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NIGERIA INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER. EST. 1926 WWW.DAILYTIMES.NG https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 529

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‘Why Govs must pay workers salaries before Christmas’ 5

$1bn Boko Haram fund: Avoid 5 Jonathan’s error, SERAP tells Buhari

FG: Calabar Carnival, veritable platform for job creation 7

L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during the 75th birthday celebration of Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja… on Sunday.

‘Nigeria needs 7 young leaders below 50 years in 2019’

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

GSG GOVERNANCE SUPPORT GROUP

Felicitations & Congratulations G

overnance Support Group joins millions of other Nigerians to felicitate with and congratulate our beloved President, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on his 75th birthday and share this moment of joy.

We thank God for fully restoring you to good health and granting you strength to continue the onerous task of governance. It is our pleasure and privilege to continue to support your patriotic and courageous efforts to turn around our nation for the benefit of all Nigerians.

His HisExecellency Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR President, Federal Republic of Nigeria Signed 1. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba –Chairman 2. Gov. Muhammad Badaru Abubakar 3. Hon. Sadiya Umar Farouk 4. Gen. India Garba 5. Hon. Osagie Ehanire 6. Barr. Okoi Obno Obla 7. Alh. Garba Sani 8. Pastor Folorusho Longe 9. Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege 10. Dr. Chris Akomas 11. Engr. Mike Adeyanju 12. Engr. Sale Mamman 13. Capt. Bala Jibrin 14. Hon. Terwase Orbunde 15. Alh. Gambo Ahmed

Once again we congratulate and wish you many, many more years of good health and service to Nigeria and humanity at large.

Happy birthday, Mr. President

16. Alh. Umar Shuaibu 17. Barr. Chris Hassan 18. Hon. Nasiru Danu (Dan Amanan Dutse) 19. Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda (Gwagwaren Katsina) 20. Alkali Aji Kolo 21. Sen. Abdullahi Gumel 22. Gov. Aminu Bello Masari 23. Gov. Umaru Tanko Almakura 24. Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume 25. Dr. Almajiri Geidam 26. Abinye Alex-Hart 27. Barr. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu 28. Sen. Ayo Arise 29. Sen. Gbemi Saraki 30. Gov. Simon Lalong

31. Gov. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai 32. Sen. John Owan 33. Barr. Adebayo Shittu 34. Dr. Steve Egbo 35. Dr. Chris Ugboh 36. Hon. Abubakar Malami, SAN 37. Gov. Yahaya Bello 38. Hajiya Yachilla Baba Jidda 39. Hon. Farouk Salim 40. Hon. Solomon Edojah 41. Dr. Bashir Isyaku 42. Hon. Adokie Ikpoki 43. Comrade Chinedu Ogah, OON (Ikuku Oma) 44. Hon. Saidu Uba Malami 45. Arc. Waziri Bulama –Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

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News

explains why ‘Why Govs must pay workers Oando forensic audit must not hold salaries before Christmas’ Ï d ƕ ƍƍƆ Ƌ ƈ Ɛ d& Ɛ ƇƇƏ Ɛ Ɛ ƏƆ ƑƋ Ɛ Ə Ganiyu Obaaro, Joy Ekeke, Lagos and Mathew Dadiya, Nafisa Abubakar, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Following the release

of another tranche of the Paris Club Refund to the 36 states and the release of statutory allocations for November to the three ties of government , some experts have argued that the state governors should have no excuse over the payment December salaries to their workers in order to celebrate Christmas.

For these reasons, the experts and labour unions have challenged the governors, particularly the debtor- states, such as Benue,

Kogi, Osun, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Oyo Ondo, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, among others to keep faith with President Muhammadu Buhari’s admonition, asking the 36 state governors to pay salaries owed civil servants before the Christmas to enable them enjoy the Yuletide.

Reacting to the development, an economic expert and former President of Nigeria Economic Society, Prof Ben Aigbokhan, said that refusing to pay salary by the state governments may affect full recovery of the economy from recession.

Aigbokhan said that state

governors, who refused to pay their workers are deliberately holding back the money, which would not help in growing the economy through increased money in circulation.

He also alleged that, “they are diverting the money to contracts in which they take huge share; and are also diverting funds to political parties with a view to funding 2019 elections.”

He, however, warned that the implication is that aggregate domestic demand required for full economic recovery will just be rising; adding that if workers are not able to pay the school fees of their children, the

development will in turn affects human capital development.

Another economist, and Head of Economics Department of the Nile University of Nigeria, Dr Gylych Jelilov, said that some states may have used the money to pay their huge debts.

He said, “They might have used their allocations for debts they owed. But considering the huge amount received by the states, payment of salary should not be a problem.”

The minimum wage paid to the Nigerian public servant is N18,000 per month Continued on page 6

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Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏ Oando PLC, has explained that the company’s recent appeal on Lagos high court ruling against the company is in no way an affront on the capital market regulator and that forensic audit on it was not part of committee recommendation.

This was however coming as the SEC leadership under the acting Director General and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, recently announced that Mounir Gwarzo , erstwhile DG of SEC was not suspended because of Oando lingering case, but based on fraud allegations, as she assured that the forensic probe on Oando must continue.

Arguing on why forensic audit on the company must not hold, the company in a statement signed by Ayotola Jagun, Chief Compliance Officer & Company Secretary of the company, released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oando Said that “as a responsible company, it recognizes and respects the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate the market as it deems fit.

“Following the Federal High Court’s (FHC) ruling on November 23, 2017, that it did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the Company’s complaint against the actions of the SEC, the Company has since appealed the FHC ruling and applied for an injunction

to preserve the res pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

The said application, it said, has been served and duly acknowledged by the SEC officials and their lawyers and a hearing of the application took place on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

Oando, in the statement, accused Mounir Gwarzo, the suspended DG SEC of ignoring a committee’s report that made no recommendation for forensic audit, but instead used the minority report of the Chairman of the Committee, who in the report called for a forensic audit.

“Following the Federal High Court’s (FHC) ruling on November 23, 2017, that it did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the Company’s complaint against the actions of the SEC, the Company has since appealed the FHC ruling and applied for an injunction to preserve the res pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

The said application, the company acknowledged, has been served and duly acknowledged by the SEC officials and their lawyers and a hearing of the application took place on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

The FHC in verbal remarks made by the presiding Judge also directed the parties to refrain from any action, including forensic audit, which would overContinued on page 6

$1bn B’Haram fund: Avoid Jonathan’s error, SERAP tells Buhari Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

ÏÏÏ A

human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), on Sunday advised President Muhammadu to be careful not to fall into the same error as his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, as regards the funding and management of information on the Boko Haram insurgency war.

The group’s advice came on the heels of the National Economic Council’s approval of $1bn for the war against terror.

The money is to be drawn from the Excess Crude Account.

In a statement by its Dep-

uty Director, Timothy Adewale, SERAP, urged Buhari to urgently explain to Nigerians the rationale behind such an allocation when the government itself had consistently claimed that the Boko Haram insurgents had been defeated.

The group said Buhari would do well to address Nigerians on the approved $1bn particular as the corruption allegations stemming from the alleged diversion of the $2.1bn approved by Jonathan had yet to be resolved.

SERAP regretted that the Buhari government had not been communicating adequately with the citizens on decisions which it claimed to be taking on behalf of the masses.

The statement read in part, “Nigerians should have some sense of what it is the government is doing in our name, especially against the background of the declaration by the authorities that the antiinsurgency war has ended and the Boko Haram terror group defeated, as well as the unresolved questions on how over $2bn was spent by former Jonathan administration to fight Boko Haram. The government also ought to tell Nigerians whether and how the legal requirements for approving the extra-budgetary allocations were met.

“As a government presumably pursuing a change-agenda, Buhari should do things differ-

ently from the Jonathan administration including by proactively engaging the Nigerian people in an honest conversation about the fight against Boko Haram and the use of the public funds so far invested to prosecute it.

“The Nigerian people do not have sufficient information at hand to evaluate, much less influence, the government’s policies, strategies and funding to end Boko Haram insurgency.

“Nigerians need to know the level of success that has been recorded against Boko Haram, and the security situation in the NorthEast, as well as the amount of public funds that have been invested to combat

terrorism.

“The success of Nigerian constitutional democracy ultimately depends upon an informed citizenry. The government should, therefore, emphasise transparency over secrecy on the spending on Boko Haram.

“Buhari should keep Nigerians up-to-date about what he’s doing to end Boko Haram, including by explaining why $1bn is needed at this time to fight the insurgency.

“Transparency in the spending on Boko Haram would also have an indirect effect on other branches in the sense of setting an example and changing the background tone of government. Such disclosure

helps to ensure government’s adherence to the rule of law and promote confidence in the lawfulness of governmental action.

“Since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria defence and security budgets have increased significantly yet there has been no resolution of the conflict, and troops in the front line have reportedly complained of lack of military equipment and resources to fight Boko Haram insurgents and restore full security.

“For instance, in 2014 about N340bn ($1.7bn) was allocated to the military.

Funds allocated to the military were the largest in Nigeria’s federal budget”.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

‘Why Govs must pay workers salaries before Christmas’ Continued from page 5 just as there are growing agitations by the workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to raise the minimum wage to N55,000.

The Daily Times recalls that sequel to the plight of civil servants who are owed backlog of salaries running into billions of naira and the attendant socio-economic challenges facing the workers, such as malnutrition, hunger, poverty and deaths, Buhari had directed the state governors to pay their workers before Christmas.

One of the governors, Kaduna State Governor Nasir

el-Rufai had, while responding to Buhari’s order, said that payment of salaries before Christmas depended on the release of the Paris Club refund to them. The governor, who is at dagger drawn with labour in his North West State over his threat to sack over 21,000 teachers for incompetence, emphasized that release of the fund was critical for the survival of the states.

But The Daily Times learnt that only Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has not only complied with the President’s directive by paying civil servants in the state, but has even gone ahead to pay additional month as an incentive to its workers.

Indeed, the continued reluctance by most state governments to pay workers’ salary despite the huge inflow of revenue from the federation account to the three tiers of government, has raised stiff reactions from economic experts, NLC and other concerned citizens.

According to the experts, if states don’t pay workers salary, it may affect the full recovery of the nation’s economy from recession.

They pointed out that states now are buoyant with releases of FAAC and the Paris Club Refund, therefore, should not have any excuse on payment of salaries

in December.

The Daily Times checks revealed that within the last two weeks, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributed a whopping N1, 142.716 trillion to the three tiers of government asides the last tranche of the Paris Club Refund paid to 27 states within this period.

The FAAC had on December 7, 2017 distributed the sum of N532.758 billion to Federal, States and Local Governments as allocation for the month of October.

From that allocation the Federal Government received N218.619bn, States N147.396bn, while the Local

Government Councils got N110.58bn.

A week later being Saturday December 16, 2017 a total sum of N609.958bn was also shared amongst the three tiers as November allocation.

Giving the breakdown of the Saturday allocation, the Federal Government received N259.808bn bringing its total allocations received within two weeks to N478.427bn.

The state governments received from the Saturday’s allocation, N164.509bn, bringing the total alloca-

Continued on page 7

Oando explains why forensic audit must not hold

Continued from page 5

L-R: Dean of Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Umaru Pate; Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank, Folake Ani-Mumuney and Chief Executive Officer, XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa, during the Presidential Award of Corporate PR Practitioner of the Year 2017 to XLR8 by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Lagos… at the weekend.

tions within the last two weeks to N311.905bn, while the 774 local government councils received N124.09bn from Saturday’s allocation bringing its total allocations within two weeks to N234.67bn.

This brings the total amount received in two weeks by the states and local government councils to N546.575bn.

While being emphatic about funds’ release, Olubunmi Siyanbola, a director at the ministry of finance, said 27 states have

reach the pending application for injunction until it is determined, thus a commencement of the proposed forensic audit by the SEC would be in defiance of the application for an injunction.

Oando said “The Company would like to categorically state that no action taken thus far has been to undermine the authority of the SEC, but to protect the Company and its shareholders against the actions taken under the leadership of Mounir Gwarzo, the erstwhile Director General (DG) of the SEC” Oando, in the statement, accused Mounir Gwarzo, suspended DG SEC of ig-

noring the report of the Committee but instead used the minority report of the Chairman of the Committee, who in the report called for a forensic audit.

Urging Acting DG SEC, Dr Abdul Zubair not to tow the path of Gwarzo in forging ahead with the probe, Oando said in the statement urged the Zubair “to see this as an opportunity for the regulator to act independently and for a new and enduring relationship to be established.

We trust that he will investigate the matters raised in an independent and transparent manner and look forward to his support in ensuring due process is indeed followed.”

Lagosians groan over urban renewal- Investigation

Motolani Oseni, Lagos

ÏÏÏ At a time when busi-

ness and financial related activities require proactive measures to curb incessant agony often caused by long queues in commercial banks’ branches and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) galleries across the country, but the recent demolition of structures in Agege Pen Cinema of Lagos for the construction of a flyover, has worsened bank customers situation in the axis, findings by the Daily Times has revealed.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, recently, pulled down several buildings, which include commercial banks, Plazas, residential among many other structures.

But due to the strategic

Ï As depositors lament challenges at Yuletide positions of both Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Union Bank Plc that were affected by this development, huge bank customers in the axis have started lamenting over the impending suffering during and after this year festival season.

In our fact findings, our correspondents who visited other banks in the area over the weekend, observed that seamless banking service through other payment system such ATMs that were supposed to be benefitted by the depositors of the affected banks, are no longer the case as scores of banks customers were stranded in some of the new generation banks that received the hit of the demolished banks in the area.

At Zenith Bank in Agege, bank customers who spoke

with Daily Times lamented over the long queue witnessed as the bank only has two ATM machines, compared to seven housed at GTBank that was affected by the demolition.

Banks customers in a separate interviews at the weekend, related their ordeal to our correspondent, how they experienced long queues at different banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) couple with incessant failure of these machines to dispense cash, which they linked to being stranded over the weekend.

Our further check, however, showed that nearest GTBank branches to Agege are the Ogba and Alausa branches, which means that for every customers of the bank in Agege axis who wish to use the bank or the ATM, will have to get to

any of the aforementioned branches for their bank transactions.

For Union Bank customers in the area may have to turned their hopes to the bank branch at Sofunde in Agege and the Akowonjo branch.

Although, some customers, who succeeded in getting money, said that they found it difficult to withdraw from their banks ATMs, due to the long distance from their residence but were rescued from other banks including Access Bank, Fidelity and Zenith Bank.

“I was able to withdraw from Access Bank ATM gallery in Agege, even though not all the ATMs dispensed but we were able to withdraw for the weekend upkeeps”, one of the depositors said.

Most Nigeria’s bank customers whose hearts soared on the announcement of the removal of the erstwhile N100.00 charge, while using ATMs of other banks, still prefer to prevent the three three chances in every month to withdraw from another ATM, in order to avoid the N65 charges for any more withdrawals on other banks’ ATMS. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says 213.69 million transactions valued at N19.33 trillion were recorded in the third quarter as data on Electronic Payment Channels in the banking sector.

The NBS said this in a report on “Selected Banking Sector Data: Sectoral Breakdown of Credit, e-Payment Channels, Deposits and Domestic Credit Breakdown and Staff Strength’’ posted on the bureau’s website.

The bureau stated that

the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Instant Payment (NIP) transactions dominated the volume of transactions recorded in the quarter.

It stated that 97.53 volumes of NIP transactions valued at N13.96bn were recorded in the quarter under review.

In terms of credit to private sector, the report stated that a total of N15.83trn worth of credit was allocated by the banks in the quarter.

It stated that Oil and Gas and Manufacturing sectors got credit allocation of N3.54trn and N2.27trn to record the highest credit allocation in the period under review.

The report also stated that the number of banks’ employees increased from 75, 607 in the second quarter to 82,531 in the third quarter

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Nigeria needs young leaders below 50 in 2019 - Youth Summit

Ï Wants Buhari, Atiku, others to drop ambitions for younger Nigerians ÏÏÏ Ahead of the 2019 gen-

eral elections, a youth summit championing system change has stated that it will mobilize for younger leaders to preside over the affairs of the country, saying there is the need for President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others to drop their political ambition for younger generation.

The youth summit, which decried the continuous occupation of Nigeria’ s political space since independence by older men, said the country needs dynamic leaders below 50 years of age.

In a communique made available to journalists in Enugu at the end of the summit on Sunday and signed by Mr. Bello Olanrewaju, Aliyu Abdulrahaman and Tina Inyamah, the summit advised Bu-

hari, Atiku and others to drop their presidential ambitions to avoid being disgraced by the outcome of the elections.

The group added that the just concluded summits held simultaneously in Enugu, Lagos and Abuja at the instance of Mr. Iheanacho Ezeakor, urged the youths in the country to reject not only Buhari and Atiku, the two prominently touted gladiators for the 2019 presidential race but other candidate above 50 years.

The Youth Summit said, “Having successfully concluded our summit in three major cities in NigeriaEnugu, Lagos and Abuja, we have come the conclusion that the major problem facing Nigeria is bad leadership.

“We are being faced with a situation where people who are now lacking in new ideas are running the

affairs of the country. Although some of them have good vision for the country, they lack the capacity to drive the process owing to their age and lack of new ideas.

“We are, therefore, advising President Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sule Lamido, Ahmed Makarfi, among several others, who are above 50 years, to drop their political ambitions and support a younger Nigerian. The youths are going to give them a shocker by stoutly rejecting them at the polls.

“We believe that these men and many others have contributed their quota at their ripe age and what we are having now is recession in leadership. They should therefore, step aside and support a youth presidency.”

According to the group, Nigeria is blessed but grap-

pling with youth restiveness, unemployment and collapsed infrastructure simply because those at the helm of affairs are bereft of ideas. The group therefore resolved that it would ensure that a youth below the age of 50 will become the President of Nigeria in 2019 On the way forward, the group said, “We need youths in the likes of Iheanacho Ezeakor, who is sacrificing all his personal comfort towards the emergence of Nigeria of our forefathers’ dream. Without mincing words, we are backing him as the next President of Nigeria come 2019.

“Buhari, Atiku and others will write their names in gold if they toe same line and support him with their political structure.

From what we have seen in him, Nigeria will be transformed in no distant time.”

L-R: Niyi Yusuf, Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria; Abolaji Osime, CEO, Global International College; Teslim Bello, Session Moderator and Amelia Dafeta, Director of Education, Corona Schools’ Trust Council, during the Accenture Nigeria Alumni Network titled: Re-imagine Education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, held in Lagos… at the weekend.

Calabar Carnival, veritable platform for job creation –FG Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Minister of

Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the Calabar Carnival as a veritable platform for job creation and promotion of creativity among Nigerians.

The Minister made the remarks in Calabar, Cross River State, on Saturday during the tour of some carnival bands ahead of Sunday’s flag-off of the Third Dry Run of the 2017 ‘Calabar Carnival’.

He said the Carnival has grown beyond being a mere street procession and dancing to a venture that is positively impacting on the

economy and the unity of the country.

“What we have seen today is an industry that is making use of the abundant talents of Nigerians not just in dancing but even in manufacturing and creativity. We have seen the shoes that they are going to wear; they are made in Nigeria, the design and materials. So, Calabar Carnival provides that platform to give vent to your creative energy”, he said.

Alhaji Mohammed highlighted the critical role of the themes of each band, which include Climate Change, Bush Burning and Environmental Degradation, describing the themes as topical issues in

the global discourse on the ecosystem.

He expressed delight that the Calabar Carnival has keyed into the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari towards promoting locally-made products in order to make the country self-reliant economically.

“The President said until Nigeria produces what it consumes and grows what it eats; it cannot be economically independent.

This is a very good example of made-in-Nigeria both in terms of materials, labour force and creativity. So I am really much fulfilled coming here because I see how much the carnival is contributing not just to

the economy but to bringing individuals to self-reliance”, he said.

The Minister used the occasion to commend the band managers, whom he described as patriots who are actually not driven by profit but by the passion and commitment to grow the nation’s economy.

He also appealed to the private sector to show more interest in the Calabar Carnival because of its huge impact on the economy.

Alhaji Mohammed visited the Freedom and Seagull Bands and inspected their costume-making factories, which employ a lot of people in shoe-making, tailoring, weaving and knitting, among others.

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‘Why Govs must pay workers salaries before Christmas’ Continued from page 6 received the balance of the Paris Club refund.

Siyanbola made this known on Saturday, while addressing journalists after the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting where N609.959 bn was distributed to the three tiers of governments.

She said the remaining states would get theirs as soon as some processes are completed.

Siyanbola said one of the issues discussed at the FAAC meeting was the accruals into the excess crude account (ECA), which now stands at $2.317bn as against $2.308bn in October.

But Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation, said the FAAC meeting held on Saturday as against the 20th and 25th of the month because of Christmas activities and the need to make money available to workers.

“Institutions found themselves inundated with reconciling figures at short notices and some FAAC officials were at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) till 9pm; and the documents needed got to stakeholders this morning thus prompting today’s meeting so that Nigerians can have better Christmas and New Year celebrations,” he added.

The Federal Government got N248.227bn, states received N125.904bn, local governments were given N97.067 bn, the oil-producing states got an additional N43.215bn, as 13 per cent derivation requirement, while the balance of N15.120bn went for cost of collection and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) refund.

Speaking on the $1bn to be withdrawn from the ECA for the fight against Boko Haram, Idris said governors were part owners of the money; and they can request for money to be withdrawn from the account.

He said, “It is one thing for requests to be made, but there is a process for money to be taken out of an account. As part owners, there will be no objections and we will go with the directive.”

Commenting on the revenue distributed amongst the three tiers, the Chairman of Commissioners Forum, Alhaji Mahmoud Yunusa, said, “November’s figures are higher now, but they can be better off. The states are happy that workers will be paid before Christmas.”

Commenting on the development, the President of the United Labour Congress (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has commended the Federal Government for fulfilling its promise to disburse the final

tranche of the Paris Club refund to the state governments.

The labour leader noted with caution, the sensitivity of state governors, towards disbursing the funds to workers in their respective states.

Ajaero, also stressed, during a telephone chat with The Daily Times correspondent, the level of issues the funds will address, relating to salaries, arrears of allowances and pension.

He said, “I hope the new release of funds will solve the entire problem relating to payment of salaries, allowances and pension of workers because, principally, that is the essence of the Paris Club Refund payment.

The payment on December presupposes that there will be no carryover of salaries into the New Year, and that has been the prayer of workers in the country.

“The release means there will be prompt payment of salaries, arrears of allowances and pensions”.

Although, the Federal Government, in July, released the second tranche of the Paris Club refund to the tune of N243.79bn, Ajaero lamented over the way the funds were handled by some state governors, and how some states, who collected higher figures, still owe their workers.

“Though, despite the release of previous tranche of Paris Club refund, some governors still refuse to pay the salaries and pensions of workers in their states, they rather channel the resources to other issues that are equally not necessary in the present economic situation. I can only pray and hope that the funds are quickly disbursed to workers before the celebration of Christmas.”

Ajaero stated that there is very little labour unions can do to help ensure speedy disbursement, but as workers, they hope to tackle state governors in order for the funds to be released before the Christmas.

“Though the financial management of funds released to states is not entirely the responsibilities of trade unions, the only problem I see is that, state governors now spend monies without appropriation by state Houses of Assembly only except they work with the lawmakers, that is when such problem can be averted. However, most States Houses of Assembly are mere rubber-stamps to the state executives, that is where the problem lies.

“I pray the funds are judiciously used and as workers, we will maintain some level of vigilance to ensure that these monies are judiciously dispensed.”

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; former Governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; National Leader, All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence and former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, during the defection of opposition parties led by Akala to the APC in Ibadan, Oyo State… at the weekend.

APC, NDDC, others congratulate Buhari @ 75 Tom Garba, (Yola) and Tom Okpe (Abuja)

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) led by its national Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun felicitates with President Muhammadu Buhari on the joyous occasion of his 75th birthday.

In a press statement signed by the chairman on Sunday, the party acknowledges the President Buhari’s administration in building a new Nigeria for all.

“We attest that under his leadership, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is building a new Nigeria for our progress, peace, unity and prosperity; restoring our country to its deserved standing among the comity of progressive nations; fighting

corruption and repairing our value system; diversifying our economic revenue base, creating jobs and economic opportunities for Nigerians; bringing succor to the insurgencyravaged North-East; reforming the oil, defense, pensions, and other critical sectors and creating a worldclass transport system, among others”.

The Party wishes the President many more happy, healthy and rewarding years of service to the nation and Party.

The Adamawa state Governor, Senator Muhammed Bindow on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari is an enigma and a great blessings to the people of Nigeria.

Bindow said this In a statement signed

by his Special Assistant on Press and Media Affairs, Martins Dickson to felicitate with Buhari in marking his 75th Birthday.

“Buhari is an answered prayer to the people of Adamawa state, the North-East and Nigeria as a whole, an enigma, a blessing and the best thing that has happened to the country recently.” He said “The people of the North East and indeed Nigerians will never ever forget president Buhari for his doggedness in fighting the Boko haram insurgency and for the successes recorded, about 7 local Government areas were captured in Adamawa and several lives lost until President Buhari took the bull by the horn and stopped the car-

nage,” he added.

Bindow reiterated that president Buhari has also restored the dignity of Nigeria and Nigerians in the eye of the international community and has set Nigeria on the path of greatness.

Adding that Nigerians can all attest to the fact that more people have turned to agriculture and the revenue generation mechanisms diversified under the Buhari led government. The fight against corruption is being sustained and sanity gradually being restored.

Senator Bindow prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant President Buhari good health, wisdom, and courage to sustain the tempo of reinventing a

Obaseki congratulates Buhari at 75 The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 75th birthday, describing President Buhari’s leadership style as exemplary.

Commending his dedication to the course of the common man, Obaseki said: “As you mark this day, we are inspired

by your exemplary leadership, dedication to the course of the common man and relentless commitment to restoring the country to greatness.

He further said that the perception of Nigeria by the international community is fast changing for the better, as many countries now believe that our prob-

lems as a country are not beyond us.

“We pray and wish you excellent health, divine grace, boundless fulfilment and happiness to celebrate many more years ahead.”

The governor noted that the president has made enormous contributions to nation building and prayed that “the

celebration ushers Nigerians into another year of great strides in your effort to build a glorious nation that Nigerians will be proud of.”

He added, “Edo State and her people wish you Happy Birthday, long life, prosperity and many more years of active service.”

united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

“I have undertaken the construction of over 300 road projects in my state, purchased about 140 tractors and other farm implements including fertilizers, reconstruction of schools, reconstruction of hospitals by my gov-

ernment among many others, are all efforts to compliment policies of the Buhari led federal government”.

According to Bindow, “The people of Adamawa state will continue to support President Buhari and to ensure that Nigeria attains greatness as he leads”.

NDDC boss commends President for life of dedication

ÏÏÏThe

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Nsima Ekere has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who has diligently served the country as a military head of state and has continue to dedicate his life to the survival of the country in spite of daunting challenges.

Congratulating the President on the occasion of his 75th birthday, Nkere said: “as an officer and gentleman, as military head of state and now as democratically elected President,” his life has been one of remarkable sacrifice and dedication to helping build a great nation.

He added: “Over the years, we have been privileged to witness his commitment to building a great nation, driven by patriotic zeal and vision and ennobled by humility, discipline, as well as a deep sense of duty, honour and integrity.

“The milestones of great men inspire us all to always

aspire to do great deeds, so that we may graft our names on the obelisk of time. President Buhari’s life and life’s work remain an inspiration to us all.

The NDDC boss said he shared in President Buhari’s vision, “wholly outlined in our Change Agenda, to make Nigeria a country of which we all would be eminently proud,” declaring: “It remains our guiding light and fillip for the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as we work to build for the Niger Delta, a region which fulfils our people’s collective expectations and dreams.

