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SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2018

Codeine and a nation hooked on substance abuse

VOL. 3

NO. 657

N150

Stakeholders differ on ban List ways to curb menace

Ladesope Ladelokun Until Nigerian rapper, Olamide Adedeji, a.k.a Olamide, released the single “Science Student”, what crossed the minds of many at the mention of “Science Student” was just a student that is probably familiar with reagents in a typical Chemistry laboratory or tell results of chemical reactions.

Not anymore. In his “Science Student”, the maverick rapper

gave a new meaning to the traditional science student: A serial substance abuser.

Like a bad disease that has spread like a raging inferno, the spate of substance abuse among Nigerians is one that has elicited reactions and grave concern across different strata of the Nigerian society.

From bars to bus stops, hotels to clubs, secondary schools to campuses, it is not uncommon to see evidence of a nation hooked on substance, findings

by The Daily Times has revealed.

Less than 24 hours after a documentary by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on the abuse of codeine in Nigeria, the Federal Government placed a ban on the importation and manufacture of codeine-based syrup.

According to the BBC, three million bottles of the addictive syrup are consumed every

Continued on page 5

The many sides of Tayo Sobola L1

g L2 & L3

Heads of anticorruption agency in Commonwealth Africa appoint Magu as Chairman g4

Health workers’ strike: NGO threatens contempt, says Health Minister not main issue g 27

AMCON takes over Stella Oduah’s assets over N20bn debt g B1

Centenary City Abuja: Foreign investors mull suit against FG over project delay g 5

22

Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 11, 2018 Saturday, May 19, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Bunch of Banana

Surprising benefits of banana

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma The health benefits of banana include helping with weight loss, reducing obesity, curing intestinal disorders, relieving constipation, and curing conditions like dysentery, anemia, tuberculosis, arthritis, gout, kidney and urinary disorders. Banana can also help with menstrual problems and burns. It is good for reducing blood pressure, protecting heart health, boosting metabolism and immunity, reducing the severity of ulcers, ensuring healthy eyes, building strong bones, and detoxifying the body.

What is banana?

Bananas are elongated, slightly curved edible fruits with a fleshy outer peel that can be easily removed to expose the white to yellow flesh. They grow in clusters near the top of the fruiting plant, and come in a range of colors, including green, red, yellow, and brown (when ripe). A banana tree is the largest flowering herbaceous plant in the world. The scientific name of bananas is Musa acuminata. The fruit of the banana tree is eaten directly when ripe or is included in fruit salads, juice, and shakes.

Unripe bananas can cause severe indigestion and should be eaten only in a cooked form.

Also, bananas make a good topping for breakfast cereals or a snack for a quick burst of energy. Bananas are now grown in more than 100 countries around the world and can also be used to make fiber, banana wine, and are included in ornamental decorations.

The main distinction between bananas and plantains is that plantains are smaller, starchier, and denser fruits and are traditionally eaten in Asia and other tropical countries. Bananas are more commonly found in Europe and America and are soft, desert fruits.

Banana nutrition One serving or 126 grams of banana contains 110 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates. They are a rich source of protein, potassium, and dietary fiber. They have zero fat and cholesterol, as well as negligible sodium. Thus, bananas have been considered one of the healthiest options for fruit consumption for many years.

Their impressive nutritional content

includes vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid, and niacin, as well as trace amounts of other vitamins. Bananas also contain minerals like phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and copper.

Health benefits of banana Banana has many amazing health benefits, they include the following: Lower blood pressure Bananas are a rich source of potassium, so they reduce blood pressure. By relieving the tension on arteries and veins, blood can flow smoothly through the body and oxygenate various organs to increase their function.

This can help eliminate atherosclerosis and the subsequent strokes and heart attacks that are so commonly associated with it.

The fiber in bananas also scrapes excess cholesterol from the arteries and blood vessels and further reduces stress on the cardiovascular system.

Treats asthma A banana a day keeps asthma at bay!

According to research, children consuming one banana a day reduced their asthma risk by 34%.

Treats constipation Bananas contain significant amounts of dietary fiber and therefore help in smooth bowel movements. The roughage soothes the excretion process and relieves a person from constipation. They also help in treating other intestinal disorders.

Prevents colo-rectal cancer The high fiber content in bananas help bulk up the stool and stimulate the body’s peristaltic motion, which facilitates bowel movements through the intestinal tract.

This can help prevent colo-rectal cancer and reduce unhealthy digestive conditions.

Cures diabetes A banana provides about 3 grams of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for both type-1 and type-2 diabetics. Type-1 diabetics may have lowered blood glucose levels and type-2 may have improved blood glucose levels.

Preserves memory and boosts mood The amino acid tryptophan in bananas plays a vital role in boosting mood and preserving memory. Additionally, magnesium helps relax muscles and vitamin B6 helps you sleep well.

Treats anemia Bananas contain high iron content and therefore aid in treating anemia since iron is an essential part of red blood cells. Bananas also have a significant content of copper, which is an important element in the creation of red blood cells. By increasing your red blood cell count, not only do you prevent anemia, but you can also increase circulation to all parts of the body, thereby oxygenating them and optimizing their functionality.

Aids in weight loss Bananas are useful for weight loss as one banana has approximately only 90 calories.

They contain a lot of fiber as well and are easy to digest. Furthermore, they do not contain any fats. Therefore, an overweight person does not have to eat too much if their diet contains bananas because they are very filling. The roughage will also not make the person feel hungry by inhibiting the release of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. This will reduce overeating and also help in weight loss.

Strengthens bones The presence of fructooligosaccharide, a prebiotic, is a beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract that boosts the intake of minerals and nutrients by the body. Bananas are also linked to an increased absorption of calcium. Calcium is the most important element in the production and regrowth of bone matter in the body. It reduces our chances of getting affected by osteoporosis and natural weakness.

Anti-inflammatory properties The compounds inside bananas are antiinflammatory in nature, meaning that they can reduce swelling, inflammation, and irritation from conditions like arthritis and gout.

Improves vision Bananas, like many other fruits, are packed with antioxidants and carotenoids, as well as a healthy mix of minerals that can seriously boost the health of your eyes. Macular degeneration, cataracts, night blindness, and glaucoma have all been shown to decrease with normal intake of bananas and other similar fruits.

Promotes weight gain Bananas can be useful for weight gain.

When consumed with milk, bananas help

3 Wellness

increase a person’s weight rapidly. Milk provides the necessary proteins and bananas provide the sugars. Furthermore, since bananas are easily digested, an underweight person can gulp down 5-6 bananas in a day apart from the regular meals without facing indigestion. This leads to an additional intake of 500-600 calories, which is quite necessary for weight gain. Since bananas have the ability to provide instant energy, sportsmen eat bananas during the breaks in between games for an extra surge of energy.

Treats piles (Hemorrhoids) Bananas have been used as a natural remedy for piles as the high fiber content makes it easy to pass stools. The laxative effect prevents any kind of strain, thus providing relief and curing hemorrhoids (swollen veins around the anus region).

Treats ulcers Traditionally, bananas have been used as an antacid food to soothe upset stomachs as they can also suppress acid secretion. The protease inhibitors in bananas eliminate the harmful bacteria that have been linked to the development of stomach ulcers.

Prevents kidney disorders Potassium and various antioxidants in bananas help ease the strain on kidneys and encourage urination. This can help keep toxins from accumulating in the body.

Relieves menstrual problems Cooked banana flowers help in providing relief from painful and excessive bleeding during the menstrual cycle and can relieve other menstrual distress too.

Banana diet The Morning Banana Diet for weight loss became so popular that it lead to the shortage of bananas in food stores of Japan. This diet plan involved consumption of unlimited bananas with water in the morning, unrestricted lunch and dinner but no deserts.

And no eating after 8:00 pm.

Uses of Banana For a more balanced diet, you can have the fruit of banana in any of the following ways: • Add a banana to your bowl of cereal, oats or muesli to increase the nutrients.

• Add frozen bananas to your smoothie for a delicious flavor.

• Add ripe mashed bananas in baked goods. It is a good replacement for oil and butter in cooking.

• Add banana in cakes and cookies. It gives them a yummy taste.

• Coat the banana with grated coconut and bake it. Enjoy it as a snack or you can freeze it and have it for dessert.

• Peel off and have it directly Different parts of banana are used for cooking in different countries. The fruit is eaten raw or cooked. Some also eat the peel or the skin of the banana, which are also nutritious. The banana heart (flower) is also used in various curries and soups.

The banana leaves are used as wrapping materials for baking and boiling various dishes. They are also used as biodegradable plants or containers. The trunk of the plant is also used in a Burmese dish called mohinga, which is a rice noodle with fish soup.

Side effects of banana Consuming banana may have some side effects like: • High potassium levels: Certain medicines consumed for heart disease and hypertension have the ability to raise potassium levels in the body. These include beta-blockers and diuretics. Therefore, those on medication are advised to consult a doctor before adding bananas to their diet.

• Allergy: Those who are allergic to bananas may experience itching, swelling, hives, and wheezing in the throat and mouth.

• Migraine: Those you get frequent migraine attacks are advised to have no more than half a banana a day.

• Gastrointestinal distress: Due to the abundant amount of fiber, eating too many bananas may cause various gastrointestinal disorders. These include stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and many more.

Source: www.organicfacts.net

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Codeine and a nation hooked on substance abuse Continued from page 1 day in just two northern states. It added that “thousands of young Nigerians are addicted to codeine cough syrup - a medicine that’s become street drug.

“But, stakeholders have expressed divergent views on the ban placed on the importation of codeine.

While some have showered plaudits on the Federal Government, some have described the move as one that will only scratch the surface of the menace of substance abuse.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Times, the Director General of the Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, described the ban as timely and called for stronger regulatory postures against drugs that have adverse effect like addiction.

“It’s worrisome. On April 10, CPC put up advisory. That was three weeks before the banning of codeine.

And in our advisory, what we said was that, first, we should proceed with banning, even prescription of codeine. So, three weeks after when the Federal Government banned codeine completely, it was essentially in the direction of what we were already thinking at the CPC. I think the use of controlled substances

whether it’s codeine, tramadol or any other combination of chemical properties that has adverse effect such as addiction is a problem across the country. Nigeria is not alone in the problem but we’ve got to take strong regulatory postures against that development.’’

Contributing to the debate on whether the ban will effectively check substance abuse, the CPC boss said: “I know there is a debate about whether prohibition is the right way to go or not, but my take on that is that it is very difficult to police any conduct unless you start out by outlawing it. I recognise the fact that, yes, they trade because it’s an addiction, they will go underground. That makes the whole law enforcement apparatus more robust. So, we welcome the ban. We are looking to work with all the appropriate authorities and regulators”.

Commenting on the possibility of making billionaires of the importers of the drug owing to the fear that it will still be smuggled into the country like other banned products, Irukera said: “I’m not sure I agree with that argument. I don’t know if there is any evidence to support that. One thing I know is that when something becomes illegal, not everyone is inherently crimiminal

by nature. So, there is going to be a number of people who have been engaging in this who will stop because you have criminalised this.

Secondly, the fact that when what you are dealing in is a violation of law, the full weight of the law for how you control that conduct is far clearer and more robust, I have no doubt it will reduce consumption.

For instance, I read in the papers a few days ago that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency apprehended seven people in Ilorin and seized quite a number of boxes of codeine from them. Prior to when it was outlawed, that would have been a violation of law. That would have been an interference with legitimate business, but now, it is against the law and control initiative has started.’’

Meanwhile, President of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Mrs. Sola Salako, believes banning alone will not curb the menace. adding that no single weapon can clear the infamous action.

“It’s a big problem. It’s not just about banning the production of the substance. The banning was for them to at least take control of the source of production they can control but there is the section of smuggled

goods, imported ones, which are flooding the market, that’s the second stage they need to sort out.

Then, third, massive education. We need to educate the people. We need to do a lot of campaigns to explain the consequences to many of these people because when they start, they don’t know the consequences. They only understand that it makes you go high but they don’t understand that this can affect your life forever.

“There is no one weapon that can clear it. It is going to be multiple action. They have to stop the importation and then massive education- consumer education.

Very, Very important,’’ Salako added.

Dismissing the claim in some quarters that the documentary aired by the BBC influenced the ban placed on the production of codeine and its importation, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohammed Mustapha, said: ” I commend BBC for its effort. It’s not true to say we will make billionaires of illicit trading of the drug. Last year, I gave the minister of health the list of drugs in Nigeria that shouldn’t be sold in Nigeria. Before the ban, we were working. We have a working relationship with NAFDAC, Ministry of Education

and NACA.’’ Mustapha, who spoke on a live radio programme monitored in Lagos, urged parents to take more interest in their children and wards.

“It’s not something new. There are other drugs that should be taken off Nigeria shops. Parents should know their children, know their friends.

Parents have a role to place,” he said But a medical doctor, Dr. Olalekan Oke, has described the reaction of government to substance abuse as a knee-jerk reaction.

Oke called for a more coordinated approach on the part of government, adding that a thousand and one drugs are abused on a daily basis and are far from being as popular as tramadol and codeine.

Oke wondered how, for example, those who sniff biogas from “soakaway” (septic tank) to get high will be checked.

His words: “There are so many drugs that are abused. The reaction of the government is what I call the knee- jerk reaction – just like the way they banned rice, it will still be available but now more expensive.’’

Other medical experts have argued that excessive use of codeine and other drugs can cause psychosis and organ failure.

Heads of anti-corruption agency in Commonwealth Africa appoint Magu as Chairman Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Heads of AntiCorruption Agencies in Commonwealth, Africa on Friday, rounded off its 8th Regional Conference with the appointment of the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu as its new chairman.

Magu’s appointment followed the body’s resolve to strengthen cooperation and collaboration among member countries for the purpose of facilitating assets recovery and return.

This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its 5-day conference held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The conference, with a theme, “Partnering Towards Assets Recovery and Return” among other things, expressed concern “about the heavy losses that Africa suffers as a result of illegal transfers of proceeds of corruption and crime out of Africa” and stressed the need for synergy among member countries to combat illicit financial flows.

It called on “African countries to strengthen cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets in accordance with Article 54 of the United Nations Convention

against Corruption and Article 16 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption”.

While recognizing the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption, asset recovery and return; the meeting urged African countries to enact strong whistleblowing legislation and provide protection to whistleblowers.

The meeting also appealed to judicial and prosecuting authorities to cooperate, support and fast track prosecution of corruption cases in their jurisdictions.

It encouraged AntiCorruption Agencies in Africa to explore innovative ways of delivering public education, awareness and sensitization messages to the general public about tracing and recovering of assets.

The conference appreciated “the invaluable support and warm hospitality” provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the EFCC, ICPC and the people of Nigeria, the honour of the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the opening of the Conference.

While expressing appreciation to the

Commonwealth Secretariat for co-sponsoring the Conference, it acknowledged the participation and commitment of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat,

Baroness Patricia Scotland; former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar; Thambo Mbeki, former President of South Africa and Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, at the Conference.

Nineteen countries including Nigeria participated in the conference.

The next Regional

Conference of AntiCorruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa will be hosted in 2019 by Uganda in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat.

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe; representative of Lagos State Governor and Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Acting Chairman, House Committee on Science & Technology, Hon. Saka Nurudeen Solaja; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Saurau; Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Pharm (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and other members of the State Executive Council during the inspection of the Rice Mill Factory and ongoing construction of Industrial Park at Imota, Lagos, on Wednesday

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

5 News

Centenary City Abuja: Foreign investors mull suit against FG over project delay Idu Jude, Abuja The last may not have been heard of the proposed Centenary City Project in Abuja initiated by the Federal Government targeted at establishing a monumental city for the remembrance of the 100 years of the country’s amalgamation, sited at the Federal Capital Territory.

The $18.5billion project may soon take a new ugly twist as the foreign investors, led by UAE investors, have likened the project to the usual characteristic of Nigeria economic development and age-long history of defrauding and dissuading foreign investors.

Our correspondent spoke with the representative of some of the investors, who are contemplating taking the Federal Government to the Court of International Arbitration in order to seek redress and refund of its invested capital and return on investment of three years still counting as at the time of this report.

The Daily Times investigation into the three years struggle by foreign investors to have a simple regulatory issue resolved so that the much needed project can start, showed that they have expended over N10billion part payment, but that not much has been done as all efforts have hit the rock.

According to our sources, meeting the government representatives amounted to nothing but empty promises which has infuriated the major foreign investors.

Our source revealed that the country stands to miss huge investment opportunity with the potentials to provide thousands of employment opportunities.

The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Investors that we represent are from the USA, UK and mostly from the UAE, and the UAE as you know

has a huge pool of investment especially through the Sovereign Wealth Funds. The UAE also has other sovereign wealth funds like the Mubadala and ADIA and they are two of the largest investment funds in the world (the largest fund is in Norway). Abu Dhabi has lots of money and it wishes to invest across the whole world.

“When the situation with Etisalat came, what happened was that the UAE Sovereign Wealth Fund (Mubadala) which has investment in Etisalat, the national carrier of UAE, wrote off over $2billion between these two companies and Etisalat also lost over N2 billion. So when people come to invest in Nigeria, not just from the UAE or from Middle East or the GCC, the first port of call will be Etisalat and the second port of call will be MUBADLA and the first question will be, you guys were in Nigeria, then tell us your experience. And of cause, the response is not going to be pleasant, but there are people like us who still believe in Nigeria.

“We believe that the demography of Nigeria with over 180 million people full of young and vibrant minds, full of entrepreneurial people who have the energy to take this country to the next level. It has happened in China, it is happening in India, it will happen in Nigeria and we are sure that it will certainly happen.

However, when we do come here, they will be faced with the same issue that MUBADLA and Etisalat faced”.

The foreign investors, our source said are worried about the Federal Government’s negative stands in the entire process which started under the past administration.

The source said: “The investors brought in money from the UAE and other parts of the world, to invest in Nigeria. It is a legitimate money, it is investor’s money protected by two international decrees that prevent government

from expropriating foreign investment without any reason.

The first is the NIPC decree and the second one is the IBRD of the World Bank convention, which Nigeria has signed multilateral relationship with 150 other nations and this decree was passed in 1967, so it is not something of recent. What this means is that foreign investors are protected and they draw their strength from these decrees”.

Speaking on the urgent need for a solution to appease already disenchanted investors and to avoid legal battle which may affect Nigeria, the source said that whenever foreign investors lose patience, then obviously, they will fall back on these two legal remedies which means it has gone into legal disagreement with government, if not, with the one in Nigeria which is the NIPC, then International Centre for the Settlement of Disputes (ICSD) abroad and should the arbitration go in its favour, they will ask the banks who hold money for Nigeria abroad to freeze Nigeria’s account.

He said, “One foreign investor we represent has already invested over N10billion in the Centenary City Project, and has been waiting now for over three years for Federal Government to give clarity on regulation and with three years, if they had just used the bank rate with customer lending of 20 per cent, that is another N6 billion, they will be claiming from Federal Government.

“Our local investors continue to urge us to be patient and we are hoping that they will see the benefit of the project that foreign investors are bringing to Nigeria specifically to create about 150,000 jobs for Nigerian youths. And because of how we have been treated by the Federal Government, initially we had 30 employees in our payroll who were being paid in

foreign currency but now they have been reduced to just 11 and I am the only foreigner among them, others are Nigerians. So 19 people were earning money for the economy before but now they lost their jobs. Who Will this development hurt? It hurts those who lost their jobs and to a larger extent the country because it affect the growth of economy.”

On the value of the entire contract, the source revealed that the total investment in Centenary City, stood at the cost of $18.5 billion with N10 billion already gone in the project as part payment and the interest rate would be claimed at the international court should the government refuse to let go of the project.

On seeking redress, the source said: “As far as international investment policy is concerned, we will not wait much longer, because in terms of investment, the interest rate starts counting the day the agreement was signed and we have spent three years after ours were signed. Our board had asked us several times, for example, you have invested N10 billion, now where is the return and if there is no return, we will not continue because the investment accrues in capital and at some stage, the board will liken our investment to that of the Etisalat and MUBADALA experience in Nigeria and they will soon ask us to close shop and sack everybody and we seek something else”.

“In furtherance to claims envisaged by the investors, there could be much claims emanating from other damages that may have accrued from the delayed project and in legal terms in breach of contract.

“We also may make claims of the loss of our image and brand, we brought in our brand and the brand has been damaged. First, the government has alleged nothing and it is a tarnished brand. There has been other issues amounting

From left: Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Company Secretary and Legal Director, Ghana-Nigeria, Mrs Abidemi Ademola, Chairman, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and the Managing Director, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, during Unilever Nigeria Plc 93rd annual general meeting, held in Lagos

to personal assault meted to our officials who have suffered in the hands of the anti-graft agencies.

For example, our staff severally had been threatened with EFCC, and sometimes it looks like we are not doing genuine business but if the government has the confidence to claim that we have done something wrong, then they should drag us to court and prosecute us.

“As I said before, our staff have suffered molestation numberless times but nothing was found wrong or fishy in the Centenary City Project. There has been calls for independent probe of the National Assembly committees, already taken place as well as other notable legal means yet nothing was found wrong, so they should be able to make things clear.”

On whether the investors had perceived any discrepancy on the side of government agencies in charge of free trade zones across the country, the source said that the investors were in compliance with all due diligence as far as the Centenary City Project is concerned, saying that they did everything legally possible to ensure doing genuine business in Nigeria.

“I must let you know that our board establishes legal companies all over the world with legal consultants. As a wellknown foreign investor, we do background checks before signing contracts and joint ventures. And our funds employ due diligence before delving in any project and that was what we did here but immediately we had a change in government, everything changed for the worst,” he added.

Counting his ordeal in investing in Nigeria, the source further observed: “I will never regret coming to Nigeria because I saw the potential. Nigeria has the potential even though there is the delay, we will see the return on capital. I have been in Nigeria since 1993 and none of my board members have come to Nigeria and I am sure MUBADALA regrets it and I’m sure Etisalat regrets it too”.

He said that apart from none commencement of the project, staying in Nigeria has been peaceful. He stressed that there has not been any attempt to stop his movement around Nigeria or any security threat but “the only regret is that we have not been moving forward and we have held meetings with the Government, with several assurances yet nothing has happened”.

On allegations of kickbacks, the source said: “May be such do exist but we are people who believe in due diligence which we also believe had taken effect before signing the contracts and we also believed that all the agencies involved are satisfied of our coming. You have the agencies on due process as far as this project is concerned. In this case, you have the NEPZA, whose primary duty

is to regulate the free trade zones.

It also has certified our agreements and we are working in line with the free trade zone policy of the Government so our offence is not yet known. So whatever they told us to do, we have done and we are surprised that the other person whomsoever is behind the delay should bring such to the dance floor, we are waiting to see when the music starts. My life is not under threat; every morning I jog on the streets of Nigeria and I do not go to the gym and am not threatened. But my contract with Nigeria is threatened”.

“In measuring both the past and present administration over the appointment of NEPZA leadership, the source maintained that the leadership in either administration has followed the NEPZA Act and the rule of law, but may have its hands tied due to alleged ‘order from above.’

“I know that the regulatory agencies are under The Presidency, the FCTA which is an extension of the Presidency, the FCDA, and I can tell you that they cannot function alone, they can only do what they are asked to do and do not forget that there are other agencies they work with like the Police, the EFCC and ICPC.” But attempts by The Daily Times to seek clarifications on the reason for the delay of the Centenary City Project, met with stiff challenge as no reply was given to an official letter requesting for an interview to that regard from the FCT minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello.

Investigation into the matter by The Daily Times further indicates that several panels of inquiry set by the present administration to ascertain the authenticity of the project has yielded no negative result as indication emerged that the free trade zone declaration followed due process by the past administration, before being gazetted.

One of such findings, according to our correspondent, includes the one conducted by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. The Malami report revealed that the previous administration met all requirements in establishing a free trade zone and duly gazetted the establishment of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Furthermore, several efforts by the anti-graft agencies had also proven that the invitation of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, did not show any illegality regarding the contracts or equity sharing.

Our source added that the team of foreign investors through its representative are ready to explore every available opportunity within the local and international means to seek redress.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Otokoto: 22 years after, Supreme Court save Ajaegbu from hangman noose Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment on Friday, discharged and acquitted, Alban Ajaegbu, one of the convicts awaiting the hangman noose in the celebrated case of the ritual killing of 11-year-old Ikechukuwu Okoronkwo in 1996 in Owerri, Imo. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun in her lead judgment on the appeal filed by Ajaegbu held that the circumstantial evidence relied upon in convicting the appellant by the trial court which the lower court also upheld, was not sufficient evidence to draw inferences that he took part in the killing.

“It must be restated here that the appellant was charged with murder and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond reasonable doubt that it was the act of the appellant that

caused the death of deceased.

“The appellant does not have the burden to prove his innocence. The lower court held that the defence of the appellant raised a lot of suspicion.

“The law is well settled that suspicion, no matter how grave, cannot take the place of proof.”

She said that the assumption of the lower courts that because the appellant worked in the hotel for 17 years, he should have known who owed the farm that Okoronkwo was buried, was wrong.

“Suspicion cannot take the place of legal proof. That the appellant worked in the hotel for 17 years and didn’t know who owed the farm cannot make him guilty. The court also held that the appellant admission that he eat ground nut at the gate which turned out to be part of the deceased

ground nut does not makes him guilt of a murder charge.

“The law is settled, that an accused person lies does not make him guilty.”

The apex court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Apex court therefore set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Owerri of 2012 which upheld the death sentence of the trial court and acquitted and discharged Ajaegbu.

The judgment was read by Justice Ejembi Eko. He agreed with the judgment . Three other justices on the panel; Justices Dantijo Muhammadu, Centus Nwaeze and Paul Galinje also agreed with the judgment.

The victim, Okoronkwo, a groundnut sellers was on Sept.

19, 1996, lured into a hotel called Otokoko in Owerri and beheaded.

Okoronko was reportedly

given a bottle of Coca-Cola that had been spiked with drug before he was killed The hotel owned by one Vincent Duru, later became known as Chief Otokoto during the long trial following his not guilty plea after his arrest and arraignment.

Besides beheading Okoronkwo, the suspects, who were seven in number reportedly removed different parts of the decease organ from his body including his genitals before burying the corpse in a shallow grave.

The crime was discovered when 32-year-old Innocent Ekeanyanwu, left the hotel to deliver the head in a polythene bag to a client.

An okada rider, who gave him a ride discovered the fresh human head and alerted the police and Ekeanyanwu was arrested by the police on his way back.

Supreme Court orders ex- bank boss Akingbola to face N5bn fraud trial Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr Erastus Akingbola challenging his trial over alleged N5 billion fraud.

Consequently, the apex court ordered the appellant (Akingbola) to return to the Federal High Court , Lagos to face his trial on 26-count charge .

Justice Sidi Bage who delivered the lead judgment further ordered the Chief Judge of Federal High Court to reassign the appellant trial to another judge who shall hear the matter expeditiously.

He held that Mr Akingbola’s appeal challenging the Court of Appeal’s verdict of February 2015 lacked merit.

The Court of Appeal had in February 2015 set aside the April 2012 decision of the Federal High Court Lagos division delivered by Justice Charles Archibong.

Archibong struck out the 26 count charge filed against Akingbola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the

ground of non diligent prosecution.

Four other justices of the Supreme Court’s panel who heard Akingbola appeal: Justices Tanko Muhammad, Olukayode Ariwola, Kumai Aka’ak and Justice Paul Galinje agreed with the lead judgment and the consequential orders made Justice Bage.

In his contribution to the unanimous judgment, Justice Bayamg Aka’ak , expressed “serious worries about the stand taken by the trial court judge who not only dismissed the charges against Akingbola but descended into the arena by constituting himself into a military dictator.”

The fact of the matter was that the then Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc Mr Erastus Akingbola was detained by EFCC after a criminal complaints made against him by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Akingbola in his position as Group Chief Executive, was alleged to have been engaged in serious economic crimes to wit: Money laundering, theft, market manipulation, obtaining by false pretences, criminal granting of loans and facilities, insider abuse, insider trading and abuse of office.

JOHESU directs health workers to relax strike in 4 states Idu Jude, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving letter of credence from new Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Mr Wattana Kunwongse at the State House in Abuja...on Thursday

Plant Conservation Day: Obaseki tasks world leaders on prioritising plant protection The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has charged world leaders to back the debate about plant preservation and protection, with action, to sustain life and protect the planet.

Obaseki gave the charge on the occasion of the celebration of the International Plant Conservation Day, celebrated on Friday, May 18 each year.

