DTN-17-11-18

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2018

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Human trafficking:

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VOL. 3

NO. 806

N100

2 women in hot soup for procuring 3 young girls for prostitution Get 30 months imprisonment without option of fine

Another woman bags 12 years for labour exploitation of 8-year-old girl

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

In a decisive step to serve as deterrent to infamous action, a Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced two women to jail for human trafficking.

The convicts, Adesuwa Osaro and Orunmewegbe Omosede Esther, were arrested in a joint operation between National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons

Appeal Court upholds ex-Govs Nyame, Dariye conviction g 3

(NAPTIP) and the British Government’s Joint Border Taskforce.

They were subsequently charged to court by NAPTIP for procuring three young women for exploitation, an act which is contrary to sections 18, 15(b) and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration (TIPPEA) Act, 2015.

When the suspects were arraigned in court, they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Buhari: We’ll find lasting g 6 solution for famers/herders crisis

FG approves 2019: UN N60bn for g 5 calls for rice subsidy credible polls g6

My coming music concert will bring the whole world to Abuja - Jennifer Eliogu g 11

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

2 women in hot soup for procuring 3 young girls...

Continued from page 1

But in the course of the trial, the two suspects changed their plea to guilty.

In his judgment on the matter, Justice O.O. Oguntoyinbo, sentenced the two women to 30 and 24 months’ imprisonment, respectively without any option of fine.

In a related development, the same Federal High Court in Lagos has also sentenced a woman, Risikat Ibrahim, to 12 years imprisonment for labour exploitation.

The suspect was arraigned by NAPTIP on a three-count charge

of abduction from legal guardianship, movement and subjecting the victim to labour exploitation, acts contrary to under sections 19(a), 19(1) (b) and 22(1)(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2005, as amended.

Risikat Ibrahim abducted an eight year old from her legal guardian, took him to Seme, and subjected the child to labour exploitation.

Upon her guilty plea, Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo sentenced her to seven years imprisonment on the first charge, and five years’ imprisonment for the second and third charges, however, both sentences are to run concurrently.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, lauded the commitment and collaborative effort of the Joint Border Task Force, and called for speedy trials of human trafficking cases in the law courts.

According to the NAPTIP boss, every conviction is a symbol of justice for the victims, who go through dehumanising experiences at the hands of the human traffickers. She further reiterated her resolve to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, and warned detractors to choose another line of business as the eyes of the Agency are on them.

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

R-L: Alh. Sadeeq Massala; Dr Stanley Uzochukwu; APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole; President Muhammadu Buhari; Engr. Emeka Okwuosa; Chief Chekwas Okorie; Hon. Azuka Okwuosa and Dr Ugochukwu Okafor during an audience with selected leaders from South East at the State House...on Friday.

My coming music concert will bring the whole world to Abuja - Jennifer Eliogu Says Nollywood still big business

Bonaventure Melah, Abuja Veteran actress and Nollywood superstar, Jennifer Eliogu, says her upcoming music concert slated for this Sunday, November 18, 2018 will shake Abuja entertainment community as many top comedians and musicians are billed to thrill the audience at the show at the Congress Hall of the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Jennifer who has in the past ten years combined her first-rate acting roles with music says she wants to give Nigerians something different from the ordinary in order to activate their Christmas mode.

“I am coming with a bang, something that has never been done in Nigeria’s music shows.

It would be a combination of beauty, music, art, comedy and dance. It is going to be a show for the matured mind yet, there are spices for the boys and girls, a sort of all generations’ show; and I am bringing Shola Shobowale, Paul Play, Dike Chukwumereije, Ali Baba and many others to thrill the audience,” she told The Daily Times in an exclusive interview.

The actress, who said she is still fully in Nollywood as evidenced by her recording of 17 movies this year alone, said however that music was her first love, from the word, go.

“My first love is music.

I grew up wishing I was a musician. Even while making waves in Nollywwod, I knew I was going to do music because the songs were in there, and they kept urging me to let them out,” she said,

adjusting the long hairs and her obviously beautiful face.

“My music is Afro-Jazz.

They are romantic and yet inspirational as most times they are used as vehicles to glorify God while expressing the inner me, my dreams, my aspirations and my feelings.

I play music for the soul that tells stories of life’s realities.”

“I now operate under the umbrella of ‘The Silk Project’ an entertainment company that galvanizes and drive my businesses encompassing acting, music, fashion and beauty among others. I write my scripts to tell my story, from my perspectives and also produce my music. My kind of music is for me, to find my niche. My songs are evergreen.

So I want people to digest my songs and meditate with them,” Jennifer said.

According to the Diva, one other thing that gives her joy apart from acting and playing music is speaking to people, especially young people about life and their future.

“Over the years, I do a lot of talking, attending youth summits, interacting with prison inmates and the physically challenged as a way of passing the message of hope and letting them know that it is possible, no matter where you find yourself.”

Asked if it is true that Nollywood is in distress and therefore the reason why most actors and actresses are diverting into other areas of life, Jennifer said Nollywood is still a destination for success.

“Nollywood is not in distress. There are still huge opportunities in Nollywood and the entertainment industry as a whole.

Nollywood is still big and our

movies are quite better than most of the foreign movies that our people are dying for because what they are watching here, I don’t want to mention names, but most of them are junk and fake.

Those foreign movies do not represent the actual life of the citizens of the countries where they are made. It is just in the character of some of our people to love things that are foreign. But when you go to some other countries of the world, you will marvel at the way our indigenous movies are appreciated,” she explained, with a visible feeing of proudly Nigerian.

On the question of sexual harassment in Nollywood, Jennifer said it was an interesting topic she would like to speak on.

“I cannot say sexual harassment does not exist in the industry. But it is both exaggerated and avoidable because most of the victims are the ones that put themselves in precarious situations due to desperation. I have seen young girls going for reading wearing scanty clothes.

You must understand that everyone who sits the other side thinks you are suggesting something when you appear desperate. Some of our young girls who come to the industry are not patient. They want to be on A-List and become stars overnight. Yes, it is possible.

But there is the issue of longevity and success also.

“To be successful in Nollywood as in most other parts of life, you need character and consistency.

Some of them are very arrogant. When you come, you have to be calm, listen,

Continued on page 5

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and others during the inauguration of TraderMoni in Bodija and Oje Markets in Ibadan... on Thursday.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki (middle); former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka (left); Senator Andy Uba (second left); Senator Ben Obi (second right) and others during the 7th Zik Lecture Series at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State... on Friday.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (right) and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas after a meeting at the Government House Port Harcourt...on Friday.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Appeal Court upholds ex-Govs Nyame, Dariye conviction

Reduces Nyame’s 14-year jail term to 12 years plus N495m fine Dariye to serve 10 years in prison instead of 14 years

Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday partially upheld the convictions of former Governors of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame and his Plateau State counterpart, Chief Joshua Dariye, who are both currently serving a 14 years prison terms each.

The Court in a unanimous two separate judgments reduced Rev. Nyame’s 14 years jail term to 12 years and Dariye’s 14 years sentence to 10 years.

However, ex-Gov. Nyame whose initial conviction of 14 years by the trial Court was without fine, on Friday incurred an accumulative sum of N495 million as fines from 15 out of 41 counts charge on which he was found guilty.

Delivering judgment on the four grounds of appeal filed by Nyame, Justice Emmanuel Agim resolved the 11 issues raised by the appellant in favour of the respondent.

He said the charges which were brought under sections of the Criminal Code were specific on punishment that ought to be awarded to an offender.

Some charges under which the appellant was found guilty carried a 14 years maximum sentence and additional fine.

He said, however, that the maximum 14 years jail term passed by the trial

judge on Nyame was in error because the defendant was a time first offender.

He said the appellant should in addition to serving 12 years jail term on counts 1, 2 and 6 as well as pay N100m on each of the counts as fines. On count 8, the appellant will serve 12 years and a fine of N50m, On Counts 10, 12 and 14, he was sentenced to 12 years each and a fine of N20m on each of them. The appellant was sentenced to 12 years on counts 16, 18, 20,27,29,30 and 31 with a fine of N10m while on count 32 he will serve 12 years jail term and a fine of N5m. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

Counts 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19,21,23,25, under which the Appellant was also found guilty are without fines.

Count of Appeal noted that Nyame was callous in the misappropriation of N24m meant for purchase of grains for the poor masses who were at that time dying of hunger.

In a separate judgment delivered

by Justice Stephen Adah, the Court of Appeal reduced the 14 year jail term of ex-Governor Joshua Dariye to 10 years.

The former Governor and serving Senator was in June this year sentenced to 14 years in prison by the High Court of Federal Capital Territory.

The court reduced the 14 years sentence to 10 years for criminal breach of trust while a similar conviction for

diversion of N1. 62 billion ecological funds was reduced from two years to one year.

The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning that Chief Dariye would serve only ten years in jail.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the lower court erred in law when it sentenced Chief Dariye, a first time offender, to the maximum 14 years term contained in the charge against him.

According to the court, the sentence was handed down in the season of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which does not allow maximum sentence for first time offenders.

The Court of Appeal dismissed appellant’s argument that State Governors are not public servants.

It also dismissed argument that the prosecution did not prove the ingredients of breach of trust.

It would be recalled that High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu, Abuja, presided by Justice Adebukola Banjoko on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 sentenced Chief Dariye who is a serving senator to 14 years’ imprisonment on charges of criminal breach of trust and criminal appropriation of the state’s funds.

The ex-governor was convicted on 15 out the 23 counts preferred against him in July 2007.

2019: Campaigns will be based on character, integrity of candidate - Oshiomhole Mathew Dadiya, Abuja National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has declared that the 2019 general election campaigns will be based on issues around characters of candidates.

Oshiomhole, who stated this while briefing State House Correspondents on Friday, after meeting with President Muhamamdu Buhari, said the issues of ethnicity and religion will have no roles to play.

“This elections will be about what the two main candidates who are very familiar with the Presidency will have to offer the electorate.

“It will focus on character and integrity of the key candidates.

“This edition is going to be focusing on character, integrity of those who want to govern us”.

While President Muhammadu Buhari is flying the flag of the APC, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is presenting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its

candidate.

The APC Chairman disclosed that the party was fully ready to flag off the campaigns soon, but did not indicate the exact date for the flag off of the campaigns.

“We are fully ready, we are done with our primaries and filled our nominations. As you know, INEC still has a window between now and First week of January to deal with issues of substitution. But as for the campaigns, we are ready,” he said.

He assured that the party will announce the date for the flag off soon.

His words: “The date and programme for our campaigns will be announced soon and we will speak to the issues. My idea of kick-off will be the day we will do our first presidential rally where Mr. President as our candidate and other candidates and party leaders will assemble at a venue that will be agreeable to all of us.

“There will be two sets of messages.

One, on what we have done in the past, without failing to remind people of where we were before, what we are going to do in the next three years, and a couple of things we believe we will be

doing differently.

“We will also tell why we are a better choice. President Buhari if compared to the rest of the aspirants, there is no basis to compare day and night.

“The real issue in this election is not going to be religion. It is not going to be about political party, central to the issue and given our past experience as a country, we know that what makes a difference is the character, the issue of integrity of the candidates.

“All those issues of character, especially looking at the past, the key candidates in the election are not strangers to governance. They are not even strangers to this villa, so we will be able to ask a couple of questions about what do they know now that they didn’t know then when they had power.

“As they have reunited with their old master, we will remind them of their pasts”.

Oshiomhole, while dismissing the allegations of corruption leveled against him by some of his party members, noted that such allegations were baseless, as they were unsubstantiated.

‘My coming music concert will bring the whole world to Abuja’ Continued from page 3

learn more and talk less. Be sure of your talent and don’t rush because the sky is big enough for all birds to fly. Think of the home you come from. It is true that the industry throws a lot of stardom but if you are careless, you could be thrown by the way side. Believe in yourself and trust in God, slowly but steadily to excel.

If it didn’t work for you, then you move on with your life because not everyone is destined to be a star through acting,” she went on, philosophically.

On what to do to help the industry grow bigger, Jennifer said government needs to get involved for real.

“The entertainment industry is growing. It is providing jobs for many with a potential to employ millions of

citizens but government needs to put its acts together concerning the industry because government for now is not doing enough. Distribution is still a big issue. Up till now we not have entertainment village as you have in most other countries of the world. What we have here is just land and promises. There are movies been churned out in dozens but government has a role to play,” she concluded.

5 News

FG approves N60bn for rice subsidy

Okays N24bn compensation for rice farmers affected by flood National Food Security Council seeks ban of NPK 151515 fertilizer Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

In a move to reduce the price of rice in the country and support the industry, the Federal Government has approved N60 billion as subsidy for rice proposed by the National Food Security Council.

Speaking after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, announced this on Friday while briefing State House correspondents.

The minister said that the government would handle the subsidy programme differently from other subsidy programmes, adding that the sum of N24 billion was also approved by the President to compensate rice farmers whose farms were affected by the recent flood.

“We don’t want to get into petroleum subsidy problem, so a committee is looking at it with the Ministry of Finance.

“We think that it is better for us to loan money to the millers, farmers and distributors at a very low interest rate, so that the capital doesn’t disappear, so they have cheaper credit to do their business that should impact on the price of rice in the market. When we are ready, we will let you know,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Food Security Council has called on the Federal Government to ban NPK 151515 fertilizer which has been used in the country for many years.

It said that recent research revealed it is not useful for any crop or any soil.

“Soils differ and so does crop, to believe there is one uniform fertilizer you can spread for every crop is a fallacy.

“It’s because we have done soil test and change the formulations of fertilizers, local blenders that some of the yields we are getting now are rising from two tonnes per hectares to five and six.

So the president is looking into that and see how we can deal with it,” the council said.

The council also disclosed that the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is about to restructure the Bank of Agriculture after which farmers are going to be able to buy shares in the bank, so eventually it will become the farmers bank.

“We hope in the process that it will bring down interest rates reasonably maybe 5 percent or a little higher, so that agriculture will become attractive and

people can raise capital to invest.

“On herdsmen/farmers clashes, we are putting in place a programme now to see if we can aggregate all the wastes from harvest - from maize stock, rice stock, sorghum, Millets, beans, process them, add molasses and feed the cows instead of letting them roam around and getting to this conflict with the farmers,” the council stated.

The National Food Security Council added: “We also announced a decline in foreign exchange expenditure on food items in the last five years. The items are sugar, milk, Rick, tomato and wheat. In 2013 we spent $1,424,968.1 importing these five good items, the figure dropped to $1.280 billion in 2014.

“These are figures from the CBN as far Monday this week. In 2015 the figure dropped further to $971 million and to $780.792 million and in 2017 the figure is now $628,643 million. The figure for the 2018 will be ready next year. You can see the decline in our importation of food.”

On US agency’s report that Nigeria will be the world’s second largest importer of rice in 2019, Kebbi State Governor and Chairman of the National Food Security Council, Atiku Bagudu downplayed the report, saying, “We drew the attention of the council to a report by the US department for agriculture which suggested that Nigeria has been importing rice or about to the tune of about three million tonnes.

“We informed the council that contact has been made with the US agency to tell is the basis for the report because it’s not consistent with the report available to us.

“The only official importation in Nigeria is about 4,000 metric tonnes of rice. Secondly, the biggest exporter of rice, Thailand exported 1.1 million metric tonnes of rice to West Africa between January to October this year and India exported 402 million metric tonnes of rice to West Africa between January to end of July this year. That is a total of 1.5 million metric tonnes. Even if all was smuggled into Nigeria, that was the total amount of importation one could attribute to Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari had constituted the National Food Security Council in March in 2018 with the following as members- the governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos, Ebonyi and Delta states; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the National Security Adviser and seven cabinet ministers.

2019: UPP, Igboezue adopt Buhari as Presidential candidate

Ohanaeze’s endorsement of has no substance - Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The United Progressive Party (UPP) and Igboezue - a socio-cultural Igbo group, have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as their candidate for the 2019 general election.

Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting behind closed-doors with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, National Chairman of UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said that the Igbo nation had put their eggs in one basket for too long and would not do it again in 2019.

According to Okorie, the Igbos had not benefited anything apart from the benevolence of President Buhari to bring some infrastructure in the South East, adding that he decided to support Buhari to ensure Igbo presidency in 2023.

Okorie, who is also the coordinator of Igboezue socio-cultural group, said, “It is not good that Igbo nation has put all their eggs in one basket for 16 years. In spite of this, Buhari has not stopped development in the region.

This is time to get them to earn Igbo presidency by voting for him in 2019.”

Reacting to the Enugu declaration of

some South East leaders for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the UPP boss said that the adoption of Atiku was not by the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership.

According to him, “only four founding members of Ohaneze Ndigbo are alive today and we have never met to endorse Atiku. We are poised to change the narrative. Just as Zik and Igbo leaders led Igbo people into coalition in the First and Second Republics, that is what Igboezue is determined to do now.”

