful information that will help us do our job effectively,” he said.

The Area Commander assured the people of Eket that the police would protect lives and property in the area.

He lamented that criminal activities, particularly those of cultists, had led to the waning interest in night life.

Nwonyi used the forum to charge traditional rulers, village heads, youth leaders and other stakeholders in the area to expose criminals to the police.

The council chairman, Mr Frank Archibong, on his part condemned the recent killings in Eket and its environs.

“I condemn this act totally, we cannot continue like this as a local government. `We need practicable solutions in solving this issue.

We need solutions that will put lasting seal on this matter,” he said.

He said the essence of the meeting was to strategise and find practicable solutions to ending cultism in the local government area and its environs.

“We will bring ideas on how we can best tackle this menace, but if we allow cultism to continue, it may degenerate to a level that we won’t be able to control again.

“We must begin to check the actions of our children and visitors because investigations show that 90 per cent of the people causing problems are not from Eket but other neighbouring local governments,’’ he said.

He said that the council would also evolve strategies to address cultism in secondary schools in the local government.

The Director of the Department of State Services in Eket, Mr Patriot Kings, said the department had done a lot to tackle violence occasioned by cultism in the area.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Buhari policies favour youths’ dev – FCT Minister

Idu Jude, Abuja

The Nigerian youths, have been advised to have faith in the policies and aspiration of the present administration of President Mohammed Buhari, as it gears towards improving the living standards of the youths.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello however, described the policies as solid foundations that will rediscover Nigeria for the benefits of the youths.

Malam Bello who made this remark during the Iftar Ramadan breakfast with FCT youths at his official residence in Life Camp, said the present administration is essentially holding forth for the youths.

He added that the progress, prosperity and tremendous transformation taking place in the country are being done for

the benefits of the youths.

According to him, “Most of us here are basically just holding forth for you. The strength, progress, prosperity and the tremendous amount of transformation that is going to happen in this country is going to be done during your time.

So, what Mr. President and his team are doing now is basically to rediscover Nigeria for your benefit, to lay a very solid foundation so that it becomes easier for you to govern it, live in it and to provide all the benefits for the teeming population.”

Bello who stated that it was important for the country not to miss this golden opportunity, said there is need for the youths to rise above clannish tribal and ethnic sentiments and unite to work together for the benefit of the country.

The FCT Minister said, “We have to be friendly to each

other, we have to love each other, we have to be united, we have to be disciplined, we have to be honest, we have to be hardworking and above all, we have to be very broad minded to accept your neighbours, irrespective of their tribe, religion and whatever they do and to work for the good of the community. If we do these, the sky is going to be the limit for all of us.

“If all of you put heads together and really unite as Abuja symbolizes, then when it is your time, you are going to govern over a country that will be solid, that will be prosperous and that is going to be the envy of all African nations and all nations of the world.”

The FCT Minister equally charged youths resident in the FCT to continue to work towards improving the security and harmonious coexistence within the city to ensure it

remains the city that cherished is by Africa and the wider world.

Citing a recent statistics that shows that a larger proportion of FCT population comprised youths, the FCT Minister charged the youths to guard a city very jealously, including its security, beauty as well as its harmonious inter-religious, inter-communal and interethnic relationships.

“Abuja as a city is something that many people from other parts of the world admire and cherish, we must therefore guard it jealously,” He stated.

Earlier in his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Programme, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, thanked the Minister for the honour and reception given to them by agreeing to host the youths to a special Ramadan breakfast dinner.

Ahmed, who commended

President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the not too young to run bill into Law, urged the FCT Minister to create more opportunities for youths to serve in the FCT Administration to also make them, “not too poor to run.”

“We hope that when you come back as Minister of FCT in 2019, the appointments into the FCTA will be full of young and vibrant people,” he said.

The SSA however urged FCT residents to consider participating in elections in the FCT and not always running back home to their places of origin to cast their votes during elections.

According to him, “Whoever it is that resides in Abuja, we implore you not to be carrying your bags and your family to be going back home of origin to go and vote.

Stay where you are to cast your vote”.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (4th right); Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd right); wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (2nd right); Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (4th left); wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (3rd left); National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (right); former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (second left), and wife of the former governor, Mrs. Lara Oshiomhole, at the Dinner organised by Edo State Government in honour of the Vice President, in Government House, Benin City.

UNICEF partners Bayelsa Govt to eradicate malnutrition Akam James, Yenagoa The United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF), has partnered the Bayelsa state government to reduce the high level of malnutrition among mothers and children in the state.

The Deputy Director Food and Nutrition (MB&NP), Abuja, Roselyn Gabriel, disclosed this Yesterday, during a stakeholder meeting held at the State Banquet Hall, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event with the theme

“Prioritising Investment on Maternal nutrition and infant and young child feeding-key to sustainable development in Bayelsa state” was also a medium to engage state executives and the legislators on the need to invest more.

Speaking earlier before her video presentation titled “Malnutrition: Nigeria’s silent crisis”, she said, inadequate funding of malnutrition activities posses threat to the society, adding that nutrition is at the heart of sustainable development goal.

She further stated that the need for the partnership is quiet enormous because of the worrisome rate of malnutrition in most part of the country, noting that the Ministry is here because they know the damaging effect of malnutrition in the society and not just on the mother and children.

She urged the government to pay more attention on reducing malnutrition, adding that the investment has a high return perhaps if one naira is invested, six naira is expected in return.

Also speaking, a member

representing Yenagoa 2 in the Bayelsa state House of Assembly, Hon. Koku Obiyai, stressed the need for collaboration, adding that she has been advocating and sensitising the people on the danger of malnutrition for the past 28 years.

She said the way mother feed their children from birth has become problematic, noting that the budget on nutrition should have a subhead so that nutritionists should have budget to carry out workshops, sensitisation

programme to build a better society.

According to the State commissioner of health, Prof.

Ebitimi Etebu, government is doing all to ensure there’s food security in the state to help eradicate the scourge, adding that productivity and capability of children will be low if they are malnourish.

He further said malnutrition should be taken as a natural crisis in the country, noting that if we can’t tackle malnutrition it means we are under-developing ourselves.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Aregbesola, Ahmed, others counsel Nigerians As Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has enjoined Nigerians of all faiths to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

Aregbesola, who made the call in a Sallah message in Osogbo on Friday, said peace and tolerance with prayers would go a long way in saving the country from its current challenges.

The governor also called on Muslims to use the Eid-fitr celebration to reflect on their deeds and make adjustments according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

In Ilorin, the two-rakat prayer at the Eid praying ground on Yidi Road held under tight security.

Hundreds of security operatives, including military personnel, provided security during the prayer.

The state Commissioner of police, Alhaji Aminu Sale, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Adeyinka Ayinla, were on ground to ensure security.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Emir of llorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari as well as some members of the State Executive Council were among thousands of Muslim faithful at the praying ground.

Ahmed, who spoke with newsmen after the prayer, congratulated Muslims in the state for successfully undertaking the Ramadan fast.

The governor urged Muslims to remain connected to the virtues of love, compassion and generosity exhibited during the Ramadan.

“As we mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, let’s remember and pray for our brothers and sisters who were unfortunate victims of the Offa robbery,’’ he said Ahmed also urged Nigerians to pray for peaceful general elections in 2019.

The governor later paid the traditional Sallah homage to the emir.

Meanwhile, Mr Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, has urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons of discipline and perseverance symbolised by the Ramadan.

Salaam also counselled all citizens on moderation in their lifestyle and interaction with others, saying these qualities would help curb violent behaviour that could arise as a result of excesses, He equally charged security agencies to be alert during the festive period as adequate security measures were required to protect lives and property.

The Chief Imam of Ife Kingdom, Alhaji Abdulsemiu AbdulHammed, also urged Muslims to imbibe the fear of Allah and ensure they remember and act according to the lessons learnt during the Ramadan.

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Eid-el-Fitr celebration

Muslim faithful queue to collect food during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration in Lagos

We should work together for Nigeria’s speedy economic transformation –Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigerians must work together as a people to ensure speedy transformation of the country’s economy for the general progress of the country.

President Buhari stated this when he received representatives of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who paid him Sallah homage at his official resident in the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday.

He said the call became necessary to enable the country to explore its resources which had been abandoned in years gone by.

The President, who praised the immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for his tremendous contributions during his tenure as minister, said it would be difficult for him to get his replacement in the cabinet.

“I’m very pleased that we are working very hard collectively as Nigerians and that God in his infinite mercy who knows what is in the heart and not by mouth, will continue to guide us so that we accommodate each other at all times.

This country is blessed on human and material resources.

Here I have to digress and wish my former minister of mines and steel, Kayode Fayemi, well.

“He has been a very hardworking minister, because the ministry he was leading was neglected with the overbearing economic relevance of oil.

“But from the days of mining of tin, columbite, coal and so on, you know this country is blessed.

“Throughout the country, we have solid minerals and I am hoping that Fayemi will succeed to lead again his state. I believe he is a very hardworking person, very patriotic but Nigerian politics is virtually unpredictable.

“We are going to work very hard to fill his space in the executive council so that we keep on exploiting more and more of our solid minerals and less politicizing of our petroleum resources.

“I think we have invested so much in this country and we will continue to pray that we stay together and let us develop the necessary confidence, work together as a people, this country is great let us work together so that we can save a lot more and exploit more of the resources that were abandoned so many years ago,’’ he said.

The President called on Nigerians to always exhibit the virtues of honesty, patriotism and hard work to enable them take advantage of the abundant natural resources.

He thanked the FCT Minister and the leaderships of the two religious communities (Islam and Christianity) for paying him happy Eid-Fitr.

President Buhari enjoined them to preach to their followers the need to be patriotic and to work harder away from primordial sentiments for the good of the society.

He said: “I’m very grateful to the minister and the Mosque and Church leadership that came to say happy Eid-Filtri to those of us that have been fasting.

“A lot of people asked me of on health grounds I can default I refused because I know the value in fasting, I cannot miss it once I can do it.

“Last year, I didn’t because I was on health vacation but this year I have done it and I thank God because it has helped me to be much more healthier to give me the time that I need to attend to national issues.

“Please in your constituencies emphasized what I said about 30 years ago, we don’t have another country except Nigeria we may as well remain here and salvage it together, there is nothing else we can do. Even those that had gone out are now trying to come back because they are

not wanted out there.

“I wish all the resources they had they had deployed it here it would have been much better.

“So, thank you very much and please try to persuade your constituencies to work much harder away from individualism and sectionalism The Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, who led the delegation for the homage, said they were in the presidential villa to felicitate with the president after the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting period.

Bello, who presented a giant Sallah Greeting Card to the President, renewed the loyalty and support of the FCT residents to Buhari administration.

He prayed that Almighty God would continue to guide and protect the President in his

efforts toward transforming the country to greater height.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented at the event by Sen. Bala NaAllah, pledged that the National Assembly would continue to partner with the executive arm of government to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

President Buhari had earlier joined hundreds of other Muslim faithful to perform the two-raka’at Eid Fitr prayer session at the Mambilla Barrack Mosque, Abuja.

The prayer was led by the Mosque’s chief Imam, Capt. Sabiu Yusuf, who in his sermon, called on Muslim ummah to abide by the teachings of the Holy Quran in all their dealings with fellow citizens.

He also offered special prayers for the continued existence and prosperity of Nigeria as a geo-political entity.

Rivers ACF spokesman calls for forgiveness, sacrifice The spokesman of Arewa Consultative Forum in Rivers, Mr Babaji Tanko, has called on Nigerians to forgive one another and make sacrifices to move the country forward in the spirit of the Eid-el-Fitr.

Tanko made the call in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday.

He stated that the Ramadan was all about seeking for forgiveness from God and understanding how to make sacrifices.

“The fasting is about seeking

for forgiveness from God; we learn how to forgive one another and learn from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

“The fasting also brings together the poor and the rich and you will not notice any difference in the two classes of humans,” he said.

According to Tanko, the Ramadan compels the rich in the society to make sacrifices to help in improving the living standard of the poor.

“This is a sacrifice that can achieve peace through

forgiveness and in these trying times in Nigeria, we must make sacrifices and pray to God to guide our leaders.

“Without making sacrifices where and when necessary, we cannot make progress as a nation and even in our homes.

“If we fail to forgive and sacrifice for the growth of Nigeria, we will not be doing good to our children.

“What we are doing today is to sacrifice for the future in order for our children to have a brighter future,” he said.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Osinbajo holds close door meeting with Oba of Benin

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday held a private meeting with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II at his Palace in Benin, the Edo capital.

Also at the meeting, which lasted about 45 minutes were the Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy Governor , Phillip

Shaibu and former Governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Journalists were however not briefed about what transpired at the meeting.

The Vice President left the palace to the Benin Airport for Abuja at about 2.00 pm Osinbajo arrived Benin on June 14 for a two-day

working tour of Edo. During the visit, the Vice President performed the ground breaking ceremony of 1800 Housing Units Emotan Garden Estate at Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council and commissioned the Solar Lighting Project at Edaiken Market in Benin.

Osinbajo also launched the

South-South Innovation Hub and attended the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic, where he had a chat with owners of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme.

He also visited the Azura Power Project in Benin.

Jigawa monarch warns commercial motorcyclists against overloading, beating traffic The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad, has warned commercial motorcyclists to desist from excessive speeding, overloading and ‘beating traffic’ while celebrating Eidel-Fitr.

Muhammad gave the warning in his Sallah message to residents at his palace in Dutse on Friday.

He said that the warning had become imperative to avoid road traffic accidents during the period.

The monarch said it had been observed that some of the accidents involving commercial motorcyclists were mostly as a result of overloading, speeding or beating traffic.

According to him, most of the commercial motorcyclists

operating in the area carry excess passengers, particularly children during school hours.

“We are therefore, using this opportunity to call on commercial motorcyclists to stop overloading, speeding and traffic beating, and strictly adhere to all traffic rules and regulations.

“They should also partner with FRSC and other security

agencies to save lives and prevent accidents across the state,” Muhammad said.

It would be recalled that two years ago, the emir had called on the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure that all motorcyclists operating in the state secured licence.

He had noted that very few motorcyclists were qualified to ride on the highways.

Enugu Govt flags-off 2018 free anti-rabies vaccination

The Enugu State Government has flagged off free AntiRabies Vaccination on dogs and cats in the state for the prevention of rabies on pets and human beings.

Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emeka Ede represented by Dr Mathias Onu, Director of Agriculture in Enugu said the disease could be prevented through vaccination.

“Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that affects both man and animal; it has no treatment but can be prevented through vaccination,” he said.

Ede said that it was in realisation of the danger associated with the disease that the state government with support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association embarked on the wide free anti-rabies vaccination.

He urged pet owners to use the campaign to vaccinate their pets and protect themselves against rabies.

Director, Veterinary Services Department, Dr Ike Agbo, said it was a yearly event in the state adding that the campaign would end on June 25 as 1,500 doses of vaccine

would be dispensed at the exercise.

Agbo said that rabies was a fatal infectious disease which could not be treated but prevented.

He noted that the vaccine was difficult to get in rural areas hence the exercise.

The director urged every pet owner to bring his or her dog or cat for the free vaccination.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Kelvin Ugwu, called on Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to employ more veterinary practitioners in the state for effective and efficient service delivery.

Zonal Officer, Veterinary and Pest Control Services Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Dr Benjamin Puja, said that the Federal Government deemed it fit to supply vaccine so as to prevent the disease both in animals and man.

Puja commended the state government for flagging off the campaign aimed at ensuring a healthy society.

Mr Izunna Eze, a pet owner, who brought his dog for vaccination was a welcome development and commended the state government for the free vaccination.

He promised to inform others to bring their pets for such exercise.

Court strikes out case against 5 OAU students for want of diligent prosecution

L-R: Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the Vice President’s visit to the Oba, in his Palace in Benin City, Edo State. . . on Friday.

Financial autonomy: Houses of Assembly, Judiciary will benefit democracy – Lawmaker

A House of Representatives member, Rep. Nicholas Ossai, says the new laws granting financial autonomy to states’ houses of assembly and the judiciary approved by President Muhammadu Buhari would benefit democracy.

Ossai said this in an interview with journalists in

Abuja.

He said that with the development, democracy would continue to consolidate and that the culture of transparency and accountability would be the hallmark of the day.

The lawmaker added that the laws were also necessary to enable the houses of assembly and the judiciary to function properly.

According to him, it will strengthen the states’ houses of assembly to be able to ask critical questions on the workings of ministries and agencies in the states.

“This is just like the National Assembly asks critical questions in their oversights functions.

“It gives a complete independence of the legislature at the state level

and also the judiciary, and it is a good one,” he said.

Ossai emphasised that the bill would create a lot of value for money.

According to him, when the legislators begin to ask critical questions on agencies and ministries, the point is that the masses will receive the divided of good democracy in terms of value for money.

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in IleIfe, Osun has struck out a case of alleged misdemeanour and assault filed against five students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), for lack of diligent prosecution.

Magistrate Ishola Omisade, struck out the case filed against Yedeji Samson, 20; Gbenga Oloniniran, 22, Jimoh Oladipupo, Adeniji John and Olajide Ademola by the police.

Omisade struck out the case after counsel to the accused persons, Mr Oladeji Olalekan, urged the Magistrate to discharge his clients and strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution.

The magistrate noted that the case had suffered seven adjournments

on the grounds of prosecution’s “flimsy excuse”, and ruled that the best thing to do in the instance was to strike out the case.

The police had on March 21, arraigned the students on three-count charge of misdemeanor, breach of public peace and assault.

The prosecutor, Mr O.I. Philip, had told the court that the students had allegedly assaulted three staff of the institution.

He told that the offence contravened Sections 249 (D), 351 and 517 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The students had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum among other conditions.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday June 16, 2018

Politics

9

Adamawa Assembly: Tenure elongation of LGA chairmen and matters arising Tom Garba, Yola The Adamawa State House of Assembly (ADHA) as the second tier of government whose primary duty is to make laws and resolutions to the benefit of people living in the state has been on the path of progress since its inception.

But it appears that of recent there was a fracas when a request was made through a letter by the Association of Local Government Organisation of Nigeria (ALGON) wanting a tenure elongation to exceed their two years statutory term and the House is considering making a decision on the matter.

This act has become a topical issue and seems to be generating a public debate in many parts of the state.

Raising question of general public interest as to why the request at the moment? What is the veracity that the law amendment or making a new law will not temper or override the existing law that stipulated only two years for all the 21 LGAs chairmen?

Some are of the opinion that there is possible political under tone in the request and that it will alleviate some and to others scuttle their political dream, while others are wondering if there can be economic gains for both the LGA chairmen and or the 25 lawmakers? These are the disturbing questions in the mind of concerned citizens of Adamawa State.

It is a known fact that all members of an Assembly are elected to represent the specific interests of their constituents and also to represent their local government and must consider the needs of all indigenes while making laws. Whatever their political outlook, and regardless of which side of the Assembly they sit on, members’ duties and obligations are considerable in creating laws that are to the general interest of the public.

Members have a duty of oversight functions, whereby every work or ongoing projects in the state are within the approved budget and in accordance with the specification of the constitution. The duties of the lawmakers are also to check the executive on implementable budget.

Each service has various standards that must be met; for example, whenever the appropriation of a bill is passed on to the House they must ensure that estimates are critically analysed and resources are distributed in such a way that those in need are put in priority. They must also ensure that the money budgeted is efficiently utilised as intended.

When it comes to lawmaking, the House of Assembly must ensure that the laws are passed with the

Mijinyawa positive interest of Adamawa people at heart. The laws must also be practical and implementable over a long period of time.

This is to say that the law sponsored by Hon Suleiman Alkali sometime in June, 2016 which was aimed at reducing the tenure elongation of LGA chairmen from two and half years to two years has became a sanctity instrument that can never be joked with, like the sacred cows whose life is precious and protected at all times so are laws in our contemporary lives.

Changing it or tempering with it can lead to confusion within in the law, making it difficult to satisfy the desired goals it was created serve.

Looking at the scenario from its proper perspective, a public affairs analyst and lawyer, Mr. Sunday Joshua Wugira opined that the Adamawa lawmakers should not make any law to that effect

“

Gov Bindow because it is “null and void, and unconstitutional” as there cannot be law to override another Law. Recall that ALGON in a letter to the House dated 24th May, 2018 with a headline: “Re: Amendment of the Adamawa State Local Government System Establishment and Administration (Amendment) Law No.2008” Had said, “the purpose of this letter is to appeal to the honourable members Adamawa State House through your good office, to still revisit the above Law earlier passed by the House of Assembly with a view to reconsider the tenure of local government chairmen in Adamawa State.’’

Basing their reasons on the fact that in 2008 Justice Bimare Bamsi passed a similar judgment in favor of the then ALGON on tenure elongation.

Wugira urged the lawmakers

As lawmaking body we are to look at the passed judgements and their letter of request to know whether the law reducing their tenure elongation is applicable to them or those that will be coming after as chairmen. So the whole issue is not about tenure elongation, it is about interpretation, we are to carefully look at the past judgements and the stand of our Law, and also look at the period our Law came into existence to know either it corresponds with the timing of 2008 judgement and the time we equally passed our Law.

”

never to contemplate tempering with the law that was sponsored

by Honourable Suleiman Alkali that brings down the Chairmen’s tenure from two years and half to two years.

He continued “A law cannot come and invalidate a law that is in existence, the local government chairmen were elected for three years and the then lawmakers wanted to reduce the number of years by way of a law.

“The present House of Assembly must be well informed that they are treading on a very dangerous ground, it will not help them, it is not good for democracy and is not good for the polity in anyway,” Wugira said.

The House of Assembly through its Chairman House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Mohammed Hayatu Atiku also said that the law passed by the House of Assembly to reduce the tenure of elected LGA Chairmen from two years and half to two years stands and remains a Law. Atiku explained that the House does have a constitutional right to make a tenure elongation Law, but what ALGON are soliciting is to look at similar scenario that happened in 2008 when the tenure of local government chairmen was reduced from two years and half to two years, then ALGON went to court to challenge the House for enacting a Law that will reduce their tenure.

He further explained that the judgement of the High Court and Appeal Court was in favor of the LGA chairmen, he revealed that the

House of Assembly wouldn’t have passed that kind of law because the LGA chairmen had declared their interest to contest an election for a tenure of two years and half, done the nitty gritty of campaigns and screenings, waiting for an election to be conducted before the law was passed and the issue of one year tenure did not arise and so it’s not applicable to them. ‘’You cannot change the rule in the middle of the game,” he argued.

Honourable Atiku maintained that the letter of ALGON as an organisation who are loyal to this government is only drawing the attention of the House to look at similar judgement between the past House of Assembly and the past ALGON. According to him the letter that ALGON brought to the House was attached with the previous judgement, reminding the House that the law passed to reduce their tenure elongation from two and half year to two years was passed after all political routine exercises were done and cannot be applicable to them.

“As lawmaking body we are to look at the passed judgements and their letter of request to know whether the law reducing their tenure elongation is applicable to them or those that will be coming after as chairmen.

“So the whole issue is not about tenure elongation, it is about interpretation, we are to carefully look at the past judgements and the stand of our Law, and also look at the period our Law came into existence to know either it corresponds with the timing of 2008 judgement and the time we equally passed our Law. “We are never to make another Law as is being presumed in some quarters, we are to pass a resolution to the executive arm of government if ALGON request is attainable in the eyes of Law to extend their tenure or not based on our interpretation of the previous judgement and the time that our law came to be.

“The law is there, nothing can change it, we can only amend it and we are not ready for amending any law now, it is left for the governor after passing our resolution to extend their tenure or not to extend it,” Hayatu said The House during an investigation on the matter seems to have a common interest of only doing what is required by the provision of the Law in this matter.

The eyes of many are keenly watching to see the way and manner this will be resolved under the leadership of the speaker, Rt Hon Kabiru Mijinyawa who is having a greater majority of the lawmakers support because of his transparent style of leadership.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

My insistence on rule of law made me enemy of many in Lagos APC –Banire The President has declared June 12 as the new Democracy Day and also gave award of the highest honour in the land to the presumed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, but a former Chief Justice, Alfa Belgore has said it was illegal, that such award cannot be given post humorously.

What’s your view?

There is an exception in the law under which the President could act, which I believe he has acted under. That validates his position.

behind the former Edo State governor,Adams Oshiomhole.

Are you comfortable with that, knowing the former Edo State governor to be a hardliner. Do you think that such a man will be of benefit to the APC at this time?

I am optimistic, because for me, you need somebody that is very firm to be in that position to address the challenges of the party and to a large extent as I know him, he knows his onions. That is the kind of person we need.

From Belgore’s position as a former chairman of the national awards committee, he should know, or is that exception explicit in the law? Or is there a provision for the President to use his discretion?

It is a discretionary power they gave to him to dispense with the formality.

There is a rumour that the national leadership has faulted the congresses in 57 local governments and LCDAs in Lagos State and rather opted for the one conducted for 20. What is the true position?

To the best of my knowledge and at the meeting which I attended, truly they faulted it, but they never concluded it, the decision after nullifying it to say that it has been done unconstitutionally, the disposition was then to set up a consultation committee headed by the deputy national chairman North, Senator Lawal Shuaib, to look into political solution of the conflict in Lagos.

And a senator, I don’t know whether jokingly, but said because Abiola is dead he is no longer a Nigerian. How do you react to that?

Ordinarily it would appear sensible really, but the truth of the matter is that there is a provision which says that the President can dispense with all those requirements. So to that extent for me, one can argue conveniently that his action is legal.

Your party the APC recently concluded it’s ward, local government and state congresses, but there were a lot of issues, state parallel congresses here and there. What really is the problem?

It is normal in a contest of that nature that there would be, particularly when there is a misgiving, that those people will constitute the electoral college in the first instance. Then secondly, as a result of the fact that so many preparations that ought to have been placed much earlier were put in place hurriedly. And thirdly, because again the logistics were not sufficient enough to cope with the challenges, so expectedly, there will be such outcome.

But does that validate the fact that there were so many parallel congresses, doesn’t having so many parallel congresses threaten the cohesion within the party?

Certainly, undoubtedly it will.

I know about the dangers and I warned ahead about it personally, it’s not quite surprising to me because it’s something that I’m familiar with and I was sure it will certainly happen.

For the first time in Lagos state, there was a parallel congress and this sort of threatened what I would describe as the command structure in Lagos APC, how does this make you feel?