He reiterated the determination of NDDC to “use the special occasion of President Buhari’s birthday to renew our commitment to (continue to) serve the Niger Delta region with humility, discipline, as well as a deep sense of duty, honour and integrity,” in order to fulfil the Vision of Change of the Federal Government for the Niger Delta region.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday,December 18, 2017

9 News

Ohuhu honours indigenes, as awardees urge clan to close ranks Sunday Nwakanma,Umuahia

ÏÏÏOhuhu land of Umua-

hia North LGA has been advised to close ranks and move the clan forward.

This was on the occasion of the end of year party/Award ceremony of an Ohuhu sociocultural organization, Ohuhu Solidarity Forum.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon Kelechi Kingsley Nwosu, a Special Assistant to Sen. Andrew Uchendu, member representing Rivers East in Rivers House of Assembly, expressed his happiness over the award given to him by Ohuhu Solidarity Forum, stating that this time, a prophet is with honour in his land.

He said he was born and bred at Ohuhu, but play politics in Rivers state, stating that the award will spur him to do more for Ohuhu clan.

He urged Ohuhu youths to shun crime stating “get rich quick attitude will make people make more mistakes” urging them to try as much as possible to get it right.

He, however lamented the backwardness of Abia, stating: Abia is still backward.

Things are going wrong,”

adding that with time, Abians will get it right.

Speaking at the event which served as an end of year party, the President of Ohuhu Solidairty Forum, Okechukwu Ufomadu said the occasion was “designed as a platform for thanksgiving, socialization, provoking intellectual discourse as well as honours and appreciation of worthy sons and friends of Ohuhu land with a view to building consensus on political and development challenges in Ohuhu land”.

According to him, the Forum desires “to continue to play a vital role in the development of the clan in all spheres of endeavour”.

Also speaking, the General Manager of Abia state Passenger Integrated Manifest/ Safety Scheme, ASPIMSS, Kingsley Megwara while expressing his happiness over the award, lamented that some Ohuhu sons, because of money divulge the secrets of the clan while in politics, advising that such people should desist from that or face the wrath of the gods of the land.

He urged them to begin to mentor others and help them.

Shi’ite: Keep your recommendation to yourself, group tells US, UK Doosuur Iwambe - Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Coalition of Civil

Society Organizations for Transparency in Governance has asked the United Kingdom and United States governments to keep their recommendations on the issues surrounding the clash between men of the Nigerian Army and members of the Shi’ite movement in December 2015, where some persons were reportedly killed as its coming after relevant authorities have done justice to it.

The CSO was reacting to a recent statement credited to British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, where he called for accountability on the ongoing investigation into the incident.

According to Arkwrigh, several investigations, reports and recommendations have remained un-implemented.

“It is two years since the Zaria incident when some 350 Nigerians were killed by the military. Since then there have been several investigations, reports and recommendations.

“But a number of recommendations remain to be implemented. We call for accountability on all sides,” Arkwright had tweeted.

Reacting to the envoy’s submission at a press conference during the weekend, CCSOTCG through its convener, Nkechi Odoma, described the call as an attempt by the

US and UK to influence the presidential panel of inquiry like a “school boy.”

According to her, the group had no choice than to intervene in the unwarranted efforts at pushing Nigeria to the edge and make it into a failed state by agents of destabilization, who unfortunately have found willing local collaborators.

She said, “We have had cause in the past to raise the alarm over such moves following which the agents of destabilization would run underground. While we are not surprised that they have again resurfaced, their penchant for playing the hydra headed monster is something that should alarm the world as it is obvious that humanity, and by this we mean the world, cannot afford another destabilized country in its inventory after the same bloodthirsty gang have conflagrated the Middle East, North Africa and other regions that were once stable.

“Let us warn at this point that the gimmick of these evil enterprises is usually masqueraded as calls or demands for a country to comply with “international standards” that are not observed in or by any other nation on earth.

Once the country begins to implement such charade an immediate consequence is the undermining of the institutions and autonomy of the state in favour of terrorists that enjoy the cover of these interests.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (left), during a courtesy visit to recuperating wounded Nigerian Army personnel at Nigerian Army Hospital, Kaduna State… at the weekend.

Dangote accuses BUA of stealing, illegally mining limestone on its properties

ÏÏÏManagement

of Dangote Group over the weekend accused BUA of engaging in illegal mining of limestone deposits in its Mining Lease No. 2541, located in a boundary town of Oguda/Ubo in Okene Kogi State.

Dangote’s Executive Director, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, frowned at the media war, instigated

by BUA against the Dangote Group, over a matter which is already pending before the Federal High Court, Benin Division.

Edwin said: “Dangote Group validly acquired its interest and mining title in the disputed Mining Lease No. 2541 from AICO Ado Ibrahim & Company Ltd sometime in 2014.

AICO itself had applied to the Mining Cadastre Office and Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for the said Mining Lease No. 2541 located in a boundary town of Oguda/Ubo in Okene Kogi State in 2007.

The Ministry in exercise of its power under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 granted and issued to AICO ML. No. 2541 for the renewable period of 25 years effective from 1st February 2008 and to expire on 31 January, 2033. Thus AICO by virtue of the said grant, became vested with the

legal title over ML. No. 2541. In 2014, the Dangote Group approached AICO and indicated interest in acquiring AICO’s stake in ML No. 2541. In 2014, AICO in exercise of its right under the Mining Act, applied to the Ministry for the transfer of its title in the ML No. 2541 to Dangote Group. AICO and Dangote Group equally paid all the transfer and statutory fees demanded by the Ministry.”

He further explained that:” By a letter dated 05 February 2016, the Ministry wrote to the Managing Director of the Dangote Group to convey the approval of the Ministry for the Transfer/Assignment of ML No. 2541 from AICO to Dangote Group with effect from 03 February 2016, following the successful transfer of ML. NO. 2541 to Dangote Group, the Group became the holder of the Mining Lease No. 2541.”

He said even BUA in its process in Court acknowledged that these illegal mining leases which it claimed were granted in 1997 were temporary mining leases.

Edwin also recalled that the then Minister for Solid Minerals under Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, Dr Oby Ezekwesili some-

time in 2006 waded into the dispute and invited the managements of Edo Cement Company Limited and AICO Ado Ibrahim & Company Limited for a meeting and that in the course of the meeting the then Minister again queried the legality of Mining Lease Nos 18912 and 18913 and the power of the Governor of Edo State to grant such mining leases.

“At the end of the Meeting, the Minister declared the Edo Cement’s Mining Leases Nos. 18912 and 18913 illegal and declared the mining site open for interested investors.

Given that AICO’s then existing Mining Lease No. 17825 was yet to be renewed even though application for renewal was pending, AICO in 2007 (under the Mining Act, 2007) applied for the fresh Mining Lease No. 2541 and the Ministry granted it in 2008 without any objection from Edo Cement Company” Edwin said AICO, who sold the right to Dangote, continued its mining operations in the Mining Lease No. 2541 undisturbed until BUA Group acquired Edo Cement Company Limited and resuscitated the dispute again.

Edwin further revealed that it was the attempt by

BUA to encroach on AICO’s mining title in Mining Lease No. 2541 that prompted AICO to write to the Ministry in 2015 complaining of BUA’s encroachment.

He said: “The Ministry after investigation in the same 2015 by the letter dated 21 January 2015 wrote to the Chairman of BUA Group directing BUA to stop mining within the ML. No. 2541. It was this same letter from the Ministry that prompted BUA to file a Suit at the Federal High Court Benin in 2016.”

Edwin said: “It is therefore appalling that BUA Group in the midst of these overwhelming facts will still want the public to believe that Dangote Group is after its business when in actual fact BUA has been the one mining illegally in Dangote Mining Lease and attacking its officials without any justification. The crocodile tears being shed by BUA in its cry for help and open letter to the President are most laughable and a total distraction from BUA’s continuous illegal activities within Dangote’s ML 2541 aimed at depleting and exhausting the limestone reserves in order to sabotage Dangote Group’s legitimate investment.”

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Int’l Migrants Day: Obaseki tasks world leaders on rights of legal migrants ÏÏÏThe

electric cars on her roads by year 2020, which is only two years from now.

“The German Parliament, the Bundesrat, passed a resolution in 2016 seeking a ban on such engines starting from 2030. Although the resolution is not legally binding, Germany already had a policy to put at least 1million electric cars on her roads by year 2020. India plans to sell only electric cars by 2030, which is about the next 13 years. Air pollution causes about 1.2 million deaths annually in the Asian country and costs her economy about 3% of GDP. Denmark, Spain, South Korea, Ireland, Austria, and Japan are also in the race to phase-out petrol and diesel cars”.

Ekweremadu urged the youth not to allow themselves to be divided on the subject of restructuring, but instead deploy their energies and social media skills to fight for their future by promoting a restructure of the country, which he said would promote good governance, employment opportunities, among others.

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on world leaders to respect and protect the rights of legal migrants, as the frequent movement of people to deploy their skills and expertise across the globe has become inevitable in a fast globalising, highly interconnected world.

Obaseki said this on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Migrants Day, marked every December 18, by the United Nations.

The governor said globalisation and development have made migration a common trend in the quest for human fulfilment, urging world leaders to strengthen ties that would make the movement of people across and within countries faster and in better, equitable conditions.

Noting that there was need for world leaders to respect laws and conventions that protect the right of migrants, he commended countries across the world that have shown uncommon kindness in accommodating those fleeing from conflict and creating the space for people from other countries to live and ply their trade in their countries.

He added, however, that “Much as some countries should be commended for their large heart, others have also run counter to the ideals of welcoming and accommodating legal migrants, and this must be condemned.”

According to him, “Migration has been with us from time immemorial; people have always moved either in search of better opportunities, or to flee conflict-ridden areas.

But in the present day, we cannot deny the fact that movement across the globe has come to stay, be

especially for the 260 Councillorship candidates and vowed that the party will not rest on its oars until it wrestle power from the PDP in the state.

The Coordinating chairman of the LGA candidates and the Udi chairmanship candidate in the LGA election, Professor Martin Ike Muonso, said despite the fact that the PDP stole their mandates during the election; they are resolute in sending the ruling party packing in 2019.

He explained that the

essence of inviting all the 260 Councillorship candidates in the election was to review the council polls as well as encourage one another in the political fight against the ruling party in the state.

“Despite the fact that we suffer serious harassment and intimidation from political thugs during the council polls we are resolute in kicking out PDP from Enugu State”, he said.

He said, “What transpired on November 4th in the local government elec-

Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdullateef Abdulhakeem (3rd left) with others, during the inauguration of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko in Lagos… at the weekend.

Debt Profile: Okechukwu has exposed his ignorance - Ekweremadu Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ The Deputy President

of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has taken a swipe at the DG Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu saying he does not know what he is talking about.

Okechukwu had recently alleged that Ekweremadu diverted money meant for Enugu-Port Harcourt major highway to his village road and sundry matters.

But at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he delivered the Third Adada Lecture entitled “Restructuring and the Nigerian Youth”.

The Deputy Senate President said Okekwukwu exposed his ignorance when he said he diverted money meant for the construction of Enugu-Port Harcourt major highway.

“Senate does not award contracts. What a senator is expected to do is to attract projects to his constituency, which is what I did.

“There was no diversion of any money; a senator is not in a position to divert

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏThe

Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, has disowned Peter Okonkwo, who was recently confirmed as a commissioner by the Enugu State House of Assembly.

The chairman of the party, Ben Nwoye disclosed at the weekend during a get together ceremony organized by the17 APC candidates in the controversial November 4th, Local Government Area poll said that, “Barrister Peter Okonkwko, (Ohamedike) has left APC, long

money because National Assembly does not award contracts.

“Okechukwu has just exposed his ignorance”, he said.

Ekweremadu, however ascribed the continued resistance to restructuring to fear of the unknown especially that of survival in the absence of free oil money.

According to him, oil is fast losing its value in global economy as many nations were already phasing out petrol and diesel-powered cars.

The Senator said: “There is a gross misunderstanding of restructuring. There is the problem of political and ethno-sectional interests and sentiments. There is the fear of abuse of a decentralized police system. There is the fear of losing perceived advantages.

“Above all, there is the fear of survival under fiscal federalism. Some feel they are better off with free monies from Abuja, which could actually be pittances compared to what they could generate if they begin to access the bountiful wealth,

such as solid minerals buried in their soils.

“Ironically, oil is fast going out of fashion. Many countries have found oil in large quantities, including those that used to patronise our oil.

“Importantly, it should worry us that many countries are already phasing out petrol and diesel engines. In July 2017, the United Kingdom announced plans to stop the production of petrol and gas-powered cars from 2040. As a champion of the efforts to preserve the earth, France has also unveiled plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040.

Norway has what its former Minister of Climate and environment, Vidar Helgeson, called strong policy actions to ensure that zero fossil fuel cars is sold in the Nordic country by 2025.

“With the second highest concentration of electric cars in Europe, Netherlands is already targeting an emissions-free environment by 2030, which automatically rules out petrol and diesel-powered cars. In fact, it wants at least 200,000

it for business, leisure, tourism. So, it behooves world leaders to make the movement of people as seamless as possible within internationally recognised conventions on migration.”

Noting that the theme of this year’s commemoration, Safe Migration in a World on the Move, was germane to the call to ensure migrants are protected, he said the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of 2016 would go a long way in ensuring that people moving from source to destination are factored in the growing conversation to sustain knowledge exchange and increased global harmony.

He however condemned illegal and life threatening journeys such as the Libya episode, fuelled by human trafficking cartels who mean no good for their victims.

“If you have a skill or trade highly sought after in any part of the world by international companies, you can travel abroad to earn decent wages. Nobody will kick against that in a globalised world,” Obaseki said.

He maintained that his administration places high premium on technical education because of the inherent gains such as the ability of graduates of technical schools to become employers of labour and wealth creators.

He advised victims of illegal migration and human trafficking to embrace his administration’s skills acquisition programmes, put the past behind them and aspire to great heights as his social contract with all Edo people is to create an Edo State where everyone can realise their positive dreams.

APC disowns Commissioner designate, Peter Okonkwo

Ïd ƕ Ɔô Ɛ ƑƏ ƌƆƌƄƆƏ time ago.

He said that Okonkwo, “used to be one of us and a member of the APC Constitution Drafting subcommittee during its formation days.

However, the chairman said, Okonkwo negotiated his exist from APC when he openly worked for former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the 2015 general polls.

“Barr. Okonkwo has

never pretended being a member of PDP. As a member of APC Okonkwo was always seen wearing PDP uniform with Governor Ugwuanyi’s photograph boldly inscribed on it.

“This clarification became necessary to prove to the public that the man is not a member of APC as being reported in the media.

Nwoye, applauded the APC LGA candidates for packaging the get together,

tion was a broad day political robbery by the PDP. “We are appealing to the APC leadership in the state not to relent in assisting the party’s candidates in the LGA election in pursuing their court cases to a logical conclusion.

“This is the beginning of a battle that will make us dislodge PDP in 2019”, he said.

He advised PDP to start packing its load from the government house saying APC will get justice in the end.

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

s

11

‘I will restore Osun to prosperous era witnessed under Awolowo, Ige’s govt’ You are one of the aspirants coming out in Osun State Alliance for Democracy (AD) to seek the party’s ticket for the 2018 governorship poll, how prepared are you?

By the grace of God when I assume office as the governor of Osun State in 2018, we will hit the ground running. Right now we have a blue print which is the culmination of efforts of distinguished and eminent people in the academia, professional groups and critical stakeholders that will articulate our politics that would certainly re-invent Osun State and make it once again a beacon of light in progressive governance and also in the accomplishment of life that would bring abundance to the citizens of Osun State.

In concrete terms, what would be the major thrust of your administration?

We will invest massively in Agriculture and explore the mining potential in the state. We will re-engineer and re-energise the populace towards advantages that are derivable in an agrarian economy. We have large quantities of solid minerals in Iperindo – Atakumosa, gold belt which is currently being neglected. We have cassava which is a money spinning crop.

Out of cassava, you get ethanol and about 14 derivatives. We have rice belt in Erinmo, IlaOrogun, Odo Oba. Apart from this we have livestock – poultry which was developed in the days of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Bola Ige’s administration.

These resources can adequately feed the 2876 communities in the state and still be exported. We have large quantities of Cashnut. Right now, a ton of cashew is being sold for $1800 in the world market as against $300 in the past. We are going to look inward agriculturally, Federal Allocation will just be an addition. Above all we will regenerate the tourism industry – Erin waterfalls and other tourism centers. Osun-Osogbo festival will be repackaged to be highly revenue generating.

We are doing our researches day by day on how to make Osun State great again.

The people of Osun State have been under the ALL Progressives Congress (APC) rule for close to eight years now, what does your party have to offer that makes you believe that it will have the edge over APC ahead of 2018?

In the first place, I do not believe in criticising or commenting on the current government. It is what we plan to do that matters to the good people of Osun State.

Having been a stakeholder in the Nigerian politics from the grassroots level for over three decades, starting from Ward Councilor to the membership of House of Representatives, I have contributed immensely to the articulation of progressive welfare politics in the interest of common man. Apart from this I have a burning desire to wipe away the

Hon. Femi Kehinde represented Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003. Hon Kehinde who is seeking to be the next year governor of Osun State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), recently spoke with TOKUNBO OMISAKIN on myriad of issues including his vision for the state, the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Bola Ige, the agricultural potentials of Osun State among others.

KEHINDE tears of the common man in Osun State. Right now, the common man goes to bed unhappy and wake-up without optimism. Why? A lot of factors. The rate of unemployment is so high. Today there are graduates roaming the streets looking for non-available jobs. Many graduates are now glorified Okada riders.

Workers do not receive salaries as at when due. My party, the AD is the authentic political platform fashioned and designed after the progressive Action Group and subsequently the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I could say AD is the 21st century replica of Action Group, especially in our four cardinal programmes of Free education; Free health services; Rural integration and Full and gainful employment.

The AD is the authentic political platform fashioned and designed after the progressive Action Group and subsequently the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I could say AD is the 21st century replica of Action Group, especially in our four cardinal programmes of Free education; Free health services; Rural integration and Full and gainful employment.

Osun State will be restored to the prosperous era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Bola Ige’s government. I believe with this grandiose programmes and the help of God who does exceedingly abundantly and above what we think or imagine, we will not let the good people of Osun State down.

Do you have any godfather piloting your political ambition?

God is my Godfather, I do not believe in Godfatherism. Godfatherism syndrome has destroyed the art of government in many states of the country. The issue of Godfatherism is a bane to service delivery and good governance. This is why I stay put in AD. There will be no inhibitions and no encumbrances to stop me from performance and delivery the dividend of democracy to my people.

You said you have master mind behind the blue print you put together. Have you consulted widely with other stakeholders like traditional rulers?

I have consulted widely. I have sought audience with notable traditional rulers in the state. These include the revered Ooni of Ife, OwaObokun of Ilesha land, Ataoja of Osogbo, Awara of Awara, Apetu of Ipetumobi, Orogun

of IlaOrogun among others. I am still going to visit other Obas in the state. So far their prayers main focus is for Osun State to be brought back to God. Governor Willy Obiano recently won the governorship election in Anambra State by landslide, what do you think is responsible for his victory despite formidable oppositions against him?

Governor Willy Obiano won the election fair and square not because of the popularity of his party, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), but on his understanding of the dynamics of governance, demands of his people and his readiness to satisfy them.

Someone said: “Attitude determines altitude” His attitude towards prompt service delivery to his people is second to none. This made him to enjoy unalloyed support from market men and women, town union associations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of thought across political divides.

Salaried workers are paid as at when due and the Bible says “A Labourer is worthy of his wages”. These and other factors returned him back to the Government House. While other Nigerian’s are facing economic heat, Anambra people have seen an alternative in farms that yield bountiful produce and put cash in their pockets. I hope Governor Obiano will continue with his laudable efforts in providing prompt service delivery to his people. Obiano proved the wise sayings right that “your success and happiness depends on your willingness to help someone solve his problem”.

How do you see INEC’s performance in the Governorship Election?

It is commendable. I commend INEC for a beautiful job. About 2 million voters registered.

Despite the fact that about half a million voted, the election was credible. It is a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s democracy. Apart from Obiano’s landslide victory, other parties had good showing. This all pointed out to the fact that Nigeria is moving from party’s affiliation to voting for individual performances.

What is your message to members of your party in particular and the people of Osun State in general as 2018 approaches?

My message to our party members is that they should pray continually for the state and reach out to the people. They should not take things for granted. They should work together as one family. Now to the people of Osun State, they should bear all things happening now with faith in God and prayer. We believe all things work together for good for them that trust in God. They will get the best from an AD led government.

Tell us briefly about yourself?

I was born 58 years ago; I am a Lawyer and a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

I am a former member of the House of Representatives. I studied History and later Law in the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. I started Law practice at the Chambers of Obafemi Awolowo and Co. (Barrister and Solicitor) between June and October 1984. I was also in the Chambers of Fawole Babalakin and Co, where I did my NYSC before I established my own Law firm.

Femi Kehinde and Co. as the Principal partner in Aug 1985.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Senate passes amended Electoral Act, okays electronic voting, pegs nomination fees Stories by Patrick Okohue Here is New Amount President, Governors, National Assembly Aspirants Are Now Required by Law to Pay for Nomination Fees The Senate has passed the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 Amendment Bill 2017, making it mandatory for use of card reader and banning of manual accreditation, when it becomes a law.

Meanwhile according to the amendment, House of Representatives aspirants are now to pay N1,000,000 and those for State Assembly will pay N500,000.

The law stated there shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as may be introduced for elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

It states that presiding officers must now instantly transmit accreditation and results from polling units to various collation centres.

“Presiding Officer who contravenes this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine).

“All presiding officers must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them. The data/result recorded must be the same with what they transmitted.’’

According to the amendment, INEC has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting.

Besides manual registers, INEC has been mandated to keep electronic registers of voters.

“INEC is now mandated to publish Voters’ Registers on its Official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election and any INEC staff who is responsible for this but fails to act as prescribed shall be liable on conviction to 6 months imprisonment.

“INEC is now mandated to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC. “Collation of election result is now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis.

“INEC is now mandated to record details of electoral materials – quantities, serial numbers used to conduct elections (for proper tracking),’’ the amendment stated.

SARAKI “The bill states that a political party whose candidate dies after commencement of an election and before the declaration of the result of that election now has a 14-day window to conduct a fresh primary in order for INEC to conduct a fresh election within 21 days of the death of the party’s candidate; “Political Parties’ Polling Agents are now entitled to inspect originals of electoral materials before commencement of election and any Presiding Officer who violates this provision of the law shall be imprisoned for at least 1 year.

“No Political Party can impose qualification/ disqualification criteria, measures or conditions on any Nigerian for the purpose of nomination for elective offices, except as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

“The election of a winner of an election can no longer be challenged on grounds of qualification, if he/she (winner) satisfied the applicable requirements of sections 65, 106, 131 or 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and he is not, as may be applicable, in breach of sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

[For example, a person’s election cannot be challenged on the ground that he did not pay tax, as this is not a qualifying condition under the Constitution.]

“All members of Political Parties are now eligible to determine the Ad-Hoc Delegates to elect candidates of parties in indirect primaries. The capacity of party executives to unduly influence or rig party primaries has been reasonably curtailed, if not totally removed.

“Parties can no longer impose arbitrary nomination fees on political aspirants. The Bill passed prescribes limits for each elective offices.’’

Accordingly, the bill recommended N150,000 for a Ward Councillorship aspirant in the FCT; and States; N250,000 for an Area Council Chairmanship aspirant in the FCT; and Council Chairmanship in other LGAs of States; and N500,000 for a House of Assembly aspirant.

It prescribed N1,000,000 for a House of Representatives aspirant; N2,000,000 for a Senatorial aspirant; N5,000,000 for a Governorship aspirant; and N10,000,000) for a Presidential aspirant.

Nothing can stop Anambra Central rerun, says Umeh The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cannot for any reason stop the Anambra Central rerun election it has fixed for January 13, 2018, so says former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh.

Umeh who is APGA’s candidate for the rerun contest, made the remark in an interview against the backdrop of a Federal High Court judgement, delivered by Justice John Tsoho in Abuja, directing the electoral body to issue a certificate of return to Obiora Okonkwo as the validly elected Senator for Anambra Central Senatorial District.

Justice Tsoho gave the directive in a preelection matter where Okonkwo had sought to be declared the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the March 28, 2015 Anambra Central senatorial election.

The high court order came about three weeks after the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had instructed INEC to within 90

days conduct the Anambra Central rerun with the exclusion of PDP as directed by its Enugu Division which quashed Uche Ekwunife’s election on December 7, 2015.

The APGA standard bearer, however, said he was confident that INEC as a responsible institution of government will not obey a high court ruling against a subsisting Appeal Court verdict on the Anambra Central rerun issue.

“INEC would take a decision based on the superior judgement on record on the matter.

INEC has no right to choose a high court order against a Court of Appeal order that is subsisting. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provided for hierarchy of courts – Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court. And when Court of Appeal renders a decision, all the authorities and persons and all courts of subordinate jurisdiction will abide by it.

“INEC cannot choose between Court of Appeal order and high court order. Two of them don’t have the same level of authority

UMEH in our jurisprudence. A high court is a high court. The decision of the Court of Appeal comes before that of high courts,” Umeh argued.

Only 8 parties ‘ll participate in Plateau LG poll – IPAC The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said that only eight out of the 34 political parties existing in Plateau State would feature candidates in the Feb. 17 local government elections in the state.

The Secretary, Plateau IPAC, Mr Abubakar Dogara, disclosed this at a stakeholder’s engagement forum on election organised by the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Governance (PLASCER) in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was supported

by Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), ActionAid Nigeria, UKaid and BBC Media Action.

Dogara said the low participation was a result of the inability of some of the political parties and their candidates to meet with some of the conditions put in place by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).

“Out of the 34 political parties we have in Plateau, only eight are going to participate in the forthcoming local government elections slated for Feb 17.

“This is not because parties are not interested in participating, but because they are unable to meet up with some of the conditions put in place by PLASIEC. “For instance, the commission says candidates contesting for chairmanship must pay N350, 000 and those for positions of councillors should pay N170, 000 each as clearance fee.

“Even when we pleaded that the fee was on the high side, citing an example from other states that paid less, the Commission did not agree with us.

“So, we feel this and other factors must have discouraged other political parties from fielding candidates for the elections,” he said.

The Secretary said that some of the political parties which would field candidates in the forthcoming elections included: the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the Green Party.

Earlier, Mr Nelson Ananze, CAPP’s Acting Executive Director, said the aim of the forum was for critical stakeholders to chart a way forward on the need for peaceful and acceptable polls.

“The idea of this engagement is to discuss with key election stakeholders to see their level of preparedness towards a free, fair and credible election come Feb 17.

“For example, we will want to know the modalities PLASIEC put on ground to ensure the election is acceptable to all.

“How ready is the security agency to ensure the polls are rancour-free? How prepared are the political parties and their loyalists to conduct themselves acceptably before, during and after the polls?

“We need to know all these so that on our part we can further sensitise citizens of the state on the dos and don’ts in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

NAN reports that the forum had participants from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, Civil Society Organisation (CBOs), the Nigeria Police and other government agencies.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Page Thirteen

s

Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

Concessioning Nigeria airports

T

he debate on the viability of concessioning the infrastructures of Nigeria airports to private investors seem to be gaining attraction especially when the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, brought it to the front burner.

The dissenting voices, who are mainly Unions and workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) though with strong arguments appear to be in the minority. But there are contending interests in and out of government circles.