Meanwhile, President Buhari has said that the split within the Ohaneze Ndigbo over its reported endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, did not surprise him.

Speaking at a meeting with a select group of South-East leaders on Friday, at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari said that the moment the so-called resolution was announced, he got calls from well-meaning leaders from the region asking him to disregard it as it was without any substance.

According to him, “From that moment, I knew that the resolution would not stand, and alas, there it was.”

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Buhari: We’ll find lasting solution for Short News famers/herders crisis Kano, FMBN collaborate on housing deficit .Says he’s clear about his objective for Nigeria .Don’t let Nigeria go back to recession, CAN tells President Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration was working towards finding a lasting solution for farmers and herders crisis which has caused havoc in some parts of the country.

Buhari reiterated that his vision and objectives for Nigeria are very clear and he is on course to achieving them.

The President said this on Friday when he received members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Reverend (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle, in State House, Abuja.

He observed that bandits who are operating in various communities live among the people and enjoined leaders of thought in various communities to avail security agencies of information about the criminals.

He said that he was doing his best to fulfil his electoral promises of securing the country, fighting corruption and resuscitating the economy.

President Buhari maintained that fighting corruption takes longer time especially with the need to adhere to the rule of law.

“It is on record that some cases initiated

by the anti-graft bodies since 2003 are yet to be concluded. We will, however, not be discouraged. Where monies have been recovered, such monies will not find their way back to the looters as I have directed EFCC to account for every money it has recovered and put them in a dedicated account,” President Buhari said.

While responding to the request of CAN for an overhaul of the intelligence gathering system, Buhari said that the burden of intelligence gathering involves everyone especially district heads, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and especially religious leaders that are very close to the grassroots.

The President also told the visitors that he had assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that the 2019 elections will be free and fair as he has been victim of fraudulent elections and beneficiary of free and fair election in the past.

“When I decided to put on this Agbada to see what the people are seeing in it, I tried three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, but the fourth time, in 2015, I succeeded. We thank God and technology in the form of permanent voters card and card reader, because what they used to do was to look at constituencies, award the votes and then they will say whoever didn’t agree should

go to court. When people are looking for what to eat, where do they have the money to go to court to pay the SANs?” President Buhari said.

The CAN delegation had lauded the President for his efforts in fighting corruption, the initiatives to stem the tide of unemployment, the various efforts aimed at revamping the economy, the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the implementation of the Bank Verification Number and the Treasury Single Account.

However, CAN called on the President to ensure that Nigeria does not go back into recession; urgently resolve the issue of minimum wage and to task the security agencies to ensure the release of Miss Leah Sharibu and other Chibok girls still in captivity.

They, however, called on the President to ensure that the security agencies are nonpartisan as we head to 2019 elections; restore peace to troubled spots in Northern parts of the country especially in the Garshish District of Plateau State, and institute a judicial panel of enquiry to look into the killings in the North Central particularly the murder of Major General Idris Alkali (rtd) and the Royal Highness of the Adara Kingdom in Kaduna, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima.

The Kano State Government is to collaborate with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to address the state’s housing deficit.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, disclosed this on Friday when he received a delegation of the FMBN in Kano.

Gawuna said the state government was committed to ensuring that the people in the state, especially workers, availed themselves of the FMBN services.

He said that state’s strategic standing in the country would be of advantage in accessing the services of the organisation to the benefit of its people.

“It is due to this positive development that we are trying to liaise with some competent developers to see how we can come up with a proposal to make sure that we commence doing something very tangible on this issue.

“On our part, the state government has constructed over 2,000 housing units at Kwanar Gurjiya to alleviate the housing problem, especially for the civil servants and other low-income earners,’’ the deputy governor said.

Gawuna said that some civil servants in the state had developed keen interest in the contributory housing scheme which was a clear indication of the progress so far achieved by the programme in Kano.

He said that a conclusion would probably be reached so that all civil servants in the state could participate in the FMBN scheme.

Earlier, the Managing Director of FMBN, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, said the visit was to strengthen the long term relationship between the organisation and the Kano State Government.

Minister expresses concern over environmental hazard in Niger Delta Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Usani Uguru Usani, has expressed concern over the negative impacts of environmental damage in Niger Delta region.

Dr. Usani expressed this concern at a one-day Stakeholders Validation Workshop and launching of a draft document on Niger Delta Region Climate Change Programme and Action Plan organised by the ministry.

The Minister decried a situation where communities in the region were submerged by flood with little or no action taken to address it, in a statement issued by the Deputy Director Press of the ministry, Mr Stephen Kilebi, on Friday in Abuja, According to him, the negative impact informed the ministry’s decision to streamline environmental policy action in the region.

He said that such environmental problems included flooding that ravaged the riverine communities, the prevalence of cancer-related ailments, the radio-active ailments as well as the soot that was in the atmosphere, especially in Rivers.

The minister decried a situation where communities in the Niger Delta region were being submerged by flood, while little or no action was taken to address the trend.

He called on relevant stakeholders to urgently device means of addressing environmental disaster that demands emergency in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region.

N1.6bn alleged fraud: Court orders EFCC to re-arraign ex-aide to Jonathan

crowd of petty traders being profiled by officials during the inauguration of TraderMoni, at Oba Market, Benin, recently.

2019: UN calls for credible polls Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The United Nations and the International Community are committed to ensuring that the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria are credible, the United Nations Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has said.

Speaking after a meeting with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, at the Government House Port Harcourt on Friday, Mohammed Ibn Chambas added that the international community also craved peaceful polls in the country.

He said: “The United Nations and the International Community are very

interested in the 2019 elections. We want to see how the elections can be peaceful in the country.

“We are working closely with the Federal Government, with the states and national institutions which are charged with the conduct of elections to ensure a credible process,” he said.

He stated that the purpose of the engagements was to ensure that all stakeholders contributed to the development of a credible electoral process.

“At the end of the day, we will be able to have credible and peaceful elections, which enable Nigeria to play her role as a leader in West Africa and Africa.

“We discussed ways that we can put some confidence building measures to allow politicians, civil society organisations and eminent personalities play a role in minimizing

conflicts that could occur before, during and after the elections,” he said.

The International Diplomat added that they would ensure that INEC worked in ways that would enhance confidence of politicians in the process.

Speaking further, the International Diplomat appreciated Governor Wike for donating modern office complex to United Nations agencies in the state.

Responding, Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said that elections should not be a do or die affair.

He said the current ‘winner takes all’ attitude should be discouraged in the interest of the nation.

The governor agreed that stakeholder engagements were vital to credible polls. He, however, said that INEC should allow the votes of the people to count.

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, ordered the rearraignment of a former presidential aide, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over N1.6 billion fraud.

Dudafa, an ex aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is charged alongside one Iwejuo Nna. EFCC alleged that they committed the offence on June 11, 2013.

They were first arraigned in 2016, before Justice Mohammed Idris, on 23-counts of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.

On Friday, Justice Mohammed Idris ordered the re-arraignment of the accused, after dismissing objections to the amended 22 count charge preferred against them by the EFCC. The accused were consequently, re-arraigned on the amended charge, and they pleaded not guilty to same.

The court then allowed the accused to continue with the previous bail earlier granted by the court.

After their re-arraignment, the defence informed the court that they would need to call their witnesses afresh.

Eid-el Maulud: FG declares Tuesday public holiday The Federal Government has declared Tuesday as public holiday to mark the Eid-el Maulud.

The Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), made the declaration on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Dr. Mohammed Umar, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

Dambazau called on Muslim faithful to align themselves with the Prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.

He also called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

Dambazau assured that the Federal Government remained committed to the unity of the country, and as such, would put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that forthcoming general elections were credible, free and fair.

He wishes all Nigerians a joyous and peaceful Eid-el Maulud.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

7 News

I’ll lay foundation for free, credible elections - Buhari

Short News

As Nigeria inches closer to her general elections come February 2019, with the commencement of election campaigns next week, President Muhammadu Buhari has again, given assurances of his determination to lay a foundation for free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Buhari gave the assurance on Friday when he received a delegation of Imams and senior Islamic scholars from the 36 states of the federation at the State House, Abuja.

He said that a number of measures put in place have seen the gradual improvement of elections, as in Edo,

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has blamed the inaccuracy of number of unemployed persons in the country on failure of the Federal Government to adequately fund the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), government agency responsible for social and economic statistics.

The former vice president noted with dismay the testimony of the Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Yemi Kale that the National Bureau of Statistics is unable to release the annual unemployment report because the Buhari administration has not provided the NBS with the funds it needs to perform this essential service.

He asserted that throughout the 16 years that the Peoples Democratic Party governed this nation never was the NBS starved of adequate fund to perform its statutory duty.

Speaking through the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, he said the Buhari administration is in a state of panic because of the unprecedented unemployment numbers in Nigeria and is desperate to hide that information from the public.

“If the Buhari administration can afford 1.1 billion to fumigate the office of the National Security Adviser, if they can afford 3.5 million every month to feed Ibrahim El Zakzaky, then they can afford to release funds for the NBS to perform its statutory duty of releasing the nation’s job report.

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States from what he described as “dismal and unacceptable levels witnessed in Rivers and Kogi States.”

According to the President, “What I want to assure Nigerians is that I will continue to pressure the Police and other agencies to do their best to ensure a conducive atmosphere for free and fair elections.”

On the issue of security raised by the religious group, President Buhari said he will continue to nudge security agencies to find lasting solutions, stressing however, the need for community and religious leaders to play a part in identifying criminals in their midst.

The President thanked the Muslim religious leaders for recognizing

the various achievements of the administration especially, in dealing with security, fighting corruption and progress in agriculture.

“I am not satisfied with the reporting of agriculture. Millions of our citizens have returned to the farms with many leaving white collar jobs for opportunities in agriculture,” he noted.

The leader of the delegation, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, who is the Secretary General of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam, had lavishly praised the President’s achievements in key areas of his campaign in 2015 namely, security, corruption and the economy.

According to him, “So far, so good, government has gone a long way in meeting its promises.”

Inadequate funding responsible for inaccurate unemployment figure in Nigeria says Atiku Tunde Opalana, Abuja

N-POWER beneficiaries pledge support for Buhari/Bindo Dan Garba, Yola The beneficiaries of N-POWER programme of Federal Government in Adamawa state have pledged their support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindo of the State.

The beneficiaries who are mostly youths of various LGAs in the State reiterated their staunch loyalty for the Jibrilla who they consider a progressive Governor doing what the masses have voted him to do.

The Youths assured this when the paid a solidarity visit to the DG campaign of Buhari/Bindo under the umbrella of Adamawa State Berbers Association at his office in Government House Yola.

They promised to work hard towards becoming independent and viable in their business so that other youths can benefit from government programs.

The Director General, Chief Felix Tangwami thanked them for their visit and show of support, reeling out the effort of Government In meeting up with the herculean task of providing basic amenities for all residents of Adamawa State especially the local Government workers.

He reminded them of the need to translate their skills and knowledge of barbing into wealth creation for the overall development of the state.

Bayelsa solicits public support for war against cultism

L-R: Treasurer, Nigerian Institute of Engineers, Lagos Chapter, Engr. Jubril Lawal; Ex officio, Engr. Akinlolu Satope; Chairperson, NICE, Lagos chapter, Engr. Lola Adetona, and vice chairman, Engr. Emeka Ibeh, at the Conference of Engineers in Lagos, recently.

INEC expresses worries over violent party primaries Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is worried over spate of violence witnessed in some parties in the just-concluded parties’ primaries in Enugu.

The INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, disclosed this on Friday when he addressed members of the Civil Society Organisations and Inter-Party Advisory Council in a meeting in Enugu.

The meeting focused on ``The State of Preparedness of INEC, Comments on Parties’ Primaries and Display of Permanent Voters Register (PVR) by the Commission for Next Elections in the State’’.

Ononamadu described as worrisome the magnitude of issues and violence that greeted the parties’ primaries, which was unknown in the history of primary elections in the state.

He, however, expressed the hope that such ugly incidents would not repeat as the people (citizens) vote in next year elections.

The REC noted that it was the collective responsibility of the citizens to ensure that violence would not be exported into the general election and then the citizens turn back to blame INEC. On the preparedness, Ononamadu said that the total number of registered voters in the state for the election is 1,978,547.

He added that out of the national fresh registration of 14,551,482; Enugu State registered 549,326, noting that out of the national transfer request

of 769,917; Enugu State had 5,427 transfers.

Ononamadu said the commission had 4,190 Smart Cards Readers (SCRs); which show a balance 534 extra SCRs as backups. ``While the total of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) stand at 175,678 both 2014 and2018 PVCs. ``The number of uncollected PVCs is worrisome and this summit is expected to find solution to it, in addition to what we have done in the past. ``Out of the 1,958,000 registered voters in Enugu state, only 1,504,858 have collected their PVCs as at November, 11, 2018 and therefore ready for 2019 General Elections,’’ he said.

According to him, owners of 175,678 uncollected PVCs should go to our offices and collection points to pick up theirs.

The Bayelsa Government on Friday solicited the support of the citizens for the current efforts to curb the rising menace of cultism in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Dr BomaSpero Jack, made the call in a statement in Yenagoa.

Jack expressed concern about the increasing cases of cultism, armed robbery and other related crimes, particularly in Yenagoa and its environs.

He condemned the recent killing of Miss Seiyefa Fred, a 16-year-old 100 level student of Niger Delta University, by suspected cultists in the Amarata neighbourhood of Yenagoa.

Sympathising with the families of the deceased, the security adviser expressed the government’s commitment to putting in place adequate security measures to safeguard the people’s lives and property.

He urged the members of the public to see security as a communal activity which involved the input of all the citizens, the police and other security operatives.

He added that the citizens should always provide useful information that would facilitate efforts to safeguard the society.

Ondo Gov’s wife advocates more cancer awareness

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has called on non-governmental organisations to raìse awareness on cancer and its impact in the country.

She made this call in Abuja at a music and comedy fund raising show organised by Project Pink Blue, a cancer non-profit campaign organisation.

Mrs Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor, noted that cancer could be defeated when people were enlightened about the ailment and the need to go for regular checkups.

According to her, the idea of referring the ailment to spiritual attack is contributing to the high rate of preventable deaths in the country.

“I am a 21 years cancer survivor and I am still alive, but the entry point to defeating cancer is education.

“Education is very important in the fight against any type of cancer but in this our environment, we are held back by all sort of misconceptions on what causes cancer and how it can be treated.

“We attribute it to spiritual attack, so instead of going to the hospital, we keep going to prayer mountain thereby wasting time.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Network drums support for Atiku as Short News communities charged to protect thousands of APC members decamp Niger expatriates, facilities from criminals The presidential aspiration of former vice president Atiku Abubakar recently received a boost as a group known as Waziri Frontiers Network (WFN) called on Nigerians to massively vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate next year.

The group which used the occasion which took place at the Atiku Presidential Campaign Office in Wuse 2 Abuja to receive thousands of All Progressives Party (APC) members into the PDP, also inaugurated its Executives committee.

At the occasion, a delegation of the Network was received by the Director of Contact and Mobilization Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO) Dr. Nicholas Msheliza and his Deputy, Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi.

In his remarks, Dr. Nicholas congratulated the newly inaugurated Executive committee members and urged them to take the mandate

of delivering the PDP Presidential Candidate to the grassroots. He tasked them to focus on issue based campaigns when the right avenue is made open by constituted authority.

The Director General of WFN Engr.

Dan Ohiomoba in his speech thanked the DG APCO for receiving them in a grand style and promised that members of his Network would embark on aggressive voter sensitization and mobilize immediately INEC declares campaigns open in a few days.

Engr. Ohiomoba noted that “APC made an expensive mistake for fielding a candidate who has no reason for reelection in the forthcoming general election,” saying also that “the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari is victory for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.” He therefore urged members to go and educate eligible grassroots voters on vote monitoring and vote protection as “it is clear that the APC have settled for rigging and manipulation in 2019”.

The South East Zonal Chairman of the group, Hon. Iboko Sylvester in his remarks advised member to be confident in their support for Atiku noting that power has finally returned to the people.

While receiving the decamping received APC members to the PDP, Engr. Dan Ohiomoba said the ruling party is on its way out of Aso Rock Presidential Villa as the defeat of its candidate Muhammadu Buhari is a settled matter by the people of Nigeria who are fade up with bad governance and its consequent poverty and hunger pervading the entire country.

“Can the APC give one reason why Nigerians should vote Buhari in the forthcoming general election? There is no reason for that because there is so much suffering as the economy is in coma,” Engr. Ohiomoba stated.

Highlights of the occasion was the burning of hundred of brooms by the former APC members who are now with the PDP.

Saka Bolaji, Minna Niger State Government has enjoined communities benefiting from various rural roads construction and rehabilitation across the state to secure and safeguard the lives and properties of the expatriates and all other workers handling road project in their localities.

This appeal was made by the State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II), Alhaji Hassan Baba Etsu.

The state government noted the insecurity and wanton kidnappings in the country and urged communities to be vigilant and protect the workers against any potential danger.