According to the governor, “the celebration of plant day dovetails with the wisdom behind my administration’s plan to reposition the Edo State Ministry of Environment and its agencies to join the global crusade for a greener earth through aggressive plant cultivation, protection and preservation.”

Calling on Nigerian youths to throw their weight behind the global movement on plant preservation and conservation, Obaseki explained that environmental regeneration is one of the pillars of his administration’s development blueprint, and disclosed that plans are underway to set up botanical gardens in urban areas of the state, where urbanisation has reduced the physical space for plants.

“Preserving plants means preserving human life,” he emphasised, and assured that the state government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Edo Development Property Agency (EDPA)

will spearhead policies on plant protection; awareness creation; establishment of new gardens and parks as well as stakeholder engagements on the need to preserve plants.

He advised world leaders who are yet to mainstream environmental protection and preservation in their development plans to do so urgently, as the ubiquitous impacts of climate change go beyond national boundaries.

Plant Conservation Day was started in 2001 by the Association of Zoological Horticulture (AZH), and has been actively celebrated by zoos throughout the United States and is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and conserving plants for people

and the planet.

According to AZH, in 2006, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) partnered with it to help expand Plant Conservation Day celebrations to botanic gardens and develop resources to make celebrating easy and fun for anyorganisation, group, or individual interested in conserving the world’s plants.

It added that in 2008, Plant Conservation Day celebrations were held around the United States of America and in Europe. In 2009, funding from the Boeing Company allowed BGCI and AZH to work with their membership networks and partners around the world to hold celebrations in more countries and to involve many thousands more people.

Four state chapters of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in Lagos, Kano, Yobe and Niger have complied to the request of the union by reaching agreement with the state governments to relax the industrial strike in the four states.

The Daily Times recalls that a non governmental organisation has approached the National Industrial industrial Court while the court directed the health workers to resume work within 24 hours.

But addressing a press conference on Friday, President of JOHESU, Biobelemoye Josiah, called on all health workers in the four states to relax the strike following the “implementation” of the agreement by the states.

He also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the minister of health, Prof Isaac Adewole, for allegedly taking sides with doctors in the ongoing strike.

Josiah demanded a new negotiating team to replace that of Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment.

He said Ngige, being a medical doctor, has also been compromised in the efforts to end the strike.

JOHESU commenced strike on April 17. Part of the health workers demands is the

upward review of their salaries to be at same level with the doctors, a request both the federal government and the doctors kicked against.

The JOHESU boss said, “The federal ministry of health as presently led

by Prof. Isaac Adewole has constituted itself as a major hindrance to fruitful deliberation as he has never disguised his intention to symbolise the propaganda machine of the NMA through his posturing at all our meetings, which necessitated JOHESU to take a position that the negotiations were structured to fail ab-initio.

“Prof. Isaac Adewole is on record to have insisted that the wage structure in the health sector must reckon with what was obtainable in the 1991 late Prof. Olikoye Ransome –Kuti’s dual salary system (MSS and HSS) which marked the beginning of persistent acrimony until it was corrected through the harmonised tertiary institutions salary Structure and HAPSS in 2003.

“The ministers of labour and health, who are both members of the NMA, have taken a position that parity must entail a basic salary differential in the emolument of health professionals and their doctor colleagues.

“As bonafide citizens, we however reject a slave mentality which present salary wages confers on us”.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

7 News

Experts fault 2018 budget oil benchmark increment Peter Fowoyo, Lagos Some financial experts on Friday faulted the increase in the oil benchmark of the 2018 appropriation bill from 45 dollars to 51 dollars by the Senate.

The financial experts told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the increment was not needful, while reacting to the appropriation bill passed by the National Assembly.

Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, the former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said increasing the benchmark because of the rally in the global oil market was not needful.

Unegbu said the surplus could be saved for the rainy day or used for infrastructure development to achieve the desired growth.

“Why can’t we save the surplus and prepare for the rainy day? We can’t just be consuming and consuming,” he said.

Unegbu said the surplus should be used to finance critical infrastructure since the country was faced with acute infrastructure deficit.

Unegbu, also, the

Managing Director, Maxifund Investments and Securities Plc., kicked against the small allocation to the health and education sectors, which were critical to economic development.

He said the allocation of N57.15 billion and N15.7 billion to health and education respectively was disheartening.

He explained that more funds were allocated to nonpriority sectors that would not aid development in the proposed budget.

“If you give more money to education, a very educated person can take care of him and can provide for him good house,” Unegbu said.

Unegbu, who said health and education were critical for economic development, called on the executive to address the problem before signing the bill into law.

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella,

Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, said the passage of the budget was very late and had created problems in the economy.

Tella said the budget, though late, was expected to wake up the economy from slumber, as the private and public sectors, including the external sector would become more active.

Tella said the capital market reacted positively to the announcement of the passage of the budget, noting that the market activities would be further boosted when the budget was accented to by the President.

“Although it will take some time for the implication to be fully felt in both the money and capital markets, the very short term reactions starts now and the capital market normally reacts very fast if it is an active one,” he said.

NAN reports that the

Senate and the House of Representatives on May 16 passed the 2018 budget, raising it by N500 billion.

Both Houses approved the budget that rose from N8.6 trillion to N9.1 trillion, six months after it was presented by the executive.

President Muhammadu Buhari presented the budget to a joint session of the

National Assembly on Nov. 7, 2017.

Both houses of the National Assembly received the budget report of their appropriation committees.

At the Senate, the chairman of the senate committee on appropriation, Mr Danjuma Goje, said the increase of N500 billion was done

in consultation with the executive.

He said the increment was informed by a decision to increase oil benchmark from the proposed 45 dollars to 51 dollars.

The exchange rate of N305 to a dollar and production of 2.3 million barrels of oil per day was adopted as proposed by the executive.

New Nigerian Newspapers ex-MD, Abdurrahaman buried in Daura The remains of Malam Tukur Abdurrahaman, the former Managing Director of the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) has been buried in his hometown of Daura in Katsina State.

Abdurrahaman, 59, died in a private hospital in Abuja on Thursday following a protracted illness.

His elder brother Malam Saidu Abdurrahaman, the Tafidan Daura, said the deceased is survived by a wife and five children.

He described his demise as an act of God which was inevitable, stressing that “we take solace in our Creator who gives and takes life”.

According to him, Tukur

was a unifying force in the family who always champion the unity and solidarity in the family.

The funeral prayer performed by Chief Imam of Karkarku, Malam Muhammad Karkarku, was attended by a delegation from NNN, colleagues, politicians amongst others.

Osun Govt confirms appointments of 1,146 LG workers Osun State Government has confirmed the appointments of 1,146 local government workers in the state.

Mr Peter Babalola, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, who disclosed this in Osogbo on Friday, said that the confirmation was in compliance with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s directive on the lifting of embargo on confirmation, promotion and conversion of civil servants since 2016.

Babalola said that the confirmation, which started on Monday with local government staff from Osun West Senatorial District; followed by Osun East and rounded off with Osun Central.

According to him “the promotion exercise and other staff entitlements to personnel due for it will be implemented without further delay.

“The ban on conversion, advancement, promotion and confirmation is meant to manage the meagre financial resources of the state and reduce the severe effect of the economic recession,’’ the chairman said.

Babalola, further said that workers would now be confirmed, converted, promoted and moved to the next level as and when due.

Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (2nd left) Managing Director/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi (2nd right) and others during the inspection of the electrified shops under the Federal Government ‘s Energizing Economies Initiative at Ariaria Market Aba, Abia State. . . on Thursday

Court stops Imo APC Congress Tom Okpe, Abuja A Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo state has ordered the All Progressives Congress APC to refrain from conducting Saturday’s state congress or any other congresses in the state pending the determination of a suit filed

by Barr. Mbagwu Augustine and four others, against the

APC and 10 other members.

The order was served on the APC late Friday, 18th May and brought to the attention of the National Secretariat same day.

In the Motion Exparte filed on Thursday, the plaintiffs sought “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 10th Defendants, their privies, servants, agents or anyone acting on their

behalf or any organ of the AlI Progressives Congress from holding a local government area congress of the All Progressives Congress or, any other congress in Imo State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction”.

The court, presided over by Justice A. Lewis Allagoa ordered that, “the

respondents are hereby ordered to appear in court on the next adjourned date to show cause why the order should not be granted.

“That time is hereby abridged to order that the returned date shall be 22nd May, 2018, provided that the respondents are served 48 hours before then; that all parties in the matter

should maintain ‘status quo ante bellum’, that the matter stands adjourned to the 22nd day of May, 2018”.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha has been having a running battle with some stakeholders of the party in the state regarding the wards and local government congresses. The nationwide state congress of the party is slated for (today) Saturday 19th May.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

INEC registers additional 122,196 voters in Zamfara Ifeanyi Chukwu Nwannah, Gusau Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara State says it has registered 122,196 potential voters in the ongoing continuous Voters Registration for 2019 general elections, stressing that out of the number, 58,760 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are ready

for collection across the 14 local governments.

Addressing newsmen at the state INEC office in Gusau, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. (Mrs) Asmau Sani Maikudi assured that those who registered in 2018 would collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) before the commencement of the 2019 general elections.

According to her, the

commission is very well much aware that many citizens of the state are still facing some challenges in various centres, pointing out that her commission has been responding within the limits of its resources to address the issues, assuring that no eligible registrant would be left out of the exercise.

The commissioner noted that, the exercise would be conducted in 30 centres,

saying that 14 centres are located at the INEC LGA offices for the distribution of the PVCs while the remaining centres are located at various registration points and wards where officers would conduct mobile exercise to ease the difficulties earlier faced by prospective registrants. Dr. Maikudi explained that the INEC has purchased and deployed new Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCM)

to ensure conduct of free, fair, credible and acceptable 2019 general elections.

She maintained that INEC has embarked upon the nationwide Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise and the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) since April, 2017 to allow for fresh registration, transfer of registration and registration of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs.

...says 47,718 PVCs ready for collection in Gombe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 47,718 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are ready for collection in Gombe State.

Mr Umar Ibrahim, the Resident Electoral Officer in the state, said in Gombe on

Friday that the owners of the cards could collect them from Monday.

“I am happy to inform you that INEC in Gombe State has received a total of 47,718 PVCs for those that registered from April to December 2017 and those

that applied for inter-state transfer.

“Distribution of the new PVCs will commence on May 21 in the 11 INEC LGA offices in the state and a sub office at Bambam, and will continue alongside the ongoing CVR.

“Since the commencement of the CVR, a total of 143,277 persons comprising 91,300 male (63.7 per cent) and 51,977 female (36.6 per cent) have been registered,” he said.

According to him, 47,190 PVCs are also yet to be

claimed from the 2011 to 2014 registration exercise in the state.

Ibrahim, who appealed to registered persons to come and collect their PVCs, said it was their only means of choosing leaders during elections.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, All On, Dr. Boer Wiebe; Vice President Marketing, Lumos Nigeria, Olufemi Ashipa; Project Manager, SolarPlaza, Lydia van OS and Associate Principal, Crossboundary, Femi Fadugba at The Solar Future Nigeria 2018 held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

Bayelsa Govt preventing use of stadium for APC Congress - Convention C’ttee Tom Okpe, Abuja A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention committee and chieftain of the party in Bayelsa State, Engr. Preye Aganaba, has raised the alarm that the state government was denying the party the use of the multipurpose hall within the stadium meant for

the party’s state congress.

Aganaba, in a statement on Friday, also alleged that the government was doing everything possible to frustrate the conduct of APC state congress having applied for the use of the facility.

He said the reason for denying APC the use of the public facility was still unknown to the party.

“It is true that the state

government is denying us the use of the state’s stadium for APC state congress meant to take place in Bayelsa. We have properly applied and we were not told that the facility will not be available for us. To our surprise up till now the state government has refused to approve the facility for us.

“It is on record that APC’s parallel Ward and Local

Government Congresses in Bayelsa state were peaceful and there is assurance that tomorrow’s exercise is not likely to witness crisis. So, on what grounds are we being denied the use of the state facility?

“The government must be told that we are all indigenes of the state, we are not foreigners. We have right to association and political

party of our choice, so we don’t deserve to be treated like outcasts”.

While urging Governor Dickson to have a rethink, Aganaba, who was a Senatorial candidate in 2015, said “it will amount to political intolerance if the state government refuses APC the use of a public place like stadium for a national exercise”.

Delta Central monarchs pass vote of confidence on Okowa Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Traditional rulers from Delta Central Senatorial District have passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, expressing satisfaction with his administration’s delivery of dividends of democracy.

The traditional rulers met with the Governor on Friday at the Palace of the Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue 1, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd), in Okpe local government area of Delta State.

Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM(Engr.)Mike Omeru Ogurimerime Ukori I, in moving the motion for vote of confidence, commended Governor Okowa for the respect he has for the traditional institution in Delta State, stating, “for the first time in the history of Delta State, we have a Governor who relates well with the traditional rulers to brief them about what his administration is doing.”

“We raised some issues which he addressed to our satisfaction,” he said, adding, “we are with you (Governor Okowa), come rain, come shine, and I, HRM Mike Omeru Ogurimerime Ukori I, move that we pass a vote of implicit confidence on the administration of Governor Okowa,” the Agbon King stated.

The motion was seconded by the Okobaro of Ughievwen, HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi, Owahwa II and was endorsed by the more than 18 traditional rulers in Urhobo land who attended the meeting.

Orodje of Okpe in a brief speech, described Governor Okowa as a performer, noting that the deliberation at the meeting was good.

In his response, Governor Okowa expressed satisfaction that the traditional rulers appreciated what his administration was doing to transform Delta State.

“I came to brief the traditional rulers about what we have been doing as a government and to thank them for keeping their kingdoms peaceful,” he said, adding, “I am here to also thank them for their support for my administration, there is no event that we have had without the presence of the traditional rulers, they have encouraged my administration in so many ways, through their efforts, Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes did not escalate and the peaceful environment provided the opportunity for us to work in the state,” the Governor who was accompanied by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori stated.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday May 19, 2018

Politics

9

As Fayemi begins journey to Oke Ayaoba Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti The prelude to the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the July 14, governorship election in Ekiti State witnessed a lot of rancour and bitterness among the 33 aspirants in the party.

The first attempt at the primary was disrupted by hooligans after delegates from five local governments had cast their votes and the process was suspended as the organisers lost control of the situation.

Accusation and counteraccusation became the order of the day as the struggle spilled over to state secretariat of the party at Ajilosun Street, Ado Ekiti, where the state working committee was purportedly dissolved and a caretaker committee appointed in its stead.

Weapon wielding thugs who were shooting sporadically into the air took over the party secretariat while the premises were laced with fetish objects to discourage anyone from entering the place.

No fewer than 28 of the aspirants addressed newsmen through Hon. Bimbo Daramola, condemning the conduct of the botched primary and blamed Dr. Kayode Fayemi for it, while Fayemi in turn blamed them, pointing out that he was enjoying unassailable lead before the disruption.

The warring parties including the state working committee were summoned to Abuja for a meeting with the national leadership of the party which later fixed the rescheduled primary for May 12.

The rescheduled exercise took place in Damlek Event Centre, Ado Ekiti under a peaceful atmosphere and at the end, Dr. Fayemi garnered 941 votes out of 2,326 cast by the delegates.

Former governor Segun Oni got 454 votes to place second, Kayode Ojo was third with 245, Femi Bamisile 179, Oluyede Oluwole 110, Gbenga Aluko 83, Bimbo Daramola 29, Bamidele Faparusi 23, Babafemi Ojudu 11, Opeyemi Bamidele 11, Yaya Kolade 4, Ayo Arise 3 and Muyiwa Olumilua 2 votes.

Fayemi’s victory at the primary changed the atmosphere in town as his supporters with other people in the state rolled out the drums jubilating and dancing round the town.

The celebration also spread to many drinking joints, beer parlours and hotels in the state where Fayemi’s supporters temporarily took over the bars declaring free drinks for anyone who share In their joy, and chanting “olori Oko ti de, Fayemi ti de’.

They kept jubilating and telling whoever cared to listen that “with Fayemi, Ekiti will now have total liberation from hunger, poverty and shame and Ekiti will now join the league of real progressives and more Federal presence will be

Fayemi witnessed in the state.”

The people were probably feeling relieved in view of Fayemi’s legacy in the state during his first term, when they were not owed any salary, with social security for senior citizens under which about 20, 000 received stipend of N5,000 monthly.

On job creation for the youth, there were Youth Volunteer Scheme, Peace Corps, Ekiti State Transport Management Agency (EKSTMA), Paramedic and many other empowerment programs initiated by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

This time, the Ekiti State Market Women and Traders Association made a special request for a befitting market to JKF which he acceded to immediately through the Ekiti Economic and Enterprise Development Agency ( EEDA).

Then Management of ODUA Investment Ltd in partnership with EKSG allocated some unused portions of its land at the ODUA Enterprise Development Centre (Old Textile) for the state government to build a befitting fabric market for these market women.

In all, about 2.5 hectares of land were leased to these women through the state government under Fayemi’s administration for a period of 30 years with renewable options and this was leased out to these market women at no cost.

The construction plan of the market was to accommodate about 600 locked up shops including

other social amenities put in place.

The foundation laying ceremony was flagged off by Fayemi, during which he promised cooperative loans in N100 millions for trading purposes after the completion of the market.

Fayemi promised and made good the promise by constructing within one month a make shift market for them (adjacent the new market site) for temporary trading activities before the completion of the main market, and construction work started late in 2013, and by July 2014, some units of the market have been completed.

However, it is a sad story today to see what has come of the market.

The present government of Ayo Fayose has completely abandoned the women and their dreams of

“

having a befitting textile market.

Fayose did not only drive the market women away from the site, he also went to ODUA with his lands department team and demanded that the women must pay for the land allocated to them free by the previous government.

Unknown to Fayose, the women had an agreement signed by ODUA, Ekiti State Market Women Traders Association and the state government under JKF which was tendered to counter him.

Later, Gov. Fayose came up with a heavy state levy which each of the women must pay before construction works can continued.

That was how the market women abandoned the site and moved back to their old site which was not even conducive for any business

This has increased hunger, poverty and deprivation to the extent that our people there at home were already disillusioned with lives. There must be concerted efforts by APC to bring back the lost glory and restore the hope and the only way this can happen is for APC to win the coming election. The party has abundant human resources, even the calibre of the 33 aspirants that stood for the primary confirmed how solid APC was, but this may not have impact if the gladiators are not united. If they are not ready to bury old differences and work together now

”

purpose.

Today, the story is that of an abandoned market site that has been covered with overgrown bush.

All these and other development were probably the cause for people jubilating over the return of Fayemi whom some of them described as their ‘Messiah’ The day after his victory, Fayemi commenced his reconciliatory move by visiting no fewer than 15 of the aspirants in their respective homes, while he personally reached out on phone to those that were no longer in the state.

The Minister who was accompanied by APC Ekiti State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, visited Engr. Segun Oni, Rt.Hon Femi Bamisile, Kola Alabi, Dr. Wole Oluyede in their Ikere homes and Senator Gbenga Aluko at his Ode Ekiti country home.

Other aspirants visited by Fayemi include Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Engr. Kayode Ojo, Bamidele Faparusi, Dr. Bayo Oriire, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, Diran Adesua, Victor Kolade, Coker Olumuyiwa and Sesan Fatoba.

The response from them was commendation for the gesture with the promise to cooperate with him to ensure that APC wins the July 14 governorship election.

Particularly, some of them have declared that “with the emergence of Fayemi at the primary, the victory of APC is a sure banker come July 14 election.”

However, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has declared that “The 32 aspirants are really happy on the choice of JKF as the candidate leading the party to victory.”

Olatunbosun, was addressing the (DFID) British Envoy who visited the Party Secretariat to ask about how the party is fairing, after the primary.

This development again has signaled Fayemi’s victory in the coming July 14 election because pundits had anticipated that the disagreement and the gang up against Fayemi would continue after the primary in the way that it would have been an advantage to Governor Ayo Fayose to ride on to election victory.

Meanwhile, Ekiti in Diaspora has endorsed Fayemi noting that his second shot as governorship will enable him to impact more positively on the lives of the people than his first term in office.

Undoubtedly, the hosting of the aspirants by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja would boost the chances of APC in Ekiti at the July 14, 2018 governorship election as Buhari charged the aspirants to regard the election as a collective struggle stressing that they should demonstrate unity of purpose and support Fayemi in order to rescue

Continue on page 12

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Nigeria needs restructuring now more than ever - David

was the capital of the United States of America before they moved it to Washington DC, but the American Government still takes care of New York.

Hon. Setonji David is the member representing Badagry Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, when he recently spoke with some journalists in his office, he showed his passion on the need to change several things in the constitution of the country if it must move forward. He believes that restructuring is the way out of the numerous problems confronting the country at the moment.

David, an engineer, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, is also not happy with the situation of things in the building sector in Lagos State and says a lot more needs to be done. PATRICK OKOHUE reports.

What would you say prepared you for politics?

I am a civil engineer, fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Engineers, and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

My father was a politician. He was the Secretary of the Action Group. So, I would say that I was born into a political family.

I am from Ajara and it is a very beautiful place. I went to primary and secondary school there. I later went to a polytechnic to study civil engineering. Then, I went to the Lagos State University for Masters Degree. I was very active in student unionism, so I later ventured into politics.

How has it been since you joined politics?

It has been so good, but I have not achieved what I set out to achieve. I want a situation where there is greatest good for the greatest number of people. We pray that we get there, but we are not there yet. The major challenge we have is lack of sincerity. By and large, we are growing, because democracy is better than any other form of government. We are not there yet, but we will get there soon.

Where are the areas that form Badagry Constituency 2?

There is Iyase in Badagry, then Ajara that has several villages.

My constituency covers Badagry Central Local Government and Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA). I cover Ilogbo Eremi, Oko Afo and other areas.

What are the major challenges of your constituency?

They are numerous. The basic one is unemployment and lack of infrastructure. We have several graduates that are not employed.

Our roads are in a terrible state, Lagos-Badagry Express Road is an international route, and it belongs to the Federal Government, but the road is terrible. The irony of it is that the Federal Government generates a lot of money from there as the road leads to Togo, Ghana and other places, so they generate a lot of money from there through Customs and Excise Duties, yet the road is in a terrible state. Apart from that, there are two communities with terrible roads in my area, one of them is Ilogbo Eremi, from Oko Afo to Ilogbo Eremi, the road is terrible. It is still there. I must confess that the Lagos State Government is doing a lot, but the resources are limited.

Unfortunately, the Federal Government is insensitive to the plight of Lagos. In other climes, once you create a new federal capital, you would not neglect the old one because the communities you left behind are still there. The Federal Government ought to be doing something for Lagos. They have abandoned the state and we have been complaining about this for years. Look at the population of Lagos, over 20 million people converging in a very small place.

Virtually all the tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria are represented in Lagos.

Also, we don’t have enough schools in Badagry, talk of primary and secondary schools.

You must also commend the state government because the demands far outweigh the resources of the state.

You are the Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, how has it been?

It has been very interesting and challenging. Any state that wants to move forward must be interested in it’s environment, so that makes

One would have expected that since the APC is at the federal level and the Minister of Works, Power and Housing was the governor of the state, then things would have changed?

It is not as easy as that. You can see the crisis between the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari despite the fact that they are in the same political party. This is politics, there are so many forces at play, there are so many contending interests and intrigues that they manage. Before you can do a particular road, a lot of things would come up.

Hon David it interesting. It is challenging because the ministry does not have enough manpower to adequately do its job. I am not particularly impressed with the rate at which permits and building approvals are given out. Those who apply for buildings want approval at all cost. When you build, you want to get approval. I know the ministry is trying its best, but manpower is a serious challenge. Manpower, equipment, material and others are the problems. For example, you see a situation, where only three officers go round for inspection in a local government.

Has the committee been able to make recommendations to the state government on this?

Our own is oversight, we don’t have the equipment or the wherewithal to move out. We only check what they do to see if they comply with our laws. But I am

“

saying that they need to do more so that complaints about illegal structures would be reduced.

We advise the state government on these when we go out for oversight functions and when they come for budget reviews. But they are also limited, they don’t have the amount of money they require because there are so many things the government spends money on and their resources are limited.

That is why I am complaining that the Federal Government has not done enough for the Lagos State government. The state government is doing a lot, I have seen a lot of projects springing up simultaneously all over the state.

But if the Federal Government had been playing their roles it would have been better. Lagos State used to be the federal capital of Nigeria and that pressure is still there.

They left Lagos State to its fate after they left for Abuja. New York

The truth of the matter is that this country needs restructuring. The military came and they messed up the country. The truth is that they are not trained to manage a country, they are trained to fight war. They came to manage the affairs of the country and they messed everything up and we are still suffering from the effect of that. We as politicians too, we have not sat down to reengineer the system and look for the way forward.

We are just paying lip service to patriotism, we all know that this system is not working.

”

Would you say we have made progress in the 19 years of democracy in Nigeria?

We have not made any progress, we are too slow, and we don’t want to face the reality. The truth of the matter is that this country needs restructuring. The military came and they messed up the country. The truth is that they are not trained to manage a country, they are trained to fight war. They came to manage the affairs of the country and they messed everything up and we are still suffering from the effect of that. We as politicians too, we have not sat down to re-engineer the system and look for the way forward. We are just paying lip service to patriotism, we all know that this system is not working.

For instance, the state governor cannot control the commissioner of police, he receives order from Abuja, whereas the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state.

Every month, he goes to Abuja to collect money. Can’t we allow the states to control their resources.

So, the country as a whole is in shambles because we are not doing the right thing. Look at the way we were managing the country in the past. For instance, the western region of those days had television station before France. Today, look at where France is. I had free education under the Western Region Government.

It is in the best interest of the country to allow people to develop through hard work. If I have free money somewhere I would not see the need for hard work. It is like there is no dignity in labour, nobody wants to know how you get your money.

The committees of the House carry out oversight functions, has there been any time this is compromised or attempt to do so?

We have never compromised this, we perform our oversight functions, we check the budgets, we look at the fact and we also treat petitions. We look at complaints and come up with the position of the House. We go to the ministries

Continue on page 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturdday, May 19, 2018

11 Politics

Senator Nyako seeks cancellation of Adamawa APC Ward Congresses Stories by Patrick Okohue The Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial district, Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako has said that disaster awaits the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, unless the controversial ward Congress was cancelled.

Abdullaziz Nyako, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special duties faulted the manner the ward Congress was held, which he said, disenfranchised those who laboured to enthrone the APC in the state.

He emphasised that the injustice was obvious to the extent that people became concerned across the state, adding that issuance of forms were deliberately delayed.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses that were conducted on May 5, 2018, across the country were marred by irregularities and untimely issuance of forms.

“That of Adamawa was intimidation and injustice to the extent that it attracted lots of opprobrium by the people across the state.

“For instance, forms were issued out late to certain candidates who were willing to contest for the EXCO at the ward level.

“Some were outrightly denied the opportunity; meaning that they would not be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice during the August/September primaries,” he said.

The lawmaker was optimistic that the National headquarters of the ruling party would intervene, saying that other party supporters should join hands before it gets late.

“Politicians at the national level felt there was no point in destroying what they had sweated to build in just one moment of injustice hence they are calling on well-meaning party supporters to come to the rescue of the party.

“These are people who were involved in the dethronement of PDP and enthronement of APC in the state.

“Disenfranchising them from a crucial party process like the ward congress is detrimental to the internalisation of democracy which the party needs to survive the turbulent waters of party politics in Nigeria,” he added.

He expressed disappointment that the anti-corruption stance of APC was not reflected on its executives “The anti-corruption stand of the party was not reflecting on its executives, whom they said were betraying the trust of the leaders of the party.

“They felt this development was not healthy for democracy since corruption was not only on financial shoplift but also denying their right to vote was part of it and will spell doom for the party,” he said.

He called for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick intervention, saying that Adamawa should not be allowed to lose out in 2019.

Sen Nyako

Buhari govt brought pain, hardship upon Nigerians – Owie A former Senate Chief Whip and Chairman, National Contact Committee, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Senator Roland Owie, has said that the change the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), brought to Nigerians were pains and anger.

Owie, in a statement while commending members of the ADP in Rives State for their efforts in providing a befitting South-South zonal office for the party, urged the electorate to cooperate with the party to usher in a new government in 2019.

He said: “I want to thank you all, members of ADP, Rivers State, for

your hard work and mobilisation efforts in the state, especially for the provision of this befitting office for Rivers State ADP and for the South South zonal office.

“The Almighty God will reward you all in Jesus name. We are all aware that Nigeria and Nigerians are going through pains. Daily killing of innocent Nigerians, increase in the number of unemployed youths, non-payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, distress in families as a result of hardship brought on Nigerians by the APC-led Federal Government.