Although the government initially appeared resolute to carry out the concessioning programme, current signals suggest that the exercise may have been abandoned because of stiff resistance by the staff of FAAN. Besides, Sirika is said to have been under pressure by some anti-due process top government officials who believe that if due process is followed as suggested by many stakeholders and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), he may not achieve this objective in the remaining tenure of this government. Reportedly, the minister had at the beginning envisioned that Tav of Turkey, a company that manages most airports in Turkey would benefit from the concessioning.

Mid last year, a group from the company visited Nigeria and toured the airport facility at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Sources at the BPE and Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) said if government wished to concession airport facilities, it must follow due process which allow for open bidding for the airports and the process obviously would last beyond this administration.

Already Senior official of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), FAAN branch has said that it would be impossible for government to concession the airports as it earlier planned because of the strategy the Minister adopted to carry out the concession programme.

Sirika, had insisted that the Murtala Mohammed International Airport,

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Leke Adelere Business Manager 08037038663 Konie Agu Group Head, Business Development/Folio Foundation 08033150455

L-R: Chairman, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) James Kollie; Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Republic of Ghana, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and Technical Adviser for Fisheries Abidjan, Konan Angaman, during the 10th conference of Ministers of Fisheries Committee in Abuja… at the weekend.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (right), during the 18th Annual General Meeting of Okpo Club of Nigeria Association of Ikwerre Lawyers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State… at the weekend.

L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete-Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Commandant, Nigeria Naval War College, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia and Chairman Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Isa Misau, during the graduation ceremony of 2017 Naval War College Nigeria Course1 in Rivers State… at the weekend.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Folio Group Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State have been listed for what he described as the pilot phase of the planned concession of all of Nigeria’s 22 airports.

The unions and the FAAN workers are kicking against the concession plan, on the premise that the first four airports are the most viable in the country, with Lagos contributing over 60 percent of the revenues that is used to service the other airports.

They also believe that if the government gives out these four viable airports in concession, there would be no more place for FAAN to get the money to maintain the remaining airports.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is obvious that the concessioning plan may have hit the rocks although aviation stakeholders are rooting for it.

While the debate has lasted, it has added political value situating the matter in proper context, and more like taking the government apparatchiks back to the class room. One of those who made strong points is Pat Utomi, political-economist and public commentator. He believes that beyond government intentions just to concession infrastructures, until Nigerians change their attitude towards private investors, both local and foreign, it may take a long time before the country gets out of its present economic doldrums.

Utomi expressed concerns that government officials hardly obey agreements they sign, saying this would certainly drive away any private investor with a good mind to invest in the economy. Senator Ben Murray Bruce angle as the chairman of the senate committee on privatization is also instructive.

Obviously in support of the concessioning he said his committee was prepared to facilitate laws to fast-track the success of the programme, as that countries with the best airports are those who had long privatised or concessioned their airport terminals, while those with the worst airports, like Nigeria, have refused to allow private investors manage their airports for them.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139 Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614 General Counsel: ELIAS MORDI & CO 08068613825

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Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

“Behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, tear the mask!

“There is plenty of room at the top because very few people care to travel beyond the average route”.

14

Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Buhari’s blockbuster North-South gas highway

A

Garba Shehu

fter making a slow start, the Nigerian energy landscape is set for a major change with the award of a USD 2,809,522,548.36 gas pipeline contract approved by the Federal Executive Council as proposed by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The ministry is under the direct supervision of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State who made the presentation to the cabinet announced that the project is for the construction of a 40 inches pipeline across 614 kilometers from Ajaokuta to Abuja-Kaduna-Kano. This should mark an important landmark in the implementation of the first phase of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan, NGMP approved in2018.

A second contract approved under this massive, blockbuster investment is for the engineerin g,verification,procurement and construction of a 40 inches 30 kilometers Odidi to Warri gas pipeline expansion project. This one is to transport additional gas supply from upstream producers to various demand points at the cost of N7.7 billion and USD56 million.

The projects, which can rightly be termed as being among of the President’s pet projects is owed, in part to his vision and momentum back in his days as the federal commissioner for Petroleum Re-

sources. That time, Colonel Buhari led think-tanks to plan the country’s gas future and initiated the contracts for the laying of a massive network of petroleum pipelines, linking the length and breadth of the country and laid the foundation for the construction of three refineries, Warri, the second Port Harcourt refinery and the one in Kaduna in a bold move to augment the the supply and distribution of petroleum products in the country. That was the golden period of the country’s petroleum industry when domestic refining not only met the requirements of home consumption but also produced excess 150,000 barrels of refined products for export.

The bold step taken by the President on Wednesday seeks the integration of the Eastern and Northern parts of Nigeria, which had suffered past neglect into the gas economy. Gas pipeline infrastructure had been concentrated in the coastal areas and the North and the East had been left largely untouched by the industrial revolution that has come with the gas pipeline network.

It is therefore not surprising that the western part of the country is having more economic activity.

The All Progressives Congress, APC which had campaigned on the issue of inclusive growth holds the view that the achievement of a balanced and equitable national development can only come with a balanced growth of the states and the regions. The party manifesto had

identified the development of natural gas transportation infrastructure as a key project in this regard.

These contracts for pipelines and LNG terminals to be set up at various points will therefore expand opportunities for balanced national development to counter the backwardness and geographical disadvantages of the North and the East.

In line with the country’s rapid growth in energy demand, the connection of the south and the north should serve as a boost to the nation’s energy security.

The increased energy transportation networks will be a shot in the arm for the struggling manufacturing industry which suffers arising from the acute crisis in the energy sector. It will cater to the needs of cement and fertilizer plants; power plants, transportation systems and even household consumers thereby increasing gas share in the country’s energy consumption mix.

Gas which is classified as clean energy will, in addition to the promise of energy security, provide efficient fuel for power generation and reduce air pollution leading to improved quality of life.

The Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP), the East-North network starts from Qua Ibeo Terminal, QIT to Cawthorne Channel in Rivers traversing Obigbo-Umuahia-EnuguAjaokuta and now Ajaokuta-AbujaKaduna-Kano is likely to be completed in 2019.

The extension of this network to

the East and the North is potentially the precursor of the Trans-African pipeline that will cross the Sahara enroute Europe. Nigeria’s eyes have for many years been fixed on the European Gas consumer markets.

The contractor financing arrangement has been adopted and the project sponsor, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Federal Government are expected to reach common terms with the contractors on how they will be repaid over a 15-year period.

Although the loan repayment is expected from revenue accruing to from both existing and the expanding pipeline network, the NNPC and the Federal Government are expected to meet financial gaps and guarantee return on net investment.

The Buhari administration came into office at a time when Nigeria faced a crisis of inadequate and crumbling Infrastructure and has, as a matter of priority embarked on a number of positive interventions to ease the infrastructure crunch.

The administration has been raising short term and long-term funding for road projects, railway and power projects.

The President is strongly optimistic that all these infrastructure projects will increase the scope of economic activities and contribute to the overall economic growth and development of the country. This is the Change.

Shehu is a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

What we learnt from judgment on Anambra Central (I)

T

Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu

here are some quite interesting details to note from the judgment of Justice John Tsoho which declared Dr. Obiora Okonkwo as Senator for Anambra Central Senatorial district of Anambra state.

First, the matter was instituted on 22 December 2014, through an originating summon, in the aftermath of the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), conducted to elect a candidate that would stand for election on in March 2015. This makes it a pre-election matter. The action followed the action of PDP in refusing to affirm Dr. Okonkwo as winner of the primary election wherein he polled 204 valid delegate votes. 294 delegates were accredited for the election with Okechukwu Akachukwu as returning officer.

Sen. Annie Okonkwo, Sylvester Okonkwo, Uche Ekwunife and Kodilichukwu Okonkwo all contested in the primary election. Rather than uphold Dr. Obiora Okonkwo’s victory at the primary, the PDP announced Ekwunife as winner. This prompted the litigation. In other words, the matter has been in court since December 2014, three months before the election was held.

In his legal challenge, Okonkwo had PDP, then PDP national Chairman, Adamu Muazu, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Uche Ekwunife as defendants. The matter was not before an election petitions tribunal but before the Federal High Court.

This was so because Election Petitions Tribunals do not busy themselves with pre-election matters.

The defendant, PDP, PDP national Chairman, Ekwunife all entered defence in the matter. INEC was always represented in court by a lawyer who always announced

presence but never filed and papers either in support or in opposition to the suit. On several occasions, INEC informed the trial judge, when asked, that the matter was an internal party issue and it had no interest in how PDP resolved it.

INEC also told that court that it did not file any defence because as in impartial umpire, it was bound by the decision of court.

In the course of trial, the matter suffered several hiccups. Several of Dr. Okonkwo’s co-aspirants joined in the matter but were defeated. The last hurdle was Ekwunife who put up a dogged fight to prove that indeed, she was validly nominated by the PDP to contest the election.

The matter also suffered tactical delays as three different judges washed their hands off the matter once they approached critical junctures where a judicial pronouncement was expected. The judges include Justice A.R Mohammed, Justice Okon Abang and Justice Quadri. Several preliminary objections in the suit were also entertained and defeated. So, Justice Tsoho was the fourth judge to entertain the matter in the Federal High Court.

Issues canvassed in court were for the court to determine who the validly nominated candidate of the PDP for the 2015 senatorial election for Anambra Central was between Okonkwo and Ekwunife.

Relief and consequential orders which Okonkwo asked from the court were: That Dr. Okonkwo is the validly nominated candidate of the PDP at the 7th December 2014 PDP primary election to nominate its candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District at Ekwueme Square Awka, Anambra state, whose political party contested and won the national Assembly election that was held on the 28th of March, 2015.

That INEC, the third defendant/ respondent cancels the certificate of return (if any is subsisting) issued to the fourth defendant/ respondent (Chief Mrs. Uche Ekwunife).

That INEC issues a certificate of return to Dr. Obiora Okonkwo forthwith as the Senator Representing Anambra Central Senatorial district of Anambra State.

That the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria swears in the plaintiff (Dr. Obiora Okonkwo) forthwith as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district of Anambra state in the senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That arrears of emoluments, salaries and other perquisites of office be paid to the plaintiff/Applicant (Dr. Okonkwo) from 7/12/2015 up to the date he is sworn in as Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district.

In the course of trial on the matter, Chairman of the PDP Primary Election Committee, Alaye Tremie, who had refused to authenticate the primary election result citing ‘orders from above’, testified in court that indeed, Dr. Okonkwo won the primary election. He testified personally and was cross examined by other lawyers on the defence. Under cross examination, Tremie affirmed that the result sheet presented by Okonkwo was the authentic result sheet.

When the matter came up before Justice Tsoho, a new twist emerged. The defendants appeared before the judge and in a dramatic twist, told the court that they no longer want to challenge the matter and would be submitting to judgment. In fact, Ekwunife, through a sworn affidavit, told the court that she was withdrawing her challenge to the suit and

submitting to judgment. PDP and its National Chairman also withdrew defence and submitted to judgment. INEC also informed the court that it was submitting to judgment.

On this note, Sebastine Hon SAN, lead counsel for Dr. Okonkwo informed the court that when defence withdraws and submits to judgment, the court was bound to give judgment in accordance with plaintiff reliefs. He cited several authorities to back his arguments.

He also cited Supreme Court authorities to support argument that victory in an election does not belong to an individual but to the political party.

In this instance, he argued strongly that though the Election Petition Tribunal disqualified Ekwunife as PDP’s candidate, on the strength of an election petition

by APGA, the tribunal did not at any point invalidate result of the March 2015 senatorial election for Anambra central. According to the Senior Advocate, the result which was also validated by the Tribunal when it ordered a recount, is still intact and valid and ought to be enjoyed by Dr. Okonkwo if the court upholds argument that he was indeed the validly nominated candidate of the PDP. With all the defence submitting to judgment, Justice Tsoho entered judgment in favour of Dr. Okonkwo and granted the relief he asked for alongside the consequential orders.

A consequence of the judgment is that even if INEC insists that there must be a rerun election, PDP now has a candidate who must stand as candidate in the election. Refusal to join him would amount to exclusion which is enough ground to invalidate the rerun. So, the Justice Tsoho judgment binds INEC also.

To be continued

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

15 Column

Appeal Court verdict and matters arising Guest Columnist FEMI FALANA

‘

The Court of Appeal has not said that judges cannot be investigated by the anti-graft agencies. On the contrary, the Court conceded that judges can be investigated but that the report of any criminal investigation indicting them should be turned over to the National Judicial Council which will deal with it as a complaint of misconduct and possibly recommend the removal and prosecution of such judges to the appointing authorities before they can be arraigned in court.

’

I

am unable to persuade myself to share the views of some learned colleagues who have argued that the judgment delivered on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, by the Lagos Judicial Division of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Honourable Justice Hyeldzira Ajiya Ngangiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria (Appeal No CA/ L/969c/2017) has clothed Nigerian judges with immunity. It is indisputable that the sole legal issue decided by the Court is that a serving judicial officer cannot be charged with a criminal offence in any court by any prosecution agency unless and until he/she has been subjected to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the National Judicial Council. The Honourable Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo who read the leading judgment of the Court and her learned brothers who concurred with her Ladyship are not unaware of the case of Fawehinmi v Inspector-General of Police (2002) NWLR (PT 767 ) 606 wherein the Supreme Court held that notwithstanding the immunity conferred on the President and state governors they can be investigated even though they cannot be charged with any criminal offence until the expiration of their term of office.

The Court of Appeal has not said that judges cannot be investigated by the anti-graft agencies. On the contrary, the Court conceded that judges can be investigated but that the report of any criminal investigation indicting them should be turned over to the National Judicial Council which will deal with it as a complaint of misconduct and possibly recommend the removal and prosecution of such judges to the appointing authorities before they can be arraigned in court. Realising that the judgment might be misunderstood or misinterpreted the Court made it abundantly clear that “no judicial officers is covered by immunity from prosecution under the Constitution as the Constitution only grants the powers to discipline judicial officers for official misconduct to the NJC.” Having read and digested the landmark judgment which has generated an interesting debate in legal circles I have come to the irresistible conclusion that it was a protest judicial decision against the special treatment be-

ing accorded to certain personalities and criminal suspects by the Buhari administration in the prosecution of the war against corruption. Hence the Court did not cite any decided case in Nigeria or any other common law country.

In fact, their Ladyship and Lordships said, ex abundanti cautela, that the judgment had taken judicial notice of the decision of the President of the Republic to set up a panel of inquiry to probe a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

As far as the Court is concerned, indicted judges deserve to be treated, in like manner, before they can be properly prosecuted in a court of law.

It is, however, doubtful if the Court of Appeal was aware of the fact that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had reported the judges on trial to the National Judicial Council which had endorsed the prosecution and placed the judges on suspension pending the conclusion of their trial. The position of the NJC cannot be faulted in the circumstance because the Supreme Court has ruled in the cases of Garba v University of Maiduguri 1986) 2 NWLR (Pt 18) 559 and Federal Civil Service Commission v Laoye (1989) All N.L.R 350, that administrative bodies lack the vires to determine the civil rights and obligations of any person accused of committing a criminal offence in Nigeria.

Regrettably, our colleagues who have been celebrating the landmark judgment have not considered the fact that it has exposed our judges to greater danger. For instance, the criminal case filed against of one of the judges arrested by the Department of State Security last year was dismissed by the trial court in his favour. Consequently, the judge was re-

instated and was allowed to resume duty in his court. He has just been recommended for compulsory retirement by the NJC following another case of misconduct. But assuming that the President had dismissed the judge based on the recommendation of the NJC which might have found him guilty of the allegation of corrupt practices levelled against him by the DSS he would not have been reinstated since the dismissal would have been premised on the civil offence of misconduct. It is common knowledge that the age-long practice of interdicting public officers on trial pending the conclusion of criminal cases pending against them is to prevent a situation whereby they are removed from the public service on account of criminal allegations that have not gone through the crucible of cross-examination. But once they are discharged and acquitted they are reinstated with all the rights and privileges.

Therefore, by asking that judges be disciplined by the NJC before they are prosecuted the Court of Appeal has made it impossible to reinstate such judicial officers even if they are eventually discharged and acquitted. With respect, such unintended consequence of the judgment has made a mockery of judicial independence and further exposed our judges to danger. However, since the judgment has seriously questioned the inconsistency of the federal government in the prosecution of the war on corruption the Court of Appeal has equally challenged our judges to apply the law to all citizens without fear or favour. Out of ingenuity, some lawyers are going to invoke the constitutional right of equality of all citizens before the law to challenge the validity of the criminal cases pending against some civil servants on the grounds that the

administrative jurisdiction of the Federal Public Service Commission has not been invoked against them.

More so, that the NJC, the Federal Civil Service Commission and other executive bodies have been created by section 158 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

Even professionals in the private sector who are standing trial for corruption will rely on the judgment of the Court of Appeal and insist on going through the administrative procedure before they can be prosecuted in any court. For instance, a medical doctor who is charged with murder in a state high court for killing a patient in a hospital due to criminal negligence may challenge the case on the grounds that the Medical and Dental Practitioners Tribunal has not been given the opportunity to try the allegation of professional misconduct which informed the criminal prosecution.

If such preliminary objections are filed the trial courts may have no choice than to uphold them as they are bound to follow the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of theHonourable Justice Hyeldzira Ajiya Ngangiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra).

Finally, in view of the foregoing, it is indubitably clear that the judgment has far-reaching implications for the judiciary, the anti-graft agencies and other law enforcement agencies as well as the Buhari administration which has loudly proclaimed to be fighting a war against corruption and impunity in the country. It is therefore hoped that the EFCC will not hesitate to challenge the controversial judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

Falana, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria

16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

17

News18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Respect patient’s privacy, Consultant advises doctors Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏFormer

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Jos, and Consultant General (Surgeon) Prof.

Benjamin Ugwu, has implored his colleagues in the medical profession to respect the privacy and sanctity of their patients while treating them of their ailments.

Ugwu also urged doctors not to allow considerations such as age, creed, ethnicity,

nationality, political affiliation, social standing, religion or any other factor to intervene between their duty and their patients.

He stated this at the weekend while speaking on the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) held in Lamingo, Jos. Our Correspondent reports that Ugwa, as the guest lecturer spoke on the theme

“New Physicians’ Oath and its Role in Contemporary Medical practice.”

Referring to the new physicians’ pledge declaration of the World Medical Association (WMA) which was later christened “Universal Declaration of Geneva” in 1948, Ugwu admonished them to practice the profession with conscience and dignity in accordance with good medical practice which respect secrets which are confided in them even after their pa-

tients have died.

He traced the reason behind the physicians’ oath which he said was due to genocide and atrocities committed during the Second World War, charging them that whatever happened, they must give service to humanity and not compromise their calling because without the patients, there would be no medical doctors.

Ugwu admonished the young and old doctors to let their patients feel a sense of

Member House of Representative Kaltungo/ Shomgom Federal Constituency, Gombe, Hajiya Binta Bello (left), presenting certificate to one of the beneficiaries of Skill Acquisition and Empowerment in Kaltungo, Gombe State… at the weekend.

human dignity even after they have been discharged from the hospital.

While dealing with the patient, according to him, words of command should be avoided but words of encouragement and soft and harmless words should be used throughout, advising that doctors should not add unnecessary additional burden to the patients because they are already carrying a burden.

Ugwu emphasized the importance of communication skill for doctors in their dealing with the patients to make them fulfilled so that they feel comfortable to want to see the doctors next time.

In his welcome address, President of the ARD, Dr. Paul Agbo, observed that it is common to hear people say that doctors are not supposed to go on strike but rarely do you hear that doctors are not supposed to be owed.

“And you now have an anomalous situation where doctors are owed months of salary arrears but such doctors are expected to provide service quietly without complaints. It is a common place to see doctors who are being

owed several months of salaries and allowances being reminded of the “Hippocratic oath” when a patient owes for services rendered, claiming that the oath makes it unethical for a doctor to expect and recover payment,” Agbo contended.

The doctors’ early oath was called ‘Hippocratic oath’ in honour of the father of medicine, Hippocrates. “The oath basically dealt with confidentiality and nonmalfeasance. It has undergone several amendments notably by the World Medical Association in 1948 with its re-christening to Geneva Declaration.

“However, a more comprehensive review was undertaken in 2017 and a new physician pledge was produced to become effective in 2019. As desirable as these changes are, there must be a concerted effort to see that they are institutionalized.

“Those in a position of authority should ensure that they, as much as possible, begin to endorse the principles so enshrined otherwise the abuse will continue and the pledge would just remain a pledge,” he added.

Lagos launches Itesiwaju Eko Foundation

ÏÏÏThe

ECOWAS leaders keep mute on Morroco’s membership Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe 52nd Ordinary Ses-

sion of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and government came to an end on Saturday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital with no mention of the status of the request sent

by Morocco to join the region.

In a Statement released by ECOWAS Commission on the eve of the Head of government meeting, they said: “At the 51st Ordinary Session held in June 2017, in Monrovia, Liberia, the West African leaders agreed in principle to Morroco’s membership of the community, while requesting the Commission to consider the implications of such decision pursuant to the provision of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty and submit their findings to the 52nd session.

“To this end, a study of the impact of Morocco’s membership was carried out and the outcome due to be submitted to the Authority” the statement stated.

However, Daily Times observed that there was no mention of the issue of Morocco throughout the summit. It was also observed that prior to the opening Speech by the host President, Muhammadu Buhari, the Summit programme was altered and it commenced with a closed door session which lasted for four hours.

A source disclosed to Daily Times that the session was to allow the 15 ECOWAS member nations deliberate on the implications of Morocco joining the region.

According to the source, most of the Francophone countries supported the admission of Morocco while the Anglophone countries think otherwise.

It was learnt that because most of the francophone countries enjoy free import duties from France and other countries in Europe, they do not consider the entrance of Morocco as a major threat. They equally believe that the presence of Morocco will increase the trade relations between both continents.

However, the source also disclosed the Anglophone countries are of the opinion that the admission of Morocco will pose a major threat to the economy of the region as most of the Anglophone countries are industrial hubs in the region and major financier of ECOWAS. Although they are in the minority, the source said that they were able to get Portuguese speaking ECOWAS countries to their side and threatened to place economic blockade on the sub regional body if Morocco is admitted.

The source went further to state that Nigeria even threatened to quit from the sub-region if Morocco will be admitted.

The stakeholders in Nigeria are worried that should Morocco become a member of ECOWAS, it could have negative political and economic implications for Nigeria and warned against Nigeria exiting the body.

They also noted that Morocco and West Africa had no geographical closeness and that it would be a breach of the ECOWAS treaty to admit a nonregional country.

In their view, the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN), led by John Shinkanye, are of the view that the admission of Morocco will pose serious challenges for peace and security and will particularly affect the current regional efforts to fight and defeat terrorism adding that “it would be one of the most humiliating moments of our country’s foreign policy since Independence”.

In a presentation before the House of Representatives, they said that “Nigeria has spent $20 billion in the last 42 years of ECOWAS existence and observed that Morocco which became a member of Organization of Africa Union (OAU) in 1972 “ owed $2,185,158.77 and has still not paid these outstanding dues”.

Speaking in the same vein, the National Institute of International Affairs pointed out that there is no provision in ECOWAS treaty that allows Morocco to be admitted and stressed the need for alliance between member states to ensure that Morocco does not become a member.

Lagos state government has launched Itesiwaju Eko FoundationIsolo/Ejigbo Chapter, with the aim to further synchronise the rapidly unfolding democratic dividends in the state in line with the people’s needs.

Speaking during the event at the Skyworth Hall in Ejigbo, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, said the Foundation is not about peace and violence, but about the progress and prosperity of the people in the areas, about continuity of growth and advancement of humanity.

“It is a celebration of the fantastic leadership and vision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; it is about the unity among the leaders and people of Isolo and Ejigbo; it is about the reinforcement of the people’s positive opinion of Action People Congress; it is about keeping people informed and educated about democracy and civic responsibilities to choose right; it is about the re-election of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to continue his good works in the areas,” he said.

He added that the Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organisation, to implement its objectives and has been duly registered in the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Speaking further, he said the Foundation would key in to the lofty programme and projects of Governor Ambode’s administration in the areas to spread and amplify democratic gains, and that as from February, the Foundation would commence entrepreneurship training and other capacity development ventures.

“This is not only to empower people and increase economic growth at the local levels, but also to keep our teeming youths away from crime and other forms of lawlessness, as idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

According to him, with the Foundation, many of the youths in the areas would be gainfully employed.

He reiterated that Ambode’s administration is an inclusive one that wants everybody to be involved and would always support initiatives that emphasise Private Public Partnership, as government cannot do it all.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Ogun arrests 12 for illegal refuse dump ÏÏÏFor

defying several warnings by the Ogun State Government against indiscriminate dumping of refuse especially on road medians, 12 Sango/ Ota residents have been arrested by officials of the State Ministry of Environment.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye who was quoted by his Media Aide, Mr. Goke Gbadamosi, disclosed this during a monitoring exercise at Sango Ota area of the State, said the Ministry had com-

menced a-24hour surveillance across the State to end the menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on unauthorised places.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Coordinator, Environmental Sanitation Task Force (Team A), Mr. Owolabi Oduntan, said the surveillance led to the arrest of 12 residents in Sango-Ota, who would be made to face the full weight of the law to serve as deterrent to others.

He noted that some residents had penchant

for dumping waste on medians but maintained that the 24 hours surveillance would be a continuous exercise, saying the State government was displeased with the resurgence of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on median strips. ‘’Some of the residents are making the task of keeping our environment clean at all times difficult.

They have refused to heed the several warnings by the Ministry. We are working round the clock and if anyone is caught in the act will be sanctioned. We

hereby appeal to Local Government and Local Council Development Areas authorities to complement our efforts.”

Reacting, the arrested residents unanimously said that they were not aware of the ban on dumping of refuse on the road sides or medians, pleading that henceforth, they would not repeat the act if released, saying that they were believed that environmental sanitation officers would come with their waste compactor to clean the refuse.

Cross-section of inductees at the 2017 inauguration and induction ceremony of Lagos State Association of Marine Contractors, Petro-Gas Servicing Operators and Water Transporters (LASMARINES) in Lagos… at the weekend.

Politicians create poverty, harbour thugs to maintain power-Don Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏFrom A political sci-

entist and a lecturer with the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, ATAP Bauchi, Comrade Mohammed Ghani Dass has accused politicians of harbouring political thugs and artificially inducing poverty in the youth so as to maintain a firm grip of political office as well as recycling it within themselves and members of their families.

Comrade Mohammed while stating this at his office in an exclusive interview with Daily Times Correspondent in Bauchi, weekend said that the elites artificially created poverty for vulnerable youth so that they can have absolute control over them and the resources while dishing out little from what they

have siphoned from public treasury to the youth.

Dass said, “thuggery is an artificial architectural concept designed by greedy political demagogues on a very parochial youth that subscribed to the parochial political culture in the society.”

According to him, political thuggery implies an act that is antithetical to the dictum of democracy. He added that the trend has been prevalent in African countries because of the do or die syndrome due to efforts by some overzealous and selfish politicians to occupy public office which he said has a devastating effect on both human lives and the economy, he added that politicians do this by recruiting the youth that doesn’t have direction, doesn’t have participant political culture.

He said Nigeria is one of the countries that is peculiar with political thuggery within the African countries, saying “one of the cause of this is lack of proper voter education, if prospective voters that clock 18 years and above are fully enlightened of why they are citizens, of why they should vote, of why they participate actively in political activities, political thuggery would become a history”.

He proffered solution on how get thuggery from our political culture, Ghani said, “the youth should open their eyes, go back to the drawing board with a view to amending the way they think, they should shun money politics, think positive and not waste their time following politicians, they should make extra effort to be self reli-

ant. Government on its part should be able to create job opportunities for the youth instead of engaging them as thugs for the socio- economic development of our various societies”.

Comrade Ghani however commended the APC led government of reducing incidences of thuggery among the youth by not dishing out monies to them anyhow as it used to be in the past.