The Project Coordinator made the plea at the Palace of the Village Head of Uchichi, Kasuwan Garba, while on a Tour of the 88km Kamfanin BobiKasuwan Garba-Bangi road rehabilitation project.

He stated that the issue of insecurity must not be left to the government alone stressing that it was also the responsibility of the benefiting communities to protect and safeguard the lives of those working for them.

“Because of the prevailing crime rate in our society, we need not only the Police but also the Locales to assist in protecting the lives of these people”.

Obaseki’s reform: Edo Govt tours forest reserves, decries degradation, partners Proforest on sustainability The Edo State government has decried the conversion of forest covers in the state to farmlands, noting that government has taken inventory of its forest reserves with a view to design a roadmap that will ensure sustainability of the existing forest resources.

Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie, said this after the twoday assessment of the forest reserves alongside experts from Germany and Proforest Africa.

Okojie expressed regret that much of the forest covers have been degraded and turned into farmlands, adding that it was worthwhile to assess forest covers still standing in the state, as government intensifies plans to set up a Forestry Commission.

“The governor wants to set up a Forestry Commission that will be responsible for managing our forest. So, we decided to take a physical inventory of what we have left and design a roadmap for their efficient management. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to mankind and preserving our forests can help stabilise the climatic effects. The forest regulates the ecosystem and promotes biodiversity. That is why we are doing this,” he said.

Presidential committee on amnesty visits Jos Prison

L-R: Special Representative of the Secretary General, and Head of United Nations for West Africa & the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas; Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, and UN Resident/Humanitarian Cordinator & UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Edward Kallon, during the launch of Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (Private Sector Initiative) in Lagos.

Rice importation: USDA says Nigeria’s demands will rise by 400,000 tons Tom Okpe, Abuja The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected that Nigeria will be the world second largest rice buyer in 2019 with an increase of 400, 000 tons.

China, according to the report is said to be the world’s largest buyer.

In a latest rice outlook released by the USDA, it said: “On an annual basis, consumption and residual use of the staple food is projected higher in 2018/19 in Angola, Benin Republic, Burkina-Faso, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,

and Vietnam.

“China and Nigeria are projected to remain the largest rice importing countries in 2019, followed by the EU, Cote d’Ivoire, and Iran.

“Nigeria and Egypt are projected to account for the bulk of the 2019 import increase. Imports in 2019 are also projected to be larger than a year earlier for Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, EU, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia, Mali, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

“Global rice consumption including a residual component in 2018/19 is projected at a record 488.4 million tons, down 0.1 million tons from the previous forecast but up more than 1 percent from a year

earlier”, the report stated.

Media report also had it that Rice farmers in Nigeria have experienced a drop in output since last year due to a combination of higher input costs, insecurity and widespread flooding in the main growing regions. At the same time, people are giving up traditional coarse grains in favor of rice in the country of almost 200 million people.

“Chairman Rice Farmers Association (RFA) Kebbi State, Mohammed Sahabi said: “The rain has not been favourable to rice farmers this year, this has affected major rice-growing states. We lost more than 20,000 hectares of unharnessed rice this year in Kebbi alone”.

As part of its mandate to recommend inmates serving jail terms in various prison formations for amnesty, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, on Friday visited the Jos Prison.

The Vice Chairman of the committee, Mr. Williams Aloh said the rationale for the visit was to basically recommend prisoners serving their jail terms in the prison for amnesty.

Recall that on Aug. 28, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) inaugurated the committee.

According to Aloh, the committee would only consider inmates convicted over federal offences.

“Section 175 of the 1999 constitution, as amended clearly gives the president the powers to consider and pardon inmates based on the recommendations of this committee.

“As a president who stands for justice and fairness, he has decided to constitute this committee to go round all prison formations and recommend inmates to be granted amnesty.

“We do not have the power to grant pardon to any inmate; ours is to just recommend to the president based on the available information.

“So, the committee is here in Jos Prison to carry out its assignment,” he said.

Speaking during the visit, Justice Yakubu Dakwak, the Chief Judge of Plateau urged the committee to include in its recommendations, the need for government to address unemployment in the country.

Ogun Govt pays N4.7bn to LG pensioners in 8 months The Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Mrs Irene Kokumo, on Friday said that the state government had paid N4.7 billion to local government pensioners between January and August.

Kokumo disclosed this while playing host to members of Ogun House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who were on oversight visit to the bureau in Abeokuta.

The permanent secretary, represented by Mr Aduloju Akinbobola noted that the state government had paid the monthly pensions of the retirees up to the month of October.

She explained that 474 new retirees were enlisted into the payroll of the bureau, saying that they all enjoyed the benefits of their monthly pensions.

The permanent secretary added that gratuities for teaching and nonteaching retirees of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had been paid up till August 2011, while that of the local government retirees had been paid up to November 2011.

She said that the bureau successfully completed 2017 biometric screening exercise which revealed that a total of 200 pensioners had become deceased.

“We have erroneously recovered funds paid into some deceased retirees accounts,” she said.

Responding, Mr Tunde Sanusi, House Committee Chairman commended the bureau for the prompt payment of the pensioners’ entitlements.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

9 News

PDP alleges Amaechi uses govt fund for Short News bye-election: INEC distributes election Buhari’s campaign, says he should resign Bauchi materials, assures free, credible election Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to demand the immediate resignation of Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation to demonstrate his (Buhari) touted integrity.

The party said Amaechi, as Minister of Transportation and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation is using government fund to campaign for Buhari.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan in a statement noted that Amaechi’s action demonstrates the height of corruption both in Buhari administration and the person of his campaign DG. “The party further wondered how Amaechi will compare failed President Muhammadu Buhari to the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has been generally accepted as the next President of Nigeria, stressing that Amaechi has finally lost touch with Nigerians.

“If Amaechi has not lost touch with reality, how would he be comparing Atiku Abubakar, who is widely celebrated by Nigerians across board, due to his integrity and proven

competence in managing resources, to a failed President Buhari, who Nigerians know is responsible for the grinding hardship, hunger, starvation and escalating insecurity in the nation in the last three and half years?

“How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a known and tested nationalist, who has become the rallying point for national rejuvenation and reawakening to President Buhari, who has sunk the nation deeper into the sea of nepotism, divisiveness, dissentions and agonizing despondency?

“How can anyone compare Atiku Abubakar, an epitome of wealth creation and youth empowerment to President Buhari whose tenure will only be remembered by Nigerians for hardship, unemployment, job losses, wealth destruction, economic frustrations and destruction of institutions that engender good governance and freedom?

“Is it not an aberration to attempt to compare Atiku Abubakar, who played key role in a government that paid our nation’s foreign debt, to President Buhari, whose administration specializes in accumulating debts, borrowing money to service debts and plunging our generations yet unborn into bondage?

“How can Amaechi compare Atiku

Abubakar, a promoter of democracy and fundamental human rights to President Buhari whose administration has stood down all known democratic virtues, and relishes in violation of human rights, disobedience to court orders, disdain for constitutional order and condoning extra-judicial killing, harassment and illegal detention of citizens as detailed in reports by international bodies?”, said the PDP. The party said it is obvious that President Buhari cannot be a match to Atiku Abubakar, noting that “Amaechi’s frustration as a beleaguered salesman of a derelict product, but he should have known that for Nigerians, Atiku Abubakar represents light and a brighter future whereas President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) represent a national misfortune.

“Amaechi is aware of the murmurings and frustration even in the Presidency regarding President Buhari’s failures in governance and that most of his ministers, aides and political associates no longer believe in his re-election since Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP Presidential candidate”.

The PDP counselled Amaechi to prepare to return to Rivers state to face his multiple corruption indictments instead of trying to promote a failed candidate.

Samuel Luka, Bauchi In less than 24 hours to the bye-election to fill-in the vacant seat of the House of Representatives member, Toro local government area of Bauchi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed election materials as well as dispatched election officials to the 11 electoral wards across the Local government area.

Daily Times reports that at the time of filing this report several election materials were being distributed in preparation for the election today (Saturday).

The bye-election is coming following the election of the former occupant of the seat, Alhaji Lawal Yahaya Gumau on August 11, into the Bauchi South Senatorial District after the demise of Senator Mallam Ali Wakili.

In the election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the biggest opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two parties that will lock horns today to determine the winner of the vacant position.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bauchi state, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi yesterday told Journalists that the electoral umpire under his supervision in the state will ensure that free and fair election is conducted.

2, 100 Corps members commence orientation in Kwara

Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin A total of 2, 100 Corps members have began the 2018 batch C Orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the State.

NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Esther Ikupolati made this known in a press release by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Dipo Morakinyo in Ilorin on Friday.

Morakinyo is also the Camp Director for the 2018 batch C orientation course.

According to the State Coordinator, Kwara State was one of the 27 States earmarked by the NYSC management to host the second stream of the 2018 batch C orientation course.

She said the three week orientation which commenced on Thursday, November 15 will end on December 5, 2018.

Ikupolati added that 300 camp officials are already on ground to train the Corps members on physical fitness, drilling and entrepreneurial and skill acquisition.

Gov Obaseki extols late Ohiwerei’s exemplary life, outstanding contribution to Edo

L-R: (front row): ForestFinest Senior Consultant, Land Use and Forestry, Andreas Schnall; Regional Director, Proforest, Abraham Baffoe; Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie, and Member, Edo State Advisory Committee on Forestry, Dr. Festus Onogholo, during an assessment tour of forest reserves in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State.

International Children’s Day: UNICEF calls for kids’ protection, education Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja In celebrating the Universal Children’s Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on world leaders to build a world where every child is safe from harm and is educated.

Highlighting the importance of investing in every child on its website, UNICEF stated that the world will be a better place only when children are safe from harm and can fulfil their potential.

The theme of 2018 Universal Children’s Day is “Children are taking over and turning the world’’.

United Nations Universal Children’s

Day came to being in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, Universal Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children’s rights.

“Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders

and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals as well as young people and children themselves can play an important part in making Universal Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.

“Universal Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for Children.

“This year, the world is going blue!

We want to build a world where every child is in school, safe from harm and can fulfil their potential, and we know you do too”, said UNICEF.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the exemplary life and outstanding contributions of late Hon. Josiah Ohiochoya Ohiwerei, to the development of Edo State and in propagating the Christian faith.

Obaseki disclosed this during a commendation service held in honour of late Ohiwerei at St James Anglican Church, in Benin City, Edo State, on Friday. Late Ohiwerei died at age 89.

Obaseki said late Ohiwerei who was from a respected and illustrious family, lived a life worthy of emulation, urging the children to ensure they keep the legacy of their father.

He noted, “He was a good man and came from a very illustrious family. He served his people and God well in his lifetime. We are here today in appreciation of what he did for the state. He lived a life worth emulating.”

Eldest son of the late Ohiwerei and President, Heritage Evangelism Network, Rev. Oje Ohiwerei, thanked the governor for gracing his father’s commendation service despite his busy schedule.

“The Ohiwerei family is grateful to the governor and government of Edo Sate for honouring our late father, and we pray that the good Lord will continue to guide the governor’s steps in his task to improve the well being of all Edo people and residents,” Rev. Ohiwerei said.

Anambra: We’re unfazed by purported suspension — APGA Lawmakers

Factional Speaker of Anambra House of Assembly (ANHA), Mr Ikem Uzoezie has dismissed his suspension by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as illegal and uninformed.

Uzoezie said in Awka on Friday that the leadership of APGA in Anambra did not follow the procedures for suspending party members.

It will be recalled that Chief Norbert Obi, Chairman of the party in the state, had on Nov. 15, announced the suspension of three lawmakers, including Uzoezie, the new speaker of the Asembly.

Others were Mr Harford Oseke, the Deputy Speaker and Mr Victor Okoye, the Majority Leader of the Assembly.

The chairman said their suspension followed their leading role in the impeachment saga where Mrs Rita Mmaduagwu was purportedly removed without carrying the party along.

Uzoezie said the party overreached its bounds as the events in the parliament were wholly internal to it, adding that members were at liberty to change their leaders who were not effective.

He said the party was supreme but noted that it had to do with party matters and not an independent institution like the parliament.

According to him, I represent a constituency that has APGA and non-APGA members, so you cannot say we did not carry the party along.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Miyyeti Allah, Kebbi strategise to end Short News Farmers/Fulani clashes, milk hawking 2019: BMO holds ‘Buhariconnect road show Haruna Aliyu Usman, Kebbi The kebbi state chairman, Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Muhammed Bala Dan Ali has said that, the association is working in partnership with the Kebbi state government to end feud between Farmers and Fulani in the state.

Dan Ali added that after carefully identifying the root causes of the clashes, the association approached the government on how it can come in to assist in the areas that can solve the reoccurring clashes

between farmers and fulanis.

He said proper education and facilities are required for the smooth operation in the areas where such incidences occur.

He pointed out that already there are existing nomadic schools in the state, but what the government needs to do is to equip them and build more to accommodate the increasing number of Fulani children.

Speaking further, the Fulani chief said the governor promised to build more nomadic schools and ranches equipped with water and electricity so that herders need not to pass

through farms where cattle will eat up crops that usually spark violence.

In addition, the association is worried over the cow milk being hawked by Fulani women who in the process get involved in extra marital relationships in the ministries, therefore Kebbi state government has step up efforts to establish a milk processing industry to avoid hawking of the milk in the nooks and cronies of Kebbi and to get fresh cow milk not the sour one they hawks.

The industry will also create jobs for Fulanis and others, Bala has said.

Tom Okpe, Abuja

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has completed arrangement for an open-air event on Sunday November 18, at the Unity Fountain Maitama Abuja, to highlight and promote the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The show, with the theme, ‘Buhariconnect’ and slogan, “The People’s President” will attract Ministers, Governors and other top echelon of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

According to a statement signed by the Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the event will be preceded by a press conference to be addressed by the National Coordinator of the group, Chief Niyi Akinsiju, while the media will be presented with the scorecard of three and a half years of the President Buhari administration.

The statement said: “The variety show will be an opportunity to highlight the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, with testimonials from the beneficiaries of the administration’s Social Investment Programs, including poverty alleviation, school feeding, Trader-moni, women empowerment, Anchor Borrowers and cash transfer program.

Rotary International confers Polio Champion award on Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has been conferred with the prestigious Polio Champion Award in recognition of his uncommon commitment and leadership in the polio eradication programme in Nigeria.

Rotary International President, Mr Barry Rassin, who is on a four-day official visit to Nigeria, presented the award to Buhari on Thursday at State House, Abuja.

The Polio Champion Award was instituted by Rotary International in 1995 to recognize and appreciate Heads of Governments and organisations that have played a key role in polio eradication around the world.

The last recipient of the Award was Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada. Other past recipients include Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Receiving the award, the Nigerian leader, while thanking Rotary International for the honour, lauded their commitment to humanitarian work across the globe.

ECOWAS resolute on single currency policy Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja

Wife of Ondo state Governor, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu (left), receiving an award of “Legend of Cancer Control in Nigeria” from popular Nollywood actress, Rachael Okonkwo (right), at the fund-raising dinner organised by PROJECT PINK BLUE, tagged: “Show Love” at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel,held in Abuja, Thursday Night.

Saraki: Nigerians watching how Buhari’ll handle allegations against Oshiomhole Tunde Opalana, Abuja Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has stated that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting how President Muhammadu Buhari will handle the serious allegations of bribery levelled against the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, over the conduct of the just concluded primary elections in the party.

The Senate President in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph

Olaniyonu, also described the threat by the former Edo State Governor to sue him over his statement that Oshiomhole ought to quit politics on moral grounds over the allegations against him, as an empty boast because he (Saraki) will be ready to meet him (Oshiomhole) in court.

“Nigerians are waiting to see how the President will handle the serious allegations against his party chairman. We expect the President with his anti-corruption campaign to institute thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations against his party chairman.

“The failure of the President to get to the root of the matter will finally destroy his ability and that of the party to continue to talk of any anti-graft battle.

The President should let the investigation be thorough, open and transparent. This is no time for any cover-up”, he stated.

Saraki maintained that until the outcome of a thorough investigation is known to Nigerians and the APC chairman is cleared of the allegations against him, Oshiomhole is not on a firm ground to talk about morality or fight against corruption.

As the second ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament kick starts in Abuja, stronger commitment have been made towards combating terrorism and achieving the single currency policy of the region.

The speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Mustapha Cisse -Lou on Thursday in Abuja reiterated the parliament’s willingness to harmonise economic policies in the region, through the creation of a free trade zone to boost economic growth.

The speaker was speaking at the opening ceremony of the second ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament holding in Abuja.

Mr Cisse-Lou said “the single currency project is a process that has to be sped up, as we cannot think of development without harmonizing our economic policies in our region”.

He promised that for the general good of the citizens of West Africa, the parliament would take necessary steps in enhancing economic development of her people.