“The sum total is that there is anger in the land. However, I want to assure you

that by the grace of God, there is hope for a better tomorrow in Nigeria, for the Word of God says you should not be afraid for God Almighty will ensure the enemies we see today, we will not see them again.

“We should all have faith in God and pray. Ensure that you all collect your voter cards to send this compassionless APC government that does not obey court judgments, always at war with herself as can be seen in its internal party congresses across the country, with legislative and judicial arms and at war with her citizens, out of power.”

Fayose treating Ekiti people as destitute, says Aeroland The governorship flag bearer of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Ekiti State, Otunba Segun Adewale, has condemned the Governor Ayodele Fayose-led Peoples Democratic Party’s government in the state for allegedly treating Ekiti people as extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for themselves.

Adewale said this while speaking on a campaign tour to Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government.

He said it was bad for Fayose to owe workers and pensioners arrears of benefits while he (Fayose) and his aides collect their allowances up to date.

Adewale said, “Ekiti does not need a government that will treat people like they are destitute by giving them handouts and Christmas clothes, but a government that will help the people achieve their God given potentials by giving them the opportunity.

“Teachers and pensioners should not be owed any kobo as is the case presently and that, rather for work to be incentivized, the workers are being discouraged.”

Adewale also stressed that the state needs the urgent intervention of a visionary leader in so many areas.

Adewale

‘Nigeria needs restructuring now more than ever’ Continued from page 10 to do oversight and when we see anything that is suspicious we call them to come and explain. We pay unscheduled visits to all these agencies of government to see what they are doing.

How easy is the work of a legislator?

I am enjoying myself only that I am not fulfilled because I have not been able to get the government to provide enough infrastructure for my people and the pressure is still mounting on me. I am enjoying the job because the essence of life is to make life better for the people.

Whatever I can do to make the life of our people better is what I am after. I am happy that my people

put that trust in me and so far so good.

There have been divergent views about the Inspector General of Police who refused to honour the invitation of the Senate, how did you receive the news that the Senate does not have the power to summon the IGP? It is very unfortunate, but they have to manage it right.

We have had several coups in this country and the first culprit is the legislature. When the military comes, they disband the legislature whereas there would still be an executive and the judicial arms of government.

The main feature of democracy

is the legislature. So they are out to muscle the legislature and we will not accept that. How can the Senate invite the Inspector General of Police and he is giving excuses, it is only happening in Nigeria. He did not even go there to explain himself, really we still have a long way to go. We are just like a baby that is still crawling, very soon we will walk. But it is not an excuse for us not to do the right thing. If we don’t give respect to the legislature then we are not practicing democracy.

Nobody should be above the law, the Senate has the right to invite anybody. If you cannot come, you can delegate your subordinate, you cannot just say you are not coming, it is not fair.

The IGP sent representatives on two or three occasions that he was invited, but the Senate insisted that he must come in person. Is it right for him to have done that?

Yea, he can delegate someone to represent him, but when they insist that he must come, then he has to find time to go. You cannot insist that you cannot go. What if the President had invited him, would he not have gone. Of course if the President invited him, he could send a representative if he is busy with an assignment somewhere, but if the President insists that he must come, then he has to go. But he did what he did because they don’t have regard for

the legislative arm of government.

Look at what happened in the United States of America. Can the police even investigate a sitting government in Nigeria, but I still insist that democracy is still the best form of government no matter the shortcomings. We need to sit down and discuss, we must restructure this country. People need to sit down and agree, the 1999 Constitution as amended is not the best for the country, but the 1979 Constitution is still better. People have been talking about regional government, it is far better than this current system. It may not be the best, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Let us just sit down and discuss.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Oyo’s Unity Forum members send SOS to Buhari over threat to lives Stories by Patrick Okohue Members of Unity Forum, a group within the Oyo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged threat to their lives by Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State.

In the petition, signed by the forum’s secretary, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, on May 17, the members of the forum, which include Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu; former Chief of Staff in the state, Profesor Adeolu Akande; a serving senator, Monsurat Sunmonu; House of Representatives members, Hon. Adedapo Lam Adesina, Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi, Hon. Abiodun Olasupo, Hon. Taiwo Akintola and Hon. Sunday Adepoju, among others, urged the IGP to come to their rescue.

The petition reads: “We are constrained to direct this letter to Your Excellency because of the urgent need for you to use your good office as the Chief Security Officer of the country to intervene in the unrelenting threat to the lives of our members and the threat to public peace by individuals and groups who surreptitiously identify themselves as defending Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s

Ajimobi

Shittu

interest in the APC. “As you are well aware, since the unfortunate incident at the secretariat of the APC on Saturday May 5, 2018

when hoodlums invaded the venue of a stakeholders meeting of the party and attacked law-abiding elders and members of the party, our members have daily come

under threats to their lives.

“The threats to our lives have been reported to security agencies in the state. However, it continued unabated. A new dimension has been added to these threats. Many members of the group have been receiving threats of attack and death if they dare turn up at the state congress of the party on Saturday May 19.”

The petitioners said they had been forced by the tenacity of these threats to report and seek refuge in the intervention of the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State; Obas of Oyo State, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade.

“We have also sought refuge in the intervention of our religious leaders including the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola and the leadership of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),” they said, urging the President to use his good office to save the members from attacks.

“We are therefore calling on Your Excellency to use your good office to protect members of Unity Forum from attack by these faceless hawks,” they said.

Confusion, controversies characterised Imo APC Ward Congress – INEC

INEC boss, Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Ward Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State was characterised by “confusion and controversies.”

The Commission said in a report signed by its Administrative Secretary in the state, Barr. T.O.N. Ongele, that sensitive materials for the ward congress were missing.

INEC said; “The exercise was characterised in its entirety with confusion and controversies as reported by the officers that monitored the congress at the various wards and local government areas.

“The state Chairman of the party Dr. Hillary Ekeh, in his letter to the REC had indicated that the list of presiding officers, returning and electoral officers for the congress in the various wards will be duly submitted to the REC’s office few hours before the election.

“Given this, the Head of Election and Political Party Monitoring had requested

all the EOs to report at the state office at Owerri by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to collect all the relevant details expected to be provided by the state chairman as well as the checklist. At about 9:20 a.m. the REC put a call across to the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Chief Inibehe Okori, informing him that we were awaiting the list of contact persons.

“He confirmed that he was in a meeting with the governor and will get back to the REC as soon as he is through.

When at 11:00 a.m. we did not receive the expected materials from either the state chairman or the Chairman of the Congress Committee, the EOs were directed to dispatch their staff to the field and to proceed to their respective LGAs for monitoring.

“It is pertinent to state that the ward congress in its entirety was characterised with contusion and controversies as reported by the officers that monitored the congress at the various wards and LGAs. At a point, we were told that the Congress Committee Panel that was

posted to Imo State was swapped with that of Anambra State, but no letter to that effect was received by the REC. “In some of the LGAs, the INEC monitors reported that result sheets were not provided for the congresses and in some, electoral personnel were not seen. In some other instances, the INEC monitors were told on arrival that the congress had been concluded. In some other LGAs there was no evidence that the congress took place.

“The INEC document also contained reports from electoral officers that monitored the exercise across the state.

One of the EOs, Mr. Okike Emeka, in his report, said “the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Congress scheduled to hold at the various wards in Isiala Mbano LGA on the 5th May 2018, was marred with controversies as reported by our staff that were at the various venues to monitor the 12 Wards in the LGA during the congress. There was no fixed time for the congress and this left most people in the dark.”

We will resist any attempt to rig Ekiti governorship election – PDP The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will resist vehemently any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

It has also warned that a rigging attempt on the election would spell serious crisis that could threaten the unity of the country.

The national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, while speaking at the flag off of the party’s local government election campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, said there were plans to rig the Ekiti governorship election.

Mr Secondus noted that any plot to use security agents to thwart the election would be resisted by the PDP. He commended the security men and women for protecting lives and property, but urged them not to be deceived or used to manipulate the election.

“We warn that if you attempt to rig Ekiti, it will be a recipe for crisis and we don’t know whether there will be Nigeria or not,” said Mr Secondus.

“We are bold to say it because you cannot take the peoples’ rights, you cannot deny them of their votes and we are saying and we want APC to say the same that it will be one man, one vote, one woman, one vote, one youth, one vote.

“We will never allow an evil individual to destroy this nation or to destroy our state. If you like wait for us, we refuse to be intimidated.

We are marching forward to win the election at the national level in 2019,” he said.

Although other parties will participate in the July Ekiti election, it is expected to be a two-horse race between Kolapo Olusola Eleka of the PDP and Kayode Fayemi of the APC.

As Fayemi begins journey to Oke Ayaoba Continue on page 11

Ekiti State from poverty.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr. Samuel Ayodele, he commended the APC aspirants for accepting the outcome of the election and expressing their readiness to work with the winner.

Ayodele noted that the spirit of sportsmanship remains the best way to foster unity in APC and give it opportunity to prove its mettle as a democratically fortified political alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the coming election.

The group called on the APC governorship candidate to build on the cooperation of his co-contenders by cautioning his aides who could break his relationships with other stakeholders.

Ayodele described Fayemi as an accomplished scholar and clearheaded politician with exemplary blueprint that can transform the state and banish poverty from the land if given the second chance, saying the APC shouldn’t bungle the opportunity to win the coming election through arrogance and

pursuit of selfish agenda.

“We congratulate Dr Fayemi for winning the primary, but it doesn’t stop at that he must work on the party people on the need to be able to win this election. He must work closely with the people at the grassroots and break away from elitist approach because APC must not bungle this opportunity.

“It is saddening that workers in the Ekiti State employ and pensioners were being owed between four and eight months salaries, local government staff as well in a state

that is predominantly civil service state.

“This has increased hunger, poverty and deprivation to the extent that our people there at home were already disillusioned with lives.

There must be concerted efforts by APC to bring back the lost glory and restore the hope and the only way this can happen is for APC to win the coming election.

“The party has abundant human resources, even the calibre of the 33 aspirants that stood for the primary confirmed how solid APC was,

but this may not have impact if the gladiators are not united. If they are not ready to bury old differences and work together now”, he said.

Undoubtedly, the hosting of the aspirants by the President in Abuja

by President Muhammudu Buhari would boost the chances of APC in Ekiti at the July 14, 2018 governorship election as Buhari charged the aspirants to regard the election as a collective struggle stressing that they should demonstrate unity of purpose and support Fayemi in order to rescue Ekiti State from poverty.

TIMES SPORTS

Saturday, May 19, 2018

National Junior Taekwondo Championship will produce Nigeria’s future Olympians – Official

FIXTURES SATURDAY MAY 19, 2018 FA CUP FINAL Chelsea vs Manchester United SPANISH LA LIGA Celta Vigo vs Levante Leganés vs Real Betis Las Palmas vs Girona Malaga vs Getafe Sevilla vs Alavés Villarreal vs Real Madrid

GOtv MAX Cup: Atletico Madrid’s visit excites football fans

Joe Hart: World Cup omission “hard to take”

Kwese Premier Basketball League:

‘We will continue to prove doubters wrong’ – Coach Bakare

Russia 2018

Team spirit will help us against Croatia, Iceland, Argentina – Gernot Rohr

GERMAN DFB CUP Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt ITALIAN SERIE A Juventus vs Hellas Verona FRENCH LIGUE 1 Caen vs Paris Saint Germain Dijon vs Angers Lyon vs Nice Marseille vs Amiens Metz vs Bordeaux Nantes vs Strasbourg Rennes vs Montpellier Saint-Étienne vs Lille Toulouse vs Guingamp Troyes vs Monaco

FIXTURES SATURDAY MAY 20, 2018 SPANISH LA LIGA Valencia Deportivo vs La Coruña Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol Atlético Madrid vs Eibar Barcelona vs Real Sociedad ITALIAN SERIE A Genoa vs Torino Cagliari vs Atalanta Chievo vs Benevento AC Milan vs Fiorentina Napoli vs Crotone SPAL vs Sampdoria Udinese vs Bologna Lazio vs Inter Milan Sassuolo vs Roma

Super Eagles’ll shock the world in Russia – Kanu

Ike Shorunmu tips Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye to do well in Russia

Times Sports 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

R USS I A 2 0 1 8 S UPE R E AG LE S N E W S !

Team spirit will help us against Croatia, Iceland, Argentina – Gernot Rohr Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has admitted that his team may have no match winners, but team spirit and tactics will see them soar over their group D opponents at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Super Eagles are the least ranked team in the group and accordingly, book makers believe the odds are stacked against the three-time Africa Champions against Croatia who they meet on June 16, Iceland and Argentina in the group regarded as the hardest of the preliminary matches. ‘’We don’t have Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha, Ikpeba, Victor Agali, we have a team team who must win together, play quality football because not one player can make us win,’’ Rohr said in an television interview

on Channels Television. ‘’This is the first thing that we decided for everybody to be attacking when we have the ball, everybody has to defend when we don’t have the ball. ‘’This quality kind of football brought us to the World Cup. When we get the ball, we have fast attacks, this kind of style is for me among our strengths. ‘’What I like about the team is the fighting spirit and the capacity to suffer together.’’

The Super Eagles will begin preparations for the 2018 World Cup at their gettogether in Uyo on May 22, ahead of friendlies against Democratic Republic of Congo, England and Czech Republic.

Minister urges Nigerians to support Super Eagles Minister of Youth and Sport, Solomon Dalung, has appealled to Nigerians to show solidarity and support to ensure the success of Nigeria team at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Dalung in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Special Assistant, Media, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, thanked the team for their commitment, patriotism and unity of purpose as the World Cup approaches.

He urged the team and other stakeholders to continue to produce the desired results in their friendly games and aspire to win the cup.

According to him, the

Nigeria Football Federation should not be distracted with the award of slots to prospective supporters to Russia.

“I sincerely commend the Federal Government and Nigerians for their unflinching support and solidarity to the team and officials.

“As we look forward to playing our remaining friendly matches with DR Congo, England and the Czech Republic, the government assures that every step will be taken to ensure a smooth operation of the matches.

“I also appeal to Nigerians to show their solidarity and

support to see the team to victory,’’ he said.

The minister commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical and coaching crew and urged them to remain focused in their preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Dalung, however, emphasised that priority would be given to the team including officials before considering issues of sponsoring individuals.

“We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to travel to Russia and support the team but it is worthy of note that every plan on the ground will focus on the welfare of the team and officials.

Super Eagles’ll shock the world in Russia – Kanu Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu and current skipper of the side Mikel Obi are supremely confident the squad picked by manager Gernot Rohr can shock everyone when the World Cup gets underway in Russia next month.

Nigeria are pooled in the same group as Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in a section considered as the toughest but Mikel insisted just as they navigated through a difficult qualification series, they would come out unscathed “I believe we can beat Argentina, Croatia and Iceland, if we really want it,” Mikel said on a special World Cup documentary. “We want to make history, to do well.”

“We have a very young team who want to go past the other teams in the group,” he said For Kanu, Eagles are a young side with impressive ambition and are good enough to confront anyside at the Mundial.

He has praised Rohr over the 30-man provisional World Cup roster released on Monday and tipped the Super Eagles to go far at the tournament in Russia. ”Yes, I believe we are going to do very well at the World Cup because we have the right caliber of players for the tournament,” Kanu said. ”The list is a good one and I’m sure the players are ready to fight and defend the country. ”We have good players and a lot of them are in form and the spirit is good and the coaching crew and other staff members are working together, so we are well on track.”

Argentines afraid of Super Eagles too – Felix Orode Argentina-based Nigerian striker Felix Orode has said that Argentines are afraid of Super Eagles as the countdown to the World Cup in Russia continues.

The South Americans have won on all four times they have faced Nigeria at the World Cup, but Defersore Pronunciamiento Enterious striker Orode said Argentines still respect Nigeria and that it promises to be a tough battle when they clash again in Russia.

The Eagles are lifted by a 4-2 win over Argentina in a friendly in Krasnodar in November.

“I know many Nigerians are afraid of Argentina, so Argentines are afraid of Nigeria too. They know we have good players and respect us as a team,” Orode said.

“We need to work hard to beat them, it’s going to be a tough duel, but we can win.”

Orode scored seven goals in 16 games.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

15 Times Sports

RU SSIA 2 0 1 8 WO R L D NE W S !

Ike Shorunmu tips Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye to do well in Russia

I could have made an impact for England – Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere has taken to social media to express his frustration at missing out on England’s World Cup squad.

The Arsenal midfielder was a notable absentee when Gareth Southgate announced his 23-man squad on Wednesday, with Wilshere tweeting his belief he “could have made a real impact” in Russia.

“Think it’s about time I had my say…,” Wilshere tweeted.

“It goes without saying that I’m naturally incredibly disappointed to have been left out of the England squad for the World Cup. I’ve felt fit, sharp and strong all season and believe I should be in the squad!

“And given the chance I could have made a real impact.

“However, I have to respect the manager’s decision and would like to wish the whole squad all the very best for the tournament.

“I will always be an England fan and will be supporting the boys with the rest of the nation.”

Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette left out of France

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial and Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette have been left out of the France squad for this year’s World Cup in Russia.

Martial, 22, has won 18 caps and started France’s 3-1 friendly victory over Russia in March.

Lacazette, 26, won the last of his 16 caps in a 2-2 friendly draw with Germany in November.

Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet also misses out.

The former West Ham player, 31, went off injured during the Europa League final defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, although he was also not included in manager Didier Deschamps’ previous squad.

Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy is one of five Premier League players included, having only returned to action in Aprilafter nearly seven months out with a knee injury.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Olivier Giroud, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are the other England-based players in the 23-man squad.

Former Blackburn and Stoke midfielder Steven N’Zonzi is included, with the Sevilla player having made two France appearances, while former Newcastle forward Florian Thauvin and ex-Crystal Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who are both now at Marseille, also make the cut.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu that the goalkeepers selected by coach Gernot Rohr can stand the pressure at the Russia 2018 World Cup tournament.

Shorunmu who manned the post at the 2002 World Cup in Japan was speaking against the back ground of missing Vincent Enyeama and Carl Ikeme who are believe to have better experience that Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Francis Uzoho and Dele Ajigboye who are all making their world cup debute.

“We have to give the goalkeepers on ground confidence that they can do it,” Shorunmu told Goal. “We too we started from somewhere and they have started from somewhere I wish them all the best to perform well for the country.

“Ikeme is out of it and Vincent says he has retired, so we have to manage what we have.

“We have to give them the confidence and belief that they can get the job done.

“We have to have the belief and the confidence in our team and appreciate them. If we all rally round the team, they will make us proud.”

Joe Hart: World Cup omission “hard to take”

Goalkeeper Joe Hart says his omission from the England World Cup squad is “hard to take”.

Hart was one of England’s key players in qualifying but after falling out of favour at club level with first Manchester City and then West Ham, he missed out on selection for Russia 2018.

He wrote on Instagram: “Not going to lie, I’m gutted.

“After two years of trying to make the most of a really tough situation, this is hard to take.

“I’m proud to have put in the graft and play every minute to qualify with the team and have a really important input in that outcome.

“I know what I bring to the team, but it is what it is.

“Good luck to the team out there, the players know that even though I won’t be there, I will have my England shirt on as a fan this time and supporting all the way.

“No fear, go and smash it.”

NIKE receives three million orders for Eagles’ jerseys, explores new contract with NFF American sportswear giant, NIKE, on Thursday disclosed that it had received over three million orders for the new jerseys designed for the Senior National Team of Nigeria, Super Eagles, for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals opening in Russia in exactly four weeks.

At a meeting with chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation at its Europe headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the sportswear behemoth also used the opportunity to announce that the much-anticipated release of the jerseys into the global market would happen on Tuesday, 29th May, at unit cost of $85.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick attended the meeting in company with NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also Chairman of the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee. NIKE’s Vice President/General Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Matthus Visch was in company with Sales Director, Mr. Wouter van Olm. Both organizations used the opportunity to appraise their running partnership agreement, signed in London three years ago, and while both expressed satisfaction with the contract performance, the imperative of penning a new, improved contract was high on the agenda.

“The meeting was at the instance of NIKE. The company’s representatives at the meeting expressed delight with the performances of the various National Teams since they came on board and we both agreed that it was time for a much bigger contract. That would be actualized very soon.

“The new Super Eagles’ jerseys will be released into the global market, including several NIKE shops across Nigeria, on 29th May 2018, just before the Eagles fly out to London for the friendly match against England.

The cost would be $85 for one,” Dikko told thenff.com.

In the three years of NIKE’s initial sponsorship agreement with the NFF, the U17 National Team (Golden Eaglets) have won a fifth FIFA U17 World Cup; the U23 National Team (Olympic Eagles) have

won bronze at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament; the Senior Women National Team (Super Falcons) have won an eighth Women Africa Cup of Nations; the Super Eagles B have achieved a record runner-up position at the African Nations Championship and; the Super Eagles have qualified for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup (Nigeria’s sixth appearance) from a socalled ‘Group of Death’ in the African series.

“In our discussions, we explored a lot of possibilities going forward. We talked about the forthcoming FIFA World Cup finals in Russia and the preparation of the U20 girls (Falconets) for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in France, among other issues,” Dikko added.

Sofiane Boufal left out of Morocco squad Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal has been left out of the Morocco squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

The 24-year-old, a record signing when he joined Saints from Lillefor £16m in 2016, has not played since 31 March following a dispute with manager Mark Hughes.

Wolves defender Romain Saiss is in a squad containing only three men from the main Moroccan league, the Botola.

Morocco are in Group B in Russia alongside Iran, Portugal and Spain.

Morocco squad: Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger) Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Romain Saiss (Wolves), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid), Hamza Mendyl (LOSC) Midfielders: M’barek Boussoufa (Al Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray), Faycal Fajr (Getafe), Amine Harit (Schalke 04) Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (Saint Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax).

Times Sports 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

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

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

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

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

Cubana Suites

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja

20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja

23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Children: Children are permitted to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

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

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

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

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

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

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a swimming pool?

A: There is a swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

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

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

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

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Treasure Suites.

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

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

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer shuttle services?

A: Treasure Suites renders airport shuttle service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer car hire services?

A: Treasure Suites renders car hire service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites allow pets?

A: Pets are not allowed at Treasure Suites.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

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

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

A: A gym is not available at the hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Grand Cubana Hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

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

Grand Cubana Hotel is a budget hotel in Jabi, Abuja

FAQs

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

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a swimming pool?

A: Yes. It has a swimming pool.

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

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

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

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

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

A: Yes. It is free.

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

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

Q: Does Cubana Suites allow smoking in rooms?

A: No. It disallows smoking in rooms.

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

A: Yes, It has an event centre.

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

A: It accepts cards and cash.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have hair dryers?

A: No. It does not provide hair dryers.

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

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

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

L a r

Way,

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

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

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

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

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

Q: Are there fitness facilities at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Barcelona Hotels Abuja offer shuttle services?

A: Yes. It offers such services.

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

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

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

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a swimming pool?

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

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

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

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

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

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

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

The Missouri Hotel

No 1. Solomon Lar way, Jabi

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Sandralia Hotel.

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

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

A: Sandralia Hotel provides an airport shuttle on request.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer car hire services?

A: Sandralia Hotel renders car hire service on request.

Sandralia Hotel is a luxury hotel in Jabi, Abuja.

FAQs

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

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a swimming pool?

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

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

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

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

To u r s

Afri Hotels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sandralia Hotel

17 Times Sports

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

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

A: Yes. It is free.

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

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

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel allow smoking in rooms?

A: Yes. It has designated smoking area.

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

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

FAQs

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

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

Q: Does Afri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: Yes, a restaurant is available onsite.

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

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

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

A: Yes, airport shuttle services are available.

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

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

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

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

Q: Does Afri Hotel allow pets?

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

A: Yes, cribs are available at a surcharge.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have irons?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

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

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 have a restaurant?

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

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

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

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

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

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer complimentary breakfast?

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

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer shuttle services?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Times Sports 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 18, 2018

TRACKDOWN

Performance status of Nigeria Professionals abroad

Players to watch these weekend

The good days for Malaga this season have been few and far between, and last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Espanyol condemned the bottom side to their fifth defeat in six as they exit the league with a whimper. On an individual note, Isaac Success gave a decent-to-good performance on the day before his late withdrawal, and the wideman will be out to replicate that performance when Europa League-chasing Getafe come to town in the final round of games in the Spanish top flight.

Brown Ideye wasn’t in the squad that suffered that huge loss, but he’ll hope to feature as the Albicelestes seek to bow out in style.

Chelsea will have their sights set on an eighth FA Cup success when they lock horns with Manchester United in the final of the oldest cup competition in the world on Saturday. Antonio Conte’s side have had a season to forget – with a fifth-place finish confirming their lack of involvement in next season’s Champions League – and will want to get the better of the Red Devils as they seek to placate disgruntled fans. Victor Moses, having suffered the ignominy of being dismissed in last year’s final against Arsenal, will be out to right the wrongs from that defeat and end the season with something to smile about.

Sports Bet Corner 75WKBWZ

Don’t stake on one ticket

Villarreal-Real Madrid--x2 Leganes-Real Betis--x2 Dynamo Kyiv-FC Shakhtar Donetsk--x2 Grasshopper-Young Boys--x2 Thun-FC Sion--x2 Bayern Munchen-Eintracht Frankfurt--Over 2.5 Saint Etienne-Lille--1x Metz-Bordeaux--x2 Marseille-Amiens--1x Caen-Paris Saint Germain--x2 Atletico Madrid-Eibar--1x Fenerbahce-Konyaspor--1x Nantes’ apparent disastrous second-half of the season saw them fall from European football chasers to mid-table after a torrid run since the turn of the year as they won just three games. The most recent victory was last weekend – a 2-0 success at Angers – and although Chidozie Awaziem was an unused substitute for the Canaries last time out, the centre-back will hope to feature in the final-day encounter with Strasbourg as departing manager Claudio Ranieri seeks to leave with a win.

Barcelona-Real Sociedad--1 Lazio-Inter Milan--1x Sassuolo-AS Roma--x2 Odion Ighalo wasn’t at the races in Changchun Yatai’s 1-0 defeat to Tianjin Teda in the preceding gameweek. The Jilin-based club dropped to 13th spot following the defeat, and the forward hasn’t scored in two games after his purple patch and will be out to not see his scoreless run extend to three when his side host third-placed Beijing Guoan. A return to winning ways is imperative if the home side are to avoid being tagged as relegation candidates this early into the season.

Anderlecht-Racing Genk--x1 Charleroi-Standard Liege--x2 Chievo-Benevento--1x Cagliari-Atalanta--x2 Spal-Sampdoria--Under 4.5 Napoli-Crotone--1x

Stake what you can afford to lose

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

3rd Youth All Africa Games: CAA appoints Nesiama to officiate in athletics events

A former Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Omatseye Nesiama, has been appointed by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) to officiate at the forthcoming 3rd Youth All Africa Games.

The Championships is scheduled for July 19 to July 28 in Algiers.

Nesiama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that he would bring his experience to bear to ensure that the athletics event of the championships was a success.

“The competition will see me bringing my experiences to bear as the competition Director of the 1st African Youth Athletics Championships.

“Other competencies gained over time will also be used in giving the track and field aspect of the Games a good showing to the delight of all,’’ he said.

He also said he would ensure a good representation to show that Nigerians were competent to officiate and manage competitions not only continentally but internationally.

Nesiama said he would do his best to pave way for more Nigerians to be considered to officiate internationally.

NAN reports that a letter

by Lamine Faty, CAA’s Chief Executive Officer said: “I have the pleasure to inform you that you have been appointed by the CAA as ITO on the occasion of the 3rd Youth All Africa Games to be held in Algiers.

“In this respect, your transportation will be covered by the Local Organising Committee and an air ticket will be sent to you in due time,’’ it said.

NAN reports Nesiama was appointed into the CAA ITO for a duration of 2018 to 2022.

He was the Competition Director for the maiden African Youth Athletics Championship held in 2013 in Warri which was adjudged to have set the standard for similar competitions in Africa.

Nesiama’s rising profile in international technical officiating got him an invitation as a Resource Person to the refresher course for National Technical Officials in Nigeria on the New IAAF Technical Rules in 2017.

Nesiama

19 Times Sports

Kwese Premier Basketball League:

‘We will continue to prove doubters wrong’ – Coach Bakare Ayo Bakare, Head Coach, Comets Basketball Club of Lagos, on Friday said that his team would continue to prove doubters wrong following their victory against Police Batons of Lagos.

Comets came from behind to beat Batons 93-80 in overtime after both teams ended the regular fourth quarter proceedings at 77-77 in the ongoing Kwese Premier Basketball League in Lagos.