Well, in 2014 I sowed a seed. I believe that it is the seed that is now germinating that we need to

Banire liberalise the system, make the system transparent. Let people follow the rules of engagement and let the people not work again in an opaque manner and so it gladdens my own heart that we are seeing that now and personally I believe that it is an idea that has come to stay regardless of whether I’m around or not, it will continue to germinate further until proper compliance is achieved.

But from your response, it will seen to validate the rumour that you have a relationship with those behind the parallel executive, especially the chairman of the fractional APC, is that so?

What kind of relationship? I have relationship with all of them.

He is from Surulere Lagos central, I am from Lagos West. So there is no relationship apart from party.

We are colleagues infact I’m closer

“

to the other one. The other one was my colleague in the cabinet.

that it would have worked against them also.

But there is also a rumour that the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is deliberately creating crises in some states, because some of those governors were part of those that opposed the tenure elongation that he had already gotten, do you agree?

Well, in the first instance, there was never a tenure elongation.

What was proposed was setting up of caretaker committee which certainly is a legal proposition.

Then secondly, I am not sure that assertion is correct otherwise Lagos would have been different, so I’m not too sure that is correct.

But someone like the governor of Imo State for instance is shouting blue murder against the chairman and even saying that he would make sure the chairman is jailed after his tenure. So doesn’t it seem to suggest that he is accusing the man?

Of cause he is entitled to accuse him. You know you can accuse each other every day, but my own advocacy consistently is employ the rule of law. Do not go and carry cutlasses or gun or start perpetuating any form of violence.

The courts are there to interpret issues. So that’s the civilised way of resolving conflicts.

Lagos at some point even went to court to challenge the extension That is what I am are saying,

In this wise, looking at this development, are you worried that it could affect the chances of APC in 2019 especially at the national level?

It could generally if we do not address the trend quickly. But my optimism lies in the fact that the incoming chairman is likely to be somebody that is decisive, because at that level, you need somebody that is very decisive and that knows his onion and is ready and ever willing to be firm in his decisions. So if we have that kind of person you quickly arrest the trend and remedy the situation or reverse the ugly trend.

There is a character in government, from the local government, who believes that that is the only way he could make his point to ride me. But unfortunately he doesn’t know that the more he does, the more he popularises not only my philosophies but even my personality, so I enjoy it always, each time they come out, because it raises talks on the public domain and everybody start narrowing it, what is the issue? What is the issue? The issue is about impunity! The man said no! That’s all

”

Talking about incoming chairman, the President has allegedly thrown his weight

So, in other words, the one held in 57 LGA was nullified?

Yes, it was declared unconstitutional. Nobody talked about the factional one because they felt that the best thing will be harmonisation of positions in order not to endanger our future.

Is that to say presently there is no APC executive in Lagos State?

To the best of my knowledge, legally.

The APC in your ward, I think and local government sometime last year allegedly suspended you for ‘Anti party’ activities, but the national threw it aside. But I saw a story that they are working to ensure that the national rectify that suspension. Are you aware of that?

In the first instance, it was not APC in my ward, it was a group of miscreants put together by their godfather that’s all. Secondly it shows they are ignorant. You know they are very ignorant set of people and that shows you that they do not even know what they are doing. If they know what they are doing and what the constitution of the party says, they would know that there is no national leadership other than the NWC and the NWC as far as I know will never consider a situation where such illegality would arise.

And this is a group of people in Lagos State if you recall that said some few years ago during the local government election that they were not bound by the APC constitution, that they do their own things differently. So,

Continue on page 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

11 Politics

My insistence on rule of law...

Continued from page 10 are they waking up now to know that there is a party? That there is a national body? I thought that they said that they are not bound by the national? So that’s for you to see the contradiction in their thoughts. Secondly, again, because of the continuous closure of businesses under one guise or the other in Lagos State, there are so many jobless people, and these people are the people you see they are hatchet men on the street of Lagos and that is where you now have the challenge today because for someone like me, the mistake they are making is that I can tell you for free that even staying in APC executive is a gag on what I could say, my expression, freedom of expression because there is limit to what I could say, and if they also know that I am a person that is firm in my own position and my conviction. I even would wish that I’m even expelled or suspended so that I can go away and have the capacity to express myself further and better.

You see, some of us are not scavengers that want to play to any position. I don’t want any position. I am not a hungry person and as far as I’m concerned the constitution I can continuously say is a burden even on me, it’s a burden. I spent a lot of money.

I do their cases free of charge for them, and I make a lot of sacrifices here and there and so, as far as I’m concerned it will be good riddance.

On your part, you have had issues with Lagos APC overtime, maybe not the party, but with some people within the party and even recently there was the issue that you were having with the Lagos State government over your house in GRA. What really is the problem?

The problem is simple, that we must put an end to impunity.

That is the narrow issue. That is why as far as I’m concerned, those questions they run away from answering, when I make certain allegations about the illegality of the congresses, rather than them responding to it and debating it if they have superior argument, they will always take to the streets, go and get touts together to mobilise and I have told them that they will consistently have to make it a weekly thing now, because every week I will grant interviews now, so each interview I grant, they must mobilise them to the streets again which of course they assist me and I commend them and I thank them for popularising my idea and my messages and also popularising myself, so it’s a good development for me. The only problem I have with them is the question of impunity.

I’m a lawyer. I believe in the rule of law. I do not believe in the rule of man. So to that extent, anything not done in a transparent manner and in accordance with the rule of law I will oppose it. And as I oppose, you know the scavengers

in the corridors of power they will send them out there to go and abuse and abuse. Just look at whenever they talk, I think by this stage, particularly in Lagos State, we should be civilized enough to engage each other in debates. When I raise my issues, you should come out, defend your position. Do not recourse to abuses, but even if you do, it’s for me not to degenerate to your level. I will never engage anybody at that level. I will engage you at an intellectual level.

But there is concern that these issues between you and some people is basically between you and Asiwaju Tinubu, because he seems to be the de-facto leader in Lagos State who more or less decides many things and you are opposed to that. You worked with him for a long time. So when did you fall out?

Well, I do not agree with you in the first instance that there is a matter between myself and Asiwaju Tinubu, because certainly it’s just an attempt to blur the issue that has brought us to that level, because I deal with the institution.

I don’t deal with the individual. I quarrel with the institution if the institution fails. I don’t quarrel with individuals, it’s nothing personal.

So for me as far as I’m concerned, we have no issues between us, but I have my quarrel with the system that is opaque, simple.

But that system is a system where he calls the shot.

You see, simple! It’s like saying the President calls the shot at the national level. I don’t believe so, because if the President tells me now for example as the national leader, go and write a wrong legal opinion, will I go and write it. Of course I will tell Mr. President, No! That cannot be correct. So the same manner is my expectations of the officials. But in most cases, I also want to believe that some of them are just being dodgy. It’s not the instruction that they get that they work on.

If I may ask, how is your relationship with Asiwaju?

I’ve just said that. I said as far as I’m concerned, It’s normal, very normal. We had dinner together less than a month ago.

These people, the job men within the party, are they aware that you have a good relationship with him? Because I realise that at anytime you make a statement that they perceive is not favourable to him, they go on the streets, perhaps on their own, wanting to seek relevance Well, I can tell you for free that he is not the person propelling it.

There is a character in government, from the local government, who believes that that is the only way he could make his point to ride me. But unfortunately he doesn’t know that the more he does, the more he popularises not only my philosophies but even my personality, so I enjoy it always,

person. Do you think you are really cut out to be in leadership in a political party or just an independent person?

Honestly, I challenge myself too in that regard. I’m not too sure. Me too I challenge myself that do I really fit into this kind of environment where people are not disposed towards the truth.

I was reading Okonjo Iweala’s book ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous’ and I discovered that the same question she asked herself in that book and I’ve asked myself severally too and I discovered, she rightly concluded that we can’t leave this thing to these characters.

They will destroy the entire system. We have to continuously challenge them. Particularly when you recall what the philosopher said that “All it takes for a nation to decay is for good people to keep quiet”. We must never keep quiet. It’s dangerous. I agree, very dangerous. A lot of threats to me, to my properties, to my associates, everything, but God is on the throne.

Banire

each time they come out, because it raises talks on the public domain and everybody start narrowing it, what is the issue? What is the issue? The issue is about impunity!

The man said no! That’s all.

In 2019, a lot of things will happen. Do you have political ambition for 2019?

I don’t have at all. I’ve never had, and I don’t have. They only speculate. I’ve always challenged them that let one person come out and say I sat him down to say I want to be governor. Some of us are not cut out for it. You see, the problem is, these people like I told you, people without alternative contact address. All they think about in their life is government, government, government. No! Some of us are not even cut out for it. We are not even willing, we are not anxious. We don’t want to be there at all. But every year, it’s a seasonal thing. Each time election comes, they say he wants to be governor. Those people who want to be governor will be out soon I can tell you. They will see them and I will see what they will do to them.

The issue you had with the government about your house in GRA, has it been resolved?

It’s my mother’s house. My mother, fortunately, I am privileged to have highly successful siblings.

I’m number four. My first born has a PhD in environmental sciences, he is one of the best consultant. So I’m one of the least.

So what’s the situation with the house?

We are in court.

Are you again running for the office of National Legal Adviser?

I’m not running. For me in the first instance to be able to express myself better I need to be out of that system. Secondly, it’s a continuous burden on me. Thirdly I want to believe, I’m not sure, but I suspect that I might be the longest serving National Legal Adviser in Nigeria now, from ACN till date, it’s about 7 years now and I think it is honourable to go do something else, let somebody else deal with it.

So I’m not inclined at all.

You are a very opinionated

“

For me in the first instance to be able to express myself better I need to be out of that system. Secondly, it’s a continuous burden on me. Thirdly I want to believe, I’m not sure, but I suspect that I might be the longest serving National Legal Adviser in Nigeria now, from ACN till date, it’s about 7 years now and I think it is honourable to go do something else, let somebody else deal with it. So I’m not inclined at all.

”

Talking about corruption, when this government came in, corruption was one of the planks on which they stood. How would you rate the fight against corruption, viz-a-viz the number of convictions they’ve been able to have, and the number of recoveries. Do you think we are on the right track or have they done enough?

Well, I think they are trying their best. The only challenge I know they have, particularly when it comes to prosecution and conviction is that they do not have the top fliers in terms of legal practitioners or prosecutors. So that area, they need to beef up But it could be as you have said that financially they are handicapped.

And that is why they must appropriate more money to them.

The National Assembly is having issues, how do we resolve these issues? You are aware that at the National Assembly level, if anybody says anything that is not in line with what the leadership wants, he is suspended. So members are scared, if I may use that word, to really stand up, what do you think should be done?

We must not personalise all these things. That has been my position. We must be dealing with institutions. The fight doesn’t have to be from outside. It can be from inside. We must never give up about any system that has to do with Nigeria anywhere. You must follow your conviction. Gani Fawehinmi said this severally to us that even if we are standing alone, we must always stand for the truth.

We don’t have to realise this thing in your lifetime. That’s the way I see change. But somebody must just trigger it or initiate it. It can be the next two decade, three decade I don’t care. Somebody must trigger it to say this is alright.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Group decries call for INEC chairman’s removal A civil society organisation, the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, has said that the call for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, by the Southern and MiddleBelt Leaders Forum, is an attempt to undermine the electoral process.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Chima Amadi, said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum had called for the removal of Yakubu, because according to them, there are accumulated indications that he might rig the 2019 election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amadi therefore said that as stakeholders in the electoral process, they saw the call as “the growing attempts by ethnic entrepreneurs to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“We also see it as an attempt to diminish the democratic gains our country has made since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“If there are accumulated indications, they point to those successful governorship elections conducted in Bayelsa and Rivers by the selfsame Professor Mahmood Yakubu and won by the opposition parties.

“The Anambra governorship election is still fresh in our minds in which the candidate of the ruling party lost in every local government area to the extent that even the Ohaneze commended INEC for its transparency in conducting the election.

“The same INEC, two weeks after, successfully concluded the Anambra Central Senatorial District election after staying the course in a protracted legal battle,” he said.

The executive director further explained that Yakubu, being of “the same ethnic stock” with Buhari did not make him any less qualified or incapable of discharging the electoral and constitutional functions of his

INEC boss, Yakubu office.

“This call gladdens our hearts on one hand that the call was not based on competence; they did not say he had committed an infraction against the electoral law and laws of our land.

“Neither did they say he was not qualified to be the chairman of INEC, but that he comes from the region of the country that is the same region with the President.

“It is interesting that this same group was at work on the eve of the 2015 general election when they called for the sack and arrest of the then INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

“They are doing the same as the 2019 general election approaches. It is their stock-in-trade on behalf of their sponsors,” Amadi said.

Also speaking, the President, Public Interest Lawyers League, Mr Aminu Mahmud, described the call

as “intriguingly worrying”.

“For these leaders to come out and pose ethnicity, I think they are posing flash points for an election where the first ballot has not been cast,” he said.

Similarly, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the call was “meaningless”.

He said the call was meaningless because it could not be acted upon.

“INEC has closed the opportunity for gatekeepers and there is a reaction.

I have continued to say that elections have gotten better and better, let’s not make that mistake.

“Things are getting better; violence in our elections is reducing; the process is getting more and more transparent,” Nwagwu said.

He said that the introduction of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the card readers was the game changer.

Ohakim is a saint compared to you – Ex-governor’s aide replies Okorocha A former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim has described Governor Rochas Okorocha as a ‘liar’, while revealing why he lost the 2015 governorship election in the state.

The former governor, who was reacting to Okorocha’s claim that Imo people hated him and kicked him (Ohakim) out of office, said the governor had lost credibility.

Okorocha had also claimed that Ohakim ran the worst government in the state right from the military regime.

But Ohakim, reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Collins Ughalla, said Okorocha does not like the truth, adding that Imo people like him so much.

According to him, “Okorocha does

not like the truth. Going by the 2011 governorship election, Imo people loved Ohakim, so much. They voted for him [Ohakim] and he won that election.

“Don’t forget that the election was militarised. It also witnessed the kidnapping of the returning officer from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government, which had 34,000 votes.

“Don’t forget Ohaji/Egbema, remains a PDP stronghold and the votes were Ohakim’s votes. The votes from Oguta LGA, remains inconclusive.

“They did not allow it to be counted.

If you put all these together, you will find out that Imo people did not reject Ohakim. Today, Imo people now know that Ohakim is a saint compared to Okorocha.”

Ohakim

Southern Kaduna youths accuse el-Rufai of sowing seeds of discord in state The Youth wing of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has urged the Federal Government, the international community and other stakeholders to call Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai to order and to stop him from sowing seeds of discord among the people by the conversion of some chiefdoms to Emirate councils in Southern Kaduna.

Nasiru Jagaba, leader, SOKAPU Youth Wing, while addressing newsmen in Kaduna Thursday said, “We are calling on all well-meaning individuals, corporate groups, other state governments, the Federal Government and the international community to call el-Rufai to order.

He should not be allowed to sow seeds of conflicts that will outlive his unfortunate government.

“It could be recalled that last month, on his Twitter handle, ElRufai twitted a lie that the Chiefs of Kauru, Kagarko, Kajuru and Lere all in Southern Kaduna had requested for a change of their royal titles (nomenclature) to ‘Emirs’ in which he promptly granted.

“His revelation created anger and tension not only in the affected areas, but the entire Southern Kaduna. Somehow, people showed restrain in the typical peaceful and tolerant nature of our people.

“El-Rufai who has since crumbled politically, socially and has economically destroyed Kaduna State, is now gambling with religion to appease the Muslims, most of whom have long concluded on him as a total failure.

“The governor, who has not initiated and completed one single viable project in the past three years, is trying to sow conflict between Muslims and Christians as a means of distracting attention from his humongous failures.

“El-Rufai does not only nurse a pathological hatred for Southern Kaduna, his present action shows that he cares even little if Kaduna State burns, as long as he hoists his hate policies over us.”

The youths noted that by implication, every Christian and all non-Muslims in the affected new Emirates will come under the customs and tradition of Islamic rule.

“It has now become impossible for anyone among the majority of the population of the new emirates to aspire to the stool, unless they convert to Islam.

“The governor is desperately doing everything within and outside his powers to denigrate our history, culture and tradition by imposing Islamic enclaves in these areas. This is to create a deceptive narration that Muslims are indeed the owners of these lands.

“By this development, the governor is assisting the new Emirs to go into land grabbing and motivate unplanned immigration of Muslims to settle on the lands to strengthened the new emirates,” the youth lamented.

They explained, “Anytime the governor is not downgrading the population of Southern Kaduna from 51 per cent of the population of the state (according to the 2006 Census) to 30 per cent, he is bent on seeing that the highest mass of sacked workers under his grim regime are from Southern Kaduna.

“Governor Nasir el-Rufai has not only tried to destroy tertiary education in Southern Kaduna by shutting down every of the tertiary institutions there for nearly a year for no just cause, he also imposed a punishing 24-hour curfew for weeks over some parts of Southern Kaduna with the purpose of destroying us economically, all in 2016. Yet, under that period, the affected areas had come under the siege of his Fulani kinsmen.

“His diabolical hate for Southern Kaduna is not only reflected in the complete absence of any serious project in the area, but demonstrated in his latest dangerous elevation of four chiefs to Emirs, thus creating of new Emirates over these chiefdoms in Southern Kaduna whose communities are essentially non-Muslims.

“Instead of heeding to wise counsel to withdraw the idea, a letter dated 30 May, 2018 signed

by Adamu M. Mansur, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs confirmed that the Chief of Kauru, Kauru LGA had indeed been upgraded from a Chief to a Muslim religious ruler and had become Emir. This was without any sort of consultation with our people.

“To spite us further, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Prof. Kabiru Mato, issued a statement affirming the belligerent position of the governor by insisting that the Chiefs of Kagarko, Kajuru, Kauru and Lere chiefdoms requested for a change of nomenclature and was approved. In other words, these Chiefdoms have automatically become Emirates.

“Yet, Apart from the unending curse of armed herdsmen plundering and killing our people in Southern Kaduna; the unprecedented neglect of the place under the present government, the issue of change of status of the four chiefdoms have never been a source of concern at any time to our people.

“Anyone who has the most rudimentary information of Southern Kaduna will first and foremost affirm that the four LGAs so affected are overwhelming Christians with sprinkling of Muslims settlements in some semi-urban areas. Even at that, these settlements such as Kauru, Kagarko, Kajuru and Lere stand like tiny islands in a sea of Christian communities.

“In the hundreds of years of Islamic history in Northern Nigeria, no local government area of Southern Kaduna has ever been traditionally Islamic. Not even by 10 per cent,” they said.

TIMES SPORTS

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Nigeria to present 21 athletes at ECOWAS U-20 Athletics Championship

Woods fires eight-over 78, worst ever US Open score

World Cup:

Expectations as Nigeria lock horns with Croatia

Ronaldo accepts 2 years in prison, 18.8 million euro fine in tax case Emmanuel Amuneke grateful to FIFA for World Cup Technical Study Group role

FIFA World Cup (Friday, June 15)

Group A Egypt 0 - 1 Uruguay Group B Morocco 0 - 1 Iran Portugal 3 - 3 Spain

Ex-NFF director cautions Coach Rohr on tactics, formation

World Cup: Lagos provides insurance cover at viewing centres

Times Sports 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

John Ogu says he’s happy to play anywhere for Super Eagles to win at World Cup John Ogu has said he will be happy to fight and work hard at any position he is played for the Super Eagles to win at the World Cup.

RUSSIA 2018 SUPER EAGLES UPDATES!

Israel-based Ogu has played at both defensive midfield and central defence for the Eagles in friendlies leading up to the World Cup.

“Any position the Manager wants me to play, I will fight and work hard as long as it is to win for my country!!” Ogu stated in a tweet.

The 29-year-old Ogu made his Eagles debut in 2013, but he did not make the final cut for Brazil 2014.

In November, he scored his first goal for the team in a dead-rubber World Cup qualifier in Algeria.

World Cup: Ex-NFF director cautions Coach Rohr on tactics, formation

He has said he hopes his performance in Russia will earn him “a dream transfer” to England after he won the Israeli league championship for the past three seasons with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Tunde Disu, on Friday in Lagos, warned Super Eagles Coach, Genort Rohr, on tactics and formation during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Disu gave this warning while speaking with the reporters just as the Super Eagles warm up to play their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Kaliningrad against Croatia on Saturday, He described the result of the team friendly matches as not too encouraging, but explained that the team could still spring surprises.

Disu advised the Eagles’ gaffer to be wary of the tactics and formations

to be adopted for the matches, adding that some formation might not bring out the desired results.

“The results have not been encouraging in this your World Cup friendlies; the 4-3-3 formation has not been yielding good results.

“Rohr can as well consider adding 4-4-2 to his formation, whereby he will have four manning the back, two defensive midfield, Mikel and Ndidi, two outside midfield, Iwobi and Moses, two strikers, Ighalo and Ihenacho.

“Maybe, John Ogu can also come as substitute, I think Ighalo cannot do the job alone in the front,” he said.

Disu said that the other

formations might be foreign to the Eagles, hence the need for an adaptable formation.

“The 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation has not been mastered properly by the players, which was glaring in the last friendly game played.

“This is my tactical analysis to the Assistant Coach Salisu, who once worked under me.

“The coach should also allow Kelechi Iheanacho takes our free kicks both from left and centre while Moses can take the one from the right side,” he said.

NAN reports that the Eagles are in Group D alongside Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.

World Cup: Finidi George tasks Super Eagles

World Cup: Expectations as Croatia take on Nigeria Expectations are high as Nigeria and indeed Africa are looking up to the Super Eagles as they take on Croatia in their opening Group D match on Saturday.

So far the African representatives at the World Cup, Egypt and Morocco have failed to win their opening matches played on Friday.

Former World Cup semi-finalists Croatia take on African powerhouse Nigeria in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on Saturday in their opening Group D match that may prove a test of the organisers’ antiracism drive.

It is 20 years since Croatia surged to the final four at France ’98 with a resounding quarter-final win over favourites Germany, and fans will be buoyed by a squad brimming with

attacking talent.

Nigeria, long one of African football’s underachievers, boast several players with English Premier League pedigree, and will hope they can secure only their second win in their last 12 World Cup matches.

The stage for Saturday’s clash is Kaliningrad, a thickly forested outpost of Russia wedged between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea — a potentially challenging location for some fans to reach.

FIFA’s official site showed tickets still available 24 hours before kick-off.

Saturday will also prove a crucial test for FIFA’s anti-discrimination drive, with tension running high in the buildup to the tournament over a spate of recent incidents.

Racism has plagued Russian

football since clubs began purchasing foreign players after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Russia’s football federation was last month slapped with a 25,000-euro fine after racist chants from supporters during a friendly against France.

FIFA has instituted a three-strikes policy against any racist abuse from fans across the tournament, threatening to abandon matches if supporters ignore a stadium speaker announcement and then a pause in play.

Nigeria’s Dutch-born defender William Troost-Ekong told Britain’s The Guardian newspaper last month that the players would react as one to any abuse.

Croatia, appearing at their fifth World Cup, boast a host of world-class

talent, including Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic of Juventus.

The Balkan nation lost 2-0 to Brazil in a friendly in the run-up to the tournament that marked Neymar’s return to international football, before a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Senegal on June 9.

Nigeria lost 2-1 to England at Wembley and fell to a turgid 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic to leave their German coach Gernot Rohr plenty of selection headaches, particularly in attack.

The Super Eagles are this World Cup’s youngest squad, and several Premier League regulars, including Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester’s Wilfried Ndidi and Victor Moses of Chelsea will be crucial.

Ex-international Finidi George has advised the Super Eagles players to play as a team if they are to make any appreciable impact at the World Cup in Russia.

Finidi, who played at the 1994 World Cup, where he scored in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Greece said on Channels Television sports programme that the Super Eagles must be wary of the Croatian team but advised them to build a united spirit. ”We have to play as a unit; we are not doing that now. When they go in the attack, it takes them too long to get back, if you don’t do that you will always have a lot of space in the middle and you don’t want to do that against Croatia with Modric, Kovačić and Rakitić. ”These guys are playing top football, you just have to make sure you have a good grip of the midfield, with that we have a chance,” he added.

Ogenyi Onazi: Croatia clash is Super Eagles World Cup final Ogenyi Onazi has said Super Eagles opening’s World Cup Group D match against Croatia tomorrow is the team’s World Cup final.

Nigeria tackles the starstudded Croats Saturday night by 8pm Nigerian time in Kaliningrad.

“This is the most important game we will play at the World Cup

because we wish to take it a game at a time,” the Trabzonspor midfielder said.

“Also, the first game in any tournament is very important as it will most likely determine how far you can go.

“We are the youngest team but these young boys are ready to make a big difference here.”

Onazi is one of only five players on the current Eagles squad who featured at the last World Cup, but he maintained the target is to at least go past the Round of 16 they achieved four years ago in Brazil.

“We want to go past the Round of 16 and afterwards we will see what happens,” he said.

Finidi

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

15 Times Sports

RU SSIA 2 0 1 8 W O R L D !

Brazil’s Michel Temer wishes Super Eagles goodluck President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Michel Temer, has expressed his best wishes for the Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian President’s heartfelt wishes for the Super Eagles was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Sarah Sanda, media aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, when the Brazilian President received Onyeama during a courtesy call in Brazil as part of activities during the Minister’s working visit to Brazil.

The statement of support by Brazil’s President Temer, came as Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare to kick off the Russia 2018 World Cup on Saturday, with a match against

Croatia.

The Super Eagles are also grouped against Brazil’s fierce South American rivals, Argentina. Both South American football giants and former World Cup champions are ranked among the favourites to win the tournament.

Super Eagles fans can easily recall one of the golden moments of the Nigerian football at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games when both countries were shockingly beaten by the Nigerian team to emerge Olympic Champion.

Sanda said the Minister’s weeklong trip to Brazil was aimed at strengthening the long standing cordial political, economic and socio-cultural relations between Nigeria and Brazil.

The visit, she added, was also aimed at exploring new areas of mutually-beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil.

“At the audience granted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President of Brazil, stressed the importance of the historic warm relations between both countries, which has been enhanced by the visit of Nigeria’s Foreign Minister to Brazil.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the fraternal greetings of President Muhammadu Buhari to his Brazilian counterpart, President Michel Temer of Brazil, and President Buhari’s optimism of stronger Nigeria-Brazil collaboration in the coming years,” the statement read.

Victor Moses: We must not lose to Croatia Chelsea star Victor Moses has warned his Super Eagles teammates that they cannot afford to lose their World Cup opener against Croatia on Saturday, as the game might be their most defining one in the tournament.