Lagos Assembly frowns at indiscriminate parking at Ikorodu Alade Tasma, Lagos Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the congestion through indiscriminate parking of long vehicles and container Lorries at Sekumade road in Ikorodu area of the State.

The House therefore, called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the state to direct the Commissioner for Transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to eliminate indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on the road.

The Assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide where long vehicles would park before they load goods from the terminal.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to get across to the Governor on the resolution of the House on the matter.

The issue was raised at Thursday plenary under Matter of urgent Public importance by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu Constituency 1) supported by Hon. Segun Olulade (Epe Constituency 2).

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Life & Times

11

Why Rita Dominic is my style icon - Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman Linda Ejiofor, one of the promising Nollywood stars, is famed for her role in the popular TV soap, Tinsel. Bimpe, as she is fondly called by her fans, is currently one of the Nollywood’s delights. Since her debut movie role in ‘The Meeting’, she has been enjoying attention from all quarters. Linda recently got wedded with her co-star, Ibrahim Suleiman. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, the graduate of Sociology from the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, speaks about her foray into the world of make-believe, and her dream roles amongst other interesting issues. Enjoy…

How did your journey into acting start?

Before I entered the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State to study Sociology, I had done a diploma course in Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. I think I was at the University of Ibadan for about three months. However, when I was getting into the groove and enjoying it, my father pulled me out. He said, ‘No daughter of mine will go into acting’.

You know, if God has a plan for you, His plan will always set the motion.

So, here I am as an actress again with his full support and I have made him proud.

‘Out of luck’ where I spoke pidgin English, so it was so much fun having to speak it again.

Don’t you think people may mistake that character to be real life?

No they wouldn’t. People have always likened my real life character to that of Bimpe in Tinsel but when they see me in real life they notice that I am totally different. I am quiet.

Tell us about your high and low times in your acting career?

The high time in my career was ‘The meeting’. The movie gave me the breakthrough after Tinsel.

My low times, I cannot remember because my high times always surpass the low times. I don’t even remember the low times.

How did you come to play Bimpe in Tinsel?

At first, I hated the character, the role and everything about her because she was just dumb. When I read my script and saw all the stupid things she had to do and the stupid questions she asked, I just concluded that she was dumb and sarcastic. She was supposed to know the answers to the questions, but she never got it.

So, I was always complaining to the director. But the writer kept telling me to enjoy the character. He would say the only way to love the character is to enjoy the character; and before I knew it, I started enjoying the character. So, I had to go and watch a lot of dumb movies like Legally Blonde. At a point, I had to go and watch Devil Wears Prada because I had to be Brenda’s P.A. I had to research on how to be like these people.

So, what’s your dream role now?

I’ve always wanted to try multipersonality disorder. In other words, I will like act two or three people at the same time. Yes, it is not easy, but it’s something I will love to play because I think being good is overrated. Too many people are playing good roles; so, I want to do something else.

Do you feel any pressure to break in Hollywood?

I don’t feel any pressure to go into Hollywood but rather I have the desire to go into Hollywood.

Before ‘The Meeting’ movie, did you ever feature in movies playing smaller roles Nigerians popularly call ‘Waka Pass’?

Funny enough, No. What other careers were you into before you started acting?

I was acting in Tinsel. Tinsel was my

What is the best thing that acting has given you?

We hide behind a lot of characters.

There are a lot of things that we would want to play out in person but we can’t do. Acting has given me the opportunity to play different people whenever I want to, and the fact that I can interact and pass information to people watching in front of a camera.

Linda first break through.

While growing up did you ever imagine yourself as a big business woman, a lawyer, doctor or any other vocation than acting?

First of all, I studied Sociology in University of Port Harcourt and I never saw myself as a doctor, lawyer or any other career because back then I was already a model. I wanted to work in an advertising agency. I saw myself being creative. I saw what a commercial looks like.

Was the drive for advertising also because they have the money?

It was because they have the money, I have the face and I love the creativity that advertising stands for.

What is the transition into many characters you portray in different

movies like?

The transition is always the same every time. Every time I am on a new set, it’s the same feeling because I don’t know the people I am going to be working with. I have never worked with the director or my fellow cast I am working with, so I would always be nervous whenever I start a new production with other people. I would always be nervous because it’s a new character that I have never played. The roles are usually different from Ejiro and The Meeting’, Halima in ‘soldier Story’ or the role I played in ‘Rumour Has It”. Every time I get on set, I am always shaking.

Are you working on any movie set presently?

I have a couple of movies coming out soon. There is an Ebony Live TV movie coming out in December, ‘Chief

Daddy’. I have ‘knocking out Blessing’ which I am so looking forward to because I played as a prostitute there.

Then Soldier Story Part 2 will be out in December as well and I have a political movie coming out next year.

How did you get yourself into that character?

It is hard. It is really hard. As actors we would need a lot of time to fit into the character but we don’t have that much time. We had to go and watch movies of other people that have acted the character. Not watching American movies, we had to watch our own local content. I play the role of a prostitute in a recent movie that a friend did a documentary on prostitution and that helped us as well. It was something that was cool because we had to speak pidgin English so it was good. I had done

What is the most embarrassing thing a fan has done or said to you?

Someone saw me outside and she said, ‘Hi Bimpe’ and she goes ‘you are actually small in person’, and I just smiled. Another person which was a guy, sometimes they don’t know how to hug and take pictures, he actually put his hand to my low waist. I had to tell him, ‘guy, it’s not there, please take your hand up’. You just have to set boundaries.

You have always maintained a clean slate in the industry, no controversy, how have you been able to maintain consistency?

I always remember the family that I come from. I think ‘would they be proud of me if I do this’. So even if bad publicity is also publicity, I just don’t want it attached to my name.

Which celebrities would you say are your fashion inspiration?

The first person that comes to mind is Rita Dominic. I love her style. I just love how she places her style together.

Another person is Ini Dima-Okojie, she is so gorgeous and then of course, my friend, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and myself.

Society Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Ibogun monarch celebrates one year of peaceful reign The ancient city of Ibogun in the Ibogun-Coker Local Council Development Area of Ogun State will from Monday, November 19 to Sunday, December 16, 2018 play host to ‘who-iswho’ in the Nigerian society when the Olu of Ibogun, Owu Kingdom and the Promoter of Ifa Olokun Foundation, Oba (Dr.) Fakayode Adesina Faluade, will celebrate his first year anniversary on the throne and the 19th edition of his annual Ifa Olokun Foundation festival.

Unveiling plans on the 12-day twin-programme during a chat with newsmen at his Ibogun palace, Ifo, Ogun State early in the week, Oba Faluade stated that highlights of the celebration will include Olokun worship, conferment of chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals, foundation laying ceremony of Ibogun community school, commissioning of school toilets, market stalls, street lights and transformer and hosting of the final stage of Ayo Opon competition.

According to the monarch, the grand finale, which will have fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1), on bandstand will hold at Ibogun Comprehensive High School, Egbeda-Ibogun, Ifo, Ogun State on Sunday, December 9, 2018, while special anniversary Jumat service and thanksgiving service will hold on Friday, December 14, 2018 and Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Ibogun

Oba WaleFaluade Tinubu Central Mosque and First Baptist Church, Ibogun-Olaogun respectively.

Throwing more light on the twinprogramme, Oba Faluade stressed that cultural dance, courtesy visit to the Ibogun campus of Olabisi Onabanjo University, paying of traditional homage by trade groups and offer of royal blessings for the growth of the town would also form part of the epoch-making event.

The Ibogun monarch, however, used the opportunity to give gratitude

to God Almighty for seeing him through his first 365 days on the exalted throne of his forebears as the Olu of Ibogun, Owu Kingdom, adding that the past one year of his reign had witnessed tremendous achievements, which impacted positively on the quality of life and economy of the people.

He thanked the people of Ibogun town for showing concerns towards the search for a rapid development in the community’s socio-economic life, noting that without their supports and encouragements, his successful 3-day free eye screening and treatment exercise for the people, huge donations to electrification challenges in the community, construction of toilets for primary schools in Ibogun-Olaogun, construction of market stalls in IbogunEgbeda and the proposed police post, event centre and health centre projects would have been a mirage.

While speaking on arrangements being put in place for the twincelebration, Oba Faluade stated that all necessary arrangements to ensure the celebration was not only remarkable, but also hitch-free had been made, more so that his chiefs, members of the coronation anniversary planning committee, his family, friends, associates and well-wishers, home and abroad, had been working assiduously to ensure the anniversary becomes an event to remember for a long time.

Wale Tinubu’s enviable height Stories by Isaac Oguntoye Oil mogul and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Adewale Jubril Tinubu, has always proves his vast experience in business with uncommon brilliance and wizardry. So, when he promised

Wale Tinubu

Oando shareholders at the beginning of 2018 that he would move the leading Oil and Gas company to an enviable height, many did not doubt his competence.

He always delivered far above expectation and today, he has not only fulfilled his promise, he has lifted Oando far above its competitors.

The continued increase in oil

prices and sales volumes, Nigeria’s exemption from the production cut by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), capital discipline and reduced disruptions on production activities in the Niger Delta are contributing factors to the improved cash flows and impressive results posted by Oil and Gas companies operating in Nigeria in the third quarter of 2018.

Underlining how far both majors and indigenous companies have come since oil prices plummeted in 2014, Oando Plc recently posted its ninemonth ended September 2018 results, with a profit of N10.4 billion, a 46% increase, compared with N7.1 billion in the same period of 2017 and a 70% reduction in debt.

With this the trained lawyer no doubt, is a glittering star in the business firmament, however, he is not resting on his oars. Tinubu, as gathered is globetrotting and rubbing shoulders with other top oil magnates across the world.

Penultimate weeks he was among oil top players at the Africa Oil Week in South Africa while he was also one of the key speakers, among other world leading oil companies CEOs at the just concluded Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC 2018.

Akiolu

Oba Akiolu, Elegushi, KSA, Obasa, others set for Late Baba Sala’s symposium All is set for a symposium in honour of late comedian, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, a.k.a Baba Sala, being part of activities towards his burial next month.

The symposium, being the first among activities lined up towards the burial of the late comedian, dramatist, musician and actor, entertainer, is tagged “Genius without Borders”.

Billed for the National Art Theatre Iganmu Lagos on November 28, 2018, the symposium will feature Barrister Tunji Bamishigbin, who is also a Theatre Arts practitioner and Professor Bakare Ojo-Rasaki of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State who will deliver papers on “The Role of stage Play in a Nascent Democracy” as speakers.

The royal fathers of the day are Oba of Lagos, HRM, Rilwan Akiola, Oba Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi.

Other notable figures expected at the event are Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Madashiru Obasa, the All Progressives Congress Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu, his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Jimi Agbaje, Hon. Solomon Adeola (YAYI), Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and Prophet Isreal Ogundipe among others.

The symposium which is being put together by Fullsteam Communications and has as its Chief Host, King Sunny Ade, will unveil a brochure dedicated to life and times of Baba Sala, a 30 minutes documentary that relay individuals who Baba Sala had impacted their lives positively. There will be free shuttle buses for theatre art students of University of Lagos Akoka, Lagos sSate University, Ojo and Caleb University, Lagos to the event.

Meet Adeayo Olubukola Popoola, the record breaker The most popular world class pageant, The Mr and Miss Nigeria International pageant has come and gone but the impact it left behind will never be forgotten especially with the victory of Adeayo Olubukola Popoola as the winner of the Mr Nigeria International Global. He hails from Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Adeayo Olubukola Popoola has created a life time record as the first male from Ogun state to have attained this height which is a very commendable one.

With this, he will be representing Nigeria globally and making the nation

great in everywhere he finds himself on the international level. He will also become the face of many brands both locally and internationally.

Mr. and Miss Nigeria International is Africa’s biggest mixed pageant that have produced world class queen; Ms. International World Classic 2017 in Florida USA, and also produced top five winner in the same pageant in 2018.

Recently, the pageant director and CEO Ambassador, Brendan Nsikak, was appointed as the first black to be groomer and choreographer for the world pageant - Ms. International World being an honour for Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

13

Gist

Niniola puts on an electrifying show at the human radio concert

cross section of the finalist

Don Jazzy, Timi Dakolo, Laura Ikeji, others show up at the unveiling brunch of 2018 Miss Nigeria finalists!

Stories by Mutiat Alli Following recent auditions in Lagos, Owerri and Abuja, Nigeria’s foremost and most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Nigeria, unveiled the 18 finalists contending for the highly coveted title of Miss Nigeria 2018 at the 7 Square Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday, November 12, 2018.

Among the celebrities and influencers present at the brunch to witness the unveiling were Mavin Records boss and veteran in the Nigerian Music Industry, Don Jazzy, popular song writer and performing artiste, Timi Dakolo, top actor, Gideon Okeke, the Country Director of WEConnect International, Shade Ladipo, the Creative Director of Miss Nigeria, Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha, the reigning Miss Nigeria, Mildred

Ehiguese, leading Nigerian influencer and entrepreneur, Laura Ikeji, popular international model and entrepreneur, Aisha Bello, among others.

The guests were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks at the restaurant amid lots of fun, glitz and glamour. The 18 finalists had an interactive session with the guests where they shared their goals, aspirations and plans if they emerged victorious and won the prestigious Miss Nigeria title.

Speaking about the unveiling brunch and the selection of the 18 finalists, the Project Coordinator of Miss Nigeria 2018, Chioma Nwigwe said: “This year’s selection though grueling, has been very rewarding.

Beyond their looks, every single one of these incredible ladies brings something unique to the table and we can’t wait to see which of them wins

the crown.”

The Miss Nigeria Organisation selected the 18 finalists after various screening processes from 40 contestants that were pre-selected from the auditions held nationwide in Lagos (West), Owerri (East) and Abuja (North) in October.

The celebrities and influencers present commended the efforts of the organisation in maintaining the quality of queens that have been produced by the organisation since inception.

The guests were impressed by the 18 finalists who were articulate and precise about their mission to stand by the great efforts of the Miss Nigeria organisation in empowering women beyond beauty.

The grand Finale of Miss Nigeria 2018 will be held at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites on November 25, 2018.

Uni–trident group MD announces donation of 150 rooms hostel to Mano ...Stresses that the maritime industry can generate $200bn annually Prince Chukwuma Obiorah Esq, the Managing Director of UniTrident Group while addressing journalists in Abuja recently stated that the maritime industry is capable of generating over 200 Billion dollars annually and can potentially emerge as the highest employer of labour if all relevant laws and statutes needed to make the industry competitive are implemented to the full. He further observed that the revenue from the maritime industry is quite critical to the economic and infrastructural development of the nation at a time when the country is witnessing dwindling revenue from other traditional sources of income.

To the pleasant surprise of many, Prince Obiorah unveiled his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program for the Nigerian maritime industry with the planned donation of a 150 Room (500 student capacity) ultra modern hostel

facility to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (MANO), that would be ready for commissioning in 2020 together with the refurbishment, remodeling and modernization of existing class rooms that have long become decrepit and dilapidated.

Additionally, the company will also commence the award of scholarships to over 100 students comprising 50 male and 50 female students annually with their tuition and other related fees paid for under the company’s scholarship scheme.

Elaborating further Prince Obiorah reiterated that human capacity development and constant training and retraining is paramount if Nigeria can ever hope to have its citizens playing leading roles and occupying key positions in the various segments of the maritime industry ranging from skilled indigenous workers in Nigerian merchant ships, in our ports and in maritime engineering and

other related fields of specialization.

Prince Obiorah also commended the positive efforts of the rector of MANO, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd) aimed at repositioning the Academy for greater efficiency, credibility and a more responsive service delivery to the industry and Nigerians as a whole.

The Group MD emphasized the importance of the maritime Academy, Oron as the principal training institution for key personnel of the maritime industry while urging other stakeholders to also lend their support in order that the academy can achieve its mandate of being a center of excellence in maritime education and manpower training for the industry which in turn will go a long way towards the realization of the revenue potential of the industry as a net generator of up to 30% of the nations GDP and a major employer of teaming youths of the country.

Lagosians gathered at the Landmark Event Centre recently, in anticipation of a great night, and that’s exactly what they got at Niniola’s Human Radio Concert.

The concert kicked off with DJ Crowd Kontroller and DJ DIPS warming up the crowd with an impressive mix of old and new school hits. Shody The Turn Up King and Larry Foreman were the host of the evening, and did an amazing job ensuring everyone’s energy was at optimum level as they introduced act after act. The opening acts were an interesting mix of voices in the industry such as Tyson Noir, Immaculate, Ric Hassani, Okiemute, GreyC, and heavy weights like Slimcase, L.A.X and Reminisce. Some highlights of the opening segment of the evening were Teni the Entertainer doing a freestyle, Aramide playing the guitar and singing a new song for the audience, Godwin Strings’ brilliant violin renditions of popular songs, and Reminisce dancing on stage with Shody the Turn Up King.

With the crowd sufficiently hyped, it was time for the main act of the evening. Niniola’s entrance was as dramatic as it was majestic. Talking drums and a short play by her dancers welcomed the Queen of AfroHouse and vocal sensation unto the stage.