Bakare, told newsmen that though his team comprised of the young players in the league, he was confident about their ability to compete favourably.

“We have the youngest sets of players in the league, and people tend to write us off because we lost three straight games, but this victory has proved our doubters wrong.

“We have a dynamic team though not so well experienced but with more training and hard work, I am confident of my team’s capabilities,’’ Bakare said.

Police Baton coach, Emeka Oputa, told NAN that his team lost focus at the wrong time and should not have lost to the Comets team.

“We lost our focus at the wrong time, and we paid dearly for it, this is the kind of result that comes up when we don’t play hard enough to win.

“We will surely work on that and hopefully get the right results in our next game,’’ Oputa said.

NAN reports that both team worked their socks off to affirm supremacy as Comet took the first and second quarter, 23-21 and 42-32, while Batons scuttled to win the third quarter, 59-55.

The fourth quarter was an end to end battle as both teams tried hard to force a lead, but ended 77-77, while

Comets rose higher to take the game at overtime.

In other games played at the Basketball Hall of the Digital Bridge Institute, Cappa-Oshodi, Hoops and Read Club of Lagos whitewashed Nigeria Customs of Lagos, 87-53.

Anambra Flames also in a business as usual hammered Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan, 73-55 to record their third straight victory in the competition.

National Junior Taekwondo Championship will produce Nigeria’s future Olympians – Official

Technical Director, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Chika Chukwumerije, says the 1st National Junior Taekwondo Championship will produce future Nigeria’s Olympians for the sports.

Chukwumerije told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that the event organised by NTF was aimed at giving young taekwondo athletes an opportunity to showcase their talents.

He said the event would also be used to rank budding athletes.

“In our history since 1987 when the federation was inaugurated, we’ve never had a

national junior championship and I think it’s absolutely criminal to the young generation.

“They should have the exact same opportunity like the senior ones so that they will gain confidence and experience at all levels.

“We are also starting a ranking system. The ranking system will help us as we organise more tournaments to see who is performing more consistently.

“So, they will come up through the ranks.

We also want to catch talents at a very young stage so that we can invest in those talents.

“We are going to find our future Olympians competing here all-day, and we want people to be part of it,” the Olympic medalist said.

Speaking with NAN on the expectations of the NTF, Chukwumerije said it was the desire of the federation to showcase taekwondo as one of Nigeria’s most consistent sports.

“We want to showcase taekwondo as one of the best sports in Nigeria. We’ve been very consistent. We’ve done 13 programmes in the past seven months.

“We are always open to organising programmes for our base.

Finally, we want to entertain.”

Asked if the federation was into any form of partnership with any corporate organisation, the technical director said: “So far we are doing it on the strength of our ideas and resolve.

According to him, stakeholders will put in their resources, but we hope to scale it up through corporate sponsorship as time goes on.

NAN reports that in the male preliminaries holding at the indoor gymnasium hall of the National Stadium, Abuja, athletes will compete in the -45kg, -48kg, -51kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -73kg, -78kg and the +78kg categories.

The female preliminaries will see athletes slug it out in the -42kg, -44kg, -46kg, -49kg, -52kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -68kg and +68kg categories.

Athletes, who progress from the preliminaries, will then qualify for the second round of the tournament, which would be held after a lunch break the same day.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of both the male and female competitions would then be decided.

NAN also reports that the four-day event had seen athletes and officials arrived on May 15, while accreditation, referee training and head coaches meeting were held on February 17.

The weigh-in of all weight categories were also held the same date.

20

TIMES SPORTS

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

OPEIFA CUP: Participating teams laud sponsor, organisers for sports kit

Flying Eagles confident of overcoming Guinea Bissau

Some teams in the ongoing 4th Lagos State Secondary Schools Handball Championships, tagged “OPEIFA CUP’’ on Friday praised the Lagos State Handball Association (LSHA) for presenting them with sports kit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16 teams that qualified for the quarterfinals stage in all the categories got sports Jerseys.

Temilola Adeleye, of Wesley Girl’s Grammar School, Yaba, praised Adeola Opeifa and the LSHA for the gift which, she said, had made the championships remarkable and encouraging.

“Daddy Opeifa is doing everything to encourage us, even the association, so I really appreciate them because with this we are going to appear more beautiful on the court,’’ she said.

Adenowale Aisha from CMS Grammar School, Bariga, told NAN that the gift was a surprise to them because they did not expect such from the organisers.

“This is the first time that we are getting this kind of gift and we are happy about it because we are going to appear different and colourful in subsequent edition,’’ she said.

Similarly, Coach Anthony Uchechukwu of CMS Grammar School, who benefited from the gesture, told NAN that the organisers had continued to enhance the profile of the championships with each edition.

“We have been participating in this competition and each edition comes up with improvement; the organisers have made this 4th edition to be exceptional which is commendable,’’ the coach said.

Meanwhile, Opeifa, the immediate past Chairman of LSHA, told NAN that the idea was to appreciate teams that progressed to the quarter-finals and to aid the development of the sport in schools.

Opeifa added that participants would be given certificates, medals, stationeries, bags and trophies to winners in various categories, including the Most Valuable Players and best Goalkeepers.

The U20 National Team, Flying Eagles, fancy their chances of reaching the next round of the qualification series for the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations when they face their Guinea Bissau counterparts at the Udoukaha Jacob Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

Seven-time African champions Nigeria were forced to a 2-2

Novak Djokovic reaches first quarter-final of 2018 in Rome

Novak Djokovic moved into his first quarter-final of 2018 on Thursday when he defeated Spain’s Albert RamosVinolas 6-1, 7-5 at the Italian Open.

The four-time Rome champion is making his way back this year after a six-month injury absence before the Australian Open, which was followed by elbow surgery.

And the 30-year-old showed some of his old form as he got past Ramos-Vinolas to set up a rematch with Japan’s Kei Nishikori for a semi-final berth.

The 11th-seeded Serb, who has reached eight of the last ten finals in Rome, beat Nishikori in the first round in Madrid last week before falling in the second to Britain’s Kyle Edmund.

Nishikori, ranked 24, needed just over an hour to see off Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-2 at the Foro Italico.

Former world number one Djokovic has slipped six places to 18th after his second-round defeat in Madrid, his lowest ranking since October 2006.

Friday morning.

CAF has appointed Kouassi Attisso Attiogbe as referee, alongside his compatriots Limsa Kabassima (Assistant Referee 1), Adam Moukaila Biyao (Assistant Referee 2) and Kokou Hougnimon Fagla (Reserve Referee).

Mr. Andy Quame from Liberia will serve as the match commissioner.

Onyekuru ‘angry’, fails to train with Anderlecht as speculations rage over his future

Media reports in Belgium have claimed that Henry Onyekuru is angry he has yet to play a comeback game for Anderlecht and so has not trained with the Belgian club this week.

Onyekuru had hoped to use the playoff games to push for a place on the Super Eagles provisional squad after he had recovered fully from a long-term knee injury.

However, the Anderlecht coach insisted he was not ready to return to full action.

This week, Onyekuru has not trained ahead of the final game of the season and Anderlecht said he was suffering from a stomach problem.

In the meantime, his handlers are exploring the possibilities of the 21-year-old forward getting a work permit to play for parent club Everton next season even though he was overlooked by Nigeria for the World Cup. This comes at a time when several clubs including Besiktas and Borussia Monchengladbach are keen to take him on loan in the new season.

GOtv MAX Cup: Atletico Madrid’s visit excites football fans

FA CUP: Rashford wants Cup win to build momentum Manchester United can use an FA Cup final victory over Chelsea as the perfect platform for a strong start to next season on the back of a successful end to this one, forward Marcus Rashford has said.

The 20-year-old England international believes a recordequalling 13th FA Cup triumph on Saturday would provide the team with a huge morale boost after they finished a distant second to Manchester City without really mounting a title challenge.

“It’s got massive importance for us,” Rashford told United’s website

draw in the first leg in Bissau last weekend, with Enyimba FC’s Wasiu Alalade netting a first-half brace before the hosts levelled in the second period.

The Guinea Bissau contingent arrived in Lagos on Wednesday night and will fly into the Cross River State capital on Friday, while match officials from Togo are scheduled to be in Nigeria on

http://www.manutd.com. “Finishing the season off with a trophy is always good and would put us in good spirits for next season.

“I think the most important thing is winning that trophy to put us in good stead and, mentally, I always say you don’t want to go a season without winning something.

“That’s my determination – to try to win something each year.

Hopefully, we can get one this year.”

Rashford has won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League trophies at United but the speedy forward is hungry for more.

“I think the first trophy sets you off. When you win the first one, the hunger and determination goes up to a level you didn’t think it could reach. Now I’m always hungry for it – just the results and the trophies,” he added.

Rashford, however, is bracing for a tough test from Chelsea, who are trying to salvage their season after a fifth-placed league finish ended their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.

“Chelsea are a very good team with a lot of quality players. On the day, they can cause problems for anyone.

Football fans in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom state, are in the grip of excitement over the upcoming visit of LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid for the inaugural GOtv MAX Cup. The GOtv MAX Cup will see the Los Rojiblancos play against the Super Eagles on 22 May at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Speaking about the team’s visit, football fans in the city said they are delighted that Uyo is the first Nigerian city to host the new Europa League winners and 2013/2014 LaLiga champions. They equally stated that they are thrilled at the opportunity to see, on Nigerian soil, the players they have been watching on television.

Inyang Bassey, a fan, said: “I am very happy that Atletico Madrid is coming to Uyo. I would definitely be at the stadium to watch the team. I pray and hope that the Super Eagles give a good account of themselves.”

Sunday Ndifreke, another fan, thanked MultiChoice for facilitating the visit of a team of Atletico Madrid’s profile, adding that he is an admirer of their manager, Diego Simeone.

“I want to sincerely thank MultiChoice for putting together the GOtv MAX Cup and having it hosted in Uyo. I am a fan of Simeone because his team always gives everything. I definitely would be at the stadium,” he said.

Samuel Okon, a self-confessed Atletico Madrid fan, said the GOtv MAX Cup represents a dream fulfilled. According to him, he will be going to watch the match with his brother, who is also a supporter of the Spanish team when they play in Uyo. Atletico Madrid have had an impressive season, currently placed in second position on the LaLiga standings. They also won the UEFA Europa League, following their 3-0 win over Olympique Marseille on Wednesday.

Onyekuru

Tiger to play Memorial ahead of US Open

Former world No 1 Tiger Woods has committed to play in Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Tournament later this month as he ramps up his preparations for the US Open, tournament organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

A statement said Woods, a five-time winner at Memorial, had added the May 31June 3 tournament to his schedule along with newly-minted world No 1 Justin Thomas.

Tournament founder and host Nicklaus welcomed Woods’ return to the event at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

The 14-time major champion last played the tournament in 2015.

Nicklaus said he believed Woods, who has made a comeback to golf this season after missing most of the previous two years through injury, is close to claiming a tournament victory.

“I have been so impressed with Tiger during his comeback, and as I said after last weekend, I think he is on the verge of winning for the first time in several years,” Nicklaus said.

“He’s been very close, and having won five times at Muirfield Village, I wouldn’t be surprised if he contended to win his sixth.”

Woods finished strongly at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach last weekend, posting a seven-under-par 65 in the third round before closing with a threeunder-par 69 to finish seven shots adrift of tournament winner Webb Simpson.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

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This is To inform The general public ThaT The above named foundaTion has applied To The corporaTe affairs commission abuja for regisTraTion under parT c of The companies and allied maTTers acT of 1990.

TrusTees are: (1) oKoro mamodeme jeffreY (2) oKoro jane oruoma (3) irhobo-oKoro Yoma (4) irhobo-oKoro eKemena aims/objecTives a) To relief poverTY, sicKness, disTress and suffering of manKind irrespecTive of Their naTionaliTY , race, eThic origin and religious beliefs. b) provision of relevanT learning aids To eQuip primarY and secondarY school children, more especiallY The female ones. c) To enhance QualiTY and eQualiTY in primarY and secondarY schools educaTion. d) provision of small housing uniTs for The less privileges and WidoWs in The communiTies. anY objecTion To This regisTraTion should be forWarded To The regisTrar general corporaTe affairs commission abuja WiThin 28daYs of This publicaTion. signed: oKoro mamodeme jeffreY

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free space

Women lawyers donate relief materials to IDPs in Daffo, Plateau The Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Friday, donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government of Plateau.

It would be recalled that six communities in Daffo were recently attacked by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen with scores of victims killed.

Mrs Mary Abah, FIDA Chairperson in Plateau, said that the core mandate of FIDA was to render humanitarian service to women and children, who are most vulnerable during crises situation.

The chairperson stated that the organisation with 32 branches across the country was sad about the recent happenings in the

country.

She said many vulnerable women and children were killed on daily basis in attacks.

Abah appealed to the Federal Government to step-up its efforts to ensure the protection of lives and property across country.

She stated that the relief materials were to assist the victims, who she said were going through very difficult times. “We know that these materials would not solve your problems but we believe it will assist you in a small way to live normal lives,� she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the relief materials donated by FIDA include; clothing and toiletries.

Mr John Danjuma, a Daffo community leader,

who received the materials on behalf of the victims, promised to ensure equitable distribution of the materials to the affected persons.

Danjuma said that the leadership of the community was doing all it could to ensure that the people lived in peace.

He said that development could only thrive if there was peace and hence the need for all to stay in peace.

Rev. Jacob Machief, who lost his wife, called on the government to come to their aid by strengthening security structure.

Machief also appealed to government to assist the victims with some building materials, to enable them to rebuild their houses, so that they can go back to their respective communities.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Features

Ebola outbreak: Guarding against relapse

Health worker fumigating the environment

Lucy Osuizigbo The 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Nigeria was short-lived as the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared the country free of the dreaded disease in the same year.

EVD, which was imported into Nigeria on July 20, 2014, claimed eight lives including the index case, a Liberian, Patrick Sawyer.

Eleven of those infected survived as concerted efforts were devoted to fighting the deadly viral infection.

Nigeria was declared Ebola free in October 2014, after the country did not record any new case in the preceding 42 days.

With the declaration, Nigeria became the second country to be confirmed free of the EVD by the global health agency since the fresh outbreak of the disease in Guinea in early 2014.

Senegal, which recorded one confirmed case and no death, was the first to attain the Ebola-free status for successfully containing the disease.

Spain, Mali, U.S, UK, Italy, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone also battled and conquered the virus and were eventually declared Ebola-free.

The early declaration of a state of emergency in Nigeria and other measures taken against EVD shows the high level of dedication of the country’s health sector and the overall government commitment to ensuring public safety.

The measures include rapid dissemination of information that built awareness and knowledge around EVD, establishment of the National Centre for Disease Control, and postponement of resumption of schools.

Hand washing before having access to public places was given prominence. Ban on return of corpses from abroad and even on inter-state transportation of such bodies within Nigeria also helped.

Analysts, however, cautioned that Nigeria’s Ebola-free status does not give room for complacency as long as the deadly and highly contagious disease is not totally eradicated, particularly from Africa.

The WHO recently alerted that it is preparing for ‘the worst case scenario’ in a fresh outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ”We are very concerned, and we are planning for all scenarios, including the worst case scenario,” WHO’s Head of Emergency Response, Peter Salama, told reporters in Geneva.

The outbreak, declared by the DRC health ministry on May 8, is the DRC’s ninth known outbreak of Ebola since 1976, when the disease was first identified in then Zaire by a Belgian-led team.

Salama noted that the affected region of the vast strife-torn central African country was very remote and hard to reach, with a dire lack of functioning infrastructure.

Analysts are worried that measures put in place to prevent trans-border transmission of the disease in Nigeria seem to have been relaxed in spite of the itinerant nature of many citizens.

According to Prof. Akin Osibogun, a former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria is unprepared for any resurface of EVD. ”In 2014, the Federal Government promised to establish six functional laboratories but nothing of such is yet to be set up. ”Yes, the government has done well with the establishment of the National Centre for Disease Control but there is yet to be a law in place to back up that centre and strengthen its operations. ”Also, we do not have a national plan of action to enable us to be well prepared for any form of disease outbreak,” he says.

Osibogun believes that it is cheaper to be prepared for and prevent a disease outbreak than

combat it.

“A strong health system is able to prevent disease epidemics and respond faster to save lives. ”Political commitment is highly required to make adequate funds available to provide the needed infrastructure such as laboratories for prompt diagnosis, researches, treatment centres and medical equipment,’’ the medical expert says.

He is convinced that training and re-training of medical personnel for emergency responses as well as strong collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments and health agencies are vital for containing outbreak of epidemics. ”As a nation, we need to anticipate epidemics and be well prepared via surveillance system, investigation control measures, implementation of prevention measures as well as continuous monitoring,” Osibogun adds.

Prof. Oyewale Tomori, a virologist and former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science0, advises on sustenance of the preventive measures.

Tomori argues that Nigeria will continue to be at risk of the disease as long as the virus lingers in neighbouring countries.

According to him, Nigeria will become free of the virus only after the disease has been wiped out of Africa.

He urges Nigeria to help its neighbours to fight the disease.

“We are not free of Ebola until Ebola stops in Africa because there is always a chance that another Patrick Sawyer can come into Nigeria,“ he argues.

Also, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, a public health expert with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, calls on Nigerians to see regular hand cleaning routine as a way of life.

Onwujekwe says that hand cleaning routine is not merely for the prevention of EVD, but for all infectious diseases.

“We lay emphasis on hand washing hygiene because the hand is the most active part of the human body. It goes round and can carry viral organisms around and into the body.

“Governments should also intensify awareness and promotion of regular hand washing as the number one strategy,” he urges.

Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, a molecular biologist with NIMR, also believes that there is still the risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola into Nigeria from high-risk countries.

“We still need to maintain strict surveillance at our borders because there are still cases of Ebola virus in some neighbouring countries.

“We also need to strengthen preparedness planning so that any other outbreak in Nigeria will be stopped with the same rapid response of 2014,“ he says.

Dr Philip Oshun, Head, Ebola Response Team, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), IdiAraba, warns that Nigeria remains at risk and its residents must not let down their guards.

According to Oshun, the three tiers of governments, health workers and all Nigerians cannot afford to relax until Ebola is laid to rest in other African countries.

He regrets that EVD has taken a heavy toll on health workers, and implores them to adhere strictly to universally acceptable practices when attending to patients to avoid contracting the virus.

Maurice Iwu, a Professor of Pharmacology and a former INEC Chairman, is also of the opinion that Nigeria is still vulnerable to the Ebola virus.

Iwu wants the Federal Government to adequately fund research groups and institutes to find vaccines and drugs that can be produced locally to manage EVD and other similar infectious diseases.

According to him, this will consolidate on the nation’s current achievements.

“The Nigerian Government must begin the process of facilitating the study of experimental drugs and vaccines used in the prevention and treatment of the EVD by Nigerian scientists through research institutes”, Iwu urges.

Medical experts say Ebola virus disease, also Ebola hemorrhagic fever or simply Ebola, is a disease of humans and other primates caused by Ebola viruses.

Symptoms – fever, sore throat, muscular pain, and headaches – start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus.

Vomiting, diarrhea and rash usually follow along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys.

At this time, some people begin to bleed both internally and externally.

The disease has a high risk of death, killing between 25 and 90 per cent of those infected.

According to the experts, the death is often due to low blood pressure from fluid loss, and typically follows six to 16 days after symptoms appear.

No specific treatment or vaccine for the virus is available, although a number of potential treatments are being studied. Supportive efforts, however, improve outcomes.

The disease was first identified in 1976 in Zaire in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, and the other in Yambuku, a village near the Ebola River – from which the disease takes its name.

EVD outbreaks occur intermittently in tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Between 1976 and 2013, WHO reported a total of 24 outbreaks involving 1,716 cases.

The largest outbreak was the epidemic in Africa, which affected Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

It had 28,616 reported cases resulting in 11,310 deaths as at May 8, 2016.

Osuizigbo is the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

SGF assures Economic Submit Group of support to achieve mandate Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has assured the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) of government support in the pursuance of the Group’s mandate.

Mustapha gave the assurance on Friday when the NESG executive led by its Chairman, Mr. Kyari A. Bukar paid him a courtesy visit in his Office. The Group was Mr. Bukar in his address said that their visit was to intimate the SGF on the activities of the NESG and to solicit for the support of the federal government to enable NESG accomplish its goals.

According to Mr. Bukar and

his Team, “NESG is here to give the documentation and snap shots of its last year activities and lay its plan for further development before the SGF. Our plans towards food security and social investment and security will certainly be beneficial to the Government’’.

The Chairman said that with the population of Nigeria put at about two hundred million and about 42% either unemployed or underemployed, five to seven million jobs must be created annually to absorb the growth in population if Nigeria is to benefit from her huge population.

The Chairman also complained about either lack of data or scanty ones which was not making

planning effective. He therefore requested for SGF support for approval of the bills that bothers on Economic and Social security which are currently in the National Assembly In his response, the SGF assured the NESG of his support and pledged that his door would be open to the Group at all times. He said that the Economic Summit Group’s plans and programmes would help the present administration in its goals in achieving food and social security. He therefore directed the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, to liaise with the Group in areas identified for further collaboration.

The Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Barr.

Ehuriah Georgina, while appreciating the works the NESG is doing in area of Agriculture, challenged the Group to extend the same zeal to Education and Infrastructural development as the Government is not reaping enough achievement in Education considering the amount of money being put into it.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Gabriel Aduda and Barr. Ehuriah Georgina of Political and Economic Affairs Office and Cabinet Office respectively and Messrs. Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO (NESG), Abubakar Sule, and Tope Toogun all from the NESG.

PDP accuses APC Govs of plan to sack teachers Tunde Opalana, Abuja Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as wicked the plan by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sack schoolteachers and other workers after the 2019 general election.

The accusation was based on what the PDP described as revelation by Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Thursday, that governors elected on the platform of APC, particularly from the northern states, had been in a secret plot to sack schoolteachers in their states after using them to win elections.

The party said it is more disheartening to know from

Governor el-Rufai, as widely reported in the media, that President Muhammadu Buhari even supported the implementation of this treacherous policy in his state, while at the same time, parading himself before Nigerians as propeople and seeking to be reelected.

The PDP yesterday in a statement by its national publicity secretary. Kola Ologbondiyan rejected in its totality this plot by the APC governors to victimize the schoolteachers or cause any worker at any level to suffer.

He said “this atrocious scheme against our citizens has further portrayed the APC and its leaders as explicitly wicked and anti-people group that have no modicum of goodwill towards

Nigerians, but delight in seeing Nigerians suffer, as evinced in the Presidency’s refusal to address the devastating nationwide strike action by health workers.

“This is a party whose incompetence and anti-people administration plunged our country into extreme poverty and worst form of hunger and starvation in the last three years, and now their governors are in a wicked plot to sack innocent schoolteachers; the same Nigerians they used to ascend to power in 2015.

“This is a party and administration that have failed to fulfill the littlest of their 2015 campaign promises, but has rather introduced harsh economic policies that are

directly responsible for the collapse of the nation’s economy, dearth of foreign investments, closure of businesses with over 25 million job losses and attendant pressure on families and living standards.

The PDP said it is totally nexcusable that instead of seeking ways to create wealth and better the lives of Nigerians, the APC is rather thinking of ways to further pauperized the people.

It also alleged that government officials under the APC administration continue to fritter billions of naira through sleazes in the NNPC, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Presidential Initiatives for the North East (PINE) and other government agencies.

23 News

Metuh appeals court decision refusing him medical treatment abroad Andrew Orolua, Abuja Embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal , Abuja division challenging the refusal of the Federal High Court to allow him travel abroad for medical treatment.

Though the defendant who is facing a seven count charge over N400m fraud had been enjoying bail granted him by the trial court, it had on three occasions declined Metuh’s application for the release of his International Passport to enable him travel to a London Hospital for a surgery.

Trial court judge, Justice Okon Abang said in a recent ruling that he did not believe the applicant was sick and that if actually he need surgery, he knew what to do in view of the fact that his earlier applications were refused.

In an appeal No. CA/A/451C/2018, dated and filed on May 14, the appellant complained that the presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang “manifested obvious bias” against him by failing to exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously when he dismissed his application based on “imaginary facts

Oyo State Governor,Abiola Ajimobi in Midst of APC Leader’s in Oyo State during their solidarity visit on the successful completion of local government election in Oyo State held at Governor Office Agodi Ibadan...on Monday.

not borne out of the facts” in the application, thereby occasioning a miscarriage of justice.

He also complained that Justice Abang erred in law and misdirected the court by dismissing his application on unfounded claims that he has been employing delay tactics to frustrate proceedings.

He averred that all the adjournments granted in the matter were in accordance with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and after due consideration of all the facts of the matter. The appellant further complained that Justice Abang strayed away from the application before the court, and accuse him of acting a script, using illness to frustrate early conclusion of the trial and having a hidden agenda, and without any evidence, relied on them to dismiss his application.

Metuh, who is facing N400 million money laundering charge had on several occasions been on admission in various hospitals in Nigeria over a worsening spinal chord ailment for which doctors had recommended surgery as definitive treatment and referred him to the London hospital since 2016.

He had on three occasions approached the trial court for temporary release of his International Passport, the third time being on February 23, after doctors in tertiary hospitals, including the National Hospital, Abuja, certified that he had lost sensation in his lower limbs following the deterioration of his ailment.

In the notice of appeal dated May 14, Metuh, who averred that his health was fast deteriorating, prayed the appellate court to set aside the ruling of the trial court, and order a temporary release of his international passport to enable him go for the surgery and return to continue with his trial.

Metuh claimed that the trial court erred in holding that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application on its merit, given that the extant application was predicated on a new case and circumstance. Arguing that a new case can arise when there is an emergence of new complications, symptoms or changed circumstances, which has not been brought to the notice of the court in the proceedings, Metuh averred that the loss of sensation in his lower limbs qualified as a new case for which the trial court ought to have made findings.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

LASUTH performs free cardiac surgery on 5 patients Five patients have benefited from a free cardiac surgical mission organised by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja in collaboration with VOOM foundation, a U.S. based NonGovernmental Organisation.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LASUTH, Prof.

Adewale Oke, made the disclosure at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

Oke said that the surgery was 100 per cent successful and that the patients were recovering well.

“We have had five patients operated on; all in varying heart disorders and I am pleased to inform you we had a 100 per cent success rate.

“This will enable us inform Nigerians that we have the facility and also, hopefully attract well-meaning Nigerians to sponsor missions such as this.

“We have over 1000 patients who have various heart disorders and if a Nigerian can sponsor programmes like this it will also help develop our capacity.

“It also offers our local

surgeons the experience and exposure to improve on their skills,’’ he said.

Also, Dr Bode Falase, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, LASUTH, said that heart diseases that could be surgically corrected accounted for about one-third of cardiac disorders in Nigeria.

Falase was one of the lead doctors who carried out the surgeries.

According to him, carrying out an open-heart surgery in the country requires finance.

“Not everybody can afford it, because the finances range

from institutions having the equipment, facilities, trained personnel, enabling environment, administration and funding.

“Up till now, missions are extremely useful, because it offers the government an opportunity to offer free surgeries to a number of individuals.

“But looking at the big picture, when you do free surgeries, how many people benefit and how many do we know that need surgery?

“So, going forward, we encourage philanthropists,

well-meaning Nigerians to sponsor patients and by doing so we can help more patients,’’ he said.

The consultant said that preventing heart disorders would require people to seek help on time and at a proper health facility when they felt ill.

He also, urged people not to self diagnose or treat themselves.

“People need to be aware and have access to a facility to see a doctor who can make diagnosis,’’ Falase said.

Also, one of the visiting doctors, Dr Reza Khodaverdian,

Plateau varsity to mark Environment Day with planting of 1,500 trees –VC Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, says the institution will plant 1,500 trees to mark this year’s World Environment Day on June 5.

The vice chancellor said this on Friday in Bokkos while receiving a delegation led by Prof. Daniel Davou, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences,

University of Jos. “ This year, we admitted 1,500 students for the 2017/2018 academic session and to celebrate this year’s Environment Day, each student must plant a tree that day which is June 5.

“The gesture is to show our concern in making our environment greenish and protective, hence celebrating

the Environment Day in a unique way, ’’ he said.

Izam said that apart from the lecture that would hold that day, the institution would launch a world-class weather station donated by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

He said that he was happy over the land design of the university’s masterplan

presented to him by the delegation.

The vice chancellor, however, solicited for the assistance of the delegation in facilitating the implementation of the plan.

He said that his priority was to make the university a worldclass academic institution.

