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FIFA Award: Ebi hails Omagbemi’s nomination

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 428

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Some entertainers with pierced body parts.

PHOTOS: BOLAJI OLASUKANMI

Ï Clients at a body piercing centre in Ikeja - Lagos.

Piercing of body parts:

Why entertainers, others are embracing trend Mutiat Alli & Folarin Leonard Lagos

ÏÏÏPiercing

of body parts has surprisingly become a common trend among Nigerian dancers, singers, performers and entertainers in general and truly, social media personalities.

One may wonder why people pierce their body parts. But the closer you look, the more reasons you stumble

on. While older people see those with too many piercings as irresponsible, others, including the piercers, see them as stylish aesthetic individuals.

Some people pierce for religious or spiritual reasons, while others pierce for self-expression, for aesthetic value, for sexual pleasure, and to conform to their culture or to rebel against it.

Some forms of piercing remain controversial, particularly when applied

to youth.

The display or placement of piercings have been restricted by schools, employers and religious groups. In spite of the controversy, some people have practiced extreme forms of body piercing, with Guinness bestowing World Records on individuals with hundreds and even thousands of per-

You can’t judge me by the roles I play L2

- Aishat Abimbola

Osinbajo directs PenCom, ICPC, CCB boards to act 8 pending Senate confirmation

2 killed, 5 injured as armed thugs invade Bayelsa APC Secretariat 7

Chibok girls: 106 girls fully recovered, ready for 26 integration - Minister

15 million Africans ‘ll trace their roots through Nigeria Diaspora 6 Festival- Abike - Dabiri

Continued on page 6

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

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Why we are celebrating Onitsha Day -Ekweogwu President of Onitsha Improvement Union, Lagos State Chapter, Sir Andy Bosah Chukwudike Ekweogwu, is rolling out the drums to the big day. In this interview with Ganiyu Obaaro, Sir Ekweogwu says Onitsha Day, holding on Saturday, August 26, 2017, will be significant in uniting all sons and daughters of the historic city, as well as recognising the unique contributions of some eminent personalities to the community, among other reasons.

Excerpts How would you describe Onitsha–Ado Improvement Union, your umbrella body and Lagos State Chapter in particular?

A town union is organised with the aims and objectives of fostering unity among the people, as well as bringing development to the community, among several other factors. So, we, Onitsha indigenes, through our parent body, Onitsha Improvement Union, which was founded in 1929, with the Motto: Peace, Unity and Progress, leverage the union to help one another, mobilise our talents, experiences to develop Onitsha. Now, we are determined to give the Lagos state chapter the much needed commitment and support it deserves.

You see, when you form a union and its executive, initially the zeal to work would be there; but after sometime, apathy would start coming in.

We took over the running of the Lagos chapter last year, but we are determined to make a difference, in view of our commitment to make a difference.

What are the programmes you intend to achieve during your tenure, and what does Onitsha intend to achieve?

We are determined to rejuvenate and bring back our lost glory; we

Sir Andy Bosah Chukwudike Ekweogwu

want to bring everybody back into the fold; heal old wounds, tap from individual experiences and wealth. That in fact, is the essence of Onitsha Day, which we are celebrating next Saturday.

Now, as we move on as a team, we have adopted new and better strategy of reaching our brothers and sisters through such avenues, as text messages, telephone calls, WhatsApp and emails. Before now, we used to read minutes of meeting as a way of communicating information to members; but that has changed now.

I want you to know that the Constitution of the Onitsha Improvement Union is endorsed by the Obi of Onitsha; and this means that every indigene of the town is an automatic member.

So, we are working hard to have general meeting that would not separate the Women’s Wing from the union, but to have one united body with one purpose. We want to heal old wounds.

Again, we are working hard to build Onitsha House here in Lagos.

The old one at No. 22, Alawode Street off Kilo Bus Stop, Surulere, here

in Lagos, has become inadequate for us; so, we intend to use the Onitsha Day to create awareness and raise money for the new house.

We intend to have infrastructure like events center, IT/Library, Art Gallery to showcase Onitsha artworks and culture; offices, skills’ acquisition center, etc.

We intend also to get funds to execute the project through corporate support as well as donations, membership dues, etc.

Onitsha Day, apart from what I have earlier said, is, specifically to, among other aims and objectives, raise awareness and the consciousness of our culture among the indigenes, host community, thus showing the tourism potential of Onitsha and to create an avenue for our people to bond together with their other Igbo brothers and sisters.

We also intend to honour, through award or recognition, some distinguished Onitsha indigenes and non-Onitsha indigenes, who have contributed remarkably towards the development of Onitsha.

To this end, I am happy to inform you that

our Royal Father of the day is His Royal Majesty, Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe. Other prominent traditional rulers, led by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu will be there, while Executive Governor of Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his counterpart from Anambra state, Governor Willie Obiano, would also grace the historic occasion.

How would you describe Onitsha and its people?

Thank you. Basically, Onitsha is known as a commercial nerve center and gateway to the South East. It may also interest you to know that most big business operators in Onitsha are not Onitsha people. Our people are basically civil servants. We are more inclined to education than to trading. However, the situation is fast changing now.

Historically, we, Onitsha indigenes migrated from Benin, some also came from Idah, Benue state. We consist of nine core villages - Onitsha Ebe Itenani.

Tell us about yourself Like you already know, I am Sir Andy Bosah Chukwudike Ekweogwu. I am from Umuosodi Umudei Village in the current Onitsha Local Government Area. I am the first born in the family of eight children four boys and four girls.

Our father is late, while our 83-year-old mother is very much alive.

Because of the nature of my father’s job then, I moved from one school to another as we moved

from one work place to another. I finally finished school at CKS, Aba; from there to Stella Marie College, Port Harcourt. But the Civil war of 1967-70 disrupted my education, and I later attended ESCC Onitsha, before proceeding to the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu, where I obtained my Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND). Later I travelled to the United States where I obtained my BA and MA. I worked at various times at First Bank, formerly Standard Bank and later as Concord Newspapers as Advert/ Circulation Manager in the South east.

I later worked at Afribank, Nigeria Arab Bank, before taking up another job in the Nigerian capital market as a stock broker at Transglobe, and FutureView Securities Limited. I am retired now, of course.

Sir Andy Bosah Chukwudike Ekweogwu is married to Lady Joy Ekweogwu (nee Ikemefuna). A father and grandfather, the Onitsha old boy turned 69 on August 10.

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Piercing of body parts: Why entertainers, others are embracing trend Continued from page 1 manent and temporary piercings.

Body piercing is a form of body modification, a practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn. Ear piercing and nose piercing have been particularly widespread and are well represented in historical records and among grave goods.

The practice of body piercing has waxed and waned in Western culture, but it has experienced an increase of popularity since World War II, with sites other than the ears gaining subcultural popularity in the 1970s and spreading to mainstream in the 1990s.

Contemporary body piercing practices emphasise the use of safe body piercing materials, frequently utilising specialised tools developed for the purpose. Body piercing is an invasive procedure with some risks, including allergic reaction, infection, excessive scarring and unanticipated physical injuries, but such precautions as sanitary piercing procedures and careful aftercare are emphasised to minimise the likelihood of encountering serious problems.

The healing time required for a body piercing may vary widely according to placement, from as little as a month for some genital piercings to as much as two full years for the navel.

By the early part of the 20th century, piercing of any body part had become uncommon in the West. After World War II, it began increasing in popularity among the gay male subculture. Even ear piercing for a time was culturally

unacceptable for women, but that relatively common form of piercing began growing in popularity from the 1960s.

Body piercing was also heavily popularised in the United States by a group of Californians including Malloy and Ward, who is regarded as “the founding father of modern body piercing”. In 1975, Ward opened a home-based piercing business in West Hollywood, which was followed in 1978 by the opening of Gauntlet Enterprises, “the first professional body piercing specialty studio in America.”

From it, Ward distributed the pamphlet which Malloy had written and Ward illustrated, disseminating much misinformation but stimulating interest in more exotic piercings.

Ear piercing Ear piercing has been practiced all over the world since ancient times. There is considerable written and archaeological evidence of the practice. Mummified bodies with pierced ears have been discovered, including the oldest mummified body discovered to date, the 5,300-year-old Ötzi the Iceman, which was found in a glacier in Italy.

This mummy had an ear piercing 7–11 mm diameter. The oldest earrings found in a grave date to 2500 BCE. These were located in the Sumerian city of Ur, home of the Biblical patriarch, Abraham.

Earrings are mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis 35:4, Jacob buried the earrings worn by members of his household along with their idols. In Exodus 32, Aaron made the golden calf from melted earrings. Deuteronomy 15:12–17 dic-

tates ear piercing for a slave who chooses not to be freed. Earrings (to some cultures) are also referenced in connection to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi in the Vedas.

In Europe, earrings for women fell from fashion generally between the 4th and 16th centuries, as styles in clothing and hair tended to obscure the ears, but they gradually thereafter came back into vogue in Italy, Spain, England and France, spreading as well to North America, until after World War I when piercing fell from favour and the newly invented Clipon earring became fashionable.

From the European Middle Ages, a superstitious belief that piercing one ear improved longdistance vision led to the practice

ÏÏÏ The Chairman of the Peo-

ples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa state, Mr Moses Cleopas, has accused some politicians in the state of attempts to hijack the state party structures with the intention of imposing candidates on the party in 2019.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the state party secretariat after the state executive council meeting, Moses said some persons were bent on pushing the national leadership of the party to dissolve the state executives during the non elective national convention of the party recently in Abuja but their plans failed.

He commended the Senator Ahmed Markarfi led National Executives for ratifying the state executives, adding that the party will resist “anti democratic forces from hi-

jacking the party.”

The state party chairman who was flanked by members of the state executives council members, said while the party was willing to welcome back those who left the party, however, advised those desirous of returning to follow the constitution and avoid been misled. “ Let me place it on record that we are aware of some persons who because of their selfish political interest were doing everything so that Bayelsa state executives was dissolve alongside others.

“Those fighting for the dissolution of the state executives were the same persons who used Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, to destabilize the state PDP during the build up to the 2015 elections and when their plots failed, they decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC, thinking that the

and feathers to symbolise wealth and (among men) virility. Nose piercing also remains popular in Pakistan and Bangladesh and is practiced in a number of Middle Eastern and Arab countries.

Lip piercing and Tongue piercing Lip piercing and lip stretching were historically found in certain tribal cultures in Africa and the Americas. Pierced adornments of the lip, or labrets, were sported by the Tlingit as well as peoples of Papua New Guinea and the Amazon basin. The practice of stretching the lips by piercing them and inserting plates or plugs was found throughout Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and South America as well as among some of the tribes

Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku (right) and others, received body of late former Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai in Jalingo, Taraba… on Friday.

We’ll resist forces’ attempt to hijack Bayelsa PDP structures--chairman By, Akam James, Yenagoa

among sailors and explorers. Sailors also pierced their ears in the belief that their earrings could pay for a Christian burial if their bodies washed up on shore.

Nose piercing It remains customary for Indian Hindu women of childbearing age to wear a nose stud, usually in the left nostril, due to the nostril’s association with the female reproductive organs in Ayurvedic medicine. This piercing is sometimes done the night before the woman marries.

Many Native American and Alaskan tribes practiced septum piercing. It was popular among the Aztecs, the Mayans and the tribes of New Guinea, who adorned their pierced noses with bones

PDP under the leadership of Governor Seriake Dickson would not be able to weather the storm,” the party chairman stated.

The Chairman reiterated the Bayelsa State Party Executive is ever strong and united, while assuring the NCC of the readiness of the state chapter to work tirelessly with it to ensure the party grows from strength to strength.

He said the people having failed to stop the re-election bid of Governor Dickson in 2016, the same characters have re-grouped to undemocratically take over Bayelsa State Party structure ahead of 2019.

He furthermore affirmed party’s support for the Restoration Administration of Governor Dickson and commended him for placing the state on the paths of development, peace and prosperity.

Osinbajo directs PenCom, ICPC, CCB boards to act pending Senate confirmation Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏActing President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has directed the appointed board members of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to resume work in acting capacity, pending the confirmation of their appointments by the Senate Osinbajo gave the directive on Friday in a statement made available to The Daily Times by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi.

Osinbajo added that the directive became imperative in order to ensure that there is no vacuum in certain important federal institutions.

PenCom has the following

appointees: Alhaji Ali Usman Ahmed - Acting Chairman; Mr. Funso Doherty - Acting Director-General; Mr. Manasseh T. Denga - Acting Executive Commissioner; Abubakar Z. Magawata - Acting Executive Commissioner; Ben Oviosun Acting Executive Commissioner and Nyerere Anyim - Acting Executive Commissioner.

But the ICPC has only Prof.

Bolaji Owasanoye as the Acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency.

The CCB appointed board members include: Dr. Muhamma Isah - Acting Chairman; Murtala Kankia - Acting Member; Emmanuel E. Attah - Acting Member; Danjuma Sado - Acting Member; Ubolo I. Okpanachi - Acting Member; Ken Madaki Alkali - Acting Member; Prof. S. F. Ogundare - Acting Member; Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat - Acting Member; Saad A. Abubakar Acting Member and Dr. Vincent Nwanli - Acting Member.

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè Ƒ Ƒ Ɛ ơƾè ƾƠơƣ

7 News

2 killed, 5 injured as armed thugs invade Bayelsa APC Secretariat

Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ

Two persons have been confirmed dead with five others including a journalist injured following the invasion of the All Progressive Congress (APC) secretariat by some armed hired thugs to disrupt the inauguration of the new Acting Chairman of the Party, Hon. Joseph Fafi.

One of the persons killed was confirmed an APC member from Sagbama Local Council Area of the State, the other was a hawker. They were both caught in the exchange of gunfire between the men of the security agencies and the armed thugs.

Some Journalists at the event, particularly the reporter with Rhythm FM station, Jesse Ese, was injured while trying to jump the barb wired fence of the Party secretariat.

Trouble started at about 10am with the armed thugs disguised as party protesters and beat the security barricade mounted by the men of the Nigerian Police Force and heading directly to the APC secretariat complex.

While the security personnel kept vigilance watch over the perceived protesters, some faithful of the APC raised alarm over the alleged possession of

dangerous arms with those sighted among the protesters and joined the security forces to stop the invading attackers.

Morningmail reporter who was present at the venue, observed that the attempts to stop the protesters resulted in fracas and gun shots were heared from some of the protesters and the policemen retaliated by shooting above the head of the crowd of protesters.

The sporadic gunshots and gun attack from the various sides of the secretariat however caused pandemonium among party faithful which resulted in a stampede and injuries to many including reporters of various media houses present.

Speaking on the development, the Member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Isreal Sunny-Igoli, expressed concern at the development and accused the expelled Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe and ex-Militant leader, General Africa Ukpariasa of being responsible for the failed attack.

According to him, “the APC members can not be intimidated in Bayelsa State. We know and we believe that the Party is on the part of rebuilding and enthronement of peace within its fold. The sponsors of the attack will be brought to book.”

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle), his Deputy, Yetunde Onanuga (left); President, Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce, Chief Bintan Famutimi (2nd left); Coordinator, Nigeria Initiative for Economic Development, (NIED), Dr. Alfred Tofade (2nd right) and Dr. Queen Blessing Itua (right), during a courtesy visit of the NIED management on the governor in Abeokuta, Ogun State... recently.

Adeboye visits Buhari, prays for President in London Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Friday visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London where he also prayed for the president’s quick recovery.

Pastor Adeboye had joined the list of dignitaries who visited the President since he left Nigeria for London on medical treatment since May 7, 2017.

Adeboye is the second cleric Buhari has received this month

after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited him at the Abuja House, London on August 4, 2017.

The Presidency has not release any official detail over Adeboye’s visit at press time.

But the President has been receiving guests who visited him and wish him soonest recovery. On July 23, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun led a delegation of party chieftains to London to visit Buhari.

The president had also on Saturday, received a delega-

tion of his media team led by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Buhari further received the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo on Monday while the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Hon Yakubu Dogora, visited the President on Thursday.

Piercing of body parts: Why entertainers, others are embracing trend Continued from page 5 of the Pacific Northwest and Africa. In some parts of Malawi, it was quite common for women to adorn their lips with a lip disc called a “pelele” that by means of gradual enlargement from childhood could reach several inches of diameter and would eventually alter the occlusion of the jaw. Such lip stretching is still practiced in some places.

Most women and men in Nigeria have also adopted this practice.

Not in their cultures but in their fashion sense. It is said that most who desire this forms of piercing also desire the British accent equally.

Nipple, navel and genital piercing The history of nipple piercing, navel piercing, and genital piercing has been particularly misrepresented by printed works.

Records do exist that refer to practices of nipple and genital piercing in various cultures prior to the 20th century. Nipple piercing may have been a sign of masculinity for the soldiers of Rome. Nipple piercing has also been connected to rites of passage for both British and American sailors who had traveled beyond a significant latitude and longitude. Western women of the 14th century sometimes sported pierced as well as rouged

nipples left visible by the low-cut dresses fashionable in the day. It is widely reported that in the 1890s, nipple rings called “bosom rings” resurfaced as a fashion statement among women of the West, who would wear them on one or both sides, but this trend can’t be traced now, perhaps, it didn’t last long.

The trend however seems to catch the fancy of individuals who once again desire fashionable and aesthetic looks not minding the history of the practice.

Contemporary body piercing jewelry For those who must, body piercing jewelry should be hypoallergenic. A number of materials are used, with varying strengths and weaknesses. Surgical stainless steel, niobium and titanium are commonly used metals, with titanium the least likely to cause allergic reaction of the three. Platinum and palladium are also safe alternatives, even in fresh piercings. Initial piercings should never be done with gold of any grade, as gold is mixed with other metals, and sterling silver is not a good alternative in a piercing, as it may cause allergies in initial piercings and will tarnish in piercings of any age. An additional risk for allergic reaction may arise when the stud or clasp of jewelry is made from a different metal than the pri-

mary piece.

Permanent body piercings are performed by creating an opening in the body using a sharp object through the area to be pierced.