Niniola started her set by serenading the audience with some of her more famous love songs such as ’Oyin’, ’Moyo’, and ’Akara Oyibo’. She then eased into a fans favourite ’Start All Over’, the soulful duet featuring Johnny Drille. Following that, the audience was treated to a dance break that paid homage to Nigeria’s famous dance crazes.

Niniola returned to the stage ready

to turn up with ‘Jigi Jigi’, cuing a few of her dance hits such as Soke, and Shaba, and a surprise appearance by Terry Apala who joined her in performing Bale. For the finale, Niniola thrilled the audience with a Yoruba ceremony style performance, complete with talking drums, improvised lyrics, and traditional dances from Ekiti as she performed Gbowode. She followed this with Saro, Maradona, and Bana, inviting fans from the audience to join her on stage.

From the show out on last night, it’s not difficult to imagine why Niniola has successfully retained her spot as the queen of Afrohouse. Her performances showed a clear understanding of her market, and the crowd connected deeply with her, singing along to every one of her hits.

Niniola

Femi Leye releases new EP project and new video ‘Asiko’ Following successful launch and production of applaudable concerts and critically acclaimed music albums, leading Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, Vocalist and Producer, Femi Leye has announced his sophomore EP project - ‘The Highlife EP’ alongside the accompanying video to popular hit ‘Asiko’.

Inspired by the traditional high-life

Chukwuma Obiorah

sound, Femi introduced a contemporary twist to the well-known genre blending mellow stringed composition with horns, local and jazz drums; piano in a seamless, groovy musical experience.

It features 4 tracks: Igbadun, Orisun, Abasiama and Daara all produced by Femi Leye, mixed and mastered by BigFoot & Ibukun and cover designed

by IniAbasi.

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Mixed Grill

Funke Akindele, Falz, Dakore, others star in Ebonylife films ‘Chief Daddy’ ….As movie hits cinema December 14, 2018 Mutiat Alli, Lagos After a successful record breaking movie with ‘The Wedding Party’, EbonyLife Films is back with a bigger project titled ‘Chief Daddy’ which is expected to be premiered on December 2nd at Oriental Hotel, Lagos and a grand cinema release come December 14, 2018.

With a stellar cast, the new comedy movie featured top industry finest that includes ): Jude ‘MI’ Abaga, Bisola Aiyeola, Funke Akindele, Chinedu ‘Nedu’ Ani, Zainab Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Lepacious Bose, Ini Edo, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Linda Ejiofor, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, Mawuli Gavor, Kate Henshaw, Ayo Lijadu, Richard MofeDamijo, Beverly Naya, Uti Nwachukwu, Taiwo Obileye, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah, Rachel Oniga, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, and Patience Ozokwor, Rahama Sadau, and Joke Silva Chief Daddy centered on the life of billionaire industrialist, Chief Beecroft, who is known to be a pillar of the society. He is extravagant, exuberant and larger-than-life but extremely benevolent, as he serves as a benefactor to everyone around him including a large extended family of relatives, household staff, and mistresses. All seems well in the Beecroft household until Chief Daddy passes away and suddenly the ‘wheels begin to turn’ and things go awry. What follows reveals enormous surprises, twist and turns that prove larger than the life Chief Daddy once lived.

Produced by Mo Abudu with Temidayo Abudu and Queen

Martins producing.

The plot written

c

o

-

learning.

was b y

Cast members of Chief Daddy the movie Bode Asinyanbi and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.

Speaking on the rationale behind the movie, the EbonyLife TV CEO, Mo’ Abudu disclosed that the thinking on events that are very big in Nigeria necessitated the idea of the movie.

“You know we had already done Wedding which was successful. So, I thought what are the events that are very big in Nigeria.

“In our tradition in Nigeria, weddings are big. Funerals are big.

Anniversaries and birthdays are big.

So, I wanted to do another holiday movie that would always be next to it.

“And we thought about someone who is well known in our society dying. What could possibly go wrong about funerals?

“We had several writing workshops

Before we got to the writing stage, it was about what sort of story do we want and everyone you see here sat in a room and said okay let’s craft this story.

“After the workshop, the writer went away and started writing. We had several drafts. I guess we started filming by draft 7.

“So, the writing process went on for quite a while and then it’s about the casting. Who do we want to be in this building?

“We were very happy with the cast.

You could see that they owned it. I don’t think there was anybody in there that shouldn’t be there. The locations were right. Everything was done like it was done properly.

She disclosed that her new movies will address societal issues as it has always been but much deeper.

5th AFRIMA: Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Keke Ogungbe, DJ Van, others to speak at Africa Music Business Summit in Ghana Renowned South African music superstar, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Ugandan music activist and parliamentarian, Bobi Wine; Internationally acclaimed video and audio disk jockey, DJ Van; Nigerian music executive, Kenny Ogungbe; Ghanaian entertainment and media owner, Bola Ray; and President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA, Bice Osei Kuffour also known as Obour, will be joined by other well-known African and international music Intellects, professionals and enthusiasts for discussions and networking during the 2018 Africa Music Business Summit, AMBS, one of the activities lined up for the 5th All Africa Music Awards (5th AFRIMA-Ghana 2018) scheduled for Thursday, November 22 at the Ballroom, Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra, Ghana.

Holding under the theme: “African Music in a Global Village: Leveraging the Opportunities”, AMBS is a platform for business networking and interaction among music professionals, music executives, government officials and other stakeholders in the music, arts, entertainment, and financial sectors of Africa. It creates an engaging environment for discussions on how the potentials present in the continent’s music industry can be fully harnessed for socio-economic gains.

The 5th AFRIMA Summit will be opened with welcome address by Her Excellency, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana, Honourable Catherine Afeku, representative of the government of Republic of Ghana, the Official Host Country of the 5th AFRIMAGhana. It will also feature a keynote address from the Commissioner of Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Her Excellency, Mrs. Amira Elfadil.

These will be followed by two panel sessions and each session populated with experienced panelists who have broad ranging professional practice from the relevant sectors of culture, music and

entertainment around the globe. The first session will feature a Master Class on Song writing, which will be coordinated

by Joe Chialo (Senior Vice President A&R Universal Music Central Europe & Africa).

Ms. Chaka Chaka will deliver the panel paper for the first session on the topic “Africa as a Brand: The Role of Music and Culture”. Confirmed panellists for session one include: Bobi Wine (music artiste, member of Ugandan Parliament, entrepreneur & humanitarian); Bice Osei Kuffour also known as Obour (President, Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA); Gervais Hugues Ondaye (Cultural Operator & General Director of the International Festival of Traditional Music (FESPAM), Congo Brazzaville); Kenny Ogungbe (Music producer, Record Label owner, television host & Media Owner); Betty G (music artiste & 5th AFRIMA nominee); and Hamza El Fadly (music artiste & 5th AFRIMA nominee).

The paper presentation for the second session will be done by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Cultural Diplomacy Expert, Damien Pwono, who was recently appointed Secretary General of the International Music Council at UNESCO in Paris, on the topic “Building Sustainable Partnerships in the Music Ecosystem”.

Panellists for this session will include Nat Kwabena Anokye-Adisi also known as Bola Ray (CEO, Excellence in Broadcasting, EIB, Network Ghana); Gaz Mawete (music artiste & 5th AFRIMA nominee); DJ Van (music artiste & 5th AFRIMA nominee); Daphne (music artiste & 5th AFRIMA nominee) and Rab Bakari (Producer, entrepreneur, DJ and artist agent).

Attending the summit will be stakeholders in the Arts, Culture and entertainment sectors including music artistes/songwriters, music producers, record label owners, owners of publishing/ entertainment companies, associations of music professionals, policymakers in the art and culture sector, lawyers, journalists, students and many more.

MultiChoice unveils #FestiveTogether campaign offer Leading video entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria recently unveiled a special campaign offer to treat customers on its DStv and GOtv platforms to a memorable festive season.

The campaign tagged #FestiveTogether will see family and friends get together to celebrate the upcoming festive season with specially curated content on DStv and GOtv while also enjoying discounts on the Explora and HD decoders.

All new and existing customers can now purchase the Explora, dish kit with one-month Compact subscription for only N29,900, which was previously N52,100 while the HD decoder, dish kit with one-month Compact subscription will go for only N9,900 from a previous price of N11,900. On GOtv, customers can get GOtv Max package for only N3,200 and enjoy quality TV programming.

According to Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria,

Martin Mabutho, ‘’ The festive season is a great time for family and friends to come together, and we are making those moments extra special with world class content on our platforms”. He said the upcoming festive season will be marked by exciting TV content that the whole family can enjoy.

“Our customers will enjoy their yearly festive traditions even more as they create new memories with a line-up of amazing content such as our special Nigerian Festivals popup channel which features some of the biggest music concerts and shows on the continent including The Experience, Calabar Carnival, Akwa Ibom Christmas Concert and One Lagos Fiesta. We also have the much-loved special kiddies’ channel, Animania which will be a perfect companion for DStv kids this season. Football lovers will still enjoy the matches of the best football leagues in the world; Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga and

Serie A LIVE and in glorious HD on SuperSport channels”, he said.

Other exciting content for

Festive

customers to look forward to this festive season include: popular local content shows on Africa Magic such as Ajoche, Forbidden

and My Siblings & I; international telenovelas on Telemundo and Star Life as well as other general entertainment programming.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

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Vote out governors against N30, 000 minimum wage, says NLC Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

L-R: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, BrandPower magazine, Nnanke Harry Willie; Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe and Winner of the Youth Empowerment Through Access to Information and Thought Leader Par Excellence Awards, Partner, Alatta Nzewi Oyeka & CO, Ralph Okorocha, during the 2018 BRANDPOWER GOLDEN ICON AWARDS held in Lagos…recently

BPE begins commercialisation of 4 River Basins Authorities Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh has disclosed that the partial commercialisation of four River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the country namely; Niger-Delta, Sokoto-Rima, Ogun-Osun, and Upper Niger has commenced.

Head, Public Communications at the BPE, Amina Tukur Othman stated on Friday that the DG announced the decision at the kick-off meeting for the commencement of Transaction Advisory services by Agri-Africa Consultant A&E Law and Partnership Consortium for the Partial commercialisation of the four

RBDAs, held on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr. Okoh expressed delight at the commencement of the project, adding that the main objective of the advisory service is to restructure and reposition the RBDAs for partial commercialisation and optimum performance and that the kick-off meeting was to formally introduce the advisers to the Minister and other key stakeholders.

According to the Director General, the scope of work by Agri-Africa Consultant A& E Law and Partnership Consortium is basically to provide the requisite advice and support required for the Federal Government to successfully implement the partial commercialisation of the RBDAs in a manner consistent with relevant national policies, laws and international best practices.

He said the scope of work among others include: “Conduct of Diagnostic Study on the four RBDAs and define their business objectives and to develop a strategic plan to achieve its operational goals; identify, verify, record, classify and value the key assets of the RBDAs including the status of title documents of their lands.

“Implementation in conjunction with the BPE, the Partial Commercialisation of the four (4) RBDAs develop quality management system, chart of Accounts and opening balance sheets for the four (4) pilot RBDAs based on internationally acceptable standards and introduce operational tools developed through a one-off training; and the Advisers shall Incorporate, Restructure and Reposition the four (4) named RBDAs to be self

sustaining.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Water Resource, Engineer Suleiman Hussein Adamu who was represented by the Director, River Basins Authority and Inspectorate of the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. John Chigbo said the RBDAs project was in line with the vision of the ministry and promised to support and cooperate with an adviser in the course of the project.

On his part, the Team Leader of the Agri-Africa consultant A&E Law and Partnership Consortium, Mr. Chigbozu Ekwekwuo expressed gratitude for the opportunity avail to the consortium to serve the nation, adding that the consortium had assembled a credible team to deliver the project and make agriculture work in Nigeria.

How Fintech is redefining banking services delivery in Nigeria, others Motolani Oseni, Lagos As technology continues to dominate and permeate every segment of human endeavour, activity and field of knowledge, there is strong indication that Fintech, a new trending innovative technology, will to a very large extent redefine and determine the survival of global banking services delivery in Nigeria and other countries of the world.

A Fintech (Financial Technology) expert and Executive Director, Systemspecs Limited, Mr. AdeRemi Atanda, gave the insight at the Centre for Financial Journalism (CFJ) and Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) Business Forum held in Lagos, recently.

According to Wikipedia, Fintech is the new technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It is a new industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance using smartphones, investing services, cryptocurrency and other technologies to make financial services more accessible to the general public.

Mr. Atanda who was the Guest Speaker at the CFJ-ACAMB Business Forum observed that Fintech has come to not only revolutionise the global economic setting, especially, the banking and financial services system but also to ultimately change the way and manner that services are delivered to the consumers through its innovative and disruptive characteristics and

capabilities. According to him, the world is at the 4th economic revolution which is driven by the digital age. He stated that “We all know about the 4th economic revolution, it is a digital age. It is a knowledge edge. So if anybody is still competing based on natural resources you are a goner”.

He explained that in the digital age financial services would be delivered directly to the consumers using disruptive and innovative technologies that would enable banks and other financial services providers to provide value-adding services to meet their numerous customers’ increasing needs.

Atanda further explained that Fintech is about those technologies that enable financial services to be taken right to the customers the way they want it. But

many times financial services providers are not capable or do not assume it their responsibility to create the rail or the platform that makes it easy for them to deliver their own services and that is where the conflict is. “Many times they believe because am a financial services provider I own the entire ecosystem”.

The 2018 CFJ-ACAMB Business Forum was the third edition in the series, which is aimed at keeping both the corporate communication practitioners in banks and other financial services institutions and the financial journalists in the country abreast of critical issues in the financial sector, policies and developments in the economy and global trends while providing veritable opportunity and platform for them to interact and relate informally.

Ambode chairs 2018 BJAN annual marketing conference Godwin Anyebe, Lagos The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will preside over the 2018 Annual Brand & Marketing Conference & Awards scheduled to hold on Friday, 23 November at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI House, Nurudeen Olowopopo Drive, Alausa, Lagos.

The Annual marketing conference

organised by Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN, started in 2013 and this year theme is Brand Lagos: Opportunities, Challenges, Lessons.

The conference, which has Lolu Akinwunmi, former Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria/Group Managing director, Prima Garnet Africa as the Guest Speaker/ Keynote will also witness Dr. Ken Onyeali-Ikpe, Group Chief Operating Officer, Insight Redefini, Steve Ayorinde,

Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lagos state, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, President, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, MAN, Chief Mike Dada, CEO, PRM Africa, Mr. Odion Aleobua, Modion Communication, and Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha, Acting Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON as discussants.

While the lecture session commences by 9 a.m, the special awards which would be given to honour and appreciate

distinguished stakeholders who have contributed immensely to the growth of the marketing and communications industry, is scheduled to kick off by 1 pm.

Speaking on the conference in a statement made available to newsmen recently in Lagos, BJAN Chairman, Mr. Goddie Ofose said the theme of the conference was picked in order to look into how the Nigerian States can begin to be seen as brand icons.

The National vice president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni has urged workers in the country to vote out all state governors that are opposed to the payment of the new minimum wage of N300, 000 to workers.

Speaking in Lagos Friday at the inauguration of the new executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) , Comrade Asugwuni revealed that there was no reason for governors not to pay the new minimum wage as soon as all processes have been concluded.

According to the NLC vice president, some governors have officially written to the NLC that they will be able to pay the new minimum wage saying that there was no government that will be able to stand before the state workers to decline payment.

“Am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermined the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage” “N30, 000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The president as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly” Asugwuni said there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to gear up for the great battle ahead in order to ensure that the struggle continued without hindrance should they refused to pay.

He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead saying, that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC hence the president of the NLC visited the new NUATE President within a month after the election.

Comrade Asugwuni said he has confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody is carried along in decision making.

He noted that there were unions after elections will disintegrate but stated that NUATE has remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

He urged all the elected officers to continue to work with the president as he alone can not do it for NUATE. The new president of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue thanked the NLC vice president for honouring the invitation and assured that the executive will strive to play according to rules saying that he will not betray the confidence reposed in them.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Empowerment scheme: TraderMoni team hits Ibadan as traders ask for more funds Motolani Oseni Thirty-two days after 27, 000 traders in Gbagi international market Ibadan, Oyo state benefited from the Federal Government’s TraderMoni, another batch of traders in Bodija and Oje markets of the city were captured by the government, to grow their socioeconomic activities across Nigeria.

The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo again led the government’s delegation to the two markets, where traders trooped out enmasse and hailed the initiative.

The collateral-free loan, which was dispensed through the Bank of Industry, is part of the Federal Government National Social Investment Programme under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programm meant to reinforce the FG’s commitment to bridge the credit gap and empower Nigerians at the grassroots. It targets 30,000 petty traders and artisans in Oyo State, with each of the beneficiaries entitled to N10, 000.