Earlier, Davou had congratulated the vice

chancellor on his appointment and gave an assurance of support and cooperation.

“We are aware that the task to put PLASU on the road map to a world-class university is not easy considering the challenges of finance and other logistics.

“But we are ready to give you the necessary assistance to succeed,’’ he said.

The Scene of a car that fell into gutter at Orile Agege in Lagos.

JOHESU shuns court order, tells members to stay at home Idu Jude, Abuja Despite National Industrial Court (NIC) order to resume work within 24 hours, the leadership of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), has asked its members to remain at home, saying no amount of threat or intimidation will make them call off the ongoing national strike without achieving their demands.

It would be recalled that on Thursday, the NIC in

Abuja ordered the health workers who have been on strike since April 17 to suspend the industrial action and resume work immediately.

Babatunde Adejumo, the judge who gave the order, did so following an ex-parte motion filed by Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, a non governmental organisation (NGO).

The court had also

ordered the health workers and the federal government to arrive at an acceptable and amicable solution in the interest of Nigerians.

But the union denied knowledge of the ruling in a statement issued Friday

by Biobelemoye Josiah its national chairman.

The statement read: “It has come to the notice that some propagandists are circulating this false information in order to mislead members.”

Part of the health workers’ demands are improved facilities, upward adjustment of CONHESS salary scale, and employment of additional health professionals.

Others are implementation of court judgments, upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years, and harmonisation of salaries of all healthcare workers in the country.

Meanwhile, a nongovernmental organisation

under the aegis of the Citizens Advocacy for Social and economic right CASER, has written the Federal Government in support of the industrial court ruling ordering the JOHESU to go back to work or lose positions in the civil service.

CASER also warned the Federal Ministry of labour and employment, the ministry of justice to quickly implement ‘no work no pay policy of the Mohammadu Buhari administration.

also a cardiothorascic surgeon with VOOM Foundation, said the aim of the mission was to improve quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

“I am impressed with the leadership of the hospital, the physicians and clinicians on how they care for the patients.

“We, as doctors are in the business that cares for patients.

“You cannot pay people to care, it has to be inside them and I see such in your staff,’’ he said.

Khodaverdian said that there was still room for improvement and that surgeries would require a lot of planning and resources.

He urged the management of LASUTH to ensure that it put more resources when carrying out surgeries in future.

In his remarks, Dr Sola Pitan, Senior Special Assistant on Health to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, said that the mission was important because it was all about people’s health and lives.

According to him, if people are healthy, they are more productive which in turn means the economy will keep improving.

“In Nigeria, to get to do an open-heart surgery ranges between N3 million and N9 million, depending on the area, what kind of surgery and a host of other factors.

“It is also important to let the world know that we have the expertise, however, our challenge is the financial aspect.

“This is where the VOOM foundation has played a role.

“The foundation brought a lot of materials including consumables valued close to $300,000 and that will still benefit several other patients,’’ he said.

Three of the patients who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed gratitude to the government and medical team who carried out their operations.

Miss Naomi Okeria, 29, said she discovered she had a hole in the heart after a medical check-up done in 2017.

“During my masters degree programme, one of the requirements was to do medical check-up and it was discovered that I had an enlargement of the heart.

“I was then referred to LASUTH and told to carry out other tests which then revealed that I had a hole in my heart.

“I was told the surgery would cost N2.5million which became bothersome to me, because I did not have such money to pay.

“To my amazement, my doctor told me that the state government had paid for my surgery; I was so happy and glad that I could have the surgery done,’’ Okeria said.

Another patient, Mrs Ada Oviosu, 44, said all her expenses were returned to her as she was told that her surgery had been paid for by the Lagos State Government.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

2019: Moghalu pledges ‘economic restructuring’ if elected president Presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, has promised to deliver “economic” restructuring of Nigeria along the six geopolitical zones of the country, if elected in 2019.

While speaking at a town hall meeting on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State, he said restructuring the country along the geopolitical zones will deliver economy of scale in each zone and prosperity throughout the country.

Moghalu, who was appointed by President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2009 as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said restructuring on the basis of states, instead of regions, was not economically viable.

During his address at the 20th annual tax conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) earlier this month, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said “Without federal allocation, most states cannot survive.”

However, Moghalu said at his town hall meeting that Osinbajo’s diagnosis was in line with the tradition of the past governments and the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which identifies some of the chronic problems facing the country without mustering sustainable solutions for them.

He promised he will demonstrate political will and the competence to solve problems that have bedevilled the country for decades, including the fiscal arrangement that serves as disincentive to economic production.

Nigeria has a 36-state federal structure, with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja serving as the seat of the federal government.

Major government’s revenues – including oil export proceeds, which account for more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange earnings or 70 percent of its domestic revenues – are shared monthly in Abuja by the three tiers of government: federal, state and local.

This system has continued to fuel agitation for the regions or states of the federation to “control” revenue generated in their domain and pay taxes to maintain the federal government in Abuja, in accordance with the principle of “fiscal federalism.”

25 News

Illegal dump sites, markets taken over roads in South East -Fashola Moses Oyediran, Enugu Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has attributed the deplorable condition of most roads in the South East to encroachment on Federal right of way by local communities.

Speaking while inspecting some ongoing projects in Enugu on Friday, Fashola said, it was sadden that refuse, illegal dump sites and markets had taken over most of the roads under

construction.

The minister called on state governments in the zone to be more involved and take ownership of their responsibilities.

“From Okigwe to Lokpanta, most of our right of ways has been taken over illegal dump sites, illegal markets and these are essentially local matters.

“The government of Abia should help us clear those refuse and the people out of the road as it is delaying our work.

“When the people in

the region say they are not getting the kind of road the deserve, very few understand the contributing problems by local communities, “he said.

While stressing that refuse management was not a Federal Government responsibility, the Minister added that the state governments need to be alive to their responsibilities.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Enugu, Mr Olufemi Oyekanmi said that he was

not satisfied with the pace of work from Lokpanta to Enugu on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Oyekanmi said that the contract being handled

by CGC Nig. Ltd. had only attained 10 per cent completion in the last one year.

The works controller said that the contractor needed to show more commitment as there were no issues of funding.

“There is need for improvement on speed especially when there is no

issue on funding. We want the contractor to do more,” he said.

Oyekanmi said that the ministry had ensured compliance to the presidential directive on local content.

Responding, the Project Supervisor, Mr Zhou Yanshan said that they had initial challenges in funding and in setting up their construction yard.

Yanshan, however, assured that the project would attain 30 per cent completion by December.

Anglican primate urges quick approval of new minimum wage increase The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Primate of Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), has urged the Federal Government to speed up the process of the increase in minimum wage.

Okoh made the appeal in his presidential address at the Second Session of the 10th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, holding at Basilica

of Grace, Gudu, Abuja, on Friday.

The theme of the fourday event is: “The Christian Family’’ taken from the Book of 2 Timothy, Chapter 1 Verse 5.

“The Synod wishes to commend the government for taking steps in responding to the concern for workers’ wage.

“The economic realities of

the present day make this step imperative. We wish to call on the government to haste with the process to salvage the languishing workforce.

“We equally implore the government not to forget pensioners in the whole exercise because it will also help them too,’’ he said.

Okoh, who is also the Archbishop and Bishop of

the diocese, called on the government to intensify efforts to see that Nigeria exits completely from recession and Nigerians have an improved living condition.

“We charge the government to put more efforts so that Nigeria will come out from recession,” Okoh added.

He also called on the

government to give priority to providing employment.

The primate said that if unemployment is full tackled, young people will have meaningful contribution to the society and find fulfillment in their fatherland.

“Government should give priority to employment so that young people will have a sense of direction,’’ he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari receiving letter of credence from new Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria, Mr. Henrique Adriano Da Silva at the State House in Abuja...on Thursday

Rotary, FG partners to collate data on maternal, infant mortality Rotary International on Maternal and Child Health Project says it is partnering the Federal Government to collate data on maternal and infant mortality in hospitals across the country through electronic programming.

The National Coordinator, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, stated this on Friday in Kaduna while briefing newsmen on the

electronic programming which he says would help government in planning and budgeting.

He said they have been working on the project for the past 20 years with the aim of reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Lufadeju said they would create awareness to the public through the programme and assist hospitals with equipment and infrastructure.

According to him, the group has succeeded in reducing maternal death by 50 per cent and infant mortality by 25 per cent through the project.

“We are presently working in 80 hospitals in eight states of the federation. We are engaged in public awareness campaign, counseling and training of hospital personnel,” he said.

He listed the states as Kaduna, Kano, FCT, Enugu,

Ebonyi, Anambra, Ondo and Osun.

“We are going to partner the Federal Government to extend the project to all secondary hospitals in the 36 states of the federation,” he added.

The coordinator disclosed that Rotary is working with 10 primary hospitals in Kaduna state, and plans to cover 31 secondary hospitals in the state.

He noted that Nigeria’s

maternal mortality rate stood at 500 deaths for every 100,000 births, hence the need for the public awareness.

“Our project works on quality assurance which involves assisting hospitals to look at their process, quality of structure, building and equipment. We also monitor how women are received when they go to access health care,” he said.

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

APC perfects plot to rig Ekiti guber poll, Fayose alleges Idu Jude Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that the ruling All Progressive Party (APC), has perfected plots to rig the forthcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial election.

Fayose, also said that the state under his control will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that APC will be disgraced

during the July 14 election in the state.

In a state broadcast on Friday, Governor Fayose, revealed that he had uncovered a plot to recruit APC members from neighbouring states and “arm them with identity cards” of students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), then, use them as INEC presiding and returning officers to “perfect the rigging”.

The governor alleged that Kayode Soremekun, Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, is a card carrying member of APC and a close ally of Kayode Fayemi, the APC candidate.

He alleged that over 2000 supposed FUOYE students have been registered; with a ”curious condition” that they should provide bank account details of their close relations, ”apparently to avoid tracing any

payment into their own accounts”.

He recalled that the president had ”categorically” said that Ekiti state must be taken by APC at all cost. ”Let me tell the president and his men that they will be disgraced here in Ekiti because the power of the people is greater than the power of those in power,” Fayose said. ”The question is, with

over 9000 Youth Corps members in Ekiti state, what is the need for FUOYE students in an election that is holding in less than 2,200 polling units?” ”INEC must come clean on this. The electoral umpire must tell the public the rationale behind the plot to jettison Youth Corps members for supposed FUOYE students,” he said. ”We hereby call on all men of good conscience to

Rumbles in Rivers Assembly

Memoye Oghu, Port Harcourt

For more than 16 years now, the Rivers State House of Assembly has been known to be a close knitted family, devoid of the wrangling and in-fighting that had characterized other state Parliaments across the country.

A fact that has earned it several accolades in the past as the most peaceful Assembly in the country, particularly during the Speakership of former Gov Rotimi Amaechi, who was Speaker for eight years from 1999 - 2007.

Apart from a minor change in the leadership of the Assembly during former Gov Amaechi’s tenure seven years ago, Speakers of the Assembly had always served out their tenures.

But all that seem to be in the past as a first time legislator has called for the resignation of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani for incompetence and high handedness.

Hon Martyns Mannah, member representing Ahoada East Constituency 1 had last Monday, while speaking on the floor of the House called for the resignation of the Speaker.

“I hereby call on the Speaker to resign his appointment because salaries and allowances of

members and workers are not paid regularly; no training for first time legislators and the Assembly Complex is an eyesore.”

The lawmaker’s call has continued to draw mixed reactions from his colleagues,

workers of the Assembly and other well-meaning members of the public.

Majority Leader of the state Assembly, Hon Martins Amaewhule debunked the claims of the lawmaker, describing it as a figment

of his imagination. He said, “the Assembly is up to date with salaries and allowances of lawmakers and workers.

Training for lawmakers is a continuous process and all lawmakers are solidly behind the Speaker.”

The Majority Leader’s claims have drawn the irk of Assembly workers under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) whose leadership were nearly mobbed by the Assembly workers two days ago. PASAN

Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle) flanked by the Managing Director/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi (left) and others while addressing traders during the inspection of the electrified shops under the Federal Government‘s Energizing Economies Initiative at Ariaria Market Aba, Abia State. . . on Thursday

Military intensifies action to flush out killer herdsmen from Benue, others

By Terhemba Agee Nigerian Military on Friday said that it will flush killer herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Zamfara states.

Acting Director Defence Information Brig.Gen John Agim, flanked by Force Commander Operations, Major Adeyemi Yekini, briefing journalists on activities of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ at the Tactical Air Command in Makurdi, said, troops under the Operation will track, fish out and come down heavily on any camps of militants terrorising the four states.

He noted that the operation was set up to

tackle insecurity occasioned by the herdsmen terrorists in the four states Major General Yekini in his contribution during the briefing said troops of Operations Whirl Stroke may cross over to any state in pursuit of criminals or Militia who may flee to such state and ensure that they are flushed out.

He said the military is aware that killer herdsmen hide behind cattle to launch attack on innocent people adding that they will shoot and kill any cow used as shield by the attackers.

He also disclosed that already one hundred and fourty-seven persons have been arrested by troops sent

to the affected areas.

Brig. Gen Agim in his briefing noted that on the 8 May 2018, the Operation started in earnest and deployed in all the flash points in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

“It will subsequently be deployed in Zamfara state; however, aerial recognizance is being carried out on daily basis in Zamfara state as well as other states under this operation.

“Operation Whirl Stroke is a full-scale military operation in collaboration with other security agencies to completely restore law, order, peace and stability in the affected communities.

“The operation is different from the normal military operations because it has drown special forces from all security agencies including, the army, air force, Police, Navy, DSS among others.

“It is the first time in the history of the country.

During the operation there will air surveillance, marine patrol land patrol to check attacks by the criminals” he said.

According to him the operation will also ensure return of the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs to their various homes.

He said available information has indicated that about 400 residents of Ayilamo Village and about

200 residents of Uzer village have returned; out of about 1,500 and 1,000 residents, respectively who fled the villages in January, 2018, due to increased level of attacks by the suspected herdsmen.

“Let me once again encourage locals to share necessary information and intelligence with the troops on the activities of herdsmen and other criminal elements in their localities,” he added.

He said Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke has started visiting community heads, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to interact with them to cooperate with troops to ensure success of the Operation.

stand up and be courted in the fight against dictatorship, election rigging and plot to subvert democracy in Nigeria. ”2019 general elections is close by and Ekiti as well as Osun elections are prelude to what to expect in 2019. ”The international community must prevail on INEC and the Buhari administration to allow free, fair and credible election in Ekiti state.”

leadership in turn blasted the Majority Leader, saying that the Assembly was owing its members allowances for more than five years. “It is not true that the Assembly is not owing our members. Although, the Assembly is up to date with monthly salaries, it is however owing our members allowances for the last five years.”

Also reacting to the call for the Speaker’s resignation, Chief (Engr) Sampson Ngerebara, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state said that the APC has been vindicated. “I’m happy that this voice is not coming from the APC because if it were to come from APC, they would say we are antagonistic. I’m just praying that this should serve as a clarion call to everybody in Rivers state to wake up,” he told our correspondent in an exclusive chat in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, adding that, “that’s the truth. I don’t need to put it in black and White.

APC is over vindicated. The House of Assembly is not even a rubber stamp, it doesn’t even exist. It exist only in the minds of Nyesom Wike and his cohorts. “ What the young man in the House of Assembly who happens to be of the PDP has done is just because he can no longer bear it. . .To me, it’s not strange, it is expected. The people in the government of Rivers state today, from the governor to the least person, they don’t seem to understand the difference between politics and governance. And because of the level of poverty in this state, people are being deceived.

Many people in Rivers state are living in ignorance. They don’t know what is happening in government and they don’t care to know because of the level of poverty. So, to us who are within the political terrain, who are following the development in the state, it is not a surprise.”

However, all efforts to contact Hon Martyns Mannah and the Speaker proved abortive as at press time. Nevertheless, the Majority Leader was reported to have recanted his earlier refusal in a local radio news, saying now that the allegations of the lawmaker would be investigated.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

27 News

NMA lauds FCTA for improvement in health sector Idu Jude, Abuja Medical doctors in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja have expressed satisfaction with the progress being recorded by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in the health sector.

They said they were delighted that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, is delivering on the pledges he made to the current executives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) when the latter visited him two years ago.

FCT NMA Chairman, Dr.

Achonwa Chiedozie, stated this when he led the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the just concluded NMA Annual General/Scientific Conference on a courtesy call on the Minister in his office recently.

Briefing the Minister on the conference, Chiedozie, recalled that the Minister’s pledge to open two new hospitals every year to keep pace with the demographic change and health care needs of the Territory.

Others include rectifying the cases of doctors affected by placement on improper salary structures, capacity building

and across board improvement in various departments of health care institutions of FCTA. According to the NMA Chairman, “we have observed the sure and steady delivery on these promises, as we have witnessed the opening of two new hospitals last year and are very hopeful that same will be done this year.”

Dr. Chiedozie commended FCTA because of increase in the number of FCT health institutions that have been accredited for residency trainings. This, he described as an eloquent indication of significant improvement

in the standards of these institutions in the life of this Administration.

His words: “The growth in the number of hospitals has significantly increased the number of bed spaces and positively impacted on health care delivery in the FCT, and for which we want to commend your efforts, Honourable Minister Sir.” According to Dr. Chiedozie, a major highlight of the forthcoming conference is a plan by the national body to undertake a two-day free medical outreach – Monday 30 April and Tuesday, May 1–involving surgery and

consultations in Abaji General Hospital for a targeted 500 patients. Over 1000 medical doctors, he said, would be converging on Abuja from across the 36 states of the federation, abroad as well as the Diaspora.

The Chairman lauded NMA’s partnerships with FCTA which has yielded positive results as the association has trained a total of 150 health assistants selected from various Primary Health Care centres in FCT on neonatal resuscitation. It also have a plan to train a further 65.

In the same vein, it has adopted the Dabi-Bako Primary Health Care in Kwali Area Council for the purpose of free medical consultations. Members visit the centre every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, to give three hours of consultations, with plans to increase the number in due course.

In his remarks at the occasion, FCT Minister, Malam Bello, expressed readiness to continue to work with the association towards improvement of health care delivery in the FCT. He indicated that paucity of funds has affected the passion of the Administration to meet up with

its ambition for a significant leap in health care delivery in the Territory. Towards this, the Minister stated that the strategy of the Administration is to encourage private sector investments in the area by creating enabling environment and facilitating ease of doing business. end The Minister revealed that some private sector-driven specialist hospitals are coming on-stream in the FCT health care landscape which he hopes would reduce health tourism from Nigeria and expressed his commitment towards the establishments of a Centre for Infectious Diseases in Abuja as well as a world class rehabilitation centre for victims of drug abuse. Bello lamented that the incidence of drug abuse has spilled beyond the youth to adults, women and even mothers, whom he described as the bedrock of the home.

Bello allayed the concern of private medical practitioners over multiple taxation, assuring that the FCT Internal Revenue Service will work for a friendlier tax regime for businesses that centre on critical areas of human services.

...commissions emergency operation centre Idu Jude, Abuja

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood parading 13 principal suspects arrested for criminal conspiracy, crude oil pipeline vandalism and theft of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Kaduna, Niger and Delta States before newsmen in Abuja...on Friday

Health workers strike: NGO threatens contempt, says Health Minister not main issue Andrew Orolua, Abuja A non- governmental organisations, the incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International has threatened to file contempt proceeding against the President of the joint Health Sector Union ( JOHESU) Mr. Josiah Biobelemoye, if he failed to call off the nationwide strike.

The foundation had on Thursday secured a Court order directing (JOHESU) to call off the one month old industrial action and return to work within 24 hours.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Execute Director of the Foundation, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi called

on President Muhammadu Buhari to proscribe JUHESU in exercise of his power under the Trade Dispute (Essential service ) Act as an illegal association.

“Under section 7 of the ACT. Health workers are classified under essential services . If at the close of work today 18th of May 2018, one month after the strike commence JUHESU fails to call off the strike as ordered by Court ,we shall commence contempt proceeding on Monday 21 May 2018 against the president and the entire executives of JUHESU.” The NGO further stated that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, is not the main issue over the ongoing strike, saying that the health workers should be honest in their demands.

In the interim order the foundation obtained on Thursday the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), who are on an indefinite strike over non implementation of agreement to return to work nationwide within 24 hours.

The President of the NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, gave the order after listening to the submissions of Okere Nnamdi who argued an exparte motion filed by a NonGovernmental Organisation challenging the industrial action that had paralysed government hospitals.

The Foundation in the motion had prayed the court to order the workers to resume work and go

back to negotiation table.

Justice Adejumo in his ruling also ordered the minister of health, minister of labour and employment and others who are connected with the matter to immediately set up a committee to address issues raised by the health workers.

The judge further ordered the parties to ensure that they arrive at an acceptable and amicable solution in the interest of Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the strike action.

The Court directed the president and vice-president of JOHESU, should attend the negotiation meetings where negotiations should take into consideration the provisions of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Act.

Public Health Department of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat in conjunction with the National Centre for Disease Control has commissioned the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to enhance capacity for disease surveillance.

Commissioning the centre the Hon. Secretary FCT Health Human Services Secretariat Barr. Amanda Pam said the centre will facilitate real time live reporting during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies, which will translate to prompt response.

The Secretary, who was represented by the General Manager FCT Hospital Management Board Dr. Aminu Muhammed Mai added that twenty two participant drawn from the Department of Public Health, Primary Health Care Board and World Health Organization are already undergoing five days training as directed by the National Centre for Disease Control.

Barr. Pam commended the good working relationship between FCT and NCDC which as the result of these meetings held recently the two agencies come up with the idea of establishing the Isolation Centres in FCT. The technical working group has already been formed with the involvement of all stakeholders.

Speaking earlier the Chief Executive Officer National Center for Disease Control Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said that

the Federal Capital Territory Administration and National Center for Disease Control strengthened their relationship in four different areas namely Surveillance, Emergency Operation Center, Treatment and Health care as well as Laboratory Services.

He added that the FCT Administration and his organization are working seriously to ensure that the provision of State of Art facilities are provided for the benefit of FCT resident and Nigeria at large.

Dr, Chikwe further added that FCT is very strategic because it’s the entry point and the seat of government that is why NCDC decided to consider the project among the priority states just to be sure that we have the capacity here to protect the people residing and those coming into the country.

In his remarks the Director Public Health Department Dr. Humphrey Okoroukwu said Public Health Emergency Operation Center was a huge success to the FCT, It will facilitate real time live reporting of health emergencies all over the FCT, leading to prompt response and minimal casualty, while adding that a digital cameras to facilitate the process are already installed.

He thanked the FCT Administration under the Hon. Minister and the National Center for Disease Control for ensuring that the project come to reality for the benefit of FCT residents.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Emir warns against violence ahead of Nasarawa LG poll Emir of Wamba in Nasarawa state, Alhaji Lawal Musa-Nagogo, has urged politicians to shun violence and politics of bitterness ahead of the state’s May 26 council polls and 2019 elections.

Musa-Nagogo, who made the call on Friday when the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate in Wamba Local Government Area, Mr Abubakar Abbas, visited him in Wamba.

He charged politicians to unite irrespective of their party differences and play politics according to the rules in the interest of peace and national development.

According to him, politics devoid of bitterness and rancour would go a long way in promoting peace ahead of the state’s local government election and as the 2019 general elections also draw near.

“I want to use this medium

to call on politicians to play politics devoid of blackmail and bitterness. You should not see politics as a do-or-die affair.

“Most of the violence in the society are caused by politics of bitterness and blackmail,” he said.

M u s a - N a g o g o congratulated Abba over his victory at the party primary election and wished him well in his political career.

He urged him to initiate

policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of the area, if elected.

“What the electorate want from politicians are ideas of development and dividend of democracy in order to improve their standard of living,” he added.

The monarch advised the people in the state and Nigerians to live in peace with one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and

political differences.

He urged his subjects to continue to support government’s good policies and programmes in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Earlier, Abbas, the chairmanship candidate of the area, said that the visit was to seek royal blessing to enable him succeed in his ambition.

He promised not to fail the people of the area if elected.

L-R: Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse; Director, Home Services, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola and Director of Special Projects, Dr. Mohammed Dikwa, during the Quarterly Briefing of the Media by the Minister in Abuja, recently

C’River inaugurates commission of inquiry on Boki Palm Plantation crisis Cross River State Government on Friday inaugurated a six-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis in Boki Oil Palm Plantation, with a charge to identify its remote and immediate causes.

Inaugurating the commission, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, said that “government can no longer tolerate the crisis which led to the destruction of lives and property in Boki Local Government Area.’’

Esu said that the state government was aware of a group of persons that had been sponsoring the crisis since 2016 when it effected a change in the management.

He added that “It is in this regards that government deemed it necessary to inaugurate this commission of inquiry with a view to bringing speedily end to the unfortunate incident.”

The Deputy Governor charged the commission to investigate the

activities of the estate, identify the causes of the crisis and the major groups and individuals involved in it.

Other terms of reference given to the commission were to identify the extent of involvement of those identified and make recommendations for their possible prosecution.

The commission is also expected to identify all those who have died in the crisis and make recommendations on how to manage the estate in the interim and in the future.

He further charged the commission to ensure that all the host communities to the oil palm estate benefited maximally from it.

In a remark, the Chairman of the commission, Justice Maurice Eneji, thanked the state government for finding the members worthy for the assignment.

Eneji pledged that members of the commission would live above board in carrying out the assignment.

He appealed to the people of Boki to use the commission to express their grievances and proffer solutions for peace to prevail in the area.

The chairman promised to use his personal experience and relationship with the people to engender amicable resolution of the crisis.

“I also appeal to all stakeholders within and outside Boki to support the commission to enable it to succeed in it assignment’’ he said.

Association urges FG to regulate operations of estate agents Chairman of the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, on Friday appealed to the Federal Government to regulate the operations of estate agents nationwide to check fraudulent practices.

Ogunbanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the regulation was necessary to restore the confidence of the public in the profession.

He said the activities of fake agents had forced members of the public seeking accommodation to lose confidence in real estate agents.

He said the government could check the trend by mandating estate agents/firms to register with AEAN before they start practicing.

According to him, many prospective tenants have lost millions of naira to fake agents thus tarnishing the image of the profession.

“The profession has become an all-comers’ affair where anyone puts a signpost indicating that he or she is an estate agent.

“If the government issues such a directive and one or more agents are sanctioned for violating the rules, it will serve as deterrent to others,” he said.

According to Ogunbanjo, the profession goes beyond helping people to secure accommodation but involves selling, renting, maintenance and management of properties, among others.

He appealed to the association’s members to always be diligent while dealing with members of the public because their professionalism could help reduce fraudulent practices in the profession.

He urged those yet to register to do so through the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.

For the Record

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

29

Partnering towards assets recovery, return COMMUNIQUEĚ WE, the Heads and Representatives of AntiCorruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, meeting at the 8th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (the Conference) hosted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (the EFCC), Nigeria, sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria, from 14-18 May 2018, NOTING with gratitude the invaluable support and warm hospitality provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the EFCC and the people of Nigeria, the honour of the presence of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Republic of Nigeria, at the Opening of the Conference, INSPIRED by the presence, participation and commitment of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Heads of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, former President of the Republic of South Africa and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, at the Conference, CONCERNED ABOUT the heavy losses that Africa suffers as a result of illegal transfers of proceeds of corruption and crime out of Africa, RECOGNISING the need to strengthen cooperation and collaboration among the Anti- Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa for purposes of facilitating assets recovery and return, ACKNOWLEDGING the benefits of a platform for discussing emerging issues and sharing good practices and country innovations in the fight against corruption, HAVING made presentations on the theme of the Conference, discussed innovative measures employed by anti-corruption agencies and explored other aspects of the programme of the Conference, SATISFIED that a full exchange of views and innovative experiences among anti- corruption agencies and other participants has taken place at the Conference.