This can either be done by puncturing an opening using a needle (usually a hollow medical needle) or scalpel or by removing tissue, either with a dermal punch or through scalpelling.

Tools used in body piercing include: The piercing needle The standard method involves making an opening using a beveled-tip hollow medical needle, which is available in different lengths, gauges and even shapes.

While straight needles are useful for many body parts, curved needles are manufactured for areas where straight needles are not ideal. The needle is inserted into the body part being pierced, frequently by hand but sometimes with the aid of a needle holder or pusher. While the needle is still in the body, the initial jewelry to be worn in the piercing is pushed through the opening, following the back of the needle.

The indwelling cannula Many piercers use a needle containing a cannula (or catheter), a hollow plastic tube placed at the end of the needle. The procedure is similar to the piercing needle

method, but the initial jewelry is inserted into the back of the cannula and the cannula and the jewelry are then pulled through the piercing. More bleeding may follow, as the piercing is larger than the jewelry.

The dermal punch A dermal punch is used to remove a circular area of tissue, into which jewelry is placed, and may be useful for larger cartilage piercings. They are popular for use in ears, though not legal for use by nonmedical personnel in some countries.

The piercing gun The vast majority of women in the West have their ears pierced with a piercing gun. The safety of piercing guns, which were originally developed for tagging livestock, has been disputed. The Department of Health of Western Australia does not recommend their use for piercing body parts other than the lobes of ears, and the Association of Professional Piercers recommends that piercing guns not be used for any piercing, requiring members to agree not to use piercing guns in their practice. But that’s tales for overseas. Piercing shops in Nigeria especially at Lagos State capital, Ikeja, use the piercing gun as a sophisticated tool for their business.

Cork

Cork may be placed on the opposite side of the body part being pierced to receive the needle.

Forceps Forceps, or clamps, may be used to hold and stabilise the tissue to be pierced. Most piercings that are stabilised with forceps use the triangular-headed “Pennington” forceps, while tongues are usually stabilised with an oval-headed forceps.

Anesthesia Anesthesia is supplied by some piercers. The anesthesia may be topical or injected. Piercers and other non-medical personnel are not legally permitted to administer anesthetics. Some piercers use this to aid painful piercing process.

Shop owners at Ikeja, Lagos State clear up corners to accommodate piercers who do not have shops of their own. Other shops like salons and jewelry shops add piercing to their services. This has been on for years and they seem to earn money ranging from N500 to N1,500 depending on the body part.

It is instructive to note that one of the finalists of Big Brother Naija, Tokunbo Idowu, popularly known as Tboss, popularised piercings when she exposed parts of her body with piercings during the three-month DSTV programme that shook the airwaves and Africa.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Bishop, NLC urge clergymen, to beware of source of wealth of members Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÎÎÎThe clergy and the Nige-

ria Labour Congress in Abia have warned clergymen and parents to be conscious of the source of wealth of their church members and children in other not to fall for blood money.

This advice came Friday from the Archbishop of Methodist Church, Umuahia Diocese, His Grace, Archbishop Chibuzor Raphael Opoko and the State Chairman, NLC, Abia, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe over the recent killing in Ozubulu, warning that the quest for money should not blindfold the church and parents.

According to Archbishop Chibuzor Raphael Opoko, “this also puts it on the door steps of us as clergymen for us to begin to question sometimes the source of income that we have in the church and the source of monies being used to erect churches and to do some works within the church.

“We need to begin to ask questions as clergymen and not just keep quiet.

“I am not condemning anybody but the fact remains that all the write-ups that are going on now, people condemning others, “I want to say, I call for restraint for irresponsible writing. Even for people who are abusing clergymen, they should also know that the bible says, “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm. I call for restraint”.

“And for us Bishops and other clergymen who were there, who receives some monies, some people, we should begin to ask questions, “What will Christ do if he was to be here? We will not say we will not open our doors for sinners to come in,

but however, we should not encourage when ill-gotten wealth is being flaunted, we should not to encourage it. In fact the church should totally reject it out rightly”.

While declaring the attack as condemnable no matter whatever is the motive, described it as a sacrilege that those people were massacred in the church.

However, reports from the government, he said, even the police show that it has to do with some people with issues to settle over business, stating that whatever is the situation or the case that is alleged to have been done by this people, the massacre of innocent people is condemnable.

“It is outrageous and condemnable for people from Igboland, trying to hype up the situation, trying to term the massacre issue of the north and south, or of religion”, he said and urged people to be careful on what they write on the internet and on newspapers as it is capable of unsettling the increasing tensions that already exist.

He advised the Anambra state government and the Security agencies to set up commission of inquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate cause of the killing, warning that people should open their eyes and be security conscious.

Aligning with him, is the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, while condemning the killing, said no responsible person or government would tolerate such actions.

Obigwe who had a chat with Daily Times in his office spoke against “a situation where we claim to be Christians and our heart is in darkness and where an individual has the affront to go to a church and kill sporadi-

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Adedayo Adeneye; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms. Aderenle Adesina; Head of Programmes, German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ), Mr. Sylvia Hoster; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga; Country Director, GIZ, Mr. Thomas Kirsch; Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi and State Coordinator, GIZ Programmes, Mr. Dada Stephen, during a courtesy call to the Ogun State Governor’s office, Abeokuta, Ogun State... recently.

Nigeria restructuring: Anambra elders support move John Ndu, Awka

ÎÎÎFederal

government has been charged to quickly intervene in the present condition of the country and embrace restructuring as a viable option to end various agitations by different regions.

This was contained in a communique, released after a closed door meeting of Anambra State Elders’ Advisory Council, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

The Communique produced after the five hours meeting was signed by fourhigh- powered personalities such as the former Secretary General, the Commonwealth, and the Chairman of the Council, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife

and the former Minister of Health, Dr Tim Menakaya.

Other creame-de-la-creame at the meeting include the First female Governor, in Nigeria and former Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba, the Former Chairman Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke, Anambra State Chairman Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Okeke Ogene, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rv Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, among other personalities as well as Traditional Rulers.

Reading the Communique on behalf of the Council, the Chairman Chief Anyaoku said the meeting was centered on the present state affairs in the country, Nigeria, including in particular, the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State come November 18th, 2017.

The Council observed that the incessant agitations by

different ethnic groups were as a result of unequal distribution of resources, where some region are being marginalized and relegated to the background.

According to him “We firmly believe that there is no part of this country that does not benefit holistically from belonging to one large Nigerian; we therefore see agitations currently for a Republic of Biafra and potentially for a Niger Delta Republic and an Oduduwa Republic as manifestations of strong grievances by the agitators.

In the case of Biafra induced by both perceived failure to heal the wounds of Civil War and continuing marginalization of the South East Zone by the Federal Government, and in the other two cases induced by a strong conviction that the present governance structure and performance of the Federal Government Constitute a great obstacle to

the development and self fulfilment of their people.”

The Council traced the problem of Nigeria to the long invasion of military, calling for a total paradigm shift from unitary structure to true federalism. “ The root cause of the under performance is the transformation of the country’s structure of governance from true federalism carefully negotiated and agreed in the 1960/63 Constitutions by the country’s founding fathers to the effectively unitary structure which arose from prolonged period of military intervention in the government of the country.

“There is urgent need for arresting this national drift through a restructuring of the country’s present governance architecture by returning to a true federalism based on fewer and more viable federating units.

Chibok Girls: 106 fully recovered, ready for reintegration

Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Minister of Women

Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Al’Hassan has said that the 106 of the returned abducted Chibok school girls are now fully recovered and ready for reintegration with their families and the larger society and go to school.

Senator Aisha in a press briefing with journalists on Friday said the federal government is focused on their health status, psychosocial well being, education and training as well as progress on their community reinte-

gration.

About 290 school girls were abducted in April 2014 from the Government Secondary school Chibok during the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Minister revealed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development with support from development partners especially the UN Women, UNFPA and UNICEF along with private sector companies and individual well wishers have worked in collaboration to successfully provide care and support for the girls.

“Note that initial 21 girls

were released in October last year, 82 in May 2017 and we received 3 girls who escaped captivity on their own, making a total of 106 girls received; all the 106 girls are now fully recovered, ready for reintegration with their families and the larger society and go back to school.

“Since the return of the girls, they have received top class medical care and are in good health; corrective surgeries were carried out in some cases and prosthetic limb provided for the girl that lost her leg during captivity.

The limb has arrived and the affected girl is receiving phys-

iotherapy classes on the use and care of the limb.

“Four babies that returned with the girls are also doing well and are under daycare supervision during the day to allow their mothers participate fully in the remedial classes and receive vocational training of their choice side by side with their peers”, she said.

Hajia Aisha revealed that the account of their prolong isolation while in captivity has been of paramount concern to this government hence the government made adequate provision for their welfare saying, “to date, education and livelihood op-

portunities of the girls since their return have been enhanced through remedial and tutorial sessions as well vocational skills training to make them not only academically sound but also possessing independent livelihood skills.

“I am happy to say that government gone all out to compensate these girls for the loss of regular schooling opportunity suffered.

Already, some of the girls who are now in the America University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola have made tremendous progress and are either in the last phase of the foundation

course or already enrolled for degree programs”, she revealed.

Quoting president Muhammadu Buhari while receiving the 21 released girls at the presidential villa in October 2016, “These girls have suffered the worst and now, it is time for them to get and enjoy the best”, Senator Aisha said, “I am therefore delighted that all the 106 girls will be resuming school in September, 2017 while the grandmothers of the babies will take over the babies care, to give all the girls opportunity for an uninterrupted education that is free of distraction”, she said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Politics

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Those seeking restructuring are confused about what they really want –Senator Wakili ≥≥P10

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Enugu LG Election: Group protests distortion of zoning arrangement by government ≥≥P12

Ekiti 2018: Face-off between Fayose and Olujimi, puts two lawmakers on firing line Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

The 2018 governorship ambition of some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has gotten two members of the State House of Assembly into trouble as some members of the Assembly loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose, have started investigating them for allegedly hobnobbing with the Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Mrs Biodun Olujimi.

The two lawmakers, Hons Michael Adedeji, representing Ekiti South West constituency II and Adeojo Fajana, representing Ekiti East constituency 1, were investigated by a disciplinary committee and found to be allegedly loyal to Olujimi , who has been having a cold war with Fayose over the 2018 governorship election.

The House also found the lawmakers guilty of alleged conversion of some public utilities like roads and boreholes sunk through the instrumentality of the federal lawmaker to personal use, in an attempt to compromise the legislators, which it said constituted gross misconduct.

The Assembly at a press conference in Ado Ekiti Thursday, described as sacrilege, Senator Olujimi’s alleged claim on social media that eleven members of the Assembly are loyal to her, saying the House is an institution that was too big and independent to be in her pocket.

Briefing the newsmen on the matter, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon Samuel Omotoso, said Hon Adedeji has been pardoned by the Assembly, having written apology letter to the Speaker, Hon Kola Oluwawole and for showing remorse for his action.

However, Senator Olujimi described the lawmakers’ action as a mere political calculation targeted at stopping her governorship ambition.

It has been rumoured that Governor Fayose had directed the Senator and the former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye to drop their ambitions for his preferred candidate.

Omotoso revealed that Hon Fajana is yet to appear before the panel and promised that his matter will be treated with utmost fairness anytime he appears.

Claiming that the action taken against the lawmakers were not personal but were corrective measures to protect the Assembly, Omotoso said there was nothing personal over the Assembly’s action.

“After investigation, it was dis-

FAYOSE

covered that truly, these honourable members have unholy alliances with Senator Olujimi. The alliance is not even the issue, but what it has brought to the people and the Assembly as an institution.

“We found out that the alliances with the Senator had made these lawmakers to consistently exhibit signs and acted disrespectfully to the office of the Speaker, thus bringing his office and integrity of the house to disrepute.

“We have seen in social media how

MRS BIODUN OLUJIMI

Senator Olujimi claimed that he is in control of this house, this is not so. The PDP organogram in Ekiti is very clear, Governor Fayose is our leader, no other leader anywhere,” he said.

Omotoso added that the Assembly as a product of the law has standing orders with which it regulates self and maintain discipline among the lawmakers, saying the House won’t overlook any member’s misconduct that is capable of plunging the Assembly into opprobrium.

“We are not bothered about Senator Olujimi because these actions are not personal but directed at maintaining decent and honourable conducts among our members,” he said.

Sen. Olujimi however said, “They are just hiding behind one finger. They are playing cheap and small boys politics, using worn out tricks. Let them try new tricks. It is because they know that I have ambition to be governor of Ekiti State that they are doing this.

“The road in question is for the Constituency and the member of the House being attacked is not even close to me.

It was the monarch of the town that picked the site. The project they are talking about now has been completed six months ago. So why are they coming out with the allegation now. Can you imagine that the so called letter of apology purportedly written by the lawmaker was in the Ekiti State House of Assembly letter head paper. They are already lying behind someone.

“They are only using the members to get at me. They should be courageous to face me and not use the members who are not even close to me.”

On the allegation of sponsoring violence, she said, “where are my sponsoring violence? They have asked people to lay ambush for me if I come to Ekiti.”

Obasa canvasses establishment of Cooperative College to boost Lagos economy Patrick Okohue Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has said that the establishment of Lagos State Cooperative College would further enhance economic progress of the state.

Obasa spoke at a Public Hearing on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Cooperative College and for Connected Matters organised by the House Committee on Commerce and Industry led by Hon. Oladele Adekanye.

The Speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Wasiu EshinlokunSanni, said that the bill, when passed into law, would afford cooperators with adequate skills for economic promotion.

Obasa said: “This bill is geared towards effective administration of cooperative societies and enhancing the economic progress of the state.

“If the bill is passed into law, it will ensure the qualitative training of cooperators who with their professional skills in turn promote the economic activities.

“The bill when passed into law also will empower the college to provide courses of instructions leading to the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates and other studies as prescribed by

the college.

“This bill, which seeks to give statutory backing to the Lagos State Cooperative College, will go a long way in the production of seasoned and well-trained cooperators to enhance the cooperative movement in the state.”

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the event, Adekanye said: “It (Bill) is meant to afford cooperators especially book keepers and the trustees the opportunity of getting better training.

“Hitherto, we have had cases of fraud

RT. HON. MUDASHIRU OBASA

and misunderstanding among cooperators.

“It is not in every occasion that we have this problem that we can trace it to people having the mind to defraud the cooperative societies.

“Sometimes, it has been happening because necessary trainings have not been given to them.

“Many of them do not have the wherewithal in terms of training that would enhance their knowledge and that would promote the economic interest of members of such cooperatives.

“We can’t take that for granted, apart from people who have the mind to defraud cooperative societies, there are some people that are genuinely not armed and fortified with the needed training and expertise.”

According to him, this bill will afford such people that have good intention ordinary but who are deficient in term of acquisition of necessary skills to get trained.

Adekanye said that the bill would afford Lagos State to rub shoulders above its counterparts in the South West region.

He said: “If I must say it, this is the only state that is left behind in terms of having this kind of college that is certified in the South West.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Those seeking restructuring are confused about what they really want –Senator Wakili Mallam Ali Wakili is the Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District at the red chamber of the National Assembly. In this interview with journalists in Bauchi, he bares his mind on the issue of local government autonomy, clamour for restructuring of the country, IPOB agitation for actaulisation of Biafra and the rift with Bauchi State governor and many others. SAMUEL LUKA was there. ****** You are one of the senators who were worried about the plight of the third tier of government, that is the local government. For some years now local government elections have not been conducted in Bauchi State and other states of the federation. What do you think is the cause of this?

If you look at the constitution amendment or alterations that we have proposed, we have said that the local governments should be made to function on their own.

All federal allocations meant for the local governments should go directly to the local governments and that as a democratic country there shouldn’t be any caretaker system and that this money can only be released to an elected local government council Chairmen.

We have created our own path from the National Assembly. The various states Assemblies and the people of the states, the challenge is now between them and their members of the state Assembly, either they concur and become alright or they throw it out and we are still in square zero.

You see we have said it, part of our problem in Bauchi State is part of the issue of this election.

When we were campaigning, we did promise that we were not going to operate the caretaker system, but unfortunately the bulk stops at the table of the governor and the state Assembly and in the wisdom of the governor he has decided to continue using the caretaker chairmen. And remember there is a subsisting court case.

Some citizens have gone to court to challenge this issue on this one, so let us not be prejudicial. *******Some Nigerians are calling for restructuring of the country. How would you react to the recent call by Arewa Youths that the Igbo in the North should leave the region by October 1st and how do you want this country to be restructured?

No, I don’t think the issue of restructuring is because of the so-called Arewa youths. You will remember since the annulment of June 12 election so many people have come up with so many lexicons, restructuring, true federalism, fiscal federalism, zoning and other things. As an individual I am always baffled. You know Nigerians we are always good in sending hypes when it suits us. Ordinarily we know the meaning of restructuring. When you want to restructure something you make it better. That is the aim of restructuring. In our own case, this restructuring, what do we mean by it? Do we want to go back to the pre colonial stage? Or do you want to go back to the colonial state?

Or do you go back to Independence Day? Or go to the military administration from 1966? I don’t know. When people are talking about fiscal federalism, when they are talking about true federalism, when they are talking about devolution of power,

OBIANO

all these things are restructuring. I don’t know what Nigerians want. Remember some of them that are the proponents are saying that let us go and restructure this country into six zones, some are saying that let us have an autonomous three regions and other things. What are we trying to move? When the world is trying to unite our own we are trying to bulkanise ourselves and if you even restructure this country the way some of the people are thinking there is no monolithic Yoruba, you are either an Ijebu man or an Ekiti man and other things. When you come to the North, somebody will tell you that he is a Middle Beltan, somebody will tell you he is a real Hausa Fulani man, somebody will tell you he is a Kanuri, somebody will tell you he is a Nupe man. What are you going to do with that one? Or somebody will tell you he is an Ebomina man from Kabba and other things. So how are you going to restructure this country? You go to the East, historians have said there is nothing like the word Igbo.

Even the Igbo people as of today you know are Republicans. Everybody cherishes his independence. It used to be from Arondizogu, or Aninri man or other things or Nnewi man. Today if you go to

the Anioma side they will tell you they are not real Igbo or if you go to Onitsha they will tell you they are not real Igbo.