Commenting on this development, a pepper seller in Bodija market, Monsurat Ajadi, said that the initiative was a laudable development, adding that her family had been praying that she was chosen among the latest beneficiaries.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Romoke Aweni said the amount though paltry but was capable of changing the fortunes of petty traders, just as she promised to make judicious use of it to better her trade.

At Oje, Osinbajo was also the cynosure of all eyes as he restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to alleviating sufferings of the poor masses through the TraderMoni, being implemented under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

Osinbajo said the government was sincere about empowering two million traders for the scheme, assuring that more traders would be captured nationwide.

He stressed that the policy of the Federal Government is to support businesses through the scheme, not just big businesses but particularly small, medium-sized and micro businesses.

Osinbajo appealed to those yet to benefit to exercise patience, just as he charged those who have benefited so far to use it judiciously.

The scheme is being managed and financed by the Bank of Industry on behalf of the Federal Government.

Prof Osinbajo, had said that the policy of the Federal Government is to support businesses through the scheme, not just big business but particularly small, medium-sized businesses and micro businesses. I came personally to the market to ensure that those who are meant to collect the money are getting it. I want to know how the scheme is going on in Gbagi Market.”

The VP said that the FG recognised the genuine contribution of petty traders to aid the nation’s economy, stressing that the loan was a progressive one which would not only help traders to expand their businesses but also change their standard of living.

CBN injects $318.03m, CNY 62.18m forex in retail SMIS Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its last sale before the final Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting for 2018, has injected the sum of $318.03 million in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the interbank foreign market, all in a bid to strengthen the naira.

The CBN also on Friday offered CNY62.18million in the spot and short-tenored forwards segment.

Director, Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Isaac Okorafor, while confirming the sales, reiterated that the retail SMIS were for requests in machineries, agricultural and raw materials sub-sectors, while the Chinese Yuan was for Renminbi-denominated Letters of Credit.

Okorafor assured that the CBN would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange market to guarantee exchange rate stability.

The Daily Times recalls that the CBN had on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, intervened in the inter-bank foreign exchange market to the tune of $210 million.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N361 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY1 exchanged for N54.

Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr Saleh Dunoma, presenting the awards on ‘The Best Improvement in Safety ‘ and ‘Certification of FAAN Training School as ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre’ won by FAAN to the Hon. Minister of State Aviation-Sen Hadi Sirika, at the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Abuja.

AFDB boosts African economies with $40m equity investments in AIIF3 Motolani Oseni, Lagos The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has approved its third equity investment of US$40 million in Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund (AIIF3), a closed-ended pan-African infrastructure fund managed by South Africa-based Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM).

The African lender’s investment will also ensure the highest environmental and social standards are applied to Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund (AIIF3), one of Africa’s most experienced infrastructure fund managers.

AFDB disclosed this in an email document

obtained by The Daily Times on Friday, where it explained that the Fund will focus on acquiring positions of significant influence in roads, airports, rail links, bridges, ports, logistics, power generation, utility distribution, as well as telecommunication assets.

The bank stated that the proposal represents the Bank’s third investment with this fund manager, following a 1996 investment in SAIF and a 2010 investment in AIIF2. With this, the African Development Bank stands to have a positive additional role through this investment, given that the fundraising market continues to be very challenging, leaving an important role to be played

by DFIs. In his presentation to the Board, the Bank Group’s

Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development, Amadou Oumarou, said that private equity in Africa remains a nascent sector.

“The recent downturn in global commodity prices and a reorientation away from private equity in Africa by a few DFIs have lowered fundraising expectations across the board. This is negatively affecting the availability of equity capital for Africa’s infrastructure space. In this sense, the Bank would play a counter-cyclical role through this investment”, he said.

Commercial and institutional investors are likely to view the Bank’s investment as a positive demonstration effect. The Bank’s investment will also ensure the highest environmental and social standards are applied to AIIF3.

FG’s new appointments: Shonubi becomes CBN deputy governor Temitope Adebayo, Lagos Following the Senate confirmation, President Muhammadu Buhari has rectified the appointment of Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The President has also approved the appointment of some Chief Executive Officers and Directors General of some Federal Government Agencies.

Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, conveyed the appointments in two separate statements made

available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

President Buhari urged the new appointees to serve the nation with all sense of responsibility, honesty, diligence and promote good governance in the discharge of their duties.

He enjoined them to regard their appointments as a call to National Service and to carry out their responsibilities with uprightness, diligence and prompt response to the yearnings of the public.

He also charged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

According to the statement, the appointment Shonubi as CBN Deputy Governor took effect from

17th October 2018 for five (5) years in the first instance.

While Mr. Banire Muiz Adeyemi has been appointed as the part-time Chairman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), with effect from 17th October 2018 for a period of five (5) years in the first instance, Engr (Dr) Sule Yakubu Bassi,has been appointed as the Secretary of Nigerian Diaspora Commission, with effect from 19th October, 2018 for an initial period of four(4) years.

Other appointments are; Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, Director General, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) for a second and final term of four (4) years with effect from 22nd July 2018.

AFBTE decries closure of companies by NLRC Joy Obakeye, Lagos Employers of Labour under the umbrella body of The Association of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) has decried the recent closure of Companies in its industrial sector by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The position of the Association was made known to newsmen through a statement issued from its secretariat in Lagos on Thursday. It stated that the association was saddened by the action of NLRC in its industrial sector in an attempt to force them to make payments that have over time been contested and are currently subject of litigation in the Court.

The Association expressed its dissatisfaction with the Commission what it termed unacceptable act, especially in a democratic setting where the actions of all and sundry and especially those of Government and its Agencies should be guided by the rule of law and respect for the country’s judicial institutions and process.

We are more worried that this is happening at a time when all hands should be on deck to increase the productive base of the Nigerian economy, promote commerce and step up development efforts” the statement further said.

The Association, however, implored the Federal Government, through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who supervises

the Commission, as well as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to help in reminding the Management of the NLRC that the law setting it up and its scope of operations.

It noted that the National Lottery Act, 2005 does not empower it to act in the manner it has resorted to of late and the Commission also needs to be reminded that the matter is before a competent Court of jurisdiction and as such none of the parties should take any precipitate action that will present the court with a fait accompli.

Finally, the Association appeals to the Commission to follow the law in all its actions and in this particular matter and allow the Court to rule on it.

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

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Nigeria must reduce cost of governance to enhance development - Johnson Ladipo Johnson, a lawyer, is the Lagos State coordinator of the Kwankwasia Movement, the political group of former Kano State governor and now Senator, Rabiu Kwakwanso. In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE, Johnson speaks on Nigeria’s political system and why the nation must reduce cost of governance if it intends making real progress.

You are the Coordinator of the Kwankwasia Movement in Lagos State and recently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where your principal now belongs held its presidential primary and he didn’t get the ticket. Looking at that primary and the primaries of other political parties, how would you rate it?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) always will have or most times will have orderly primaries.

The one in Port Harcourt wasn’t much different, everything went well or rather I will say most things went well. People would have complaints here and there, but overall, most things went well. Results came and as good sportsmen, as people who want the governance in this country to improve and want to bring good governance to the masses we will always accept the verdict, and keep working and keep moving on till we achieve good governance for Nigerians.

Looking at other primaries, the APC had a single candidate, but eventually we now have so many presidential candidates, because of proliferation in political parties. How do you look at 2019, with regards to the number of political parties and what is happening across board?

Yes, unfortunately Nigerians are not yet at the level where they play ideological polities. We tend to move from one party to another, to the extent that you find yourself with old age fellows and you are not coming from the same ideological perspective, but we are hopeful that by 2023 and beyond we will see more parties fusing together where they have common interest and ideologies that it will not be so unwieldy.

But our Constitution guarantees freedom of association and so you cannot stop people from forming associations. Even in countries as the United Kingdom you only know of two or three major parties. Many other parties, they run based on particular interest.

You have parties that run because they believe in the environment, and so on and so forth. So if you look at the 1980’s to the 1990’s, the social democrats and the liberal democrats came together in the UK and they almost presented the challenge. They were the third party to the Labour Party and the Conservatives. But then, now again, they are fading out.

So, politics is dynamic we are still

INEC to approach the military at this stage to say we have an affidavit which we believe ordinarily is true, but there is a lot of noise about it.

Please quickly, can you confirm from your records whether this certificate or statement of result or whatever it is, is in your records and can you give us a certified copy of it? That is one.

Two, nothing stops the holder of that certificate from going to the institution and saying please I am in need of a certified true copy. They are not confidential documents.

They are not security documents.

I need a certified copy of my certificate or of my statement of result to put this thing to an end. So both ways, something can be done, something must be done, but for me, it is neither here nor there, yes he’s done some other courses and then so, it’s neither here nor there.

But the question for me is, do the average Nigerian care whether the president has a certificate or not, is the average Nigerian better off than he was in 2015, and the answer is no.

learning in Nigeria.

Don’t you think that it’s time the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) put structures in place to check the number of political parties, because I wonder what the ballot paper would look like in 2019.

INEC has tried that before and I think there were court cases. So if you want to do that, you are talking about a constitutional amendment and that would take some times. But it’s something that the National Assembly should look at as well, something they should look at, something the country should look at. Generally, we have to see how our democracy, our government, National Assembly, Judiciary can be better, cheaper and more effectively run.

We are wasting huge resources on elections, I wonder if they are buying equipments all over again.

The figures you hear are mind bugling. So you wonder whether we are putting things on what we have done before or what we have achieved before or whether we are starting all over again. Whatever happens, its a duty, it is something that the incoming president and National Assembly must look at. They must look at reducing the cost of our democracy. In Politics with governance if you are running a recurrent budget of seventy something percent then where lies the money for investment and infrastructure and most importantly in the people of Nigeria. These are some of the issues that people like myself would try to put out into the space during the 2019 elections. Either from the background or from wherever I’m standing in those elections, no matter the party, no matter whose ox is gored, we must

Ladipo Johnson

reduce the cost of governance in this country. It is too expensive and Nigerians are suffering for it Some people are suggesting that there should be a unicameral legislature; do you think it’s part of reducing cost?

Yes, it’s something that we can look at. I found that the presidential system of government is so expensive for where we are.

Parliamentary system may have been cheaper, but in their wisdom in 1979, they changed it, but these are all things we should look

No matter the party, no matter whose ox is gored, we must reduce the cost of governance in this country.

It is too expensive and Nigerians are suffering for it

at. In the midst of that, it must be a holistic approach, because restructuring means different things to different people. They must define what we mean by restructure and I believe it has to be holistic, it has to be economic, political maybe geographical but, you understand. But basically, you have to do that so that we can deliver better governance to the people of Nigeria. Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty.

You are a lawyer besides being a politician. Now the issue of the president’s certificate is coming up again because in the last election, he claimed that it was with the military. It was said that the military responded. Now he has been in power for over four years and filling the form again he’s still saying the certificate is with the military and swearing an affidavit. Does that clear him, even with what WAEC did recently? Is there a provision that you can only submit a sworn affidavit to make claims that may or may not be true? How do we deal with this kind of issue?

It is on INEC having seen that affidavit. And they won’t say they are deaf to what has been going round in the public space, it is on

So you are not bothered so much about the certificate issue?

I’m not bothered, I feel that the people around me, a lot of people in this country are suffering, poverty is on the increase. And you saw this manifest in two clear elections.

Poverty was used as an advantage by the government in Ekiti, you saw it again in the rerun in Osun. So where you have poverty increasing in the country, it is difficult for people to open their eyes and make a clear choice when it comes to elections. It will be easy for whoever controls resources to apply undue influence by spending silly amount of money at the polling unit, the average Nigerian is gullible when hungry.

Some people say that this same poverty that you talked about is responsible for the increasing insecurity in the land especially the Northern part of the country, do you agree?

That is hitting the nail on the head, if you have worked and you are relatively happy with your work, if you are in university, polytechnic and you know that reasonably when you graduate in the next six months into the work force, seek for job, seek for employment, get something, it would be difficult for anyone to brain wash you to strap bomb to your body. The economy is porous.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

APC in UK urges members to shun bickering, support Oshiomhole Stories by Patrick Okohue The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on members of the party across the country to shun bickering and rally support for its National Chairman, Mr

Adams Oshiomhole, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The leader of the chapter, Mr Ade Omole, in a statement in Abuja, said that the current bickering within the party’s rank and file was not in its interest, especially as elections draw closer.

Omole particularly appealed

to party leaders and members, including those that were aggrieved following the outcome of the party’s primaries, to close ranks and support the party in the forthcoming general elections.

“Coming together and staying together is good, but working together toward 2019 General

Young people must be active in nation-building – MDP The Modern Democratic Party (MDP) on Friday said it remained a veritable platform for young people to realise their leadership ambitions in the country.

The National Chairman of the party, Mr Bukunyi OlateruOlagbagi, said this in a statement in Lagos.

He said the youths were indispensable in the development of any country and so should have unfettered access to political leadership positions.

Olateru-Olagbegi, however, said this had not been the case in Nigeria as the youth had been crowded out of positions of power by political parties, older politicians, politicians with insensitive financial requirements and bureaucracy.

The chairman, a pioneer member of the Not-Too-Young movement, said young people also did not identify with the present political parties, as they did not

champion nation-building policies.

“It is simple. Young Nigerians don’t identify with the parties that currently exist.

“The parties don’t care about the issues that matter to young people, don’t speak their language, don’t hear or even see them as anything.

“They only make them part of the landscape they drive by on their way to their very important meetings.

“Young men and women who are driven and have purpose to do things for this country are being crowded out of power.

“The only answer to these questions is the Modern Democratic Party, a party created by young Nigerians to champion the civic ambitions of young Nigerians,” he said.

Olateru-Olagbegi said apart from being a youth-focused party offering young people a platform

to seek leadership positions, MDP also had access to education as one of its core programmes.

The party chief described the high illiteracy rate in the country as unacceptable, saying something must be done to provide access for 13 million out-of-school children, mostly girls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had its convention on Saturday where popular Hip-Hop artiste, Bankole Wellington (Banky W) was unveiled as candidate for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, Lagos.

Unveiling his campaign slogan Hope’19,Wellington said he would be under illusion if he believed the contest for the Eti-Osa seat would be an easy one considering those in the race.

He, however, said he had the backing and trust of the people in the area to win the seat and give them a better representation in 2019.

elections is essential to winning in 2019,’’ he said.

Omole reminded members of the party to always realise that the party should be seen to be supreme at all times.

The leader, who is presently in Nigeria, said he had closed door meetings with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Mr Lanre Onilu, the APC National Publicity Secretary, and its other stakeholders to strategise ahead of the electioneering campaigns.

He assured the party leadership that members of the APC in the Diaspora were already working to ensure the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Omole reiterated that President Buhari remained the darling of Nigerians because he had delivered on APC’s 2015 major campaign promises.

According to him, the President deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

He maintained that the President still commanded the electorate’s goodwill, despite several fake news and half-truths making the rounds on social media.

Omole said that there was, however, need for a total change in attitude and political orientation of some of the party`s stakeholders ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Oshiomhole

Nigeria must reduce cost of governance to enhance development - Johnson Continued from 17 There are many indices that the government is putting out there, so the bottom line for me is that inflation is up. It may be facing a downward train at the moment but it is up. Unemployment is up; I think it’s about 16 or so percent.

Double digits. The economy shed millions of in jobs 2016, 2017.

But this government will always be quick to tell you it’s not its fault.

No responsible government, to quote Raji Fashola partly, when he said no responsible government will fail to handle power in six months.

No responsible government will be giving us the same excuse, three years plus down the line. There were problems. That was why people voted for change. Now what you should be coming out to tell me is that you have done so much and you believe that in the next four years, you would do this, that and that, but they are not saying that.

They still tell us that someone, some how many years ago caused the problems. But this is it; when that someone caused the problems, inflation was low, employment was higher and the general outlook of the economy was good, the stock exchange was doing better. Investments opportunities

were coming out. But now, we don’t have the feeling good factor and you will understand the system. There is not magic anywhere, it’s hard work. We understand that it takes time for government to turn things around sometimes. What we are saying is that you’ve had over three years and it doesn’t seem that this ship is turning to face the right direction, so why should I give you four more years? In economics, we call it sending good money after bad, you get to a certain level, you say this investment is bad, you cut your cost, you turn around, you restructure your company.

Restructure and reposition your business and that is what we have to do to the business of government of Nigeria in 2019.

Well, some people believe that, yes there is a need to refocus and restructure the government, but that the PDP candidate who seem to be the major opponent is not necessarily the best candidate, that there are other candidates that can do better, but the PDP candidate, who your principal supports, by the way, hasn’t really shown much capacity to do the right thing, what do you think?

Well, being a good candidate is not just being good on paper and in theory. We have to have the structure to get you to the market

place which is the voting public. I dare say that in 2015, we had many other candidates that were more intellectually prepared than the current president. We had more candidates that we felt would stand up and command respect of people and the international community, but for certain reasons, a lot of us decided to go to the market place with President Buhari, we did it based on our belief and there is nothing wrong.