“When the APC government emerged some youth, some began complaining that they are suffering, not thinking deeply that somebody might have been the cause, and this government in trying to restructure, in trying to actually ameliorate the problems people must pay, must feel the pain.

Masses should stop being laziness which is the source undervelopment.”

19 News

2019: My Work will speak for me -Gov. Bindow Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Muhammadu Bindow in a Public Presentation of a book on performance based politics held at the Banquet Hall of the government house in Yola said that his work will speak for him come 2019.

The book which was authored by Dr Agoso Bamayyi , Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on strategy to the Governor has chronicled the performance of Bindow, rated him high in physical infrastructures, unravelling his silence achievements in his two years as a Governor of the state.

According to him transparency is part of his policy in delivering the mandate entrusted to him by the people of the state, he therefore stressed that the state government is to host AntiCorruption Summit.

Explaining that the summit will be one of its kind as President Muhammadu Buhari will be in attendance to witness the summit.

Jibrilla also called on the people of the state to build bridges of love and peace in supporting the present administration to consolidate on the existing development.

Bindow while calling on unity from all people, he disclosed that workers in the state will also receive

their December salary by Tuesday as part of policy of the present administration’s effort to reduce the plight of its citizens.

In a remark, Deputy Governor Martins Babale commended the writer of the book and described the governor as has laid the foundation for transformation of the state.

Secretary to the State Government, Doctor Umar Buba Bindir, said the initiative to write the book began about two years ago and expressed appreciation that it has seen the light of the day.

He said the book also appraise the performance of the present administration in the task of transforming the state.

Head of Service, Doctor Louis Mandama said Governor Jibrilla has performed very well and disclosed that light and water problem in the state Secretariat will be a thing of the past considering current changes in the state Secretariat.

Reviewing the book before presenting it to the public, Senator Jonathan Zwingina said the book is a fifty two page analysis of the present administration that captured developmental stride of the present administration.

He however told the writer to look at other critical areas in the review of the book.

Lagos Speaker to be installed as Bamofin of Ijesaland

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa will on Tuesday, December 19, be installed as the Bamofin ( Erudite Lawmaker) of Ijesaland

by His Royal Majesty, Oba ( Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in his palace.

Obasa’ s installation is one of the highlights

of this year’ s annual celebration of the Iwude festival by sons and daughters of Ijesaland home and abroad.

The ceremony kicked off on December 6 and will be rounded off on Saturday, December 23 with colourful activities in which the Speaker as the new Bamofin and the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will be Guests of Honour.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

x

GOODLUCK CANCER FOUNDATION

The above named Fundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1)EGBUFOR GODSPOWER CHIDIADI 2)OGECHI V. EGBUFOR 3) EZINWANNEAKOLAM CHIDIMMA 4)COMRADE CHIMA VITUS NJOKU 5) PRINCE GINIKA AKALAZU 6) GLORY EGBUFOR 7) AMAKA NWANJI 8) BOSE OKEREKE

- DIRECTOR FOUNDATION - D/DIRECTOR - SECRETARY - RO - MEDICAL DIRECTOR - TRESURER - DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNT - ADMIN OFFICER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To create awareness to the members of the public both old and young on the danger of this monstrous disease and the need for early dictation with regular check up. To render help to victims of this deadly scourge.

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

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Companies Registration 21 (Trustees)

GIDEONS FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CENTRE

The above named Organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST MARTINA SAMUEL DICKSON 2. PST ANTHONY Asuquo SAM 3. UBONG SAMUEL DICKSON 4. EMEM UDUAK EKPENYONG 5. PST PAUL PHILIP ATHANASIUS 6. ITOROBONG SAMUEL DICKSON

AMBASSADOR OLUYEMI ADENIJI FOUNDATION

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

x EMANCIPATION CENTRE FOR CRISIS VICTIMS IN NIGERIA

NAME OF TRUSTEES: (1) MRS MARGARET OLUBUNMI ADENIJI (2). DR. (MRS) BRIDGET OLUYEMISI ANDU. (3). MR VICTOR OLUSEGUN ADENIJI- (CHAIRMAN) (4). MR MICHAEL OLUFEMI ADENIJI- (SECRETARY)

TRUSTEES: 1, MAJOR (RTD) GABRIEL AD’OFIKWU, 2, APOSTLE CHRIS GYANG BATURE, 3, HON OCHEKPE SARAH RENG, 4, REV OYEBUKOLA SUNDAY OYEBÀNJI, 5, HON SAM GODONGS, 6, REV DR TITUS TIMOTHY KING, 7, EVANGELIST DAVID ISHAYA, 8, NIRI ISAAC DARONG ESQ, 9, DALYOP SOLOMON MWANTIRI ESQ

SIGNED: SECRETARY

GABRIEL ANYANWU I formerly known and addressed as KINGSLEY ANYANWU now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL ANYANWU. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

WAHAB BILIKISU ADEWUNMI

Formerly known as AYINDE BILIKISU ADEWUNMI now WAHAB BILIKISU ADEWUNMI . Former documents remains valid.

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JONATHAN CHIMERE UDUOGU

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GBOGBARA YORKURE FAKAE I, formerly known and addressed as, SILVANUS GBAGBARA FAKAE, now wish to be known and addressed as, GBOGBARA YORKURE FAKAE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, PRINCE PHILIP NNAOMA OKONKWO,PRINCE NNAOMA OKONWKO, PRINCE PHILIP OKONWKO and OKONKWO PRINCE PHILIP, refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SHONEKAN AMUDAT OMOWUNMI

I, formerly known and addressed as AJAPE AMUDAT OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as SHONEKAN AMUDAT OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that EZEIGWE KELECHI ECHEZONA and EZEIGWE KELECHI refers to be same and one person now wish to be known and addressed as EZEIGWE KELECHI ECHEZONA. My correct date of birth is 18th day of September, 1986. All former documents remain valid banks and general public take note.

ENIFENI KAFAYAT ARAMIDE

Formerly known as OJO KAFAYAT ARAMIDE Now ENIFENI KAFAYAT ARAMIDE . Former documents remains valid.

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HELLEN TAWAKALITU ALI

Formerly Eline Yawa Kabiawu now Hellen Tawakalitu Ali. Former documents remains valid.

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CHUKWUEBUKA VICTOR ONUMAJURU

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. FACILITATE ACCESS TO TREE LEGAL SERVICES BY VICTIMS OF HUMANITARIANS CRISIS THROUGH NETWORKING AND COLLABORATIONS WITH WILLING OR INTERESTED LAW FIRMS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that Ngwee Chikaodiri Eze and Ngwee Chika Eze refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as Ngwee Chika Eze in all transactions. All documents bearing Ngwee Chikaodiri Eze remain valid.

Fidelity bank, First bank, Ecobank and the general public should please take note.

OMOGBARA CLIFFORD JERRY

Formerly OMOGBARA CLIFFORD JEREMIAH now OMOGBARA CLIFFORD JERRY. Former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

UKPONO JOHNSON USEH This is to confirm that Ukpono Johnson Useh and Augustina Johnson Useh belong to one and same person. Now i wish to be known as Ukpono Johnson Useh.

All former documents remain valid.

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OKOLIE EJIKE HILLARY

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigri Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from date of these publication.

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FASHOLA OMOTOLA TEMITAYO

Formerly ADEYEMI OMOTOLA TEMITAYO NoW FASHOLA OMOTOLA TEMITAYO. Former documents remains valid.

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AGUOGWE ANOZIE MARTINS

Formerly MARTINS ANOZIE now AGUOGWE ANOZIE MARTINS. Former documents remains valid.

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FEBOKE TARELAYEFA EFFORT

ACHADU JOHN IKWUJE I, formely known and addressed as OGWUCHE JOHN now wish to be known and addressed as ACHADU JOHN IKWUJE. All former documents remains valid, general public please take note.

MRS AMADIFE CHINENYE EUPHEMIA

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UMAR JADA A. YUSUF

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AJIBOLA BUKOLA AJOKE

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UCHE CHUKWUMA

I, formerly known and addressed as, HITLER MONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as, UCHE CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid.

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MRS. DEBORAH AMOS EKPENYONG

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHUKWUEMEKA VICTOR UNUMAJURU, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHUKWUEBUKA VICTOR ONUMAJURU. My correct date of birth is, 16th August, 1990. All former documents remain valid.

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I, Formerly Known and Addressed As, EBIPADE TARE, now Wish to be Known and Addressed as, FEBOKE TARELAYEFA EFFORT. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Please Take Note.

OTITOJU CHRISTIANA YETUNDE

OLUMOROTI SAMUEL OLUSEGUN

OLUMOROTI OLUWABUKOLA AKOLADE

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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I, formerly known and addressed as SOLOMON CHRISTIANA , now wish to be known as OTITOJU CHRISTIANA YETUNDE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES This is to confirm that I, OYEYEMI LYDIA KIKELOMO is the same person answering OYEYEMI LYDIA MARIAM, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEYEMI LYDIA KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNMOROTI SAMUEL OLUSEGUN , now wish to be known as OLUMOROTI SAMUEL OLUSEGUN . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES This is to confirm that I, ADEBISI MODUPE FOLAKE is the same person answering ADEBISI MODUPE AYINKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBISI MODUPE FOLAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER

Signed: Secretary

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. AGBO EMMANUEL CHIEBONAM 2.DR. EZE IGNATIUS OKECHUKWU 3.UGWU ROMANUS CHUKWUEMEKA

SIGNED: Chairman

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO HELP ENTRENCH DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH ADVOCACY AND ROBUST POLICY FORMULATION. 2. TO HELP DESIGN CREABYTIVE AND SELF-REINFORCING INITIATIVES AND INTERVENTIONS TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY.

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

AIMS & OBJECTIVE 1. To promote the science, technology, of veterinary pharmaceutical manufactures association of Nigeria.

2. To promote unity among members.

3. To provide long-term mentoring and support for veterinary pharmaceutical manufactures association of Nigeria.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Signed Trustee

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VETERINARY PHARMACEUTICALS MANUFACTURES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA xxxx

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNMOROTI OLUWABUKOLA AKOLADE , now wish to be known as OLUMOROTI OLUWABUKOLA AKOLADE . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

My name was mistakenly written as CLEMENT FRANCIS instead of ADAH CLEMENT FRANCIS, now my correct name is ADAH CLEMENT FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Bassey Victor Charles, now wish to be known as Mrs. Deborah Amos Ekpenyong. All former documents remain valid.

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IYANUNISEOLUWA DAVID SANYA

Formerly OMOWUNMI SANYA EDAWOLE. now IYANUNISEOLUWA DAVID SANYA. Former documents remains valid . General public should take note.

MUSTAPHA QUADRI

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CHIOMA IMMACULATA VICTOR

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IKPONMWOSA ISAAC EHIBOR

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CHANGE OF NAME AND CONFIRMATION OF D.O.B

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FASEESIN YEMISI TITILAYO

I formerly known and addressed as ONI YEMISI TITILAYO now wish to be known and addressed as FASEESIN YEMISI TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

22

Change of Names

GODWIN CHINYERE JOY I formerly known and addressed as DONEGHY CHINYERE JOY now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN CHINYERE JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. EZEH STELLA OGOCHUKWU

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AMAKA LILIAN OKOLO Formerly known and addressed as AMAKA LILIAN NJOKU, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAKA LILIAN OKOLO. all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AIGBEDE OLAMIDE PAMILERIN

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MRS. OKEKE IFUNANYA VERA Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OKAFOR IFUNANYA VERA now wish to be known and address as MRS. OKEKE IFUNANYA VERA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESTHER EKAS EZE I, formerly known and addressed as Esther EssienSamuel now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Ekas Eze. All former documents remain valid.

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SANUSI ADIJAT BAMIDELE

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MADU FLORENCE NNEKA

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FELICIA LADI WALTON

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

ILESANMI OLABISI OLAJUMOKE Formerly known and addressed as KEHINDE OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as ILESANMI OLABISI OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid.

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OKETIKUN ELIZABETH IJEOMA I formerly known and addressed as OKEREKE IJEOMA ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as OKETIKUN ELIZABETH IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid.

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EBUNUZOME TOCHUKWU MARTINA

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EZERUIGBOAKA JECINTA OGOCHUKWU

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ODUFALE EMMANUEL OLUBUNMI

Formerly known and addressed as FALE EMMANUEL OLUBUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ODUFALE EMMANUEL OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UGBEYE ADEOLA

CHUKWU IFEOMA FAITH

I formerly known and addressed as UGBEYE MARY ADEOLA now wish to be known and addressed as UGBEYE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONYECHERE FAITH IFEOMA now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU IFEOMA FAITH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

KAREEM KAZEEM SHINA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as BOMODEOKU KAZEEM now wish to be known called and addressed as KAREEM KAZEEM SHINA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to confirm that ASOGWA REGINALD ALBERT is the same person as ASOGWA REGINALD IKENNA now wish to be known and address as ASOGWA REGINALD IKECHUKWU all former documents remain valid general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OYEDO OMOGIADE EGHOSA, Now wish to be known and addressed as OYEDO OMOGIADE EGHOSA. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note.

MRS. ADISA SARAH AMUKAHARA

SARUMI RAMOTA OLUWATOYIN

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SAROMI RAMOTA OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as SARUMI RAMOTA OLUWATOYIN. all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHUKWUMA UCHECHI OLIVIA

Formerly Miss Anozie Serah Amukahara now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs. Adisa Sarah Amukahara. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ATASIEOBI JONAH OKORO, now wish to be known and addressed as ATASIE JONAH OKORO. all former documents remain valid, Union bank of Nigeria, general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AMUKAMARA UCHECHI OLIVIA, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUMA UCHECHI OLIVIA. all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. GLORIA GUBEMI AKHERE

JULIANA INI IBE

MRS. MAKINDE SAIDAT OMOTAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as GLORIA GUBEMI TONWE, now whish to be known and addressed as MRS. GLORIA GUBEMI AKHERE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JULIANA HELEN MOFFAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as JULIANA INI IBE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OWODUNNI SAIDAT OMOTAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MAKINDE SAIDAT OMOTAYO. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

AONDOSOOTER STEVEN

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

CORRECTION OF NAME

MRS. SANUSI TOLULOPE ADEDAYO

MRS. MENSAH OLUWAYEMISI RACHAEL

That my name was mistakenly written as ALLISON PRECIOUS on BVN instead of ALLISON UGOCHI PRECIOUS. That my surname is ALLISON; my first name is UGOCHI and my middle name is PRECIOUS. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. OGUNYEMI TOLULOPE ADEDAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. SANUSI TOLULOPE ADEDAYO due to change in my marital status. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWAYEMISI RACHAEL AKEREJOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MENSAH OLUWAYEMISI RACHAEL. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MOMOH JOHN SUPPREMOZ I, formerly known and addressed as MOMOH SEGIRU JOHN, Now wish to be known and addressed as MOMOH JOHN SUPPREMOZ. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note.

OLORUNMOLA ABOSEDE I, formerly known and addressed as IBITOYE ABOSEDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLORUNMOLA ABOSEDE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

LAWAL-OLATUNJI OLUWATOYIN

OYEDO OMOGIADE EGHOSA

That on my Bank Account, my name was written as UMOETTE UDOUDO SUSAN, also on my BVN, it was written as UMOETTE SUSAN UDOUDO instead of UMOETTE SUSAN UDOH. That also on my Bank Account, my date of birth was wrongly written as 24th day of April, 1990 also on my BVN, it was wrongly written as 27th day of April, 1992 instead of 27th day of April, 1994. That my correct name and date of birth are UMOETTE SUSAN UDOH and 27th day of April; 1994 respectively. General public take note.

MRS. LAWAL RAMAT OLUWAKEMI

I formerly known as and called OLASUNKANMI-DOUGLAS OLUWATOYIN and LAWALOLATUNJI OLUWATOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL-OLATUNJI OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid, all relevant authorities, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OWOTUGA RAMAT OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. LAWAL RAMAT OLUWAKEMI. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OJO ADEYEMO TAWAKALITU ADEBUSOLA

OSAROKUTAMWEN DANIEL AYOBAMI

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMO TAWAKALITU ADEBUSOLA, Now wish to be known and addressed as OJO ADEYEMO TAWAKALITU ADEBUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKORO ANDREW IDUSOGIE, now wish to be known and addressed as OSAROKUTAMWEN DANIEL AYOBAMI. All former documents bearing my name remain valid. General public please take note.

IFUNANYA NDI IGBO ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. OKAFOR OSONDU MAXWELL 2. EZEAGU A. KINGSLY 3. NZERE FRANCIS EMEKA 4. PAUL OKEY 5. OBI FERDINARD IKEMEFUNA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote social-cultural integration of members 2. To encourage members to imbibe the virtue of hard work, selfless service to humanity.

3. To promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among members.

4. To uphold, promote moral and ethical values among Nigerians.

Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar- General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED BARR. KINGSLEY UGOAGHA

I, formerly known and addressed as SOLOMON STEPHEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AONDOSOOTER STEVEN. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

x INTEGRATED LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT CENTRE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AKINTEYE SIMON ADEMOLA - CHAIRMAN, 2. AKINTEYE ADENIKE OLUBUNMI - SECRETARY 3. ADELAE FOLASHADE - TREASURER AIM & OBJECTIVES: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN SOCIETY. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD. Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar- General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: CHAIRMAM

OYENMWEN AVRE

I, formerly known and addressed as ADAORA NNEKA NWOKEDI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADAORA NNEKA NNODIM. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OYENMWEN ORDIA, Now wish to be known and addressed as OYENMWEN AVRE. Due to marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public/ authorities concerned should take note.

SALAWU TAIWO GANIYU I, formerly known and addressed as TAIWO SALAWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SALAWU TAIWO GANIYU. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

FESOWAPO AKOREDE OLUYOLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION APADI This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Names of Trustees 1. Awal Lukuman Abisodun -Chairman 2.Oladeji OlufunmisoDavid-Vice Chairman 3.Adesuyi Grace Opeyemi - Secretary 4. Oyedokun Sunday Muyiwa -Treasurer 5. Adeniran Sikiru 6. Bello Kamildeen 7. Afolabi Akeem Adeniyi 8. Adepegba Wahidi 9. Waidi Tajudeen Adekunle 10. Olatunji Kazeem Aims and Objectives 1. To bring all the people in Akorede, Oluyole Apadi community under one Umbrella and one accord for the development of the community 2. To promote unity, Love and peace among its members and Community Any Objection to this Registration should be forwarded to Registrar -General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed: Trustee

CATHOLIC SOLUTION CHURCH

TRUSTEES ARE 1.VEN.EZEUDE ERNEST CHUKWUMA 2.UMENZEKWE MODESTUS OKECHUKWU 3.CHUKWULOBELU NDUBUISI SAMSON

MRS. ADAORA NNEKA NNODIM

BILLE DAUGHTERS ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1.PRECIOUS WOKO JENNIFER 2.MARGARETE OMUALABO KEJEH SECRETARY

PRESIDENT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO ENCOURAGE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT THE LESS PRIVILEGE. Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar- General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: PRESIDENT.

23

Companies registration Trustees

FRESH ADAM’S GLOBAL MINISTRY

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

ANIKE BRIKFIELD FOUNDATION

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

TRUSTEES 1. ONABE EDWARD ODU 2. AKINPELUMI , REGINA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD. 2. TO PROVIDE WELFARE ASSISTANCE TO IT’S MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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

TRUSTEES ARE 1. MRS. OGUNYEMI OPEYEMI BARBARA--- CHAIRMAN 2. MR. OGUNYEMI OLUSEGUN KAYODE. 3. OLOPADE ADUKE. 4. OSEME UCHE MICHAEL ---SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO EMPOWER AND BLESS THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND GIVE HOPE TO THE NEEDY, RAISING TORCH BEARERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2. TO ORGANIZE OUTREACHES, CRUSADES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND REVIVAL SERVICES TO ORPHANS, WIDOWS, AND WIDOWERS, RESTIVE YOUTHS AND FAMILIES IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

ISHIAGU CAREGIVERS NETWORK OF NIGERIA

TRINITY WORD EVANGELICAL GLORIOUS MISSION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AJAH EDWIN OBINNA 2. AJAMAZI JOSIAH NNANNA 3. CHUKWU BRIDGET NNENNA AIMS/ OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO EMPOWER THE UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS, REDUCE POVERTY AND ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTHS TO START COTTAGE INDUSTRIES AS A WAY OF REDUCING CRIMES IN THE SOCIETY. 3. TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO INDIGENT STUDENTS AS A WAY OF REDUCING INEQUALITIES. 4. TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY IN PROVIDING FREE HEALTH CARE INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH INSTITUTIONS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ABOVE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198 MAITAMA DISTRICT , ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. CHUKWU KELECHI J. PRESIDENT & FOUNDER 2. KELECHI HANNAH CHIDINMA - CO - FOUNDER 3. CHUKWU FRIDAY XTOPHER - SECRETARY 4. ASIKA OGECHI BLESSING - TREASURER 5. JOHNSON UDECHUKWU OGONNA - MEMBER 6. NDUBUISI FLORENCE - MEMBER AIMS OF OBJECTIVES: 1. SOUL WINNING 2. RESTORING AND DEVELOPMENT OF OF SPIRITUAL GIFT 3. DELIVERANCE AND COUNSELLING OUTREACHES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

NEW WINE BIBLE MINISTRY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR CELESTINE OKECHUKWU UZOCHUKWU 2. PROPHETESS BERNADETTE AHURUCHU UZOCHUKWU 3. DECLAN CHUKWUDUBEM OKPALEKE 4. GEORGE AZUKA UZOCHUKWU 5. ALEXANDRA CHINONYE NWOKEDI 6. LUCY CHIAMAKA OKWUMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2. TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 3. TO BRING THE LOST TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY: CHUKS NNALUGHA ESQ .CHUKS NNALUGHA & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES (NOTARY PUBLIC ) 135 OGUNLANA DRIVE, SURULERE- LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

VOICE OF GOD CHURCH OF TRANSFORMATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OYELEKE OMOJOLAOLUWA JULIUS - PRESIDENT 2. OYELEKE MICHAEL AKINKUNMI - SECRETARY 3. JOSIAH BERNARD - PASTOR 4. OYELEKE STELLA RONKE - EVANGELIST 5. BOSE GOROME - DEACONESS 6. ROSELINE KOSIN - DEACONESS AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

CARE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED AFRICAN YOUTHS INITIATIVE

GOATBANKING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION AS AN INCORPORATED TRUSTEE UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, CAP. C-20, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1). UCHENDU PEACE OHAKA - PRESIDENT 2) UCHENDU ROSE ALERUCHI - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES I). TO CARE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED BY ASSISTING THEM FINANCIALLY II). BY PRAYING AND COUNSELING THEM TO BE GOOD CITIZENS AND SHUN VICES III). BY ASSISTING THEM GET JOBS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PRESIDENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. DR. LAWRENCE OLANREWAJU ESAN 2. MR. OWOLABI EBENIZER OLUKAYODE 3. MR. MUSA ARUNA 4. MR. OLANIYI FATAI ARIYO 5. MR. OWOLABI AKINDOYE AYOBAMI 6. MR.. GBADAMOSI RAPHAEL AKINJIDE 7. TOLUWALASE OLABAMIDELE OWOLABI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. CO-OPERAIVE FARMING 2. HUNGER AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION 3. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 4. MICRO-ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT 5. APPROPRIATE INDIGENOUS FARM TECHNOLOGY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET; PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

ALENCARE FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHRISTIAN LIFE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALENOGHENA JOY ATAIKPO - CHAIRMAN 2. DR. ALENOGHENA INNOCENT OSI (SECRETARY) 3. ALENOGHENA RAYMOND OSI 4. DR. CELESTINE EKENE OKOLI. 5. LAZARUS ADOROLO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND RESEARCH IN COMMUNITIES THROUGH ADVOCACY AND MEDIA PROGAMMES AND PROJECTS. 2. TO ORGANISE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY HEALTH. 3. TO ESTABLISH A CENTRE FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND RESEARCH FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: OKUNGBOWA O. GOLDEN ESQ. 08038490387

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REMOVING RE-APPOINTING AND NEWLY APPOINTING OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999 THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE 1. JOSEPH OCHEHO - REMOVED 2. LEVI ADEGBE - REMOVED 3. SAMUEL EKELE - REMOVED 4. EMMANUEL OKPE REMOVED 5. DAVID OYIBO - RETAINED 6. PETER OKOH - RETAINED THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. BENJAMIN ENOGELA ONOJA - NEWLY APPOINTED 2. PST. DR. ISAAC AKPA - NEWLY APPOINTED 3. ELDER BENJAMIN SHUAIBU IKAGU - NEWLY APPOINTED 4. EVANG. SALOME OCHEHO - NEWLY APPOINTED 5. PST. GODWIN ANYANG - NEWLY APPOINTED THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

LIFE BEYOND LIMIT INITIATIVE

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

TRUSTEES ARE 1. CHIKAT EMMANUEL ISHAYA LEKSHAK. 2. ESTHER EDET AKPAN. 3. SUZIE JACOB ADAMU 4. ELSIE OVHE OGHENEKARO 5. HENRY IFEANYI OLEWUNNE 6. JOSHUA AIGBONA OGHORIALU 7. AKANINYENE JOSEPH EFFIONG 8. MOLSAT SYDNY EMMANUEL 9. CHRISTIAN OKOH. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE FIRST CLASS BUSINESS BUILDING SUPPORT TO MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. 2. TO EQUIP MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH ULTIMATE SUCCESS BLUEPRINT. 3. TO PROVIDE COACHING AND MENTORING PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ROSE AND OAK SOLICITORS SUITE C14 KENUJ 02 MALL, BY SUMMIT BIBLE CHURCH, KAURA DISTRICT- ABUJA. 08033074202.

x

GLORIOUS CHRISTIAN FAITH REVIVAL ASSEMBLY

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

TRUSTEES: 1. ONYEIKE CLETUS ONYEIKE - CHAIRMAN 2. ONYEIKE CHARITY CHINYERE - SECRETARY 3. OKOROAFOR OGBONNAYA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD. 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 3. TO KEEP ALL CHRISTIAN UNDER ONE UMBRELLA WITH LOVE OF CHRIST. 4. TO ENGAGE IN CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

AN-NAJAT DAREN ISLAMIC SOCIETY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) EYITAYO OLASUNKANMI TAJUDEEN (2) ISMAIL BOLAJI QOSIM (3) ABAYOMI SAHEED OLAREWAJU (4) SULAIMON AJANAKU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1) TO PREACH THE WORD OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH TO THE WORLD 2) TO CONDUCT ISLAMIC SEMINARS AND AFFIRM UNITY AMONG MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY: EYITAYO OLASUNKANMI TAJUDEEN (CHAIRMAN)

x

NAOMI WINTERS PRIESTHOOD MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABAYE COMFORT CHUKWUYEN. 2. MBANG FIDELIS. 3. ABAYE PATRICIA ORIE. AIM AND OBJECTION: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, P.M.B. 198.GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY. x AL HABUL FIRDAOUS SOCIETY OF NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999 TRUSTEES 1. MR KAMILU KAREEM CHAIRMAN 2. MR SHINA AKEEM OYEWALE SECRETARY 3. MR BASHEER OLADUNI 4. MRS FUNMILAYO OLANIRAN. AIMS 1. TO PROPAGATE ISLAM 2. TO SERVE HUMANITY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED IBRAHIM SALAWU ESQ

24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

SOLUOKU TAOFEEQ KOLAWOLE

ALIKA GIFT DESMOND

I formerly known and addressed as TAOFEEQ KOLAWOLE MUSTAPHA now wish to be known and addressed as SOLUOKU TAOFEEQ KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ALIKA GIFT JUNIOR now wish to be known and addressed as ALIKA GIFT DESMOND. I was born on 01/02/1994 not 02/02/1994.