1 1. CALL upon African countries to 2. URGE Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa to effectively combat illicit financial flows, 3. ENCOURAGE African Countries to maintain a publicly available register of the beneficial owners of corporate entities and the level of ownership, 4. FURTHER ENCOURAGE African Countries to enact and vigorously implement asset forfeiture legislation to facilitate asset recovery and return, 5. APPEAL to judicial and prosecuting authorities to co-operate, support and fast track prosecution of corruption cases in their jurisdictions, 6. DRAW the attention of Anti-Corruption Agencies to the vulnerability of the extractive and construction sectors to corruption, money laundering and illicit financial flows, 7. FURTHER CALL on African countries to ensure the independence and provide adequate resources for anti-corruption agencies to enable them to trace, recover and return assets, 8. WELCOME the initiative of the Commonwealth

Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu

Secretariat to develop a Commonwealth Benchmarks package on anti-corruption and integrity standards and also call upon the Commonwealth Secretariat to incorporate existing benchmark packages, 9. RECOGNISE the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption, asset recovery and return, further URGE African Countries to enact astrong whistleblowing legislation and provide protection to whistleblowers, 10. FURTHER ENCOURAGE Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa to explore innovative ways of delivering public education, awareness and sensitisation messages to the general public about tracing and recovering of assets, 11. URGE Asnti-Corruption Agencies in Africa to sustain and deepen relationships, exchange of knowledge, experience learning and benchmarking visits, strengthen cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets in accordance with Article 54 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Article 16 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, 2 12. FURTHER URGE African countries to develop integrity education programmes targeting children, 13. NOTE with appreciation the contribution of the Commonwealth Anti- Corruption Centre (the Centre) in building the capacity of officers of Anti-

Corruption Agencies and URGE anti-corruption agencies to participate in the capacity building programmes offered by the Centre, 14. APPRECIATE the efforts made by the Centre to secure funding and support for the institution and REQUEST the Centre to continue to explore avenues for securing funding and support, 15. FURTHER CALL upon Anti-Corruption Agencies to pay the annual Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa subscription fees on time, 16. AGREE that the next Regional Conference of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa in 2019 be hosted by Uganda in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, 17. EXPRESS appreciation to the President, the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the hospitality extended to delegates during their stay in Nigeria, 18. FURTHER EXPRESS profound appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat for co -sponsoring and co-organising the Conference.

19. ELECT Nigeria as the Chair and Uganda as the Vice- Chair.

Being the communique of the 8th Regional Conference for Heads Of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria between May 14 and 18, 2018.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Foreign Affairs US First Lady still in hospital after treating kidney condition First Lady of the United States Melania Trump is still in hospital days after undergoing a kidney treatment process and no one has given any hint as to when she will be out Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, would not give any details about why the first lady was there, buy a White House statement said she underwent an embolisation process on Monday morning to treat a benign kidney condition. President Trump tweeted Monday that she “is doing really well” and would be leaving the hospital in “2 or 3 days” after her procedure.

According to the National Institutes of Health, embolization “cuts off the blood supply to a certain part of the body and the procedure is mostly done as an outpatient, meaning the patient is discharged the same day.

Dr. Mohamad Allaf, vice chairman of urology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said the planned length of the first lady’s hospitalization is “somewhat atypical but not out of the question,” noting that it’s hard to tell absent more information about Trump. “It may be just out of an abundance of caution and privacy. Certainly, staying a little longer may imply that this is a little bit more of a complex situation.”

On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the first lady was feeling great and looking forward to getting home. It’s unclear why she hasn’t returned to the White House, and experts say, it’s hard to speculate.

“There are so many unknown factors about what was involved in the procedure. Was she under full sedation?

There are many factors that could keep someone [in the hospital] in a little longer,” said Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urological surgeon at Orlando

Melania Trump Health. He has worked with patients under similar circumstances, but is not involved in the first lady’s case.

Brahmbhatt, also an assistant professor of urology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, said he would expect some patients to resume some regular activity the day after the

procedure. But there could be pain, he said, and to discharge a patient, doctors typically look for three things: “They’ll be waiting to see how she eats.

They’ll want her pain to be in control. They’ll want to make sure that the labs show she is stable. Once you meet those criteria, then we can send you home,” Brahmbhatt said.

Tornado wrecks destruction in Western Germany as Hawaii volcano erupts in 30,000-foot plume

House destroyed by the effect An explosive eruption spewed ash 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) into the air above Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Thursday and residents of the Big Island were warned to take shelter as the plume engulfed a wide area, authorities said.

Also in Western Germany, A rare tornado hit a populated area in western Germany, leaving a trail of destruction in the area west of Duesseldorf and injuring at least two people, officials said.

Several houses were severely damaged while dozens of trees fell on cars, forcing police to cordon off roads to the

town of Boisheim. A motorist was seriously injured and a firefighter suffered an electric shock, the spokesman added. Police also said one person was seriously injured.

In the case of Hawaii, the wind could carry the ash plume as far as Hilo, the Big Island’s largest city and major tourism centre, the County of Hawaii Civil Defense warned in an alert. “Protect yourself from ash fallout,” it said.

More than two dozen homes have been destroyed and dozens more are threatened by red-hot lava seeping from the Kilauea volcano, the most active in Hawaii, civil defense officials said.

Blast that sent ash and smoke nearly six miles into the atmosphere was followed by other emissions of up to 12,000 feet, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a statement.

USGS geologists and staff were evacuated from the summit shortly before the blast and a webcam showed a gray plume of ash and chunks of magma known as pyroclasts that showered the volcano’s slopes.

An aviation red alert was issued due to risks that ash could be carried into aircraft routes and damage jet engines, USGS said.

The eruption could not only enshroud large areas of the Big Island in volcanic ash and smog but other Hawaiian Islands and potentially distant areas if the plume reaches up into the stratosphere and ash is

carried by winds.

National Guard troops donned gas masks to protect themselves from toxic sulfur dioxide gas at the intersection of highways 130 and 132, the main exit routes from the village of Pahoa, 25 miles (40 km) east of the volcano, where many of the ground fissures have erupted, a Reuters reporter in the village said.

Schools were closed in the area due to “elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels,” according to a phone alert from emergency authorities The volcano has destroyed at least 37 homes and other structures in a small southeast area of the island where lava has oozed from fissures, forcing around 2,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Geologists had warned explosive eruptions could begin once Kilauea’s falling lava lake descended below the water table, allowing water to run on to the top of the lava column and create steam-driven blasts.

The powerful explosions could hurl “ballistic blocks” the size of refrigerators across a distance of more than half a mile (1 km) and shoot pebble-sized projectiles and debris up to a dozen miles, the USGS has warned.

Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, last experienced explosive eruptions in 1924.

Slovak President Kiska says EU countries ignoring Russian interference

European countries are ignoring evidence of Russian interference in their politics and the destabilising effect on the region which aims to make Europe more reliant on Russian energy, Slovakia’s President Andrej Kiska said on Thursday.

Kiska, who is not a member of any political party, is a pro-Western voice in NATO and euro zone member Slovakia but has limited executive powers. He said this week he would not seek reelection next year.

Former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was replaced in March by his deputy Peter Pellegrini of the same leftist Smer party that dominates the government, has often spoken against sanctions imposed by the European Union over Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.

“We openly speak about Russian spies active in our countries. And many politicians, my country included, turn a blind eye thereto,” Kiska told the Globsec security conference in Bratislava.

“We face propaganda and hoaxes attacking our societies, and we do not search for its originators. Because we already know,” he added.

Unlike neighbouring Poland and Hungary, Slovakia has avoided clashing with Brussels over the rule of law, but was the only central European country not to expel any Russian diplomats over the March poisoning of a Russian former double agent in Britain.

Britain says Russia poisoned Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and ‘80s. Moscow denies any involvement in the attack, which sparked the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Russia has also denied accusations of meddling in the U.S. and French presidential elections and launching cyber attacks against the West.

Speaking at a conference also attended

by Russia’s United Nations envoy Vassily Nebenzia, Kiska described the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, preparatory works for which are set to begin off the German coast, as selfish and harmful to EU stability.

An initiative of Russia’s Gazprom and five European companies, and with German backing, the gas pipeline on the Baltic seabed will connect Russia directly with Germany, bypassing eastern Europe and limiting flows via Ukraine.

It will double Russia’s gas export capacity to Germany but cost Ukraine valuable revenues while increasing EU reliance on Russian gas. The project would also limit flows through Slovakia.

“This project has serious political consequences, it is an example of purely selfish economic interests at the expense of stability and prosperity of our immediate neighbourhood,” the Slovak president added. “We send a signal to Russia about how short-sighted we are in our policies.”

Kiska called Russia’s involvement in Syria “shameful” and called for resolute collective action to counter “undemocratic regimes pretending to be peacemakers while waging war not for peace, but for repairing a lost national pride and to regain a place among major world players”.

“And to those who send their troops to steal land of sovereign states,” he added — a reference to the annexation of Crimea, which prompted the United States and EU to impose sanctions on Russia.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

31 Foreign Affairs

Nigeria, India partner for ICT development in Africa Adebisi Oyindamola in Abuja Information communication technology (ICT) stakeholders from Nigeria and India are bracing up for the 4th Indo-Africa ICT expo scheduled to hold in Lagos between 22-23rd may 2018.

This convergence of ICT investors and innovators from across the continent which is taking place in Nigeria for the second time has been linked to the commitment of Nigeria in the area of ICT growth in Africa.

Speaking at a pressing conference In Abuja, the Indian high commissioner Nagabushana Reddy said the choice of Lagos as the venue of the event for the second time in a roll, is predicated on the strategic place of Lagos, as the gateway to Africa.

He described Africa as one of the fastest growing economy in the world, adding that collaboration between Africa and India “will boost both economies and the ICT sector, through greater penetration and use of advance technologies and services” “The expo will be a platform to build synergy among India and Africa countries to showcase innovative and diversified products and services and to bring together thought leaders across the entire ICT value chain to discuss solutions to regulatory issues as well as business” he said.

The event is expected to attract 300 companies/delegates from India and Africa for the conference and attract 3000 visitors for the exhibition, for the purpose o9f unlocking huge potentials from Africa in the area of ICT.

Minister of communication Adebayo Shittu, who commended the India delegation for their interest in the development of ICTS in Nigeria, assured the Indian envoy of the huge potential market in Nigeria, adding that “Nigeria has the potential and resources for its economy to even catch up and surpass many countries in some years to come”.

“India and Nigeria share a lot in common and ICT currently being very topical globally, it is in the interest of both countries to pull resources together to deliver results for our common people” he said.

He added that “the two day event will enable Nigeria’s start ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to form partnership with their foreign counterparts as well as pitch their innovative creations for public/ commercial acceptance.”

Israel will protect holy sites and religions in Jerusalem- Embassy The State of Israel will ensure that holy sites and all religions of all faiths are protected in Jerusalem its capital.

Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel in Nigeria Navad D Goren stated this in a press statement Tuesday in Abuja on the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem which took place Monday this week.

“As this historic juncture is celebrated around Israel and beyond, the State of Israel remains fully committed to protecting the holy sites in Jerusalem and ensuring freedom of religions of all faiths. Israel will continue striving for a lasting peace in the region,” he said.

According to the statement, “The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem was inaugurated exactly 70 years after former U.S. President Truman became the first world leader to recognize the State of Israel. From this week forward, the American Ambassador to Israel

will be based in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, the religious and cultural home of the Jewish people.”

Goren also quoted President Donald Trump who stated that, “Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government. It is the home of the Israeli legislature and the Israeli Supreme Court and Israel’s prime minister and president. Israel is a sovereign nation with the right, like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital.”

The Deputy Chief of Mission went on to say that “The leadership role the United States took in moving their Embassy to Jerusalem demonstrates the strong alliance between the two nations which share a relationship built on progress, peace and freedom. It is encouraging to note that now that the U.S. has led the way, other countries are following suit: Guatemala, Paraguay and Honduras are all expected to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem in the near future.”

Guy Feldman, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria

Nigeria faces criticism for ECOWAS community levy debt Adebisi Oyindamola in Abuja Nigeria has come under harsh criticisms from members of the ECOWAS parliament, for its non payment of the community’s levy for 2017. This is not the first time Nigeria is coming under heat because levy related matters and her seemingly reservations about the use of the community funds.

Member of parliament Sadiq Ibrahim who presented Nigeria’s country report at the ongoing ECOWAS parliamentary session, noted that plans are underway for the payment of 2017 community levy.

“Approval has been given by President Muhammadu Buhari for the payment of the 2017 community levy and payment is currently being processed, the delay is due to some reservations that the country has on the usage of the community funds,” he said.

Sadiq’s position did not go down well with many of the parliamentarians who

believe Nigeria should do more in the areas of funds.

Honorable Stephen Zargo representing Liberia reiterated the place of Nigeria in the success of the sub region and Africa at large and called on Nigeria to rise up to the occasion as a major actor in the continent.

“Much is expected of Nigeria, all countries in the region acknowledge the immense power Nigeria wields, she needs to rise up to her name, as the leader in the sub region” Others delegates who shared the same views includes Hon. Outtarakorbe Modibeauh, Hon. Kebba, Hon. Sale Poli.

Hon. Opare Ansah of the Ghanaian delegation noted that if ECOWAS will succeed or fail, to a large extent it will depend on Nigeria, because 54% of our population is in Nigeria. He urged the country to remit in full whatever she owes.

However responding to the concerns raised about payment of levy by quite a large number of members of parliament,

Honorable Mohammed Laifigi stated “The delay in the payment of the levy is due to the delay in 2018 budget being passed, and Nigeria will ensure that as much as possible it will be paid.”

Nigeria contributes over 50% of the ECOWAS budget, and houses most of its structures and institutions. A lot have been said on the benefits Nigeria gets from the ECOWAS, as there are claims that the giant of the continent and sub region is only playing a superficial big brother role.

Cape Verde is among other countries owing community levy. According to the country representative, Philomena Martins “ Cape Verde resumed the process for regularizing the community levy, with the payment of 1.5 million USD. The balance will be paid over five (5) years,” she explained. Guinea Bissau just recently embarked on payment of 2.224 million CFA Francs, of the 3.888 million CFA debt owed to ECOWAS.

Gunmen lay siege to Kirkuk voting stations, block count Gunmen have laid siege to several polling stations in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, trapping election workers and blocking the vote count four days after a national election.

Riyadh al-Badran, head of the electoral commission, said on Wednesday that the gunmen - whom he did not identify - were putting pressure on the commission to change the election results. “The employees of the commission are in a hostage situation,” he told a news conference and called on Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to protect the election team.

About 90 percent of the votes from Kirkuk, an ethnically-mixed oil province at the heart of a long-running dispute with the Kurds, have been counted, Badran said. But election workers have been unable to send results from 186 ballot boxes, he said.

The initial results from Kirkuk indicated a win for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a historical Iraqi Kurdish party, the commission said on Tuesday. But the Turkmen and Arab communities have disputed those results and called for a recount. The dispute in Kirkuk, as well as in Kurdish Duhok, where local parties have contested the results, have delayed the final nationwide results. Badran said that figure should be announced in the next two days.

The Sairoon Alliance of Shia leader appears poised to win Iraq’s parliamentary elections.

Reports indicate that Sairoon - an alliance between the Sadrist Movement and Iraq’s Communist Party - won more than 1.3 million votes, gaining 54 in a 329-seat parliament.

Iran-backed Shia militia chief Hadi alAmiri’s Fatah (Conquest) coalition was in second place, while Abadi’s Nasr (Victory) coalition is in third. Saturday’s election was the first since the defeat of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Turnout fell far short of previous elections with only 44.5 percent of registered voters participating. The turnout was 15 percent lower than in 2014.

Riyadh al-Badran

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FLASHBACK in Times: May 19, 1949

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 657

N150

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED. Operational Headquarters: Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos Corporate Office: 9 Osun Crescent, MaItama, Abuja Email: info@dailytimes.ng Managing Editor: BONAVENTURE MELAH, Tel: 08036062975, Email: bonamelah123@gmail.com

Editor: TONY AMOKEODO, Tel: 08111811228, Email: tonyamok@gmail.com

Business Times

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Sterling Bank grows shareholders’ value by 20.2%

False claims: ExVC drags Nigerian Breweries to court

FG inaugurates Joint Planning Committee of NES 24

PTAD saves N6bn through suspension of 22,021 unverified pensioners Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has recorded a monthly savings of N495 million for government, which has translated to approximately N6 billion per annum, through suspension of 22,021 unverified pensioners from payroll.

This was due to their failure to turn up for verification despite an extension of the exercise to end of March 2018.

The directorate had concluded its nation-wide civil service pensioners’ verification exercise in December 2017.

Executive Secretary of PTAD, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor disclosed this on Wednesday during the Directorate’s first media briefing 2018 in Abuja.

However, she said that pensioners in the Diaspora who have written to update PTAD of their “status will not be affected.”

The Executive Secretary also disclosed that the agency spends N7.8

billion for payment of pensioners monthly’ adding that monthly pension payments to all pensioners on PTAD payroll have been regular and up to date.

Mrs Kieazor said that PTAD has successfully added 7,969 verified Civil Service Pensioners to the payroll.

She said that over 19,000 Pensioners whose accounts did not have the required BVN number were identified in our data management process and suspended from the payroll. The pensioners will only be reinstated after provision of the BVN and due verification.

Ikeazor explained that a continuous quality assurance process is applied to identify any unqualified pensioner on the data base.

The directorate, she said was able to properly budget and accurately advise government of its outstanding pension liability each year in line with the requirement of pension administration under the DBS. On Civil Service Pension Department

and Parastatal Pension Department, he she said, “These are pensioners who were verified in the South West and North Central in Q4 2017. Before this addition, over 19,500 verified Civil Service pensioners from the North West, South East, North East and South South had been reinstated and paid their arrears.

Also ongoing is the computation of benefits for over 5,000 verified Civil Service Pensioners. This will conclude the pay rolling of all verified Civil Service Pensioners.

We have also added over 700 verified Parastatal Pensioners from the Federal Housing Authority and NDA (Civilians) to the payroll to begin to receive monthly pension payments.

It would be recall that PTAD started verification of defunct and privatised agencies in Q4 2017 with the verification of pensioners from Nicon, New Nigeria Newspapers, NDA (Civilians), the Federal Housing Authority and Nigerian-Re.”

The Executive Secretary further said that PTAD has so far recovered cash and non-cash assets of over N16Billion from the BOTS and Insurance Underwriters.

The cash component of N6.9B is domiciled with the CBN, in a designated Recovery Account, created solely for the remittance of such funds, she disclosed.

She added that properties recovered had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing for proper assessment and valuation.

“Outstanding Pension Assets with the Insurance Underwriters and BOTs as at April 2018 is in excess of N11 Billion. PTAD will follow all legitimate process to recover these funds form all Insurance Companies and Underwriters who have not complied with the agreed final demand notice of October 2017.”

PTAD also assured pensioners of New Nigeria Newspaper (NNN), Delta Steel Company and Nitel/MTEL that the agency was working to ensure speedy computation of their benefit so they can start collecting their monthly pension.

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie, and other participants at the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 General Assembly in Accra, Ghana.

CBN injects $293m to boosts inter-bank forex market The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market with the sum of $293m.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr.

Isaac Okorafor, confirmed the figures, indicating that the sum, as in previous interventions, were in favour of interests in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products, raw materials and machinery sectors.

Okorafor reiterated that the objective

of the CBN intervention in the foreign exchange market remained to ensure liquidity in the foreign exchange market and enhance production activities.

He explained that the CBN would continue to ensure liquidity in the interbank sector of the market as well

as sustain its interventions in order to drive economic growth and guarantee market stability.

Meanwhile, the naira remained stable and exchanged for N361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market on Friday, May 18, 2018.

N20bn debt: AMCON takes over Stella Oduah’s assets Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has obtained a court injunction allowing it to take possession of properties and businesses of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi over an outstanding debt of N20 billion.

Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos had granted an injunction against Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Limited (SPG), whose chief promoter is the former aviation minister on the application of AMCON. Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, a serving member of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been having a running battle with AMCON over her inability to settle her huge debt of nearly N20billion. AMCON purchased the Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs) of Sea Petroleum & Gas Limited from Union Bank Plc sometime in 2012.

AMCON said despite its efforts to reach an amicable settlement, the Senator and her co-promoters have remained recalcitrant. Having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution of the humongous debt, AMCON had no other choice than to refer the matter to court.

The order also affects Princess Stella Oduah’s other business interests for which AMCON has since appointed Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, SAN as Receiver over the assets of Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi; Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Limited; Sea Petroleum and Gas FZE as well as Star Tourism and Hotels Limited.

The court also ordered the freezing of the funds of Sea Petroleum & Gas Limited and its affiliated companies and principal promoters held anywhere by any entity or persons in Nigeria; authorised AMCON and its Receiver, Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo, SAN to take over all assets pledged as collateral for the facility by Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Limited.

Justice Hassan specifically ordered Sea Petroleum Oil & Gas Limited and its affiliated companies to hand over the company’s business, which sits on over 9000 square kilometres of land in the fastest developing area of Lagos State along the Lekki-Epe Express Way; two Tank Farms of 500 metric tonnes capacity; a property at Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 11, Lagos Island and a filling station complex at kilometre 14, Lekki Epe Expressway, Ikota, Lagos State.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May19, 2018

FG inaugurates Joint Planning Committee of NES 24 Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Federal Government has inaugurated the Joint Planning Committee (JPC) of the 24th edition of the Nigeria Economic Summit.

The Summit was given a mandate to not only meet the expected outcomes but continue the work of placing the economy on a path of diversified, inclusive and sustainable growth as set out in the ERGP. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who inaugurated the committee on Friday, in Abuja, said that the key mandate of the JPC is to undertake all preparatory arrangements for the successful hosting of the Summit.

The Summit is scheduled to hold on the 22nd and 23rd of October, 2018.

Udoma explained that in line with the usual practice, the JPC will

work under the joint coordination of the public sector, represented by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the private sector, represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), to ensure successful delivery of the Summit.

The other members representing the Public sector on the Committee will be made up of officials of the Office of the Vice President; Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade & Investment; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Office of the Inspector General of Police; Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission; Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Central Bank of Nigeria; and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat.

The Terms of Reference for the Joint Planning Committee (JPC) include: reviewing the report of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit; make all preparatory arrangements for the successful hosting of the 24th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#24), including developing an appropriate theme for the Summit, as well as the agenda/programme of event and timelines for the implementation of the key activities of the Summit.

Others include: Articulate the budgetary requirements, and the sources of funds necessary for hosting the summit; mobilize relevant public and private sector stakeholders for the Summit, and undertake any other activity that may lead to the successful hosting of the Summit.

According to the Minister, the JPC is usually co-chaired by representatives of both Public and Private sectors. “It is the highest organ for the Summit planning process and consists of

members drawn from the public and private sectors.

“The members of the JPC have been carefully chosen in recognition of their experience, expertise and passion in the development of our nation,” he said.

He urged all the members to show a high level of commitment to justify the confidence reposed in them, the Minister pointed out that the successes recorded and contributions made by past editions in the last 24 years demonstrates the efficacy of public private partnerships that has evolved in Nigeria during this period.

“Many of the reform policies that have underpinned the evolution of our economic growth strategy over the past twenty-four years were strongly influenced by debates and deliberations during these Summits.

Last year’s Summit, NES #23, titled “Opportunities, Productivity & Employment: Actualizing the Economic Recovery and Growth

Plan” focused on identifying the actions required to deliver solutions that will actualize the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)”, he stated.

Pointing to the ERGP Focus Labs which was also mentioned during last year’s edition of the Summit, the Minister said the exercise concluded last Tuesday was able to identify 164 projects with a total potential investment worth US$22.5 billion and 513,981 jobs.

“Of this amount, US$10.9 billion worth of private investments are categorized as ‘most ready’ to go. Several quick-wins were also achieved during the Labs with early successes across all work-streams.

These are evident in the positive testimonies of private sector Lab participants during the Open Day event,” he stated.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Dr Kyari Bukar said the NES has continued to provide an opportunity for both the public and private sector to interact and share thoughts on key issues and challenges facing the Nigeria’s growth and development, with a view to evolving a common strategy and policy framework for addressing them.

Explaining why this year’s edition will be for only two instead of the usual three days, the Chief Executive Officer of the NESG, Mr ‘Laoye Jaiyeola, said it was not the number of days that mattered but the articulation of the focus of the programme to achieve the intended objective. It was also to have high level government participation and attention.

China offers US package to slash trade deficit Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (left) with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle); Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige ( right) and the Bouquet bearer, Princess Daluchukwu Nnaji during the Airport reception for the Vice President on his arrival to Enugu for the launch of the N - Power Build (Vocational Training and Apprenticeship) programme held at ANAMMCO Training Centre, Emene, Enugu on Friday.

GOtv MAX Cup: Focus shifts to Uyo as Super Eagles confront Atletico’s might Godwin Anyebe The attention of football fans around the country will on Tuesday the 22nd of May shift to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, where the Super Eagles will test their strength against LaLiga giants, Atletico Madrid, in the inaugural edition of the GOtv MAX Cup. Expectedly the announcement of Atletico Madrid’s visit, which is happening on the invitation of MultiChoice, sparked huge excitement among football fans across the country,

especially in Uyo, the host city.

Atletico Madrid are one of the biggest three teams in the LaLiga, where they have had an impressive season by qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League and defeating French side Marseille in Wednesday’s Europa League final, making them three time Europa champions. In European football, La Rojiblancos, as Atletico Madrid are called, are in the top tier and have played in two of the last four UEFA Champions League finals. In Spain, they are the only team to have broken the Barcelona-Real Madrid grip on

LaLiga since 2004, winning the title in 2014.

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, who played for Racing Satander and Real Sociedad in LaLiga, is delighted that a team of Atletico’s calibre is coming to Nigeria.

For this, he said MultiChoice, SuperSport and GOtv should be commended, as the visit is an evidence of their commitment to Nigerian football and sports in general. He equally stated that the match will serve as part of the Super Eagles preparations for the World Cup, where they will face Argentina, Croatia and

Iceland in Group D. Atletico Madrid are a supremely organized outfit, who play with aggression and intensity, attributes the Super Eagles will undoubtedly face during the World Cup campaign.

The LaLiga giants’ visit to Nigeria, their first ever, has been described as historic. Javier Tebas, LaLiga President, said: “This is a historic announcement (of the visit) and we are excited to share this news with our Nigerian fans: Atletico de Madrid, one of LaLiga’s greatest clubs will come to Nigeria and give our fans the chance to enjoy watching their stars up close.

China is offering U.S. President Donald Trump a package of trade concessions and increased purchases of American goods aimed at cutting the U.S. trade deficit with China by up to $200 billion a year, U.S. officials familiar with the proposal said.

News of the offer came on Friday during the first of two days of U.S.China trade talks in Washington focused on resolving tariff threats between the world’s two largest economies. But it was not immediately clear how the total value was determined.

One of the sources said U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co (BA.N) would be a major beneficiary of the Chinese offer if Trump were to accept it. Boeing is the largest U.S. exporter and already sells about a quarter of its commercial aircraft to Chinese customers.

Another person familiar with the talks said the package may include some elimination of Chinese tariffs already in place on about $4 billion worth of U.S. farm products including fruit, nuts, pork, wine and sorghum.

B3 Business News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May19, 2018

NDU workers were retired, not sacked, Bayelsa Govt.

The Bayelsa State Government has said that, the over-aged workers, who were recently disengaged from service by the management of the Niger Delta University were not sacked, but retired.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said in a statement on Wednesday, that the government approved three months salaries to the affected workers in lieu of disengagement.

He stressed that, the three months salaries were approved and released in addition to the retirement benefits of the workers affected by the ongoing implementation of the reforms in the tertiary education sector of the state.

The Governor’s aide said that, the narrative in the public domain that the affected workers were asked to go without benefits was a lie masterminded by mischief makers.

He urged the well-meaning people of Bayelsa State to discountenance the story, which he said was being peddled by those, who do not mean well for the state.

He said that, the Governor of the State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, reputed to be a leading light in educational promotion in the country has done so much for the NDU. Soriwei said that, the desire to develop the NDU motivated the governor to ensure the accreditation of all critical courses, such as Law, Medicine, Accountancy and others which were erstwhile unaccredited.

He noted further that, the governor also constructed new academic blocks, Staff quarters, the ongoing construction of the ultra-modern university Senate building, a network of internal roads in the institution.

He explained that, it was not conceivable for over-aged employees to be retained in the payroll of the government forever.

He explained that, the affected workers most of who were above 60 and 70 years, had to be removed from the system to pave the way for the admission of fresh and young qualified Bayelsans into the system.

Soriwei stated further that, a committee of government would screen those who are relatively young, with a view to assigning them to areas where they would be utilized.

Commissioner for agriculture, Mr Toyin Suarau addresses the press at the ongoing Y2018 ministerial briefing

FG has no plan to stop N-Power – Osinbajo Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo has said that the federal government was not planning to stop the N-power programme but will ensure the programme is taken some steps further to empower more youths in the country.

Osinbajo gave the assurance on Friday during the official launch of the programme in Abia State at the Multi Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Umuobikwa in Obingwa LGA.

He pointed out that the programme will be expanded and enriched; stressing that it will be sustained and improved.

“Nobody is doing you a favour.

It is the duty of the government to provide for you and we will do so”, he said, stating that participants in the scheme represent the first fruit of a very important federal government programme, pointing out also that the federal government wants to demonstrate through the program that it is possible to keep and train youths using technology.