And I always wonder why we insult each other when people have different views. There is nothing wrong with my decision that oh, I voted for you in 2015, I don’t think I can vote for you again in 2019.

But you get people immediately beginning to insult you instead of talking, on the facts and stating that this is what. So when we now look at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, there are many people who say that he may not be the messiah but we are not looking for a messiah, we are facing realities, we are looking for someone from day one, who understands the system on day one, will roll up his sleeves and begin to work for the masses of the country. I believe that the fact that he was part of the team that saw us from 1999 to 2007 maybe an advantage because if you ignore all the rhetoric’s and look at the facts, I make hold to say that you probably will not be able to compare the present

government with that of President Olusegun Obasanjo at what they both inherited, oil prices.

If Atiku was part of the entire government, then we should know that okay, those good things that he should be able to get us there.

Those bad things he should have left, those mistakes, because no government is perfect. He should have learnt from them, learn from what Goodluck Jonathan did or didn’t do, and also learn from the good things that Buhari has done. I won’t tell you he hasn’t done any good thing. I’m not that sort of person, but I think that the progress has been too slow for what we have, you understand.

The resources we have, especially the human resources factor I think we have not done as much as we ought to have done. That is my judgment about Buhari’s government, I will not tell you they haven’t done anything, they have done some good things.

You are a Lagosian, and the politics of Lagos just got very interesting. The current Governor, who in some areas they believe is doing well, has just been dropped from the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). So that makes 2019 an interesting year to look up to. What’s your view of Lagos politics as it’s playing out?

Well, I think that Lagos for

those who have a discerning eye, Lagos will be interesting come 2019, because the two major parties have had crises in their primary season, the PDP, the APC when such happens, a lot would depend on the candidates that are coming out to contest election. It would depend on the party, how they come together, how they approach the people.

But the most important thing in all these is for the people of Lagos. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state, yes there are indigenes of Lagos, proud to say I’m one, yet, it’s a cosmopolitan state. And our strength in Lagos is the fact that we are accommodating to a lot of the tribes in this country, and a lot of the tribes in this country contribute positively or have contributed positively to the growth of Lagos. So, with that in mind, and with the hope that a lot of people of Lagos will come out to cast their votes one way or the other during the coming elections, we may be seeing results that we do not expect, even in Lagos. But we hope as I said that people would participate and that INEC would be an unbiased umpire.

And that we would get a government in place that would work for the people of Lagos State. When Lagos works, when Lagos sticks, the economy of Nigeria would begin to stick.

ARTS & CULTURE TIMES g19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Steve Ayorinde: living the art dream in Lagos Speaks on the Lagos State government effort in bringing art and tourism closer to the people

Stories: Chris Onuoha Lagos commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Oluseyi Ayorinde, is no doubt one of the astute believers in ‘Lagos is working’ agenda in Governor Ambode’s cabinet set up.

The former commissioner for information took over the tourism ministry and has continued with his sterling performance as a public office holder.

The Honourable Commissioner was one of the special guests during the Annual Conference of Association of Nigerian Authors ‘ANA 2018’ held

recently in Lagos.

Speaking with Daily Times reporter at the event, Ayorinde narrates how his ministry is living the arts dream in Lagos, taking it closer to the people.

I may start by saying Lagos State and especially the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture has been playing a huge and significant role in elevating art and tourism industry in the country. Within the spec of time I took over the ministry, there’s been visible impact in repositioning the sector.

For the first time, we had a world class president, one of the top five biggest countries in the world, President Macron of France choosing not to have

his reception at the Eko hotels or at the state house but the African Shrine here in Ikeja when he visited the country. Do you know how iconic that has become? After he left, Christiana Amanpour was on a private visit to Lagos and part and detail of what she posited was ‘don’t leave Lagos without visiting the shrine.’ The Nigerian British born soul singer, Seal was in Lagos also in august, the first place he went was the African shrine.

That shows we are having iconic centers that the world stars will say, ‘have you seen this?

The CNN some time ago did a special report on theatres and its significance in the country, if we have been unsuccessful to have the national

Yoruba heroine “Moremi” goes musical

The legendary Yoruba heroine, Queen Moremi Ajasoro will be livening up on stage as the House of Oduduwa in conjunction with Bolanle Austen Peters is set to stun, thrill and waoh theatre lovers and especially cultural enthusiasts with the presentation of ‘Moremi the Musical.’

With all the sensational media buzz surrounding the immortalization of the legendary amazon, the musical drama is another milestone to strongly imprint the heroine’s deeds in the anal of history. This is also coming as another huge effort invested on global promotion of the Yoruba cultural heritage by the Arole Ooduwa, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife. The stage play is an adaptation of a victorious feat by one woman who sacrificed her selfless being to save her people from oppression and marauding invaders. It is laced with dance, enchantment, magic, sacrificial and war gimmicks all in a theatrical manoeuvring.

Recall that other Amazon abound in the history of Nigeria, but Queen Moremi Ajasoro stood out as one heroine who applied wit, con, courage and wisdom to achieve a sterling feat. With several cultural programmes and events drawn to celebrate her matchless deeds by the Ooni’s palace and House of Oduduwa Foundation to immortalise her, such as the Edi/Moremi festival, the Queen Moremi Ajasoro cultural pageant, the latest being the ‘Moremi the Musical beckons in furtherance of the cultural awakening initiative.

The historical musical drama billed to go public, showing at Terrakulture Arena, Victoria Island from December 21 till January 2, 2019 was made known to the media in a briefing last Tuesday in Lagos by the production team comprising Bolanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP); members of House of Oduduwa Foundation led by the Chief Executive Officer, Prince Jide Fadairo; the palace of Ooni of Ife led by the representatives of the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesties, Oba Adebisi Layole, Alaraodaye of Ara-Ife and Oba Fayemi Johnson Olumayowa, Elerefe of Erefe-Ife and the initiator of the project Princess Ronke Ademiluyi - Queen Moremi Ajasoro Global cultural Ambassador.

Also at the briefing were some members of the cast.

The epic drama will be featuring seasoned and upcoming Nollywood acts such as Bimbo Manuel, Bambam of Big Brother Nigeria, veteran Nollywood star Femi Branch, Deyemi Okanlawon and Kehinde Bankole among others.

The Queen Moremi Ajasoro stage play produced by the House of Oduduwa Foundation and Bolanle Austin-Peters Production is coming in line with other theatrical success recorded by BAP production that include Saro the Musical 1 & 2, Wakaa the Musical and Fela and the Kalakuta Queens all produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters Production and this December, BAP Productions and House of Oduduwa will present “QUEEN MOREMI THE MUSICAL” described by cultural experts as a unique and authentic African super hero story, that brings to life the

L-R: Princess Ronke Ademiluyi; Deyemi Okalawon(Nollywood actor) Bonlanle Austen-Peters and representatives of Ooni of Ife, Oba Fayemi Olumayowa, Elerefe of Ife and Oba Abebisi Layole, Alaraodaye of Ara-Ife.

rich and colourful ancestral Yoruba heritage through the deeds of the Amazon, Queen Moremi Ajasoro.

Queen Moremi was daughter to an Offa hunter-warrior married to one of the Kings in Ile Ife. Having groomed under palace tutelage guarded by warrior instinct, she loathed and reacted to injustice melted on her people of Ile Ife. While trying to find solution to the invaders’ menace against her people, she wittingly consulted the Ricer goddess for solution. However, this did not go without a price as she sacrificed the life of her only son to save the entire race from extinction. The story of Queen Moremi, the courageous woman is pivotal to the history and liberation of the entire Yoruba race.

Prince Jide Fadairo, the CEO, House of Oduduwa Foundation at the briefing disclosed that producing the musical drama is one of the foremost core foundations of the house and the objective is the preservation of the Yoruba cultural heritage.

“I am glad that Bolanle Austen-Peters is partnering in this project to revitalize our ailing culture. His imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife has done so well within the short period he has been on the throne in propagating and supporting the spirit of Yoruba cultural heritage across the globe. With all the programmes the House of Oduduwa Foundation is handling, the core objective is to rewrite and reawake the spirit to tell our stories before someone else distort it,” Fadairo added.

Bolanle Austen-Peters also speaking in the strength of the production stated: “It is essential for us to know our roots; and celebrate our history and heritage. It is therefore our desire to develop the Queen Moremi legacy into a musical drama that will preserve and promote

history in the face of modernity.

The purpose and aim of this project is to keep our identity, values, history and culture alive especially amongst the youths, our upcoming next generation, starting from within Nigeria and progressing on to those in the Diaspora,” she said.

Austen-Peters also reiterated, “What we have is a historical piece, ‘Moremi the Musical.’ She was a heroine of the Yoruba race. With these, we are trying to preach to our children that it is not always that about what Moremi did but about what she stands for in the anal of history. She put herself in critical situation to save mankind.

“My impression and outcome of the rehearsals is a very happy one because I am learning a lot about our culture. It is important for our children who do not know much about our cultural values to be aware through stage dramas like this. There is something about knowing where you are coming from that will always have some grounding in the future. It is also important that we tell our own story.

Austen-Peters lamented that removal of history studies from the school curriculum in the country at some point has adversely affected children’s knowledge of their culture.

On the side talk, Deyemi Okalawon playing the role of ‘Obalufen’ said that having called to be part of Moremi the Musical is an amazing one, “It is an opportunity for me to come back to stage play after a while” says Okalawon.

“The role I am playing is strategic one because Obalufen is strong character and very aggressive. He has a warrior persona. For me, I think it is a wonderful experience because what the film does is give you that special technique that you will not get on stage. On a stage drama, you get different vibrant colours than what you feel on film.

theatre and national stadium ceded to us in Lagos state, at least, the government has been proactive in building its own new theaters which will serve as homes not only to people in Ikeja or Lagos Island axis but to those in other parts Lagos cities.

That’s the whole essence of bringing the arts to the people and bringing the people closer to the art.

For me, the gains are there. When you talk about tourism in the state, I can say it is booming.

An online platform Jumia that does a lot of monitoring on tourism visits to Lagos Island reveals that Mondays to Thursdays records the highest number of people that visits the place.

We may always think that tourism is about seeing white faces, but it is not. I was in Kenya some time ago on official trip, if I would have been counted as one of the tourists that went there, the amount of money I would have spent on hotels and other things is the same way it works when people come from Rwanda or Mozambique to Nigeria. Have you also taught about the fact that after the end session of every Big Brother Africa reality show, Nigeria is the next destination that either the winner or participants chose to visit, especially Lagos. It is because that there is something that attracts them to Lagos.

The famous celebrity model, Naomi Campbell came to Lagos some time ago on a fashion show, including other international magazines that came alongside with her. After three days, they said, they never experienced the kind of energy that happens in Lagos anywhere in the world. They were going from one club to other endearing hubs experiencing the beauty and splendour of the city.

Sometimes, we live in a mega city and are removed from the splendour of the city because we are too busy with other things. When visitors come, they actually explore and see what we have been missing within. Another international model, Lupitan Oyongo was in Lagos for a film shoot of Chimamanda’s ‘Americana’ some time ago. Not many people were aware of her presence in Lagos.

She went around the city to see pretty things that fascinated her, the same thing for John Boyega, the Hollywood actor. He came, stayed at the Eko Atlantic city and has already gotten funding for his next project which will be shot in Lagos state.

All these are happening because Lagos is living the dream.

Speaking about what the Lagos State government are doing and the uncomely criticism that greeted some of the public art installations in Lagos cities, The honourable commissioner noted: “Things are happening and it is the responsibility of the art journalist to show some of the aspect of what is happening around. There has been criticism of some of the art installations that we have done, but what we are saying is that in the history of Nigeria, no government has approved any art installation like we have done in Lagos State that is now redefining the beauty of the state.

And guess what, the production of these art and installations are all locally sourced. Talking about criticism, yes, you may not agree that some places in the world, public installations were not gotten right in the first time, just like when an artist want to do Ronaldo statue in Portugal, he has to do it three times to perfect it. But if we have about 20 installations and you are debating about 2 or 3, that’s okay with me. But let us consider the fact that there is a governor that is saying; let us change the profile of the state with art installations. Things will always be better because we are no longer where we use to be.

On the issue of security and tourism in Lagos, the honourable commissioner reiterated that Lagos has remained the safest tourism site in Nigeria now. “You may say that there are security challenges in some parts of Nigeria, yes, but we equally have security challenges all over the world. Las Vegas in the United States is one of the most important destinations in the world but a mad man brought out a gun and shot about 60 people in a hotel. Would you say, because of that, people will no longer go to Las Vegas, No! There will always be issues, but I think that with the level of investment in Lagos state alone coupled with security apparatus that this government has invested in Lagos, security challenges was reduced to barest minimum.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Funeral prayers held for Jamal Khashoggi in Mecca and Medina

Morocco under the spotlight for treatment of African migrants The forest in Tangier is often the last stop for many migrants from sub-Saharan African countries. The police routinely raids the forest, where migrants are sleeping under the trees, and takes them to the south of the country.

Faras Ghani Nine months ago, Hadj arrived in Morocco from Burkina Faso with one single goal: reach Europe and change his and his family’s life.

Unable to find a job at home, the 29-year-old political scientist says he knew full-well the dangers and risks en route before setting off on the journey to reach Spain.

After making it to Morocco via Mali and Algeria, Hadj headed to Tangier, a tourist city on the country’s northwestern tip, just 14km from Spain’s southern border via the Mediterranean.

“From the beach in Tangier, I could see Europe. I was closer to my dream than ever before,” Hadj told Al Jazeera after reluctantly agreeing to talk in a forest on the city’s outskirts where he has taken shelter with around 20 other people from various sub-Saharan African countries.

“Standing there, I thought about my family and how I got here. It gave me the strength to cross this final hurdle. My family is counting on me. I can’t let them down.”

Hadj is one of the thousands of people from sub-Saharan African countries who have fled the hardships of home - from unemployment and poverty to conflict and persecution - in recent years to reach Morocco with the hope of crossing into Europe.

Entry into Spain is either by paying human traffickers anywhere from 150 to 3,000 euros ($171 to $3,419) for a boat journey through the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean or by jumping over the metal fence and barbed wire into Ceuta and Melilla, the two Spanish enclaves that form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.

With increased patrolling on both sides, the land option is the unfavourable one, despite the sea route being more expensive and potentially deadly.

Almost 50,000 of the 54,922 arrivals into Spain this year MRS MBA LOVINA

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Searching for jobs and a ‘better life’, African migrants brave the dangerous journey to Morocco hoping to reach Spain. have been by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.

More than 2,000 people have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach the European country, with over 550 of them having departed from Morocco.

The numbers would have been far greater if Morocco had not prevented nearly 70,000 attempts to cross into Spain this year, authorities in the North African country say.

“Since 2004, we’ve aborted 500,000 attempts to cross into Europe, mainly via sea, and dismantled around 3,000 networks. We have around 13,000 guards in the north covering around 1,100km.

That patrolling is costing Morocco over 200m euros ($228m) annually,” Khalid Zerouali, Morocco’s border control chief, said.

These “preventive measures” include routine police raids to move migrants from the country’s north to the south.

But migrants and rights groups told Al Jazeera that authorities were using force and committing human rights violations during these operations.

“I have been taken to the south 10 times,” a migrant from Ivory Coast, who did not wish to be identified, said at a camp by the main bus station in the port city of Casablanca.

“I was arrested and put in a police car with dogs. From the police station, I was put on a bus with other migrants and taken near the Algerian border. I then had to beg on the streets to make enough money for a bus ride back up.”

Inside the camp, rows of rooms are covered with plastic sheets which serve as roofs and walls. The pillars are made up of wooden slabs. The sheets are tightly knitted but the rainwater has managed to find its way through.

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On the tarmac in the middle of the camp, some residents are chasing a football around as music plays in the background.

Others wait on the side, hoping their friends will bring back lunch - often, their only meal of the day.

Near to the camp’s entrance, a big hole in the ground is filled with rainwater and sewerage. This spot also serves as the toilet for the camp’s inhabitants after they were barred from using the bus station’s facilities by the security guards.

Around 340km to the north, a similar tale of despair, misery, and resilience, unfolds in the forest in Tangier.

A recent storm makes it hard to walk up the steep and slippery slopes.

Here, the migrants have collected discarded mattresses to make their stay slightly more comfortable. But with winter approaching, sleeping under the trees can get challenging.

Firewood serves as fuel to cook meals, often a broth of tomatoes and potatoes, while metal cans are used to collect rainwater, which is used to wash clothes.

A man from Ghana points to what remained of the burned belongings of a previous group of migrants, blaming a police raid the previous week that managed to evict almost all the inhabitants.

According to Amnesty International, at least 5,000 people have been “swept up in the raids” around Morocco, “piled on to buses and abandoned in remote areas close to the Algerian border or in the south”.

The UK-based rights group has termed the “large-scale crackdown” as “cruel and unlawful”.