All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNDOLA BUKOLA BOLAJI now wish to be known and addressed as SHOYOYE BUKOLA BOLAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS. BOLAJOKO YETUNDE OYEROGBA

OLAPADE ABDULLAHI ABAYOMI

MOROUNFOLU OLUSEYI OLASEBIKAN AGBOLA

I formerly known and Addressed as Miss Bolajoko Yetunde SHOYOYE,now wished to be known and Addressed as Mrs. Bolajoko Yetunde OYEROGBA. All former documents remain valid,General public note

I formerly known as OLAPADE ABRAHAM ABAYOMI wish to be known and addressed as OLAPADE ABDULLAHI ABAYOMI. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

SHOYOYE BUKOLA BOLAJI

AKINOLA-GEORGE RHODA TITILAYO OLUWASOMIDOTUN FADEKEMI

MRS UDEH CHIAMAKA OGECHUKWU

I formerly known and addressed as ADESHINA ABEBI FOLASHADE,now wish to be known and addressed as ADESHINA SALIMOTU FOLASHADE, All former documents remain valid and general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Kareem Titilayo Oluwasomidotun Faderera,now wish to be known and addressed as AKINOLA-GEORGE RHODA TITILAYO OLUWASOMIDOTUN FADEKEMI. All former documents remain valid and general public please take note

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoagbala Chiamaka Ogechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Udeh Chiamaka Ogechukwu. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa UBA, other banks and Educational institutions should please take note.

EMETU COMFORT I, formerly known and addressed as NWANERI COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as EMETU COMFORT. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

JOSEPH UTITOFON MOSES

MRS OKORO GRACE CHINASAOKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as CHINAKA JOSEPH MOSES, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH UTITOFON MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKECHUKWU GRACE CHINASAOKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKORO GRACE CHINASAOKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADESHINA SALIMOTU FOLASHADE

MARY CHIZOMAN OKOYE

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MARY CHIZOMAN CHIMA NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS MARY CHIZOMAN OKOYE ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

AGADA DAVID NAS

SAMUEL ALLAHASSAN ONOJA I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SAMUEL ONOJA ALHASSAN NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS SAMUEL ALLAHASSAN ONOJA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known as DAVIDSON UZOUKWU ONYEMAECHI wish to be known and addressed as ENWEREM ADINDU MALACHY. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

SODIMU AYINLA WAHEED Formerly known and addressed as OLONADE AYINLA WAHEED now wish to be known and addressed as SODIMU AYINLA WAHEED, all former documents remain valid,General public note

NWOKA MIRIAN CHRISTIAN I, formerly known, called and addressed as NWOKA MIRIAN UMAWUDHOME. Now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKA MIRIAN CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid .ACCESS BANK and the General public should please take note.

CHIJI IHUOMA CHINENYE

MRS EMENYEONU IJEOMA LILIAN

MRS. EKWO NGOZICHUKWU CHOSEN I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS EKWO APOLONIA ONYENWEE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. EKWO NGOZICHUKWU CHOSEN. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, AUTHORITIES CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known as CHIJI IFEOMA CHINENYE now wish to be known as CHIJI IHUOMA CHINENYE .former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public take note ANDREW MONDAYLINUS

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NJOKU IJEOMA LILIAN NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS MRS EMENYEONU IJEOMA LILIAN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

VICTOR AYUBA

I formerly known and addressed as NWEKE MONDAY LINUS now wish to be known and addressed as ANDREW MONDAYLINUS. All former documents remain valid.

Eco Bank and General public should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS VICTOR SALIHU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS VICTOR AYUBA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID, ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. RAIMI CATHERINE OLA

SEKIBO CHARLES NEWTON

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSE AS OGUNSUA CATHARINE OLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. RAIMI CATHERINE OLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHARLES NEWTON BARA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SEKIBO CHARLES NEWTON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

ADMISSION INTO POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1.Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

CORRECTION OF NAME

I wish to inform the general public that the correct order of my name is RAMSEY OYAKEMEAGBEGHA NUWARE and not OYAKEMEAGBEGHA NUWARE. Banks and general public should take note.

ENWEREM ADINDU MALACHY

P.M.B 1010, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

SMART AKUDO I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AMALAHA EUGENIA AKUDO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS MBAZIGWE SMART AKUDO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as TASIU ZAKARIYAU BALA instead of BALA TASU ZAKARIYA. I was born on 01/02/1982 not 07/03/1978. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AGADA DAVID ABU now wish to be known and addressed as AGADA DAVID NAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY NDUFU-ALIKE IKWO

I formerly known as Morounfolu Oluseyi Olasebikan wish to be known and addressed as Morounfolu Oluseyi Olasebikan Agbola. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

2.Masters’ Degree (M.Sc.)

3.Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D)

METHOD OF APPLICATION

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORMS

The Secretary

EDET CHRISTIANA ETIM

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ETIM CHRISTIANA NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS EDET CHRISTIANA ETIM ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Note:

CLOSING DATE

THIS ADVERT SPACE IS FOR SALE

Signed: Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs) Registrar

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

25

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Fashola pays emotional tribute to Calestous Juma Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe minister of works,

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Dave Omokaro Foundation, Dr. Dave Omokaro and former Executive Secretary, National University Commission, Prof. Julius Okogie, during the unveiling the new logo of the Dave Omokaro Africa Institute on Ageing/inauguration of the Governing Board in Abuja… at the weekend.

power and housing, Babatunde Fashola has paid an emotional tribute to the internationally renowned authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development, Calestous Juma.

The Kenyan was snatched away by death in the United States on Friday after an illness.

Fashola in his tribute recalled how the Harvard professor counselled him on the outbreak of Ebola in 2014 when he was governor of Lagos state.

Juma was professor of the practice of international de-

Gunmen hold kidnap victim despite payment of N5.3m ransom Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏA Port Harcourt-based

business woman, Mrs. Tina Bobmanuel, who resides in Woji area of the Rivers State capital, is still being held by unknown gunmen who abducted her, even after her family had paid a ransom of N5.3million.

One of Bobmanuel’s employee, who had volunteered to hand over part of the money demanded by the kidnappers at a specified location, was also abducted and detained by the hoodlums.

Mrs. Bobmanuel, 58 was kidnapped at her shop in Nvuigwe, Woji, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday, November 22.

A son of the victim, Charles Felix, who disclosed this to our reporter in Port Harcourt Sunday, said the gunmen had contacted the family four days after the incident and de-

manded for N100million.

Felix explained that four men, including two wearing police uniforms and armed with AK-47 rifles, while the two others in plain cloth stormed his mother’s shop in a White Honda Pilot vehicle about 1:30pm on the fateful day.

He said Mrs. Bobmanuel’s husband (his step father) is the Managing Director of an unnamed Oil Servicing Company based in Port Harcourt.

Felix further said that eye witnesses told him that one of the criminals, posing as a policeman had walked up to Mrs. Bobmanuel, and told her she was under arrest, even as she expressed surprise at the development.

Sensing danger, he stated that a security man attached to the shopping mall accosted the hoodlums and demanded the name of the police station the business woman was being taken to, but was given the beating of his life, even as the

second armed man shouted at their victim, ‘Where is the big money’? ‘Where is the big money’?

But after Mrs. Bobmanuel retorted, ‘there is no money’, the gunman ransacked her shop and reportedly carted away some merchandise, including bags, wrappers, phones and two decoders.

‘One of the gunmen hit the security man on his head, raining insults on him. People shouted but he (the criminal) did not stop. The security man fell to the ground. He (the gunman) collected wrappers, handbags, phones and searchlight decoders’, the eye witness explained.

Without firing a single shot, the fake policemen grabbed the business woman and her aged mother who usually comes to the shop to assist her daughter, but seeing that the latter looked frail, they let go of her before forcing Mrs. Bobmanuel into the waiting vehicle and whisked her off

to an unknown destination.

According to Felix, ‘they (the criminals) contacted us (family) four days after and demanded for N100 million.

We told them we don’t have that kind of money. Few days later they reduced it to N50 million.

“Few days later, they called and said they have reduced it to N15 million,, urging us to be quick before they change their mind. Now they have also kidnapped my father’s staff who went to pay the ransom,” he said.

He added, on December 1, 2017, my father’s staff was sent to give them (the kidnappers) one million Naira and additional one thousand dollars.

“When they called again on December 14 and insisted on the N15million, we pleaded that there is no money and that we could only raise additional N4million. They agreed to collect it and my father sent his staff, one Mr. Samuel, the

same person that delivered that first amount. “ So, they told us where to drop the money. But when Samuel went, they collected the N4 million. Since then we have not heard from him.

His two phones have been switched off,” saying; “We believed they have also kidnapped him.

He pleaded with the kidnappers to release her unhurt, as the entire family is worried about Mrs. Bobmanuel’s state of health.

Mr. Felix further said that Mr. Samuel’s wife and relatives had reported that her husband was missing to the company, even as he said the incident had been reported to the Woji Estate Police Station as well as the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police in Woji, both in Obio/Akpor local government area.

Officers at the different police units told our correspondent that they were investigating the incidents.

Insubordination: Lagos Assembly may sanction LBIC boss Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏThe Lagos State House

of Assembly has again frowned at the alleged act of insubordination by the Managing Director of the Lagos State Building Investment Company LBIC, Mrs Folashade Folivi.

Reacting to the LIBC insubordination, the Chairman of an ad hoc Committee set up to look into the petition against the company over its excesses in carrying out demolition of structures at government owned estates across the State, Hon. Olan-

rewaju Layode threatened to evoke section 129 of the Nigerian Constitution which empowers the legislature to subpoena anyone who disregards orders.

Layode made this threat following the refusal of the LBIC boss to appear before the committee investigating various petitions trailing the demolition of structures across Low Cost Housing Estates in the state.

Quoting section 128 of the Nigerian Constitution, the lawmaker explained that the country grand laws empowered the House to investigate any matter that affects any

individual or group.

Layode disclosed that Mrs. Folivi had earlier failed to show up when the committee carried out on the spot assessment of complaints raised in various petitions before the House at which the House consequently, constituted an ad hoc committee with a mandate to investigate the demolition of some structures in the estates across the state by LBIC. “This is the second time the LBIC boss has failed to show up, I hope she would not do that again. She has issues and she did not show up for the meeting we called,

this is so bad.

We can invoke our authority on her or order her arrest if she does not show up, but I pray it does not get to that.

She still has a duty to obey us because we appropriate money for the agency.

We allocated N2 Billion to the agency this year alone from tax payers’ money. Even in the last budget reordering, we allocated money to her agency. We know what to do at the right time,’’ Layode said.

He stressed that other stakeholders from the Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Devel-

opment, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Lagos State Mortgage Board were at the meeting.

The lawmaker explained that the meeting was organised to allow LBIC come up with its own side of the story and to resolve some issues where the committee has found out conflicting allegations in its investigation.

Also speaking, another member of the committee, Hon. Abiodun Tobun who also frowned at the absence of the LBIC boss said the essence of governance is people, which the House represented.

velopment and faculty chair of the innovation for economic development executive program at Harvard Kennedy School.

He was elected to the Royal Society of London, the US National Academy of Sciences, Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Fashola’s tribute reads: Juma and Fashola at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, during a lecture in 2010.

Now I accept. Calestous Juma is human.

The human species will birth, wither and die, what never dies is the good, the impact and happiness they spread.

It is hard to now speak of him in the past. Sadly this is the new normal about Calestous.

A man who personified so much goodness, who impacted lives in profoundly beneficial ways that will be our burden to recount and a man for whom sharing and spreading happiness through development was an all consuming passion.

From the time I met him in 2010, he gave so much of himself to me, the Government of Lagos State while I served and to Nigerians.

He was a true African Patriot. If he came across any datum, book information that he thought would be useful, Calestous made it his responsibility to get it to me.

I would open my mail from time to time and find that “ Santa” Calestous had visited and dropped gifts of development.

He advised me when we confronted the Ebola virus.

The Establishment of the Lagos Innovation Advisory Council was informed by his Idea.

His thoughts on Agriculture and Farming were most helpful in shaping our State Agro policy.

If I did not call Calestous never bore a grudge.

In all that he achieved he thought less of himself and more about what he could do to support others.

He was a profound thinker whose mind could pierce through layers of perspectives that many assumed did not exist.

He was a great man in life and I predict that in death he will assume even monumental greatness as many people from different walks of life embark on what I predict will be a journey to understand what we have all now lost.

Goodnight brother, goodnight friend, goodnight counsellor and goodnight citizen of the world.

Goodnight Calestous Juma.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

News 27

LASTMA sacks 20, arrests 5 over extortion

ÏÏÏThe Lagos State Traf-

fic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested five of its traffic officials for extorting motorists last week at various parts of the State.

The traffic officials are Bamidele Sheu, a level seven traffic officer aged 48 and resident of 68, Oke Popo Street, Lagos Island; Ope Adisa, aged 32 and level 5 traffic officer of 8, Freeman Street, Lagos Island and Babatunde Aluko 37 years old traffic officer level 4 of 15, Oriwu street, Ikorodu.

The trio was arrested following a complaint to the Agency by one Akinmolayan Babatunde, a clearing agent for illegal apprehension of his container truck with number AA 553 NGW at Marina area of the Lagos Island and subsequent demand for eighty thousand naira bribe by the traffic officers before the vehicle could be released.

According to Akinmolayan, he was accompanying the container truck on Monday morning to deliver goods at Walter Carrington Street at Victoria Island, when the truck was forced to stop at Ma-

rina close to the State House by the three LASTMA officials in uniform working with some other men in mufti for driving the vehicle at unauthorised hours.

Akinmolayan said all pleas to allow the truck to go in order to meet up with delivery time fell on deaf ears as the traffic officials and these men in mufti engaged him in fisticuffs, and the vehicle was eventually taken to Olowu removal yard of the Agency on the Island, where they demanded for the sum of N80, 000 before its release.

It took the intervention of the zonal head and after parting with N7, 000 to some men in mufti that the vehicle was eventually released and allowed to go.

In the same vein, the duo of Jimo Olaosebikan and Emmanuel Padonu were arrested during the week by surveillance unit and provost officials of the Agency at Okokomaiko and Mile 12 areas of the state respectively.

While Olaosebikan was arrested by men of LASTMA surveillance team unit at Oko-

komaiko along Lagos- Badagry expressway for illegally collecting a sum of N20,000 from a female motorist whom he alleged to have made an illegal u-turn at Okokomaiko.

According to the motorist, “all explanations that other vehicles have been turning there before failed to convince him and efforts to see his superior officers in their office were frustrated by him, only for him to collect the sum of N20,000 from me before their surveillance team emerged from nowhere to arrest him.”

Padonu, on his part, was picked up by Provost officials for using men in mufti to collect money from commercial drivers at Mile 12 area of Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State on Wednesday morning.

The arrest was as a result of tip off from members of the public who informed the Agency that some traffic officials were conniving with men in mufti to arrest and collect money from commercial drivers in the area.

Speaking on the arrested officials, General Manager of

LASTMA, Mr. Olawale Musa expressed dismay at the activities of unscrupulous elements within the Agency and assured that with the assistance of members of the public they will be eased off from the Agency to protect the good name of the hard working officers who work assiduously to ensure free flow of traffic in the State.

Musa expressed his appreciation to members of the public for alerting the Agency to the unscrupulous activities of these officials, just as he advised motorists to always report any LASTMA official found wanting on duty.

According to him, “LASTMA operates a cashless policy and motorists should not give money to any LASTMA official under any circumstance.

Furthermore, LASTMA officials on duty are always in uniforms with names conspicuously displayed on the breast pockets and motorists should disregard anybody not in uniform claiming to be Agency officials.

He said such person in mufti should be reported to LAST-

L-R: Member, Imo State House of Assembly, Kennedy Ibeh; Imo State Commissioner for Youth Development, Ifeanyi Onwueyiagba and others, during the presentation of motorcyclist to one of beneficiaries, Chinedu Opara at the 2nd Phase of the Empowerment Programme by Ibeh in Imo State… at the weekend.

MA or nearest law enforcement Agency, adding that any motorist dealing with the state traffic official should feel free to demand for his identity and name.

Musa urged motorists and members of the public to take advantage of the open door policy of the Agency to make complaints against any erring officer, and as such complains would not only be treated with dispatch, but also make sure justice is done.

The LASTMA boss therefore urged motorists to exhaust all avenues available to seek redress before approaching media, as any officer found wanting on duty would

be dealt with according to the service rules and regulation.

“I want to assure motorists that we have put everything in place to ensure free flow of traffic during the yuletide period and I want to implore motorists to imbibe the culture of voluntary compliance with traffic officials directives, obey road signs and laws so that we can have seamless traffic during this yuletide period,” Musa said.

It would be recalled that over 20 officials of the Agency have been dismissed this year for various act of misconduct that were considered to be inimical to the service of the state and Agency.

‘Taraba cultural carnival will foster unity’ Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

ÏÏÏTaraba

Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu has said, the Taraba cultural carnival will boost the state economy, promote peace and foster unity amongst the different cultural and ethnic groups in the state.

Manu stated this yesterday in Jalingo while declaring open the maiden Taraba Cultural Carnival organised by the wife of the State Governor and Founder of Hope Afresh Foundation, Mrs. Anna Darius Ishaku.

While commending the initiative and the bold step of the wife of the Governor, Manu said the carnival will open the state to the world especially tourists who will come into the state for tourism and investment.

“I want to commend the wife of the governor for this bold initiative. This initiative may be new to many in the state, but it’s a commendable one because it will show the outside world our rich cultural heritage and equally open door for investment,” he said.

In her remarks, wife of the governor and the organiser of the carnival, Mrs. Anna

Ishaku said the carnival was aimed at promoting the cultural diversity of the people of the state.

“This carnival will also create opportunity for the people to showcase the abundant mineral resources of the state and also serve as a window for investment opportunities.

“It will also create opportunity for those who have been empowered through various skills training of Hope Afresh Foundation to showcase their products and also network with others for the success of their businesses,” she said.

In a goodwill message, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Iliyasu Mohammed lauded the initiative of the wife of the governor, saying the carnival would benefit the state in so many areas.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Comrade Aliyu Umar, the commissioner said the ministry will explore the critical productive resources of the over 70 ethnic groups in the state and would use their rich cultural heritage to improve on the state economy.

Lawmaker advocates collective fight against drug abuse Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏThe Chief Whip of Bay-

elsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Tonye Isenah has advocated collaborative effort against drug abuse in the society.

The lawmaker who made the call at the launching and book presentation on “Drug Awareness Caution Network programme (DACN),” at NUJ press center, in Yenagoa on Sunday called on pharmaceuti-

cal stores and patent medicine dealers to stop selling drugs without prescription.

Isenah insisted that, drug abuse is a national emergency, stressing that all hands must be on deck to stop the menace killing our youths.

He urged parents, schools, offices and law enforcement agencies to join in the fight against “across the counter drugs”.

According to him, people are killing today because of in-

fluence of hard drugs, adding that even when people are sent to go and kill, they do it under the influence of hard drugs.

“There should be a search warrant if possible, for the agencies to close the stores selling these hard drugs called ‘tramadol’. The annoying thing is that, these are prescribed drugs. If tramadol is given to a mad person to calm him down.

A normal person should not take it without prescription.

Stop selling these drugs with-

out prescription,” he fumed.

In her address, the Founder and President of DACN, a nongovernmental organization, Mrs. Felicity Samuel, said drug abuse is a menace that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society, and said all hands must be on deck to address the issue before it destroys the society.

“Crime is on the increase because of the use of hard drugs by our youths and even some adults. Oftentimes, people know that it is evil to commit

crime, but with the influence of hard drugs, people commit serious crimes in the society.

“We call on government, public spirited people, churches, parents, corporate bodies, media and general public to join hands with our Network to drive our aims of bringing sanity to our society.

“I use this occasion to urge government to be proactive in the fight against illicit drugs to make the society a safe place for all to live in.”

In his presentation, Dr. N.K.S Dirikebamo, said Bayelsa state which was one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria has continued to witness juvenile delinquencies, cultism, robbery, rape, kidnapping, killings and gangsterism due to drug abuse.

“In our homes, we know those who traffic these drugs and the abusers, let’s be our brothers’ keepers by informing the relevant authorities promptly,” he pleaded.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Land owners sues IGP for N50m over seizure, occupation

Doosuur Iwambe - Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo has commenced hearing the N50 million fundamental right enforcement suit instituted by a group of land owners against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris over the alleged forceful, illegal seizure and occupation of their properties and lands by the Police.

The plaintiffs, Yusuf Goya and Aminu Isah, representing the group called “Incorporated Trustees of Apo XK Extension Residents Association”, made up of persons who were initially allocated over 200 plots of land in the XK Apo Layout, Apo District, Abuja had, in their suit filed on their behalf by their counsel, Valentine Offia want the court to order the Nigeria Police to vacate the premises of their properties.

A 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, averred that following the judgment of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal delivered on 13th August 2014, the plaintiffs, in suit No. CA/A/462/2011 were adjudged to be owners of the property known as XK Layout, Apo District in Abuja.

In an affidavit of urgency deposed to by one, Florence Ebere Chukwudi, the court bailiffs and Policemen, on October 12, 2017 enforced the judgment of the Appeal Court by evicting the judgment debtors from the property which was the subject of the dispute and handed same to the plaintiffs, who were the applicants in the present rights enforcement suit before the Abuja High court.

According to the plaintiffs, “From October 12, 2017, the applicants and other owners of the properties occupied and resided in peace until the 28th of October, 2017 when the Police invaded the property, ejected the applicants and forcefully occupied it on behalf of ENL Consortium Ltd adjudged as defaulters by the Court of Appeal.

“That in addition to the forceful eviction, the Nigeria Police locked the gates that serve as the entry points to the land to prevent the applicants and other house owners from returning to their homes.

“That the applicants have incurred financial losses of more than N4 million because they had to provide accommodation elsewhere for themselves from the moment the illegal expropriation occurred till date”, it stated and added that the action of the Police amounts

to aiding the judgment debtors to contravene the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

But, when the matter came up during the week, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (MFCT), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA), Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and ENL Consortium Limited brought an application seeking to be joined as 2nd to 5th respondents in the suit.

In the application argued by their counsel, B. J Akomolafe, the parties said they will be affected in one way or the other by the outcome of the suit.

This is just as the plaintiffs’ lawyer argued that his clients’ suit is a fundamental right case and not a case for title to property as canvassed by applicants for joinder.

L-R: General Manager, Oyo State Agriculture Credit Corporation, Chief Bode Raji; Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Agriculture, Sakirudeen Fajinmi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prof. Segun Adekunle, during a forum organised by Oyo State Government on Youth Empowerment Project on Agriculture in Ibadan, Oyo State… at the weekend.

Lagos launches war on indiscriminate waste disposal ÏÏÏ

The Lagos State Government has announced that it has launched a full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal of waste, warning that anyone caught violating environmental laws within the State will face the full wrath of the law.

The State’s Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, made the declaration at an interactive session with Media Chiefs in Lagos at the weekend.

The Commissioner spoke against the backdrop of the worsening situation where some Lagos residents have formed the habit of dumping waste at illegal spots, thereby sabotaging on-going efforts to rid Lagos State of filth.

Adejare noted with concern that soon after littered black spots and illegal dumping sites were cleared, some residents would return and dump waste at the same spots.

He admonished residents to use approved and legitimate dumping sites to dispose their refuse to avoid arrest and prosecution.

“The Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was born out of the need for Lagos to employ the operating standards adopted by other countries in the area of waste management. With the introduction of the CLI, we have launched a full-scale war on improper waste management within the State.

“The CLI is the solution to the recurring complaints about the manner waste is disposed within the State. I have no doubt that it will be a huge success when we roll it out fully by next year,” said the Commissioner.

Taking a cue from the State

Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who advised Lagos residents during his budget presentation speech to pay their Public Utility Levy (PUL), Adejare stated that the PUL is a consolidated fee replacing former waste charges collected by the government from property owners and residents, positing that the new policy would help in optimising efficiency in the waste management process, and therefore enjoined Lagosians to pay their bills as at when due.

On the dispute between Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and the State Govern-

ment, Adejare said the PSPs lacked the capacity to handle the over 10,000 metric tonnes of waste generated in Lagos daily in an effective and scientific manner, adding that Lagosians would see the impact of the new arrangement when it becomes fully implemented.

He added that Governor Ambode had already mandated officials of the State to ensure that the PSPs were accommodated in the CLI, believing that indigenous operators must play a part in the process.

Adejare said that as a result, qualified PSPs would handle the evacuation of commercial

wastes in Lagos State under the CLI. He reiterated that over 30,000 Community Sanitation Workers (CSW) were being recruited to work under the CLI, adding that they would be paid above the minimum wage and enjoy other incentives like insurance coverage and tax breaks, and would not need to spend any money on transportation because they would operate in their respective wards.

Besides, Adejare praised the management of Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Ltd. for the roles they have played in

helping clean over 1,000-litter black spots and illegal dumpsites to date within the State as an interim measure.

Earlier, in a separate presentation, a consultant to the Lagos State Government on environmental issues and Managing Director of SWM Solutions, Mrs. Tolagbe Martins, disclosed that the Lagos State Government had conducted an in-depth survey to ascertain the volume of waste generated in Lagos and from where, adding that a system was thereafter evolved to evacuate waste in a manner that would make Lagos State clean on a sustainable basis.

Atiku set to empower local farmers, create jobs Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer Vice President,

Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his resolve to connect Nigerian farmers to waiting product off taker both locally and internationally and also to create thousands of jobs in all the states of the federation.

Atiku stated this over the weekend in Abuja while officially opening a world class eatery known as Chicken Cottage Quick Services Restaurants at the Jabi Lake Mall.

Disclosing the idea behind the venture, Atiku said that his family initially went into the deal in 2014 with a British foreign firm, Chicken Cottage, but a Malaysian firm later bought the franchise from the British firm and they decided to continue and expand the project to cover all

the states of the federation.

He noted that Nigerians will be the major beneficiary from the project as all the raw materials will be sourced locally hence Nigerians farmers will have a handy off taker to evacuate their produce and expose it to the international market.

He said, “I recall with satisfaction that the processes leading to the successful opening of this restaurant started in 2014 with the incorporation of Food Merchants International Investments Ltd by my family. The company owns the Nigerian franchise for the UK quick service restaurant brand Chicken Cottage. Subsequently, the Malaysians bought over the brand and continued the relationship we started with the UK owners.

“As part of our objectives, we aim to be the number one chicken restaurant chain in

Nigeria.

“After this outlet, we intend to open several other outlets in strategically important locations in Nigeria. Our target is to have at least One Chicken Cottage Restaurant in every state in Nigeria. Ultimately, we intend to develop Chicken Cottage Nigeria as the regional hub for all operations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Towards this end I have given approval to the management to commence talks with Chicken Cottage International.”

Commenting on how the venture will create jobs for the youths he continued:”You can be sure that having at least one chicken cottage in every state will help get Nigerians working again. We will provide gainful employment to thousands of Nigerians who would be earning living wages which in turn contributes to reducing unemploy-

ment in Nigeria.”

Atiku added that through value chain creation, farmers and artisans will also benefit from the deal.

“The main raw materials for the products are agricultural produce (Chicken, Vegetables, Potato, rice etc).These are all locally produced. My ultimate joy will be to patronise our local farmers and see them have their produce bought and used here in Nigeria and Africa thereby empowering them.

“Furthermore, the multiplier benefits of this enterprise would extend to transporters, beverage suppliers, appliance manufacturers, artisans, furniture makers, etc.”

The event was witnessed by representatives of the Malaysian firm that flew into Nigeria and some high profile politicians and members of the National Assembly.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

29

Monday, December 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

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30

ike Idoko, the Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club has expressed the team’s readiness for the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFLSeason scheduled to begin Jan. 14, 2018.