Osibajo who described the

programme as the largest in Africa, said that by the programme, the federal government wants to show that it is possible to secure jobs without knowing anybody and urged the participants to be committed in order to realize the objectives.

In his remarks, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu had called on the federal government to add impetus to Executive Order No 3 which makes it mandatory for Nigerians to ensure that they look inwards for products made locally before importing such goods.

He regretted that most Nigerian leaders still live under sophistry,

reiterating that the only way to encourage entrepreneurship was to support made in Nigeria goods.

Ipkeazu also appealed to the federal government to find a way to provide electricity to the multi skill and entrepreneurship Centre through the Rural Electrification Agency, disclosing that the Chinese government has provided grant to Abia to train about 100 youths on skill acquisition.

The Vice President during the visit, inspected the Ariaria Market where the federal government is powering some shops through the Rural Electrification Agency.

Operators’ task wants FG on impediments removal to aid new technologies Ladesope Ladelokun The Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ATCON) has urged the Federal Government to remove all impediments to accessing and adopting new technologies.

The ATCON President, Olusola Teniola, made the appeal in Lagos on the backdrop of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day. Mr. Teniola said that access to new technologies would enable Nigerians, especially the youth, to improve their

lives.

The World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated on May 17 annually.

The 2018 WTISD had the theme: “Enabling the Positive Use of Artificial Intelligence for All’’.

The theme focuses on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Mr Teniola said that the Federal Government should make it easy for the youth to have access to technologies such as AI, robotics, machine learning, big data and others to facilitate their

development.

“In adopting these technologies which will improve our productivity, the government need to remove all impediments to the success of the industry.

“Currently, we are faced with 38 taxes and levies, and recently, there is a cyber-security tax that government wants to impose on any electronic transactions. It is called cyber-security levy.

“We strongly resist and denounce this. The tax should not be introduced at this time in the industry’s development, with the country coming out from a

recession,’’ he said.

The ATCON president, however, noted that the country had made some giant strides in telecommunications is spite of many challenges.

“In terms of the political terrain, we have been able to have a stable and democratic government supported by electronic voting and a stable communication network that enabled that to happen.

“For the social and economic benefits, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the largest in Africa and has created more than 300,000 jobs”, Mr Teniola said.

Medview airline apologises to passengers over flight disruption Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Dickson

Medview Airline yesterday apologizes to passengers over inconveniences suffered following the disruption of its flight schedule on Thursday and early Friday.

In a statement by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Michael Ajigbotosho, the airline said the disruption was as a result of a snag in the operating aircraft.

“We sincerely wish to offer our apology to passengers who were billed to fly with us on the Lagos-Abuja,

Abuja-Yola, Abuja - Maiduguri routes for our inability to take them to their destinations as per the schedule”, the statement said We have put in place relief measures with the use of charter flights this Friday and Saturday, by then the

operating aircraft would have been back to service.

The statement emphasized that safety takes priority over any other consideration in all operations of the airline, and will never be compromised under any circumstance.

Business News Extra B 4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

National Productivity Award: Buhari to honour Oyo Ita, others Idu Jude Abuja Federal Government of Nigeria has said that the proposed National productivity award coming up on the 22nd of May in Abuja the Nigeria capital, is designed to encourage and also instill patriotism among individual workers and companies in effort to revamp the economy.

The Minister of Labour and employment Senator Chris Ngige, told newsmen in a pre award press briefing in Abuja.

Ngige, noted that the President as a matter of fact, is using the gesture to fulfill campaign promise for change.

He said: “Government being conscious of the relativity then we decided that we will always increase the momentum to confire honour to the deserving people.

Since this programme came on board on every may 29th and people have always look onto the fight against corruption the transformation agenda of Mr. President Administration, we have decided that individuals and organisations who believe in the cause are to be honoured”.

He said that part of government decisions to encourage people with the productivity award is to encourage competition among companies, to encourage individual performance

among workers as well as encouraging the people to be self reliance by improving productivity as the important gesture and determination. “it is with this cardinal role of productivity in creating wealth for the Nation that government set aside a day to be observe Nationwide because we know that an added encouragement to those individuals and companies that there shall continue to be a vibrant economy.

Ngige said that President Buhari, has assured the Ministry of his will presence to grace the occasion to perform the award ceremony.

Also, he said that Mrs. Ibikunle Awosika, has been scheduled to

present annual lecture to empower the people.

The programme is to showcase exhibitions by award winners, “like I said, the same programme will be observed throughout the 36 states of the country and the FCT. We also had set up committee that will see to the perfect planning of events. Their job, is to screen and nominate winners among deserving Nigerians and companies.”

He further Stated that five companies have already been selected out of those one will emerge winner.

Also he revealed that about 15 individuals have been selected for the conferment of National Merit Award.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) speaking at the conference on Eradicating Poverty through Agriculture and Plantation Industry to empower Peace and Humanity in Rome, Italy.

Promasidor inspires students on career guidance Mutiat Alli In continuation of its career guidance workshop, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, Loya Milk, Onga and other dairy products, held the third edition of its career guidance workshop for secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The workshop tagged: “PromasidorHarness Your Dream”, it is the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative to enhance

students’ knowledge in making informed decisions on the right choice of career.

The Abuja edition which was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at Junior Secondary School, Jabi, was organised for the Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 students of the host school, and their colleagues from Junior Secondary School, Tudun-Wada and Junior Secondary School, Wuse, Zone 1.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Abuja, Dr.Kabiru Ibrahim

Matazu commended Promasidor for assisting the UBEB to achieve its set objectives through Harness Your Dream.

According to him, Promasidor’s career guidance initiative is in line with UBEB’s order that “Education For All is the Responsibility for All.” Represented by Alhaji Usman Yahaya, Board Member 1 of UBEB, Abuja, the Board Chairman acknowledged that guidance is the key that unlocks the brain of a student in achieving good results while making

the right career choice.

He said that through “Promasidor’s Harness Your Dream,” students would be able to know the steps and processes to take to attain their career objectives which would place them in leadership and entrepreneurial positions in future.

On her part, the Principal of Jabi Junior Secondary School, Mrs. Aisha Bello also applauded Promasidor’s resolve to enhance students’ perception in choosing the right profession, and said that the workshop is very crucial to students at the JSS3 level.

Global Forest Conference: Obaseki assures huge investment in plantation agriculture Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, joined participants drawn from across the globe at Africa’s maiden top-level global forest conference held in Accra to call on African governments to reverse the worrying trend of deforestation on the continent.

The governor said this at the Tropical

Forests Alliance (TFA) 2020 General Assembly in Ghana, where it was revealed that between 2010 and 2015, Africa recorded the highest net annual loss of forests.

This is against the backdrop of the constitution of the 16-member forestry advisory committee to streamline the management of its forestry assets and

structure the state’s forestry commission.

Obaseki said that the state was developing robust forestry management structures to ensure that the state’s biodiversity is conserved even as oil palm plantations expand their operations.

According to him, “We have provided the enabling environment for the expansion of oil palm plantations in the

state. This was done in line with extant international regulations on plantation agriculture. This is for the benefit of the people of Edo State.”

Director, Tropical Forest Alliance for 2020, Marco Albani, called on government to invest in agro-forestry, which involves the incorporation of tree cultivation in the agricultural process.

Air Peace blacklists unruly, violent passenger Air Peace on Wednesday moved to check the growing trend of attacks and violence by air travellers in the country, blacklisting a passenger who flew into a rage and destroyed its check-in system at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Tuesday.

The blacklisted passenger, it was gathered, destroyed the airline’s computer during the check-in formalities of its Lagos-Abuja flight on Tuesday. He reportedly claimed that the check-in process was too slow.

In a letter dated May 16 and addressed to the passenger, the airline described his conduct as “unacceptable.” Air Peace insisted that the passenger’s violent conduct constituted a safety risk to other members of the flying public and its staff.

Corporate Communications Manager of the airline, Mr. Chris Iwarah confirmed the development.

The carrier, he said, took the decision to blacklist the unruly passenger in discharge of its obligation to protect members of the flying public and staff from harm.

“During the check-in formalities of our Lagos-Abuja Flight P47128 at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, May 15, an impatient passenger standing in the queue suddenly flew into a rage and destroyed one of our computers.

The unruly passenger claimed he destroyed the check-in system because the process was too slow.

“We were, therefore, compelled by the need to guarantee the safety of members of the flying public and our staff to blacklist the passenger and to signal our resolve to henceforth penalise violent conduct towards our valued guests and staff as well as view unwarranted destruction of our facilities very seriously.

We are currently reviewing about 14 similar cases to determine the appropriate action to take. In the last few months alone, our staff have frequently been attacked by aggrieved passengers at the slightest excuse.

Facilities costing huge sums have also been destroyed in the process.

This easy resort to violence by unruly passengers often results in flight disruptions, delays and frustrates our resolve to deliver the best flight experience to the flying public. This trend poses a grave danger to the lives of our esteemed guests and staff and such unruly passengers are no longer welcome on any of our flights.

“While we will continue to take all reasonable steps within our capacity to check violent conduct, we urge the regulatory authorities and security agencies to take a tough stand against this trend to ensure that the safety of law-abiding travellers and aviation staff is not compromised.”

Air Peace, however, assured that it would continue to regard genuine grievances by air travellers seriously and address them with dispatch.

“We affirm that a vast majority of our valued guests show understanding and cooperate with us and we are sincerely grateful for their support, patronage and loyalty”, Iwarah said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

B 5 Tourism

FRIMA 2018: African Union, Ghana partner for calendar unveiling Stories: Godwin Anyebe The 2018 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), annual calendar of programmes will be unveiled on Monday, May 21, 2018 by the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with Government of the Republic of Ghana, and the International Committee of AFRIMA during a world media event and music conference scheduled for Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

Part of the agenda for the Calendar Unveiling of the fifth annual edition of AFRIMA is a Courtesy Visit to His Excellency, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is set to receive African delegates and music stars attending the event from around Africa including the Head of Culture, African Union, Mrs. Angela Martins; President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; Director, Brand Communications, AFRIMA; Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi; AFRIMA Regional Director; Western Africa, Mr. Don Obilor, the Ghanaian-UK AFRIMA Juror, (representing UK-Diaspora) and BBC-1 show host, Ms. Rita Ray and theAFRIMA Country Director, Ghana, Mr. Francis Doku.

Also participating at the event are past AFRIMA

nominees and winners, music professionals and executives, creative/culture industry policy makers, members of the media industry and other awardwinning recording artistes living in Ghana and in other African countries.

Commenting on the event in line with government’s objective to develop sustainable tourism pivoted on Ghanaian arts and culture, Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Catherine Afeku, said: “Arts and culture, as a sector, remains one of Africa’s greatest strengths.

As well as being a source of values, identity and a sense of belonging , the creative industries have become a driver of economic growth and job creation. In agreeing to host the AFRIMA 2018 Calendar Unveiling, the Government of Ghana is motivated by the need to harness the potential of the creative sector of Ghana to promote national and regional tourism. We congratulate the African Union for lending its weight behind this laudable effort” Hon. Afeku added, “The Government of Ghana recognizes the potential of the Creative Industries to shape and reinforce the country’s economic growth.

Studies show that by the end of the first decade of

this millennium, cultural activities contributed to 1.53% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country. Zeroing in on music industry, it is reported with some justifiable pride that that sector alone adds approximately GH¢100 million to GDP”.

Speaking on the collaborative work by the African Union and the International Committee of AFRIMA to create inventive solutions to achieving the AU Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, the Acting Director for Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Madam Mariama Cisse revealed that partnerships with member AU states such as Ghana further galvanise the achievement of the AU policy on Africa transformation through social integration.

In her statement, the Acting Director for Social Affairs, African Union, said: “The hosting by the Republic of Ghana of this unveiling event is very important given that previous events were hosted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it is crucial that the initiative rotates in the AU Member States to ensure broader popularization and enhance its Pan-African nature. We thus express our gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Ghana for

L-R: Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ben Langay; President, Consumer Dairy, Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherland, Mr. Role Van Neerbos; Chairman, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC,Mr. Jacobs Moyo Ajekigbe and Non - Executive Director, FieslandCampina WAMCO, Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Oyinkan Ade-Ajayi during the 45th Annual General Meeting of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc held at Muson Centre, Lagos...on Thursday. Photo: Olatunji Wale

hosting the event and call upon all musical artists to participate in the initiative by submitting their works once the call for submissions is open”.

AFRIMA, Africa’s biggest music awards property, will roll out the 2018 calendar under the theme “Africa is Music”. The calendar features back-to-back events traversing several countries in the five regions of Africa. Some of these planned events include music/culture conferences; country visits to converse with critical music/culture industry stakeholders and high-octane music concerts tagged “Turn Up Africa” which objective is to connect fans and followers of African music with their favourite Africa music stars of the traditional and contemporary genres.

Leamington brothers introduces Nigerian Chapman into the British market Two Leamington brothers have fulfilled a lifelong dream by bringing a drink they used to enjoy as children in Nigeria to the UK market.

Mike and Garry Robinson have bottled and are commercially selling a drink known as ‘Ikoyi Chapmans’, a soft, fizzy drink made with citrus fruit and bitters.

They grew up with their parents in Nigeria, where the drink was hand-mixed by locals. Mike and Garry would often drink it as children.

The brothers moved back to the UK to board at Warwick School, but would often return to Nigeria during the school holidays and would have the drink again while they were there.

Mike said: “After leaving school, Garry and I both became professional squash players but it has always been our dream to commercially produce this drink.” After their squash careers came to a close around five years ago, they decided to try and make their dream a reality. Mike said: “We’ve always had a dream of bringing it to market. “We went to various drinks companies, but many only want an energy drink or a fruit drink. We were taking them a drink that had a unique taste.”

Eventually, drinks company Dohler got on board, and after a bit of experimentation with the flavour and finding a bottling company, the drink was ready to produce. In April, the first bottles finally came off the production line. Mike said: “It was a long, drawn-out process, so it was emotional to see our drink go round the bottling line. “We were just absolutely elated – we can’t believe it.”

The drink is being sold in a few bars and cafes in Leamington and Warwick, such as the Cape of Good Hope and Coffee Architects.

And the brothers are hoping to start selling it in supermarkets soon.

Africa: World Trade Centre Accra leads successful trade mission to the Netherlands The World Trade Centre Accra (WTCA) has concluded a-8-day trade mission to the Netherlands as part of its effort to promote trade and investment between the two countries and advance Ghanaian business interests in the region.

The trade delegation comprised of 26 representatives from Ghanaian businesses and government agencies. The successful trade mission provided the attendees with an opportunity to interact with Dutch companies to learn innovative technologies in the water, energy, health, food and agriculture, and real estate sectors.

It also provided them with access to B2B matchmaking sessions which resulted in three participants signing business deals on the spot.

The trade mission took place during the World Trade Centers Association General Assembly Meeting held in Leeuwarden and Amsterdam, Netherlands from April 22-28, 2018. The General Assembly is an annual event attended by representatives from over 300 World Trade Centres around the world representing 88-member countries. The event serves as a platform for WTC members, staff and management to share knowledge on key industries and to learn more about doing business around the world.

The trade and investment mission was led by Togbe Afede XIV, the Executive Chairman of WTC Accra and Board Member of WTCA. It comprised of companies from the food and beverage, finance, medical, agriculture, real estate, construction, and

oil and gas sectors as well as a public investment promotion organization and a district assembly.

In commenting on the mission the DCE for Bole District Assembly, Madam Alala Veronica Heming, indicated that vital contacts were made with investors interested in agriculture. “More importantly, we are bringing in a company that produces dairy products to partner University for Development Studies (UDS) in breeding special species of cattle in the Northern sector of the country,” she said.

Managing Director for Dyroc Ventures said, “participating in the trade mission through WTC Accra has been a great success for his company. ‘Truly, I have closed a business deal instantly to expand my transport business. WTC

Accra’s expertise in linking local businesses to international partners is currently unmatched in Ghana.” Similarly, Mike Okyere, Managing Director of 1231 Global Ventures was also appreciative of the platform WTC Accra presented to his company since he was able to conclude a deal on cheese and confectionery products to expand his business.

‘Other foreseeable business deals for the upcoming year will mark a major turnaround for my company’, he disclosed. The delegates therefore undoubtedly leveraged the opportunities the trade mission presented and identified partners to take advantage of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative by the government to boost value addition of the country’s natural resources.

Capital Market B 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Sterling Bank grows shareholders’ value by 20.2% Sterling Bank Plc has grown its shareholders funds by 20.2 per cent from N85.7bn in 2016 to N102.9billion in 2017.

Following this development, shareholders at the bank 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos on Thursday, commended the lender’s financial performance and the declaration of 2 kobo dividend per ordinary share of 50 kobo.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Mathew Akinlade, President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association, commended the Board and Executive Management of Sterling Bank for its orderly leadership transition, digitisation, improved shareholders’ value, increased customer deposit and a strong performance in a fragile financial year in which the economy only started recording growth in its second quarter after a severe 15 months recession.

According to Mr. Akinlade, the bank’s performance is very encouraging; which makes it easy for shareholders to unanimously support the mid and long-term management strategies put

in place by the Board and Management.

He advised the leadership of the bank to deliver on strategy to make Sterling a bank of the future and market leader in the areas of health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

Sterling Bank reported a profit after tax of N8.5 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2017 as against N5.2 billion for the corresponding period of 2016, representing an increase of 65% in profitability. The bank’s gross earnings also increased by 19.8% to N133.5 billion against N111.4bn in the corresponding period of 2016. This remarkable performance was driven by growth in both interest and noninterest income by 11.3% and 87.8% respectively.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, told shareholders that the bank will continue to navigate its growth by innovative means. “As a business, we will continue to innovate with focus on key growth sectors of the Nigerian economy that will enrich lives and grow

the bottom-line. We will also continue to leverage on our areas of strength to drive sustainable growth and deliver superior returns to our esteemed shareholders,” he disclosed.

Mr. Ighodalo assured shareholders of the bank’s commitment to delivering tailor-made solutions in line with the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and Central Bank of Nigeria’s Sustainable Banking Principle. “As a matter of necessity, we remain committed to delivering solutions that satisfy stakeholders’ needs and objectives while also providing adequate financial returns to shareholders.”

The Chairman expressed appreciation to the board, management, shareholders and Mr. Yemi Adeola, who retired in April as Managing Director and Chief Executive of the bank for the hard work, commitment and support. Mr. Ighodalo attributed the bank’s improved performance to shared purpose across board by all stakeholders.

Also speaking at the AGM, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer,

Abubakar Suleiman, explained that the bank’s 2017 financial year performance highlights its underlying institutional strength despite delicate operating conditions. “We will continue to execute the plans to drive efficiency across the business under the three pillars of agility, digitization and specialization in the new financial year. These pillars will propel us toward sustainable growth by enhancing our ability to innovate; solidify our retail funding base; strengthen our enterprise-wide risk management framework and drive excellent service delivery across all channels to enhance customer experience,” he disclosed.

The CEO added that the bank made major investments in technology infrastructure to provide excellent services to customers, grow markets and create new ones more efficiently and engagingly. He referenced the successful launch of Specta, an innovative online lending platform which offers personal loans within five minutes as part of the bank’s digital transformation journey.

L- R: MTV Base VJ, Folu Storms; Counselor, Hello Lagos, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Femi Adebayo; Marketing & Partnerships Manager MTV Shuga Naija, Anita Aiyudu, and Team Lead, Hello Lagos, Lagos Ministry of Health, Adeola Birch at the Private screening of MTV Shuga In Real Life in Lagos

N13bn dividend is worthy ROI, says Lafarge chairman The Chairman of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Mobolaji Balogun has said the N13 billion dividend payout proposed by the Board of Directors of the company and approved by Shareholders on Wednesday at its 2017 Annual General Meeting is “a worthy Return On their Investments.”

Mr. Balogun told shareholders the Board of Lafarge Africa Plc had approved a dividend payout N1.50 per share to its shareholders, representing a 45 kobo increase per share on the 2016 dividend in appreciation of the support shown by the shareholders so far.

“The Board of Directors is mindful of the support of all our shareholders through the difficult but necessary journey to transform the company into

a more agile and correctly financed business ready to benefit from the potential opportunities in Nigerian building materials (market),” Balogun said at the well-attended AGM of Lafarge Africa Plc. He also assured shareholders who gave a nod to raising fresh N100bn capital through equity or bonds, that restructuring of the capital structure of the company largely completed through the past year would help to significantly reduce the cost of financing and currency translation risk.

Balogun added that the company’s recent N131.6 billion Rights Issue, the largest ever Rights Issue in Nigeria which was also fully subscribed, has helped to significantly reduce the FX debt exposure by 50% and the Board of

Directors is already reviewing options to deal with the remaining FX debt.

He announced that the company is implementing a new route-to-market initiative aimed at supporting the anticipated growth in demand as the country gradually recovers from recession and as foreign exchange rates stabilise.

Also speaking at the event, the Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Michel Puchercos expressed optimism about the performance of Lafarge Africa Plc during the current year. He pointed out that the Q1 results for 2018 show stability in the market and operations which have kept revenues steady in the past quarter.

“Improvement plans in Nigeria delivered strong operational

performance while turnaround actions will be consolidated further in 2018 through energy optimization as well as commercial and logistic improvement,” Mr Puchercos said.

The Lafarge Africa CEO is optimistic that favourable pricing in Nigeria coupled with gains from logistic and commercial initiatives will sustain market share.

“The target is to significantly build EBITDA margins. The South Africa economy is expected to grow in 2018 which should impact on our South Africa operations. Our turnaround plan in South Africa which is focused on cost containment, commercial transformation and industrial stabilization is expected to return our SA business to profitability”, Puchercos said.

PayPal to takeover iZettle for $2.2bn PayPal Holdings will take over iZettle, one of Europe’s best known financial technology startups, in a deal worth $2.2 billion, said the two companies.

The US payments group is paying double the amount that iZettle, which is focused on Europe and Latin America, was targeting in its IPO, which was due to take place at the end of this month. iZettle would become only the latest star of the Swedish tech scene to be bought up by a bigger US rival after both Skype and Mojang were bought

by Microsoft before being able to list.

The deal according to Financial Times, is likely to fuel anxiety over how few of the prospects in European technology resist the urge to sell out and instead try to develop into big companies to rival their US competitors.

Even Spotify, the one-time darling of the Stockholm scene, recently listed in New York as its centre of gravity moves away from Sweden.

Dan Schulman, PayPal’s President and Chief Executive, said: “The retail world is increasingly becoming a multichannel world as the mobile phone has blurred the distinction between online and offline sales. Small businesses are searching for one-stopshop solutions that can solve all their payments requirements.

Jacob de Greer, co-founder and chief executive of iZettle, told the Financial Times: “You never start a company planning to sell it.

“But this is a very exciting way for the company to continue its vision.

It gives us steroids to speed the company’s growth.”

He added: “We had been pushing our IPO for a long time and pretty late in the process our discussions with PayPal intensified.”

Mr de Geer and his co-founder Magnus Nilsson own sizeable stakes, but their payouts will be delayed by “holdback arrangements”. iZettle first shot to attention for its portable credit card readers used by everyone from coffee shops to homeless magazine sellers and has since broadened out to appeal to small businesses and their e-commerce operations.

Its main rival is Square, the US payments group co-founded and run

by Twitter’s creator, Jack Dorsey. But Square and iZettle compete only in the UK as the Swedish group has mostly stuck to Europe as well as Mexico and Brazil. iZettle, whose owners include Mastercard, American Express and Santander, as well as venture capital firms such as Index Ventures and Dawn Capital, was hoping for a valuation of about $1.1bn in its listing. “The sum offered was just so much they couldn’t fail to accept it,” said a person familiar with iZettle’s management. iZettle is still loss-making, making negative earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of minus SKr232 million (€22.9 million) last year on revenues of SKr776 million. As part of its IPO process, it said it was aiming to break even by 2020.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

B7 Industry

L- R: MTV Base VJ, Folu Storms; Counselor, Hello Lagos, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Femi Adebayo; Marketing & Partnerships Manager MTV Shuga Naija, Anita Aiyudu, and Team Lead, Hello Lagos, Lagos Ministry of Health, Adeola Birch at the Private screening of MTV Shuga In Real Life in Lagos.

False claims: Ex-VC drags Nigerian Breweries to court Stories: Ladesope Ladelokun

Uncomfortable with what he described as misleading information by the Nigerian Breweries on the can of one of its non-alcoholic beverages, former Vice-Chancellor at the Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, has filed a lawsuit against Nigerian Breweries plc at a High Court

in Benin City for alleged deception.

Mr Izevbigie, a professor of Biochemistry, had accused the company of allegedly inscribing misleading information, “low sugar,” on the can of one of its non-alcoholic beverages, Amstel Malta.

The former ViceChancellor alleged in his suit that a laboratory test result

revealed that the product contained more sugar than the company claimed in the inscription on the brand, urging the court to order the company to tender a written apology to its client as he had been injured by the alleged deception.

He asked the court to pronounce that the inscription on the product

is misleading to the public, adding that he discovered during a routine medical examination that his blood sugar level was high, which was traced to his regular consumption of the said malt drink.

He further explained that Amstel Malta did not merit the “low sugar” label, as proved by a clinical research.

Lucozade splashes N200m on consumers

Suntory Beverage and Food Nigeria Limited (SBFN), producers of Lucozade, has earmarked N200 million worth of Instant Airtime to reward consumers in the third edition of its “Lucozade Under-the-Cap Airtime National Promotion.”

Speaking on the essence of the promotion at the media launch recently, the Head of Lucozade Brands and Innovation, Mrs Chika Adibo

says the Lucozade Airtime promo is a way of rewarding loyalty and patronage over the years, and also restate our commitment to helping people feel energized and be the best version of themselves all day.

In his opening address, the Managing Director, SBFN, Mr. Chinedum Okereke, said the promotion would expand the scope of the beneficiaries of the promotion since its launch three years ago:

“We are proud to announce the return of the successful Lucozade Airtime Promotion for the third time since its launch in 2016. The promotion is an avenue for us to attain nationwide reach as far as rewarding our consumers is concerned, and the modality of the promotion gives us a great opportunity to target millions of consumers.”

Also, the Marketing Director, Mrs Rosemary

Akpo, dismissed any fear of discrimination. She opined that the Airtime promotion is very important to SBFN because it gives an avenue to connect with the target audience on a large scale, adding that the uniqueness of the promotion lies in the fact that every participant who sends in a valid code, stands a chance to win instant airtime, regardless of geographical location or mobile network.

Lipton targets 1000 widows for empowerment Determined to give widows a new lease of life, Lipton Yellow label Tea, a product from the stable of Unilever Plc, has earmarked 1000 Nigeria widows for empowerment with care packs and giving them seed funds to start their businesses.

In a campaign it tagged “LiptonReasonsToSmile”, the company said the campaign will be executed in states across Nigeria and will give customers the opportunity to get involved by buying at least a pack of lipton from May 1 to June 16.

According to the Brand Manager, Lipton, Damilola Dania, the campaign is necessary due to the hardships faced by widows when they lost their breadwinners and the difficulties they experience in catering for their families, noting that widows need to be assisted immensely to create a better future for themselves and be a blessing to their communities.

Her words: “We want to spotlight the plight of widows in our communities through this #LiptonReasonsToSmile initiative. Widows in most circumstances are saddled with the responsibility of providing for the entire family, financially and emotionally. Upon losing their husbands, several people indicate their commitment and support for them, but though the words sound sincere, we all go back to living our lives, sometimes forgetting to follow through on our promises – so nothing changes.

“Lipton believes in taking a moment to remember socially disadvantaged people, uplifting them, body, mind and spirit, because they matter. We want to use this opportunity to give them reasons to smile, in our own way. ”

PENGASSAN hails Reps decision on NLNG Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has commended the House of Representatives’ decision to caution the Federal Government to suspend the proposed sale of her shares in Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

Reacting to the call by the

House of Representatives on the urgent need to stop the sale of the gas company, PENGASSAN National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Fortune Obi, said this is in tandem with the position on the need for the government to retain its shares’ ownership in the company.

He also stated that the NLNG model has been the best option so far and should be replicated

in other Government failed ventures such as the refineries and others.

Re-echoing the House of Representatives’ motion, Comrade Obi stated that the NLNG is one of the most successful ventures that Nigeria has embarked upon since its inception, adding that the international community would perceive Nigeria as a country that is inconsistent

in policy and will not take its desire for foreign investments seriously.

He noted that the losses that would accrue from the sales of the NLNG far outweighed its gains, as rather than selling the asset, there are other options the government may adopt to resuscitate the economy.