Zerouali denies these claims, adding that the raids are targeting networks that are exploiting migrants who have been “brainwashed by Europe’s pull factor”.

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“There have been no violations by the authorities. What we’re doing is according to our laws. We encourage migrants to settle down in Morocco but can’t allow behaviour that is against our laws and act before a crime [illegal migration into Europe] is committed.”

In 2013, Morocco launched a migrant regularisation programme through which it has granted residency permits to more than 50,000 migrants, in a move designed to change Morocco’s image from that of a transit country to a host nation.

Authorities say the permit allows access to jobs, healthcare, training and education.

But for Said Tbel, of the Moroccan Human Rights Association, the situation is “terrible”.

“We see so many migrants, even those with residency permits, arrested and forced to the south. They have no rights of movement, they are not getting the promised healthcare.

“Morocco is using these migrants as a pressure card in negotiations with the European Union. It takes them to the border cities to put pressure on Europe.

When they get what they want, these migrants are moved back south.”

With little or no money left, the migrants are forced to sleep on the streets, under bridges or in makeshift shelters until they can collect enough money - often by begging at traffic lights and earning the equivalent of two dollars a day - to make their way back up north.

They then need to save up enough for a spot on the boat destined for Spain.

Dei, 46, arrived in Morocco from the Democratic Republic of Congo 15 years ago. He lives in Tangier with his wife and their three children, as well as his sister-inlaw.

Even though he obtained the residency

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Funeral prayers in absentia were held for slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi in many cities around the world, including Saudi Arabia’s Mecca and Medina, two of the holiest places of Islam.

The special prayers, known as “Salat alGhaib” or “prayer for the absent”, were held on Friday at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

The Medina prayers were offered at dawn with the participation of Salah Khashoggi, son of the murdered Washington Post columnist.

Muslims perform the prayer when the body of the deceased has not been found. The imams at both the mosques, however, did not name Khashoggi.

Short videos of the funeral prayers, including one performed after Friday prayers in Mecca, were shared widely on Twitter.

Funeral prayers were also held at the Fatih Mosque in the Turkish city of Istanbul and Finsbury Park mosque in north London on Friday.

Fatih Oke, a friend of Khashoggi, said the slain journalist’s family would not get closure until “justice” was delivered.

“Today we want to honour his soul, if we can honour his soul, we’ll be happy. But our needs will not end with this funeral in absentia, we are looking for real justice for Jamal’s soul, his family, for journalism, in the world.”

Al Jazeera’s London correspondent Nadim Baba said the ‘imam’, who delivered the special sermon at the Friday prayers attended by hundreds, was himself a Saudi dissident now living in the UK. “After hearing the call by Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiance, that Muslims around the world perform the funeral prayer, we believed the right thing to do was to respond,” said Anas Altikriti, CEO of the Muslim Association of Britain.

Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) supposed reform programme, was killed when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain a document certifying his divorce.

Saudi authorities had initially claimed the journalist left the consulate, before backtracking and admitting on October 20 he was killed by “rogue” operatives.

On Thursday, Saudi authorities said they were seeking the death penalty for five people accused of carrying out his murder.

Turkish leaders almost immediately dismissed the announcement, with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu calling it “insufficient” and insisting the killing was “premeditated”.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said it is unlikely Khashoggi could have been killed without the knowledge of MBS, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying the orders came from “the highest levels of the Saudi government.”

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SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

Gernot Rohr: Injuries, suspensions mean opportunities for others Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr rues the injuries and suspension that has robbed him of four of his regulars for Saturday’s crucial 2019 AFCON qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, but is comforted that the situation has presented opportunities for some other performers to step onto the runway.

First choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, wing back Abdullahi Shehu and forward Odion Ighalo – top goalscorer in the 2019 AFCON qualifying race with six goals – are not in South Africa as a resut of injury, while lion–hearted midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is suspended after cards against Seychelles and Libya.

“Yes, we have a number of injuries

and one suspension. But we cannot continue to talk about that. We must look at the personnel with us now and see the situation as opportunity for them to step up and prove what they can do.

“I am happy we have a young team determined to achieve. Everyone here is good enough to represent Nigeria and they will go in there and do the job.”

Nigeria’s 23 –man squad for this game includes former U17 World Cup winners Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze – who, amongst them, must step up for the main striker’s mantle in the forced absence of Ighalo.

There are also France–based Samuel Kalu (good outings away to Seychelles

and at home to Libya) and Henry Onyekuru who plays in Turkey, not to mention Musa, Nigeria’s highest goalscorer ever at the FIFA World Cup. Arsenal FC of England’s impresario Alex Iwobi knows how to find the net, as Zambia would testify, and Spain–based Moses Simon is a tricky customer on his day.

While Rohr has to deal with the absence of four regulars, Bafana Bafana Coach Stuart Baxter is not better off, as Dean Furman, Bongani Zungu, Keegan Dolly, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bradlet Grobler and Kamohelo Mokotjo are not available.

While Percy Tau and Thulani Serero are real threats, Tokelo Rantie – who scored three of South Africa’s last five goals against Nigeria – is out of the picture having been sacked in Turkey and presently nursing a new career as a farmer.

NIGERIA’S 23 FOR BIG MATCH Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa

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United, South Africa); Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC) Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany) Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

NFF officials boast of ‘backing of powers from above’ after Pinnick travel ban stepped down Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have again boasted they have the backing of “powers from above” after claims that the Attorney General of the federation called on the Presidential Panel to allow Amaju Pinnick fly out to South Africa for a 2019 AFCON qualifier.

The Special Presidential Panel for the recovery of public property had initially directed Pinnick not to leave the country because his attention was needed in the conspiracy and alleged case of diversion of public funds at the NFF. Pinnick is currently in South Africa with the Super Eagles ahead of tomorrow’s AFCON qualifier in Johannesburg.

An official claimed that Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, interceded on behalf of Pinnick with the panel’s chairman

Obono Obla for the NFF president to be in South Africa.

It would also be recalled that Malami was involved in a highly publicised face-off with sports minister Solomon Dalung in respect of the deployment of men from the Department of State Security (DSS) at the NFF secretariat in Abuja.

In an official correspondence, Malami asked Dalung not to meddle in the matter.

There were also allegations that the country’s No 1 law officer cleared the NFF to go ahead with the recent elections in Katsina despite various legal challenges of the polls.

In another development, another official has strenuously denied that any NFF official appeared before the Presidential Panel in Abuja this week.

“Amaju Pinnick is in Jo’burg as I write this.

He’s scheduled to meet with a prospective sponsor,” boasted the official. “(Seyi) Akinwunmi and (Shehu) Dikko are flying to Jo’burg tonight with the Super Eagles.

“None of them met with the panel during the week. “(Mohammed)Sanusi (NFF secretary general) is off to Senegal on Monday.”

But SCORENigeria gathered that besides Pinnick and Shehu Dikko, NFF executive committee member Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ has also appeared before the panel.

NFF director of finance Mohammed Cheku as well as official of the NFF marketing department, Alizor Chuks, have also come before the panel.

Chuks has, among other things, submitted seven sponsorship contracts the NFF have entered.

Samuel Chukwueze: I’m ready for Bafana clash

Rohr: My young Super Eagles face toughest test yet

Villarreal teenage sensation Samuel Chukwueze has fired a subtly warning to South Africa ahead of their crucial African Cup of Nations clash with Nigeria at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The in-form 19-year-old has been called up to bolster the Super Eagles attack thanks to his impressive performance for the Yellow Submarines which has seen him cement his place in the team’s starting lineup after being promoted from the ‘B’ team.

Speaking in Asaba before the team departed South Africa, the former Arsenal target expressed his delight for the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles and vowed to give his best if called upon by coach Genort Rohr to ensure Nigeria book the group’s sole ticket to the 2019 AFCON holding in Cameroon.

He said: “I’m very happy to be called up to represent my country, it’s a very big honour and I thank the coach for believing in me. I feel at home in the team and it’s great to have my friends from the Golden Eaglets Kelechi (Nwakali) and Victor (Osimhen) also in the squad.

“I know the match is a very crucial one against a tough side, but we’re also a very strong team so I believe we can get the needed result.

“The most important thing is for the team to win and to make ourn country proud but if I get the opportunity I’ll do

Gernot Rohr has predicted today’s AFCON qualifier will be the most difficult game against home team South Africa for his Super Eagles, who will be without several experienced stars.

Defender Shehu Abdulahi, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and striker Odion Ighalo are sidelined by injury, while Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is suspended.

“This will be the most difficult match for this young team,” Rohr admitted.

“It’s more than a year since we played against South Africa and lost in Uyo. “It’s a different team now with the experience of the World Cup and my young team will do a good match even if we’re missing four important players especially our goal scorer and goalkeeper.”

my best just like I’ve been doing at my club to help Nigeria qualify,” Chukwueze concluded.

Chukwueze is a former junior international who alongside Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria win the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile where he bagged the Bronze Boot.

The 19-year-old Nigerian is not shy to get on the ball as the stats show from his first two games in La Liga, firing off a total of 10 shots and completing five of his 10 dribble attempts.

He added: “This young team can do very well, they have big motivation and we want to win.

“It’s an opportunity for them to step up and prove what they can do.

“They will fight and give their best.”

The three-time African champions are top of Group E with nine points

from four matches, while South Africa are second on eight points.

Libya, who have four points, take on bottom team Seychelles with only the top two teams advancing to next year’s AFCON in Cameroon.

Kick-off time for the Super Eagles match in South Africa is 3pm Nigerian time, which is 2pm local time.

17,000 tickets sold for Bafana Bafana vs Super Eagles

Officials have told SCORENigeria that after a slow start ticket sales have picked up and at the last count at least 17,000 tickets for tomorrow’s 2019 AFCON qualifier between home team South Africa and the Super Eagles.

Local interest has also risen

with fans confident the home team can get the win they need to qualify for next year’s AFCON. A confident Bafana Bafana fan told SCORENigeria: “We will beat Nigeria in the FNB Stadium here in Johannesburg.

“The Super Eagles should prepare to go back to Nigeria

without a point because we want to double the win against Nigeria after beating them in their country.

“Nigerians should just forget this match and think of how to beat Seychelles in the last match.”

Kick-off tomorrow is 2pm local time, which is 3pm Nigerian time.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 17, 2018

23 Sports Times

Japanese promoter insists Floyd Mayweather will compete at MMA event Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s proposed fight against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa will definitely go ahead on New Year’s Eve, according to the CEO of the promotional company organising the mixed martial arts event.

After announcing he would take on Nasukawa at the next Rizin Fighting Federation event in Saitama at a news conference in Tokyo this month, the American reneged on his commitment to the contest upon his return to the United States.

Mayweather said on his Instagram account that he only agreed to a three-round exhibition in front of a small group of wealthy spectators for a very large fee.

He stressed that he had no intention of it being represented as an official fight card or televised worldwide.

However, a statement from Rizin FF CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara on his unverified Twitter account indicated the Dec. 31 fight was back on, although the rules and duration of the bout have yet to be determined.

“The misunderstanding with Floyd Mayweather has been

resolved,” Sakakibara said in a tweet posted on Friday, alongside a photograph of himself and Mayweather.

“He will fight with Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year’s Eve for RIZIN 14. I will explain the details once I am back in Japan,” said the promoter.

Sakakibara is planning to hold a news conference on Saturday to provide further details.

The 41-year-old Mayweather retired from boxing for a second time in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 record after an illustrious career in which he won world titles at five different weight classes.

However, he has never competed professionally in any other form of combat sport, making his decision to sign with an MMA brand all the more surprising.

No fighting rules were announced at the initial news conference and the terms of the fight will need to be verified before fans can take Sakakibara’s claim seriously.

In a video posted on the TMZ Sports website on Wednesday, Mayweather indicated he was interested in making the contest happen, but reiterated that it was to be an exhibition.

“No, it wasn’t supposed to be

National Division 1 Basketball League kicks off November 27 The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced that the Total National Division 1 League will start on the 27th of November 2018.

In a letter sent to the 20 teams by the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Basketball Governing body, Chimezie Asiegbu, Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta will host teams in Atlantic Conference.

While 11 Teams in the Savannah Conference are expected to be at

the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi in Benue State between 27th of November and 4th of December to battle for 2 available National Final 4 slots.

Teams competing in the Atlantic Conference are Base Hawks, O.S Lions (Osun), Raptors (Lagos), T. Joba (Akwa Ibom), Comets (Lagos), Police Bombers (Lagos), Impression Academy (Delta), Akure Raiders (Ondo) and Invaders from Ado Ekiti.

While Apa Flames (Benue),

Dashon Mambas, Benue Braves, Kano Pyramids, Yobe Desert Warriors, Zamfara Shooters, Chip Giants, All Stars of Abuja, Nigerian Army, Jewel Bulls, and Kada Stars battle it out in the Savannah Conference.

Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos will host the final between 17th and 22nd of December with the top 2 teams gaining promotion to the National Premier League for the 2019 season.

Swiss prosecutor in FIFA corruption probe quits after being cleared

A Swiss federal prosecutor suspended last month in connection with corruption investigations in the world of football has been cleared of wrongdoing and quit his job, authorities said on Friday.

The criminal probe into the head of the Swiss federal prosecution’s economic crimes division, Olivier

Thormann, has been dropped, the attorney general’s office said in a statement.

The OAG announced last week Thormann’s temporary suspension in connection with “investigations into football and FIFA”, but did not specify which probes the prosecutor had been working on or the nature of the charges against him.

But Ulrich Weder, a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case, told the RTS public broadcaster Friday that Thormann had been accused of “violating trade secrets, accepting benefits and corruption in connection with (his) contacts with a former FIFA employee.”

He was cleared on all counts, OAG said, adding that the prosecutor nonetheless would leave his job.

“Attorney General Michael Lauber and Olivier Thormann jointly decided to end his work contract,” the OAG said, adding that it “thanks Olivier Thormann for the work he has provided.”

Since a raid on a luxury hotel in Zurich in May 2015 led to the arrests of

a number of FIFA executives and shone the spotlight on the corrupt underbelly of world football, Switzerland has pursued a number of cases.

Charges have been pressed against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter as well as against FIFA’s former Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

Swiss investigators have also searched UEFA’s offices in Nyon concerning revelations made in the so-called Panama Papers over a broadcasting rights contract signed by the organisation’s former secretary general, Gianni Infantino, the current president of FIFA. The latest series of Football Leaks allegations meanwhile shone a light on Infantino’s relationship with another Swiss prosecutor, Rinaldo Arnold, spurring Swiss authorities to open an investigation.

Infantino allegedly invited Arnold to attend the World Cup in Russia, the 2016 FIFA Congress in Mexico and the Champions League final in Milan that year, in exchange for organising meetings with Lauber and other OAG chiefs.

John Ogu: Johannesburg heat won’t stop Super Eagles Hapoel Beer Sheva midfielder John Ogu insists that the unfavourable weather condition in Johannesburg won’t deter the team from achieving its targets reports Completesportsnigeria. com.

Super Eagles will have a feel of the FNB stadium, venue of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa later today (Friday) under the scorching heat in Johannesburg to acclamatize to the weather condition and Ogu believes the team will cope.

The weather forecast in Johannesburg, South Africa is 33° Celsius.

The session will be the Super Eagles first since they arrived Johannesburg from Asaba, Delta State Nigeria by

3:30am.

“We are here to do our nation and ourselves proud,” Ogu said.

“The weather conditions and all The antics won’t deter us because we want to win to qualify for the Africa Cup Nations that’s our target.”

Ogu, is expected to feature alongside Oghenekaro Etebo in Super Eagles’ midfield for the game on Saturday in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi.

The game will be Ogu’s second appearance in the AFCON qualifiers for the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles have recorded nine points from four games one ahead South Africa in second place. Libya are third with four points while Seychelles on one point occupy bottom place.

PSG investigation finds ‘no proven case of discrimination’ at the club Paris Saint-Germain says it has found no evidence of discrimination following an internal investigation that the club’s scouts illegally profiled the ethnic origins of potential young recruits.

French website Mediapart had claimed racial profiling took place at the club between 2013 and spring of this year in order to limit the number of black players at PSG’s academy..

Following a meeting involving PSG officials and sports minister Roxana Maracineanu on Thursday, the French club said the investigation, based on interviews of employees in charge of recruitment, had established “there is no proven case of discrimination.”

Last week, the French Human Rights League filed a discrimination

lawsuit against the club, and the French Football Federation asked its ethics council to investigate the case.

PSG has admitted that forms with illegal content were used between 2013-17 but declined responsibility for implementing the policy after Mediapart reported that up until this year, scouts were asked by PSG to mention the origin of possible recruits according to ethnic categories.

“None of these forms has ever been reported to the general management,” PSG said. “No change in the characteristics of young players recruited was observed.”

French law prohibits the collection of personal data that shows the racial or ethnic origins of individuals.

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FLASHBACK in Times: November 17, 1960

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 806

N100

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