Idoko made this known yesterday in an interview with news men in Makurdi.

He said his team was ready and

Idoko: Lobi Stars ready for 2017/2018 league would replicate the professionalism they had always displayed in other seasons. According to him, Benue Government’s support has contributed immensely to the success of Lobi Stars in its Pre-season matches. Lobi Stars would begin the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season with a

home game against Enyimba FC of Aba. Plateau United, the League’s defending champions, however, starts the defence of their title with a trip to Lafia, where they will take on Nasarawa United. According to the fixtures released by the League Management Company LMC, newly promoted Heartland FC of Owerri,

returns to the elite league with a home tie against Sunshine Stars, while Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia hosts league’s runners-up, MFM FC of Lagos In other Week One fixtures, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi welcomes another newly promoted side Go Round FC of Omoku; with Kastina United to clash with Kano Pillars in a Northwest derby. Other match-ups

will see Kwara United face Niger Tornadoes in ilorin, FC Ifeanyi Ubah locks horn with Yobe Desert Stars who are making a debut. Akwa United begin its campaign against Enugu Rangers in Uyo, while Rivers United and Elkanemi Warriors clash in Port Harcourt.

NPFL 2017/2018 week 1 fixtures released

F

Flamingoes through to final round

N

igeria’s under-17 women football team, the Flamingoes, on Saturday scraped through to the final round of the African qualification series for the 6th FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. They qualified on the away goal rule after drawing 1-1 with Ethiopia on aggregate, following a goalless draw in the second leg tie in Benin.

The Nigerian side had drawn 1-1 in Addis Ababa in the first leg a fortnight earlier, but they were downright disappointing in the second leg at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. The Flamingoes are now up against the Cameroon U17 girls in seven weeks’ time in the final round of the qualifiers.

ixtures for the 2017/2018 season of the NPFL has been released.

The leage according to a release from the glass house, will resume on the 14th of January 2018 with champions Plateau United starting their title defense away to Nasarawa United. MFM FC, Enyimba and Akwa United who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively last season will seek to balance their continental committment with league assignment when they open against Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars and Rangers in the order. Newly promoted sides Yobe Stars will kick off their season against big money spenders FC IfeanyiUbah, while Go Round football club from Rivers state will tackle Bauchi based Wikki Tourists. Heartland FC return after spending just one season in the lower division and will try to prove their promotion credentials when they welcome Sunshine Stars. See full fixture schedule below… Kwara Utd v Tornadoes FC Ifeanyiubah v Yobe Stars Wikki v Go Round Akwa Utd v Rangers Lobi v Enyimba Heartland v Sunshine Stars Katsina Utd v Kano Pillars Nasarawa Utd v Plateau Utd Rivers Utd v El-Kanemi Abia Warriors v MFM

OPENING DAY GAMES Kwara Utd v Tornadoes FC Ifeanyiubah v Yobe Stars Wikki v Go Round Akwa Utd v Rangers Lobi v Enyimba Heartland v Sunshine Stars Katsina Utd v Kano Pillars Nasarawa Utd v Plateau Utd Rivers Utd v El-Kanemi Abia Warriors v MFM

Ndidi sees red on birthday as team lost home match

S

uper Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi got a red card and was sent off on his 21st birthday as Leicester City were mauled at home 3-0 by struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday. With the result, Palace climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season as they outplayed Claude Puel’s resurgent Leicester to seal a rare away win.

Christian Benteke cost Palace victory when he missed an injury-time penalty he was not supposed to take last weekend, but the striker redeemed himself with a first-half header from Andros Townsend’s cross – his first goal of the campaign.

Palace had failed to score in their

past 10 league away games, but Roy Hodgson’s organised and adventurous team added a second before the break when Benteke’s strong run and pass set up Wilfried Zaha for a brilliant individual finish, BBC reports.

Leicester only tested goalkeeper Julian Speroni when they rallied in the second half – the Italian reacting superbly to reach Riyad Mahrez’s angled low drive with a strong palm.

And any potential comeback was hamstrung when Wilfred Ndidi was sent off on his birthday less than a minute after Vicente Iborra’s header was correctly disallowed for a foul Ndidi – who turns 21 today – was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the penalty box with just

under half an hour to play.

Palace had a much more legitimate penalty shout when Benteke was crumpled in the area by Marc Albrighton’s sliding tackle from behind, but the referee waved away appeals for a chance to add extra gloss on an impressive away performance.

Bakary Sako eventually provided it – tucking away Ruben LoftusCheek’s pass across goal to round off a 94th-minute counter-attack.

The Foxes, who so impressively dismantled Puel’s former club Southampton in midweek, remain eighth in the table, while Palace rise four places to 14th – though the teams below them are yet to play this weekend.

Monday, December 18, 2017

EURO.........................EURO........................EURO.............................

EXTRATIME

31

Guardiola

Conte

Guardiola hits out at ‘dangerous’ Dele Alli tackle and Harry Kane lunge

Unstoppable City Maul Tottenham 4-1 To Extend Lead

P Moments earlier Kevin De Bruyne had won a penalty after going down under the challenge of Jan Vertonghen

Manchester City maul Tottenham 4-1 N ow they have all tried and now they have all failed. There are five other heavyweights in the Premier League who purport to chase the title and who were supposedly going to make this

season more competitive than ever.

We had told ourselves that only England could boast so many teams which could genuinely contend for the top spot, unlike those continental European

leagues where one super team meant it was often all over by Christmas.

But Tottenham really were our only hope after Manchester United meekly surrendered last Sunday. After all, last season it was Mauricio Pochettino who had halted the Pep Guardiola bandwagon and such was the jolt in the road that City never really got going again.

Rooney names ManU team of 2008 as the best in Premier League

W

Manchester City have a long way to go before they can call themselves the greatest team ever

ayne Rooney believes the Manchester United team of 2008 was the best in Premier League history and says City must win trophies on a consistent basis to match them.

Pep Guardiola’s men are sweeping all before them and, after sealing a 16th consecutive victory in a dominant 4-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday, are already being hailed in some quarters as the best team to ever grace the Premier League.

But Rooney was quick to underline the fact that, for all of their razzmatazz, they are yet to win a single piece of silverware under Guardiola and does not believe they will maintain their current level of performance throughout the campaign.

He told talkSPORT: ‘I’m not sure they are quite there. They would have to keep going and do a lot more. I would go with the United team from 2008.

‘There are so many great teams throughout the years in the Premier League. This City team need to win trophies and do it for a longer period to be in that bracket.

‘Pep Guardiola deserves so much credit. The way he has got City playing in incredible.

But I don’t think they can go unbeaten all season.

‘There are five or six teams that can all beat each other — and I’m sure in one of those City will get beaten.’ The former England captain was part of the Sir Alex Ferguson side that picked up a Champions League and Premier League double.

Manchester United pipped Chelsea to retain their Premier League title by two points (87 points to 85) and also beat their rivals on penalties in the Champions League final in Moscow.

ep Guardiola called a wild tackle by Tottenham’s Dele Alli ‘dangerous’ as Manchester City made it 16 wins in a row with a 4-1 win over Spurs.

And Harry Kane was also lucky to just see yellow for a late, high lunge on Raheem Sterling.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll accused Alli of trying to hurt Kevin De Bruyne with an X-rated challenge which left the Belgian writhing in agony.

‘Dele Alli’s was the worst one of them all. He goes over the ball and I think he is meaning to hurt him,’ said Poll, analysing the match on BT Sport. ‘That is definitely a red card.’

Guardiola was unhappy with Alli, saying: ‘It was a dangerous action.’

But the Spaniard was delighted to see City comfortably see off one of their supposed rivals and extend their lead at the top of the table to 14 points.

‘It was solid, good, against one team demanding to be intense without the ball.’ he said. ‘They have good quality, but we played really good to beat one of the strongest teams in the Premier League.’

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino had no complaints, but he insisted it would have been a different game had his side not gifted Ilkay Gundogan the opener with a free header.

‘It was our mistake,’ he said. ‘In this type of game you have to be focused and concentrate. The problem is we conceded a very poor goal — a massive present.

‘It changed completely the idea of how we play. But the better team won.’

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The Anambra Times

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Personal hygiene, vaccination important for healthy children, Obiano tells pregnant mothers

AT2

UNICEF, ANSG establish AT 3 volunteer influencers against defecation in Anambra ANSG to provide 40 ambulances for Yuletide ÏÏÏAnambra State government

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano (3rd right); the NDLEA Commander, Anambra State, Mr. Sule Momodu (extreme right); Musical Artiste, Flavour (2nd right); Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta (extreme left); the CEO, Stanel Oil, Mr Stanley Uzochukwu (2nd left) and the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rita Mmaduagwu (3rd left), during the inauguration of Christmas Lights in Awka...recently

Obiano to S/E Govs: Join APGA now or lose re-election Stories by John Ndu, Awka

ÏÏÏAnambra

Anambra

T E A M

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged all South East governors to defect to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (AGPA) or lose their re-election.

He gave the warning on Thursday during the inauguration of APGA Campaign for the January 13, 2018, Anambra Central Senatorial District bye-election.

Gov. Obiano while speaking at venue of the event, Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, emphasised that APGA had formidable structure to replicate the victory of the last governorship election in all South East states.

He explained that APGA was the only party that would protect Igbos in general and attract valuable infrastructure development, capable of transforming the economy of the region.

He said: “I urge all South East

governors to join APGA now before it’s too late. We will speak in one voice in 2019. This Movement is in the general interest of all Igbos”.

The governor noted that the Anambra Central Senatorial election would be another landmark in the history of the state, as APGA would sweep votes in the seven local government areas in the Central District.

He urged Ndi Anambra central to come out en masse to support APGA, to have a voice at the centre.

The APGA candidate for the Anambra central bye-election, Sir Victor Umeh, said APGA was the true party that believed in due process as stipulated of its Constitution.

Umeh observed that Governor Obiano had continued to demonstrate excellence by providing various democratic dividends that would further impact on the people.

He stressed that Anambra State

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondents: Alphonsus Nweze Philip Balepo John Ndu

recorded excellence in every facet of development, especially in agriculture, security and economy.

Umeh said he would stand to protect the rights of Igbos against

marginalisation and other forms of victimisation.

He urged the people to demonstrate the same love for Igbos in the forthcoming bye election.

…honours diligent, fallen officers ÏÏÏAnambra

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has honoured the best preforming officers from the various security agencies serving in the state.

The agencies include Police, Nigeria Army, Navy, Civil Defence, DSS, FRSC, vigilante group, among others.

The awards were presented during the inauguration of “Operation Udoka” at Benin Park, Onitsha.

Gov. Willie Obiano also honoured and awarded N 1 million each to the families of three police officers and one DSS who lost their lives in the last concluded governorship election in Anambra State.

Some of the officers who received the award include the Best Security Support Officer of the Year and the Deputy Commandant of Corps, Ugwuja Edwin (Civil Defence), Best Operational Officer (Police), Mr.

Odumu Williams, Best Traffic Safety Officer (FRSC), Ejiem Ufiem, Best DPO (police), Mark Ijarafu.

Other awards were Best Marine Officer (Navy), Best Combat Officer (Army), among others.

Presenting the award, Obiano said it was in appreciation for the doggedness in securing the lives of the people, adding that no kidnap case had been recorded in the last three years.

The governor announced the commencement of massive operation at Upper Iweka to decongest the area and raid of those snatching motorbikes.

“We have recruited and trained 125 combined personnel of security agencies to be stationed at various pubs to apprehend and foul any clandestine plan.

“We have also commenced the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

has made provision for 40 ambulances to be located at major roads for emergency situations during yuletide period.

Governor Willie Obiano disclosed this during the inauguration of the 2017 Ember months’ awareness campaign.

The awareness campaign took place at Chisco Park, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Speaking during the inauguration, Obiano explained that the essence of the ambulances was to ensure prompt response for any eventuality.

He stressed that concrete arrangements had been made for the availability of medical doctors, nurses and other medical and traffic agencies to sacrifice their holidays in other to save lives.

Obiano noted that speed and alcohol detective equipment had been made available to Anambra Road Safety Command to apprehend over speed drivers and those on the influence of alcohol.

His words: “We don’t want to record any casualty this year. Every road users should drive carefully to avoid road crash.

“Don’t drink and drive. Always use your seat belts. Use pedestrian bridges close to you. All these are geared towards ensuring safety of lives,” Obiano explained.

He therefore directed security agencies to raid every motor park in the state and apprehend anyone suspected to be selling illegal drugs.

The Corps Marshal Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr. Boboye Olayemi Oyeyemi, said the programme was strategic this time due to the anticipated mass movement of people and vehicles during the fast approaching yuletide season.

Oyeyemi explained that the essence of using Onitsha as the pilot city for the campaign was due to its commercial activities and bedrock for overloading.

While urging road users to obey every traffic rules, Oyeyemi warned tipper drivers to refrain from overloading, especially using double decker, saying his commission and other security agencies must bring offenders to book.

The Anambra Times 22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Obiano inaugurates Christmas Light in Awka ÏÏÏGovernor

Anambra State Deputy Commandant of Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Ugwuja Edwin (4th right), receiving the Best Security Support Officer of the Year Award from Governor Obiano (3rd right), during the inauguration of Udoka Security Outfit, in Onitsha, while the State commandant, NSCDC Commandant, John I. Ahwen and others watch.

Personal hygiene, vaccination important for healthy children, Obiano tells pregnant mothers Stories by John Ndu, Awka

ÏÏÏAnambra

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has told pregnant mothers that adherence to good personal hygiene and regular vaccination is important for the birth of healthy children.

The governor, who was represented by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, stated this during the flag off of December 2017 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week held at the Nigerian Red Cross premises at Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area.

Governor Obiano told the nursing and expectant mothers that maintaining balanced diet and avoiding practices capable of deterring the growth and proper development of new born babies added to free immunization saves babies from contacting communicable diseases and ensures that Anambra remains polio free.

He said: “The primary respon-

sibility of any government is the security and safety of the people and attending to the health needs of Ndi Anambra is a very important aspect of safety.

“We will continue to improve and sustain the enviable status of our health institutions and ensure that pregnant women; mothers and new born are not neglected. That is why this awareness is critical and must be sustained at all levels of our health system especially the primary healthcare system.”

The governor observed that the successes achieved in the state’s health sector is a result of the commitment and collaboration of various partners in the healthcare delivery system who promote good health for the citizenry, stressing that sustenance of the successes is one of the main priorities his government.

He, however, commended the development partners especially the World Health Organisation

(WHO) for assisting his administration in achieving its goals and target in the health sector and the Nigerian Red Cross Anambra state for making effective use of the resources available to provide support to those in need in times of emergency, assuring that their prudence and dedication is noted.

In his remark, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, explained that the Maternal and Child health Week is a very important programme carried out twice a year as part of the maternal and child health survival strategies which helps in improving immunization level in Anambra State.

He expressed delight that the Governor Obiano’s positive disposition to health issues has helped in maintaining a polio free state, among other diseases, and advised pregnant women and nursing mothers to always go for antenatal and immunize their babies.

Herdsmen invasion: TC chairman debunks govt involvement

ÏÏÏAnambra

State Government has debunked rumours making the rounds that it permitted the invasion of farmlands in Umueze Anam community by herdsmen.

Umueze Anam is located in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state.

The Transition Committee Chairman, Anambra West LGA, Mr. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, said this when he spoke with some women in the community, protesting invasion and destruction of their farmlands by herdsmen.

The TC chairman expressed shock at the rumour, stating that government couldn’t have given such ridiculous order.

“I was shocked when I got the in-

formation; but Let me make it categorically clear that government is not aware and could not have signed such a ridiculous and anti-people pact with Fulani herdsmen.

“Our people should not listen to those rumours peddlers who want to tarnish the good image of the present administration under Governor Willie Obiano,’’ Nwabunwanne said.

The LG boss, then re-assured the women that government was on top of the situation, saying, the “herdsmen will leave the community within the next 24 hours after due consultations’’.

He also assured them of compensation for damages and losses incurred.

The women from Umueze Anam community in Anambra West LGA

on December 13 protested the invasion and destruction of their crops by herdsmen with costs running into millions.

Information had it that some Fulani herdsmen with their cattle, invaded and unlawfully encroached on some farmlands in Umueze Anam community destroying crops and farms.

This prompted the leadership of the community to galvanise women who confronted the herdsmen in peaceful manner, persuading them to leave their community without further delay.

According to the women, these herdsmen came to their farmlands claiming they have clearance from the Anambra State Government.

Willie Obiano of Anambra State has inaugurated the array of Christmas lights designed at the Professor Kenneth Dike E-Library, Awka.

The lights were designed to kickstart the celebration of the Christmas in the area.

They were beautifully made to depict the image of Jesus Christ, the Holy family, Father Christmas and other figures associated with the celebration.

Speaking at the event, Governor Obiano urged citizens to always appreciate the festival which was been celebrated to remember the

birth of Jesus Christ.

He noted this year’s celebration would go down in history as one of the best witnessed in the area because of the adequate security provided by the government.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, who switched on the light, applauded the state government for making such a bold initiative.

A popular Music artiste, Flavour, who added colour to the event with beautiful numbers, expressed happiness with the government for taking steps to make the event in the area unique.

Amesi Amazons, Awka United are new champions of second Obiano Unity Cup Philip Balepo, Onitsha

ÏÏÏAmesi

Amazons and Awka United have emerged new champions of second Governor Willie Obiano Unity Cup. The competition ended on Friday night at the Justice Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.

Amesi Amazons beat Ogidi Ladies by a lone goal scored in the 32nd minute of the first half by Vivian Eze, to lift the cup with a million naira cash.

The same for Awka United who played a highly technical game to beat Igbo-Ukwu United by two goals scored in each half to cart home same one million naira and a giant trophy.

The Unity Cup had 146 communities registered out of the 188 towns that make up Anambra State, with 118 male teams and 28 female teams.

The finals lived up to the billings not minding the sandy pitch of the Justice Ikpeazu Stadium. And the turnout poor for a state affair. However, the Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Uju Nwogu, came with the whole team from her ministry. And she was also the governor’s representative.

The female game as usual of-

fered some fancy footwork but little fireworks. It was the males’ final that really generated a lot of unanswered questions about the untapped potentials that the state has.

The game started with Igbo-Ukwu rattling Awka with incessant attacks and even a disallowed offside goal. They also built an off-side wall that prompted Awka to change tactics. And pronto, Awka won an indirect free-kick in the 38th which was converted by Nwafor Nonso, a defender whose shot was akin to what Lius Suarez does often.

The second half saw a more determined Igbo-Ukwu side but met a brick wall from the Awka United who played with the sole aim of taking the one million naira home.

And Awka made it two in the 68th minute when the man of the match, Ozoemena Amuche, rounded up two defenders before he found Kosovo Daniel who scored the ball into the net to seal the game.

The Governor Willie Obiano Unity Cup is a competition that is meant to unite the 188 communities in the state and an avenue for the state to raise professional sides for both male and female. True to type, talents were discovered the state can raise two teams each if she wants.

…honours diligent, fallen officers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

construction of 112 capacity Motel that will accommodate trailer drivers at New Tarzan, Nkpor.

“The essence of the project is to ensure adequate rest of the drivers before embarking on their long journey.

“This will reduce incessant accident, as it will energise and prevent them from sleeping on the steering,” Obiano explained.

In his reaction, the Best Security Support Officer of the Year and the Anambra State Deputy Comman-

dant of Civil Defence Corps, Ugwuja Edwin, expressed gratitude for the award, which according to him, would spur him to add more efforts effectively.

Ugwuja revealed that the command had mapped out various strategies to further intensity their efforts in combating crime and criminality, especially this yuletide period.

He warned criminals to desist from any plot of distorting the peace of the state, as Civil Defence Officers had been positioned in covert and overt places.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

The Anambra Times 3

Obiano presents certificate of recognition UNICEF, ANSG establish volunteer influencers to Igwe-elect of Omor community against open defecation in Anambra ÏÏÏAnambra

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has presented a Certificate of Recognition to Igwe Chidume Oranu, Igwe-elect of Omor community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.

The event which took place at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia attracted many Omor indigenes, including some prominent people from the community.

Presenting the certificate, Governor Obiano said the election was in line with the stipulated Laws in Igboland, as his election was unanimously accepted.

According to the governor, the presentation is in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Act of 1981, which has certified that the Igwe Chidume Oranu has met all conditions stipulated in the Act. This is in accordance with the customary Laws of the community, particularly section 4, 5, 6 of the Traditional Laws of 1981.

The governor, then, urged him to maintain peace among the people of the community, saying, “the throne is a divine intervention to ameliorate the sufferings of the indigent people in the community’’.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Greg Obi, said the present government had vowed to restore peace in every community and resolve all outstanding issues affecting the royalty in the community.

Chief Obi pointed out that the election of the new traditional ruler was in line with the stipulated laws in the state.

According to him, the Igwe has passed through security screening and ensured landslide victory, an indication of peace and justice in the community.

“There was a big tussle for the

throne in the community, but the governor ensured peace by instituting a panel of inquiry, made up of high personalities and traditional rulers to the resolve the matter.

“The panel worked for four weeks and called for open attestation to the integrity of the contenders.

“At the end, they made recommendations to the governor that Igwe Oranu is the choice of the people.’’

The commissioner, then, called on the traditional ruler to ensure peace and unity among the aggrieved parties to assure of development.

The traditional ruler of Mbaukwu, Igwe Peter Anukwu, who commended Governor Obiano for his transformation agenda, urged Igwe-elect to always uphold the tradition of Igboland and enthrone meaningful development to the community.

Igwe Anukwu enjoined him to respect constituted authority, especially the present administration of Gov. Obiano.

In his reaction, the Igwe-elect, Igwe Oranu, who was elated, commended the governor for his administrative blueprint and humane approach to issues.

Igwe Oranu, then, stressed that his leadership would be an awesome opportunity to attract more tangible developments, in addition to government presence they had been enjoying.

He enjoined every member of his community to join hands with him in projecting the new face of the state.

The member representing Ayamelum in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Uche Okafor expressed his gratitude, saying that the emergence of Igwe-elect would attract meaningful development to the town.

Elders’ timely intervention saves 2 sex adventurists from being lynched in Ihiala ÏÏÏThe

timely intervention of some village elders saved two sex adventurists from being lynched for engaging in an open sex rumpus.

This `abominable’ act took place during burial ceremony of a lady at Umuduru Village, Ihiala, Anambra State.

It was gathered from an eye witnesses that a woman believed to be a sex worker, living in one of the brothels in the area, apparently under an influence said she wanted to perform `a show’.

As part of the show, she stripped and dragged a young

man from the crowd known simply as `Chinwuba’ from Ogboro Umunwaji Village Ihiala.

Both engaged in a sex orgy right in front of onlookers. However, some angry youths pounced on them and in the process the lady escaped but Chinwuba was not that lucky.

It took the arrival of the elders who restrained them from sending him to his `early grave’.

Meanwhile, the elders fined him six cartons of beer and some undisclosed amount of money.

They claimed this was to cover the atrocity that he committed.

Stories by John Ndu,, Awka

ÏÏÏThe United Nations Children’s

Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with Anambra Government have embarked on establishment and orientation of Volunteer Influencers (VIs) for fast-tracking construction and use of household latrines.

The programme focused on eradication of open defecation and adoption of other Essential Family Practices (EFPs) in 12 communities in Idemili South Local Government Area.

Speaking during the tour of the communities, the UNICEF facilitator in the state, Mrs. George Ileka, expressed displeasure at people who defecate in the open and landlords who build houses without toilet facility.

“People must be discouraged from open defecation because when they defecate outside or in the bush, houseflies perch on them and still find their way into our houses to perch on our food.

“The deposits of these flies cause dysentery, typhoid fever and diarrhea.

“Some who defecate in polythene

bags and throwing them across walls should be warned to desist from such habits because it pollutes the environment,” said Ileka.

To the Volunteer Influencers, Mrs. Ileka told them that they were selected with the help of their traditional rulers or president generals because members of the society come to them for information and counselling.

“UNICEF’s proposition is to engage you as models because of your influence in the community and make you active players, who will facilitate the promotion of practices within your communities.

“You must have toilet facility yourselves. Discover families without toilets and mandate them to construct one within a month or face the Anambra State Sanitation Court.

“Tell people to stop open defecation. Teach them effective hand washing with running water and soap or ash,” Ileka explained.

She, then, urged them to visit at least 10 to 20 household every quarter of the year and conduct interpersonal communication sessions with households on the construction and

use of toilets.

According to Mrs. Ileka, the state UNICEF team will meet with the LGA front line workers and VIs to review the progress made by the end of January, 2018.

The communities at the end of the exercise resolved on a number of action plans to improve the pace of adoption of practices essential for proper maternal and child care.

These action plans are that all families must have toilets, complete eradication of open defecation; effective hand washing must be practiced in homes, schools, public places.

At general community gathering or meetings washing equipment should be provided and proper personal and environment hygiene should be observed to curb the spread of germs, diseases and sicknesses.

In their remarks, the President Generals of Awka Etiti, Mr. Joachim Okeke and his counterpart at Akwa Ukwu, Chief Michael Anierobi, represented by Michael Chukwurah, thanked UNICEF and the state government for efforts at improving health and sanitation standards of communities.

Outgoing National Chairman of Royal Committee of Friends, Barrister Emmanuel Okechukwu (centre behind); incoming National Chairman, Chief Henry Onuorah (left behind) and National Treasurer, Chief Okechukwu Oba, during the visit to Motherless Babies Home, Real Estate, Awka...on Sunday

Christmas season: Group visits prison, motherless home ÏÏÏIn

the spirit of the forthcoming Christmas celebration, the Association of Royal Club Committee of Friends on Sunday paid a passionate visit to the Motherless Babies Home Awka and the Nigeria Prison, Amawbia.

The association in their numbers presented valuable items in the course of the visit.

Some of the items presented were bags of rice, tubers of yam, some rolls of toilet paper, cartons of biscuits, cartons Viju milk, among other things.

Briefing newsmen after the visit, the outgoing National

Chairman of the group, Barrister Emmanuel Okechukwu, said the visit was fashioned to feel the deplorable situation of some people in their different conditions.

He explained that the primary objective of the association has been to impact on the lives of the people positively, especially the indigent.

Okechukwu, who noted that the visit had been a yearly event, stressed that the association had offered scholarship to indigent students in different colleges, which according to him, formed part of their social responsibility.

The incoming National Chairman of the group, Chief Henry Onuorah, promised to sustain the tempo of magnanimity occasioned by the outgoing administration.

While commending the outgoing government for its unprecedented achievements, Chief Onuorah enjoined every member of the club to extend their support to the incoming administration to project the club to enviable heights.

The club later celebrated its End of the Year party, where it reviewed its challenges and offered permanent solutions.

The Anambra Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Obiano’s performance will determine his future leadership –Anigbata Chief Victor Ikechukwu Anigbata, an Onitsha based businessman and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Anambra State, in this interview with ALPHONSUS NWEZE, faults the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly recently by President Muhammadu Buhari, and comments on the PDP chances of winning 2019 general election, the chances of Ndigbo of producing Nigeria President of Igbo extraction among other issues. Excerpts: How do you see the 2018 budget presented by the President to the National Assembly recently?

The 2018 budget when looked at casually appeared to be big when compared with previous year’s budget, but in actual sense, when you compare the net value in dollar, it is very small to turn our economy around.

For instance, the Federal Government rate is at N305 per a dollar, while the actual rate is 370 per a dollar. So when you use the Federal Government rate or the actual rate, the budget is still very small. If shared among the Nigerian population, you’ll see that it is not up to $500 per a person per annum. This indicates that there will be poverty and hunger in the land. Money that will turn the economy of the country around will be three times more than this amount budgeted. The worst of it all is that this budget is a mere estimate of an expected income and its expenditure. And from history, Government has never implemented up to 30 percent of their budget from past records, including this administration. So, how can 200 million Nigerians have good standard of living with this budget?