So if you restructure this country are you going back to the obesian state where you go within your vicinity, where everybody wants to bring about his own supremacy and you decimate yourselves? I think what we need do as I continuously say is that we need equity within the Nigerian state. We are not looking for the equality. ********Don’t you think that our leaders especially the Igbo leaders and the National Assembly need to call Nnamdi Kanu to order because he is the main brain behind the agitation for Biafra?

No. I don’t think so. You see we have not reached that level. Nigeria is supposed to be a sovereign nation with set of rules and that each and every citizen as long as he believes in it as a citizen should be amendable to the rules. There are regulations that sometimes you don’t know what is happening to this country. This charlatan is on bail. He has a certain condition that he should not meet with more than 10 people at a time; he should not hold public rally, he should not use bombastic statements, yet he is going round those ones. What is the authority doing? Are

You will remember since the annulment of June 12 election so many people have come up with so many lexicons, restructuring, true federalism, fiscal federalism, zoning and other things. As an individual I am always baffled. You know Nigerians we are always good in sending hypes when it suits us. Ordinarily we know the meaning of restructuring.

When you want to restructure something you make it better. That is the aim of restructuring. In our own case, this restructuring, what do we mean by it?

they afraid of him or what? What are we showing?

The law needs to take its course. We need to be up and doing. ********What do you think should be done in Kanu’s case?

There are abundant laws. I have told you.

The man is on bail and the court has given condition. By his actions and inactions, have those conditions been breached? If it has been breached, I don’t need to call any word for you, the law needs to take its course. *******Still talking about restructuring, the recent proposed amendment by the National Assembly was faulted by some Nigerians because you were under fire, because some Nigerians believe some of the proposed amendments were for your own selfish interest, what is your take on this?

What selfish interest? You see even this issue of immunity, nobody is saying that because you are at the center you are immune to the law. What they are saying is that with legislative practice of the world over, with parliamentary practice the world over, whatever you say within the pretense of the chamber and at committee level nobody will hold you accountable for it. That is the only thing. But you know Nigerians, because of the issue of the immunity thing nobody wants to sit down and read it. You see the whole thing is that we are very impatient as a people. Sometimes you just read one word and you read meaning into it and you just don’t want to have the patience to read it through. This immunity we are talking about, we are not saying anybody should be immune from prosecution. No. What we are saying is that nobody should hold you for what you said within the precinct of chamber when the plenary or at the committee levels. That is what we are saying. ******Recently some Northern Elder rejected zoning, saying if President Buhari will not be able to contest another election in 2019, another Northerner would come in to succeed him, what is your take on this?

I am hearing that for the first time from you, but whatever some of the Northerners have to say, it has to be in conformity with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you can see even during the alterations of the constitution I have been very proactive, so that this issue of transition, if there is any eventuality, and at any rate which of the Northerners or any Nigerians is thinking bad that there will be catastrophe that somebody will not agree. Let us leave some of these things.

Let us continue to be good citizens. Let us continue to be compassionate as religious people. Let us have empathy for ourselves and our citizens. Let us not be thinking negatively every time. It has happened so many times in this country. When the acting National Chairman of the PDP was sick, people wrote him off. Today he succeeded, he became a senator and is still in the struggle for the Nigeria state with him.

Let us not be thinking negatively. I don’t think anything can happen that will warrant that kind of thing. I don’t even want to comment on that line, but what I know is that we have a constitution that if there are emergencies, the constitution takes care of it. ******There seem to be no end in sight on the crisis rocking APC in Bauchi State.

Recently during the last delegate meeting CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

in the state you weren’t invited by the state chapter of the party which claimed you have been suspended from the party. How would you react to this?

I have spoken to so many of you on this issue. First of all this is very sad, that we have allowed people who don’t even know what the constitution of the APC said on procedure for suspending anybody.

There is no record anywhere in the National Headquarters that I have been suspended. You may recall that out of selfishness, out of the fact that some people wanted to bring me down, after they have brought so many antics, after they said that I would be recalled and couldn’t do anything, after they said that I don’t like Buhari, it couldn’t fly, they said that I was over ambitious, it couldn’t fly, after they have come to incite religious crisis to say that I have left my purview of constitutional duties to become an errand boy of the Speaker. When all these kites didn’t fly they decided to call an illegality. People that are not even members, all of you are here. They have come to your press centre to address you. Two of them that were members of the exco in my ward came out to say they were misled. They apologised.

The chairman of the ward came out and denounced that it is just out of mischief.

You see I have told you that it is all about 2019. People are thinking that they want to play God. People are betrayals. It is the same people that I helped to assumed power at the state level, the governor that is behind this. Him and his errand boy, Uba Nana. The majority of the State Working Committee are not with them, but because they can do nothing. Look at the height of illegality. They came and replaced an elected deputy chairman, elected treasurer and elected state vice chairman, South. I don’t think any one of them has this party better at heart than I. And nobody is sending me away from this party. I have said it. I have spoken to the National Chairman. I have sent a letter to him. They are not even aware. The constitution is very clear that you cannot suspend an elected official let alone an elected senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is a rehearsal of what will happen and it is not only in Bauchi State.

Most of these governors have concluded the fact that they will shut some of us out in 2019, but they don’t have that capacity, because the situation has changed. You see if you shut me out, you will lose because people are going to vote individuals now, whatever hurricane people even within the hurricane they are going to make sure that they make the best of choice of the hurricane. So what you need to do rather than fight me, come and deliver dividends of democracy to the people so that you can be able to talk to them.

But as I am telling you, it’s unfortunate the way we are going inside this APC, not even the PDP have done this impunity within the first two years, the PDP waited for eight years before they started this impunity. We can’t start it. *******Did you make efforts to reconcile with the governor and the party?

11 Politics

Those seeking restructuring are confused about what they really want –Senator Wakili The National headquarters of the party has intervened. The Ngige committee is there. It has not submitted its report and they continue to do their impunity. I am sure even the Ngige report before they submitted their report had advised them on some of their illegality. They have advised them on how to go about it, but because they have this arrogance, they still don’t want to concour. *******The PDP with the recent victory at the Supreme Court is re-strategising to take power from your party, the APC in 2019. Is there any hope for the APC in Bauchi State in 2019 considering the lingering crisis rocking the party?

Leave the PDP out of it. The party to beat any where anytime in Bauchi State is the APC. But as long as the governor does not come out from his Olympia Heights, that is where we are going to have problem. I have told you times without number it is not the members of the National Assembly that are his problem. What we need to do is to go and reconcile with ordinary citizens that has feel alienated. You see in politics most especially in a rural state like Bauchi State there are some segments that are the power base of anybody who wants to win election. The ordinary citizens are there, the religious clerics are there. The traders and the artisans are there. The civil servants are there. You have alienated them all. You have gotten so much amount of money. The pensioners are there. Just go through the Central Market to Ran road. It is there on the Social Media.

The so-called road has already started crumbling. So the governor needs to come down from his Olympian height. I hope he use this opportunity that he has dissolved his cabinet to ensure that the issue of inclusiveness that some of us complained about is addressed. That core party men are brought, not latter day party men that fought us to the last day and are being speculated because they have the capacity for mischief that they are being brought on board. If he does that the chances are foreclosed for him. *******Two years have gone now. What would you say has been your major contribution as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

Let me use the parable of the Igbo people, they say when the Agama lizard falls from a tree and nobody claps for it, it nods its head by clapping for itself. Without being arrogant and with all humility and appreciation to the creator I would say there is never a time that Bauchi South had the best representation in the National Assembly as when Mallam Ali Wakili became a senator.

We have continuously been engaged within the chambers, speak our mind, to give an effective representation that nobody can deny, not even Barrister Mohammed Abubakar can deny, not even Uba Ahmed Nana can deny, not to talk about

You see if you shut me out, you will lose because people are going to vote individuals now, whatever hurricane people even within the hurricane they are going to make sure that they make the best of choice of the hurricane. So what you need to do rather than fight me, come and deliver dividends of democracy to the people so that you can be able to talk to them. But as I am telling you, it’s unfortunate the way we are going inside this APC, not even the PDP have done this impunity within the first two years, the PDP waited for eight years before they started this impunity.

the ordinary person across the globe, everybody will want to see the senator of Bauchi South speaking. We have talked about issues affecting our people in terms of peace and stability. We didn’t shy away when we were talking about the issue of the Fulani herdsmen, we didn’t shy away when we talked about the issue of religious pilgrimage which we felt was too exorbitant, we did’t feel shy away when we were talking about the insurgency in the North East or the kidnappings and other things. We were there when we were the harbingers of the North East Development Commission. Even though I am averse to the issue of saying how many bills have you sponsored, at least we have sponsored so many bills.

We are part of those that sponsored the North East Development Commission Bill, we have the Federal Polytechnic Act, we have the Customs and Excise Repeal and Reenactment Act, we have the Federal Hospitals Bill, we have Customs Pensions and other things and we participates in all the robust debates. That is our core duty as legislators and representatives. We have touched the lives of the people. You go to Lere, you go to Zango, go to Nabordo, you go to Shongo, you will see clinics that we have built. You go to Kandahar here in Bauchi or you go to Mangoro here in Bauchi or you go to Dandurin Toro, or you go to Malari in Alkaleri, or you come to about 12 wards here in Bauchi Local Government Area, the quantum of water we have sank and built for the people is there to see clearly. We have ensured that to reduce the poverty level we have sank irrigation equipment to our various constituency, we have availed them with fertilisers, we have ensured that teachers that are the back bone of the society are given training and retraining. The National Teachers Institute Kaduna trained 100 teachers for us. We want to ensure that we teach our youths how to catch fish. Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria has trained 50 people on welding for us.

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in conjunction with the Professor Iya Abubakar Community Resource Centre has trained for 12 calender weeks 50 youths for us that will learn about Information and Communication Technology, video editing, computer repairs and other things. These two sets would soon graduate.

We are going to equip them with the various tools that they are going to start on their own with. We have tried to empower the people because ours is an agrarian society. My wife started by experimenting, where they gave N10,000 to about 200 women. When it was successful, I took a cue from them. We have done it in Tafawa Balewa, we have done it in Alkaleri, the other local governments will follow suit.

You have witnessed my sharing of mobile laboratories. We are in scientific age and we need to prepare our children to compete internationally and externally and since we are in a technological era we can’t do that without them having access to these instruments and we have shared to over 33 schools that have yielded dividends. We have tried to ensure that those of them that have helped us in APC, we have prepared them. We have empowered some of them with motor vehicles that can help them sustain their lives, with motorcycles, with and with tricycles. So you can see that, we have shared block engines, molding machines so that people can be on their own.

OBIANO

There are so many things we have shared and we can beat our chest even before God and say we have achieved our mandate and that we are fulfilled and that whosoever is coming after us whether in eight years, or in 10 years or in four years will have a greater challenge. ******Do you have any regret or feel threatened?

I don’t think there is any formidable contender. Is it the one that the government is propping, who is a member of the National Assembly? That nobody has ever seen him contributing on the floor? Or is it the Yotai that is deceiving him, that will tell you that they are the backbone in the Buhari Campaign Organisation or are those politicians that will come in four years to put their posters? I tell you we are on the ground. That is why each and every time we are here to have continuous community engagement, that is why even those of them in authority in the state feel threatened by us because of our continuous stay with the people. We have not ran away. They can’t accuse us unlike those politicians that you hardly see. Every week we are here to inform the people and to have engagement with them and to mix with them to know there problems. So I am fully on ground and I don’t feel threatened.

You remember that it is only one thing now they have said from the government circle that I am not interested. Only the presidency. They have told you that I want to be the vice president. They have told you that I want to be the governor. All these things are about 2019 so why would I be bothered? The fact that I am the phenomena now in the politics, I should be able to thank God. *******Many people are wondering that you are one of the figures among those people challenging the governor in the state, why?

Nobody is fighting with the governor but I have told you before, if you have forgotten, let me recap, it’s because they are jittery, because of their non performance and they think that because we were the ladder that they used to come into governance and because of that jittery, that by 2019 if we said we are the kingmakers, we will want to become the king that is why they are jittery.

12 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Enugu LG Election: Group protests distortion of zoning arrangement Moses Oyediran, Enugu Protests have continued to trail alleged distortion of zoning arrangements for the forthcoming local government council election in the various councils in Enugu State.

The Igbo-Eze South West Forum in Igbo-Eze Local Government Area of the state stormed the office of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi protesting the alleged distortion of the rotational policy in place by the state government.

The forum in an open letter handed over to the governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the event also applauded the giant strides of the governor.

The letter titled ‘A passionate Appeal from Igbo-Eze South West’ was signed by the chairman, Mr. Johnson Eze. Eze said that the membership of the forum was drawn from eight wards in Ibagwa-Aka, Itchi, Nkalagu-Obukpa, Unadu and Alor-Agu. He appealed to the state government to respect the established zoning principle in the election for chairmanship position of the council to avoid unnecessary tension and instability in the area.

He said that the government had prior to the announcement of the conduct of the local government election assured the Igbo-Eze South West section of the area of producing the next elected council chairman.

Eze said that they were worried over rumours from party chieftains that the government had endorsed the incum-

GOVERNOR UGWUANYI

bent caretaker chairmen to run at the Nov. 3 council poll in the state.

“This action will distort the zoning arrangement in the area and will place us out of the chairmanship position for eight years as Igbo-Eze South East have held chairmanship position from 2012 to date.

“We should be allowed to take our turn in the interest of fairness and equity. This appeal is anchored on the fact

that Your Excellency is also a product of zoning in Enugu State,” he said.

Eze said that the forum was impressed with the performance of the governor in the last two years of his administration and had endorsed him for a second term in office.

Responding, Ugwuanyi assured that his administration would respect the zoning policy in areas it existed and urged them to consult the stakeholders in their area.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Political Matters, Mr. Emeka Mmadu has assured the people that the state government will not impose any candidate in the Nov 4 Local Government election in the state.

Mmadu said this while briefing newsmen amidst growing tension amongst the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful and other interest groups in the state.

It would be recalled that protests are ongoing from some local government areas over alleged attempt to endorse incumbent caretaker committee chairmen as PDP candidates in the election.

However, Mmadu said that the state government would have no hand in such arrangement.

He said that PDP stakeholders in the various councils would rather meet to agree on the best candidate to present as the party’s flag bearer.

“It is the stakeholders that will determine who represents them. The government will not interfere,” he said.

Plateau Assembly wants INEC to extend voters registration Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

The Plateau State House of Assembly has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend voters registration down to wards rather than having it done only at the INEC offices situated at local government councils.

The appeal came in a notice of motion on a call to INEC to also sensitise the citizens of Plateau State on the ongoing voter’s card registration exercise.

The mover of the motion and member Representing Jos South constituency in the state Assembly, Hon. Nyam Dareng while reading the body of the motion said, “the main function of Information and Technology Department of any given organisation is to avail the public with information that will eliminate ignorance and its attendant effects, thus imparting knowledge and awareness.

“The importance of the ongoing voters registration exercise cannot be over emphasised because a large percentage of the populace, especially in the rural areas are not educated enough to know it’s civil rights and responsibilities as credible citizens to register and obtain their voters card.

“Rural dwellers are unaware of the fact that without a voters card one cannot participate in choosing who to represent or govern them; It is therefore important to sensitise them on the need

to register and obtain the voters card in order to exercise their franchise as well as educate them on the danger of selling their cards or votes during elections,” he said.

However, other House members observed that making the local government headquarters as the only centre for the registration will discourage eli-

gible voters that reside in the interior to come out to perform their civic duties, adding that the National Orientation Agency in the state should do well by also sensitising the people on the need to obtain their voters card especially paying more attention to rural dwellers and ensuring that information is well disseminated to them.

Lawmaker appeals for calm, understanding over ASUU-FG face-off Patrick Okohue The member representing Epe Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade has appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to show understanding with the Federal Government and return to work.

Olulade, however commended the Federal Government for admitting that it failed to meet its part of the agreement reached with ASUU last year.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had on Wednesday admitted that the Federal Government failed to meet its part of an agreement reached with

ASUU in 2016, which led to the ongoing industrial action by the union.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, said that for the Federal Government to have admitted fault, is a pointer to the fact that the government has the interest of the union at heart.

While urging the union to suspend its ongoing strike in the universities in the interest of the nation, Olulade stated that its services are not only to the government but majorly to students as well.

He said: “Many of us who are in high places today including those in government would not have been here if not for the effort of these ASUU

HON. OLULADE

members. We passed through their tutelage and that is why we are here today.

“So their roles and importance cannot be overemphasized, however, they need to consider the students because if they keep sitting at home, it will be easier for them to get engaged in various social vices.

Abubakar Kuki’s recall: Petitioners write INEC to withdraw petition

MAHMOOD-YAKUBU

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not take any action on the petition demanding the recall of Mr Abubakar Kuki, a member of Kano State House of Assembly.

This much was made known by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Adedeji Soyebi, in a statement issued in Abuja.

On Monday, the commission announced the receipt of a petition demanding the recall of Kuki, who represents Bebeji constituency.

The petition which the commission says was received on Friday last week was written by voters from the lawmaker’s constituency.

Soyebi said INEC took the decision not to take action on the petition following a letter received from the petitioners demanding withdrawal of the petition.

“Further to the press statement issued on Monday, Aug. 14 on the above, the petitioners through their representatives who presented the petition have written to the commission to withdraw same.

“Accordingly, the commission will take no further action on the matter, the petition having been withdrawn,’’ Soyebi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC in accordance with its guidelines for recall had acknowledged receipt of the petition to the petitioners’ representatives.

The commission had also written to inform the affected lawmaker about the petition and promised to release timetable on his recall.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Satruday, August 19, 2017

s

Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

Puzzle on single regulator for FTZs

R

ecent counsel by the World Bank for a single regulator to oversee the operations of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in the country has added new vista to the issue of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

Senior Operations Officer, Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, Craig Raymond Giesze, said the bank always advised countries seeking to attract investments into their economies through their free zones to always adopt the single regulatory authority regime.