Moses started the Super Eagles friendlies to Serbia, England and Czech Republic, which they lost, and the winger is determined not to let that happen again when they face the Balkans. ”This game is very important to us because it is very important to start winning, good result,” Moses told Croatian media

Sportske Novosti. ”You have a particularly strong line and attack, the most important for us to be concentrated, then we can beat Croatia. ”The most important thing is to not lose this first game because they are sometimes the most important to qualify from the group. Croatia can beat anyone, but Nigeria can beat Croatia.

We’ll have to make it as a team.”

Nigeria have not won their last three opening games at the World Cup, losing 1-0 to Argentina in 2002 and 2010, and playing out a goalless draw with Iran four years ago.

World Cup: France coach eases injury fears, hails Griezmann decision France coach, Didier Deschamps, has eased fears that injury might end right back, Djibril Sidibe’s World Cup before commencement.

Sidibe’s injured knee was the worst of a few knocks sustained

by France players during preparations for Saturday’s match but Deschamps said everyone in the squad was fit to face Australia at the Kazan Arena.

“All 23 players are available,” the coach told reporters on Friday.

“Djibril Sidibe was injured in his last match and his knee reacted. We have had to manage it with the medical staff but he’s here today; he’s here with us.

“I will pick what is the best team for France to start the match; not so much for the opponent but to be dangerous for our opponents, create opportunities and score.”

Deschamps said striker Olivier Giroud had had stitches to a head wound but would be able to play with protection, if selected.

Almost certain to start up front is Antoine Griezmann,

who used a TV documentary on Thursday to announce that he would be rejecting the advances of Barcelona and staying with Atletico Madrid next season.

The coach, however, welcomed the striker’s decision to clear up his club future ahead of their tournament opener.

“This shows two things, firstly, his loyalty and commitment to Atletico Madrid.

“But, most importantly for us, he has cleared his mind ahead of the World Cup and it’s certainly a very good thing for us,” he said.

Deschamps laughed off criticism of the way Griezmann announced the news through a documentary called “The Decision”.

He joked that he had held the camera, while France captain, Hugo Lloris, said the striker had come in for some ribbing.

“We took it to the second degree, we laughed,” said Lloris.

“The most important thing is that he feels liberated.”

He dismissed the idea that the relative youth of his squad for the tournament was a “risk”.

Deschamps said he was not

ignoring the potential threat of an Australia team that had changed its style since Bert van Marwijk took over in March.

“The players are the same but the team has offensive potential.

“They don’t play long balls. They try to play on the ground, they go to the sides; they go forward. It is well organised and they are highly disciplined … there

is quality,” he said.

Deschamps said the fact that France had only got out of the pool stage twice since he helped them win the World Cup in 1998 was an indication of how tough a task it was.

He, however, feels his squad was up for the challenge.

“We’re going to bite into it with all our teeth like it was a good apple,” he stated.

World Cup: Nervy Argentina seek Messi magic against Iceland

Lionel Messi’s

Argentina aim to put a shambolic World Cup build-up behind them and make a statement in their opening match against tournament debutants Iceland on Saturday.

The two-time champions arrived in Russia dogged by poor form, injuries and controversy.

But Messi is a man on a mission as he chases his first World Cup winner’s medal and will not tolerate complacency against the minnows at Moscow’s Spartak stadium.

“Iceland showed they could compete with anyone at the last Euros,” he said, referring to their giant-killing run at the 2016 European Championship in France.

Messi was devastated by Argentina’s loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, with the agony compounded by back-toback Copa America defeats to Chile in 2015 and 2016.

Despite his achievements with Barcelona, the five-time world player of the year is yet to win a major international tournament and time is running out as his 31st birthday looms.

He briefly retired from international football after the 2016 Copa America and has hinted he will do so permanently if the campaign in Russia ends in failure.

The Group D clash pits an Argentine side that critics say is too focused on superstar Messi against a band of grafters who pride themselves on teamwork.

On paper, the South Americans should have little trouble disposing of Iceland, an island nation of 330,000 that is the smallest country to ever reach the finals.

But the Icelanders revel in their underdog status and showed at Euro 2016 they will not be cowed on the big stage.

– Messi ‘can carry team’ – Spurred on by their fans’

thunderous “Viking clap”, they earned a 1-1 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal then famously dumped out England to reach the quarter-finals.

“We kept Ronaldo quite quiet so hopefully we can do the same against Messi,” said Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

“We know we’re probably going to be defending for a lot of the time and obviously he’s one of the best players in the world and he can turn it on.”

Iceland, ranked 17 places behind Argentina at 22nd in the world, topped their group in European qualifying with comfortable wins over Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey.

Argentina reserve goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman said the squad would do everything in their power to give Messi the success he craves but they are expecting a tight match against Iceland.

“We must show patience and move the ball around to try and find space, and look to get in behind with speed,” said Guzman, who plays for Mexican club Tigres.

“It will be a very tight game in which we’ll also have to control our nerves.”

Argentina only made it to the finals courtesy of a Messi hattrick in their final qualifier against Ecuador.

Subsequent friendlies have given cause for concern — there was a 4-2 loss to Nigeria in November and a 6-1 humiliation by Spain in March, although Messi did not play in either match.

Argentina’s final warm-up against Israel in Jerusalem was cancelled after protests from Palestinians, miring the team in controversy and leaving players short of match practice.

To further compound their problems, goalkeeper Sergio Romero and midfielder Manuel Lanzini both fell victim to late injuries.

Accusing Argentina of overreliance on Messi may seem unfair to a team boasting the sharp attacking talents of Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain but it is a view coach Jorge Sampaoli himself has expressed.

“He can carry the team on his shoulders,” Sampaoli said of the player who scored 45 goals in 54 games for Barcelona this season.

“This is going to be his team.”

Times Sports 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Hotels - L e i s u r e - TREASURES SUITES & CONFERENCES

Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opp Federal High Court, Abuja HOTEL INFORMATION With facilities uniquely designed to cater to guests comfort at every level, Treasure Suites is located at Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opposite Federal High Court, Abuja, Nigeria. It boasts business related amenities such as a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.

It features 45 rooms categorised into Suite, King Suite and Deluxe Single Room. All rooms provide conveniences such as airconditioning units, refrigerator, coffee/tea making facilities, flat screen TV with satellite reception, sofas, free bottled water, in-room safe, hair dryer, desk and a private with shower and free toiletries. Some of these rooms also have a balcony.

Complimentary breakfast is served daily between 8 AM and 11 AM. Alongside the swimming pool with pool umbrellas and sun loungers, the hotel also has a fitness centre/gym where guests can engage in workout sessions. The on-site restaurant specialises in local and continental delicious cuisine and the bar serves a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which guests can enjoy and unwind at the lounge. Free Wi-Fi and self-parking are also available at the hotel which has a tight security network. It boasts business related amenities such as a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.

Cubana Suites

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja

20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja

23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II

HOTEL INFORMATION Cubana Suites, located at 20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria, is a 3-Star hotel that overlooks Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Golf Course.

HOTEL INFORMATION Barcelona Hotels, Abuja is a 4-Star hotel located at No 23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. It is situated in the heart of town and enjoys proximity to a number of public and private owned institutions.

Cubana Suites offers rooms with modern interior decor. The rooms are equipped with tile flooring, an air conditioner, work desk, telephone, flat screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, armchairs, balcony with a view of the pool and an en-suite bathroom with toilet paper, towels and linen provided free. Categories of rooms available are Cubana Classic, Superior Deluxe, Executive Deluxe and Supreme Deluxe. It offers complimentary breakfast with an option of room service.

Continental food options are offered at the restaurant while a wide variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks can be ordered at the bar on-site. A swimming pool is also available on the premises.

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja offers a number of spacious and tastefully designed rooms which come in the categories: Standard, Superior, Executive, Executive Twin, Diplomatic, Ambassadorial, Ministerial, Barcelona, Senatorial and a Presidential Suite. Each of these rooms comes with top quality facilities such as flat-screen television with a full cable subscription, sofas, luxurious bed, wireless internet connection, luggage storage and en-suite bathroom with shower facilities.

Barcelona Hotels Abuja also offers guests banquet, event and conference halls; a rooftop sit-out with a breathtaking view of the environs; a restaurant that offers a wide range of tasty dishes plus continental breakfast; an adequate parking space; a 24-hour power supply; gym facilities; a swimming pool and guaranteed security.

Additional services rendered by the hotel on request include concierge, laundry/dry cleaning, currency exchange, express checkin/check-out, car hire, room service for limited hours, luggage storage and airport shuttle.

Cubana Suites also offers services such as 24-hour front desk, 24 hours power supply, concierge service, luggage storage, cleaning services, daily maid service, ironing service, dry cleaning/laundry service, a meeting/ banquet facility and round-the-clock security.

A cache of extra services are also available to guests and these include: an elevator, a business centre, sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services, car hire services, airport pickup, daily newspaper delivery, housekeeping, valet service, room service, lawn tennis facilities, concierge, spa, Chinese cuisines, ballroom and casino.

Interesting Places to Visit near Treasure Suites Federal High Court (1.1 km) Harrow Park (1.8 km) Turf Arena (1.5 km) Durban Neighbourhood Park (0.95 km) Silverbird Cinemas (2.0 km) DHL Express (1.8 km) The nearest airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, is only 37 minutes away.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Cubana Suites Millennium Park (4.5 km) Silverbird Cinemas (5.5 km) National Mosque Abuja (5.0 km) IBB Golf Course (7.5 km) Aso Rock (7.6 km)

Places Of Interest Near Barcelona Hotels Abuja Berger flyover Federal Ministry of Finance GSM village NAFDAC Wuse market

Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 09:00 am Check-Out: Until 12:00 pm Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: Children are permitted to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, and Cash Payments only.

Terms and Conditions Check in: from 12:00pm (Identification required) Check out: from 12:00pm Pets: not allowed Payment: Cash, Cards Smoking: In designated areas.

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer free Wi-Fi? A: Treasure Suites offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a swimming pool?

A: There is a swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

A: Treasure Suites offers its checked-in guests complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Treasure Suites? What type of equipment are available?

A: Yes. A modern and well-equipped gym is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Treasure Suites.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Treasure Suites?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are 12:00 PM and 12:00 PM respectively.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer shuttle services?

A: Treasure Suites renders airport shuttle service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer car hire services?

A: Treasure Suites renders car hire service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites allow pets?

A: Pets are not allowed at Treasure Suites.

TREASURES SUITES is a top-class hotel in Wuse, Abuja

Grand Cubana Hotel No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Grand Cubana Hotel offers a budget friendly accommodation in a very scenic environment at No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. It is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers.

All rooms are fully air-conditioned and fitted with king-sized beds, flat screen TV sets with satellite reception, wardrobes, refrigerators and an en-suite bathroom. These rooms can be categorised into Alcove, Standard Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, Executive Deluxe, Business Royal, Ambassadorial, Grand and Presidential Suites.

Grand Cubana Hotel has 24hours electricity and room service is available on request. The bar and restaurant provide guests with a variety of meals and drinks. The event hall is fully equipped and appropriate for social and corporate gathering; an outdoor pool and a fitness centre are available on-site. Parking is free and security is guaranteed.

Grand Cubana Hotel has a business centre and offers additional services such as laundry/dry cleaning, concierge, luggage storage, airport pickup and car hire.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Grand Cubana Hotel Utako Motor Park (0.7km) Patsy Plaza (0.35km) O’neal Centre (1.1km) Rock of Ages Mall (2.6km) Terms and Conditions Check In: From 3:00 PM Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Grand Cubana Hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all checked in guests.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Grand Cubana Hotel? What type of equipment are available?

A: A gym is not available at the hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Grand Cubana Hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Grand Cubana Hotel is a budget hotel in Jabi, Abuja

FAQs

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi to guests.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a swimming pool?

A: Yes. It has a swimming pool.

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Cubana Suites?

A: Yes. It has a fitness centre/gym.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have on-site parking? Is it free?

A: Yes. It is free.

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: No. It does not offer airport pick-up/ shuttle services.

Q: Does Cubana Suites allow smoking in rooms?

A: No. It disallows smoking in rooms.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have an event centre/conference rooms?

A: Yes, It has an event centre.

Q: Does Cubana Suites accept cash, cheques, cards and bank transfers?

A: It accepts cards and cash.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have hair dryers?

A: No. It does not provide hair dryers.

Cubana Suites is a top-class hotel in Maitama, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Sandralia Hotel is a high-class hotel in Abuja offering a mixture of luxury, elegance and comfort.

This hotel offers free Wi-Fi, adequate parking space and it’s situated at 1, Solomon Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.

L a r

Way,

Sandralia Hotel gives guests the opportunity to experience the Piano Lounge. The Piano Lounge is a trendy and stylish bar offering an eclectic and original cocktails and drinks list with an accompanying menu of light bites. You can listen to beautiful Nigerian and international music every Monday to Friday from 9:00 PM to 1:30 AM performed by the hotel’s in-house band.

The conference rooms and facilities can accommodate any business or social event, from an intimate luncheon or a sumptuous reception to an executive meeting, with space to accommodate up to 300 persons for meetings and receptions. The restaurant offers a wide variety of a la carte and buffet services for both African and international cuisine at affordable prices. Furthermore, highly trained professional staffs are always on ground to give guests the best of hospitality services. The hotel also features a well-equipped gym for guests who fancy workout and body fitness exercises, a swimming pool for guests to take a relaxing dip in. An outdoor tennis court and playground are available on-site.

Additional services such as airport shuttle, laundry/dry cleaning, car hire, 24-hour room service, ironing and concierge, can be rendered by the hotel on request.

Q: Is there a swimming pool at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: There is an availability of an outdoor pool for guests to utilise at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

Q: Are there fitness facilities at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: There are fitness facilities plus a well-equipped gym at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

Q: Is there an internet facility at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi in each room category.

HOTEL INFORMATION The Missouri Hotel is located at No 8, Missouri Street, off Colorado close Minister’s Hill., Abuja, Nigeria. It is one of the luxury hotels in Abuja with its dynamic blend of artistry and elegance. The staff guarantee a warm reception. The Missouri Hotel is close to Millennium Park and National Mosque, Abuja. It is an 11-minute drive from Shoprite and 38 minutes from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

All the rooms at The Missouri are uniquely and stylishly designed to the guests taste. Each room is air-conditioned, fitted with an ornate Persian rug, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, armchairs, sofa and an en-suite bathroom. Tea/Coffee facilities are available in the rooms.

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available to all guests. A variety of dishes with buffet options and drinks can be ordered at the on-site restaurant and outdoor bar. Special diet menu is available on request. The dining room is available.

The Missouri Hotel has a beautiful garden where guests can relax. The hotel offers airport shuttle at an extra charge. Dry cleaning, room service, 24 hours front desk service and car hire services are rendered. There are designated smoking areas. Concierge services are rendered.

Interesting Places to visit near The Missouri Hotel Millenium Park (11 min) Shoprite (13 min) Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (38 min) National Mosque (12 min) National Stadium (13 min)

Interesting Places to Visit near Sandralia Hotel National Mosque (11.7 km) Magic Land (16.3 km) Abuja Stadium (10.9 km) National Hospital (9.9 km) Federal Secretariat (10.2 km) Millennium Park (10.8 km) The Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport is only 10 minutes away.

Terms and Conditions Check in - From 12:00 pm (ID required) Check out - By 12:00 pm Payment - Cash, MasterCard, Visa accepted Cancellation - Cancellation policies vary with room type.

Pets - Not Allowed Children - Babies and Kids under 10 stay free.

Please note that non-refundable rates can only be booked via card prepayments and reservations made on these rates cannot be refunded.

Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 2:00 PM (ID Required) Check-Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children not older than 2 are allowed to stay free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Barcelona Hotels Abuja offer shuttle services?

A: Yes. It offers such services.

8, Missouri street, off Colorado close Minister’s Hill.

It is equipped with 102 tastefully furnished rooms categorised into Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Executive Room and Suites. These rooms are designed with modern in-room amenities such as premium beddings, air-conditioning units, tea/coffee making facilities, flat screen TV with satellite channels, mini bar, work desks, plush sofas, ornate lampshades and an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Sandralia Hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: There is a standard outdoor swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Sandralia Hotel? What type of equipment are available?

A: Yes. A modern and well-equipped gym is available at the hotel.

FAQs Q: Is there an event hall at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: Yes, there is a well-equipped and spacious event hall at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

The Missouri Hotel

No 1. Solomon Lar way, Jabi

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Sandralia Hotel.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Sandralia Hotel?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are between 2:00 PM and 12:00 PM. Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer shuttle services?

A: Sandralia Hotel provides an airport shuttle on request.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer car hire services?

A: Sandralia Hotel renders car hire service on request.

Sandralia Hotel is a luxury hotel in Jabi, Abuja.

FAQs

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi to each guest.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: No. It does not have a swimming pool.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at The Missouri Hotel?

A: No. It does not have a fitness centre/gym.

To u r s

Afri Hotels

Plot 281 Herbert Macaulay Way, Opposite National Defense College HOTEL INFORMATION Situated at Plot 281 Herbert Macaulay Way, Opposite National Defense College Afri Hotel Abuja is a citadel of excellence and homeliness. Its location sets it strategically between various places of interest like Millennium Park and other businesses.

The rooms at Afri Hotel come in a wide variety of choices. They include: Afri Standard, Royal, Deluxe, Ambassador, Super Diplomat, Luxury Suite, Exotic and Executive. Each of the 100 room is fitted with top class features such as television sets with satellite channels, a microwave (on request), refrigerators with free bottled water, work tables and chairs, air conditioners, private bathrooms, free toiletries, and hair dryer.

Free continental breakfast is served daily to guests at Afri Hotel. The on-site restaurant serves well prepared and tasty meals and of course you can relax in the lounge after a stressful day. The in-house barbeque grills and coffee shop are stocked to suit the guests looking for variety in their cuisine.

Guest at the Afri Hotel may also make use of the outdoor pool for a relaxing swim or simply enjoy the on-site bar/lounge and terrace. A Gym/Fitness centre is available for those looking to stay in shape and keep fit. There is also a business centre and free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the premises. For guests interested in holding meets, office retreats and other cooperate events, the conference centre at Afri Hotel is available and well equipped to meet those needs.

Afri Hotel also provides a variety of other services such as airport shuttle, 24-hour front desk & room service, daily housekeeping, laundry service, concierge service, free newspapers in the lobby, luggage storage, porter/bellhop, for the comfort of its guests. The hotel complex comes with various levels of security with a presence of professional security guards. Parking at the hotel premises is safe and free.

Interesting Places to Visit Near Afri Hotel Nigerian National Mosque (2 km) National Hospital Abuja (3.1 km) Federal Secretariat (3.2 km) National Assembly (3.9 km) Millennium Park (4 km)

BARCELONA HOTELS is a top-class hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Sandralia Hotel

17 Times Sports

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have on-site parking? Is it free?

A: Yes. It is free.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: Yes. It offers airport pick-up/shuttle services.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel allow smoking in rooms?

A: Yes. It has designated smoking area.

The Missouri Hotel iis a top-class hotel in Maitama, Abuja

Terms and Conditions Check-in : From 7:00am Check-out: At 12:00pm Payment: Card, cash deposit required at check-in Government-issued photo ID required at check-in Minimum check-in age is 18 Pets: Max is 2 pets per room Children: Cribs/infant beds available at a surcharge Rollaway/extra beds available at a surcharge Guests must contact the property in advance to reserve a crib (infant bed)/rollaway bed

FAQs

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes, Wi-Fi is available and for free Q: Does Afri Hotel have a pool?

A: Yes, a pool is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: Yes, a restaurant is available onsite.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have onsite parking? Is it free?

A: Yes, self-parking is available/free.

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: Yes, airport shuttle services are available.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have an event centre/conference rooms?

A: Yes, an event centre and conference rooms are available.

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer room service? What are the hours?

A: Yes, 24-hour room service is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Afri Hotel allow pets?

A: Yes, pets are allowed at the hotel. A maximum of 2 pets per room Q: Does Afri Hotel have cribs?

A: Yes, cribs are available at a surcharge.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have irons?

A: No, irons are not provided in the rooms.

Afri Hotels is an affordable hotel in Central Business District, Abuja

Kryxtal Suites 120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 HOTEL INFORMATION Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2, is an exclusive boutique hotel located opposite GLOBACOM Headquarters in Abuja and a few seconds from KFC. This hotel is very well appointed and its one of the reference points in the Wuse area of Abuja for visitors and Abuja residents.

It is situated at 120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Opposite Glo Office, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 has 20 exclusive spacious bedrooms categorised into Classic, Deluxe and Superior. Each room is very well fitted with exceptional facilities such as air-conditioning units, flat-screen TV with international channels, a reading/dressing table and an en-suite bathroom with slippers and free toiletries.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 has some awesome facilities such as free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel, uninterrupted power supply, a 24-hour front desk service, and a restaurant and bar where guests can order from a wide range of meals and drinks. Free private parking space is also available within the hotel complex and it’s well guarded by security personnel. It has a banquet hall/meeting rooms for various meetings, conferences and events.

Laundry/dry cleaning, car hire, airport shuttle, a 24-hour room service, safety deposit boxes, luggage storage and concierge are made available on request. An ATM is available on-site Interesting Places near Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 Cameroon Embassy (2 km) Afro-Asia Garden (0.4 km) Ecowas Court (0.7 km) City Park (0.6 km) Globacom Office KFC The nearest airport to the hotel is the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport which is about 23 km away.

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children not older than 12 are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer free Wi-Fi? A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 have a swimming pool?

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are between 12:00 PM and 12:00 PM

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer shuttle services?

A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 renders airport shuttle service on request.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2? What type of equipment are available?

A: No. A gym is not available at the hotel.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer car hire services?

A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 renders car hire service on request.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 is a budget hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja

Times Sports 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Nigeria to present 21 athletes at ECOWAS U-20 Athletics Championship Twenty-one athletes and four officials have been selected to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) U-20 Athletics Championship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the athletes are made up of 10 males and 11 females.

The championship has been scheduled for June 22 to June 24 at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana.

Eleven countries are expected to feature in the championship.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that most of the selected athletes won in their respective events at the National U-20 Trials held in Ozoro, Delta.

According to AFN, the male athletes include Akintola Alaba (100m, 4x100m), Omubo Gershon (100m, 4x100m), Emmanuel Ojeli (200m, 400m), Shedrack Akpeki (200m, 400m), Hamid Sambo

(800m, 1500m) and Muhammed Yussuf (110m hurdles).

The others are David Olowookere (400m hurdles), Arinze Benjamin (long jump), Cyprian Oyedele (high Jump) and Ineh Meyiwa (long jump, triple jump).

The AFN listed the female athletes to include Joy UdoGabriel (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Blessing Ogundiran (4x100m), Abasiono Akpan (400m, 400m hurdles) and Joy Abu (400m, 400m hurdles).

The others are Yinka Bamtefa (800m, 1500m), Victoria Adubi (100m hurdles), Victory George (long jump), Esther Isa (high jump), Princess Kara (discus throw, javelin), and Hannah Kemele (shot put and javelin).

The AFN listed the coaches and officials as Ayodele Odelusi (male coach), Rachael Oguntona (female coach), Isaac Chinedu (masseur) and Monica Otumola (secretary).

Woods fires eight-over 78, worst ever US Open score

Rugby: Bok skipper Kolisi wants no excuses in pursuit of series win South Africa Captain Siya Kolisi expects an improved performance from his side in the second test against England in Bloemfontein on Saturday and urged his teammates to keep their intensity high from the first minute.

The Springboks trailed England 24-3 after a bewildering opening 17 minutes in the first test at Ellis Park as the tourists cut through their defence at will.

But they rallied to secure a narrow 42-39 victory and Kolisi, the first black Captain of the Boks, expects his team to be far more

polished from the first minute this weekend.

“It’s about intensity and work rate, and it’s about maintaining that for 80 minutes,” Kolisi told reporters on Friday.

“We have had another week together as a team and the guys who played against Wales (in Washington on June 2) are now over the travel.

“We want to start off on a high and keep up the intensity. There can be no excuses that is our team motto.”

Kolisi says the Bok bench will

be crucial in making sure they can keep that intensity.

“When the bench comes on, we want to see that we keep the tempo up, and I know we that there are players capable of that,” he said.

England have made two changes to their starting side, bringing in lock Joe Launchbury and New Zealand-born flank Brad Shields, both of who should provide more muscle in the pack.

“We know they have a couple of new players who will want to prove themselves. It will really come down to who wants it the most and who makes the least mistakes,” Kolisi said.

“I know him (Shields) from Super Rugby, he is very good in the outside channel and he can also work towards the ball, stealing, which is something we wanted to

work on from last week, securing our own ball.

“He is going to want to prove himself in his first start to make sure he stays there, but we will just have to control what we can and make sure we are always alert in what we want to do.”

The Boks have included Kolisi’s Stormers teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit on the flank, bringing both muscle and an extra line-out option.

“He is very calm, he doesn’t panic and with the line-outs he presents another option,” Kolisi said.

“We know what he has been doing with his strong ball carries and we will be looking for that from him to build momentum.”

The third and final test will be played in Cape Town on June 23.

Dogara charges Super Eagles to make Nigerians proud Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has urged Super Eagles players to make Nigerians proud as they prepare for the first match with Croatia in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In a statement issued on Friday, Speaker Dogara called on all Nigerians to pray fervently for the success of the Super Eagles, while charging the players to put all they have got into ensuring that they win the group matches and advance to next stage of the competition.

He added that, “Over the years,

football has been a major source of unity in Nigeria, we should, therefore, collectively pray for the Super Eagles as they brace up for their match against Croatia .

“Super Eagles proved to be a strong team during the qualifiers with their record and we expect them to replicate same zeal, spirit and patriotism in the World Cup.” He said with team work and commitment the Super Eagles will surely triumph over their opponents in group and knockout stages of the World Cup.

Tiger Woods returned to the US Open with an eight-over par 78 at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday, his worst ever score in the championship leaving him nine shots off the first-round lead.

Woods, who counts three US Open titles among his 14 majors, hadn’t played in the tournament since 2015.

He opened with a triple bogey seven at the first hole and would make two double bogeys — including a four-putt at 13 — before he was done.

Woods’ previous worst US Open round was a 77 in the third round at Oakland Hills in 1996.

The 42-year-old, whose major title drought now stretches back to his 2008 US Open victory at Torrey Pines, will face an uphill battle just to make the cut.

The intensely competitive star indicated he was up for the challenge.

“Shoot something in the 60s tomorrow, and I’ll be just fine,” he insisted.

Despite the difficult, windy conditions, Woods said it was his own game that let him down — particularly his putting.