However, there is one step this Government has taken that can prevent a total collapse of the country and that is investment in agriculture. Now about 35 percent of Nigerians have gone into farming at various levels, that is subsistence or commercial.

That is the only thing that is holding Nigerians, if not, so many people would have not gone into streets. And any employment created through agriculture and agro-allied industry can be sustained.

In terms of infrastructure, President Muhammed Buhari has every good intention for Nigerians but the grab, grab attitudes of people working with him is setting him backward. While I must share that a good number of people are working hard among his cabinet, efforts of the majority are superficial. So, we have got square pegs in round holes and the economy will continue to swing until round pegs are put in round holes and until those who put the interest of Nigeria above their own are brought to work for the country for the noble vision of Mr. President.

So, there is no easy way out in funding the budget, even if fuel sells 80 or 90 dollars.

There is this proverb which states that a healthy man is found in healthy body. Somebody cannot be sick in the body and you say his mind is normal. So, the ill-health of President Buhari has affected his performance in the last two years or more he has

been in the saddle. But he has done well in the area of anti-corruption. Buhari has exposed corrupt people more than any previous leader before him, but when the society is rotten, what do you do? It is those who work with him that are inimical to the interest of the people and the members of the society. They are pretending to be working, but they are not actually working for the interest of the country. Can’t you see it is only Buhari that is not named in one corruption or the other? So our hope for our economy will come from God. I don’t see hope around those people working with Buhari. I don’t see hope around these people surrounding Buhari. Over 80 percent of them are hungry, looking for food to eat. So the poor is getting poorer, and the rich getting richer.

All Nigerians must join hands to fight corruption or it will finish us. I am talking about the whole budget; when you narrow it to capital and recurrent expenditure, it is nothing. Not because the amount involved is not big but because it has no value compared with other international currencies.

PDP just concluded its national convention, where they elected new chairman and other national officers. And they expressing hope to regain power in 2019; do think so?

Even with the election of the new National officers of the party, I am not seeing immediate chances for the party in 2019. They ran Nigerian economy into dungeon. They led our system into economic dungeon. After 16 years of oil boom, there was nothing to show for it.

Do you see successful eradication of corruption in Nigeria?

There is no hope. The only hope will come from Nigerians joining the war against impunity, corruption, injustices. With the character like Buhari at the helm of affairs, he will begin to manage the economy until those who are credible both in character and otherwise, who possess self-discipline take over the management of our nation. I would like Buhari to probe every aspect of the economy and those found culpable punished. Without it, we are heading nowhere.

Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

What are the chances of Ndigbo in clinching the presidency of Nigeria soon?

It has been my advice that since politics is a game of probability, that a wise man must not cast all his eggs in one basket. If Igbos

Anigbata

Obiano should stabilise the economy of Anambra State not only by paying workers and pensioners their salaries as and when due but carrying out policies that will enhance the creation of more jobs. are looking for presidency, I am seeing APC as an easier way to that. You know Jonathan presidency affected Igbo presidency.

He took the chances of Ndigbo. If Umaru Yar’ Adua had completed his tenure, the next presidency would have come from South East since South West has produced Olusegun Obasanjo but this arrangement was distorted by Jonathan’s emergence.

If National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had continued under Shehu Shagari, Ndigbo would have had their own share and it would kill agitations of all kinds. But now APC is in power, if Government and Nigeria chooses to do the right thing, the next president should come from South East. I would advise good thinking South easterners or Ndigbo, especially those who can see the virtues and visions of Buhari to look closely at APC. A lot of people are saying that Ndigbo don’t have qualified candidates for the presidency of Nigeria; do agree?

Ndigbo have more qualified people to be-

come the president of Nigeria more than any other part of Nigeria. I mean people who believe that good name is better than silver and gold. The likes of Chukwuma Soludo, former CBN Governor, Nnia Nwodo, Ohanaeze President–General, Chukwuemeka Anyaoku, although he is old are more than qualified. Others include people Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, Victor Umeh; the likes of current Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, even Senator Ben Obi, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, including my humble self are also qualified. I mean these people can stand on their own irrespective of odds. They would do better than even the current administration if given the opportunity, even carry anti-corruption war without fear or favour.

How do you see the victory of Governor Obiano in the just concluded governorship election in Anambra State and what should he do with this victory?

It is only his performance during his second tenure that will determine his future leadership. Obiano should stabilise the economy of Anambra State not only by paying workers and pensioners their salaries as and when due but carrying out policies that will enhance the creation of more jobs.

Anambra economy should be privately driven rather than Government driven.

With that we can transform overnight.

Small scale industries, cottage industries can change the state, provide jobs.

APGA can be a national party if everyone realises that charity begins at home. If money politics is stopped, APGA will sweep South East. I will advise him to do whatever he can to provide capital projects on like roads, while maintaining the existing ones because maintenance is as important as building new ones.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Yuletide: Air Peace assures smooth flight

Oando, Forte Oil may exit NSE’s sector of 30 most capitalized stocks

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Monday, December 18, 2017

We’re competing with world powers on international routes Page B8 - Bankole

N24bn money laundering: Court directs parties to maintain status quo Peter Fowoyo

IMG 3350: L-R; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; CEO, Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters; Chairman MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Mrs. Julia Adelusi-Adeluyi at the Exclusive Opening Night of the MTN Foundation sponsored Fela and the Kalakuta Queens in Lagos.

Equities market slumps 2.09 per cent in one week

Adesola Afolabi

Trading activities on the equities market reversed the gains recorded previous weeks as the All Share Index dipped by 2.09 percent to clsoe the week ended 15th December at 38,436.08 points.

The performance for the week, was premised on losses in the Banking Index that fell 5.33 per cent, following profit taking in top tier banking stocks. The Industrial Goods index also suffered a loss of 4.79 per cent, while the Insurance index dropped 2.19 percent.

Conversely, the Oil & Gas index appreciated 5.47 per cent and

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that only sustainable economic growth and job creation within the ECOWAS region will guarantee peace and

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Deputy Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi Motolani Oseni Money Market Correspondent

Consumer Goods index grew 0.68 per cent as a result of investors demand for Seplat that rose 7.73 per cent and Dangote Sugar which grew 8.34 per cent.

The Month-to-Date and Year-to Date returns thus moderated to 1.30 per cent and 43.02 per cent respectively, just as the market capitalization appreciated by 0.04 per cent to close the week at N13.678 trillion.

16 equities topped by Berger paints, appreciated in price during the week, lower than 47 of the previous week. Linkage Assurance led 46 equities that depreciated in price, higher than 20 equities of the previous week,

while 110 equities remained unchanged higher than 105 equities recorded in the preceding week.

A total turnover of 1.852 billion shares worth N51.523 billion in 23,863 deals were traded by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 3.316 billion shares valued at N36.451bn that exchanged hands previous week in 29,771 deals.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart by volume with 1.377 billion shares valued at N17.137bn traded in 14,334 deals; thus contributing 74.35 percent and 33.26 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 175.880 million shares worth N8.044bn in 4,882 deals.

The third place was occupied

by Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 134.882 million shares worth N821.653m in 1,108 deals.

Trading in the Top Three Equities were Zenith International Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. They accounted for 632.027 million shares worth N8.494bn in 5,616 deals, contributing 34.13 per cent and 16.49 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has ordered a Nigerian firm, Nadabo Energy Limited and a London- based company, Trafigura Beheer BV engaged in legal battle over a cargo of 950,000 crude oil to maintain status quo.

The court also warned the two parties not do anything that will overreach it.

Justice, Rilwan Aikawa had earlier ordered the Nigerian company Nadabo to serve the court process on the British company, Trafigura Beheer B V out of jurisdiction and five Nigerian companies dragged before the court alleged to have laundered N24 billion.

Joined as co -defendants in the legal battle to secure court order to detain about 950,000 barrels of oil belonging to the company are five Nigerian companies: Mettle Energy &Gas Limited, Renbrant Limited, Jill Engineering and oil Services Limited, Q&Q Control Services Nigeria limited, General Marine &oil Services Limited.

The plaintiff ‘s lawyer, Chief Emefo Etudo, told the court that all the parties have been served, therefore there is need for the court to order all the parties to maintain status quo and an order of the court ordering the foreign party to be served.

In an affidavit sworn to by the Executive Director of Nadabo Energy Company, Mr. Reuben Etila, and filed before the court by , Barrister, Adeola Ojo, the deponent averred that, Nadabo Energy Company obtained $16million loan from Spring Bank Plc to import petroleum products for onward supply to Mobil, however Trafigura Beheer B V colluded CONTINUES ON PAGE B2

Economic growth, job creation‘ll ease crises in ECOWAS - Buhari quench incessant migration.

Buhari stated this on Saturday in Abuja, while addressing 15 ECOWAS leaders during the 52nd Ordinary summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government.

The Nigerian President noted that there are incessant reports of increased activities in human trafficking, proliferation of illegal weapons, drug trafficking, capital flight, increase in tue activities of Boko Haram and Al’Qeda terrorists perpetuated by syndicated, but

said that a strong economy and sustained economic growth and job creation for the youths in the region remain the only viable antidote to these menace, while also calling for prudent resource management.

“In the wake of the recent recession and economic challenges faced by ECOWAS Member States, as evidenced by the severe drop in real growth rate for ECOWAS from 6.1% in 2014 and 3.3% in 2015, to an alarming rate of 0.2% in 2016, there is an urgent need to review

the spending patterns of all the Community Institutions, to ensure that dwindling resources are put to good economic use for the optimization of strategic goals of the Community,” he said.

He reported that the Federal Government, in collaboration with International Organization for Migration, is repatriating Nigerians stranded in Libya; and had ordered National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to ensure their rehabilitation and resettlement.

Long- term solution, according to Buhari, is security and sustainable economic development which will create jobs and deter the youth from such venture.

“The long- term solution to these challenges is to create the condition of peace and security in our countries and sustainable development of our economies. Only through these can we create jobs and other conditions in which our youths would have no excuse to embark on the suicidal venture of irregular migration,” Buhari stated.

Business News E-payment transactions declines to N19.33trn in Q3 - NBS Joy Ekeke According to a recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS), the value of e-payment transactions recorded by banks in the third quarter (Q3), of 2017 declined to N19.33 trillion from N19.78trn recorded in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, representing 2.3 percent decrease.

In its report, “Selected Banking Sector Data,” released recently, the NBS did not explain factors responsible for the decline, but said the amount was recorded in 213.69 million transactions.

It also noted that the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, NIBSS, Instant Payment (NIP) transactions dominated the volume of transactions during the period recording a volume of 97.53 million transactions valued at N13.963 trillion.

In the Q2, 2017 ATM transactions dominated the space.

The data revealed that a total of N15.8trn worth of credit was allocated by the banks to private sectors in Q3 2017, indicating a marginal increase of 0.8 per cent when compared to the N15.7trn allocated to the sector in Q2, 2017.

According to the data, oil & gas and manufacturing sectors got credit allocation of N3.5 trillion and N2.3trn, respectively to record the highest credit allocation in the period under review.

The data further showed that the total number of banks’ staffs in Q3, 2017 increased by 9.16 per cent to 82,531 in Q2’17 from 75,607 during the review period.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Yuletide: Air Peace assures smooth flight Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Nigeria’s leader carrier, Air Peace has assured air travellers of smooth flight operations in the run-up to, during and after the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

In a related development, the airline has said it will operate all its daily flights into and out of the Enugu Airport between the hours of 7am and 2pm during the partial closure of the facility’s runway to traffic by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, Air Peace has regretted the suspension of the launch of the second phase of the expansion of its regional route network due to industrial unrest in Dakar-Senegal, a critical connection in its route plan.

A statement issued by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said more of the airliners in its 24-aircraft fleet had returned from maintenance to cater to

Ï`Ɔ ƏƆƐ ƅ ƅƆƋ Ɛƈ Ƈ ƏƆ ƈ Ƌ ƍƆƏ Ɛƈ

the spike in air travel demand around the Christmas and New Year’s festivities.

The carrier, the statement assured, was ready to do everything within the parameters of safe flight operations to deliver on-time and consistent services during the yuletide.

“We recently deepened our capacity with the expansion of our fleet size to 24 aircraft. While some of our newly-acquired aircraft have started coming in, others that went on maintenance are returning to service. This obviously is a pleasing development, coming very close to the yuletide when there is usually a great rise in the demand for air travel.

“Although inclement weather, as we have experienced in the last few weeks, is a huge challenge during this period, we have a solid plan to ensure our esteemed guests have the best of flight experience in the run-up to, during

and after the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. We, however, appeal to our valued guests to show understanding and cooperation when there is a challenge of bad weather and other such circumstances that work against safe flight operations during the period. As a safety-centric airline, Air Peace sincerely values the lives of its guests and crew and will never operate a flight except it is truly safe to do so,” the airline said.

Commending the Federal Government for the ongoing effort to fix the runway of the Enugu Airport, Air Peace assured the travelling public that all its daily flights into and out of the facility from 7am to 2pm would operate as scheduled.

The airline, however, said other Enugu-bound flights from around 3pm when the runway of the facility was expected to be shut daily would be diverted to either the Owerri or Port Har-

court airport.The airline added that passengers affected by the partial closure of the Enugu Airport could reschedule to any of the alternate airports for free.

In another development, the carrier regretted the postponement of the launch of its Freetown, Banjul and Dakar services as part of the second phase of the expansion of its regional route network.

The airline blamed the development on industrial unrest by air traffic control (ATC) in Dakar, a critical chain in its route map.

Air Peace said: “We were all set for the launch of the second phase of our expansion on the West Coast of Africa, connecting Freetown in Sierra Leone, Banjul in The Gambia and Dakar in Senegal.Members of our advance crew were already on ground in Dakar when we received the disruptive news around midnight of December 14.

N24bn money laundering: Court directs parties to maintain status quo CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

with some officials of the Spring bank Plc to steal substantial part of the money and the supply cargo now valued at N24 billion from the Nadabo Company , the money was received by letters of credit and converted same to multiple businesses, Shipping and crude oil lifting and 950,000 barrels of crude oil it is attempting to load this month at Exxonmobil /Esso Terminal ERHA. The crude oil belongs to the plaintiff.

Etila also averred that this fraud that killed Spring bank Plc was just discovered this year and the President and commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has just been petitioned for swift action, therefore it is necessary not to allow Trafigura Beheer B V to take all her properties (crude oil ) out of the jurisdiction of the court so that any judgement given by the court will not be in vain.

L-R: The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside in a handshake with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barrister Hassan Bello during a presentation on “Introducing the Blue Sea Economy Concept” by the NIMASA DG to the management of NSC recently... in Lagos.

Institute seeks enactment of safety law Bassey Willie, Uyo The National President of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Nnamdi Ilodiuba has urged Akwa Ibom Sate House of Assembly to ensure quick consideration and passage of the bill establishing state safety commission, currently before the house.

Ilodiuba spoke over the weekend during the 2017 induction of new members and safety summit of the body held at Ibom e-library on IBB Avenue, Uyo. The summit, with the theme: “Enhancing industrialization and development through effective safety culture in Nigeria: The roles

of safety professionals,” drew several participants.

He said, “I am delighted to note that Akwa Ibom State Government is among the few states that are pioneering the enactment of relevant laws and creation of strong and statutory commission to oversee safety management and practice within its domain.

I am reliably that the bill for the establishment of Akwa Ibom state safety commission currently in the house of assembly has already passed the second ready, in light of this, i appeal for the quick consideration and passage to enable the citizens begin to enjoy the inherent benefits.”

He revealed that the institute has a vast reservoir of highly qualified, intelligent, resourceful and experience persons with the right capacity to provide the technical and political leadership of the envisaged safety commission that will not only meet but exceed the expectations of government.

The president however commended the state government for creating a unit within the governor’s office for emergency and disaster management and for the inclusion of the institute’s members to serve in the unit, saying this will give ample opportunity for early detection and prevention of disaster occurrence, as well as

providing a framework for systematic and management of disaster in line with global standard.

The state chairman of the institute, Elder Peter Jimmy expressed happiness that for the first time, several members of the institute in the state have been elevated to the status of “fellow of the institute”, adding that many others have been trained, certify and imparted with the right capacities in the areas of health, safety and environment.

During the summit, about 38 persons were inducted into the institute, while 13 other members were upgraded to fellows of the institute.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

NDDC relocates to permanent headquarters next year Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, will relocate from its temporary head office on Aba Road to its permanent headquarters, currently under construction, at the Eastern byepass in Port Harcourt next year.

The NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who announced this during the 17th Anniversary and Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Commission at the Dappa Biriye corporate headquarters, assured the workers that the 2018 event will take place at the new office.

He said that the 12-floor new head office complex was one of the legacies the current NDDC board and management would leave behind at the end of its tenure. He expressed delight at the recent approval of funds by the Federal Executive Council for the completion of the project, which he regretted, had suffered delays since it was started by the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, in 1994.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer noted that in the past one year, the commission had entered into several partnerships, including the one with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to help provide employment for the youths.

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Business News

Nigeria has paid $200,000 debt to FCWC – Osinbajo Tom Okpe, Abuja The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has revealed that Nigeria has paid its debt of $200,000 to the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) this year.

Osinbajo also encourages everyone involved to try to repair the nation’s vessels quickly to enable the country participate fully in fishing activities in the region.

Making this revelation at the closing ceremony of the 10th Annual Conference of the FCWC at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Friday, he said: “Am happy to inform you that we have paid about $200, 000 of our

debt to FCWC this year, we just try to encourage everyone else to repair our vessel quickly as we can.

“I want the secretariat of the FCWC to prioritize the speedy sharing of the information between member states in other to more effectively checkmate their activities of foreign vessel fishing illegally within our territorial water. The common and value of our nation is to continue to give FCWC full support for sustainability and management of our fish.

“As Nigeria we will continue to play our role and support FCWC; the safety of Nigeria maritime is also a principal concern to us, president Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase sound vessels of the department of fish-

ery that is patron vessels which could be managing with the collaboration with Nigeria Navy to boost research and rescue capacity of the relevant security agency to prevent illegal fishy and help secure our vessel in the sea.

“In the north east of Nigeria where we are affected with the terrorism activities of Boko Haram has devastated the fishery industry which had supplied most of the West Africa countries. Earlier this year, president Buhari approved the establishment of the ‘Lake Chad neighbor Basic’ to boost security and fast- track the restoration of the livelihood in that zone.”

According to the Vice President, the theme of this year’s con-

ference, which is to invest in the growth and sustainability of fishery in west Africa is important, even in terms of sharing the experience and lay aspiration for the economic wellbeing of our people.

“Our effort to reduce fish import and increase local fish production by encouraging the private sectors to invest in agriculture is yielding positive result.

In the domestic fish production; in the last two years it has increased from 450,000 metric tons to 1.1million metric tons, and we hope this growth will be exponential with all the initiatives we have put in place. There is no doubt that the result of the work we are doing is to encourage investment in Nigeria,” he said.

Dangote lifts Abia youths with N18.5m job centre Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia Dangote Group at the weekend moved to reduce unemployment in Abia State with the establishment of Dangote Education For Employment ( E4E ) Job Center.

Worth N18.5 million, the centre was established by the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and located within the premises of the Isiala Ngwa North LGA at Okpuala Ngwa through his company, Dangote Industries Ltd , the manufacturer of Dangote Cement.

Speaking during the formal ground breaking ceremony of the center, Dangote, who was represented by his company’s Head - Compensation & Benefit Mr. Charles Obera said sponsoring the building of the Job Center House, is a demonstration of the Dangote Group’s human capacity building effort in Nigeria; and particularly in Abia state, while expressed his support for this governor Ikpeazu’s laudable initiative in the state.

Represented by the state Deputy Governor Rt. Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, the state Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that the Center is in line with administration’s pledge to offer technical and vocational training to 100,000 unemployed Abia youths.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, (middle) speaking during the 17th Anniversary and Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. On his left is the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, while Mrs Iyingi Numbere is on his right.

Blue economy: NIMASA DG advocates enhanced framework in Africa Ganiyu Obaaro The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that in order to harness the opportunities derivable from the Blue Economy in Africa there is a need for a proper framework and structure which will enhance the coordination of the sector.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi and made available to The Daily Times, said, “The NIMASA DG, who stated this during a paper presentation to the Management of the Nigerian Ship-

pers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos titled; “Introducing the Blue Economy Concept” said that in realizing a desirable blue sea economy framework, participatory engagement and agenda setting, participatory policy design and implementation and multi sector partnership are key areas that must be considered.

Speaking further, he said the Blue Economy, which stands on three pillars namely; Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability and Social Sustainability has a lot of benefits to the growth and development of the sector in Africa, thereby making it compete favourably with its counterparts in other continents.

Peterside also highlighted fair

multilateral and bilateral agreements, improved well-being, inclusive job creation, Eco-tourism, debt swaps and green ports amongst others as some of the tools and opportunities that abound in the blue economy sector in Africa. He added that the concepts it will bring to Africa ranges from sustainable business opportunities, circular economy, resource efficiency, and conservation of development. All these he said will help the continent actualize the blue economy sector.

The statement said, “About 70% of the earth resources are underneath the sea and has been in most cases left untapped; almost all the cities in the world begin their development from the sea which shows

the underlying importance of the sea to economic and social growth.

We must therefore work hard and collaboratively to actualize our blue economy sector in Africa.”

While identifying, maritime insecurity, criminal activities at sea, climate vulnerability, poor infrastructure among others as factors militating against development of Africa’s blue economy, he assure that NIMASA is doing all it can to curtail the issues relating to criminal activities in the nation’s territorial waterways. We have proposed an Anti-piracy bill which is presently before the National Assembly and would be passed soon. This will enable the Agency prosecute those found in such nefarious activities

Money Market Stories by Motolani Oseni As the Yuletide season activities continues to gather momentum amid increased demand of the US Dollar by end users, the Nigerian currency, Naira, closed the just concluded week low at the parallel market by 0.27 per cent to N365 to the dollar, investigations by The Daily Times has revealed.

The local currency had traded at 363/$ as at the close of first trading day of the week (Monday) under review but weakened to 365 per dollar over the weekend.

The Naira, also, shed points against the two other major foreign currencies, Pound and the Euro to close at 483 and 427, respectively, compared to 482 and 426 sold the previous day at the parallel market.

This, however, was not the case at the official foreign ex-

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Yuletide: High dollar demands push Naira to 365/$ at parallel market change market, as the Naira, ended the week high at 306.25 per US Dollar against N306.35 exchanged on the first trading day of the week under review.

Although, this feat was recorded amid sustained intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the total injections worth $210 million into the foreign exchange market during the week.

The apex bank boosted the wholesales (SMIS) with the sum of $100 million, while $55 million was allocated to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) and $55 million was sold for invisibles.

In the just concluded week,

the local currency appreciated week-on-week at the Investors &Exporters FX window by 0.08bper cent to N360.36/USD, while it closed steady at the interbank foreign exchange market segment and the Bureau De Change at N330.0/$ and N361 to the greenback.

But when considered the daily activities of I&E FX window, it showed that the Naira drooped by 0.08 per cent to close at 360.96 with transactions turnover of $109.67 million.

However, dated forward contract at the interbank OTC segment appreciated amid sustained increase in the foreign exchange reserves-the 1 month,

2 months, 3 three months amid 6 months contracts appreciated wo-w by 0.10 per cent, 0.28 per cent, 0.47 per cent to close at N364.85 per dollar, N369.20 to the dollar, N373.69 against the dollar and N389.41/$ respectively.

Traders have explained that yields on Nigeria’s mid-dated Treasury bills rose nearly 1 percentage point to 12 per cent on Friday, extending a three-day rally as a sell-off which started this week continued.

Meanwhile, the Debt Management Office (DMO) repaid N131.42 billion or $429.13 million worth of Treasury bills on Thursday instead of rolling them over, thereby slightly reducing

its debt and debt-servicing costs for the government.

It also plans to repay N66.62bn this Thursday, even as the T-bills issued as one-year but with between 160- and 220 days to maturity rose 80 basis points on Friday, as investors booked profit.

The one-year yield has been volatile recently, caught between local demand and foreign investors pulling money out of the country, all amid speculation about the outlook for official interest rates.

The one-year Treasury bill rose about 100 basis point to 10 per cent on Wednesday after it dived to 7 per cent the previous day.

CSR: LSG lauds Ecobank’s for enhancing strategic public facility

L-R: Executive Director /Chief Risk Officer, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Adebiyi Olagbami; Chief Scientific Officer, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) representing the General Manager; Mr. Akin Dada, Executive Director; Corporate Banking, Mrs. Sedoten Agosa-Anikwe and Assistant General Manager, Special Services Department, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Jide Onayiga at the Launch of Initiative to rid Lagos of 150,000 Plastic Bottles during Ecobank Sustainability Week 2017 in Lagos at the weekend.

IMF boss seeks focus on investment in technology Ï d Ɠ Ƌ ƑƄƍƅƏƉ Ǝ Ɖ ƅ ƍ Ǝƍ Ƅƍ ƅƍƆƃ ô Ƅƃ ƊƆƄ Ï ^ƍ ƇƄƃƎ ƅƍƆƃ ô Ƅƃ ƊƓ ƍ ƑƎ Ǝ ƼêÖü Ɔ ƼƞƟơè Ơêƾü Ɔ ƼƞƟƢ

The Managing Director International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has said that with technology already shaping Africa now, however, require the right investments, as it remain a powerful tool to help build stronger economies for Africa in the Future.

The IMF chief, however, outlined how economic diversification is part of the solution, and how it is critical to strike the right balance between investment and debt sustainability, while projected Africa’s growth at expected rate of 2.9 per cent in 2017 and 3.5

per cent in 2018 and 2019, due to the recovery that is strengthening in many countries in the continent.

In her speech at the Foundations of Technological Transformation in Africa, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), held in Ethiopia over the weekend, Speaking on the theme, “The impact of technology for the economies of Africa and the new opportunities is created for the next generation”, the IMF chief said that technology of all kinds’ needs public involvement and good

public-private sector partnerships to succeed.

According to her, there is a direct link between roads, education and health systems and innovation. It is a powerful reminder that technological innovation requires a strong foundation to flourish.

“Because historic demographic changes require us - all of us - to focus on youth and assess the impact of these changes, this is a moment where young people can take their destinies into their own hands.

“In fact, youth in Africa already comprise 75 per cent of the working age

population. By 2030, over half of new workers entering the global labor force will come from Africa.

With the right strategy, the demographic dividend can bring prosperity. This incredible surge could translate into a virtuous cycle of economic growth and development”, she explained.

She said: “Globally, the sun is shining through the clouds and helping most economies generate the strongest growth since the financial crisis. The IMF is projecting 3.6 percent growth for 2017 and 3.7 per cent for 2018.

The Lagos State Government has commended Ecobank Nigeria for enhancing strategic public facilities that have direct impact on the people.

The lender, who recently resuscitated the Agbala Pediatric Centre in Ikorodu, Lagos State being part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility effort directed at women and children, was commended by the state commissioner for Health.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Bayo Aderiye said the contribution by Ecobank will go a long way in resuscitating healthcare delivery at the Centre.

Aderiye, also, used the opportunity to call on other corporate bodies to support the government in enhancing strategic public facilities, adding that the children’s pediatric Centre which is a strategic health facility for residents in Ikorodu and environs has long desired this facelift.

Commenting on this development, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie, said the renovation of the Agbala Pediatric centre by the bank is a promise kept as part of a weeklong Environmental sustainability campaign

in line with the business mantra of Ecobank, which is to build a world class Pan African bank and contribute to the economic development and financial integration of Africa.

According to Mr. Kie, the guiding principle for corporate social responsibility activities by the bank is to give back and contribute effectively to the communities in which it operates.