A free trade zone is a geographical area designated by law, where financial regulations applicable in the Customs area are suspended for licensed operators, that enjoy special incentives, like exemptions from all federal, state and local government taxes as well as export/import duties. These incentives translate into huge financial benefits for the companies.

In this zone, every equipment brought into the zone does not attract import duty. Export duty will only apply where finished goods move into the Customs territory. If value addition exists in what is brought into the Zone and the product’s state is altered, resulting in the creation of employment, there is a 75 per cent rebate.

The Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, and was established in 1992 following the enactment of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act 63, of 1992 to promote and facilitate local and international investments into licensed Free Zones in Nigeria.

Four years later after the creation of NEPZA, the authorities recognised the need to enact another Act to create a different authority to oversee the oil and gas free trade zones. For Nigeria, it was only proper to have a base that would support the oil and gas industry, being the mainstay of the country’s economy.

Since then, Free zones have moved from the initial stage of export pro-

Publisher/Editor in Chief Group Managing Director Noel Anosike Publishing Executive Enyinne Onwunwanne Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224 Head, Operations Isaiah Udo 08033230673

cessing to economic zones for specialised activities. Nigeria zoomed ahead of other countries when Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFZ) Onne was established by Act No.8 of 1996, to focus on oil and gas industry.

The Free Zone scheme was set up to strategically improve the investment climate by stimulating export oriented business activities through strengthening strategic national economic policies, streamlining administrative approval processes and providing a one-stop-shop service for businesses both within and outside Nigeria.

The companies also have the benefit of a special process of issuing immigration visas.

Since creation, Onne Port has the largest cargo throughput among all the ports in Nigeria. This confirms the fact that the decision to establish specialised, dedicated zones for oil and gas operations has been a huge success.

The Onne Zone started as logistics base to support oil and gas companies’ operations. Now it has companies doing more than just logistics. The Zone is a concentration of companies offering services relating to oil and gas industry operations.

Available records show that the Onne OGFZ has recorded remarkable success under the supervision of OGFZA since it began regulatory control in 2000.

From inception of the Zone, the OGFZA licensed over 200 companies to operate in the Zone, including reputable international energy companies representing 45 nationalities.

The attraction of these companies into the Zone with investment portfolio of about $20 billion has brought about an increase in investment inflow into Nigeria and created over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

There has also been transfer of skills to Nigerians through manpower training.

The Zone enjoys an unequalled strategic position in West Africa and is the ideal location from which to establish a distribution hub to service Oil and Gas projects in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan Africa.

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More info: www.dailytimes.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

L-R: Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the reception organised in honour of late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki in Benin City, on Friday.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and Governor, Rauf Aregbesola , during the visit of Sharon Ikeazor to the Government House, Osun State …recently.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) in a handshake with General Overseer, Worldwide Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, during a courtesy visit to the President at the Abuja House London… on Friday.

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STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Muhammad Ali

Kanayo O Kanayo

Nelson Mandela

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

“You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.”

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

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

President Buhari’s ailment puts Nigeria in suspended animation

T

Willy Bozimo

here is some uncanny mind game playing out with the ailment of President Buhari, who supported by his Oligarchic funders and operators do not want to lose their grip on power again like it happened during the late President Yardua’s era when power slipped from their grip into the waiting hands of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a Southern minority from the oil and gas belt of the Niger Delta.

After the first trip he made to the London hospital when he spent some forty days, his presidential assignment was disrupted once again when he left on another trip on May 7, 2017 for an extended trip and for almost over 100 days, and still counting, several delegations of ministers and governors went on a voyage to see their President.

On their return from seeing their President, they all came back with varying tales of good and bad news.

Some told Nigerians , the President is hale and hearty and recovering fast.

Others were more optimistic that the Mr. President would return in two weeks, according to Imo State Governor, Owelle Okorocha .

For the APC party chairman it is only the President who can determine when he would return .

The narrative is changing by the weeks and months, and it is becoming obvious to all that there must be something the politicians are not telling us about the true status of the ailment or that it is all a part of the grand design to delay his return to the country and enthrench what many observers seem persuaded that the acting President

does not really have the right kind of atmosphere and executive powers to run the country in these uncertain and seemingly volatile times, with many voices calling for republics of every description- from Arewa, through Biafra, Niger Delta, Oduduwa and Middle Belt extractions.

Nobody should underrate the politically cunning average Northerner, who had from the beginning of the Independence of the country in October 1st, 1960 political power was entrusted into their hands with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first and only Prime Minister Nigeria ever had until the coup of January 1966 when he was killed along with other prominent politicians like the Sardauna of Sokoto, Premier of the Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello, Festus Okotie Eboh, the colourful and flambouyant Minister of Finance and SL Akintola, Premier of the Western Region amongst others.

The scenario is simple. Let us keep a lame duck President Yemi Osibanajo on seat where he may not be able to either dissolve the Federal Executive Council as when he likes and could not come out with the probe the acting President did on the former SGF and the NIA DG over some foreign currencies discovered in a chalet somewhere in Ikoyi. Such damning reports if released could cause or create a credibility deficit in the entire war on corruption by the Buhari administration.

It makes sense therefore for the administrstion to leave all Nigerians in a permanent state of suspended animation, where the country cannot advance forward or

backwards but static for self- serving political reasons not to allow power slip into the hands of the Oduduwa son, whose ethnic group is equally routing for a Republic for his people- the Yorubas.

Does this sound Machiavellian by any stretch of our collective imaginations .

You can now decipher why President Buhari’s continued medical holiday is taking care of the entire gamut of power play currently driven underground by those who love and know how to corner power by hook or crook and keep it permanently under their control until they are ready to unleash the next game plan for 2019 general elections.

Two scenarios are possible in the interim as the President had said he would resign when he is convinced that the illness has become incurable , beyond medical science and spiritual methods via prayers,especially, from the Anglican Bishop of Britain who had paid President Buhari two solidarity and get well visitations in London.

Nigeria for all practical purposes has become a political pun in the hands of players in the diaspora, who feel their erstwhile Colonial interests are not unbundled completely.

The British and the Oligarchic North have one mind to keep Nigeria as divided as possible and slow down its progressive movement to higher levels in science and technology and the march toward democratic excellence within the African Continent.

It is an irony of fate for Nigerians to think along only in the sharing of

political power between the North and the South in rotation, and never between the West and the East in self-same power sharing arrangements.

The reason is simple. While the Northern region had become so ossified in their mental makeup as one as opposed to the South which had clear dividing lines of two major blocks – Igbos and the Yorubas, with a sprinkling of minority groups trying hard to find for themselves, subordinate roles as placement for vice presidents or mere coordinators of the polity.

The Yemi Osinbajo unreal and bizarre presidency, holding forte for president Buhari is a scam ever designed by Nigerians for the many who believe it is now their turn to keep the Presidency within their fold for the rest of the country.

Yemi Osinbajo’s eloquence and pacific tones when dealing with the Niger Delta issues are nothing but a veneer for entrenching Oligrachic ideologies to keep the people down, deprive them of their resources permanently and acting like a soothing balm against the seemingly aggressive militant avengers who have often called for a split of the country into five Republics under the firmament of Nigeria.

The idea of five Republics is rather spooky and unclear in practical terms as details had not been worked out.

Who will head the republics and what will the leaders be called?

Will they have figure head President with power firmly in the hands of Prime Ministers?

Electric cars and twilight of petrol-driven economy

N

Olukayode Oyeleye

ews about the emergence and ascendancy of electric cars should typically elicit thrills and ecstasy, mainly for its evident novelty and universal benefits on which everyone everywhere seems to have reached a consensus.

There will be losers as well as winners in the unfolding realities. Although it may be too early to say who all the beneficiaries would be and the ramifications of the benefits, the likely losers are clear from the outset and the magnitudes of their losses might begin to manifest sooner than they could predict, however much their optimism and denials fly in the face of forthcoming realities.

To be sure, this disruptive technology, like any other, should leave no one in doubt about the direction the global economy is inclining. Considered for, or in spite of all the good things it promises, the electric car is a great reason to be apprehensive for some economic blocs, particularly as it marks the twilight for an economy that has thrived on the incumbent auto-technology – the internal combustion engine which is oil-dependent. This is more unsettling because the losers with no buffering or exit plan might enter a phase of unprec-

edented economic turmoil.

Enough warning signs have lined up all the way through the years, dating back to nearly a decade anda-half, about the imminent shift in emphasis from petroleum. The oil shock that followed the oil embargo of 1973 was a watershed, triggering great opportunities for innovation, although the shift took well over 30 years before becoming so obvious.

The world leaders in technology began work on possible alternatives for a long while. The innovative opportunities have spawned a number of new products which have undergone tests and found good markets prospects.

The shift in attention towards ethanol from corn and sugarcane from the US and Brazil respectively was strategic. For Brazil, in particular, the move was instructive in the sense of diversification of economic base through agriculture despite a burgeoning Petrobras, Brazil’s multinational oil conglomerate.

With this tell-tale progress, the era of ethanol as part-replacement for petroleum in automobiles was born.

If that was not enough to send any clear signal to oil-dependent economies, the US-led exploration for shale oil began. All told, unmistakable signs emerged that developed nations of the world, where automobile has become a second nature, might be in for a long haul in their quest for alternatives to petroleum. The growing presence

of hydrogen fuel cell cars, despite some strident criticisms on cost effectiveness, needs some keen introspection. As technologies undergo improvements and rise in efficiencies over time, it is a big folly to ignore its place in the unfolding disruption of the status quo in the auto industry.

Just when the hydrogen fuel cell appeared to be the ultimate, a companion innovation of hybrid car came on board, all still pointing away from total dependence on gasoline, even if sparingly. A total departure from petroleum-driven automobile is the electric car, increasingly popular for its greater environmental benefits over hydrogen fuel cell-powered, hybrid or ethanol-compliant cars. The stage is now set for a shift in the centre of gravity from pollution-ridden, combustion engine-powered car to the environmentally friendly electric car. With this also is a concomitant shift of the centre of gravity of the global economy away from carteldominated petroleum-based economies to those producing successor technologies and other allied products.

The march of the auto-industry towards zero-emission over the next two to three decades may be gradual or rapid, but not reversible.

This will revalidate the relevance of Nikolai Kondratieff ’s postulation of the long wave of technology that was popular sometimes in the last

century, first in Europe and later in the US. By the way, the petroleum economy, as it turns out, fits into Kondratieff ’s boom and bust cycles as the petrol-dependent economies – after a long period of peak – are now set for a decline into the trough of the long wave.

The assumptions of Kondratieff, the martyr-economist, find expression in the auto industry as well as petrol economy. The implication for the African continent can be enormous as a dampening of the continent’s economy might find a positive correlation with a waning oil economy, as Libya, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana – all combined – suffer untold economic setback. This will affect investment in infrastructure, lead to rising cases of civil unrest, exacerbate emigration as refugees, increase government’s cutback on welfare, food insecurity, poor healthcare funding and, very likely poor education funding.

Poverty rate might rise beyond imagination. Electricity supply might become more unreliable, further putting Africa at a greater disadvantage on the charging and running electric cars, since petrol filling stations will be replaced with electric car-charging stations. The gas-powered systems for electricity supply might provide a little succour, but to a debatable extent for now.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Times columnist 15

Buhari: ‘The corpse that defies interment’

T Mohammed Adamu

On Saturday

‘

APC’s Buhari, to my mind, is now ‘the prickly little reed’ in the Hausa adage which the PDP, to its own eternal peril, has arrogantly disdained.

Buhari has thus ‘become the troubling speck in the watery eye’ of an un-heeding incumbency. In fact he has also become the ‘Igi gangaran’ (‘crookedly-hanging object) in the Yoruba riddle which the PDP, over the years, has made a very poor job of ‘dodging’.

his is a slightly re-jigged version of a piece I wrote exactly four days to the 2015 presidential election. It was on the fate of two people; a tenacious challenger, Buhari and a timorous incumbent Jonathan. Buhari’s health had been made central to the campaigns of the PDP. No thanks to the metaphysics of Femi Fani Kayode and Ayo Fayose. Buhari was so allegedly terminally ill, his traducers said he would not make it to election day. But he did.

Or virtually so. Because it was now four days to election. And it was the reason I titled that piece ‘Buhari: Four days to Armageddon’. But four days was more than enough in the realm of metaphysics to decide matters of life and death. Virtually three years after, Buhari’s health is still the issue.

He was to die before the election, he didn’t.

He was not to make it to swearing in, he did.

Twice or so after he had come to office, he was hastily ‘killed’ by his impatient traducers.

Twice again he rose from the dead. I thought that it will be auspicious now, that you read that piece ‘Four days to armageddon’ under a new title Gawa Ta Qi Rami (which in Hausa is ‘The corpse that defies internment’) The deed is done In burst of physical size he is nothing near any blossoming shrub of the desert let alone a towering tree in our evergreen political ecosystem. But in courage and constancy; in honesty and humility and in the observance of duty and strict discipline, General Muhammadu Buhari easily outsizes even the gigantic baobab tree of the dry Savannahs.

In fact baring his apparent height, Buhari’s lanky, languid Fulani frame seems to mock at the very essence of what an intimidating physical human stature should be. His height alone should have been intimidating enough, but for these three natures: first his lean body, second, a comportment that seems to fight the natural overbearingness of his great persona, and thirdly a demeanor he has which is always lit with the humblest of smiles. These three may have combined to create in Buhari a uniquely self-effacing nature which seldom let even his towering height leap above the chosen measure of his modesty.

And for resilience the Daura-born presidential candidate of the APC evoked the attributes even of a far smaller deciduous shrub, namely the ‘moringa plant’ –one of science’s recent multi-healing discoveries and perhaps pharmacology’s candidate-elixir for the many sicknesses of man. Moringa is a stem plant that has a unique capacity to survive both the assail of harsh, dry weather and the self-serving daily plucking of herbs-dependent man.

Jonathan and PDP have made the political Buhari a veritable ‘moringa plant’ of the Hausa man’s praise especially when, in gratitude to the many uses of this rare botanical gift of the Savannahs, the Hausas often sing: ‘zogalegandi na mai gari, ana saranka kana tsaye’; meaning: ‘amazing moringa, the King’s delight, the more that you are defoliated, the further that you bloom’.

Or better still, General Buhari has proved himself an even tougher botanical weed, namely the ‘chamomile’, -a stubborn carpet grass- which “the more it is trodden upon” Shakespeare wrote, “the faster it grows”.

Buhari Thrice they had ridden roughshod over him; thrice he had risen again –proving yet the Shakespearean adage that “wise men do not sit to bewail their losses but rather cheerfully rise to redress their harm”.

The Hausas say that ‘dan hakin da ka raina, shi zai tsone ma ido’: meaning: ‘the prickly little reed that is disdained may soon become the troubling speck in the eye of the disdainer.’ And the Yorubas have a similar one; which they put in the form of a riddle requiring an answer. Literally it begins with an allegorical address to a ‘crookedly-hanging object’: Igi gangaran ma gunmi loju: meaning ‘thou crookedly-hanging object, hurt not mine eye’! And then the one who solves the riddle answers: ‘okere latinwo’, meaning ‘it behooves the passer-by to be wary in order to avoid being harmed’. But either for the fun of it or may be for want of dialectical depth, the urban, especially Lagos Yorubas are famed instead for answering the riddle with the Yorubanised English: ‘wa dodge-ye.’ Meaning ‘you have to dodge it’ -the crookedly-hanging object that is.

APC’s Buhari, to my mind, is now ‘the prickly little reed’ in the Hausa adage which the PDP, to its own eternal peril, has arrogantly disdained. Buhari has thus ‘become the troubling speck in the watery eye’ of an un-heeding incumbency. In fact he has also become the ‘Igi gangaran’ (‘crookedly-hanging object) in the Yoruba riddle which the PDP, over the years, has made a very poor job of ‘dodging’.

Pride goeth before a fall They had laughed at his losses and they bemoaned his gains. They scorned his feats and they derided his foibles. And his frailties they raised to the height of unspeakable sin. They dug his excellent past and they incitingly perverted it! They laced his military antecedent with an ill foreboding brush of divisive falsehood. They are so cruel they celebrated his most harrowing bereavements -mocking at the spirit of his late sickle-celled anemic daughter and carving lurid conjectures on the grave of his late divorced spouse. These people are ravenous hyenas of our political barren playing field. All is flesh and bones that come to their greedy jaws. They said that at 72 he was too old to be President; and you

wonder ‘what happens to the democratic right of the people to decide whether to be properly governed by an octogenarian or to be misgoverned by the extravagant energies of decadent youth?’

Then they said that he was sick. And you wonder: ‘who is not sick aside he that is not yet born’? And who by the way is healthy?

“Everyone who is born” Susan Sontag said “holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the ‘well’ and in the kingdom of the ‘sick’”. But they insisted that he was not just sick, he was dead-sick; grave-sick. That he was ‘cancerous’. And for that they cooked up a medical report. He couldn’t last the campaigns they said; he hadn’t the strength to withstand such rigour. And since he was a dead man walking, food soon for the maggots. Why should Nigerians waste their votes on such a candidate?

And if you thought that the determination of ‘soon’ was the prerogative only of the gods, then you are ignorant of the demi-god powers of the anointed auxiliaries of God themselves -namely Fayose and Fani Kayode. He is brain dead they said, remember? And do not forget also they have said that he is in the race not be President, but so that he would make his ‘godfather’, Tinubu President. They said that when he wins -if he wins- he would ask his Vice Osinbajo to resign; and he will then nominate Tinubu as Vice President; and like the salmon fish in its circle of self-immolation, Buhari will then go lie in his death-bed, do a few kicks, gasp for breath, and die.

Then Tinubu ‘the Don’ will now ascend the throne and be President. So, if Buhari can be a co-conspirator in a tragi-comic political melodrama in which he is to die to pave the way for another, Buhari can as well oblige a request from any of the PDP goons to do them a favor and ‘DROP DEAD!’ That should skip all the melodrama.