“I didn’t putt well today,” he said. “I drove it pretty darn good for most of the day, just never took advantage of the opportunities.”

He’d seen the high scores of the morning starters, Woods said, and went out aiming to keep anything worse than a bogey off his card.

“My game plan was not to make any ‘others’ and I made three of them.”

Things looked promising when Woods found the fairway at the first, but his second shot rolled through the green and he would need three shots to reach the elevated green, finally two-putting for a seven.

A bogey at the second didn’t rattle him.

“All I had to do after that start was shoot even par over the next 16 holes and I’d be just fine,” he said.

Woods did play the next 10 holes in even par — with one birdie and one bogey.

But he came unstuck with his four-putt from 40 feet at 13.

“I was worried about running the (first) putt by, left it short, blocked the next one, then blocked it again,” said Woods, who added another double at 14. “Not very good.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

World Cup: Calabar fans express confidence in Super Eagles against Croatia Football Fans in Calabar have urged Nigerians to pray for the success of Super Eagles of Nigeria as they face Croatia on Saturday in their opening Match in ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia A cross section of the fans told newsmen on Friday in Calabar that with the support of millions of Nigerians, the team would get the three maximum points against Croatia.

Albert Adinam, the Cross River Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) said he believed the Super Eagles were good enough to win their opening match.

According to him, notwithstanding the not too impressive performance of the team in their friendly matches, they will defeat Croatia and go beyond the group stage.

He said “I share the sentiment of many fans that the team did not do well in their warm-up matches but those were just tune games designed to know the lapses in the team and I believe those lapses have been corrected by the team’s handlers.

“I expect them to go beyond the first round because this is their fourth appearance in the World Cup and many Nigerians expect that they should even go upto quarter final this time.

“I am confident that the team will go far in the tournament.”

Oqua Etim, a member of the Cross River Football Federation told NAN that the match against Croatia was very vital, as a win would boost the morale of players ahead of other group games.

“As a Nigerian, I am confident and I am praying for the team. I also want Nigerians to pray for the team because the first match could make or mar our chances.

“What is at stake is the three points, if we get the three points, it will boost the morale of the players in subsequent matches.

“So the team needs the prayer and support of millions of Nigerians back home.”

Another football enthusiast, Henry Michael, expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to defeat Croatia on Saturday.

“I hinge my optimism on the fact that football is a game of chance.

If Eagles take their chances, I see them coming out victorious and claiming all the three points and this will be good for us.

“No team is a pushover in that group so if we take our chances as they come, I believe we will go far.”

A Physiotherapist, Ndoma Egoro, said “the team’s physiologist needs to work extra hard because the Croatians appeared to be very physical in their game plan.”

19 Times Sports

Morocco confirm intention to bid for 2030 World Cup Morocco have confirmed that they will bid for the 2030 World Cup after losing out in the race to host the 2026 competition.

A combined bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico won the right to host the tournament eight years from now, earning 134 votes to the African nation’s 65.

The result means the tournament, being hosted in Russia this summer, will return to north America for the first time since 1994.

Morocco, though, are not giving up hope on being able to host the tournament, with a spokesman confirming their intention to put together another bid.

“Upon royal instructions, Morocco will prepare its bid to host the 2030 tournament,” Mustapha El Khalfi told reporters.

Morocco have made five failed bids to host the World Cup thus far, and proposed

using 14 stadiums to host tournament fixtures, with the final to be held in the Grand Stade de Casablanca, a planned 93,000-seater stadium that is scheduled to be completed in 2024.

The president of the Morocco Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, lauded FIFA for the credibility and transparency in Wednesday’s open voting system in Russia for the 2026 tournament while restating his country’s desire to vie for hosting rights of the biggest football festival another time.

“I wish to congratulate FIFA for the conduct of this process and congratulate the president for what he has done in order to move things towards more transparency and more inclusion,” Lekjaa was quoted by BBC Sport .

“I would like to reaffirm the determination of my country to continue to work for football and realise one

day our dream to host the World Cup in Morocco.”

Morocco were hoping to count on the support of their continent, but 10 African countries did not vote for their bid, including South Africa and Mozambique.

Reports suggest that England could also be involved in the bidding process for the 2030 tournament, potentially in a bid that involves numerous members of the United Kingdom.

FIFA vice-president

David Gill has said this week that England should have “great confidence” in putting together a proposal.

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have also announced their intention to bid jointly to host the tournament.

World Cup: Lagos provides insurance FIFA probes empty seats at World Cup cover at viewing centres Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has opened six viewing centres for Lagos residents to watch live football actions from the ongoing Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The sports-loving governor also provided security, traffic control and general sanitation at the viewing centres.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ambode equally provided a public liability insurance cover for the six centres for the period of the World Cup. The viewing centres are located at: Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island; Abesan Estate, Alimosho; Naval Yard Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey School, Mushin, and Epe Recreation Centre.

Titi Oshodi, the Head of Public Relations, Lagos State Sports Commission, who made the disclosure on Friday, said that all the necessary backups were provided to make the centres safe.

Oshodi said that the public viewing centres would be open for all the matches of the World Cup. He said: “The viewing centres were opened to fans on Day One of the Coupe de Mundial on June 14 for the opening ceremony as well as the opening match between the host, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

She said: “The centres will run until the end of the World Cup on July 15.

“The Executive Chairman of

the LSSC, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, gave the assurance that entry into the viewing centres was free.

“The government has made adequate provisions for medical coverage, security, traffic control and general sanitation at all the viewing centres.

“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is a member of the Federal Government’s delegation to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, wants Lagos resident to have a feel of football actions in the ongoing World Cup. “He believes the viewing centres will also serve as fun and relaxation spots for the residents.”

match in Yekaterinburg

FIFA is investigating why Egypt and Uruguay were playing in front of thousands of empty seats at their World Cup match in Yekaterinburg on Friday.

There were rows of empty orange seats at the freshly rebuilt arena in the industrial city, situated in the Ural Mountains.

The two soaring temporary seating sections at either end of the pitch appeared to be almost completely full, with one dominated by Egyptian fans and the other by the Uruguayans.

The seats are technically only supposed to be sold to Russian nationals.

FIFA said nearly all the available tickets had been sold and it was investigating why there were so many no-shows.

“We can confirm that 32,278 tickets have been allocated for the match between Egypt and Uruguay in Yekaterinburg.

The FIFA World Cup stadium capacity is 33,061,” a spokesman for the football’s world governing body told AFP. “The fact that the actual attendance doesn’t reflect the amount of allocated tickets can be due to different factors, which FIFA is currently investigating.”

FIFA has allocated about 2.5 million tickets to the month-long showpiece, with Russian organisers saying that nearly all the tickets have already been sold.

Russians accounted for 46 percent of ticket sales, with the United States buying nearly 90,000.

20

TIMES SPORTS

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

World Cup: Wilfred Ndidi feels privilege to represent Nigeria in Russia

Since joining KRC Genk, Belgium from Nath Boys FC, Lagos in 2015, Wilfred Ndidi has not looked back and he is currently rated among top thirty best young footballers in the World.

The defensive midfielder who in the last two seasons have won Leicester City best young player award and also finished among the top five players in ball recovery in the English Premier League has revealed via a documentary with SuperSports the sacrifice and risk he had to take to reach the height he attained today.

The Leicester City star told SuperSports, “Football means a lot in Nigeria because it is one thing that brings so many people together and I had to risk so many things because my dad didn’t want me to play football.”

Ndidi went on to credit his mum who made it possible for him to play the game saying, “I was selling different fruits for my mum trying to get some money, so when I had a chance to go play football my mum would cover up for me.” He said On how he got his break, the Nath Boys FC product said, “I was spotted while playing and I got a call to go for a trial test, to be sincere, there was no goal. I just wanted to play football because I find joy and happiness playing it.”

He concluded by giving his thought on what the World Cup represents, “The World Cup is a very important competition and it is the dream of every player; I feel privileged and graced to represent Nigeria at the World Cup.”

Iran bans public World Cup screenings Authorities in Tehran, Iran capital, have cancelled plans to allow families to watch Iran’s World Cup football opener against Morocco on Friday.

A ban is placed by authorities of the country on crowd gathering in the stadium and public parks of the Islamic Republic’s capital to watch football.

The Islamic Republic is thought to be the only country in the world that refuses to allow fans to gather in open public spaces for the World Cup, possibly due to opposition to the idea of men and women watching together.

There had been excitement after officials at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium announced that families would be allowed in to watch Friday’s match together for the first time.

But Khabar Varzeshi, a sports news website, said the plan had been called off at the last minute without any explanation.

However, it added that stadium officials were working to get permits for Iran’s remaining group stage matches against Spain and Portugal.

Local journalists said they had also received a text message from the sports ministry, telling them that plans to erect a screen in public parks had also been cancelled.

It was not clear whether cafes would be allowed to show the matches.

Iranian authorities were ridiculed on social media this week after a huge World Cup billboard was put up in central Tehran featuring supporters from different parts of the country — but notably failing to include any women.

Ronaldo accepts 2 years in prison, 18.8 million euro fine in tax case Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reached a deal with the Spanish tax authorities to serve two years in prison in a tax evasion case, The El Mundo Newspaper reported on Friday that the player would also pay 18.8 million euro (16.41 million pounds) fine.

According to the publication, Ronaldo accepted four fiscal offences before the tax authorities, each of which carries a punishment of six months in prison.

But, Ronaldo is unlikely to serve any time in jail under the deal because Spanish law states that a sentence of under two years for a first offence can be served on probation.

The 33-year-old Portuguese footballer, who is accused of evading 14.7 million euros in taxes, has denied all the allegations through his agents.

The news dropped just hours before Portugal’s opening match of the World Cup against Spain.

Jose Gimenez secures opening-game win for Uruguay against Egypt Jose Gimenez thumped home a powerful 89th-minute header to give Uruguay a dramatic victory over heartbroken Egypt in a World Cup Group A game that had looked likely to be a low-key goalless draw on Friday.

Gimenez rose to meet a Carlos Sanchez free kick to take the South

Americans to three points alongside Russia, who beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday, and break the resistance of Egypt.

Egypt had been without key forward Mohamed Salah but defended resolutely.

Uruguay struggled to impose

themselves until the latter stages when keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy saved brilliantly from Edinson Cavani, who also hit the post with a late free kick, before Gimenez secured their first win in a World Cup opening game since 1970 when they went on to the semifinals.

Emmanuel Amuneke grateful to FIFA for World Cup Technical Study Group role

Emmanuel Amuneke who quit as the Head Coach of Sudanese side Khartoum Al Watani few months ago has expressed his delight about the opportunity given to him and Nigeria by FIFA to be among those who would change the future of World football.

Amuneke, Speaking to www.scorenigeria.com.ng in Moscow said, “As a player I was privileged to have participated in the 1994 World Cup and now

in 2018 I am privileged once again to participate this time, not as a player but as a fan and also one of the people going to make some major decisions.”

On his appointment to the FIFA Russia 2018 Technical Study Group, the former Africa Footballer of the Year said, “This role is a good one for me and Nigeria football as its goes to show that our football has grown.”

Amuneke who was part of the

first ever Nigeria team to feature at the FIFA World Cup talked on the team experience going into that tournament in 1994 saying, “We were excited in the first place for being part of the 1994 World Cup but ahead of the first match against Bulgaria, there was a lot of excitement, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt, a lot of questioning mindset but most importantly we were very confident in our ability as a team and we played as a team,

which was the secret behind our little success .”

On having several players from his days as the coach of Nigeria Golden Eaglets representing Nigeria at the Russia 2018 World Cup, he said, “As a coach it is a thing of pride to see the players you coach at the U-17 level after few years playing for the senior national team, that is pretty much what player development is all about and with FIFA’s main priority being development, Nigeria as a Nation should not be left behind.” He said Coach Amuneke then advised the team to forget about how smoothly qualifications to the World Cup went but rather plan on how to conquer the best teams from different continent so as to seal a place in the knockout round.

“I want to tell the players not to be complacent and carried away by the success achieved during the qualifying series but rather focus and plan on how to conquer the world. He posited He concluded by asking Nigerians to reduce the load of expectation on the team while charging the Super Eagles to qualify from the group which he felt was very possible.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

21

Foreign Affairs Former Trump campaign chief Manafort sent to jail by US judge A federal judge on Friday sent Paul Manafort to jail pending trial after he was charged with witness tampering, in the latest episode in a slow fall from grace for a man who was President Donald Trump’s campaign chairman in 2016.

Manafort, a longtime political operator and businessman, has been a focus of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 US presidential election.

Manafort has been indicted in both Washington and Virginia on a series of mostly financial-related charges, including conspiring to launder money and defraud the United States.

He had been on home confinement in Alexandria, Virginia, and had been required to wear an electronic monitoring device. But last week Mueller charged him in a new indictment with witness tampering.

Manafort pleaded not guilty to that charge on Friday but US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington revoked his bail, sending him to jail.

“I have no appetite for this,” she said. “But in the end, I cannot turn a blind eye.

“You’ve abused the trust placed in you,” she added later.

Manafort turned around briefly to wave to his wife in the front row before heading out a door at the back of the courtroom, court witnesses said.

Mueller, whose investigation has overshadowed Trump’s presidency, is investigating whether the president’s 2016 campaign colluded with Moscow and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the Russia probe. Trump has called Mueller’s investigation a witch hunt and has denied wrongdoing.

Legal experts have said Mueller wants to keep applying pressure on Manafort to plead guilty and assist prosecutors with the probe.

Manafort chaired the Trump campaign for just two months before resigning in August 2016 following a news report he had received possibly illegal payments from the political party of Ukraine’s former, pro-Russian president.

Paul Manafort arrives for a hearing at US District Court on June 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. Manafort faces charges including conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy against the United States.

Jackson had previously rebuffed Manafort’s repeated requests to end his home confinement in exchange for pledging $10 million in real estate as collateral.

His trial in the Washington case is scheduled for September.

Manafort’s trial on the related charges in Virginia is set for July 25. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A June 8 indictment charged Manafort and Konstantin Kilimnik, a Manafort aide and political operative with alleged ties to Russian intelligence, with tampering with witnesses about their past lobbying for Ukraine’s former pro-Russian government.

The indictment accused Manafort and Kilimnik of attempting to call, text and send encrypted messages in February to two people from a political discussion group — the so-called

Hapsburg Group — that Manafort worked with to promote Ukraine’s interests in a bid to sway their testimony.

Mueller’s team this month asked the judge to revoke Manafort’s bail.

Manafort has long-standing ties to a proRussian political party in Ukraine and a Russian oligarch close to the Kremlin.

In addition to conspiracy to launder money and defraud the United States, the charges against Manafort in Washington include failing to register as a foreign agent for the pro-Russia Ukrainian government under former President Viktor Yanukovych.

None of the charges against him make reference to alleged Russian interference in the election nor the accusations of collusion between Moscow and Trump’s campaign. The Kremlin has denied meddling in the election.

Defiant French union vows to extend rail strike into summer The head of France’s main rail union on Friday announced it would extend months of rolling strikes into July even though the reforms it is protesting have been adopted by parliament.

The CGT Cheminots union and others have been striking every few days since early April over President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial rail reforms, causing disruption for France’s 4.5 million daily train commuters.

But parliament on Thursday finished voting through Macron’s overhaul of debt-laden state rail operator SNCF, handing him victory in a standoff which commentators have compared to former British premier Margaret Thatcher’s battle with coal miners’

unions in the 1980s.

Unions had planned to call off the strike on June 28, but CGT Cheminots chief Laurent Brun said his members would carry on with their walkouts into the busy summer season.

“We will carry on in July,” he told France Info radio ahead of meetings Friday with the government and management to discuss a new labor agreement under the reformed SNCF. “For how long? We’ll see. How? We’ll see. There is no question of stopping according to the schedule, so long as the government is trying to force its way through,” he said.

Brun added that his union would try to find a way of alleviating the cost of lost pay for strikers, after 30 separate

days of disruption.

Unions failed to win over public opinion during the strikes, and participation by rail workers dwindled with just 12.8 percent of SNCF staff taking part in the most recent walkout on Wednesday.

Unions have been resisting plans to end life-long job security to new recruits, as well as plans to turn the SNCF into a joint-stock company, which they saw as a first step toward privatization despite government denials.

Macron argues the SNCF, saddled by debts of some 47 billion euros ($55 billion), needs to cut costs and improve flexibility before the EU passenger rail market is opened up to competition.

In Merkel migrant row, Germans back tough policies – Poll As Chancellor Angela Merkel fights to save her government in a heated battle over immigration, an opinion poll Friday showed most Germans support the tougher line of her rebel interior minister.

The survey found that 62 percent of respondents were in favor of turning back undocumented migrants at the border, in line with the stance of Interior Minister Horst Seehofer who is openly challenging Merkel.

And 86 percent want faster deportations of rejected asylum seekers, a process now often held up by bureaucratic hurdles and legal challenges, according to the Infratest dimap poll.

The survey turns up the pressure on Merkel, who has faced a backlash for allowing into Germany more than one million people fleeing war and misery in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere since 2015.

The mass influx sparked the rise of the far-right and anti-Islam AfD party, which entered parliament last September.

Merkel’s welcome to refugees also infuriated Seehofer and his CSU, the sister party of her Christian Democrats in the southern state of Bavaria, which became the main entry point for most migrants.

In an unprecedented split between the CDU and CSU, Seehofer has openly defied Merkel with a demand to allow border police to turn back migrants who lack valid identity papers or are already registered in another EU country.

Seehofer also sacked Jutta Cordt, the head of the Office for Migrants and Refugees (BAMF), an interior ministry spokesman said late Friday.

The BAMF has been at the heart of a scandal around the right of asylum for several weeks, with one of its branches in Bremen, northern Germany, under investigation for allegedly favoring more than 1,200 asylum applications.

The CSU’s Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder said that the ongoing “asylum tourism” meant that, as a government, “we’re nearing the endgame when it comes to our credibility.”

“The people are running out of patience,” he told Bild daily.

Merkel argues that Germany must not take the sudden and unilateral step of rejecting asylum seekers at the border, which would add to the burden faced by frontline countries like Italy and Greece.

She has pledged instead to seek bilateral agreements with arrival and transit countries and a wider solution by the EU, which holds its next summit on June 28-29, while admitting that this plan is “ambitious.”

The CSU — which faces an election threat from the AfD in October state polls — has refused to budge and set Merkel an effective ultimatum of next Monday.

Seehofer will on that day seek CSU party backing to use his ministerial authority to order border police to turn back the asylum seekers, in open defiance of Merkel.

For Merkel, in power for over 12 years, the stakes could not be higher as she leads an uneasy coalition government with a narrow majority that took half a year to cobble together.

If Seehofer decides to go it alone, Merkel would have to fire him, sparking an unprecedented CDUCSU split, political scientist Heinrich Oberreuter told business daily Handelsblatt.

In that scenario, Merkel could lead a minority government with the third party in the coalition, the Social Democrats (SPD), or call fresh elections that would likely benefit only the AfD, he said.

Amid the chaos, the SPD’s Finance Minister Olaf Scholz called for cool heads to prevail, tweeting that “the task of governing our country is serious and not an episode of Game of Thrones.”

French President Emmanuel Macron offered his backing to Merkel, telling reporters: “Countries are committed to the paths taken by their heads of state or government.”

Photo Times 22

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Representative of Lagos State Governor and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye, (5th right); wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (5th left); Commissioner II, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Tolani Odeyemi (4th left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi (3rd left); member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Epe Constituency I, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (2nd left); APC Chieftain in Epe, Chief Lanre Razaq (left) APC Chairman, Epe Local Government, Otunba Kenny Adeniyi (4th right); Chairman, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA,Hon. Adeniyi Onanuga (3rd right); Oba Uraka of Pokaland, Oba Ayodele Aliru (2nd right) and Oba Adegbajo of Odogbawojo, Oba Mufutau Ogunnakan (right) during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, at one of the designated centres, Marina Waterfront, Epe, Lagos...on Friday

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), presenting a gift to one of the winners of Quranic recitation competition, Ishola Abdulsamad (left) while representative of the Governor and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye, (2nd right), watches with admiration during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, at one of the designated centres, Marina Waterfront, Epe, Lagos...on Friday

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), supported by representative of the Governor and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye (2nd right), to present a gift to one of the winners of the quiz competition, Abdullahi Ashade (left) during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, at one of the designated centres, Marina Waterfront, Epe, Lagos... on Friday

Representative of Lagos State Governor and Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo (middle); Vice Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon. Biodun Ogunji (2nd right); wife of the Chairman, Agege Local Government, Mrs. Ramot Egunjobi (right); APC Local Government Chairman, Orile Agege, Hon. Salau Olaniyi (left) and Alhaja Oki (2nd left) during the Eid-el-Fitri Celebration, at one of the designated centres, Agege Local Government Maternity Centre, Sango Agege, Lagos...on Friday

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), presenting a gift to one of the winners of the dancing competition, Miss Paramole Arafat (left), while representative of the Governor and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye, (2nd right), watches during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, at one of the designated centres, Marina Waterfront, Epe, Lagos... on Friday

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

23 News

I can’t sanction, direct security officers on what to do – Gov Yari Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State said he had dropped his responsibility as Chief Security Officer of the state as he had no control over security machinery in the state.

Speaking to newsmen in Talata-Mafara on Friday, Yari said that his decision stemmed from the seeming helplessness of the state government and the people over recurring killings in the state.

He deplored the prevailing situation where as the chief security officer of the state, he could not take decisions on

Police kill 3 suspected kidnappers in Taraba

The Police Command in Taraba on Thursday said it had killed three suspected kidnappers who had been terrorising residents around Bali and Takum Local Government Areas of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr David Akinremi, disclosed this in a statement in Jalingo.

Akinremi said that officers of the command attached to Bali Division, acting on actionable intelligence, stormed the hideout of a gang of kidnappers on Wednesday, where three of them were shot dead.

“The criminal gang has terrorised and kidnapped a number of persons around Bali and Takum LGAs of the state, using a camp in Garuwa village in Bali to keep their victims.

“In this encounter they fell to the superior fire power of our operatives in a shootout. Three members of the gang died in the shootout while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“One AK 47 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition, one single barrel rifle with 5 live cartridges and some criminal charms were recovered from the bandits,” he said.

The commissioner added that clothing suspected to belong to some of their victims were also recovered.

Akinremi urged members of the public to report any persons with bullet injuries to the nearest police station for possible arrest and prosecution.

The police commissioner appreciated residents of Taraba for their continued support for the crime fighting efforts of the police.

strategies for protecting the state and its people, and had it implemented.

“We have been facing serious security challenges over the years, but in spite of being governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, I cannot direct security officers on what to do nor sanction them when they err.

“As Chief Security Officer,

the nomenclature in just a name,” he said.

The governor lamented that it was disheartening that killings in the state had continued in spite of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to security agencies to end the incessant blood-letting across the country.

According to him, since the president’s order, the killings

have not stopped. In a week there were attacks in this state which claimed over 30 lives.

He said that the state government was spending huge amount of its resources on security but to no avail.

Yari, therefore, urged people of the state to be more faithful to God and embark on special prayers over the challenges facing the state.

He also appealed to them to be patient and continue to cooperate with the government and security agencies as steps were being taken to address the challenges.

“We cannot keep quiet while our people are being killed daily. We are going to cooperate with all stakeholders to bring the situation to an end,” he added. (NAN)

10 ships arrive Lagos ports with petrol, bulk fertiliser Ten ships laden with various products, including petrol, are at the Lagos ports waiting to berth.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), made this known in its daily “Shipping

Position’’ made available to journalists in Lagos.

It said that five of the ships would berth with petrol.

The document noted that the remaining five ships would berth with base oil, buckwheat, containers and

bulk fertiliser.

According to NPA, 33 other ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected in Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports between June 14 and June 26.

It said that the expected

ships contained buckwheat, containers, steel, frozen fish, bauxite, empty containers, Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), soya beans, diesel, bulk sugar, base oil, aviation fuel, bulk fertiliser, general cargo and petrol.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, (atop his vehicle) acknowledging cheers from Muslim Ummah on his way back shortly after Eid prayers in commemoration of 2018 Eid-el-Fitri celebration, at Osogbo ‎Central Eid Praying Ground, Osogbo. . .on Friday

Police arraign 25-year-old man for allegedly stealing kolanuts The police has arraigned a 25 yearold man, Adeleye Ajayi, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ilupeju-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area for allegedly stealing Kola nuts valued at N120,000.

Ajayi, was arraigned

on a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft.

The Prosecutor, Insp., Mathew Omale told the Court that the accused and three others now at large, conspired on April 28 at Agbomole Oke Farm, Illupeju-Ekiti and stole kolanuts.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections: 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Volume 1 Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

After the charges were read to him, Ajayi , pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel, Mr

Gbenga Bejide, prayed the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms.

Chief Magistrate Joseph Ayodele, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until June 20 for hearing.

Interswitch to host Verve wellness, fitness lifestyle The Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer Interswitch Nigeria, Cherry Eromosele, on Thursday said that the company is set to host a fitness, wellness and lifestyle event on June 16 in Lagos.

According to Eromosole, the event is the second edition and would hold at the Landmark Centre Victoria Island, tagged “TheVerveLife 2.0 #ZeroExcuses”, is expected to be a huge success.

He told news men in Lagos that this year’s edition would have participants engage in secession in boxing, dance, Yoga, Martial Arts and Strength Conditioning.

“Verve International, a proudly Pan-African payment brand of Interswitch Group will on June 16 host enthusiast to fitness to wellness and lifestyle event.

“Our card and digital payments brand has always been a customerfocused brand and which has always helped our customers to achieve their set objectives.

“Above all, the Verve life is about fitness, fun, healthy food and living, which is why we have carefully designed the event to leverage the passion of Nigerians for fitness and entertainment.

“Participants will be treated to a delightful and engaging sessions involving fitness challenges as well as master classes on Boxing, Strength and Conditioning, Dance, Yoga, Zumba, Martial Arts and Nutrition.

“Access to the highly anticipated fitness event is free, however registration is required, on the purpose-built web/ mobile platform created for the event,’’ Eromosole said.

Verve is a pan-African payment scheme that provides EMV cards, cardless products and solutions to financial institutions, individuals, private organizations and government institutions across Africa.

Verve cards are accepted in 185 countries including 22 African countries, China, United Kingdom, United States and UAE.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Bayelsa Govt appoints former England star as Technical Adviser

The Bayelsa Government has appointed former England and Tottenham player, Garth Crooks, as Technical Adviser of the “Discovered Talents” from the just concluded Governor Seriake Dickson’s Football Tournament.