“Ecobank is a responsible and caring corporate citizen, assisting people and underprivileged groups to enhance their lives. We also encourage creativity and excellence among Africans, especially the young people, who we see as the future of our continent”, he said.

He reiterated that the vision of the Agbala project revolves around the need to create a conducive healthcare environment for the most vulnerable amongst us – women and children. This for the bank is reasonably considered to be the best way to exhibit a visible, vibrant and enduring corporate social responsibility.

He said it is also a farreaching compensation to the healthcare providers at the centre for their endless years of unflinching support to the sustenance of an endearing society.

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Capital Market Adesola Afolabi The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the final review of the composition of sectoral indices for the year 2017.

The sectoral indices comprise the NSE-30 modified market capitalization index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30, the top 15 most capitalized and liquid companies in the Insurance (NSE Insurance) and Consumer Goods sectors (NSE Consumer goods), top 10 most capitalized and liquid companies in the banking (NSE Banking) and Industrial Goods (NSE Industrial) sector and the top seven most capitalized and liquid companies in the Oil & Gas sector (NSE Oil and Gas).

A presentation of likely exiting and incoming companies made

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Oando, Forte Oil may exit NSE’s sector of 30 most capitalized stocks available by the local bourse suggested that Oando, Forte Oil and three other companies are likely to exit the NSE 30 index, an index that comprises of NSE’s 30 most capitalised listed stocks.

The bourse, revealed likely entrants of the NSE 30 to be Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Nascon Allied Industries Plc, Candbury Plc and Sterling Bank Plc. The NSE conducts the review of the sectoral indices which were developed using the market capitalization methodology, in preparation of a bi-annual rebalancing that takes place on the first busi-

ness day in January and in July.

For the consumer goods sector the likely incoming companies include Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Plc, DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, Nigeria Enamelware Plc and likely exiting companies include 7Up Bottling Co. Plc, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Champion Breweries Plc .

Skye Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc will likely join the NSE banking index, while Wema Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc have been listed as stocks to likely exit.

The NSE explains that the stocks for entry and exit are selected based on their market capitalization from the most liquid

sectors.

‘The liquidity is based on the number of times the stock is traded during the preceding two quarters. To be included, the stock must have traded for at least 70 percent of the number of times the market opened for business.’

For the insurance index Equity Assurance Plc, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc may join while Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, STACO Insurance Plc, Universal Insurance Plc, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc may leave.

L-R: CBN Deputy Governor Operations, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu presenting award “For Sustainable Transaction of The Year in Agriculture” to the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, who was represented by the Executive Director of the bank, Mr Jude Monye at the inaugural Nigeria Sustainable Banking Award convened by the Central Bank of Nigeria, during Bankers Committee Meeting held in Lagos.. yesterday

Banks, consumer goods, conglomerates stocks top investors picks ….As supplementary listing lifts market cap, while ASI dips Bonny Amadi A total turnover of 1.852 billion shares worth N51.523 billion in 23,863 deals were traded during the week ended Friday 15th December 2017, by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 3.316 billion shares valued at N36.451 billion that exchanged hands in the preceding week in 29,771 deals.

The NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 2.09 per cent during the week, closing at 38,436.08, having opened the week at 39,257.53.

However, the Market Capitalization appreciated by 0.04 to close the week at N13.678 trillion respectively driven by supplementary listings during the week by Stanbic IBTC and International Breweries.

Also, all other indices finished

lower during the week with the exception of the NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Oil/Gas and NSE Lotus II Indices that appreciated by 0.68 per cent, 4.54 per cent, and 0.71 per cent respectively while the NSE Alternative Securities Exchange Market (ASeM) closed flat.

However, the financial Services Industry measured by volume led the activity chart with 1.377 billion shares valued at N17.137 billion traded in 14,334 deals, contributing 74.35 per cent and 33.26 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 175.880 million shares worth N8.044 billion in 4,882 deals. The third place was occupied by Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 134.882 million shares worth N821.653 million in 1,108 deals.

Take advantage of growth opportunities in 2018, experts urge FG Stories By Bonny Amadi Research experts have urged the federal government to take advantage of opportunities to grow the country’s economy in 2018, and not to waste it las seen in 2017.

SBM investment and Research expert in its review of its 2017 forecast and 2018 preview recently released to the investment community, said that 2018 is likely to project remarkable earning opportunities to grow Nigeria’s economy, but the extent of maximization of such opportunities would depend on the government.

As we enter the election campaign season, questions remain about the fundamental structure of Nigeria’s economy, and the Nigerian state itself.

The forecast , pointed that concern for enhancement of growth opportunities arose , hence “Increasingly, the Nigerian state no longer participates in the life of the Nigerian, except in the collection of taxes, levies and charges for certain required government services. Things will come to a head at some point” The report pointed that the country failed to take advantage of growth opportunities presented by economic depression in 2016 and 2017 to grow its manufacturing sector and boost economic development, as it hinged GDP growth to oil price increase and increase in production of crude while production sustained a marked descent.

Irrespective of the blown opportunities in 2017, SBM Intelligence in its 2018 forecast pointed that another growth opportunities are encased in the coming year.

Lafarge Africa’s new shareholding structures to emerge as Rights Issue ends With the close of Lafarge Africa’s three week’s Rights issues which opened on 24th November , 2017 and closed on 15th December, the company’s new shareholding structure is expected to emerge soon.

Lafarge Africa through its rights Issues offered 3,097,653,023 Ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at the offer price of

N42.50 per share and expected gross Issue Proceeds of N131, 650,253,478. The offer represents the highest Rights issue to be offered in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Provisional Allotment for the offer is in the proportion of 5 new Ordinary Shares for every 9 Ordinary Shares of 50 kobo each held as at the close of business

on 1st November 2017.

The rights offer to existing shareholders of the company at 15% discount based on the Right Price of N42.50 to stocks current price of N50, was made available to existing shareholders on the basis of 5 new shares for every 9 shares held at close of business Wednesday November 1st 2017.

SIBTCH, International Breweries boost outstanding shares The International Breweries Nigeria Plc have joined the club of companies with outstanding share volumes in excess of five billion, with recent registration of additional 5,301,612,656 ordinary shares on the official list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to the NSE, the additional shares listed arose from the Scheme of Merger involving International Breweries Plc, Intafact Beverages Limited and Pabod Breweries Limited. With this listing

of 5,301,612,656 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of International Breweries Plc has now increased from 3,294,249,280 to 8,595,861,936 ordinary shares.

Meanwhile, Stanbic Ibtc Holdings Plc during the week listed additional volume of 49,465,731 ordinary shares of 50k each of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc were listed on the Daily Official List of the Exchange on the 15th of December, 2017.

These additional shares arose as a result of the Scrip Dividend Scheme

offered to eligible shareholders of the company who elected to receive new ordinary shares in lieu of cash dividends with respect to the 5 kobo final dividend declared for the year ended 31 December, 2016, as well as the 60 kobo interim dividend declared for the period ended 30 June, 2017.

With this listing of 49,465,731 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has now increased from 10,000,000,000 to 10,049,465,731 ordinary shares.

Insurance

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Mutual, Sovereign Trust, Consolidated Hallmark make NSE’s Insurance index

L-R: Segun Opeke, Directorate Head, Lagos Business, Skye Bank Plc; Mustapha Moonim, Regional Vice President, Oracle Financial Services; Tokunbo Abiru, Skye Bank Group Managing Director/CEO; Chet Kamat, Managing Director/CEO, Oracle Financial Services and Innocent Ike, Executive Director, Technology & Services, Skye Bank when Oracle Team recently paid a business visit to Skye Bank... in Lagos recently.

Linkage Assurance grows total assets to N24, 508,137 Stories by Bonny Amadi Linkage assurance Plc has kept faith with its growth agenda with its third quarter result fo the period ended September 30, 2017.

Linkage Assurance Nigeria Plc’s the first nine months through September 2017, Linkage Assurance’s profit after tax surged by 297.01 per cent to N2.44

billion from N616.15 million the previous year. The company’s unaudited financial statement for the period showed that key indices however slowed in performance, but for investment income.

Total assets surged to N24, 508,137bn from N20, 332,444bn posted as at December 31 2016. Financial assets rose to N19, 619,268 from N14, 819,771 in December

2016, while shareholders funds also grew to N20,451,769, over N16,533,288bn in 2016.

According to the result, gross premium income stood at N3, 375,389bn as at the third quarter 2017, same as in third quarter 2016.

However, net premium declined to N2,013,089,over N2,336,013 in Q3 2016, but investment income grew remarkably to N3,240,516 in Q2 2017, from N734,557 recorded in

the corresponding period of 2016.

Linkage assurance PLC was incorporated 26th March, 1991 and was licensed to cover and transact non-life insurance businesses on 7th October, 1993.

The firm is one of the leading insurance service providers in Nigeria, with a reputation for prompt and accurate service delivery, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Custodian and Allied changes symbol The Nigerian Stock Exchange has announced that Custodian and Allied Insurance has changed its Ticker symbol from Custodians to Custodian.

According to the Exchange, “Custodian.” The ticker symbol change is to align with the

Company’s diversified business structure.

This was coming as A.M. Best rating agency, has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bb” of Custodian and Allied Insurance

CAI) (Nigeria).

The CAI in a statement said its outlook of the FSR remains stable, whilst the outlook of the Long-Term ICR remains positive. CAI is the wholly owned non-life subsidiary of Custodian and Allied Plc. CAI’s balance sheet strength,

considered by the rating body was classified as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also factor in the company’s exposure to high levels of economic risk, and very high

In the latest reviews on the index composition s f the NSE indices , from the NSE30 index to all sectorial indices, three insurance companies have been enlisted in the NSE insurance index, while four others have however been delisted from the index.

According to the probable new composition of the NSE insurance index, , key insurance companies tat during the period of assessment of performance of the companies on the floor of the exchange, they attained the required threshold in terms of liquidity, turnover and vibrancy of the stock in the equities market.

For the new composition of the NSE Insurance Index, new entrants to the index include, Equity Assurance, Mutual Benefits Assurance , Sovereign Trust Insurance and Consolidated Hallmark Insurance.

The companies, it would be recalled have been implementing innovative solutions to drive penetration, new products and grow market share, ain addition to remaining profitable and returning value to shareholders fund.

However, the four companies that were de-listed from the NSE insurance index are, Regency Alliance Insurance, Staco Insurance, Universal Insurance and Standard Alliance Insurance.

levels of political and financial system risk associated with operating exclusively in Nigeria.

The positive outlook of the Long-Term ICR continues to reflect the steady improvements in CAI’s risk management framework, which assists in improving the stability of operating performance and balance sheet strength in a highly competitive operating environment.

DMO urges investors to take advantage of Green Bond The Debt Management office (DMO) has urged prospective investors to take advantage of earning opportunity provided by Green bond, to impact positively on standard of living, environment and also earn money.

Director General, DMO, Mrs. Patience Oniha, made the call in Lagos during the FGN’s

green bond investors’ forum an road show held in Lagos weekend, saying that he green bond which is development of infrastructures for suitable environment, has same features of other federal government bonds.

According to her, the offer which opened today, provided sound investment and earning opportunities for institutional investors and retail investors as

well, with minimum subscription of N10, 000,000 and 1,000,000 multiples and minimum allotment of N10, 000 and 1,000 multiples.

According to her, the funds to b realized from the bon would be deployed to enhancing sustainability of sound environment , a check on rising global warming, which if left unchecked would pose great danger to humans on the surface of the Earth.

The DMO DG said that the N10.67 billion five year instrument is first tranche of N150 billion Green bond, expected to be raised to finance the implementation of the Paris 2015 agreement climate change, signed by Nigeria’s President Mohammadu Buhari, which was ratified in 2016.

She explained Green bonds market instrument used exclusively to fund projects that have

specific environmental and/ or climate benefits which explained the role of the federal ministry of environment in the bond issuance.

The DMO boss said that the instrument carries all features of federal government bonds in terms of coupon and tenor and would be listed on both the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the FMDQ for trading in the secondary market.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 18, 2017

Stories by Godwin Anyebe The issue of genuine corporate social responsibility in Nigeria has continued to be a subject of debate among stakeholders.

While some corporate are considered as being sincere with their commitment to CSR others are seen as unethical when it comes to issue of CSR. According to Business for Social Responsibility, CSR simply means achieving commercial success in ways that honour ethical values and respect people, communities and the natural environment. This ranges from the respect for local labour laws, for example, to international human rights norms such as the UN Guiding Principles (GP).

In other parts of the world, there are legislations in place to check the activities of businesses as well protect businesses from abuse either from the host community or even the government. What this

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CSR

CSR and global best practices in Nigeria means is that a business should have defined standards of operation – minimum wage, avoid child labour, respect the environment, ensure safe working environment, among others.

There are also a number of international agreements and initiatives in different sectors aimed at protecting both employers and employees thereby ensuring business sustainability – international programmes such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Global Reporting Initiative, ISO 26000, Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative, United Nations Principle for Responsible Investment, etc. require multinational companies (MNCs) to apply CSR programmes globally.

Large international brands like Nigerian Breweries, Guiness,

MTN Nigeria, Globacom, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline, British American Tobacco, Coca-Cola, Dangote Group, Cargill, Carlsberg, Pepsico, Diageo, Chevron, Airtel, SAB Miller, Dufil Prima etc. expect all their operations to comply with their corporate codes irrespective of country of operation. Suppliers must meet CSR standards for responsible sourcing, etc.

However, this seems not to be the case in Nigeria; there are instances where companies indulge in social marketing and call it CSR. As a matter of fact, the most annoying aspect of it analysts said is the abuse of labour by multinational in Nigeria. For them, what most organisations in this part of the world term as CSR is simply “Corporate Philanthropy” where

they return a share of their profit to the society irrespective of the way they conduct their business.

Speaking on this issue, Mr. Eustace Onuegbu , the President of International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (INCSR) and the CEO of De Bernards Consulting Ltd said; “I often get amazed when in the process of research or otherwise, I come across company websites that involve in what I term as “Image Laundering”. Worst still is the fact that there are a number CSR awards being given out each year by a number of organisations that (with all due respect) don’t even know the true meaning of CSR. “ Here you have an organisation that may have not paid its workers a living wage, may have never con-

ducted a CSR audit being given a CSR award by maybe an organisation that does not have a CSR professional and did not engage any CSR audit company to properly assess the activities of the organisation.”

According to him, “I have often challenged the merits for such awards. One can only conclude that this is another image laundering approach being deployed by some organisations which is made possible due to lack of good governance. Organisations are required to conduct annual CSR audits in most parts of the world to ascertain both existing and potential risks that the organisation may be facing and with the help of a qualified usually external CSR auditor(s), design an intervention CSR strategy to mitigate against

Noah’s Ark wins LAIF grand prix Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, has reaffirmed its leadership position in the advertising landscape in Nigeria as it emerged the overall best creative agency at the just concluded Lagos Advertising Ideas Festival in Lagos at the weekend.

Noah’s Ark, was announced as winner after beating DDB and X3M Ideas which emerged runners-up on the medal table recently in Lagos.

The highpoint of the event came when Noah’s Ark carted home the coveted prize by winning the only Grand Prix for “Lost”, its much acclaimed commercial for Airtel, a repeat of what had happened at the 2015 edition of the award.With this development, Noah’s Ark is now the only agency in Nigeria that has won the LAIF Grand Prix back-to-back. To lead the medals table, Noah’s Ark won 1 grand prix, 6 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze.

Some of the campaigns that won awards for the agency include Airtel Lost, Three Crowns Fitness Challenge, Airtel’s 10X and many others.

Noah’s Ark submitted 60 entries only out of which 54 were shortlisted and 24 of the entries eventually won the

awards. With its performance at the 2017 edition of LAIF, Noah’s Ark has set the record of winning two out of the four grand prix that have ever been awarded in the twelve years existence of LAIF Awards.

It would be recalled that Noah’s Ark had earlier won gold at the recently concluded Epica award in Brussel, Germany, with its Airtel “Lost”spot. The ad was also shortlisted among the 20 funniest ads of 2017 in the current edition of the globally acclaimed advertising magazine, Adweek.

R-L: Chioma Okolie, CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria; Segun Ogunsanya, CEO & MD, Airtel Nigeria and Atanda-Lawal Fuad Abimbola, Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA during the feeding of 1000 less-privileged Nigerians through Airtel 5 Days of Love initiative recently... in Lagos

Event Industry Nigeria uplifts ‘differently abled’ children in Lagos

In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Event Industry Nigeria (EIN) in collaboration with Event Market Nigeria (EMN) recently supported the differently abled in the society by organizing a charity event tagged: ‘Differently Abled Meet and Greet for Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children’, Surulere, Lagos.

The event was a platform to encourage and support the blind children and inspire them to greatness to be self-actualized citizens in the society. It was an occasion to make them realize that people do care about them to inspire them to the fulfillment of their dreams.

Temmie Amodu, Event Conve-

ner of Event Market Nigeria said recently in Lagos, that the visit to Pacelli School for the blind is to uplift the plight of the differently abled and create a platform of expression and self-actualization for them.

“The EMN Differently Abled Meet and Greet is to uplift the plight of the differently abled to live to their full potentials because we do care for them. They are abled members of the society and should be encouraged,” he said.

He further encouraged the students to keep alive their dreams and cling to their passion in order to live a fulfilled life.

It was an atmosphere of fun as differently abled talents seize the occasion to entertain themselves and

the crowd. Amongst them are Abednego Norris, the first Blind African Rapper and multitalented artist who anchored the event and proved without doubt that sight impediment does not deter one from showcasing humor and wits. Kelly Blind of Wazobia FM was full of nuggets and jokes to inspire the children to greatness while sharing his life experiences.

Miss Ejiro Sharon, an Ex-Pacellian also used the occasion to express how she chases her dreams and explained how she strives to achieve all her goals. “Being differently abled cannot deter me from chasing my dreams as I believe we all have different goals to achieve, whether being physically chal-

lenged or not. So I will chase my dreams with all I have got. I am looking forward to becoming the first blind Ambassador to the United Nations,” she revealed.

Funfair and party was also organized for the students and some differently abled personalities were invited to anchor and talk to them which all created an atmosphere of upliftment, learning and excitement.

Sister Jane, Principal, Pacelli School for the Blind lauded Event Market Nigeria for deeming it fit to visit the school to support the differently abled kids. “On behalf of our students and the school, we say thank you for supporting the aspirations of the children,” she said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 18, 2017

Med-View Airline has just increased its capacity by adding Dubai to its route networks, what informed your decision to venture into the route?

We thank God almighty for giving us this opportunity and for making this inaugural flight a success story. When you do domestic alone, you are limited in connectivity. When you do regional operations, you are limited to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) communities and African Union (AU). When you venture into any of the countries where we are now and the one that we intend to go, you have gone global and you have no hidden corridor any more.

Here in Dubai and London, we are open to the whole world and we are contesting with the great masters of the industry such as British Airway, Lufthansa and KLM amongst others.

We need to play the game the way it is played globally. We started this venture in Saudi Arabia, when we went into this country for pilgrimage; we were maintaining this position and contesting along with the global masters that come to play the same Hajj operations. For over 11 years now, we have been the only Nigerian carrier that has been consistent and we have carried over 330 thousand pilgrims that have fulfilled their Islamic obligations.

When we came in, there were 14 carriers, but today, only two are still in the market and I hope more will come. From the Saudi Arabian position, we built the capacity by having a very strong base. For our Hajj operations, we do not only carry Nigerians, we carried from various countries.

We ventured into the United Kingdom, (UK), and people thought we will not last up to six months, but today, we have operated for two years on the London route. We have gone through various huddles, but in UK now, we have been accepted side by side with British Airways and that is the beauty of it all.

This is what informed us and give us the strength to come here. This is a global market where everyone wants to play effectively.

We have been in talks with the Dubai Government for three years and we have done the ground work by establishing a cargo company here, we have our workers here and we have an agency of travel and tour packages. We went into negotiation and got our first two sets of slots. We were working strongly to build the capacity. We sent our staff here to work and some went to the university here.

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Business Features

We’re competing with world powers on international routes- Bankole

Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Managing Director of Med-View Airline in this interview with journalists during its inaugural flight to in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), spoke on the carrier’s operations, challenges in the industry and expectations from the government amongst others. CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO was there. Excerpts: Today, we can raise up our heads, we have everything on ground in Dubai.

On our arrival flight, we came in with about 12 tonnes of cargo and on the first departure flight to Nigeria, we have 15tonnes of cargo. We had about 80 per cent load factor on arrival flight.

On December 24, we will launch in Kaduna Kano Jeddah routes and we will be doing two flights weekly.

We will start with Thursdays and Sundays and that is why we chose December 24.

This is the journey so far.

We will soon start Texas operations and intend to have four flights weekly and Washington, but we have narrowed them down to two flights, so that we are working. We have a consultant working with us. We give ourselves six months, we will be looking at 2018 and that will be the close of the international network.

We went to Anglophone and Francophone countries and we are in the Middle East and UK now. The next stage is to be in United States and China will be the next by the grace of God. We are going step by step.

We do it slowly and close it. We are spending and building capacity. We are not making noise. God has been the driving force and we thank God for it.

Service appears one key factor to drive the Dubai route, how are you looking at making your service a top notch?

Ethiopian Airline is owned by Ethiopian Government, Emirates and Saudi Airlines are championed by their government.

They subsidise everything for them.

I am buying fuel at $51 and I buy it in Nigeria at N220 for no reason. You can understand the challenge we are facing. We do not have government that is championing our course, but these big airlines have their governments supporting them. So, we know God has been the one driving this course.

The issue of having that standard is gradual. We have started. We created an ambassador on-board, introducing a Nigerian attire and culture. These ambassadors are added value.

What they are going to do is to supervise what others are doing. It is not some-

Bankole thing you find anywhere.

The only place you find it is on Ethiopia Airline. The lady you find on-board putting on Nigerian wear is like a supervisor, as they run the show too.

We will not compromise in our delivery of service.

I went on the flight, I made comments and I took comments and I will go back to them and we will discuss.

We will get there.

In the area of on-time departure and good food, what are you doing to ensure this is of international standard?

We need to change many things. Structures and discipline is always a problem in Nigeria. We saw the whole delay. Passengers were held up with immigration.

There is no basis for the delays. We should have gone pass this level. Once passengers check in, they have minimum time and there is no need delaying them.

We still have to get there.

That is why Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President brought up the idea of ease of doing business to show Nigeria the way to do business. We will get there.

We will improve our service delivery on-board.

How strong is your tour package?

For you to come to Dubai on Thursdays we can package your things, deliver your cargo and you will be able to board Med-View flight. You have an advantage. This is one idea we are trying to sell so that Nigeria will have this culture of getting out and getting something better for themselves and their family members.

We are too money conscious, but we need to move out no matter how little we have.

Aside from service, are you leveraging on price to drive this destination?

We have subsidised the price on this route so that people can afford it. We reduced the rate by 50 per cent. What we are selling is mileage. Going from London to Dubai is six hours by flight and while coming from London to Lagos is three times the price. What makes it different? It is the same cost. We have done the cost analysis and we have subsidised our rates.

As a Nigerian airline wearing the country’s flag, what form of support have you received from the Federal Government so far?

This is like a one man

flight, but we have a minister who is listening. He is a friend and a brother of mine. He is a young guy, he is dynamic, but he has limitations.

He came here and how many of Nigerian airlines have been given letter of designation, yet has nowhere to go? We have two seasons in aviation, the winter and the summer.

So, let us wait for another time if one time is not favourable. We should be discipline. We need to first access ourselves at home.

Today, we are only five airlines flying in Nigeria, the remaining 23 is gone.

So, something must be put in place to ensure people do not close shop. We came here and they asked us to go to somewhere far away. This took me about eight months to fight. For almost one year I have been fighting it. Whoever is behind this scene has to open up. I told the authority that I won’t accept it.

What makes Emirates do three flights in Nigeria, two in Lagos and one in Abuja?

Why don’t they go to Yola?

So I wrote to everyone and the government wrote me back to be patient and Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation told the people that they have to support me. If not Sirika, this our dream would have died.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are doing 21 frequencies and I am doing only four and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told me I could only do two and I refused their allocations. So, I decided to write a protest letter against it and that is why we are doing four frequencies weekly today. God is the one supporting us.

With all these restrictions, how do you intend to sustain these routes?

For you to survive, you must build a foundation for yourself. If you do not have a solid foundation, you will not succeed. I don’t just come to the air. I build capacity in Dubai for three years for me to be here.

The rest we have left in the hands of God, since government come and go.

Poaching is a popular practice in the Nigerian aviation industry, what plans do you have for training and re-training of technical personnel in the sector?

Thank God for our life, most of the guys you see in the industry flying for other airlines some of them are Med-View products. We are happy to have blazed the trail and some of them that have been poached from us, we have no regret about that, but we at Med-View, we are one family and when you are one family, you have the best.

I have young pilots that were trained by us and they are around 17 and 18 years old.

The company spent lots of money on them to train them because I see myself not been here forever.

We have a succession plan in place. I have a Deputy Manager, I have Executive Director. As I am talking to you right now, I no longer do the bulk of the job.

I have given out the job to people to run them. We have trained a lot of people in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria. You see, one thing about spending money on people is that they will never betray you because you are building the foundation for them. That is what I have achieved.

I have trained a lot of boys; they are disciplined and when they came here, they have a completely different orientation.

The first two months when you come here, we do what we call orientation or indoctrination. You will know this company well. That’s your first entry point. That means you will go everywhere; you will go to cargo, you will go to engineering and you must read and understand. Then, you are expected to send me a report, which will judge if you are fit to be in this company or not because those areas that you went, there must be comments from there. Those bosses you went under their supervision they will come and say to me, ‘that guy looks very brilliant, sir if you don’t mind, you can give him to me. He’s sound in Information Technology,’ and so on and so forth.

And if I want to employ professional people, I give it out to consultants to handle for me. I don’t get involve.

The only one thing that everybody knows is that your final entry point is me; you must meet me one on one .

Life&

TIMES Monday, December 18, 2017

2016

Miss Nigeria in focus L4

P

Reigning Queen Chioma Obiadi

L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 18, 2017

L3

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 18, 2017

Miss Nigeria in retrospect

From Atinuke Oyelude (Miss Nigeria 1957); a new queen emerges soon Miss Nigeria is an annual pageant show that showcases special and positive attribute of Nigerian young women this show is to promote and build up women integrity to combine beauty with intellect. The Daily Times was the founder of the Miss Nigeria in year 1957. Winners have portrayed effective use of moral, beauty and intellect before they were alleged winners of Miss Nigeria. As we gear up for the 60th edition of the pageant; it is important we brush up your minds on some of the past winners of this prestigious platform. Here are some of the few queens of the Miss Nigeria pageant in no particular order:

Slyvia Edem

be crowned as Miss Nigeria. She is a graduate

Sylvia Edem

Rosaline Balogun to participate in the Miss World contest in country. There were only four contestants that Chioma Obiadi:

Amina Ekpo

Grace Oyelude

of one is still passionate to undertake new Grace Atinuke Oyelude 83-year-old Grace Atinuke be crowned Miss Nigeria. She

Still in a reign which ends in a couple of

Ezinne Akudo: When you talk about beauty Yemi Idowu

in Kano. She was a nurse and a also given different chieftaincy

at Miss United Nations is now where she is a strong activist against sexual

Edna Park

others.

Glasgow.

Pamele

Peter-Vigboro:

Watch Out!!!!!

Helen Anyamaeluna

to wear the crown without been an indigene of Nigeria. She was was under Nigerian constitution in later furthered her education. She Nene Etule

of United

Life&

Nigeria brand in good light as she is currently pitching her tent in photography; an art she Ezinne Akudo was crowned Miss showed interest in during her reign.

Ekpo Amina