By the way they also said that he was uncertificated; that he never went to school; not any! Neither primary nor secondary school; and that all the courses and trainings he underwent from his enlistment into the Nigerian Army up to becoming a General weren’t worth even a kindergarten experience. He was thus not qualified to contest the Presidential election. As a matter of fact, since in the realm of law you cannot put something on nothing, the absence of foundation certificates in Buhari’s academic claim, meant that his entire life-time military career was null and void. So now you shouldn’t even call him a ‘General’! He is simply ‘Mallam’ Muhammadu Buhari. And thus having been a serial ‘impostor’ who made it to the peak of the Nigerian Army without as little as a primary school certificate, he should be arrested, tried and jailed! He should then be made to cough out every nickel he took in his entire ‘fake’ life-time in military career.

There is no trick in the books they have not tried; there is no red herring they have not thrown; all to no avail. They said he was a Muslim fundamentalist. As if being a fundamentalist of a creed is a vice and not a virtue.

And yet they would not admit that Jonathan, the ‘believer President’ is more than a fundamentalist. He is an extremist. Yet in Jonathan’s hypocritical flaunt of religion to meet a political end, these bigoted supporters of PDP claimed they saw ‘virtue’; but in Buhari’s sincere moderation of his personal life in accordance with his faith, they said they saw ‘vice’.

‘

16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

17

Crime

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

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18

How Customs intercepted FUNNAB bus with 211 parcels of Indian hemp Men of the Nigerian Customs Service, Ogun State Command have intercepted a bus belonging to the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNNAB) loaded with Parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

It was gathered that when the driver of the vehicle whose name was given as Abolade Bolaji had smuggled the items through Imeko a border town in the state was stopped by men of the NCS, he alleged he had only bags of rice which he was conveying down to FUNNAB. Not satisfied with his explanation, the NCS officials had insisted on conducting a thorough search on the vehicle where they found the parcels buried under the bags of rice. Upon opening it, it was found to be cannabis. at The Comptroller of the Service, Ogun State Command, Sani Madugu, who disclosed the

seizure to journalists in Abeokuta said there were 211 parcels of cannabis which was made to fit Bible size.

At the press briefing where the seized substances were handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in the state, Mr. Madugu said, “the patrol team of Customs intercepted the vehicle and apprehended the driver of the coaster bus with registration number FUNNAB 50 B-100 FG, alongside 211 parcels of cannabis. “ The suspect was caught while conveying the illegal drugs into the country. He had concealed the parceled cannabis under bags of rice he was transporting, But after a search by the Customs officials, the Indian hemp, neatly wrapped, were discovered.”

While receiving the suspect and exhibits, the NDLEA boss for the state Bala Fagge, commended the Customs for a job

M d ƇƇƈƅƆƏ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ ƆƈƖƆƗ ƍ ƏƅƆƋ Ƈ 9 Ɨƈ 6Ɔƌƍ Ɨƈ Ƒƈ ƆƗ Ɛ Ɔ 6 Ƌƕ ƈƄƋƆê

well done.

He stated that the cannabis was now being cultivated in neighbouring countries adding that the haul seized from the suspect weighed 295.4kg.

Meanwhile, the University

in a statement issued on the incident has said it would not in any way interfere with the ongoing investigation into the matter.

The statement reads, “As a responsible and law-abiding or-

ganisation, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is committed to upholding all statutory enactments guiding its establishment, subsisting legislation in Ogun State and the nation in general. This uncompromising and non-negotiable stance had always and severally been hammered to bonafide members of staff and students of the University,” The institution has also assured that It would carry out an independent investigation into the matter.

“Already, the University has put the necessary machinery in place, to carry out proper investigations, to ascertain what actually transpired on the said date on one hand, while law enforcement agents, on the other hand, would be allowed and supported to perform their statutory duties in the overall interest of all citizens.”

Man who survived attack by rampaging terrorists cries out Andrew Chiugo, a father of two, along with his family, are alive today save for the special grace of God. Chiugo, his wife and two toddlers, narrowly escaped death recently when his stall was allegedly attacked by suspected thieving members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists at a market in Magumeri, in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

Months after, the terrorists have declared Chiugo and his family wanted as his their lives are no longer safe not only in Borno State, but in the entire country, despite a humiliating attack on his stall.

Looking gaunt and povertystricken, Chiugo, 36-year-old from Nenwe, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, who deals in foodstuffs of various kinds, at the market, was among the traders said to have been affected when suspected terrorists swooped on the market. He also claimed to identify

four of the terrorists as his customers introduced to him by a resident of the community months before the incident.

Apparently, his identification of some of the terrorists is hunting him now as Chiugo is said to be on the wanted list of the terrorists, who already declared that no part of the North was suitable for him any longer until they sniff life out of him.

In the attack, Chiugo reportedly lost virtually all his wares worth N11.3 million to the thieving terrorists. It was said that other traders in the market also lost their wares in the attack, while about two traders were killed in the attack.

Narrating his ordeal to reporters recently, Chiugo, who used to work as a construction worker before he took to trading, claimed he was the breadwinner of his extended family, begins his gory tale thus: “I have been trading at Magumeri for the past three years without any problem. I used to go the

ÏG Ɔ MơơêƢƌ Ɠ ƏƐ Ƈ Ɠ ƏƆ Ɛ Ƒ ƍƆƅƐƆƗ ƈ ƑƏ Ɔ Ɛ Lagos and the East to buy foodstuffs and sell at the market. I live in Magumeri town.

“Although calls from my people to leave the North on account of incessant attacks on people did not go down well

ƈƑ

with me because I was comfortable there.

“But sometime in late March 2017, around midday, some members of Boko Haram attacked out market where they looted traders’ shops. I was one of the worst hit in the attack.”

Chiugo claimed that the suspected terrorists stormed the market in trucks and carted away goods from stores including his where he claimed foodstuff items worth N11.3 million were carted away.

He continued: “On that day, my wife and my little children were with me and helping me to sort the new consignment of goods that I just ordered for before the terrorists stormed the market shooting sporadically and at anyone in sight.

“I managed to grab my two kids and fled while my wife also fled to another direction. I only saw her the following evening when she returned home.

“After the attack, I identified the man that used to come to buy things from me with some of the men that attacked the market and I went to his house to confront him.

“Since that time, my life had been under threat because I told the man called Siraju, that some of the men that he used to bring to my shop to buy market from me were among those that attacked the market.

Hence, I had to flee the community to come to Abuja then.

They (terrorists) have been railing me and asking people of my whereabouts. They said until I and my family are killed before they stop their chase of us,” Chiugo said.

Asked what he intended to do, Chiugo said though he had since reported the case to law enforcement agents, yet he seeks to flee the country to where he claimed he would be safe with his family.

Crime 19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Police partner residents to chase one million boys cult group Joy Anyim Residents in Lagos state have been urged to support the police in the fight against crime .

This advice was handed down to the residents in Ajangbadi community in Lagos during the quarterly Inspector General of Police Eminent Personality Forum organised by the Ilemba Hausa police Division Ajangbadi.

The quarterly event which took place at the New Planet Resort had stakeholders, community leaders and other sister security agencies in attendance.

The guest speaker at the event Barr. B Okoro stated that residents working with police

Lagos CP, Fatai Owoseni

in fighting crime have safer community.

Barr. Okoro advised the residents to play their role in providing useful information to the police.

He also harped on the need to provide security agencies with the tools and motivation for them to do their work.

Speaking at the event, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ilemba Hausa Police station CSP Musa Alim, stated that the police in his station have a good relationship with the community .

He said “When we came on board, there was the issue of one million boys a deadly cult group but with the collabora-

tive efforts between the police and the community, we chased those bad boys away.

The synergy between the police and the community also helped in checking issues of domestic violence and other crime. The synergy is working because we have an open door policy where residents can walk into the station any time and make reports. We also have our telephone numbers pasted everywhere in the community for residents to reach us anytime”.

A community leader Mr. Sunday Nwobodo urged residents to play their parts in crime fighting. He said “ We thank the Inspector General

Fear, anxiety in Port Harcourt as kidnappers abduct five By our correspondent The dreaded East-West Road in Emohua, Port Harcourt has yielded its evil fruits to many families again during the week.

Police on Monday confirmed that some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had abducted five passengers travelling in a popular transport line – God is Good Motors about 7.20am in Elibrada community along the East-West Road, in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. One of the abducted is said to be the driver of the bus. All the victims were passengers travelling to Lagos.

The gunmen had blocked the road with tree trunks; and when the bus driver slowed down to determine the cause and take a decision, armed men immediately rushed out and ordered everybody out of the bus.

There is tension in Ogoni town in Rivers State following systematic attacks on the family of a business woman, Mrs. Felicia Iheanacho, who has been serially attacked, kidnapped with her husband and released after paying ransom of N3 million and still under threat of elimination by armed men. The latest attack, it was alleged, came about 9pm; unknown gun men stormed her home supposedly on a killing mission, but the security alert siren in the community saved the family.

“I was lucky; the town’s security emergency siren was our saving grace,” Felicia said. The family comprising her children, brother inlaw and another brother were all at home when the attackers struck.

“My husband who had been away just returned and as I was trying

Reports said all five were matched into the bush and no trace has been found of them till now.

Also, aggrieved family members who were at the police station to follow up development say no contact has been established with the abductors.

A distant witness who spoke in confidence said the gunmen shot continuously into the air to dissuade any attempt to interrupt their operation.

The source added that no person was found dead in the abandoned vehicle after the incident.

Meanwhile, an official of the transport company, who declined comment on the development, said the management of the firm is looking into the incident to study things around the spot before they draw their conclusion.

The Rivers State Police Command, in their response to inquiry,

confirmed the incident to our correspondent and claimed that the Command has rescued three of the five abducted passengers.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, said that the three victims were rescued at the risk of a shootout between security operatives and the kidnappers.

Confirming the abduction incident, Omoni said not all the passengers were abducted and confirmed that those kidnapped were five before three were rescued.

“Five passengers were kidnapped and three of them have been rescued, remaining two. We fought hard to rescue them at the risk of a gun battle,” he said.

However, several calls to get the police PRO to speak on where the victims were rescued and whether the bus had been recovered were not answered.

Motorists on the dreaded route who spoke to our correspondent expressed apprehension at some “dark” spots along the East-West Road in Emohua. A salesman with a major pharmaceutical company in Port Harcourt, Emmanuel Ikeguonu recalled several crimes that have been committed along that route. “The dark spots pose potential danger because of the isolated nature of the road. If anything is happening to anybody there, no help can reach you early enough and there are so many escape routes into the bush.

“It is time the police do something about those spots. They know the areas and all they can do is mount road blocks there to check these kidnap cases. I always make sure I have someone with me when I drive through that road because two or more persons are better than one in times of danger,” he

Family under siege in Ogoni cries out Ï#Ɔƌ Ɨ ƍ ƋƈƅƆ ƍƏ ƐƆƅƐƈ

to reach the gate to let him in, we heard gun shots and before I could react, I saw two big, armed men behind us. They ordered us to lie face down on the ground and we did.

“We heard more gun fire inside the house but as they came for me, the alert siren started and they hurried away, saying they will come back for me and my entire family.

It was after they left that I realised they have shot and killed my husband’s brother and my younger brother that were staying with us.”

The business woman lodged a complaint with the police but just the following morning, the family woke up to see a letter from the

gunmen, giving them ultimatum to leave the Ogoni community or face death.

She said; “The lives of my remaining family members are in constant danger,” Felicia wailed, recalling that this trend has been on since 2014.

“Back in September 20th 2014, we were driving on the highway to Enugu state for my son’s visiting day at his school. On our way coming back to Port Harcourt at about 5pm, a car overtook us and suddenly blocked us and kidnapped me and my husband.

“We were released after a ransom of N3m was paid. My husband and

I sustained life threatening injuries that landed us in the hospital. The incident was reported to the police and up till now, the kidnappers have not been found.

“Another incident that nearly took our lives happened on Sunday 26th of February this year. My husband and I were travelling to Mbaise in Imo state for church function. About 7am, unknown men attacked us; while the car was in motion, they forcefully pushed us out of the car and they sped off with our Toyota Corolla. I sustained serious injuries on my body, but we are grateful for our lives because their aim was to eliminate us.”

of Police Mr. Idris Ibrahim for setting up the Eminent Personality Forum. The forum gave us the opportunity to play our parts in partnering with police to boos security in our community. We thank the DPO CSP Musa Alim for his open door policy.

We can air our views and also listen to the police. I have benefitted alot from the forum and I urge others to partner with the police as police cannot tackle crime alone”.

At the end of the event, the Lagos Watch group presented awards of excellence in security and safety was presented to CSP Alim and other policemen in the station.

Housewife drinks poison because husband dared to slap her Ese Ogaga The ‘A’ Division of Nigeria Police in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have confirmed the incident of a 33-year-old housewife, Stella Oghenerohwo, who allegedly drank a poisonous substance to kill herself, because her husband slapped her. She also broke the bottle containing the poison and used it to stab herself several times on the stomach in apparent attempt to kill herself.

Stella, who resides at Eruemukohwarien area in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, was hit by her husband, Prince Sylvester Oghenerohwo, because she had reprimanded their son in a manner unacceptable to the father.

Confirming the incident, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said the matter was reported at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division at about 3p.m. on Saturday.

“The husband, Prince Sylvester Oghenerohwo, was said to have slapped her over a matter involving her beating their son for not going on an errand for her. Angered by this, she drank an insecticide and used broken bottle to stab herself several times on the stomach.”

Although the police did not state if the woman will be prosecuted on charges of attempted suicide, the official statement said “The woman is receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

Features

s

20

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

The plight of traders in Lagos night markets Oyindamola Idris Lagos, the fast rising City of Excellence may be towering above other states in the federation, but there are certain landmarks, traits and lifestyles of the people that make up Cosmopolitan Lagos that refuse to be relegated into the trash bin of history. One of them is the popular Night Markets across the state.

As its name, it is a busy market that sleeps in the day and bubbles through the night hours, hence it is fondly called “Oja ale” (Night market) by both buyers and traders.

Even a first time visitor cannot fail to identify the markets by their gleaming and shinning lamps, either hung over their wares, or held by hand. A recent addition is the introduction of recharchable torch lights, tucked under the scarf of the sellers to illuminate their goods displayed before them.

Night markets can be found throughout the Lagos metropolis.

The Daily Times investigation discovered it is another platform for poor families to make additional living besides running other businesses during the day.

In the major trading hubs of Lagos, it was found that major markets at central points like the new look Ojodu Berger, Oshodi, Mile 12, Yaba, Mushin, Ketu, Alaba, Idumota etc, actually runs dual shifts: the first shift starts at dawn through the day to about 6pm, then metamorphosis into a new world of life and business that begins from 6pm to the wee hours of the night. Even the popular Aswani market along Osolo Way has its night shift that runs to near midnight.

Sellers engage in different kinds of songs to attract the attention of their potential buyers; song like, “buy your fine fine trousers, two two hundred” etc rent the air. A trader at the Yaba market who

Three Orange sellers at Egbeda night market

Oshodi night market at its peak wants to be known only as John told our correspondent the songs are necessary to persuade people to at least stop and look. “When they hear N200, or less amount, they will turn and look up the market. It works all the time.”

This was corroborated by another trader in Mushin, Iya Shaki and others who have all composed their respective songs to attract the massive crowd of people in the market places.

Most traders opt for this night business for various reasons. A trader who spoke in confidence said some of them opt for night market because they can’t afford rents for the not-too-cheap shops and stalls. “Some of us use the night market trading to provide services and meet needs of workers coming back from work late into the night hours, those who

may not have the opportunity of shopping during the day. Also, we make more sales at night than during the day,” she said.

Market with a human face Another face of the market is the presence of roadside eateries or canteens. This could be a mother and few of her children; they cook with their normal household domestic appliances and sell cooked foods to people may not have time to cook when they return from work, or to bachelors who do not have even a kitchen to their name!

They would sell just about anything from soup, jollof rice, yam, etc into black nylon poly bags so customers would just get home, turn the soup or rice into plate and eat some good home cooking at very affordable price range.

Odd wares One Madam Oluwatoyin, an el-

derly woman at Yaba market, who has seen a lot of years, recalled with nostalgia that night markets used to be an open space in the community, but now, shops and stalls have replaced that. “It used to be strictly groceries and foodstuffs market in those days, but now, people sell virtually everything from shoes and clothes to plastic wares and rubber slippers!”

Oluwatoyin who herself also sells shoes in the market at night had called out to our correspondent to patronise her. During the haggling over the price, she explained why she chose to sell at night hours: “My child, night market is an opportunity for many of us to make more sales; the night rush hours most times give us more sales and more profits than in the day.”

A trader and mother of three at Ketu night market disclosed that she always brings her children to the market to help her cope with the night rush.

Of her children who should be in bed reading or resting for the next school day, she said frankly that night market is their only source of livelihood.

“When government refused to provide shops and stalls we can afford, what can we do? Imagine paying N5 million per year or N20,000 monthly for one government shop; where am I supposed to get such amount?” she lamented.

The poor woman also blamed officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) who harass them during the day. “Many times, my petty trade has been seized and they

force us to pay huge amount to bail ourselves.”

Sadly, the little ones have adjusted to their fate. Children barely 10 years old were seen advertising their parents’ goods deep into the night. “Aunty, we have skirt and blouse and it is just N200,” a child called out to our correspondent at Idumota market.

The dear child told The Daily Times that she can’t sleep by this time because she has to help her mum in the market.

Ayomide, a girl of about nine years of age who sells all kinds of ladies wears with her mother, said she comes every night to help her mum.

It was gathered that in the process of looking for potential customers for their parents, some children had gone missing or kidnapped.

Some customers who spoke with our correspondent frowned at involving children in night trading. “This orientation might make them believe that the only way to succeed in life is through business and lose the zeal for education, besides the danger of exposing children to different kinds of assault, even sexual harassment by customers under cover of night like this,” Mrs Titilayo Olasope said.

She suggested that only a good government can resolve this situation. “If government can consider the poor masses and provide shops and stalls they can afford, families would be able to raise their children outside this harsh and dangerous platform called night market.”

News 21

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Speed limiter device: Ugwuala asks court to stop implementation

Francesca IwambeAbuja

ÏÏÏA consultant, Christian

Ugwuala has dragged the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, over the implementation of speed limit device.