A statement by Mr Ono Akpe, Director General of the tournament, on Friday in Yenagoa, said Crooks was appointed based on his track records in football management and administration.

Thirty talents were discovered in the 2018

tourney tagged, Restoration Cup. The game, which featured over 150 rural-based football clubs, cut across the eight local government areas of the state. The final match was played on June 3.

Akpe urged Crooks to bring his wealth of experience to bear by giving the 30 selected players the much needed exposure in Europe and other parts of the world.

“As an international football star and sports consultant to the Bayelsa State Government by this appointment, you are expected to serve as a

role model and mentor these upcoming players.

“With your international exposure and connections, you are expected to help secure international matches and tournaments for the team.

“You are also expected to help the players secure careers in national and international clubs.

“We urge you to help in molding and mentoring the players to have the good morals that will aid them in their football career,” he said.

Crooks commended the organisers for the successful

completion of the 2018 tournament, and thanked the director for the confidence reposed in him.

He promised to do his best for the young players, the organisers, as well as Bayelsa State Government, which, he said, he had “ special relationship with.”

Before now, Crooks played for Stoke City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Charlton Athletic, as well as Tottenham Hotspurs, where he won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup in 1984 against Anderlecht.

Crooks is frequently

credited as the first black player to score in an FA Cup final, when he equalized in a 3–2 win over Manchester City in 1981.

He represented England at international level, making four appearances for the England Under-21, where he scored three goals.

Throughout his career, he was an active member of the Professional Footballers’ Association, and was elected the first black chairman of the union.

He currently works for BBC Sport as the lead pundit on Final Score on BBC One.

L-R: Chief C-Don Adinuba, commissioner for information, Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, deputy governor, Anambra State, Chief Maja Umeh, chairman of the occasion, Comr Emmanuel Ifesinachi , chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Anambra State Council and Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University at 2018 Anambra Media Summit and Award Ceremony organized by NUJ Anambra State Council held in Awka.

18% of HIV infections blamed on unsafe blood transfusion Former Fellow of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mrs Temie Giwa-Tubosun says 18 per cent of HIV infections in Nigeria resulted from unsafe blood transfusion.

Giwa-Tubosun said at an exhibition of “Innovations on Health Care” on Thursday in Lagos that research showed that HIV infection through poor blood management was that much.

She said that effective application of technology

would eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum problems relating to poor blood management.

Giwa-Tubosun, Chief Executive Officer of LifeBank, a healthcare technology and logistics company, said that new products such as SmartBag would go a long way to address poor blood management.

She described SmartBag as a block chain- powered product that helps patients and health providers to discover the

safety records of blood and blood products.

“Information about the processes involved in the blood supply is recorded on a block chain, while its integrity is preserved.

“This helps to save lives in hospitals,” she said.

According to her, LifeBank uses big data, smart logistics and a combination of low and high technology to discover and deliver essential medical products.

“To reduce the rate of the

scourge of HIV and other blood-related diseases, the company is building technology tools using block chains and other innovations.

“These technology tools will assist in deepening the understanding of inventory in the market and also allow for the future needs of the products,’’ she said.

The chief executive said that LifeBank was also working on ways to ensure adequate safe blood supply in the country.

“Other innovations on display are LifeBank’s LabX and LifeBank Donor App. “The LabX is an essential medical product discovery platform installed on a tablet and placed in hospitals.

“This innovation allows hospitals to discover and order blood and other essential medical products with the touch of a few buttons, and provides insight about hospitals essential medical product use as well as predict its future needs.’’

NIS loses Deputy Comptroller-General The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the death of its Deputy ComptrollerGeneral (DCG) in charge of Border Management, Mr Raymond Jaja.

The service announced Jaja’s demise in a statement signed by its ComptrollerGeneral (C-G), Mr Muhammad Babandede, in Abuja.

The C-G said that the deceased who hailed from Opobo town in Rivers, died on Saturday after a brief illness.

“Born on Dec. 11, 1960, DCG Jaja attended the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied Political Science.

“He joined the Nigeria Immigration Service in 1985 as an Assistant Superintendent

(ASI).

“He attended so many internal and international courses including the Command and Staff College, Sokoto; Institute of Security Studies where he was a Fellow, Infantry Centre and School in Jaji, among others.

“He got promoted to the rank of Deputy ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration in

2017 and was deployed to head the newly restructured Directorate of Border Management, a position he held until his death.’’

Babandede said.

He said that Jaja would be remembered for his high sense of discipline and uncommon loyalty to constituted authorities, besides being a jolly good fellow and

gentleman.

Jaja is survived by a wife, Mrs Ngozi Jaja, and five children, he said.

The incident came one month after the service lost an Assistant Comptroller, Habibu Almu. Almu was an Immigration Attache 1 in the Nigerian Mission in Khartoum, Sudan, until his death on May 10.

Abuse of elderly rampant, must be exposed, UN expert Older people are increasingly subject to abuse, in many cases by their own family members or those they trust, UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons, Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, said.

Kornfeld-Matte, in a statement to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, regretted that most abuses were undetected, even when there were clear warning signs.

The UN expert stressed the need for all to be more vigilant and report suspected cases of abuse of older people, including financial wrongdoing.

“Financial abuse of older persons is rampant but largely invisible, and the problem is expected to grow dramatically with the ageing of our societies.

“However, it is impossible to say how big the problem is, as data is scarce because of underreporting.

“Sadly, most abusers are family members. This is a particularly delicate matter.

“It is difficult, even for experienced professionals, to distinguish an unwise but legitimate financial transaction from an exploitative one that was the result of undue influence, duress, fraud, or a lack of informed consent”.

She said the older person might even tacitly acknowledge it or feel that the perpetrator has some entitlement to his or her assets.

“Some older people also have a desire to compensate those who provide them with care, affection, or attention.

‘The older person’s best interests have to be the overriding consideration when differentiating a transfer of assets made with consent from an abusive one.

“Financial abuse reflects a pattern of behaviour rather than a single event, and occurs over a period of time,” she said.

According to her, underreporting of cases of elder abuse, including financial abuse, is a common concern.

Kornfeld-Matte urged older people to report cases of abuse to the authorities, even though they feel embarrassed or fear retaliation, including withdrawal of affection and care.

“One of the few ways to stop financial abuse of older people is to report it.

If you suspect that someone you care about has been or is being abused, I can only urge you to speak up”, she said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Emir of Dutse expresses concern over drug abuse among youths The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad, has expressed concern over increasing number of youths engaged in drug abuse in the state and the nation in general.

Muhammad made the remarks in a Sallah message to residents at his palace in Dutse on Friday as Muslims celebrate Eidel fitr to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

He also expressed fear over increasing number of girls being sent to hawk on the streets.

He urged parents to monitor the movement of their children and also try to know the kind of company their wards kept.

He said “the lack of counseling or limited guidance from parents is one of the major causes of drug abuse among youths.

“There is the need for parents to be more concerned about the affairs of their children and help them to make good decisions.

“Parents, particularly mothers, must desist from sending their daughters to hawk on the streets as they mostly fall victims of rape.

“Parents must also stop hiding under the umbrella of poverty and refusing to take good care of their wards.”

The emir pointed out that the Dutse Emirate Council, this year, received several complaints about teenage girls being raped in the area And called for the cooperation of all to tackle the menace of street hawking and drug abuse.

“I am using this opportunity to also call on our clerics to assist in reminding parents to fear Allah and take very good care of their children.

“This is because we shall account for our deeds in the hereafter.

“Not only religious leaders, but political, traditional, as well stakeholders in the society must come together to fight these menace.

25 News

Gov. Dankwambo sues for peace as Muslims celebrate Sallah Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has called for a peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians as Muslims celebrate Sallah.

Dankwambo made the call on Friday in Gombe on the occasion of the Eid-El-Fitr celebration.

He said that meaningful development for the wellbeing of all Nigerians could only be achieved with peace.

“I call on everyone to live in peace with one another as no meaningful development can be achieved without peace.

“We must embrace the tenets of peaceful co-existence as the catalyst for the socioeconomic development of the state and nation.

“Islam preaches peace, tolerance and mutual respect amongst members of every community, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.

“ So I admonish us, in the spirit of the season to imbibe the good lessons of Ramadan, which connotes selflessness, endurance, sacrifice, piety, generosity and total obedience to Allah (SWT), “ he said.

He also called on the traditional rulers, community and religious leaders

to continue praying for sustainable peace in Gombe and the country in general.

Earlier, in his two Raka’at Prayer, Chief Imam of Gombe, Alhaji Mohammed Pindiga, urged the Muslim faithful to imbibe the teachings of Ramadan and be their brother’s keepers.

Kaduna Govt generates N14.2bn IGR in 5 months The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KDIRS) said it has generated N14.2 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January and end of May. KDIRS Executive Chairman, Mukhtar Ahmed, made this known in an interview with journalists in Kaduna on Friday.

Ahmed said that the state has increased its IGR from an average of N8000 million a month in 2015 to between N2.7 billion and N3.0 billion monthly in 2018.

According to him, the N14.2 billion generated in five months is far above N11.5 billion generated in the whole of 2015 and more than half of the N23 billion generated in

2016.

“Our target is to generate N4.0 billion a month and with the ongoing reform in tax administration and revenue collection in the state, I am very confident that we shall get there.

“Already we are around N3.0 billion and the ongoing integration of all 63 revenue generating agencies in

the state via an electronic platform will take us there and beyond.”

He said that the revenue profile of the state has been on consistent increase since the reform in revenue collection, beginning with the tax law that established KDIRS in 2016 as the sole revenue collector in the state.

“The law among other

things harmonised and abolished cash collection as well as automated all revenue collection in the state,” Ahmed said.

The chairman expressed confidence that the state would achieve the N42 billion set IGR target by December, following the impressive performance in the first five months.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (middle), Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite (left), Commissioner, Ogun State Police Command, CP Ahmed Illiasu (right), Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede (2nd left) and Baba Adini of Egbaland, Raji Rasak (2nd right) at the Lantoro prayer ground, Abeokuta... yesterday

Bandits free Methodist priest, 2 others after 4 days in captivity The Methodist priest and two others, that were abducted along Iwo-Ibadan road on Sunday, by suspected bandits, were released on Thursday, according to report from the Methodist church, Osogbo.

According to the report from the church, the

kidnapped persons, who are members of the church, were released on Thursday night, around 8.20p.m.

Confirming the release to newsmen, the Bishop of the Methodist Church, Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Amos Ogunrinde, said the priest, Very Rev. Kayode Akande,

and the two other leaders of the church that were kidnapped had been released and reunited with their families.

Ogunrinde, however, did not disclosed if any ransom was paid before the kidnapped men were released by the bandits.

When the state Police Public Relations Officers, Mrs Folashade Odoro was contacted about the report, she said the police would release a statement about the whole incident later.

The Priest and two elders of the Methodist Church, Osogbo were kidnapped on Sunday

while returning from a men’s fellowship from Ile-Ogbo, near Iwo, Osun.

The police were reported to have deployed men and officers to rescue the kidnapped persons while the bandits were never reported to have contacted the family of the men to demand for ransom.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Eid-el-Fitr celebration

Pray for peaceful elections in 2019, Ambode urges Nigerians Joseph Inokotong, Abuja Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday urged Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence and as well pray for the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections, saying such remains key to the enhancement of growth and development.

Speaking at a special EidEl-Fitri celebration organised

by the State Government simultaneously across 20 Local Government Areas of the State, Governor Ambode said it was important for the people to put the interest of the country first and offer prayers for peaceful elections come 2019.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna said the Governor, who spoke through his representatives in all the venues, particularly admonished

Muslims to sustain the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan and work to foster unity.

At Marina Waterfront, Oju Alaro in Epe where he was represented by Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the Governor said: “As we celebrate the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, let us not forget the lessons of the holy month which is the fear of God

and the care of the needy in our community.

“Let us not relent in the act of charity and mutual understanding to cement relationship and foster unity.

“Let us continue to pray for Lagos State and our country especially as we move gradually towards the year 2019 general elections. As we all know, Islam is a religion of peace and peace can only be sustained in a just and fair society.”

He said apart from the festivities and promotion of social bonding, the celebration was also a way of showing gratitude to God for His love which made it possible for his administration to experience an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence and religious harmony which contributed significantly to the progress and prosperity so far achieved in the State.

While assuring that

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), presents a gift to one of the winners of the dancing competition, Miss Paramole Arafat (left), while representative of the Governor and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye, (2nd right), watches during the Eid-il-Fitri celebration, at one of the designated centres, Marina Waterfront, Epe, Lagos. . .on Friday.

FCT Minister counsels Muslims on love Idu Jude, Abuja

As Muslim faithful in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), joins other believers across the World to commemorate this year’s edition of Ed-el Fitr, Minister of the FCT Mallam Mohammed Bello, has urged faithfuls to use the occasion in loving one another, as it portends self denial.

The minister said this in his Ramadam Sallah massage for FCT residents, noting that this has come at a time the country hypes campaign on the unity of

the Nation.

His words, “as we join our counterparts all over the world to celebrate the 2018 Eid El Fitr, I send you very warm greetings and felicitations on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

As we are aware, our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters have in the last one month dedicated themselves to the worship of Almighty Allah during the Holy month of Ramadan.

As usual, the period comes along with significant lessons on self-denial through abstinence

from eating, drinking and engaging in other personal pleasures solely for the sake of Allah. These are in keeping with the injunctions of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

According to the Minister, these lessons become particularly relevant for the resident of the FCT as it work towards forging unity and harmonious co-existence among the residents, irrespective of religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.

He said that the FCT, is a

melting pot of all segments of the Nigerian population and should take pride in it rich diversity.

Bello said “Let us therefore continue to respect and tolerate one another, irrespective of our religion, tribe, and political leanings, as it is only by so doing that we can truly call our city the Centre of Unity.

“It is my sincere prayer that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices during the Holy Month of Ramadan with all the bounties which He has promised to bestow on His servants who observed the month by fasting

with sincere devotion.

“I therefore, sincerely enjoin us all to continue to pray for our President for good health and wisdom to continue in his set mission of ensuring the security of lives and property as well as entrenching probity and development in the country.

“I wish all FCT residents happy Eid El Fitr celebration and pray that Almighty Allah will continue to bless the FCT with peace and prosperity.

Amen.

“Once again, Happy Eid to all of you”.

his administration would continue to run an all-inclusive governance based on the principle of social justice and fairness to all irrespective of religious, ethnic or gender backgrounds, the Governor also urged residents to be committed to their civic obligations and partner with government to build smart city of choice.

“We have made giant strides in our match to become the smart city of our collective desire. Keep on supporting us through commitment to the discharge of your civic obligations and together we shall achieve our obligations to build a modern city that is livable and which all citizens have opportunity to achieve their dreams,” Governor Ambode said.

On her part, Wife of the Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode said Ramadan was the month of prayers, which had been faithfully observed as commanded by God and the blessings must follow.

She blessed God for the progress witnessed by the State in impressive socio-economic development across all sectors.

According to her, “improvements are being felt at the home fronts, in our communities, in our local governments and everywhere in the State. We can showcase our togetherness to the world and proclaim that indeed, prayer works in Lagos State.”

The Governor’s wife urged everyone to sustain the Ramadan spirit of charity, by showing kindness to the weak and vulnerable, including orphans, widows, the girlchild and less privileged persons.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Abdulhakeem Adullateef, admonished the people to continue to seek knowledge and understanding of Islam after Ramadan, and to continuously fulfill the spiritual obligations of a pious Muslim.

He added that they must avoid acts forbidden

by Islam, but must be forthright, charitable, kind, seek happiness of others, embark on more spiritual fortifications, and work more to collaborate on initiatives, that promote common good and cement relationships across all divides.

He enjoined them to ceaselessly practice those acts, to bring more happiness, progress and prosperity to families, communities, Lagos State and the country.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

27 News

Eid-el-Fitr celebration Glo celebrates with Muslims

L-R; Chairman, Eleganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya; former, Minister for State of Defence, Chief Demola Seriki and Dr. Tajudeen Okoya during Eid-il-Fitri in Lagos.

Photo: Olatunji Wale

Exemplify teachings of Ramadan, Bindow urges Muslim faithful Tom Garba, Yola The Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla Bindow has urged the people of Adamawa state and Nigerian Muslims in general to remain committed to the lessons of Ramadan.

He spoke at the end of this year’s Ramadan fast.

According to him, the fasting which culminates in Eid el Fitr celebration, teaches unconditional love, self discipline, piety, peace of mind, compassion and support for the less privileged, which should

characterised every Muslim’s life.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Macaulay Hunohashi, the Governor said, “an exemplary life of prayer and daily devotion to the teachings of the holy Qur’an are what is expected of true Muslim faithful”.

He called on all citizens of the state to be joyful because of the relative peace and harmony that prevailed throughout the fasting period.

The governor noted that, “we are progressively consolidating on our gains because in the

face of daunting challenges, the people of Adamawa State remained prayerful, eschewed negative utterances, hate speech and actions that are inimical to the progress of our dear state.

“To build on these gains, we shall remain focused in our quest to provide dividends of good governance, especially infrastructure such as roads and standard drainage system, healthcare services, rehabilitation of schools and many more”.

He called for ceaseless prayer and support for the administration of President

Muhammad Buhari, so that the resolve to restore the image of the country, fight graft and recover looted funds, boost the economy, make life better and meaningful for Nigeria, will be sustained.

He said, “We, in the North East can only show gratitude to the President for reclaiming many local government areas held captives by Boko Haram insurgents and establishment of a commission to rebuild the region”.

He is optimistic that with sustained prayer, patience and hard work Nigeria will attain greatness.

Nasarawa NURTW cautions drivers against violating traffic rules The Nasarawa State chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has cautioned its members against violating traffic rules, especially during the Eid-ElFitr period.

The Chairman of NURTW, Mr Salihu Adamu, made the call in an interview with journalists in Lafia.

“The call is part of the sensitisation the union is

carrying out in order to reduce the rate of accidents in the state during this period,’’ Adamu said.

He said that the union had also set machinery in motion to check the issue of overloading, over speeding and dangerous overtaking by commercial drivers.

He warned those in the habit of violating traffic rules to desist from it, saying if caught, they would face serious

disciplinary action.

He also warned commercial drivers from loading outside the approved motor parks across the state.

“Any commercial driver caught operating in illegal motor packs would be disciplined in accordance with the laws governing the operations of the union.

“The union under my leadership is working round the clock towards ensuring that

commercial drivers operate in only approved motor packs.

“We will address the problem of proliferation of unapproved motor packs and ensure drivers observed traffic rules in order to reduce the rate of accidents in the state,” he said.

He therefore expressed the union’s readiness to synergise with Federal Road Safety Commission and other security agencies to reduce the rate of accidents in the state.

As the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid El Fitri, telecommunications giant, Globacom, has admonished them to draw closer to Allah in their services and goodwill towards others.

This was contained in a goodwill message released in Lagos over the weekend in which Globacom opined that the conclusion of the exercise

by Muslims is a sign of faith, steadfastness and resilience on their part.

The company also encouraged them to celebrate this year’s Eid El Fitri with hope and gratitude in the belief that their prayers for the Nation have been answered.

“Globacom wishes all our Muslim brethren a very happy Eid El Fitri and hopes that the Almighty Allah will grant their prayers for

peace and progress,” the statement read, adding that “The unity of purpose and commitment of the Muslim Ummah in participating and completing this year’s Ramadan fast shows great inner strength and faith”.

The network rallied the teeming faithful to show the same zeal, faith and steadfastness in contributing their quota to the development of their various communities and the nation at large.

It also encouraged them to always carry out the injunctions of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) especially in shunning corruption and other vices which have derailed the nation’s progress over the years.

The network promised to remain committed to its mission of providing all subscribers on its network with world-class and innovative products and services.

Pray for violence free 2019, NLC begs Muslims Idu Jude, Abuja

Leadership of the Nigerian Labour congress (NLC), has urged Muslim faithful celebrating Ed-el-fitr to engage more in offering prayers for a successful and hitch free 2019 election in the country.

The president of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Waba, in a statement Friday, said that the already heated up political atmosphere, can only be brought under control through offering prayer to God Almighty.

According to the NLC president, Nigerians should also use the celebration to love one another, irrespective of religion or ethnic divide.

He said “Eid-el-fitr is a very important event in the life of every Muslim chiefly because of the virtues it embodies. It teaches denial, dedication, discipline and diligence.

Eid-el-fitr is also a time of stock taking as Muslims use the period of the Ramadan fasting to take an objective assessment of their areas of strength and weakness. The strengths are consolidated while the weaknesses are strengthened.

“Eid-el-fitr teaches us to love and to share. In view of the divisive political current flowing all over Nigeria and mainly driven by irresponsible politics, it is important that we learn

that united in love and sharing, we stand, divided in prejudice and hate, we fall”.

Meanwhile, the NLC urged every Nigerian Muslim and all citizens to fully imbibe the virtues of Eid-el-fitr.

It said this has become necessary in the midst of harrowing general inflation; Nigerian workers have soldiered on in self-denial, dedication and diligence as partners in the onerous mission of nation building.

“The government can make workers’ load lighter by quickly approving the demand of organised labour for a New National Minimum Wage,” he further stated.

The organised labour however, commended all Muslims for praying for Nigeria during this year’s Ramadan.

Further commenting on the need for free and fair election, he warned that as Nigeria gradually approaches another election year in 2019, there was need for all to intensify prayers for national peace and work towards violence free and credible elections.

“It is our prayer that in the 2019 elections, the will of Nigerian electorates will prevail, be respected and the blessings of Eid-el-fitri will abide with us,” he further stated.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Eid-el-Fitr celebration Eid-el-Fitr: FCT DRTS deploys 400 men to man traffic Idu Jude, Abuja The FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), has deployed additional 200 personnel to man traffic in different parts of the city during the Sallah holidays.

The head of operations in the directorate, Mr. Dele Yaro, said the aim is to enhance safer road during the celebration noting

that traffic is likely to build up in certain areas which was the reason the directorate had to increase the number of her men on the road.

The Assistant Director operations specifically mentioned praying grounds and Airport road where Eid ground is located as the areas that will attract most worshippers including the political class and advised motorists to use alternative routes during the

period.

He further explained that his men and the directorate’s operational vehicles are to be stationed in most strategic places especially the relaxation centers which are expected to attract a lot of vehicular and human traffics.

The VIO head of operations noted that the exercise within the period is not to arrest or impose penalties on defaulters but to ensure safety and free

flow of traffic in different parts of the territory he however, cautioned that vehicle drivers must behave very well by obeying every traffic rule.

He warned owners of vehicles that are not road worthy not to bring them to the road as necessary actions will be taken against such persons and also advised road users not to over speed, not to drink and drive.

For visitors to the city of Abuja, the VIO head of

operations advised them not to over speed as experience he said shows that this class of drivers always over speed because of good roads which often leads to accidents.

It will be noted that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS has about four hundred officers in its traffic division and had to increase the number with an additional two hundred men for the Sallah holidays operation.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheik Musa Animasahun, during the 2018 Eid-el-Fitri prayers, at Osogbo ‎Central Eid Praying Ground, Osogbo. . . on Friday

Promote virtues of Ramadan, Amosun, others counsel Nigerians As Nigerians join the rest of the world to observe the Eid-el-Fitr, political leaders and clerics have called on Muslims to replicate the lessons of the Ramadan in their lives while calling for peace and national cohesion.

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Friday urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the values of Ramadan and ensure that they are continually manifested in their daily lives.

Amosun made the call in his message at the 2018 Eid -el- Fitr prayer held at the Lantoto Eid Praying Ground in Abeokuta.

The governor, who urged Muslims to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr, said the Ramadan demands righteousness in all endeavours.

“During Ramadan, which is one of the important pillars of

Islam, we were obliged to fast, shun evil actions, speak right and show love to one another.

“It also compels us to engage in deep spiritual reflection and I believe that if we all continue in this practice after Ramadan, it will be beneficial to us both as individuals and as a nation “Above all, we should not draw back in our devotion to Allah because this is our ultimate responsibility,” he said The Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, in his sermon at the event urged wealthy Muslims to help the less privileged.

Orunsolu attributed the violence in parts of the country to poverty, added that “the gap between the poor and the rich is too wide.’’

He stressed the need for

privileged Nigerians to be sources of blessings to others for sustainable peace in the country.

Alhaji Abdulhakeem YayiAkorede, the Chief Imam of Akureland, on his part, blamed politicians for causing the senseless religious killings and lack of trust among Muslims and Christians.

Yayi-Akorede stated this after leading thousands of Muslim faithful in the tworakat prayer to mark the Eld – el-Fitri on Friday in Akure.

“Muslims and Christians as well as herdsmen and farmers had been cohabiting peacefully for many years in all parts of the country. ” I am wondering why politicians are allegedly sponsoring disaffections among Muslims and Christians

and herdsmen and farmers in recent time through unguided campaigns and hate speeches,” he said.

In Ibadan, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, urged Nigerians to promote ethnic and religious harmony.

Buhari(APC-Oyo North) urged Muslims not to deviate from their commitment and relationship with Allah as they displayed during the Ramadan.

“We have all shown commitment to the Allah’s commandment during Ramadan. We have during the period embraced righteous deeds as commanded by Allah.

“These reflected in our day to day activities and dealings with other people, especially

non Muslims around us. All of these we should continue as Ramadan ends,” he said.

Federal lawmakers, Rep. Abiodun Olasupo and Rep. Dapo Lam-Adesina urged Muslims to uphold and sustain the virtues of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace religious and ethnic harmony.

The duo implored Nigerians to be prayerful in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges in the country.

Olasupo(APC-Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/ Kajola/ Iwajowa) called on Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammed’s virtue of piety, tolerance, peace and compassion.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, urged Nigerians to embrace ethnic and religious harmony.

Eid-el-Fitri: Lagos Chief Imam, others call for peaceful coexistence The Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Sulaimon Nollah, on Friday urged Muslims in the country to extend the spirits of peace, unity, love and solidarity to non-Muslims before, during and after the Eid-ul-Fitri.

Nollah said this during the Eid-ul-Fitri service which held at the Obalende Praying Ground in Lagos.

According to him, Eid-ulFitri marks the culmination of Ramadan.

“It is the glorious month in which Muslims reflect spiritually and show compassion to neighbours and assist the needy.

“We started this fasting with a lot of non-Muslims joining us, while others shared gifts and sent greetings.

“Now that the fasting is over, let us extend the spirits of love and solidarity to non-Muslims especially in this period of tribal and religious tensions in the land.