The PENGASSAN spokesperson said that about 18,000 jobs in the sector will

be affected if the proposed plan is carried out, stating that government should explore other options to fund the economy rather than selling a viable company like NLNG which dividends was used to kick start and finance the economy when Nigeria was in recession.

“NLNG has bailed out Nigeria when the country was in recession as proceeds from its dividends were used to finance

the economy. Those investors who were clamouring for the FG to sale her shares in NLNG should find another means of injecting their resources into the economy instead of buying a successful company.

“In the alternative, they should set up their own LNG project and help the country in utilising its large gas reserves as well as eradicating gas flaring in the country,” he said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018

The many sides of Tayo Sobola

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Life & Times Despite the nature of my work, my man understands me - Tayo Sobola

Light skinned actress, Tayo Sobola, better known as Sotayo, is one of the leading actresses in the entertainment industry in Nigeria, a model and film producer who made name in Yoruba Flicks that includes Arewa Onijogbon and Copper Jide among others. The actress cum movie maker attended Olabisi Onabanjo University where she bagged a degree in Public Administration. Sotayo also obtained a diploma in Law from the Lagos State University and is rated as one of the hottest Yoruba actresses in recent times. An indigene of Ogun State, Sotayo admits that she is restless and versatile. A woman of many parts, Sotayo doubles as the CEO of her own production outfit, Sotee Entertainment that handles most of her movie productions. Not relenting, Sotayo recently unveiled her two new brands ‘Clean Stitches’ (Clothing Line) and Pop It (A cosmetic line) amidst pops and glam. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Sotayo opens up more on her new businesses, and why she is not in competition with any of her colleagues among others. Enjoy…

How did it all start with doing business?

I started at a very tender age. I just usually play with fabrics then because my elder sister used to make clothes then not that I really wanted to do it or planned to do it.

Most of your colleagues are going into clothing line, lip stick and others. And now you are into it, is this a competition?

For me, it’s not competition. Most times I wear makeup and people tell me oh! I love your lips. So maybe it’s because of the shape of my lips that wants to make me start my makeup. I’m not in competition with anybody. This is what I feel like and I know I can do. It’s not about starting up a business, its about sustaining it, by sticking with people who will help you achieve it. A whole lot of people start and fail an that’s why I do test-run for all my products before I bring them out. Even when I had my own, I saw people unveiling theirs and I was busy testing my own.

How do you intend to balance acting and fashion knowing that your profession is so demanding?

Well, it’s about employing more hands

because right now I do a whole lot of things.

It’s not just the clothing line which is just a year neither is it the PopIt lip stick that am trying to unveil. The truth about it is, you just need to employ more people, empower them to work with you as well and do the needful. I don’t see the reason why I cannot handle what I have around me while I’m acting. For me, everything is under control.

What inspires your kind of design and collections?

Most times I just want to try new things and see how best it can work. My collections are out of the box. The brand will be a year in a couple of months.

Why did it take so long for you to officially come out?

There is this saying that, for you to throw something out to people, you should be able to test run it. You should be sure of what you are putting out to the public and that’s what I tried to do. I decided I wanted to run a proper clothing line and also decided that, I want to see how it will go, I wanted to see if I will be able to maintain it, I wanted to see if I will be able to go public, I wanted to see, if I will be able to sustain it. And Continued on page L7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 19, 2018

L3 Life & Times

Continued from page L2

that’s what I did. So, so far so good, I have done a proper running and have seen that fine, I can maintain it and it’s almost a year so why don’t I let the people know this is what I do.

You design most of these clothes. Where you a tailor at some point?

I was never a tailor. I never learnt tailoring. It’s not because I do not have money to pay people who make clothes that I decided I want to start sewing what I wear but the truth about this is that most times I dress out, people look at me and say ‘Oh! I like what you are wearing and at the end of the day, it’s me doing the buying. It’s me doing the stitches. It’s me bringing the material. It’s me deciding I want you to do this thing for me and I am the one paying you. Then what am I using my brain for? And at the end of the day, you take my glory. So why can’t I sit down, sketch myself, make it and make money. I don’t know how to sew. I stitch, I design. I have people who sew. So in clean stitches, we sew what we sell but I don’t know how to press machine.

How do you source for fabrics? Do you go to market yourself or you order for it?

The truth is, most designers won’t tell you this is where I get my fabrics from. It is a trade secret. But the truth about it is that when I see something that I like, I will buy it wherever I go but the most important thing is that it should bring out the style that I want to achieve with it.

I buy fabrics outside Nigeria.

I buy in Turkey. I buy in Dubai at times I even buy in Lagos. And obviously, what we buy in Lagos is quite differently from Turkey and some other places so, the nature or design am making will determine where I will buy the fabrics from.

How affordable are your products?

To be honest with you, it is extremely affordable. Even to the common man for as low as five thousand naira (N5000) because we make things from different fabrics, African fabrics and the rest.

Who are your clients?

I make clothes for lots of people, I might just don’t

With my clothing line, I’m not in competition with anyone - Tayo Sobola want to mention names. I make clothes for a lot of people. I make clothes for wealthy people.

What makes your outfit unique?

For females, we buy make up even if we don’t want to wear them and they are trying to buy four different products, you get different feels from them. The difference between my product and others is that, mine are mild. I don’t know anything about others. There are some lipsticks you wear and your lips get dark. I’ve tried my products. Some of them even have ingredients that won’t make your lips darker. Whatever kind or shade of lips you have. You just have to choose which one to go for.

How much are the lip sticks?

It’s very affordable. It’s just a meagre, as low as four thousand naira.

You are into fashion aside acting.

What more should we expect from the brand?

I’m a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University and here I am as an actress, a movie producer, a former dancer.

I’ve done almost everything in the entertainment industry. I read public administration in school. I have a diploma in law so someday I am

going to use my certificate. So don’t be surprised one day when you hear I’m going into politics. So I can venture into a whole lot.

How do you take out time to rest with all these in place?

Truth is, I work a lot. I really don’t look like someone who works. I’m like someone who sits somewhere and they bring money to her and then I lavish.

I’m the kind of person that can work three weeks back to back, sleep at 5am and wake up at 8am, am that mad. I hate distractions. The only time I relax is when I’m out of the country, that’s why I work a whole lot. I can work for three weeks and travel to relax for five days. It’s not so easy though.

Clean stitches is an online sales store, PopIt is also an online sales store. You can get everything you want online, you can order online and also connect via social media. You can do follow a follow up on Clean stitches and the PopIt lip stick. Our online sales representative will get everything across to you.

How do you intend to build that relationship between you and customers or with your representatives and the customers?

So far so good in the last one

year, there has not been any kind of complain and it’s a business that I do proper check on. Once a while, I go on the page to see what’s going on and I have well groomed staff that attend to people very well, so there hasn’t been complain so far, we manage what we have.

How does your man cope with your busy schedule?

He understands. And the good thing is that he is a flexible person too. He can be anywhere at any time.

What is the one thing you cannot restrain yourself from doing?

Ahh my phones… I am addicted to my phones. I cannot stop pressing my phone for one minute and I enjoy it.

What is that one thing you can’t be caught wearing?

I doubt if there is anything I can’t wear. I wear just about anything because I know how to always make it work for me.

What is your favourite fashion accessory?

Wow, I love wristwatches. Even if I have a million wristwatches, I will still buy (more).

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Society Circle On Aristocrat Clothing Between Gov Ajimobi and Adebayo Shittu Stories by Isaac Oguntoye

A fast-growing bourgeois fashion outfit, Aristocrat Clothing, which in less than three years of its launching out, is fast-making a unique statement through its rare appurtenances of an assemblage of imported fabrics and materials to make good its products and services for quality a n d prompt

delivery.

Recently, the outfit, which, since inception, has steadily remained in the consciousness of those who love and enjoy exquisite fashion statements, and those that love to look good, in another innovative drive to add more intrinsic values to its uniqueness and relevance in the industry, has just concluded concrete

plans to open a training arm of the clothing line.

The new addition to the upwardly mobile fashion outfit is of yet

to train intending and aspiring fashion designers a la the Aristocrat style and movement in the fashion world. As you are reading this, the institute is already enrolling students for its twoyear intensive theoretical and strictly practical diploma course in Fashion Design.

According to the enterprising and very innovative boss of Aristocrat Clothing, journalist-turned-clothier, Kayode Alfred, ‘the fashion institute’s idea is our own little way of giving back to the society, and we are also using avenue to entrench and unify the Aristocrat brand in the volatile fashion business world, and it’s far above all about turning your love for fashion into a viable business.’ Aristocrat Clothing, if you must know, is versatile in the making of compact and durable shirts, casuals for men and women, Kaftan, snapback caps, and the traditional Yoruba Agbada outfit.

As 2019 general election approaches, candidates from different political parties tighten up their games.

But, the incessant power tussle between the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and Minister of Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu may not end anytime soon.

This is as both All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts in Oyo

state are both threatening to send each other to jail. While Barrister Shittu continue to boast of his integrity, competency and not desperate to become governor, Ajimobi advised him to clear his name from many allegations made against him as minister.

Aside them pointing out some of the illegally-acquired property in Ibadan and Abuja and sudden

unexplainable and stupendous wealth not commensurate with their emoluments they also threaten themselves with jail if any of them found wanting in any area of their duties. At the moment, fingers are cross on who win the party primaries to contend for the plum seat in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aristocrat Institute of F a s h i o n Design, which will in due course begin

Kessington Adebutu’s son, Segun celebrates In Martin Luther King, Jr’s voice, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.

He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say; here lived a great

street sweeper who did his job well. This notion is what best describe Segun Adebutu. Segun is one astute industrialist who exhibits mastery of the business world with the variety of portfolios in his kitty. Some days ago, the CEO, Petrolex Oil & Gas and the son of the Chairman of Premier Lotto,

Adebutu Kessington, broke all protocols to celebrate his 43rd birthday in Malta.

The lavished 43rd birthday that is making tongues to wag was reportedly cost a whooping amount of money.

InterContinental Hotel in St Julian’s was said to have been filled to the brim by his guests while Ashanti, Ja Rule, and the singer Akon made the list of guest artistes. The privileged few that attended the birthday soiree last Friday have not stopped talking about the lavish hospitality they were swathed with. From rich canapés to continental dishes, cognacs to champagnes, everything that titillates the palates of millionaires on those rare outings was available at the snap of a finger.

Meanwhile, lately, tongues have been wagging in political circles about his likely ambition to take a shot at a political office in no distant future, but Segun does not seem ready for political campaigns any time soon as being speculated.

On Night Club Czar, Frank Papas After the demise of Akeem Shodehinde, another dude who brought life, flamboyance and colors to nightclub business is, Frankly Emenike Okamigbo popularly known as Frank Papas.

The last four and half years witnessed a never seen before Monday To Saturday club nights as Frank Papas operated his movable concept of a nightclub at The Place. The successes recorded, extraordinary turnout, human relations, and the likes were so much that Frank Papas was crowned King of The Night Club.

But just like the popular saying thatevery beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning, Frank Papas as the young but dynamic dude is usually referred to have called it quits with the management of the Place Lekki. Meanwhile, information has it that, the young man needed to take a break to check out new challenges.

In case you don’t know, Frank Papas partnered the deceased Akeem in his early spell on the big stage in the famous days of Extreme Night Club. They parted as business associates but remained friends and brothers when Akeem left the K’s Place venue of Extreme to partner other club owners in floating short-lived fun place Reloaded. The development officially birthed Papas Night Club solely owned by Okamighbo at K’s place and since then, Frank has remained loyal to the trade.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

L5 Society Circle

Ifeanyi Ubah smiles again Stories by Isaac Oguntoye

Penultimate Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation announced the appointment of the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, into the Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations. No doubt, this is definitely a big plus for the Nnewi born businessman turned politician cum private football club owner. The Philanthropist par excellence is fondly called “Ebube Chukwu uzo” meaning “Placing God First” in all his dealings. This appointment is coming when some of the political leaders from his constituency asked him to pick a senatorial ticket. If you recalled, Ubah, contested in the 2014 Anambra State Gubernatorial Elections under the canopy of Labour Party. In a keenly contested battle, despite being a first timer to such a contest, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah made his presence known and left a mark in the contest. Since then, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has been a household name in Anambra and Nigerian Politics which was expressly exhibited during the 2015 Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections.

His football club is one of the beat team in the Nigerian football League at the moment.

Chief Bode George bereaved!

This is definitely not a good time for the elder stateman of People Democracy Party, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George. According to information, the former military governor of Ondo state loses his son, Dipo to heart failure. Dipo who was 42 years before his death at a hospital in Ikoyi, Lago was born by the George’s first wife, Feyi.

While the cause of his death is still sketchy, he is reported to have been suffering organ failure before now.

Friends, business associate; family members and other colleagues have started trooping into the family house to pay their last respect to the deceased. The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is trying

his best to curtail the situation so as not to affect party plans to take over power come 2019 general election. If you’re conversant with the happenings in the political terrain, you must have come across his verbal war with former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola asking him not to dabble into issues he does not know anything about.

Obanikoro’s other side Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress is another strongman that cannot be pushed aside when it comes to Nigeria politics. He started his political career from the local up to the federal level and later appointed High Commissioner to Ghana. If what rumour mongers are spreading about him is anything to consider then, the former senator could be worming up for another juicy appointment any moment from now. Meanwhile, what we have on him is far different from his political antecedent but what he

does outside politics. While some of his contemporaries are busy participating different sporting activities or the other to keep body and soul together, Obanikoro we learnt chose boxing. The sexagenarian posted a picture on his social media with a caption ‘you don’t have to be in a boxing ring to be a great fighter. As long as you are true to yourself, you will succeed in your fight for that in which you believe’.

In the picture he was seen trying to master his moves with his trainer in boxing. Ever since the picture surface on the social media, it has been generating series of comments both from his colleagues and followers in the political terrain.

Mixed Grill L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Adekunle Gold takes fans by surprise: Exclusively unveils ‘About 30’ album track list to each Stories By Mutiat Alli Several hundreds of fans have taken to social media to commend and laud urban highlife singer Adekunle Gold for his inimitable level of commitment and intimacy he has shown; personally mailing them to unveil the track list to his sophomore studio album ‘About 30’.

Adekunle Gold had urged fans to sign up on the upcoming album’s official website www. about30.info; assuring them something special awaits them. In the wake of the announcement, thousands of fans obliged, with many quickly signing up and informing others to follow suite.

The ‘Ire’ singer went on to send some of the fans personalized

emails; thanking each of them for their patience and loyalty and showing them the tracklist – which contains fourteen tracks and two bonus tracks.

Some of the fans immediately expressed their enthusiasm – with many particularly praising Adekunle Gold for honouring them and taking time out to personally reach

out to them. One fan wrote; “I’ve been a fan of Adekunle Gold’s music since he released ‘Sade’. ‘Gold’ album is still one of my favourites and I’m sure ‘About 30’ will be better! He just sent me the track list and it’s looking hot!”

Adekunle moved on to explain his decision to personally get in touch with the fans,

commenting; “I’ve been dying to release this album to the world. I’ve really worked hard for this I believe my true friends deserve every news about it first. “ Being a direct followup to the singer’s debut album ‘Gold’, which ended on track 16, ‘About 30’ track list picks up from where he left off; with the first track starting at number 17 - an apparent continuation of his previous album.

The track list also revealed some of the collaborators on the upcoming album, which include Seun Kuti, Flavour, Dyo, LCGC, among others.

The official release date of the album is yet to be revealed, but the singer has promised fans it would be one of the most phenomenal bodies of work to emerge from Nigeria.

Photos: 2baba, Annie Idibia, Timaya, Bovi, others storm ‘Still Broke’ launch The official launch of a one-of-a-kind line of designer underwear ‘Still Broke’ has gathered some of the industry’s biggest names as they deck out in style to witness a momentous shift in the world of fashion at Oasis Medspa Ikoyi, Lagos.

Hosted by OAP-comedian Ushbebe, the launch was starstudded affair with an ambience filled with renowned fashionistas, artists, actors and media personalities; including afro-pop star Solidstar, veteran 2face, exreality TV star Bassey, Mavin’s first lady Tiwa Savage, music producer Pheelz, American-Nigerian actress Osas Ighodaro Ajibade and several

more.

The brand of designer underwear, introduced by esteemed business mogul Michael Uyi Agho; fondly called Godson had managed to gather a considerable amount of buzz ahead of the launch – with several high-profile names spotted rocking the underwear; including Starboy head honcho Wizkid, Annie Idibia, Lilian Esoro, among others.

Deji Agboade, Kola Adewale, Abayomi Awobokun helping entrepreneurs grow their business at The Growth Workshop CEOs and decision makers in the Nigerian business community will gather together to meet and learn from some of Nigeria’s revered entrepreneurs and CEOs at La Cour, Ikoyi today, May 19, 2018, for The Growth Workshop.

The event is organised

by BPI Advisory, a leading provider of cuttingedge business growth

solutions for growthstage enterprises in Nigeria.

According to BPI Advisory, The Growth Workshop is a practical and transformative workshop designed strictly for CEOs and decision makers in organisations who are determined to grow and scale their businesses significantly.

One of the speakers

attendees can look forward to at the event is Kola Adewale, Founder and CEO of The Place - the fast growing chain of restaurants across Lagos; who will be there to speak about Bootstrapping for Growth. Abayomi Awobokun, CEO of Enyo Retail and Supply Limited will also be speaking at the Workshop about

Business Models That Scale.

Deji Agboade, CEO of BPI Advisory and convener of the event has said that “The Growth Workshop was set up to help every business struggling to take their business to the levels they desire by unveiling practicable secrets of growth for their respective business.”

Efe Ukala: The woman that flies over 5000 miles to enlighten Nigerian women on being investor-ready Figures presented

by The International Finance Corporation, suggests that there is an estimated $300 billion funding gap for womenled businesses. With the realization of such scary numbers, this influenced Efe Ukala’s decision to create the ImpactHER, a non-profit establishment working tirelessly to bridge the gender-based financing gap.

U.S.-based, Efe Ukala organizes free training conferences to Nigerian female entrepreneurs; empowering women to build scalable businesses in view of becoming investorready.

The recently concluded ImpactHER training conference, which held in Victoria Island, Lagos hosted a number of speakers who exposed attendees to digital skills for businesses, creating valueoriented brands through the cultivation of a persistent brand identity.

The speakers also charged the attendees at the ImpactHER conference to expand their network of influence and learn to interact with revered business leaders and investors.

According to Efe Ukala, the founder of ImpactHER, the goal of the conference was to raise consciousness in creating value in business by equipping African female entrepreneurs with the creative devices needed to build scalable businesses

and to access institutional capital. She added that the conference was also organized to help African female entrepreneurs realize their full economic potential.

Present at the event was Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, Regional Head of Fidelity Bank, Victoria Island who spoke distinctively with the women on the need to utilize special products that are available to femaleled businesses. The CFO of Venture Garden Group and Managing Partner of GreenHouse Capital, Nichole Yembra who was also present at the conference stressed the importance of implementing a strong financial strategy in their businesses. The Regional Head, Africa Venture Capital Investments, International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), Wale Ayeni also advised participants on the different methods of amassing growth capital which is consequential for businesses. Mrs. Olanike Majekodunmi, founder of Nuts About Cakes exclusively shared practical ideas on ways to groom the best-in-class businesses.

Attendees were further exposed to some communication methods to apply in boosting an exponential growth for their various businesses and digital skills matters for businesses which was taught by Haptics supported

by Google Digital Skills for Africa.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

BON READING 2018: Lagos First Lady, Mercy Aigbe, Omoni Oboli, others to read at Children’s Day event

At award ceremony, Ibidunni Ighodalo, again, recalls efforts to bear children Mutiat Alli It was a proud, but, nonetheless surprising moment for Mrs. Ibidunni Ighodalo. A prize in public was the last thing she expected. Having worked closely with the organisers of the Runway Jazz; all week through the Masterclass and preparations leading to the show itself, it was astonishing how the award was carefully concealed until the last instance.

A woman of many parts, she only just agreed to venture out with her bridal wear, for the first time, which she is promoting under the brand name, Avant Garde. The previous day, she had participated in a training session to encourage budding entrepreneurs. At the end of the day, she lit the candle of joy for two participants by gifting them with wedding gowns worth N1 million each. It was an exciting

and explosive highpoint at the training, particularly to the lucky ladies who knelt down to thank her again and again.

Unknown to her, a beautiful plaque had been specially prepared with her name on it!

But the appreciation was not for the exquisite bridal collection; rather the debt of gratitude was being paid to her for being a pillar of support for many couples who are waiting to become parents. Through her Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation, IIF, a non-profit organization created to raise awareness on issues pertaining to infertility and to provide grants for couples that require fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination, she has continued to bring hope and joy to many couples.

For this effort, she was given the incentive of the Runway Jazz Humanitarian Award. The recognition insignia was handed over to her by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Among other interests, Ighodalo has become one of the most recognizable transmitters of charity, which includes, but is not limited to an orphanage.

Grateful for the first accolade for the IIF and coming from an unexpected quarter, Ighodalo said she was humbled to know that people took enough notice of the work of the foundation to reward it with such great honour and recognition. She compared the moment she was called up on the podium for the award to an “out of body experience.”

Being honest, she recounted the journey of the emergence of the foundation, which also blends into her arduous struggles to bear her own biological children. She said, “It brings back memories of my years of trying to conceive and have kids. It was in the process of going through those times that the foundation was birthed.”

Mutiat Alli Lagos leading woman, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, former Lagos first lady, and Senator representing Lagos Central at the red chamber, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, shall headline the 2018 edition of the Best of Nollywood Children’s Day Book Reading, scheduled for May 27.

According to a statement made available

by Seun Oloketuyi, CEO, BON Awards, “As is our tradition to commemorate the children’s day celebration at BON, the First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Ambode, Senator Remi Tinubu, and Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule will be reading exciting and educational books with school children in Lagos, alongside other Nollywood stars.

“This is a part of the build up for the celebration of our first decade of hosting BON Awards, the longest running award ceremony for the Nigerian Movie

L7 Gist

Industry.

“Nollywood Stars who will be joining the Lagos leading women are Omoni Oboli, Faithia Williams, Bolanle Ninalowo, Mercy Aigbe and others.

“As is our tradition, this is only the first part of the reading. We shall have another reading at our host state, once we unveil the state hosting BON 2018. There is still lined up for this year. We promise”.

He further revealed that, ‘Don’t Touch Me There’ a book on sexual education by Pastor Nomthi has been selected for the reading.

In 2017, BON was hosted in Ogun State, and had the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga with actors, Femi Branch, Doris Simeon, and Yomi Fabiyi read to school children the state.

A Lagos edition of the reading was held prior to that, at Trinity International School, headlined by Ruth Kadiri, Funke Adesiyan and Lateef Adedimeji.

Frank Edwards, Sinach, Eben, others make Oyakhilome’s album A 25-track album of gospel singers, The Best Songs of the Year, has been unveiled to the public.

The album comprises songs from top gospel artistes like Frank Edwards, Sinach, Eben, Jerry K, Peeyu, Wisdom, Farlon Lyte, Ur Flames, Rapnation, Jeannie Wojacek, Evangelist Kathy Woghiren, Testimony Jaga, Israel Strong and Martin Phike.

Frank Edwards revealed

that The Best Songs of the Year was a project initiated by the founder of Believers Loveworld Nation, Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Oyaklulome, to reach the world with the gospel message through music and creative arts ministrations.

He added, “It is a compilation of the best music from the finest music ministers from Believers Loveworld Nation.

This album is usually available

every year after the LIMA Awards. The 2017 edition, which is the third edition since inception in 2015, will be distributed globally to make availability and access easier.”

Speaking also, Sinach stated that Best Songs of the Year 2017 contained timeless truth and messages that have the ability to transform and change the world.

“As a result, we resolved to consciously circulate the album all around the world.

This will be the first time we are making this material available to the public on a large scale since inception.”

She insisted that the aim was to spread the gospel and message through music globally, changing the lives of men and women, boys and girls all over the world.

However, the church has also made plans to extend the album to the troubled parts of Nigeria as they feel it will create a major impact there.

ST Nollywood Plus debuts on StarTimes In fulfillment of its promise in ensuring that customers receive the best possible access to great entertainment, leading digital Pay TV Company, StarTimes have announced the listing of ST Nollywood Plus.

The new content offering is available on channel 13 on classic bouquet and it is a movie focused and all round entertainment channel.

According to a statement signed and issue by its Brand and Marketing Director, Qasim Elegbede, “ST Nollywood Plus is proof of our efforts in deepening our footprint in local entertainment content and the need to show subscribers more recent Nollywood movies” In addition to the new content offering, StarTimes says it has in recent past upgraded its channel list, platform, allowing customers watch as much as 80 exciting channels cutting across Movies, News, Sports, Series, Kiddies, Animal Documentary, Religious Channels and lots more.

Elegbede maintained that ‘’there are more than 80 fantastic channels where we show

Bollywood movies, series and Telenovelas 24hours a day.

StarTimes is the leading digital-TV operator in Africa, covering 80% of the continent’s population with a massive distribution network of over 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors. It owns a featured content platform, with 440 authorized channels.

L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Relationship well. Do not claim mister/Miss know all.

The both of you can not be boss at the same time. Learn to listen to one another, exchange ideas, discuss and by doing these the relationship will grow more.

Differences in Priorities: Your partner has different priorities and expectations regarding the relationship. In most relationships, the significant i.e (the family) can be the primary center of gravity of life, i.e nothing else comes close in its importance. While for others, a romantic relationship, even a committed one is but one facet of life. There are many other aspects of life which in their perspective can justifiably take higher priority.

Poor Communication: Poor Communication can ruin or break down a relationship. When two partners lack communication there are indirectly bored at each other. With this, the relationship will fail. When two partners fail to communicate with themselves, they won’t know what they both feel deep inside. In a relationship where by there is mute between the two partners, it causes a breakdown. When you fail to communicate with your partner, the relationship becomes boring and the two partners becomes tired of each other very quickly. So, communication is very important in every relationship.

Life Habit Abuse: Life habit abuses are traits which although may or may not directly involve the partner, such as a secret gambling addiction, this may ultimately affect the relationship in a destructive way. E.g Drug Addiction, Alcohol Addiction, Sexual Addiction, etc.

Having a tough relationship? Patch it up!

Mutiat Alli Relationships are meant to be enjoyed and it should be able to connect two partners together.

There is nothing like an overnight perfect relationship, but what makes it perfect is how the two parties respond to one another and also relate with each other. Relationship is all about understanding, trust, love, unity, truth, appreciation and lots more. Yes! Appreciation is also inclusive because without appreciation, there will not be “current”. Relationship is like an “Electric Connection”. Both parties need to be connected with each other. A situation where by the male does not appreciate

the female or the female does not appreciate the male, it’s not helping at all. This will end up causing more havoc and the relationship will collapse. The two must work together. Most of us want to settle down with the right person and most of us want a perfect relationship, but how can it work out when there is no trust, understanding, appreciation?

Most relationships fail not because the two parties don’t love themselves but because they lack the reasons which will be listed below: Trust: Most relationships fail because of lack of trust. When you fail to trust your partner, how do you expect it to work?

Lack or loss of trust is one of the most

harmful contagions that break down a long built relationship. Without trust, a relationship will miss out two of the key anchors to a strong bond, which are: Safety and Security. For a relationship to have trust issues, these may likely be the cause: Jealousy, Possessiveness, Lack of Emotional Support, Lack of Financial Compatibility, Physical/Sexual Infidelity, etc.

Mister/Miss Right: Relationship that is being based on these can never work.

In a situation where by the two are always claiming to be right all the time will not help the relationship to grow.

The two must always give listening ears to one another and cooperative as

Lack of Time: Lack of time towards your partner breaks down relationships.

No body prefers a boring relationship over a jovial and exciting relationship.

Avoid using work as an excuse, you two must create time for yourselves. Go out together, watch movies, play ludo games or any other one, do a food competition and many others. When all these is being done, there will be testimonies regarding your relationship.

Inadequate Calls: Yes!! Call!! This is a major problem in most relationships.

Most partners lack calls, most of them do not even call at all and it destroys relationships. Failure to call your partner at least twice a day can mean many things.

Things like : he/she is not important,he/ she is a time waste, or he/she is not missed and even more. So calling your partner shows you care and he /she crosses your mind all the time and you both will appreciate, love, and admire yourselves even more. Calling your partner is very important because you both will inspire many that comes your way and you both will be role models to many that sees the love that burns out from your relationship.

So, it’s always very important to keep in touch with the man or the woman you claim to love. Do not allow your long built relationship to falter!