Ugwuala in the originating summons is praying the court to restrained the FRSC

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

This is to confirm that I am the same person bearing ADEGBOLA SARAH TEMITOPE and ADEGBOLA SARAH OLUWAYEMISI, henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBOLA SARAH TEMITOPE. All former documents bearing the above mentioned names remain valid.

General public, please take note.

from further implementation of the speed limit device pending when the enforcement will be for all vehicles in Nigeria.

Joined as co- defendants in the suit in suit No: FHA/ ABJ/CS/262/2017, is the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF. The plaintiff amongst oth-

CHUKWUNEZU NGOZI JENNIFER

I, formerly known and addressed as AKOSA NGOZI JANE now wish to be known and addressed as. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

er relief is praying the court to issue a public notice compelling the 1st defendant to suspend the enforcement of the speed limiter device or to notify the public of a specific date for general compliance of all vehicles.

He asked the court to issue an order mandating the 4th defendant to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of of S10(2)a&b and S 10(3)m of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, 2007.

Ugwuala prayed the court to determine whether the 1st defendant is not acting ultra vires the powers conferred on it by the provisions of S10(2)a&b and S 10(3)m of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, 2007 and S 42(1)a&b of the 1999 constitution.

He also prayed the court to determine whether the 4th defendant did not fail in his responsibility when he neglects to ensure that the FRSC comply with the provisions of the law espe-

cially S10(2)a&b and S 10(3) m of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, 2007.

Meanwhile, counsel to the National Assembly, Mr. Cosmas Akighir, submitted in his response that the applicant case is based on conjectures and not on the existence of facts. Mr. Akighir further urged the court to strike out the names of the 2nd and 3rd defendants from the suit. The matter has been adjourned to October 4th for further mention. It could be recalled that the FRSC had announced the introduction of speed limit device.

The commission said that the move, had became imperative given the increase in road traffic accidents and the need to conform to global practices. Though controversies had trailed the introduction of the device, which FRSC said would ensure sanity on the highways, the ever rising rate of road crashes seems to make its enforcement inevitable.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ADEOSUN TOHEEB KAYODE I, formerly known and addressed as ADEOSUN ABRAHAM AYOBAMI now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOSUN TOHEEB KAYODE . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to confirm that OLASEHINDE JOSEPH OLORUNSOLA is the same person as OLASEHINDE SOLA JOSEPH. All documents bearing these names remain valid and should be treated as one person.

Banks and the general public take note

EMEREMGINI MODESTA ANIZOWA

ARTHUR MICHAEL UBA

BRIGHT OFEYI ADEWOLE

I formerly known and addressed as EZEBUILO MODESTA OBIAGELI now wish to be known called and addressed as EMEREMGINI MODESTA ANIZOWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IGWELI SUNDAY UBA now wish to be known called and addressed as ARTHUR MICHAEL UBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I formerly known and addressed as BRIGHT OFEYI OKARA now wish to be known called and addressed as BRIGHT OFEYI ADEWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

MRS OGBUKA CHIZOBA EMMANUELA

FALOYIN FUNKE JOY I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNRETI FUNKE JOY, now wish to be known and addressed asFALOYIN FUNKE JOY. All former documents remain valid.

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PAULINE IJEOMA UDEH

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBOZOR NWABUEZE CHIZOBA EMMANUELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBUKA CHIZOBA EMMANUELA. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PAULINE IJEOMA DOMINIC, now wish to be known and addressed as PAULINE IJEOMA UDEH. All former documents remain valid.

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OHAERI KELVIN ADOKIYE

UGWUONAH EJIKE CORNELIUS

MRS THANKGOD LOVETH CHINWENDU

I, formerly known and addressed as AMACHREE ALEX ADOKIYE, now wish to be known and addressed as OHAERI KELVIN ADOKIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IDOKO COLLINS , now wish to be known and addressed asUGWUONAH EJIKE CORNELIUS. All former documents remain valid.

UNTH ITUKU OZALLA, ROYAL HOSPITAL and General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NOMEH LOVETH CHINWENDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS THANKGOD LOVETH CHINWENDU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

KALU MARY OLUGHU I, formerly known and addressed as OLUGHU MARY NKALU , now wish to be known and addressed asKALU MARY OLUGHU. All former documents remain valid. ECO BANK NIGERIA PLC and General public please take note.

OBI IFEOMA FAVOUR

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU IFEOMA FAVOUR , now wish to be known and addressed as OBI IFEOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS. EZEABUCHUKWU HENRIETTA IFESINACHI

MISS ONYECHERE ESTHER NKECHI

That I was formerly known and addressed as ARUMMONDAY that I now wish to add CHARLES to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as ARUM CHARLES MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

VICTOR AMUNEKE ANYAMELE I, formerly known and addressed as CHARLES ODIGBO ANYAMELE, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR AMUNEKE ANYAMELE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IHETIOBI HENRIETTA IFESINACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZEABUCHUKWU HENRIETTA IFESINACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. NZEANOCHIE ESTHER NKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ONYECHERE ESTHER NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

3 labourers sustain injury as four storey building collapses in Ilorin Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThree

people sustained minor injuries yesterday when a section of a four-storey building undergoing restructuring caved in in Ilorin, Kwara state.

It was gathered that the restructuring was being done to conform with observation and advise of the state’s Town Planning Authority.

The incident occurred at about 10am along Sulu Gambari road in the state capital. Those injured were said to be working on the site when the incident happened and have been taken to hospital as at the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that the Town Planning Authority had earlier advised the owners of the building to restructure the project and

Kwara Gov. Hamed

that they were carrying out the counsel when the section collapsed. However, there was no official confirmation of this claim as at press time.

“We thank God that it was not a very serious problem and there was no casualty”, a man at the site said.

The spokesman of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident however. said that no life was lost.

WASIU IGE USMAN

IKEJI JACQUELINE CHINYERE

I, formerly known and addressed as Wasiu Adeniji Adele now wish to be known and addressed as Wasiu Ige Usman. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OJOGWU JACQELINE CHINYERE now wish to be known called and addressed as IKEJI JACQUELINE CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid.

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MRS. MARTINA ULUMA EBENINYO I formerly known and addressed as MISS MARTINA ULUMA AKUDINOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARTINA ULUMA EBENINYO. All documents remain valid.

Banks and the general public take note.

GODSON TONY UGONNA

MRS. EZIKEUKE REBECCA M.

I formerly known and addressed as GODSON TONY EGBULUHA, now wish to be known and addressed as GODSON TONY UGONNA. All documents remain valid. The general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO REBECCA M., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZIKEUKE REBECCA M.. All documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public take note.

ARINZE NWACHUKWU OWEN OKIWELU I, formerly known and addressed as ARINZE NWACHUKWU OKIWELU, now wish to be known and addressed as ARINZE NWACHUKWU OWEN OKIWELU. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly known and addressed as AGU LYDIA OGBIJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBIJI LYDIA AKPANA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ATIMI FRANICS, now wish to be known and addressed as TIOKAS FRANCIS UKPAKA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public please take note.

MRS OKORO ALICE NKECHINYERE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EJA ALICE NKECHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKORO ALICE NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

EZEANI BENEDETH UCHECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed asUCHECHUKWU BENEDETTE EZEANI, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEANI BENEDETH UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

FIRST BANK and General public please take note.

MRS OGBONNIA PERPETUA NKIRUKA. I, formerly known and addressed asAZUWUINE PERPETUA NKIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBONNIA PERPETUA NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZUKA-UCHEGBU AKACHUKWU GODSPOWER

OGUJI AMANDA UCHECHUKWU

CHUKWU OBIAGELI STELLA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMACHUKWU AMANDA UCHECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUJI AMANDA UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed asOKORONKWO STELLA OBIAGELI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU OBIAGELI STELLA. All former documents remain valid. ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY IGBARIM and General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UZUKA GODSPOWER UCHEGBU AKACHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as UZUKA-UCHEGBU AKACHUKWU GODSPOWER. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public please take note.

MRS. BOSE OSISIENEMO OKEREKE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BOSE OSISIENEMO TARFA, now to be known and addressed as MRS. BOSE OSISIENEMO OKEREKE. All former documents remain valid.

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OGBIJI LYDIA AKPANA

ANUSIEM FRED IZUCHUKWU This is to confirm that the name ANUSIEM IZUCHUKWU FRED and ANUSIEM FRED LAWRENCE .I. refers to one and the same person; now wish to be known and addressed as ANUSIEM FRED IZUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TIOKAS FRANCIS UKPAKA

ADDITION OF NAME That I was formerly known and addressed as EKWOSI EUCHARIA that I now wish to add NWADU to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as EKWOSI EUCHARIA NWADU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

22 News

SERAP urges Osinbajo to improve security for EFCC officials Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

ÏÏÏThe

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to order an improved security around the offices of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti graft agencies that are at the forefront in the fight against corruption.

(SERAP) who made the appeal in a statement signed by its deputy director Timothy Adewale also urged the Acting President to

order a probe into the Wednesday’s gunmen attack on the headquarters of (EFCC) in Wuse, Zone 7, Abuja.

The organization said is important the Acting President “direct the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to lead the investigation” on the incident and threat to the lives of its officials, and bring anyone suspected to be responsible to justice without delay in order to remove fear which the gunmen are attempting to put on the staff.

Unidentified gunmen had attacked the (EFCC) office at about 05.00 hours Wednesday firing gun-

shots into the premises and in the process left behind a death threat to its official Ishaku Sharu, who heads the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Fraud Section and oversees corruption investigation involving several politically exposed persons.

Just a week before the incident another staff of the anti-graft agency Austin Okwor an investigator was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

(SERAP) said : “We stand with the EFCC as it works to carry out its mandates to prevent and combat grand corruption. We condemn any attacks against the agency and its

officials which are clearly aimed at harassing, intimidating and stopping them from prosecuting grand corruption cases.”

“We urge the EFCC to remain steadfast to its mandates and not be intimidated by these attacks and threats,” the statement said.

Part of the statement read thus: “SERAP urges Professor Osinbajo to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to immediately improve the system of protection for the officials of EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies.

2 killed, 5 injured as armed thugs invade Bayelsa APC secretariat

FG has released N1.6bn for women empowerment – Minister Tom Okpe, Abuja

Akam James,

ÏÏÏThe Minister of Women Affairs

and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Al’ Hassan has revealed that the federal government’s earmarked fund for women empowerment has been released and in the custody of the bank of Industry, the disbursing bank.

Senator Aisha said in Abuja on Thursday during the sensitization program on effective implementation of national women empowerment fund (NAWEF), that the 1.6 Billion special intervention funds was earmarked and released to the bank of Industry which is the administering and disbursing bank for disbursement to an estimated 80,000 beneficiaries in the eight pilot states.

“The program is a financial inclusion and access to credit for women in order to reduce poverty among Nigeria women and to provide financial services to women involved in Micro and small scale enterprises to scale-up their business.

“It is also a revolving facility loan that is interest and collateral free requiring beneficiaries to repay within a specified period of six months or more depending on the kind of enterprise or business to enable others benefit from the scheme”.

The five pilot states are Abia, Adamawa,Akwa/Ibom and Borno; others are, Nassarawa, Osun, Jigawa and Yobe.

The Minister attributed the delay in disbursement to states for not complying with the given conditions for sustainability as women guaranteeing each other as members of same cooperative group, women ensuring commitment to repayment as scheduled and less stringent conditions to access the fund to make repayment easy for beneficiaries.

She said Abia state has 3456 number of applicants, Adamawa 3269, A/ Ibom 1597, Borno 2659, Nassarawa 3243. The state of Osun has 1029, Jigawa 3655 and Yobe with the highest number of 6832, giving a total of 25,740 applications so far received on the 200 million Naira earmarked for each state.

Promoting and ensuring the safety and security of those in the frontline of the fight against corruption is the surest way to demonstrate the government’s commitment to combat the problem and end impunity of perpetrators.”

“The protection, safety and security ofanti-corruption agencies and their officials is absolutely critical to fighting grand corruption and holding those in power to account.

The absence of enhanced protection and security for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies could ruin the government’s anti-corruption efforts and weaken citizens’ trust and confidence in its ability to effectively and successfully prosecute grand corruption cases.

Yenagoa

ÏÏÏTwo

L-R: Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Harrinson-Ibifuro; Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi and Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), during a courtesy visit to the State’s Police Headquarter in Akure, Ondo State... on Wednesday.

IDPs benefit from NAF free medical services in Lagos Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Air Force on

Friday offered over a 100 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) free medical service in Lagos.

The free treatment was part of activities by the force to end the African Partnership Flight (APF) which started from Aug. 14 to Aug. 18 at the Sam Ethnan Airforce Base Ikeja Lagos.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, who spoke at the closing ceremony, said the APF was designed to build strong partnership to foster regional stability and security.

The CAS who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya, said the exercise was also to foster security through formal alliances, partnership and exchange of ideas among African air forces.

“I strongly believe that the specific objectives of this five-day event which culminated in a free medical outreach to about 100 IDPs have been largely achieved.

“I hope you will utilise the knowledge acquired to enhance the present effort at providing appropriate medical care in and outside the theatre of operation in the sub-region particularly to counter insurgency operation in Lake Chad region and North Eastern Nigeria.

“I particularly wish to express my gratitude to the United State Air Forces Europe Command for selecting Nigeria to co-host of this event and to our sister African countries for coming here to share their experiences,” he said.

The Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Defence, Mr Mansur Dan-Ali, said the motivation of the programme was aimed at capacity building and mutual cooperation.

Represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni, said the success in overcoming various security challenges confronting African countries depended on joint operation with neighbouring and allied countries.

“This is more so as the en-

emy in today’s wars appear to be largely the same, terrorism, and its range of operation cuts across boundaries of nations.

“Immediate examples are the Boko Haram and Al-shabbab insurgencies in the North East Nigeria and East Africa respectively.

“As sister and allied nations, we must therefore begin to evolve ways of thinking and training together, developing common doctrines and harnessing human and material resources to achieve set objective,” he said.

According to him, training programme like this was one of the ways to enhance interoperability.

“I am pleased that some participants from the Lake Chad basin countries which constitute the multinational joint task force that was created to confront the challenges of Boko Haram insurgents took part in this programme.

“I believe your participation will augur well for the success of our operation against the Boko Haram insurgents,” he said.

persons have been confirmed dead with five others including a journalist injured following the invasion of the All Progressive Congress (APC) secretariat by some armed hired thugs to disrupt the inauguration of the new Acting Chairman of the Party, Hon. Joseph Fafi.

One of the persons killed was confirmed an APC member from Sagbama Local Council Area of the State, the other was a hawker. They were both caught in the exchange of gunfire between the men of the security agencies and the armed thugs.

Some Journalists at the event, particularly the reporter with Rhythm FM station, Jesse Ese, was injured while trying to jump the barb wired fence of the Party secretariat.

Trouble started at about 10am with the armed thugs disguised as party protesters and beat the security barricade mounted by the men of the Nigerian Police Force and heading directly to the APC secretariat complex. While the security personnel kept vigilance watch over the perceived protesters, some faithful of the APC raised alarm over the alleged possession of dangerous arms with those sighted among the protesters and joined the security forces to stop the invading attackers.

Morningmail reporter who was present at the venue, observed that the attempts to stop the protesters resulted in fracas and gun shots were heared from some of the protesters and the policemen retaliated by shooting above the head of the crowd of protesters.

The sporadic gunshots and gun attack from the various sides of the secretariat however caused pandemonium among party faithful which resulted in a stampede and injuries to many including reporters of various media houses present. Speaking on the development, the Member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Isreal Sunny-Igoli, expressed concern at the development and accused the expelled Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe and ex-Militant leader, General Africa Ukpariasa of being responsible for the failed attack.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Foreign News 23

Romance: Twitter taunts Grace Mugabe over attack on son’s girlfriend ÏÏÏZimbabwe’s

president’s wife, Grace Mugabe is currently on sustained bashing from the social media over her recent interference in her son’s social affair when she was alleged to have assaulted a South African beauty found in company of her sons.

“If your son has a girlfriend and you think it’s inappropriate, SMS GRACE to 30010. Ts and Cs apply” is currently trending on social media twitter in S.Africa A recent agency report said South Africans are having a fun time on social media platform – Twitter, and the subject of their trolls is First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe.

The 52-year-old has been unable to leave South Africa since she arrived last week.

She is in the middle of an assault case involving a 20-yearold model, Gabriella Engels.

The model says Mrs. Mugabe physically attacked her with an electric cord in an uptown Johannesburg hotel.

Her crime was for “hanging out” with her two sons who school in the country.

The tweets mocking the First Lady range from the use of photos, GIFs, videos and quotations attributable to her.

Liberty nyati @iamDJNyati tweeted #GraceMugabe tweeted a cartoon which showed Grace Mugabe holding one end of diplomatic cable , ostensibly representing what she used to assault her son’s girl, standing and screaming, while president Mugabe crawls behind south African President, Jacob Zuma also crawling to plug in a diplomatic immunity plug in a socket, while Robert Mugabe exclaimed “Easy does it my Grace , we ‘ve got it sorted” Enca tweeted #eNCAcar-

Grace Mugabe toon: “Saving Grace (from Herself) #GraceMugabe” Enocent Nemuramba @enocentn tweeted “Grace Mugabe is confused by the fuss over attack. Where she comes from, the victim would

hve been arrested for antagonizing the First Lady.

Ryan van @ryanSApatriot tweeted “Completely out of touch with reality & the rule of law. She has always been above it... u touchable. Here’s a reality check. Meet Gerrie”

Amputee shows why girls need not look like celebrities

ÏÏÏA

beautiful lady amputee, crash victim, brave Alton Towers crash victim Leah Washington, 19, has said that girls need not aspire to look like models but should always strive to enhance their beautiful self.

With a recent flawless photos released by Daily Mirror, she said, she wants to defy the trend for flawless holiday photos, with her inspirational bikini snap. Leah shared a moving post during her holiday, showing her prosthetic leg as she paddled in a pool.