“This practice has been an age-long tradition of the Lagos people, and one that I encourage us all in the nation to imbibe,” Nollah said.

The imam advised those that participated in the fasting to permanently keep away from those vices and evil things that they stopped during Ramadan.

Nollah urged people to live in peace and harmony with one another and avoid discontent, which could lead to tribal or religious war.

“No matter how well armed or populous a tribe or religious group is; it will not succeed in exterminating the other people or group as war brings only grief and pain,” he said.

The Imam commended the Federal and the Lagos State Governments in their efforts in fulfilling their promises to the electorate.

They had curtailed corruption, but improved security as well as agricultural and infrastructural development, he said.

Nollah, however, appealed to them to support the masses with direct subsidy on common food items such as locally produced rice and other staple foods in the region.

“This will go a long way in directly alleviating the food problems of the masses,” he said.

The Imam also suggested to the government to use faithbased organisations as points of reaching out to the poor and vulnerable people in the society.

“Mosques and churches are the first point of call for all troubled minds, therefore, measures should be put in place to ensure that these religious systems are not abused,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

CSOs oppose call for removal of INEC boss The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), says call for removal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman is an attempt to undermine the electoral process.

Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Chima Amadi, said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum had in their meeting recently, called for the removal of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman.

The group alleged that there were accumulated indications that head of the electoral umpire may rig the 2019 election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amadi said that as stakeholders in the electoral process, the group saw the call as the growing attempt by “ethnic entrepreneurs’’ to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“We also see it as an attempt to diminish the democratic gains our country has made since the return to civil rule in 1999.

“If there are accumulated indications, they point to those successful governorship elections conducted in Bayelsa and Rivers by the same Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu and won by the opposition parties.

“The Anambra governorship election is still fresh in our minds, in which the candidate of the ruling party lost in every local government area, to the extent that even the Ohaneze Ndigbo commended INEC. “The same INEC, two weeks after, successfully concluded the Anambra Central Senatorial District election after staying the course in a protracted legal battle,” he explained.

He said that Yakubu, being “the same ethnic stock” with Buhari did not make him any less qualified or incapable of discharging the electoral and constitutional functions of his office.

“This call gladdens our hearts on one hand that the call was not based on competence; they did not say he had committed an infraction against the electoral law and laws of our land.

“They did not say that he is not qualified to be the chairman of INEC but that he comes from the same region of the country with the president.

“It is interesting that this same group was at work on the eve of the 2015 general elections when they called for the sack and arrest of the then INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

“They are doing the same as the 2019 general elections approach. It is their stockin-trade on behalf of their sponsors,” Amadi said.

Also, the President, Public Interest Lawyers League, Mr Aminu Mahmud, described the call as “intriguingly worrying.”

“For these leaders to come out and pose ethnicity, I think

they are posing flash points for an election where the first ballot has not been cast,” he said.

Similarly, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reforms, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, said that the call was “meaningless’’ as it could not be acted upon.

“INEC has closed the opportunity for gatekeepers and there is a reaction. I have continued to say that elections have gotten better and better; let’s not make that mistake.

“Things are getting better; violence in our elections is reducing; the process is getting more and more transparent,” Nwagwu said.

He said that the introduction of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and the Card Reader was the game changer.

Interswitch to host Verve wellness, fitness lifestyle The Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer Interswitch Nigeria, Cherry Eromosele, on Thursday said that the company is set to host a fitness, wellness and lifestyle event on June 16 in Lagos.

According to Eromosole, the event is the second edition and would hold at the Landmark Centre Victoria Island, tagged “TheVerveLife 2.0 #ZeroExcuses”, is expected to be a huge success.

He told news men in Lagos that this year’s edition would have participants engage in secession in boxing, dance, Yoga, Martial Arts and Strength Conditioning.

“Verve International, a proudly Pan-African payment brand of Interswitch Group will on June 16 host enthusiast to fitness to wellness and lifestyle event.

“Our card and digital payments brand has always been a customer-focused brand and which has always helped our customers to achieve their set objectives.

“Above all, the Verve life is about fitness, fun, healthy food and living, which is why we have carefully designed the event to leverage the passion of Nigerians for fitness and entertainment.

“Participants will be treated to a delightful and engaging sessions involving fitness challenges as well as master classes on Boxing, Strength and Conditioning, Dance, Yoga, Zumba, Martial Arts and Nutrition.

“Access to the highly anticipated fitness event is free, however registration is required, on the purpose-built web/mobile platform created for the event,’’ Eromosole said.

Verve is a pan-African payment scheme that provides EMV cards, cardless products and solutions to financial institutions, individuals, private organizations and government institutions across Africa.

Verve cards are accepted in 185 countries including 22 African countries, China, United Kingdom, United States and UAE.

29 News

Stakeholders want abandoned Independence building converted to tourists’ site Some stakeholders in the tourism industry on Friday urged the Federal Government to convert the abandoned Independence building into a tourists’ site.

They said in Lagos that the building had been occupied by hoodlums over the years which ought not to be.

According to them, the building is supposed to be a reference point of Nigeria’s dignity and pride.

They said that it had been abandoned fir years and was becoming a dilapidated structure.

The building was inaugurated by the British Government in 1960 when Nigeria gained her Independence.

The building once housed the Defence Headquarters under the General Ibrahim Babangida-led administration and was known then as the Defence House.

In 1993, some portions of it caught fire and since

then, the building had not been managed properly but abandoned.

Nigerian flutist, Omotshola Iseli said that the Federal Government should renovate the edifice and put it to good use.

He said that the building was large enough to accommodate the exhibition of various aspects of the Nigerian culture.

He said that it could house art galleries, museum, hallof- fame and more.

He said all these would represent the identities of the country.

Iseli added that whenever international tourists visit, they could be entertained there while they would learn more about the country’s past and present. ” The independence building is supposed to be a reference point of respect for our independence and identity. ” We can have our cultural shows exhibited in different forms there by having a

museum, art galleries and a hall- of-fame. ” Individuals who had contributed to the development of the nation over the years should have their pictures and profile kept in the hall-of-fame ,” he said.

Head of Corporate Affairs, BHS International, Mrs Josephine Abraham, concessionaires of Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) advised the Federal Government to lease the outfit out to competent investors.

She said that such an investor would be able to manage and maintain it well.

Abraham said that such investors could erect some of the nation’s symbolic monuments like those of Queen Moremi there to attract tourists. ”It is quite shameful to have the country’s Independence building abandoned for years, making it an abode for

hoodlums. ”Government must wade in quickly by engaging qualified investors who are capable of projecting the place as a world class tourism destination hub,” she said.

Also, renowned cartoonist, Jossy Ajiboye, urged the Federal Government to convert the building into an art gallery.

He said that artists who would be exhibiting there could be paying a stipulated percentage to the government every month.

He said this would also ensure good maintenance of the outfit. ” The independence building should not just be left to collapse one day. ”Government should engage artists to run art galleries there while they pay some amount to government. ”This will put smiles on artists’ faces who lack spaces for constant exhibition,” he said.

Wife of Ondo state Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu (right), in a warm handshake with President general of Nigeria Football Supporters Club , Dr Rafiu Ladipo, at Ondo state Government house, Alagbaka, Akure.

Sallah: Sultan urges politicians to ensure sustainability of peace, unity in Nigeria The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Friday urged politicians to ensure the sustainability of peace and unity in the country.

Abubakar’s gave the advice in his Eid-el Fitr message to Nigerians delivered in Sokoto.

He said that the challenges being encountered in the country were numerous and the most were initiated by some selfish politicians.

“As we are approaching the political era, it is our hope that politicians in the country will allow the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“Moreover, our youth should stay peacefully and not to allow any selfish politician to use them in distracting the relative peace and unity in the country.

“More so, distraction of peaceful democracy in any society will only set it

backward in all areas of human development,” Sultan said.

The monarch further urged Nigerians to complement the efforts of the security agencies toward securing the country, pointing out that security is a collective responsibility.

He praised efforts by the federal and Sokoto state governments to restore the lost glories of the educational and agricultural sectors, and called on Nigerians to support such

efforts.

The Royal Father urged Muslims to reflect on, and uphold the virtues of the Ramadan fast that included patience, perseverance and brotherliness.

While wishing all Nigerians happy sallah celebration, the Sultan appealed to them to sustain their prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors and all other leaders in the country.

Photo Times 30

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Captain Sahiu Mohammed Yusuf leading prayer as President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) flanked by Sgt Mohammed Dahey, Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdurahman Dambazzau, Minister of Defence Brig Gen Mansur Dan Ali, Director General DSS, Lawan Daura and other Muslim faithful at the Eid-el-Fitri prayer ground, Mambila Barracks, Abuja...on Friday

President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with Sgt Mohammed Dahey after observing prayers with other Muslim faithful at the Eid-el-Fitri prayer ground, Mambila Barracks, Abuja...on Friday

Young lads joining their fathers to observe prayers at the Eid-el-Fitri prayer ground, Mambila Barracks, Abuja... on Friday

President Muhammadu Buhari waving at the crowds after observing prayers with other Muslim faithful at the Eid-el-Fitri prayer ground, Mambila Barracks, Abuja...on Friday

Two little girls observing prayers at Eid praying ground, Mambila Barracks, Abuja...on Friday

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

31 Photo Times

Scenes from Eid-el-Fitri’s paying of homage to President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja...on Friday

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FLASHBACK in Times: June 16, 1955

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 678

N150

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED. Operational Headquarters: Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos Corporate Office: 9 Osun Crescent, MaItama, Abuja Email: info@dailytimes.ng Managing Editor: BONAVENTURE MELAH, Tel: 08036062975, Email: bonamelah123@gmail.com

Editor: TONY AMOKEODO, Tel: 08111811228, Email: tonyamok@gmail.com

Business Times

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Nigeria’s agric export earnings rise by 180% — Ogbeh

Global economic outlook darkening – IMF

NSE: All-Share Index drops further by 0.26%

Nigeria ranks fourth among countries with highest net mobile subscriptions A multinational networking and Telecommmunications company, Ericsson, on Friday said that Nigeria ranked fourth among the top five countries with the highest net addition of mobile subscriptions in the first quarter of 2018.

Ericsson made this known in its global mobility report for June 2018 posted on its website.

The report says that Nigeria had 3million in the first quarter compared to China which came first with 53million, followed

by India with 16million, Indonesia 6million and Bangladesh 2 million.

The first quarter of 2018 saw the addition of 98 million new subscriptions, with China, India , Indonesia, Nigeria and Bangladesh leading the pack, the report said.

According to the mobility report, there are around 5.3 billion subscribers globally compared to 7.9 billion subscriptions.

Ericsson’s mobility report also forecast that there would be 8.9 billion mobile subscriptions by the end of 2023 globally.

Mobile broadband subscriptions will reach 8.3 billion, accounting for close to 95 percent of all mobile subscriptions, it added.

The report also said that the number of unique mobile subscribers was estimated to reach 6.1 billion by the end of the forecast period.

Mobile broadband would complement fixed broadband in some segments and would be the dominant mode of access in others, the report said.

It also said that the subscription for PCs and tablets with mobile capabilities were expected to show moderate growth reaching 320 million in 2023.

The report further said that smart phone penetration continues to rise, driven by the increasing affordability

of devices.

The report forecasts that the number of smart phone subscriptions would reach 7.2 billion in 2023 and almost all would be for mobile broadband.

It said the Middle East and Africa, which comprises of over 70 countries, at the end of 2017 had 20 percent mobile subscriptions for Long Term Evolution(LTE) while sub- Saharan Africa accounted for 5 percent LTE subscriptions.

The report also stated that the region was anticipated to evolve over the forecast period while 90 percent of subscriptions are expected to be for mobile broadband by 2023.

According to the mobility report, the driving force behind this shift include a young and growing population with increasing digital skills as well as more affordable smart phones.

The reports also stated that in the Middle East and North Africa,

significant 5G subscription volumes are expected in 2021 and in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022.

The Ericsson report further stated that first-generation 5G data-only devices are expected from the second half of 2018.

The first commercial smart phones supporting 5G in the mid-bands are expected early next year while support for very high spectrum bands is expected in early to mid-2019.(NAN)

L-R: Managing Director, Azura-Edo Power Plant, David Ladipo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, during the Osinbajo’s visit to the power plant in Edo State... on Friday

$16bn Egina Project: Senate directs suspension of further variations, begins audit The Senate Ad hoc Committee on Investigation of Local Content Element on Egina Oil Field and other related Projects , has directed the suspension of further variations on the Total Upstream Nigeria Limited 16.3 Billion dollar Egina Deep Sea Oil Project.

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Solomon Adeola, gave the directive in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Kayode Odunaro in Abuja on Thursday.

Adeola said the directive followed Senate’s resolution to pay consultants to do a ”Value for Money Audit” of the Egina project.

He said after a two billion dollar variation on the project, there was proposal for another one billion dollar variation.

He stressed that there was need to get detailed explanation of the variations by various sub contractors to Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, the major operator of the project.

He said “the audit would last for 16 weeks by consultants paid by the Senate to ensure independent account instead of being carried out by NNPC/NAPIMS as required by the contractual agreement.

He decried that over the five year period of the project no audit of any

kind has been carried out.

Mr. Nicolas Terraz, Managing Director of Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, stated that as the major operator of the project, it would continue to assist the committee in its investigations.

Meanwhile, Adeola said the committee would report the illegal status of one Young Ho Jo, to the Ministry of Interior.

Adeola said findings indicated that Jo, claimed to be the Managing Director of Samsung Nigeria Limited and had been working in Nigeria for the past two months without fulfilling legal

requirements.

He stressed that the Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCMDB) had reported the alleged illegality to the Ministry of Interior for possible deportation as an illegal immigrant.

“The man came to us to say he is the MD of Samsung and his documentation could not be completed because of the breakdown of the machines of NCMDB. “Meanwhile the NCMBD wrote to us saying that their machine had never broken down in the period claimed, showing that the man had contravened the Local Content law.”

Inflation: Experts task FG on agricultural output to reduce food prices Some financial experts on Friday said the downward slide in the nation’s inflation rate could only reflect in prices of food with increased output in agricultural output.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, while reacting to the May inflation figure that the Federal Government should increase agricultural output to reduce prices of goods and services.

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun said efforts must be intensified to increase output in agriculture for both food and cash crops.

He advised the government to check negative activities that affect agricultural output such as the issue of herdsmen and ensure improvement in production as well as capacity utilisation in industries.

He said the decline in inflation had been very slow particularly for food, thereby making the impact to be minimal due to high cost of production and high interest rate.

“For falling prices to be felt in the commodity market, the interest rate must come down and naira must continuously appreciate against the dollar and other key currencies.

“However, interest rate may not come down now because of the fear that once the budget is endorsed by the President for implementation, liquidity will increase in the economy coupled with spending on the forthcoming election.

“So, the Central Bank may want to continue to tighten the monetary angle. What can bring down prices will be increased production in both agriculture and industry,” Tella said.

Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., said the consistent decline of inflation since January 2017 was good for the economy.

Omordion said the impact would be felt with low interest rate and efficient infrastructure that support economic growth and development.

He said government must work hard to improve the nation’s infrastructure to reduce cost of production and aid movement of goods and services.

NAN reports that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on June 13 said the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation for May, decreased from 13.34 per cent recorded in April to 11.61 per cent (year-on-year).

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Bankers Committee hopeful of curtailing negative global economic devts Motolani Oseni The Bankers Committee, the umbrella body of Managing Directors of commercial banks operating in the country and top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday said it has enough shock absorbers to curtail the negative global economic developments.

Speaking at the end of the Committee’s meeting held in Lagos yesterady, Director, Banking Supervision (CBN), Mr. Ahmad Abdullahi, said it recognised the mixed signals that are coming from the global economy as well as the tax cut in the US which they said will reduce capital outflows in emerging countries like Nigeria.

He explained that despite the mixed signal in the global economy and the likelihood of capital outflow, the CBN is expected to deal with the situation to ensure stability in the forex market. Generally, the

Bankers Committee realised that the CBN has the enough arsenal to ensure we have a stable exchange rate and that any demand for forex will be met to ensure liquidity in the foreign exchange market”.

He added that developments in the domestic economy are good signals for the managers of the economy to be able to withstand the foreign pressure.

“We also recognised the positive outlook of the domestic economy.

We are seeing inflation coming down to 11.6 per cent. Our reserves have grown to $48bn and the GDP that is estimated to be 2.4% by the end of 2018,” Abdullahi said.

Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA), said the position where Nigeria is currently is a position of strength where it can deal with any negative news coming abroad.

“We are coming from a position of strength, a position strategy of defending the exchange rate because we have the capacity

regardless of the messages we are getting from abroad that things are going to reverse. The good work at the CBN will be able to manage it,” Uzoka stated.

The Committee also disclosed that the currency bilateral swap deal between Nigeria and China will strengthen the nation’s foreign reserves which currently stood at $48 billion.

The CBN is also dangling 10 percent markup incentive to importers of equipment and machinery from China who takes advantage of the currency swap.

Markup is the ratio between the cost of a good or service and its selling price. It is expressed as a percentage over the cost. A markup is added onto the total cost incurred by the producer of a good or service in order to cover the costs of doing business and create a profit.

Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC Dr. Demola Sogunle, said the time for Nigerian importers of machinery and equipment from

China to take advantage of the bilateral swap is now.

His words: “We got almost $48 billion and because we trade a lot with China, being our largest trading partner, if we are able as a country to continue to bring in equipment and machinery without depleting our dollar reserve, then the external reserve will not have a treat.

“So with the 15 billion Renminbi (N844.964bn at N56 to one Renminbi) in place in the bilateral currency swap we are in a very good position. That is why we are encouraging importers to bring invoices in Renminbi.

“For those that are playing in the importation of machinery and equipment, between Central bank and the bankers committee, the idea is to start to encourage importers to receive invoices in renminbi instead of US dollars.

One of the incentives will be that a percentage spread would actually be given to any importer that is bringing renminbi invoice

for settlement instead of bring dollar invoice.

“So that when you look at the overall cost in terms of Naira if you bring renminbi invoice it would be cheaper for the importer in coming to central bank to get foreign currency which in this case will be renminbi.

“The importer will actually brings lesser amount of naira. If he goes ahead to bring invoice in dollars it will cost the importer slightly more in terms of naira amount that he is going tom use to get the foreign currency”.

He added that the main reason for this is that the bankers’ committee and the CBN are out to encourage Nigerian importers o bring in machinery and equipment that will in turn rejuvenate the economy of the country.

“This is part of trying to encourage Nigerian importers to bring in the equipment they need to operate their companies,” Sogunle said.

L-R: Honorary Treasurer, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, Mrs. Dorothy Ufot (SAN); Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage; Secretary General, Mrs. Olubunmi Oshuntuyi; and Vice chairman, Mr. Raymond Ihyembe during the Annual General Meeting of the ICCN in Lagos... On Thursday. Photo: Olatunji Wale

Nigeria’s agric export earnings rise by 180% — Ogbeh Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says Nigeria’s agricultural export earnings have increased by 180 per cent, reaching over N5 billion in the last one year.

Ogbeh said this in Abuja on Thursday when the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with John Deere Tractor Manufacturing Company on the procurement of tractors and the provision of farm mechanisation services.

The minister expressed optimism that the country’s

export earnings would continue to increase because of the tractor mechanisation services which would be rendered to smallholder farmers through the partnership with John Deere.

“This partnership means greater wealth, more exports for our country. I like to say how proud we are that agricultural exports in the last one year and half have gone up by 180 per cent, as we earned well over N5 billion from these exports.

“We are on the way and with your support, we will get there,’’ he said.

On the delay in the planned recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by the Federal Government, Ogbeh said that designed efforts were being made to restructure the bank in a way that people would no longer be able to take loans and refuse to pay back.

“It is taking so long because we have had to remove an entire management and bring in bankers now. The shareholders are mainly the Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and they said they are ready to give us money.

“The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is doing a new restructuring. Farmers are going to own 30 per cent of the shares of BOA. “And the bank would have a branch in each of the local government areas of the country where they can talk to farmers,’’ he said.

The minister said that the newly introduced Agriculture Input and Mechanisation Services (AIMS), which would replace the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme, would soon be

launched.

“We will launch the AIMS once our committee submits its report and we will tell you exactly how things will be done.

“We will screen those people who have applied; there will be no question of just fixing names because of any influence.

“AIMS will help to track fake seed companies and distributors because there are a lot of people who still do fake things in agriculture believing that as soon as they supply inputs, nobody can track them,’’ Ogbeh said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

B 3 For The Record

New soft loan scheme for small traders under way – Osinbajo Let me say how delighted I am to be here in Edo State. I am here to do three main things. As you already know, we were here earlier for the “Energizing Markets Programme”.

The meaning of that is the Federal Government, in collaboration with the State Government, is putting together solar power in all of our markets. So that our markets will have power, our hairdressers, dress makers will have power, those who need to have power in their stores and shops will have power, everyone will have power. That is one of the first reasons why I am here.

The second reason why I am here is for the MSME Clinic, which is this particular event. The policy of the Federal Government is to support businesses; not just big businesses, but particularly small and medium businesses, and also micro businesses. The whole idea of the MSME Clinic is that we want to ensure that we give whatever support we can, whether it is cash, advice or even registration, to all of our small and medium enterprises. That is why I am here today, with the Corporate Affairs Commission, NAFDAC (registration), Bank of Industry (credit), Standard Organisation of Nigeria – all of those agencies of the Federal Government that you need to do business. I brought them with me to serve and solve businesses in Edo State.

What we hope these two days of events will do, is to help those of us who are small businesses and have any kind of problem, talk to the regulatory agencies.

If you need NAFDAC registration, they are here, if you need company registration, CAC is here also. The reason is we want Federal Government agencies to be facilitators of businesses, not obstacles. That’s why I have taken them round the country - this is about the 16th edition of the MSME Clinics.

One of the things we want to do is to set up a one-stop-shop here in Edo State, where we have BOI, NAFDAC, SON, CAC in one place, so that anybody who needs their services can go to that particular place and get the service.

The third reason I’m here, is for our Social Investment Programmes.

It is a very special programme of our President, Muhammadu Buhari. The first part of the SIP is the N-Power. This programme is an important National programme, because what we want to achieve is to be able to address the question of youth unemployment. Not just youth unemployment, because it is not enough to be employed, you must also be trained and re-trained. We want to make sure that our young people have the right types of training for any type of engagement that they do later in their lives.

That is the reason we started the N-Power programme; we have 200,000 N-Power graduates across the country today, and we are on boarding another 300,000 by God’s grace, by the end of this month. We will have a total of 500,000, and we want to maintain that number.

Osinbajo

We want to ensure that not only are you an N-Power beneficiary, but you also have the right type of training.

The tablets that you have with you are meant to be training tools, they are also meant to be work tools, because we are doing so many surveys across the country now, and we think that you, as N-Power graduates, should be able to benefit from those surveys. So whenever we are doing a survey, we will call on N-Power graduates, because we have your tablets, you will be helping with enumeration, and of course, you will be paid for the work that you are doing, added to what you are earning already.

That is one of the reasons why we want to make sure every N-Power graduate has his/her tablet. It is not just to learn, but also for your own benefit and for different types of engagement that you may need to have.

Asides from N-Power, I am also here in respect of GEEP, our micro-credit loans scheme. You have also heard the governor talk about Home GrownSchool Feeding; today we are feeding over 8.2million school children every day in Nigeria. You heard the governor say

‘

that Edo State is going to start the Home Grown School Feeding.

Asides from that, we also have the Conditional Cash Transfers; which is giving N5000 a month to some of the poorest Nigerians across the country.

In the next few weeks, we are starting a Micro-credit scheme which we call Trader Moni – that is a different scheme from Market Moni. The Trader Moni is for the smaller traders – these are the hawkers, those selling bread, those frying “akara” and “puff puff” by the roadside, those selling plantain - those who are doing small, little things, where in many cases, their inventory isn’t more than N5000 – N10,000. We want to give those types of people some credit as well, and once they pay back, we will give them some more money as well.

We want to make sure that the very poor trader, no matter how poor you are, so long as you are trading or working, the Federal Government will support you by giving you some extra money to do whatever you are doing. So that every Nigerian who wants to work, who wants to do something, can get the opportunity to do some work.

We want to make sure that the very poor trader, no matter how poor you are, so long as you are trading or working, the Federal Government will support you by giving you some extra money to do whatever you are doing. So that every Nigerian who wants to work, who wants to do something, can get the opportunity to do some work

,

We are going to be asking our N-Power graduates, to help us with enumerating all of those small traders, so that we can identify them everywhere we go. So here in Edo State, we will do the same.

If you are not benefitting from GEEP,our micro credit loans scheme, you can benefit from this new microcredit scheme we are about to start. By God’s grace, we should start in the next couple of weeks, and it will be all over the country.

The important thing for us as a government, is to make sure that we deal with the unemployment problem in two ways; one by direct employment, which is what we are doing through the N-Power programme. We would also deal with unemployment by giving credit to people who want to work, whether it is the market women, the artisans, the N-build, asides from them, we would also give credit to the smaller traders like the hawkers and those selling little things all over the country. Because all of these people are hardworking Nigerians, we want to make sure Nigerians who are prepared to work, are given the opportunity to work.

I hope that soon in Edo State, anybody who wants to work, will have an opportunity to work, so that those who are serious about work, will be trained to work in our N-build or N-teach programme, graduates will have something that they are doing, and we will create an enabling environment for doing business.

I want to commend the State Governor, for the excellent work that he is doing. We were at Ikpoba Okha local government, were they are building 1,600 units housing estate. I was also here also for the Fertiliser Plant which is in Auchi, and even before that, the Industrial Plant. All of these are fantastic developments, which the governor has undertaken.

I think that by the time I come back here next, we are going to see some major industries here and there. I want you to give the governor a round of applause.

I think that Edo State is a blessed State, just look at the people you have, the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, and the Chairman of our great party, Chief John Oyegun, are also here with us today.

I want to commend all of you for the great work that you are doing, and to wish you all well, and say that we believe very strongly that this State, which in many ways, is the heart beat of our nation, will continue to grow from strength to strength, and all will be well with you, we will always look out for Edo State because the State is very special to the Federal Government.

God bless you all.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN delivered this addressed At the launch of the Msme clinic in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Capital Markt B 4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

NSE: All-Share Index drops further by 0.26% NEITI unveils The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index closed for the week on Thursday ahead of Eid-el-Fitr celebration with a loss of 0.26 per cent.

The index shed 103.25 points or 0.26 per cent to close at 38,928.47 against 39,031.72 achieved on Wednesday.