The amputee has recently posted series of gorgeous photos of her, proudly showing off her prosthetic leg, as she enjoys a holiday with fellow crash victim and boyfriend Joe Pugh, also 19.

Leah told the Daily Mirror she is posting the photos in reaction to the unrealistic images young women are bombarded with on social media

and magazines.

While soaking up the sun on a Spanish break with Joe, Leah revealed her body confidence struggles after the accident in 2015.

She said: “I think everyone has got some sort of body issues, no matter how big or small they are. I think looking at pictures of young girls and women on Instagram doesn’t really help, and pictures in magazines don’t help either as they are mainly all edited and photoshopped.

“Since my accident I had many issues about how I felt about myself, about the clothing I could wear and about what people think.

“I have much more confidence now. I still obviously have my times where I feel low and clothing doesn’t look right. But I feel like I am getting better and I want to just let girls know that they don’t have to look like the celebrities in magazines or photoshopped pictures.”

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame takes oath of office for third term

ÏÏÏAs

enhancing democratic rule as well as ending sit tight leaders continue to gain global dominance, Rwanda has sworn in a president for the third term of seven years.

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame was on Friday sworn-in as President for his third term in office after a landslide victory in polls held in early August.

Kagame won the presidential race with 98.7 per cent of the votes. The main opposition party leader Frank Habineza and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana shared the remaining votes.

The 59-year-old has been leader of the country since the year 2000. Before the last elections, Kagame, a former refugee, military chief and vice-president won the last two elections in 2003 and 2010, all by over 90 per cent of votes.

Today is a day of celebration and a day to thank each of you. Today is a day of renewal and gratitude. I would therefore like to begin by thanking those who have joined us here.

“The presence of so many brothers & sisters from around Africa honours our nation deeply & gives us strength. We thank you. Af-

rica has been with Rwanda when we needed you most.

“Nothing gives our people greater pride than contributing together with you to the greatness of our continent.

Standing alongside us are friends of Rwanda who have always kept our country in their hearts & worked hard to advance it.

“I want to acknowledge the leaders and members of the 8 political parties who joined with RPF to nominate me as their candidate. For twentythree years, we have collaborated with deep mutual respect to repair the social fabric of our devastated nation.

“I also congratulate the two other candidates who brought their message directly to citizens. Together, we created a positive environment where no vote was cast against anyone but rather all were cast for.

“If we always succeed in rallying so strongly around ideas and leadership that work best for all of us it would be a good thing.”

“They demand we replace systems that are working well for us with dogmas in which their own people are rapidly losing faith. Africa has no civilizational problems, only assets. Sans aucun doute.

Amputee Leah Washington

Leah lost her left leg on the Smiler rollercoaster, along with fellow victim Vicky Balch, 21, when it smashed into an empty car in June 2015.

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame takes 3rd term oath of office

Grandmother gives birth to her own granddaughter as a surrogate mother ÏÏÏA

Tracey Thompson and daughter Kelley

grandmother who volunteered to save her daughter from challenge of child bearing has delivered a baby girl for her daughter Kelley, and husband through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

The grandmother, 55-year-old Tracey’s pregnancy was no ordinary pregnancy, but a sacrifice for her daughter.

IVF is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo(s) is then transferred to the uterus.

Mirror reports that Tracey, who works in a dental practice, had defi-

nitely gone the extra mile. When her daughter Kelley, 32, had suffered several gruelling rounds of IVF and three miscarriages, Tracey knew she had to do something to help.

“Seeing Kelley with friends’ babies, I saw how much she wanted to be a mum and I knew she’d be just great,” explains Tracey.

But after trying for six months, Kelley and Aaron went for fertility testing in August 2013, and the couple were told that their chances of conceiving naturally were only 1%.

“My heart broke as I saw poor Kelley go through IVF and two miscarriages,” says Tracey. “The doctors couldn’t work out what was

happening. It was devastating when she miscarried a third time, losing her baby boy on Christmas Day 2014 when he was seven weeks.”

Kelley and Aaron felt ready to go back to the doctor in January 2015 and took Tracey with them for support.

“I explained to the doctor that I just couldn’t go through another miscarriage. The idea of losing another baby like that was too painful to contemplate, so we talked about other options,” says Kelley.

The doctor mentioned surrogacy and immediately Tracey asked if she might be a suitable candidate.

She’d never thought about it before, but suddenly she knew it was right.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Rivers Assembly commission commends lawmakers on probe of MDAs Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÎÎÎThe Rivers state House

of Assembly Service Commission has drummed its support for the probe being carried out by the Assembly lawmakers on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the utilization of budgetary allocations.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the chairman of the commission, Mr. Chidi Amadi, said

that the probe was part of the strategy of Governor Nyesom Wike to ensure accountability and prudence by his administration.

The Chairman said: “This probe goes to show that the Assembly is deeply concerned with how the state is being run. These processes would also ensure that all the agencies are up and doing, that we live up to our responsibility and that we are very mindful of public accountability in terms of how we use funds assigned

to us. So we are very grateful. We noticed that they stayed beyond six in the evening. This is a huge sacrifice. We want to encourage them to continue with that sacrifice in the service of Rivers State.”

Mr. Amadi who is also a former lawmaker in the state said that probing the MDAs would boost their service delivery to the people and commended the joint committee on Public Accounts and Finance for their oversight functions on the

MDAs. He continued: “Extensive oversight function is going on by the various committees and this is quite commendable. With what is happening here, all the agencies and parastatals and extra ministerial bodies would sit up. The committee on public accounts and finances are beginning to ensure that they take a critical look as to how funds already in the budget and funds already released to the agencies are being spent.”

Group charges Nigerians on maternal, newborn health Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÎÎÎThe

Nigerian media have been tasked to increase its reportage on issues surrounding Maternal and Newborn health.

An NGO, Evidence for Action (E4A), Mamaye, while giving the task explained that health issues, particularly Maternal and newborn health have not been receiving the attention it needs, urging the practitioners to continue to champion the cause of safe motherhood.

The country representative of Evidence for Action, Mamaye, Mr Tunde Segun stated this yesterday when he led the management of the organization and journalists comprising of the Knowledge Management sub-committee of the Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and new child health, BASAM on a courtesy visit to media organizations in the state.

Mr Olalaide Shokubi, the Media Advisor of the NGO who represented the country representative the media has the power to hold the government accountable to the people by using evidence to cause change for mother and newborn.

“In Nigeria, it is unfortunate that we loose too many women during child birth and this is not good this is sheer inaction on our part that a woman should die while giving birth” “If women don’t get pregnant and have children, the growth of our population will be affected and we want to ensure that in our capacity pregnancy is safe. One good story by a journalist can cause a change in the area of improving maternal and newborn health than 1,000 advocacy visits”, he said The State Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Gideon Pokti, in his address explained that the aim of the courtesy visit to media organizations was to seek the collaboration of the media in promoting issues of maternal and newborn health and appreciate the effort of the media in that regard.

In their separate remarks, the Director of Bauchi Radio Corporation,( BRC), Nigeria Television Authority, (NTA), Globe F.M and Afrian Independent Television, AIT, thanked the organization for the visit and assured that issues pertaining to maternal and newborn health in the state will be given top priority.

We’ll no longer back opposition candidates in Delta –Urhobo youths NosaAkenzua,Asaba L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.GeofferyOnyeama; Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, IngerStojberg and Minister for Development Cooperation, Denmark, Ulla Tornaes, during a visit of the Danish delegation to the minister in Abuja… on Wednesday night.

Nigeria in diaspora festival to assist 15m Africans trace their roots –Abike Dabiri

ÎÎÎ The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri -Erewa has said that the Federal Government is nursing a desire to help about 15 million Diaspora Africans trace their roots back home through the Nigeria Diaspora Festival in Badagry.

In a statement personally signed by Dabiri- Erewa and made available to the Daily Times on Thursday, the SSA said that the festival with a theme titled, The voyage to heritage “, will provide a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world and also promote the country’s tourism poten-

tials. The festival is scheduled to hold in Badagry between August 23 and 25, 2017 Abike-Dabiri also commended Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for throwing his weight behind the festival, saying the event would host the largest gathering of Africans in the world, and that it was a thing of joy that many Africans in Diaspora had already indicated interest to trace their roots back home.

She said, “ After attending past editions of this event, it is evident that with consistency and the support of of the government and respective organisation, this would eventually be the biggest cultural events to come out of

Africa”.

She further expressed delight at the concept of the door of return saying, “ celebrating the return of diasporans and their connection to homeland, as well as the platform to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world, will definitely enhance tourism.

“For the first time, we have been having in Badagry a festival that brings people in the Diaspora together, but when we attended this festival a few years ago, we sat together and said this would be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa. “ One of the unique aspects of the festival is the ‘Door-of-Return’. A lot of

people and things were taken out of Africa, and Badagry, in particular. So, our people in Diaspora would be coming back through that door that we are calling the ‘Door-of-Return,’ which is the opposite of ‘Point-of-noReturn’ through which Africans were taken out. Beyond that, we will be showcasing the beauty and culture of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria in general, through the festival.” she added.

A major stride the festival is making this year is the coming on board of a marketing outfit to propagate its ideals as the best tourism brand worth supporting among Nigeria’s corporate community.

ÎÎÎThe

Coalition of Urhobo Youths (CUY), has reiterated its resolve to support the gubernatorial candidate from Delta North Senatorial District in 2019, saying that the Urhobo nation will no longer back governorship candidates from opposition political parties.

The group, in a letter addressed to the Chairman, Forum of Urhobo President-Generals, Dr. Peter Clever Obakponovwe, said that the resolution was necessitated by the need for Urhobos to keep faith with the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and to put their house in order before the next general elections.

The letter signed by the group’s President, Mr. Stephen Ohwokirerhuo read: “our bitter experiences in

the last three general elections remain fresh in our memories and the wounds inflicted on our individual and collective psyche as a people by being pushed to the background has remained indelible.

“As the largest ethnic nationality in the state, we deserve to enjoy the role of kingmakers, such that if we are not taking a shot at the governorship seat, we know when it will come to us.”

“Sequel to the above, it is our collective decision that rather than queue behind any governorship candidate from opposition camp (Urhobo or non-Urhobo) we should support the current Delta North candidacy in the next election.

“We wish to solicit the support Forum of Urhobo Presidents General to ensure that a Delta North candidate emerges in 2019.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

25

News

Fidson rewards 200 brilliant children in Astymin competition Angela Onwuzoo

ÎÎÎIn its resolve to stimulate

Country Coordinator, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Edward Kallen (right) and other officials, during the interactive session with displaced persons at the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, Borno, as part of the activities to mark the 2017 World Humanitarian Day… on Thursday.

IMT to be upgraded to University of Management and Technology –Rector Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎThe

Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, Prof. Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze has disclosed that IMT would soon be upgraded into a full blown university.

Nweze who disclosed this on Thursday at a retreat organized for the management and academic staff of the school said that free admission into the school for a take off as a university may commence in October this year.

He said the university which would be affiliated to the University of Nigeria will now assume a new name University of Management and Technology, UMT, Enugu.

He further disclosed that

plans have reached advanced stage with the National Universities Commission, NUC, for the accreditation and kick off of the proposed university.

The Rector expressed optimism that they would be able to meet up with the bottlenecks in accreditation process for the university to take off in earnest.

He challenged the existing lecturers to upgrade themselves academically and the avail themselves of the services of the Tetfund to see that they are not left behind.

The IMT boss used the opportunity to inform staff and students that corruption would no longer be entertained in the school, pointing out that as a result of one allegation or the other; he has

been invited several times by the EFCC. He lamented that vice chancellors and rectors from others school have never suffered such embarrassment.

“In recent time, I have been invited 9 times by EFCC over allegation of corruption in the school. ESUT vice chancellor and others have never suffered such embarrassment and I am yet going to answer yet another invitation from them,” he lamented.

He cited a particular embarrassing case of a girl who claimed to have graduated from IMT but could not explain the acronym, IMT, when she went for NYSC. According to him, the case is generating tension and

controversy at IMT at present as the girl is on the run and the staff that facilitated her mobilization, is now cooling his legs with the police while some staff has been picked by the police over the incident.

Nweze lamented that corruption in the school had reached an embarrassing stage that some staff are even boasting that they are capable of mobilizing someone who has not been to the secondary school and pointed that era unbridled corruption would be no more in the school.

The IMT boss also lamented that examination leakages is one of the ills that have been eating deep into the school which the school is now out to stamp out.

Edo Assembly impeachments: Ex-deputy speaker fights back Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎ Former Deputy Speak-

er of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie who was removed from office on Monday following the change of leadership in the House. has vowed not to return the official vehicles allocated to her office as then Speaker of the Assembly insisting the said vehicles were personally given to her by ex - Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

In a letter to the Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr James Omoataman titled, “Re:Return of Official Vehicles”,through her counsel, Mr Olayiwola Afolabi, she stated that former Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed a letter dated 19,

July 2016 giving the vehicles to her in acknowledgement of the sacrifices she was expected to make for the peace, security and well- being of the state.

The Clerk of the House had in his letter to the former Deputy Speaker dated 14, August 2017, directed her to return the official vehicles which included one Lexus Jeep- 2016 Model, One Prado Jeep and two Hilux Vans as Deputy Speaker and handover the keys of the vehicles to him on or before the close of work on Tuesday, 15 August 2017.

However, Mrs Ativie in a bid to butress her ownership of the vehicles, qouted part of the letter written by the former governor which said, “ I wish to convey my compli-

ments and recall the discussion between the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Executive branch on the geo -political stability of Edo State and the need to engender equity, fairness and sense of belonging amongst all sections and citizens of our dear state. “ Given the exceptional circumstances surrounding the issues and in an explicit acknowledgement of the enormous sacrifices you were required to make for the peace, security, stability and wellbeing of our beloved state, the official vehicles attached to the office of the Speaker are now yours “ She stated that the current Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto was who was the then Chief Whip of House led a delega-

tion of the House to her Executive Arm of government where the decision to give her as the then Speaker the official vehicles was taken and implemented.

She explained that thereafter, she went to the license office with the said letter by the former governor to register the vehicles in her name.

She therefore urged the Clerk of the House to advised the State Legislature properly as he was in the best position to do so in view of the facts presented above.

However,all attempts made

by Daily Times to Confirm from the immediate past governor,Oshiomhole if he truly dashed the impeached deputy governor(Ativie) the official vehicles in question,proved abortive.

hard work and academic excellence in the nation’s education system, Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, through its Astymin brand, has rewarded 200 best-performing children in its 2017 edition of Astymin Brilliance Reward (ABR) competition.

The 200 primary six pupils drawn from different public and private primary schools across nine states in the southwest and South-eastern zones of the country, were hosted and honoured by Astymin at the popular Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos recently, with school bags containing various educational materials and were also issued certificate of excellence.

The states include: Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Delta, Anambra and Enugu, Speaking at the event which seeks to promote academic excellence among children, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, urged the children to embrace handwork and strive for excellence at all times as they move to secondary school and should not stop at the primary school level.

Adebule who was represented by Director, Special Duties, State Universal Basic Educa-

tion Board, Mrs. Tola Obadofin, commended Fidson for strengthening the ability and intelligence of the children, stressing that the reward will motivate them to do more in their studies and also encourage others who were not part of the competition to be more serious with their education.

She urged parents to continue to invest in the eduction of their kids and make it their top priority.

In his remarks, General Manger of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Friday Enaholo, said the ABR competition which has been in existence for seven years, is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

His word: “We believe it is better to catch them young and put them on the right path to success.

“Therefore, Astymin will continue to take the giant stride in rewarding brilliant primary school children in a way that motivates them to stay focused on their studies, believing that merit and hard work can still be rewarded.”

He went on: Like we have always emphasised, the ABR is our attempt to bring back the glory days of our education by throwing our weight behind the children’s drive for academic excellence.”

Navy intercepts vessel with illegally refined AGO Joy Anyim with Agency Report

ÎÎÎThe Nigerian Navy have

arrested and handed over a vessel with seven crew members on-board to the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

He said, “On June 30, NNS BEECROFT patrol team intercepted and arrested MT WOLOF around the Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).

“At the time of the arrest, MT WOLOF was loaded with about 300metric tons of product suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and had seven crew members onboard.

“Investigation revealed that the vessel had no document to support the product it was carrying,” he said.

Eno revealed that the sample of the product onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory test and the result indicated that the product did

not meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) specification.

He speaks further, “The result did not also did not meet the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) specification.

“In view of this, the vessel will be handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.

Eno reiterated that the navy in its renewed efforts to curb maritime domain of illegalities would not tolerate any fraudulent activities in the nation’s maritime environment.

“The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas has zero tolerance for illegalities in the Nigerian Waters.

“The Navy therefore reiterates its drive to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain from criminal elements.

“I advise defaulters to desist from such act or face the wrath of the law and also urge citizens to give useful information with regards to person engaged in illegal act to the navy or other security agencies.”

a

26

Rohr invites Nwakaeme for Cameroon Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

C

oach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has extended an invitation to Hapoel Be’er

Sheva striker Anthony Nwakaeme ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Cameroon.

Red hot Nwakaeme was voted the best player in Israel last season and the 28-yearold has so far picked

up from where he left off last season for the Champions of Israel in the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers.

Nwakaeme scored a screamer for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their last game against Maribo,

which they won 2-1, the goal was his 4th in five UEFA Champions League Qualifiers game this season.

Rohr has rewarded his form with a first time call up to the senior national team of

Nigeria, who are going to resume soon for the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers back to back clash against Cameroon next month.

His club Hapoel Be’er Sheva confirmed the invitation of the player

who scored 14 goals last season with a post on their official facebook handle congratulating him and John Ogu over their call up to the Nigeria senior national team.

Page 26

Saturday, August 19, 2017

FIFA Award: Ebi hails Omagbemi’s nomination Ben Nwachukwu with Agency Report

A

Super Falcons defender, Onome Ebi, has hailed the nomination of the former coach of the team, Florence Omagbemi, for the prestigious FIFA Women Coach of the Year.

Omagbemi who coached Super Falcons to win the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon was among the 10 coaches shortlisted for the award.