The market capitalisation which opened at N14.139 trillion, lost N38 billion or 0.27 per cent to close at N14.101 trillion against N14.139 trillion posted on Wednesday.

Some highly capitalised stocks posted price depreciation with Seplat leading the laggards’ table with N14.10 to close at N754.90 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of N5 to close at N110, while Presco

dropped N1.70 to close at N72 per share.

International Breweries declined by 45k to close at N41.30, while Zenith International Bank was down by 35k to close at N26.40 per share.

On the other hand, Okomu Oil Palm led the gainers’ table during the day, appreciating by N8.40 to close at N90.40 per share.

NASCON followed with a gain of 95k to close at N23.95, while Stanbic IBTC increased by 50k to close at N49 per share.

Dangote Sugar garnered 40k to close at N19.40, while Eterna Oil advanced by 30k to close at N6.30 per share.

Similarly, an analysis of the activity chart indicates that the volume of shares traded dropped by 26.26 per cent as

investors bought and sold 336.62 million shares valued at N5.25 billion in 3,667 deals.

This was in contrast to 456.49 million shares worth N4.13 billion transacted in 3,517 deals on Wednesday.

United Capital Plc was the most active stock for the day, trading 101.63 million shares valued at N327.68 million.

United Bank for Africa followed with an account of 66.10 million shares worth N720.79 million, while Diamond Bank traded 20.21 million shares valued at N31.64 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank sold 14.24 million shares worth N587.29 million, while Transcorp exchanged 23.78 million shares valued at N20.48 million.

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Executive Director, World Bank, Europe sub-group, Mr. Patrizio Pagano; and World Bank Executive Director, Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, Ms. Bongi Kunene, during the visit of 10 World Bank Executive Directors to Edo-Azura Power Plant, as part of their visit to Edo State

Precious metals rally, base metals hang on bearish bias Gold and silver ended Thursday’s trading session near its day’s highs after the US federal reserve announced a 25 bpd rate hike in a widely anticipated move. Gold traded at 1308.50, up 0.55 percent whereas silver was at 17.15, up 0.97 percent towards the end of trading.

While the rate hike was already factored into the markets, the tone weighed on the dollar index which was in reference to the number of rate hikes this year, which according to the dot plot, now stands at four.

The potential upside, persistent weakness in the dollar index and rising inflation are believed to likely push gold higher to $1320 or $1330 in the near future.

Silver which has gained in six of the previous seven sessions is expected to approach mid-April resistance levels at $17.20 this week.

Base metals on the other hand traded on a weaker note as the lack of fresh catalysts continued to keep prices in a range. Nickel was down 2.38 percent to trade at 15285 while Copper was down

0.63 percent to trade at 7194.25.

According to Chinese customs data, imports of unwrought copper climbed to 475,000 in May, up 22 percent year on year to its highest level in 17 months, whereas imports during January and May reached 21.5 million tonnes, up 16.7 percent year on year. of ores and concentrates were also up 14 percent in the period.

The sharp jump in imports has been Beijing’s decision to ban the import of certain types of Copper scrap which was announced in April.

portal to simplify audit reports in extractive industries The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), on Thursday unveiled a data “DashBoard’’ platform to simplify its audit reports to ensure informed knowledge for public debate on transparency and accountability in the nation’s extractive industries.

The NEITI’s dashboard platform was developed as part of the implementation of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) policy on open data.

The dashboard was designed to simplify the data in NEITI’s audit reports, create access to user-friendly data in the reports, trend and analysis to ensure that information and data in the reports support citizens’ engagements and public debate.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio, said the dashboard highlights the spirit of innovation that the board and management of NEITI was known for.

“We believe in this mantra that you either innovate or you die, we also believe that we need to constantly use our vantage position in public service to expand and to create public value.’’

Mr Adio said that the dashboard was to constantly push the boundaries and expand the frontiers of openness and accountability in the extractive industries.

According to him, the dashboard is designed to avail Nigerians who are owners of the natural resources simplified information on the workings of the sector.

“The extractive sector is the collective property of all Nigerians, as they do not only have the right to know, but to truly own the sector by having details of its operations.

“It is only those who know about it that can engage in the conversation, so our goal with this project is to foster inclusion and ownership by constantly demystifying this sector.’’

Mr Adio said for EITI to archive its purpose of reducing poverty, promoting development and reversing resource cost, there was the need for robust public engagement and debate of the happenings in the sector.

“The change we want in the sector will come only when people intimately engage in the information we are pushing out.

“Through the debate about the best ways to use the resources for the development of the people, some form of pressures can be mounted on people who make decisions to allocate those resources to the benefit of the people.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

CBN lifted retail Forex segment with $343.06m Stories: Motolani Oseni

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again intervened in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) to the tune of $343.06 million.

Figures obtained from the Bank on Thursday, June 14, 2018, indicate that the amount released was for requests in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor confirmed the figures and noted thatthe continued intervention

were in line with the assurances made by the Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to sustain market liquidity in order to boost production and trade and maintain stability in the forex market.

Speaking further, Okorafor assured that the CBN remained very committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the foreign exchange required for the business concerns.

It will be recalled that on Tuesday, this week, the Bank injected the sum of $210 million into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at N362/$1 in the BDC segment of the

market on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Although, forex dealers projected that the Nigerian currency will be seen flat at about 361 per dollar next week, as investors weigh the impact of monetary tightening in United States against expected returns from holding local treasuries.

Foreign exchange trades were thin at midday on Thursday, with demand for dollars but little supply. The naira last traded at 361.50.

The Nair was quoted at 305.90 to the dollar at the CBN official rate on Thursday, supported by it continuous forex injections.

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki receiving a souvenir from the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Babatunde Ruwase, when the latter led the executive of the Chamber on a visit to him in Abuja

B 5 Money

DMO wins 3 categories at EMEA awards The Nigerian Debt Management Office (DMO) to raise revenue to finance infrastructure was recognised internationally last week when it won awards in 3 categories for its securities issuance activities in the domestic and international capital markets.

The awards were Best Sovereign Bond in Africa – US$3bn Dual-Tranche (10 and 30 year) Eurobonds issued in November 2017; Most Innovative Bond – US$300mn Diaspora Bond issued in June 2017; and Best Naira Bond – ₦100bn 7-year Inaugural Sukuk issued in September 2017.

Coming from EMEA Finance (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), which is a wellrespected institution in the international financial markets, the Awards position Nigeria properly to attract foreign capital flows and also confirm the robustness of Nigeria’s Debt Management Office in packaging and offering products that appeal strongly to local and international investors.

Even more significant for Nigeria is that awards by EMEA Finance are made after evaluating several Transactions, each of which is unique, using clearly defined criteria. That 3 Transactions by Nigeria won awards from a competitive process, is a huge plus for Nigeria. Nigeria issued its first Diaspora Bond for USD300 million in June 2017.

The Bond was selecte for the Award both for the uniqueness in the manner in which it was structured. The Bond is also the first security issued by Nigeria that is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

With the USD3 billion dual-tranche (USD1.5 billion for 10 years and USD1.5 billion), Nigeria recorded several firsts, making it a landmark transaction. Firstly, it was the very first time that Nigeria raised an amount that large at once in the International Capital Market (ICM).

Secondly, it was the first time a SubSaharan African country other than South Africa to issue a 30-year Bond in the ICM. For Nigeria, the significance of the tenor lies in the fact that it could now access stable long term funds necessary to finance infrastructure.

Indeed Nigeria is proud to have opened the 30-year window as some other African countries such as Kenya subsequently issued 30-year Bonds.

Fintech: Branch increases access to financial services with over N4b loan Despite the proliferation of Fintech industries in Nigeria, Branch has successfully distinguished itself with provision of over N4 billion loans, in order to increase access to modern financial services in Nigeria.

Branch International, is one of the fastest growing digital financial platforms, who recently celebrated its first year in the Nigerian financialtechnology industry.

Through their innovative approach to lending, Branch has provided world class financial services to the underserved and unlocked financial access to customers around the country.

The company provides fast, fair and flexible loans without late fees, hidden charges, rollover fees or restrictions on money expenditures.

At the stakeholders meeting held recently, the CEO Matthew Flannery said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working in Nigeria with Branch.

The startup community is incredibly dynamic, and the country is poised for a FinTech explosion. The early response from our customers shows that there is a massive need for a product like Branch. We hope to play a significant role in increasing access to modern financial services in Nigeria over the next decade.”

Branch offers a unique proposition to the average Nigerian, providing users with access to instant loans on their mobile devices. Android smartphone users can receive loans between N3,000 to N150,000 requiring no face-to-face meetings, lengthy application processes, collateral or paperwork. As Branch customers repay their loan, they unlock access to larger loan amounts and more flexible terms.

More than 75% of customers use Branch loans to help start or grow their business or meet financial obligations.

Notwithstanding, Branch has no

restrictions on the usage of the loans; customers are given the independence to make their own financial decisions.

Unlike traditional financial institutions, Branch provides customers with the opportunity to build their credit regardless of their banking history by assessing their loan eligibility based on the data procured from customer’s smartphones. With the customers’ consent, Branch’s algorithm processes thousands of data points to create customized loan options. These data are protected using world class security and encryption techniques to ensure the safety of customers’ private information.

In Nigeria, Branch has disbursed over N1 billion and over 100,000 loans.

The company’s growth continues to accelerate; in the first quarter of 2018, Branch grew 50 percent month on month in Nigeria.

“The growth that we have seen indicates that our product is providing

a valuable service and solving a meaningful need for Nigerians around the country,” says Country Manager Maria Rotilu. “The rapid user adoption is a clear sign of a strong need for fast, accessible world class financial services.”

This year, Branch plans to disburse more than N4 billion and generate over half a million loans. They are also investing in their Lagos office and plan doubling the number of employees.

Founded by pioneers of micro lending and leaders in finance and technology, Branch has established offices in San Francisco, Lagos, Nairobi, and Mumbai with plans to expand its financial services to additional countries. Currently the top finance app in Africa with over a million subscribers globally, the company plans to diversify into savings and payment activities which will be included into the financial platform

Business Int’l B6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

US raises interest rates US central bankers have raised a key interest rate again this week, lifting the bank’s benchmark rate to its highest level since 2008.

The US Federal Reserve raised the target federal funds rate by 0.25%, taking it to 1.75% to 2%.

The rise marks the Fed’s seventh rate increase since 2015.

Officials aim to head off excessive inflation with higher rates and think the US economy can handle higher borrowing costs.

They are also shrinking the Fed’s massive holdings of government debt and mortgagebacked securities, which were purchased to lift the economy out of the recession, that ran from late 2007 to 2009.

So what impact is the shift in policy having?

Global pain Some of the most dramatic effects have appeared in emerging markets, as higher US rates lure back investors who in recent years had looked for returns abroad.

The retreat from emerging markets remains relatively modest, with weekly flows to bond

and equity funds down less than 10% from their peaks, according to EPFR Global, part of research firm Informa.

But it has coincided with - and partially fuelled - a stronger dollar, contributing to currency crises in countries such as Argentina, Turkey and Brazil.

It has also prompted central banks elsewhere, including in Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong, to raise their own interest rates in defence.

Countries that have seen the worst market turmoil have also faced political and financial problems of their own.

But the Fed may be underestimating its role, said Desmond Lachman, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former head of emerging market strategy Salomon Smith Barney.

He pointed to recent remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell that the power of US interest rates is “often exaggerated”.

If the turbulence persists, it could hurt economies abroad, eventually reducing demand for US products and services, he added.

“Fed tightening is causing all sorts of problems

for many emerging market countries and those problems can then come back to impact the US,” he said. The Fed “should be focused on it, but I don’t know how much it is”.

Consumer caution In the US, banks are passing on higher borrowing costs to customers, raising the rates they charge for items such as credit cards, mortgages and car loans.

Consumer spending - a major driver of the US economy - has held up, as a strong economy gives people confidence they can shoulder the added cost.

But with US incomes still relatively flat, higher rates could eventually induce greater caution.

Signs of strain are already visible in parts of the economy dependent on borrowing, like the housing market, where the pace of home sales has weakened, amid low supply and high prices.

A strong job market has helped to limit the effects, but economists say rate rises could cause buyers to retreat, even though average mortgage rates - which topped 4.5% this spring - remain several points lower than before the financial crisis.

Fed officials are well aware wage growth has been sluggish, of course.

They often cite it as a reason to be cautious about raising rates.

But they want to prevent dramatic price inflation, which many economists expect to accelerate after the US passed a massive tax cut last year.

Bank windfall Higher interest rates should be a boon to savers, who stand to earn more on the money they have squirreled away in bank accounts.

But US banks by and large have been slow to boost the interest paid on savings and other accounts.

Banks offered an average interest rate of 0.15% for a typical savings account in March 2018, up just 0.03 percentage points from three years prior, according to data from the National Credit Union Administration.

So far, the paltry rates have helped to lift bank profits, without costing them accounts.

But analysts say customers will look for better terms if they see inflation start to eat away at their stockpiles.

Data suggests that inflation, which has lagged the Fed’s target 2% rate in recent years, may be starting to pick up, so banks may have to start moving if they want to keep deposits.

Volkswagen gets €1bn fine over diesel emissions From left General Manager, Public Affairs FAAN, Mrs. Herieta Yakubu; General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye; General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr. Tunji Okeynbi; Group Capt. John Ojikutu; (rtd), President, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Mr. Gbenga Olowo and Chairman of Moderator, Prof. Anthony Kila, during Q2 2018 Quarterly Business Breakfast Meeting by ASRTI at Golfview Hotel GRA Ikeja Lagos.

Rising fuel prices spur inflation in May Inflation remained at 2.4% in May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), after its fall was halted by a sharp rise in fuel costs.

The ONS said that fuel prices increased by the biggest monthly amount since January 2011, rising by 3.8%.

Mike Hardie, head of inflation at the ONS said: “Recent large rises in the cost of crude oil have fed through to prices paid by consumers at the pump.”

Inflation has been falling since November last year.

The rise in oil prices also drove up raw material costs for companies, which jumped by 9.2%.

The effect was also seen in rising prices for air and ferry travel.

“While inflation appears to be under control there are signs in the data, and outside it,” said Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

“Petrol prices are up 8% over the course of the year, and all the Big Six energy firms are putting up prices this summer, which is yet to feed into the numbers,” he said.

On Tuesday, the ONS said wage growth slowed to 2.8% in the three months to April from 2.9%. Data also revealed that manufacturing output fell 1.4% in April, the biggest decline for nearly six years.

The rise in fuel prices was offset by a fall in “recreational and cultural goods and services”, in particular computer games.

The ONS said: “Prices for these games

are heavily dependent on the composition of bestseller charts, often resulting in large overall price changes from month to month.”

It also said food prices dragged on inflation, specifically products such as sugar, jam, syrups, chocolate and confectionery.

The committee which sets interest rates at the Bank of England will consider the latest inflation figures when it meets next month.

Economists are divided over when the Bank will raise interest rates, some are betting on August of this year, but others think it will hold off until 2019.

Car giant Volkswagen has been fined €1bn (£880m) by German prosecutors over its diesel emissions scandal.

The Braunschweig public prosecutor found VW had sold more than 10 million cars between mid-2007 and 2015 that had emissions-test-cheating software installed.

The car firm said it did not plan to appeal against the fine.

VW said it had admitted “its responsibility for the diesel crisis”.

The fine is one of the highest ever imposed by German authorities against a company.

VW chief executive Herbert Diess said by accepting the fine “Volkswagen takes responsibility for the diesel crisis,” “Further steps are necessary to restore trust in the company and the auto industry,” he added.

The fine in Germany follows a US plea agreement last year, when VW agreed to pay a criminal fine of $4.3bn to resolve criminal and civil penalties.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

B7 Business Int’l

Global economic outlook darkening – IMF Managing Director (MD) International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde led an attack by global economic organisations on US President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policy on Monday, warning that clouds over the global economy “are getting darker by the day”.

Trump backed out of a joint communique agreed by Group of Seven (G7) leaders in Canada at the weekend that mentioned the need for “free, fair and mutually beneficial trade” and the importance of fighting protectionism.

The US president, who has imposed import tariffs on metals, is furious about the US’ large trade deficit with key allies. “Fair trade is now to be called fool trade if it is not reciprocal,” he tweeted on Monday.

In response, Lagarde unleashed a thinly veiled attack on Trump’s trade policy, saying challenges to the way trade is conducted were damaging business confidence, which had soured even since the weekend G7 summit.

The Washington-based IMF is sticking to its forecast for global growth of 3.9% both this year and next, she said, before adding: “But the clouds on the horizon that we have signalled about six months ago are getting darker by the day, and I was going to say by the weekend.”

“The biggest and darkest cloud that we see is the deterioration in confidence that is prompted by (an) attempt to challenge the way in which trade has been conducted, in which relationships have been handled and in which multilateral organisations have been operating,” Lagarde said.

The IMF managing director spoke after a meeting in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the chiefs of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organization and the African Development Bank.

Merkel said on Sunday the EU would implement counter-measures against US tariffs and described Trump’s rejection of the G7 communique as “sobering and a bit depressing”.

Investors are fearful of a tit-for-tat trade war, though markets were relatively calm on Monday after an early wobble.

“STOP THIS ESCALATION” WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo told the Berlin news conference: “We must . . . stop this escalation of tensions. A tit-for-tat process is not going to be helpful.”

He also criticised the US’ conduct at the WTO. “The US has been focusing much more on bilateral -- unilateral even sometimes -- measures, which is not something that is support of the rules-based trading system.

“They have been complaining about the

system, they say that they want to improve the system, but we would expect a more constructive approach on their part,” Azevedo said.

Earlier, Germany’s economy minister said Berlin saw no immediate solution to the trade row between the US and other major economies but remained open to talks “among friends”, seeking to head off a fullblown global trade war.

As Europe’s biggest exporter to the US, and with more than one million German jobs at stake, Germany is desperate to avoid an EU trade war with the US. REUTERS

Saudi Arabia raises oil output amid fears of supply crunch Saudi Arabia posted the biggest month-onmonth increase in oil supply of any OPEC country in May, according to the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The Kingdom’s production was up 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 10.02 million barrels.

Domestically, more crude was burned in Saudi power plants during the month, partly due to higher air-conditioning use.

The IEA noted meanwhile that only Saudi Arabia and OPEC’s other Middle East members have the ability to ramp up production swiftly to alleviate any supply shortages in the market.

That is viewed as vital in the event of further output drops from Venezuela, and expected shortfalls from Iran when US sanctions bite later this year.

The report estimated that Middle East OPEC countries could increase production in fairly short order by about 1.1 million bpd, and there could be more output from Russia.

After oil prices surged to $80 a barrel in midMay, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said that the Kingdom, along with other producers, would ensure the availability of adequate supplies to offset any potential shortfalls.

According to information from data intelligence company Kpler, Saudi crude shipments rose during May to 7.16 million bpd, up 250,000 bpd month-on-month.

“However, even if the Iran-Venezuela supply gap is plugged, the market will be finely balanced next year, and vulnerable to prices rising higher in the event of further disruption. It is possible that the very small number of countries with spare capacity beyond what can be activated quickly will have to go the extra mile,” the IEA said.

US President Donald Trump yesterday blamed OPEC for excessive oil prices. “Oil prices are too high, OPEC is at it again. Not good!” Trump tweeted on Wednesday, the second time in two months he blamed the bloc for higher oil prices.

Saudi Aramco is moving ahead with plans to raise output from offshore oil fields by more than 1 million bpd by 2023 to compensate for declining onshore production and to sustain overall capacity, which now stands at around 12 million bpd.

Aramco has invited bids to build new units to expand the Marjan oil field from 500,000 bpd currently to 800,000 bpd. Aramco also recently

invited bids to boost the 300,000 bpd Berri field by 250,000 bpd. The expansion effort also includes the 550,000 bpd Zuluf field, where capacity will be raised by 600,000 bpd.

In May, the IEA said, higher flows from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Algeria outweighed a fall in Nigerian supply and further losses in Venezuela, lifting OPEC crude production by 50,000 bpd to 31.69 million bpd. Crude oil output was nonetheless down 610,000 bpd on 2017 due to Venezuela’s sharp decline.

For 2019, IEA anticipates growth of 1.4 million bpd due to a “solid” economic background and an assumption of more stable prices. Demand growth for 2018 is also forecast at 1.4 million bpd.

But downside risks were growing in the wake of the G-7 bust-up involving President Donald Trump and his Western allies.

Dangers included the possibility of higher prices amid trade disruptions prompted by the tariffs war unleashed by the US against China, but which has also sucked in the EU, Canada and Mexico.

There were already signs of a slowdown in the growth of global trade volumes, the IEA said, which was “a concern. ARAB NEWS

General Electric: Global power industry faces daily cyber Daily cyberattacks on power plants around the world are one of the biggest issues the global energy industry faces, according to senior executives of General Electric, the giant US engineering conglomerate.

“There have been attempted attacks at virtually every customer site in the world,” said Justin Eggart general manager of GE’s thermal power division based in Atlanta, Georgia.

“There are some bad actors out there. We talk to customers every day and it is the fastest growing threat. We’ve never had a successful cyber attack on our operations here (in Atlanta), but some of our customers around the world have been impacted,” he said.

Christopher Held, engineering manager at the GE monitoring and diagnostics (M&D) centre in the city, added: “We see people trying to hack in every day but they have never succeeded. It is something we take very seriously and have a big team working on it.” He added that attacks came from several countries, including Russia and China.

The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team in March accused the Russian government of a “multi-stage intrusion campaign” targeting the US energy grid with a campaign of cyberattacks stretching back at least two years.

GE is one of Saudi Arabia’s longeststanding industrial partners; there is a unit of the company’s M&D operation in Damman, opening in partnership with Saudi Electricity Company. GE also works with Saudi Aramco in industrial power generation.

Eggart said that he saw lots of opportunities in the Kingdom as it worked to diversify the economy away from oil dependence under the Vision 2030 strategy. “As the economy develops that will change the nature of power production and consumption, and we can help with that,” he said.

The Atlanta operation monitors the global power generation network GE runs around the world, as well as selling monitoring services to other manufacturers of power generation equipment, overseeing 946 plants in 76 countries.

Held said that the center processed one million pieces of information per second, and that there were about 60,000 alerts per year. Some 180 “major events” involving a total stoppage of power and costly damage to generating equipment were prevented last year, he said M&D is one of GE’s fastest growing business streams, with 30 to 40 percent increases witnessed since 2016, similar growth rates projected in the coming years Eggart said that the power industry was facing “significant challenges” in addition to cyber threats, including the transition to renewable technology, lack of infrastructure in some parts of the world, and the need for new investment in aging plants and distribution grids.

He also criticized tariffs on imported steel and aluminum introduced by the Trump administration, noting that the move was driving up costs across GE’s business.

“We’re not supportive of tariffs, and would rather support free trade. Tariffs raise the cost of manufacture and we would rather not see them,” he said. ARAB NEWS

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Liberian Queen, Juli Endee: How I connected Flavour to Blind Semah

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Life & Times

Liberian Queen, Juli Endee: How I connected Flavour to Blind Semah For over a year now, award winning Nigerian musician, Flavour has been working on different successful projects with blind Liberian singer, Semah. Queen Juli Endee, who is the Culture Ambassador as well as the Traditional Queen of Liberia, was the brain behind the historical meeting of the two music talents.

Endee, who was recently in Nigeria disclosed to MUTIAT ALLI that she is ready to take her music to the rest of Africa. She also speaks on her relationship with the Highlife artiste, Flavour and love for Nigerian artistes among others.

How did you become the Traditional Queen of Liberia?

I work in the community and because of my humanitarian services to the Liberian people, the traditional people in the 15th Political Subdivision in 2001 decided to give me three years to see whether I can live up to the expectations of the traditions and the culture and also, as an advocate for peace, health and education in Liberia.

Based on that, I was crowned in February of 2006 at our historic site in Liberia called the Providence Island. All the traditional leaders and the chiefs, elders, women came together to say this

is our Queen. This is the voice of the traditional people. So that’s how I was crowned the Queen of the traditional people of Liberia.

What do you do as queen?

I help in the developmental process of our people, and our traditional leaders.

I uphold our culture and tradition in Liberia. I am a liaison to the general public and the traditional people. And also I help the traditional people carve out proposals and visions to maintain the development agenda of Liberia because the land is owned by the traditional people.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, June 16, 2018

L3 Life & Times

So what is your mission in Nigeria?

My mission is in two-folds. I first came to give support to Semah who was featured by Flavour. That mission has ended and Semah has returned to Liberia safely. So right now, I’m here to finish my project that I started before meeting Flavour and then getting him to meet Semah. Because of the Semah project, I decided to let him go ahead because he is a kid and after that I will continue my project. My project is a music album that I’ve done with a lot of producers. I’ve also featured a lot of Nigerian big artistes. I’ve done a video and all of that. I came here to speak with the marketing agent and we’ve concluded on that. I’ve finished a video and it’s being edited so that it can be released to the public.

How soon are you hoping to launch the album?

As a social worker, I’m very known, but when it comes to music, I’m known in Liberia and certain parts if Sierra Leone and the US. I’m not known in Nigeria. Since Nigeria is the big brother of Africa, and being an advocate for the love of African solidarity in the West African region, especially ECOWAS, I want to crossover to Nigeria. I’ve come now to introduce myself to the Nigerian people.

Also, I’ve come to Nigeria to really appreciate those gallant men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who joined ECOMOG to save Liberian lives in our country and those force commanders that have passed on. I want to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to their families and the people of Nigeria for the level of support given us during the civil crisis in Liberia and for continuing to sustain peace in our country.

I’m grateful to the Nigerian people. You are our brothers and sisters, and we salute you. So I’m waiting for this marketing process to kick off in terms of introduction to the Nigerian community and then I will take it up from there to give the actual date of the launch. But I know that in about two months, we will be releasing the album. In the meantime, we’ll just be sending teasers out so people will understand what we are doing because without a proper plan and a structure, you can’t be successful.

And if you don’t know, you need to ask.

Aside music, what else would you be doing in Nigeria?

I’m here for music, but at the same time, I want to cement the relationship between Liberia and Nigeria from the industry perspective.

The industry in Nigeria is improving greatly and we’ll like to tap into the expertise of those who have made it in the industry here to help a virgin industry in Liberia with youth empowerment. We are also networking and engaging experts for the youth empowerment.

We’ll be having some seminars, some training, various workshops.

What is the title of your album and how many songs are in it?

I can tell you how many songs, but I can’t tell you the title. I could say this is the title, but it would probably change. What I can say is that I have ten tracks in the album and all of them talk about love peace, happiness, the beauty of Africa, beautiful women, what makes us different from others.

Which Nigerian artistes are featured in it?

First is the voice that I’ve been crazy about in Nigeria, and that is Omawumi. That’s my girl

‘Why I want to cement relation ship between Liberia & Nigeria’ because she’s a straight shooter. I also featured Yemi Alade, and Jodie, the girl who sang ‘Kuchi Kuchi’. For the males, I featured Flavour in one of the songs and a host of others. I intend to feature more. There are lots of artistes that I like. One of them is Adekunle Gold. I love his music. I love Don Jazzy. These are the kinds of people that I really can live with.

How long have been working on the album?

You know, before you can put out content or a material, you should first of all appreciate it and know how to defend it. You should make a justification and indicators when you put it out.

I’ve been working on it for the last eight years since I did my last album. But within that time, I’ve done a lot of jingles and music for health education, Ebola and all of that. But those are just for humanitarian work, and to my credit, I’ve done over 800 of those kinds of works. I didn’t want to just do Liberian music. I want to crossover and do African music, so all of that had to be planned and that I’ve been doing these eight years. After recording the music, I couldn’t release it because the little boy was being featured by Flavour. I wanted to see his dream come true first before i could finalize mine. Now his dream has come true, thanks to Flavour for the love and the humble spirit that he has. I am now comfortable to move on with mine.

How did you meet Flavour?

It was a wonderful meeting. He didn’t know me, but I met him through Masterkraft. He produces most of my songs. A guy call OJ introduced me to a Liberian called Timothy, and then we went to the Liberian embassy and OJ took us to Masterkraft and I started the production. I wanted to feature some Nigerians but I didn’t know who. So he got Flavour for me. Honestly, I thought it was a joke. But then, he took me to Flavour’s house and

I heard my music in Flavour’s studio, and i was surprised.

What was your experience during the war in Liberia?

I was in the US when the war started. But while people were running to the US, I was running back home. So it was strange to people and they felt something was wrong with me. So I came back to Liberia and I started advocacy. I visited different refugee camps, in different countries.

I even came to Nigeria. It was in Nigeria that the ‘Liberia Cry for Peace’ and ‘The Crusaders for Peace’ were formulated, at our embassy. So Crusaders for Peace has been around for over 23 years, advocating for peace, health, social work, and elections. I’ve disarmed soldiers and now they are working with me to tell the story. It has been a wonderful experience doing that.

With your pedigree, do you intend to contest for elective office?

When you fear God and you seek his face like I do, and know that he’s faithful, he tells you your calling. As long as you deviate from your calling, you become a failure. So I will stick to the arts, I will stick to my social work and I will stick to supporting peace building in Liberia. Wherever He wants me to be, He will let me know and I will feel it because I know Him. I know Him for myself.

Are you married?

Oh yes, and I have beautiful children. I have biological children and those who are not my biological children and they are beautiful and they are my children.

How do you make time out for your family?

They like what I do. They sing, and they do production. My daughter fixes my costumes while my son runs around with the camera.

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Society Gist Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s attitude Going by the popular saying that a prophet is not accepted in his own hometown. This notion is what best described what is happening in Ogun State when the President, Mohammed Buhari conferred Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola with posthumous title of GCFR declaring him the winner of 1993 presidential election that was annulled by General

Mohammed Babangida.

Following the award, Lagos state government who has been constitence with the celebration of June 12 did not only honour the father of democracy this year but with 46feat statue of the icon. Many had expect governor of Ogun State to have done the same since the former Nigerian Yoruba businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan was from

that part of the country. As at now, Ibikunle Amosun is yet to unveil any plan to honour the man who fourt tooth and nail to make sure democracy received prominent in this part of the country. Meanwhile, all fingers are crossing waiting and expecting something good could still come out since he has so many uncompleted project he promised to deliver before his tenure lap.

Prophet T. B. Joshua celebrates Stories by Isaac Oguntoye

After many years of trying to focus solely on his ministration and calling, the astute man of God Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of the Lagosbased Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) have every reasons to thank the lord for adding another year to his age. If you are

conversant with happenings both on the social media and other news platform, you will confirm that, the man of God has battling on controversy or the other.

The “Man of the People”, as he is widely addressed was first slammed with court case over his collapsed sixstorey guesthouse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. As if that was not

enough, he was also accused of trying to induce journalist, which was later denied by the most humble man of God. Joshua, who was visibly excited about his birthday, urged church members to celebrate the date with the less privileged. He, however, said this did not mean only monetary donations as some people need care, smile and love.

Between Oba Elegushi, Oba Dosumu and Akinsiku

seen as the amount of impacts you contribute and not merely your possession. We are the solution generation, but till we consciously have a deliberate national development template, differentiation strategy, objective, growth policy, direction and plan, we will continually wait in vain. – (NDOGDP) We have indeed come of age to define our national dreams in clear visionary, inclusive and sustainable vision. At least I have and before any screams it’s impossible, utopic and undoable again, I congratulate myself for thinking and daring.

We have the richest men and women in the world but we still don’t have solutions that have put us on the map for good, a lot of people living below the belt, I know it’s not

an easy route to ply but a conscious and deliberate effort can work. For instance, a Philippine that lives in Nigeria, has made over 500 million naira if not more simply by investing in palm oil and catfish, in their country, palm oil is an elite and healthier choice when it comes to oil, meanwhile we are ignorant about this.

I know for certain that if Dangote where to produce and redefine palm oil, (one of our natural produce) and sells to other parts of the world, it would be the one of the things Nigeria would be known for, its as little as that. It could be organic palm oil, low cholesterol, vitamins etc. I wish I had the capacity needed to do this.

Norway till date is the home for stick fish, China for technology, Cuba for organic food, India health care, Dubai Tourism, South Africa Modern

Africa, America supreme power (uncountable innovation), Maldives beautiful honey moon beach, Canada employment, France love, UK the best place to age and be etc., what are we known for asides oil?

I challenge us youths, even the so called rich and wealthy people, I dare us to produce something the world has not seen and put Nigeria on the map for greatness. Do you know we could get the cure for cancer if our research centers are good and finances made available, diabetes, hypertension, we could build cars, be number one in technology, have the best health surgeons etc. just like India is doing. We have people who are abroad, they are the best in what they do and would be more than willing to come back and set up if giving the chance and opportunity.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

L5 Gist

Ibukun Awosika’s entrepreneur mindset Ibukun Abiodun Awosika is a Nigerian business magnate, author and motivational speaker.

She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria. She’s one of the most respect female entrepreneurs worth emulating. Many would have thought, how a Chemistry graduate from University of Ife, Nigeria could be excelling in the business arena. According to information, the alumnae of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School was so determine and focus in what she believed in which is business.

The woman of substance is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience; she has received several awards and accolades and written books on entrepreneurship.

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika is not only the First Female Chairman of FirstBank but her entrepreneurship mindset have reposition the bank as a leading financial institution.

On Toni Kan’s birthday celebration Toni Kan, writer, editor, public relations senior management executive, teacher, jolly good fellow and so much more turned 47 on June 11.

As it is tradition with mayors, the self-acclaimed Mayor of Lagos was honour by friends, business associates, colleagues and well wishers.

It was indeed a remarkable day as the celebrant was so happy with the way friends cut short their days to celebrate with him.

Danny S shoots Ege video with Unlimited LA Music star singer, Ojo Daniel Olaborode who is well known as Danny S has shot the video of his rave of the moment song, Ege. Danny S shot the video was shot at Ifako Ijaye mini stadium, Agege, and Fagba Railway Crossing, Lagos penultimate Sunday 3rd June 2018. The video was directed by the multiple awards winning cinematographer Lekan Buhari who is popularly called Unlimited La. “The song, Ege illustrates how a footballer fights assiduously to dribble his opponent in order to succeed. This is the adaptation of the song. As an artiste, you need to fight hard in order to succeed and gain popularity. My mentor, Olamide fought hard. Nobody reckons with him until he gets to the top. I am targeting his profile as my role model. In fact, he thought me all the principles I am using

today as far as music industry is concerned. When I started music, not many people believe in me, but I proved myself that I can reach the top through my song. I thank God for the leverage. And for my fans who believe in my talents. I will not let you down. This is the kick off point. There are lots of things to achieve”, Ege master said.

Danny S who was born in Lagos state Nigeria on November 11th 1995 but hailed from Ekiti State grew up at Iju Ishaga.

His interest in music was established at tender age when he was in a music group with his friends. Music has always been a prominent part of his life, revealing his love for music, Danny S said that he recorded his maiden in 2013. And since then, the burning passion has been on.

“My love for music has been on for some years back while at a tender age. But I recorded my first

track Shengbenne in the year 2013.

I can remember I have had a very deep passion for Music. A passion that was accompanied by a burning ambition to succeed, and even that ambition was enough to make any sacrifices that were necessary to ensure I would always perform at my best. After building a career in the music industry, albeit at grass roots level, it is now time for me to progress and take the next step on the ladder. I’m an independent artiste, but if I must tell you the truth, the promotion of music is not easy but let’s give thanks to God. My music is a message to all classes of life. My wave making single, EGE has offered me the chance to explore new areas of the industry, specifically composition, performing and producing” He concluded. I appreciate all the Disc jockeys and On Air Personalities playing my song, big shout out to my fans let’s keep the fire burning”.

Between Abike Jagaban, Esther Aboderin It was a show of shame when the video of Nigerian bloggers, Abike Jagaban and Esabod, fighting dirty in public with their clothes torn surface on social media. The incident that took place recently at Stratford train station in London has been generating negative reactions social media. According to Abike Jagaban, her fight with Esabod, whose full name is Esther Aboderin, began when she became a victim of cyberbullying and started the campaign ‘No Cyber Bullying On Social Media.’

“A group of people, led by a woman called Ester Aboderin, alias Esabod who resides in Ireland, came after me, bullying me, trying to silence me, not to talk back. Suddenly, she started writing bad things about me, appalling things about me, things that never happened in my life. Yoruba Women Gang War escalates in London as‘Omo Ewe’Esabod

gang take on ‘Omo Aiye’ Abike Jagaban in Stratford London. “So, I had to approach her.

I had to ask her: what’s happening? I don’t know you. Why are you mentioning me?

“Then she began to blackmail me. She said she won’t stop harassing me. She actually sent a message to my Inbox. I have it intact. I told her to stop. She refused to stop,” she said.

At the moment, many are calling for their arrest and if possible deported to Nigeria. In one of the extracted comment flying around on social media, which read thus; “Are those guys not a bad image to Nigeria? Is there is no law to arrest and ask the court to deport certain people, natives I mean, living abroad but constituting a nuisance to the nation?

When would that Aboderin woman stop her bully rounds with her fellow citizens? Can’t someone call her and all those involve to order? Nigeria deserves more international branding than this. It is a shame!!!

Gist L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 9, 2018

African music gets boost with Temple World-class Studio Stories By Mutiat Alli Leading pan-African creative agency and event firm, Temple Management Company (TMC) is bringing world-class sound and recording infrastructure to Nigeria with the construction of a state-of-the-art-studio.

This comes at a time that the Afrobeats sound is becoming more accepted globally placing more demand on the sonic quality of the music for its airing on international media platforms and ranking on Billboard Top 50 songs.

The state-of-the-art studio is primed to be the hallmark of acoustic perfection and the benchmark for studio design in the country and indeed, the rest of Africa, says Mark Redguard, TMC’s Head of Entertainment.

Set for completion in the coming weeks, the world class recording facility will allow artistes visiting from anywhere in the world to produce world class recording that can be aired and performed on the biggest platforms across globe.

Temple Studio is accessorized with the AMS Genesys Black console and Augspurger speakers using analog technology integrated into the studio environment and the digital audio workstations.

It’s also embellished with the right atmosphere that will ease artistes in the right mood for creativity to thrive.

The new space, which is located in Lagos, regarded

as the entertainment hub of Sub-Sahara Africa, is being handled by a team of experts in engineering, sound and design of global acclaim. They include Ron Jones’ Infinite Technology Global which has carried out home automation for celebrity basketballer, Steph Curry and WSDG design Group founded

by John Storyk famously known for constructing Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios. Also in the matrix is Jason Cropper of Vintage Kings Pro Audio Upfitter, an audio specialist and founding member of Grammy award-winning Rock Band, Weezer.

Speaking more, Redguard notes that the arrival of Temple Studios will mark the end of culture of artistes taking their music abroad for mixing and mastering.

According to him, it will also be open for collaboration with Nigerian companies and music

stakeholders such as Red Bull Academy, Coke Studio and Hennessey Artistry among others.

Speaking from the project site, Ron Jones, the lead project consultant, noted with undisguised enthusiasm that something amazing is happening to music production in Africa. He disclosed, “We are playing in a global market and people are looking for a certain standard in recording. Some of the international artistes that are brought here from abroad are used to a certain level of equipment.

With Temple Studio, we are not just building for Nigerian music for Nigeria but Nigerian music for the world. We are now operating in the same level using the same technology that is used through-out the world.”

The Temple Studio is modelled after the famous Manhattan-based, Jungle City Studios, a recording studio owned and operated by Alicia Keys’ long-time engineer, Ann Mincieli. JSC has been the music laboratory that has churned out a longlist of some of the biggest platinum songs and albums ever to bless the planet.

From Keys’ Girl On Fire to Jay Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail and Beyonce’s Beyonce, Jungle City Studios is the music haven to Rihanna (Anti), Rick Ross (God Forgives), Justin Timberlake (The 20/20 Experience), Taylor Swift (1989) and most recently, Kendrick Lamar’s album, Damn.

AFRIMA 2018: Awards debuts 4 new categories The fifth edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, has debuted four new award categories to enjoin inclusiveness and expand the playing field in the awarding process for African music and creative professionals who have begun to send in their entries for the 5th AFRIMA on the online submission portal that opened on Friday, May 25 to commemorate the 2018 Africa Day. The newly introduced award categories namely African DJ of the Year; Best African Dance/ Choreography; African Lyricist/ Rapper of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora (Female & Male), were carefully arrived at after extensive consultations with African music stakeholders which included the AFRIMA Academy of Voters and members of the International Committee of AFRIMA in response to the

yearnings and requests of stakeholders, DJ’s, dancers and artistes in diaspora. This process attests to the objective of AFRMA to use the African creative industry to showcase the unique cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world while celebrating innovations and diversification in Africa’s contemporary music industry.

AFRIMA awards categories are divided into two: Continental and Regional categories. The Continental Category rewards African artistes in various music genres and forms ranging from pop, hip hop, inspirational, jazz, electro, DJ and more, while the Regional Category celebrates the outstanding achievements of African artistes within their specific region of origin.

African DJ of the Year; Best African Dance/Choreography; African Lyricist/Rapper of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora all fall under

the Continental Category. In addition, the Best African Act in Diaspora is dedicated to artistes with African roots/origin who practice their craft in the international music industry and have prominence and renowned on the international music stage. The artiste’s music style could either be in the traditional or contemporary forms of expression.

Ebenezer Obey extends philanthropic gesture to music students, school It was a rare opportunity and a dream come true for about ten music students that were bestowed music scholarships by the music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, last Saturday, at the maiden edition of the Ebenezer Obey Music Foundation (EOMF), scholarship awards, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The beneficiaries include Songodara Samuel Oluwafemi and Adeleye Joshua Omolade from the music department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State; Adarabierin Oba from University of Lagos; Ajala Docas Oluwaseun from the Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos State; Aiyeleru Abiodun Aron and Adejoro Abiodun Dairo from The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State; Akinbode Temitope Taiwo and Ogunleye Chrisatina Ebunoluwa from the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta; Osho Oyekunle from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso and Gbenga Dada Samuel from the College of Education Monotechnic, Epe Lagos.

According to the vice chairman of the BoT of the foundation, professor Saburi Adesanya, the selected candidates were shortlisted on merit from various tertiary institutions, just as he advised the beneficiaries to portray themselves as good ambassadors of the initiative, as well as make use of the opportunity to boost their music career.

The scholarships are in three categories of N100,000; N75,000 and N50, 000 to each university, polytechnic and college of education music students respectively so as to aid them in their academic pursuit and professional excellence in music.

The philanthropic gesture was also extended to pupils of the Idogo-Ipaja Community High School as the music legend announced the sum of N150,000 to be given to the authority of the school to sink a borehole for the school and its immediate environs, so as to put an end to the difficulty to access good water.

The founder of the foundation, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, hinted that the event was a tip of the iceberg of the, noting that the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in company with royal fathers would officially inaugurate the ground opening of EOMF, which consist music and life skills institute, as well as a CBT centre and modern recording studio.

Obey added: “I will forever be grateful to God for granting my prayers, even in my struggling days, when I saw myself as a future star. This vision became clearer when I launched the foundation on my 75th birthday. Its main objective is to give back to the society, especially through scholarship awards and the establishment of youth empowerment centre. I congratulate and urge the beneficiaries to make the best use of this golden opportunity by putting their best in their academics and professional pursuits. The token award is a seed into your future and it must be watered to grow and produce yields of musical excellence.”

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

L7 Mixed Grill

Style Focus Stories By Mutiat Alli The Mayor of Cocody, Cote D’Ivoire, Mayor, N’ Goan Aka Kacou having breakfast with the Nigerian and Ivorian technical crew of the movie JE’TAIME in Abidjan.

The concept of Motherland Beckons which is the conscious stoking and arousing of the sub conscious reality of the Africans in the Diaspora to the reality of their essence as living creatures with identifiable identity and being propelled by Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye has been described as the best of self discovery concept initiated in recent time.

The Mayor of Cocody, Cote D’Ivoire, Mayor, N’ Goan Aka Kacou, made this observation in Abidjan recently while receiving in his office 150 Anglophone and Francophone talents choreographed by the Atunda Entertainment band.

Mayor Aka Kacou pointed out

Ivorian Mayor of Cocody lauds Akinboboye’s Lacampagne Tropicana Initiative “the significance of Motherlands Beckons could be impactful not only in calling the Diaspora to come back to their roots but in also stoking the embers of creativity in those at home at making sure they make adequate preparation for those coming home to roost”.

He described the imitator of Motherland Beckons, Ambassador Akinboboye as ‘A wonderful gift and inestimable asset to Nigeria as a country, a regional bridge – builder to West Africa as a sub–region and a divine cultural protector of Africa as a continent”.

The Mayor pointed out that if not for the Motherland Beckons initiative there might not be an Atunda Entertainment outfit

which ‘I see as an offshoot of Motherland Beckons and a lubricator and exhibitor of the cultural value of the chord which binds Africans together– dancing, singing, creativity and celebration.

He noted that Motherland Beckons through Atunda Entertainment “has tingled the timidity and torpedo the culturally inactiveness which had taken over and created gap of disharmony between the Anglophone and Francophone.

This sequential acts of Motherland Beckons has set in motion series of developmental strides and action on the platform of creativity in West– Africa”.

Mayor Kacou said “I am

impressed, overwhelmed and happy when I see the young boys and ladies over 150 of them all from West–Africa displaying their creative innate blessings which would have died in them or probably half showcased if not for the creative ingenuity of Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye”.

Ambassador Akinboboye commended the Mayor for his ability to see a brighter vision of greater possibilities in the A n g l o p h o n e - Fr a n c o p h o n e Cultural–tourism engagement which he said ‘is the catalyst for the economic re-engineering of the West African regional economy and the emancipation of its citizens from the concrete jungle of cultural slavery.

Fighting piracy is collaborative task - Tunde Kelani Tunde Kelani, the literary cinematographer and the Chairman of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), have said the fight against piracy is a collaborative by the Nigerian Government and her citizenry.

This was said at the Mid-Year Edition of Yoruba Lakotun, a quarterly cultural renaissance show that was held at Ethnic Heritage Centre, Ikoyi Lagos recently.

This edition of Yoruba Lakotun was dedicated to Alagba Tunde Kelani who

clocked 70 earlier in the year and to the memories of one of his collaborators, late Professor Akinwumi Isola. The serene atmosphere, at the Herbert Ogunde Garden of the centre, was adorned with traditionally appealing pieces of arts which demonstrated the originality of the true Yoruba culture, had aficionados drawn from corporate and social Nigeria.

During the conversation with Olutayo Irantiola, host of the show, Alagba Tunde Kelani, helmsman of Mainframe Productions, mentioned that

he has been a victim of piracy that has pervaded the creative industry in the country.

According to him, “there was one of the movies of Mainframe Productions that had up to five pirated versions, barrowed across major cities in Nigeria, in fact some of the versions did not give appropriate credit to Mainframe Productions” “It is our collective responsibility to fight piracy because it has eaten deep into the creative industry. Many people have gone bankrupt as a result of this menace. We

have a movie made in 2014 but we have not been able to release till date due to the fear of piracy. He urged Nigerians to desist from purchasing pirated copies of creative works, but instead they should purchase original works from credible outlets and this will be a great boost for the creative industry.”

“There are some movies that are shipped into the country without the necessary authorization and all of these needs to be reviewed so that the nation does not keep

harbouring unapproved visual contents,” he added Alagba Kelani equally noted that Nigerians should be proud of their culture as the beauty of the world is in her diversity. “My upbringing as a child in Abeokuta, Ogun State, empowered me to have a different worldwide through the camera lens that is currently being celebrated across the globe. Our culture is beautiful and this is what we can sell to the world. It is ours, we should take pride in that, and our ingenuity would make the world celebrate us. Our devotion to research and untiring desire for excellence is has set Mainframe Productions apart from the crowd.”

Other headlining activities at the event include Yoruba spoken Poetry by Yusuf Balogun Gemini World Yoruba Entertainment News taken by Adeyeri Olayinka and the art of naming children

by Chief Gbemisoye Ayano among other highly entertaining and educating segments. The guests were entertaining with delicious fingerlicking cultural Yoruba snacks.

New Video Alert: Bisola releases ‘Heartbroken’ Lyric video

(L-R) Mama Iyabode Aboaba, Matron, Yoruba Lakotun; Olutayo Irantiola, Atokun, Yoruba Lakotun; Tunde Kelani, Chairman National Film and Video Censors Board and Special Guest; Raheem Akingbolu, Yoruba Poet and Brand Journalist; Qudus Onikeku, Founder and Artistic Director, QDance Centre, Nigeria and Aishat Onitiri, Cast of Sidi Ilu Jinle, the new movie of Mainframe Productions, a translation of Prof Wole Soyinka’s Lion and the Jewel at the mid-year edition of Yoruba Lakotun in honour of Tunde Kelani at 70 held in Lagos recently.)

Temple music singer, Bisola Aiyeola has released the lyric video of her R&B song, Heartbroken produced by Gray Jones.

Heartbroken is off the ex-Big Brother Naija (BBN)’s recently released six-track music cocktail entitled The Playlist released by her label, Temple Music, a subsidiary of Temple Management Company (TMC).

In the low-tempo song, Bisola is heartbroken after her ‘boo’ leaves her unceremoniously and walks away from their relationship.

Bisola has previously released visuals for her songs, Boda Luku and Luchia.

Gist L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Tips on how to create lasting relationship Stories By Mutiat Alli Relationships can be a lot of work. Sometimes, they can just be plain hard. Many of us have been through relationships, or are in struggling ones. But even if we have given up once, we absolutely need to give ourselves a second chance at love. Here are a few things that could help you stay happy in your relationship and make it work.

Never Assume, Always Ask: I do not care if you have been together for over 20 years and believe you know what the other person’s response is going to be to everything. More feelings are hurt and more communications misunderstood because of a simple assumption. Cut it out.

Do not assume that you know what your significant other wants or doesn’t want, what they need or how they are going to react to a situation. Respect them enough to be upfront and ask them. You may be surprised at their response.

Make sure to keep yourself happy: We often forget that

keeping ourselves happy and healthy is imperative – if we even want a shot at making anyone else happy. Whether its grabbing coffee with your friends, or going to the gym post a long day at work – if there is something you’d rather do than what your partner suggests, do it!

Practice Active Listening: Yes, this goes together with never assume, always ask. If you are going to ask, you must really listen to your partner’s response. When someone else is talking, let them finish talking completely. Do not interrupt them to insert your own response – when you are already thinking about what you are going to say next, before they have even finished talking, you cannot be present and fully aware of what they are saying. Think about how it feels to you when your partner actually hears what you are trying to communicate and give them the gift of listening actively.

Be willing to adjust: Sure, if your partner really wants to do something with you, or has

somewhere important to go to and asks you to come along, you should. But remember that there is no point doing what they want and resenting them for “making” you do it. Do it because you love them and want them to be happy too.

Leave the Skeletons in the Closet: You know exactly what I’m talking about. Those controversial moments in time you had long forgotten and thought you would never hear about again until that one disagreement or argument when any past hurt or misdeed rises up from the depths of the past as ammunition for the current moment. Stop holding on to past hurt, or do what you must to heal if you are using the past as an excuse for present situations. Keep current disagreements about current events. You will have more credibility and get more respect from your significant other.

Confront compassionately: If you attack someone, their natural instinct will be to immediately jump to their defense. This gets you nowhere

except to a point where two people are having a rather loud conversation about who’s right and who’s wrong. The situation however, is rarely black and white. You both have valid points in all probability, but are being too stubborn to meet on a middle ground.

Celebrate Each Other: Male or female, we all want similar things in our relationships. To be appreciated, acknowledged, nurtured, supported, respected and loved. So, do one small thing each day to celebrate each other. Tell him he looks handsome in that new blue shirt, that she is beautiful and you’re the luckiest man in the world. Thank him for taking the trash out or putting the kids to bed. Tell her you appreciate everything she does for you.

Leave love notes or send your significant other a card in the mail. It really is the little things that make such a big difference.

Make the time to celebrate each other so you build a solid foundation of connection that will last the test of time.

Give them the benefit of doubt: It’s easy to believe

that people may do things intentionally or doubt their honestly- to believe that your boyfriend was trying to hurt you by not inviting you out with his friends or that he double booked a date with you and a night with the guys.

If you’re with someone who loves you, they want you to be happy. So whether it was calling you back or the movie plans you had, if they say it just slipped their mind, try and believe them.

Tell them you trust them, and mean it: As easy as it is to get upset in certain situations, if you trust your partner there is very little room for negativity.

Trust your gut, but if you’re trying to do a relationship right, trusting the person you’re with is everything.

Don’t jump to conclusions.

Very often, we react before we think. Whether it is based on our past experiences of our partner’s behavior or the fact that we have never seen them behave a certain way before, understand the situation before you come up with your own theory.