Those nominated include, Olivier Echouafni, Head Coach of the French National Team; Emma Hayes of Chelsea Ladies; Ralf Kellermann Head Coach of the VFL Wolfsburg (women) and Xavi Llorens of FC Barcelona Ladies.

Others are, Nils Nielsen of the Danish Senior Women National Team; Gerard Precheur, Head Coach of Olympique Lyonnais Ladies; and Dominik Thalhammer, Head Coach of Australian Women National Team.

Hwang Yong-Bong both of Korea DPR Women Team and Korea DPR U-20 WomOmagbemi

Emeteole laid to rest in Isikwuato Andrew Ekejiuba

C

oach Kelechi Emeteole was buried in his hometown in Abia state on Friday, August 18. The former coach died in an Indian hospital after undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

The former Green Eagles star was buried after his body arrived Amiyi Obilohia in Isikwuato Local Government, Abia state.

Extra Time gathered that a funeral service was held at the International Church of Christ at his compound with interment following immediately after.

Nicknamed the Caterpillar, Emeteole played for the then Green Eagles at the 1976 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in Ethiopia and served as assistant coach for the Golden Eaglets in 1985.

Coach Emeteole was a veteran Nigerian football gaffer who has managed clubs like Enyimba, Lobi Stars, Heartland, El-Kanemi Warriors and reigning Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers.

The late Emeteole

Nwakaeme

en National Teams and Sarina Wiegman of Netherlands Women National Team also made the list.

Ebi stated that it was a well-deserved nomination for the coach whose effort and contribution to the team yielded a positive result in the 2016 CAF Women Cup in Cameroon.

“Her nomination didn’t come to me as a surprise because she deserved the nomination being a good coach.

“I was part of the team to Cameroon in 2016, she did a lot for the team in spite of the challenges we faced before and during the election.

“I wish her all the best and I hope she will make the final three that will be up for the award later in the year,” she said.

The final lists of three nominees for the award will be announced in mid-September.

As captain, Omagbemi won the Africa Women Cup of Nations with the Super Falcons in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004, making her the only individual to have won the competition as a player and coach.

84 players for Cricket NYG zonal playoffs Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

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yo Adewole, Secretary-General FCT Cricket Association, says a total of 96 players have arrived the FCT for the cricket North Central zonal playoffs ahead of the National Youth Games (NYG).

Adewole said on Friday that Kogi, Niger, FCT and Plateau are participating in the event.

He said all states have both male and female teams except FCT with the male team only.

“We do not know why Nasarawa state did not show up for the playoffs but Kwara state has been given automatic qualification as the host of the NYG. “We will take care of their accommodation but the states will fund the players feeding and other logistics,’’ he said.

The playoff is scheduled for Aug.18 to Aug. 20 at the National Stadium while the NYG is scheduled for Sept. 7 to Sept. 17 at the University of Ilorin.

Curtain falls on Savannah Conference 6 Play-offs

Andrew Ekejiuba

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ostilities in the Kwese Premier League Savannah Conference Six Play-offs will climax today at the lndoor Hall of the Murtala Square Kaduna. After playing four games each since the opening day of the championship, defending champions, Kano Pillars remain the only unbeaten team winning all their matches.

Wednesday was observed as rest day. On Monday, Kano Pillars defeated Gombe Bulls 104-97, beat Kada Stars 91-58 on Tuesday and defeated Bauchi Net 85-44 on Thursday after resumption of play following Wednesday’s rest day.

Against Niger Potters which had not lost any game before meeting the defending champions, Pillars humiliated the Minna boys by 103-71 points.

So far, only Kada Stars have not won a game in the play-offs that will see four teams advance from the Savannah Conference to play four other teams in the Atlantic Conference next month in Kano. Kada lost their first game to Plateau Peaks 69-88, lost the second match 58-91 to Kano Pillars, third to Gombe Bulls 53-90 and narrowly lost to Bauchi Net 70-73.

Gombe Bulls bounced back from two earlier loses to Kano Pillars 97-104 and 105-106 against Niger Potters to win two straight wins against Kada Stars 53-90 and Plateau Peaks 90-57. They however have a must win game today against neighbours Bauchi Net to book a place in Final 8.

Bauchi Net have so far won only a game against the whipping team of the Conference, Kada Stars 73-70 and like Kada are also technically out of qual-

Kwese Premier Basketball league action ification after losing three games.

The race for qualification and classification is what has heightened confrontation within the last two days. Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Gombe Bulls and Plateau Peaks look good to scale through depending on the last games today

particularly for Peaks and Bulls.

In today’s fixtures Gombe Bull will battle Bauchi Net; Kano Pillars will test their might against Plateau Peaks while the final game is between Niger Potters versus Kada Stars.

Meanwhile, the final games at

the Conference holds as from 10am to 4pm today and it will accommodate Conference champions line up in team jersey, remarks and presentation of trophy to Conference champions.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Victorious Netherlands women’s national team celebrating after claiming their maiden Uefa Women’s Euro title.

Netherlands rise: Lessons from Women’s Euro 2017

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he Netherlands team made history by claiming their maiden Uefa Women’s Euro title and became the fourth nation to emerge as European champions after defeating Denmark 4-2 in a thrilling final on Dutch home soil.

The tournament will also be remembered for the quality football on display and the end of German dominance.

France crashed out in the quarter-finals to England, who were then sent packing in the semi-finals by the eventual winners.

Germany’s exit at the hands (on this case the feet) of Denmark in the quarter-finals saw their 22- year reign as champions come to an end.

The talent on display has never felt closer to mirroring the men’s game at the highest competitive levels as it did during this tournament and in the broader scheme of things

“The incredible atmosphere created by the 28000 Dutch fans in Enschede, along with the travelling Danish fans turned the football showpiece into an unforgettable carnival atmosphere. On the streets, on TV screens, billboards and even printed materials, the Dutch seized the Euros as the perfect platform to flaunt their solidarity for their women’s national team.”

the exit of the big guns has proven just how much the game as evolved.

The presence of Denmark and Netherlands in the final showed that there is a future for women’s football nations outside the established order.

The outlay of more energy and resources in women’s football by Uefa with the launch of the ‘Women’s Football Development Programme’ in 2010 looks to be yielding a significant result.

The branding, expansion of the competition, increase in prize monies plus the improved standard of the Uefa Women’s Champions League indicates that women have a lot more to play for.

Examining what the Dutch did right, it began administratively when Coach Arjan van der Laan was replaced with assistant Sarina Wiegman after a poor run of results last November ahead of the finals.

Wiegman recovered the team’s confidence as they won eight games in 11 friendlies, losing narrowly to Japan, France and Australia in the build up to the tournament.

Her breakthrough, especially after silencing Mark Sampson’s England in the semis, confirms that women coaches globally are fast dominating and outshining their male counterparts in the women’s game.

On the host’s part, their efforts to take the women’s game seriously has reflected in the nation’s success on the first attempt to stage the tournament. Staging a successful tournament requires significant resources and different dimension of planning driven by worst-case scenarios. No surprise, the Netherlands were fully ready for the showpiece of 16-nation.

Euro 2017 attracted great audiences across various platforms globally and ranked as the most followed in history with the final being watched by an average of 4.1m viewers and more than 13m globally, based on Uefa’s report.

According to Uefa, fan attendance this term hit 240,054 a figure against 2013’s 216,888 - with the Netherlands becoming the first host nation to sell out all their matches, attracting a total of 110,897 crowds. The incredible atmosphere created by the 28000 Dutch fans in Enschede, along with the travelling Danish fans turned the football showpiece into an unforgettable carnival atmosphere.

On the streets, on TV screens, billboards and even printed materials, the Dutch seized the Euros as the perfect platform to flaunt their solidarity for their women’s national team. Netherlands goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal acknowledged the home crowd’s role en route to claiming the coveted crown.

“When you looked around, everyone was orange and everyone was screaming and supporting us. I’m so happy!”

Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam, a Nigerian journalist who attended the finals in the Netherlands, said that there is an expanding market in the women’s game in Europe.

“The Uefa Women’s Euro has shown that there is a market for women’s football. For instance, a popular tyre company - through their adverts which showed on the big screen at every match venue - expressed their support for the Germans, describing them as a team with ‘perfect precision’,” Nnadiegbulam said.

“On the host’s part, their efforts to take the women’s game seriously has reflected in the nation’s success on the first attempt to stage the tournament. Staging a successful tournament requires significant resources and different dimension of planning driven by worst-case scenarios. No surprise, the Netherlands were fully ready for the showpiece of 16-nation. Euro 2017 attracted great audiences across various platforms globally and ranked as the most followed in history with the final being watched by an average of 4.1m viewers and more than 13m globally, based on Uefa’s report.”

“Again, the social media engagement was top notch, delivering prompt reports of the action in pictures, videos, facts, and figures.

And making it even more fun with games like the bucket challenge and much more.”

The quality of football, massive following, beautiful branding concepts and huge marketing strategies are great lessons worthy of emulation for other ‘sleeping’ confederations. Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ Ƌêƅ ƌ

Saturday, August 19, 2017

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EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO…

I’ll help Neymar become world’s best—Emery

Stories by Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Reports

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nai Emery hopes to help Neymar become the world’s best player at Paris SaintGermain but insists he is treated like any other member of the squad.

The Brazil star enjoyed a promising debut following his worldrecord €222million move from Barcelona, bagging a goal and an assist as PSG made it two wins from two in Ligue 1 with a 3-0 victory at Guingamp.

Neymar is set for his first outing at Parc des Princes against Toulouse on Sunday, having watched PSG beat Amiens 2-0 on the opening day of the season after being presented to the crowd prior to kick-off.

Head coach Emery has no doubt the 25-year-old brings extra quality to the team but says their way of playing is not likely to change.

“His arrival is important. A lot of fans want to see him but he needs some peace and quiet, too,” he told a news conference.

“He is one more player in the squad. We make the most of his qualities but nothing changes in

everyday life. “He’s a young player who wants to get better here. We want to help him become the best player in the world.

“Neymar brings something more with his change of pace, he gives more quality in one-against-one situations. But we have the same idea as last year: to have control of the ball. “We want to be stronger than last year. The team started well. I try to create a good mentality, to make sure we have good physical preparation. The title is our primary goal this season.”

Emery went on to wish good luck to midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is set to join Serie A champions Juventus in a €20m deal.

“We were very happy with him,” said Emery. “He was looking for a good opportunity. He chose to take that with another team. There are young players, like Christopher Nkunku or Adrien Rabiot, who can replace him.”

Emery confirmed Lucas Moura will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle problem, while Grzegorz Krychowiak sat out training on Friday and is unlikely to be involved.

The former Sevilla boss hopes to have Marco Verratti back from a knock, though, and has encouraged the Italy star to improve his contribution to PSG’s attack.

Costa not Atletico player,says Simeone

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Neymar

Boateng completes Frankfurt move K evin-Prince Boateng has completed his return to the Bundesliga by signing a three-year deal at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Former Schalke and AC Milan midfielder Boateng was a free agent after leaving Las Palmas for personal reasons on Wednesday.

Boateng underwent a medical on Friday and subsequently signed his deal with Frankfurt before ex-

plaining why he opted to leave Las Palmas, for whom he scored 10 goals in 28 LaLiga appearances last season.

“I’m now closer to my family in Milan,” Boateng told reporters.

“And I’m with people who know me. That was important to me.

“Fortunately I was born in Berlin. I am a chameleon, I can adapt.

I have great memories of the Bundesliga. But I’d rather look for-

tletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone insists he is “very clear” on the Diego Costa transfer situation.

Chelsea outcast Costa insists Atletico are the only club he wishes to join, having helped them to LaLiga glory in 201314 before moving to the Premier League.

The Spain striker fanned the flames of his situation at Stamford Bridge by granting a tell-all interview last weekend and has now claimed to that the English champions are pricing him out of a move - urging Atletico to make a “big effort” to sign him.

Simeone is keen not to become embroiled in the saga any further, with Atletico’s stance complicated by the FIFA player registration ban that is hanging over them until January Speaking ahead of his side’s LaLiga opener at newly promoted Girona, Simeone said:

ward and look forward to the task.

“I’m versatile. I play where the coach puts me. I’ll be wearing the number 17, this is one of my favorite numbers. I asked Jan Zimmermann for the number - I must now take him out for dinner.

“I look forward to playing for this club. We want to build on last season, but with continuity.”

Former Ghana international Boateng has also played for

Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin in a varied career and Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic expects the 30-yearold to make a big impact.

“We know Kevin’s strengths in midfield and are convinced that he can play a key role in our team,” said Bobic. “Kevin is a winner with endless will.”

Guardiola sympathies with ‘beautiful’ Barca P ep Guardiola has paid tribute to the victims of the Barcelona attacks and says he is “very affected” by the events in his home city on Thursday.

Thirteen people died and more than 100 were injured when a van drove into pedestrians on the crowded Las Ramblas street, in an incident that local police are treating as an act of terrorism.

Five terror suspects were later killed in a police operation in Cambrils, a resort town roughly 100 kilometres from Barcelona, in a second vehicle attack in which one woman died.

Guardiola came through Barcelona’s youth system to star in Johan Cruyff’s feted “Dream Team” before returning as head coach

to lead an unprecedented spell of success at home and abroad between 2008 and 2012.

Now in charge of Manchester City, the 46-yearold offered a message of support during his Friday news conference to preview the Premier League game against Everton.

“My thoughts are for the people who died and are in difficult conditions,” he said.

“It’s happened in France, in London - unfortunately it is happening everywhere.

“But Barcelona will wake up and will show again what a beautiful country it is Catalonia and Spain - and all the best for the future.

“Obviously I am very affected by what happened so that is my best message for the families and the victims.

Las Ramblas is a very important place in the history of Barcelona, so again my thoughts for the families.

“I am sure the city and the country will stand up and move on. I just wish that it won’t happen in Barcelona or in the rest of the world.”

Barca will hold a special commemoration before their LaLiga meeting with Real Betis at Camp Nou on Sunday, while the Royal Spanish Football Federation has suggested that a minute’s silence is held prior to all fixtures in Spain’s top two divisions this weekend.

Boateng

Barca ‘close’ to signing Coutinho, Dembele

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Guardiola

“I have my ideas very clear, as I have already said before.

Diego Costa is not an Atletico player.

“The only thing I am worried about is the match in Girona.

We depend on three points.”

Despite being unable to add to his squad for the new season – Vitolo has joined Atletico from Sevilla but will play on loan at Las Palmas during the first half of the campaign – Simeone is delighted by the work Atleti have undertaken in keeping their star names.

Antoine Griezmann reaffirmed his commitment to the club, quelling links with Manchester United, while midfield star Saul Niguez penned a new nine-year contract.

“The club has made an effort to keep the key players who are very important ones for us,” he said.

“It’s clear that keeping those players shows the club has done a real job. Those players can make the difference in LaLiga and they are playing for Atletico.

“After that we try to put those skills on the pitch. I can repeat that some people can see our punishment as a weakness but we try to see the positive side, as we know each other better and we know what we are looking for and what we are playing for.”

arcelona general manager Pep Segura has said the signings of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are “close” after watching his side lose to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final.

Liverpool have remained adamant that Brazilian playmaker Coutinho - who has submitted a transfer request - will not be sold in this transfer window while Borussia Dortmund suspended Dembele after the forward failed to show for training amid links with Barcelona.

However, Segura expressed confidence deals for both players could be done before the transfer window closes.

“We are close to Coutinho and Dembele,” he said. “We are discussing their deals but do not know when it will be done.”

Asked if he expected them to sign, he added: “Yes, we expect it.”

Reports in Spain on Wednesday suggested Barca had agreed a fee with Dortmund for French winger Dembele.

Barca are looking to replace Neymar following his shock world record transfer to Paris St Germain, and their need for reinforcements was apparent as they lost 2-0 to Madrid on Wednesday night, completing a 5-1 aggregate loss to the Spanish and European champions.

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Ronaldo bitter over five-game ban

Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Reports

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Armstrong signs new Cetlic deal

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tuart Armstrong has signed a new two-year deal with Celtic to end rumours of an exit this month.

The Scotland midfielder only had one year left on his previous contract, prompting speculation linking him with a move to Premier League clubs Southampton, Swansea City and West Brom.

Armstrong, 25, was a key part of the Celtic side which won a domestic treble for the first time since 2001 under

Keizer expects Sanchez to quit Ajax

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to leave Ajax, the club’s head coach Marcel Keizer has confirmed.

Sanchez is expected to become Spurs’ club-record signing, with a deal worth £42million reportedly having been agreed for the centreback.

The Colombia international was left out of the Ajax squad for their Eredivisie defeat at Heracles on Saturday and their home loss to Rosenborg in the Europa League on Wednesday as speculation about his future continues.

And while Keizer believes Sanchez will move on before the closure of the transfer window, the Ajax coach says stars including Kasper Dolberg, Hakim Ziyech and

Kayode loaned to Girona

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Ronaldo

Brendan Rodgers last season.

“I am delighted to sign this new contract with Celtic,” said Armstrong after signing his contract until 2019 on Friday.

“I have had a tremendous time at the club so far and it has been a period in my footballing career which I have enjoyed immensely.”

He added: “It has been an honour to play for a club of such stature. I have enjoyed a great relationship with our supporters and we have achieved a high level of success, something it has been great to be part of.”

Armstrong signed for Celtic from Dundee United in Februeported Tottenham target ary 2015.

Davinson Sanchez is likely

Kayode

aLiga newcomers Girona have made their latest loan signing from Manchester City, securing striker Olarenwaju Kayode until the end of the season.

City brought in the 24-yearold Nigeria international for a reported £3.5million from Austria Wien on Thursday.

Although the Premier League side have not officially announced the deal, Girona confirmed on Friday they had taken him on loan

ristiano Ronaldo has bitterly criticized his five-game suspension for pushing a referee who had sent him off, describing the ban as ‘’persecution.’’

Ronaldo wrote on his Instagram account on Wednesday that ‘’it is impossible to remain silent in this situation, 5 games!! It seems exaggerated and ridiculous to me, this is called persecution!’’

Ronaldo’s outburst came after the Spanish soccer federation ratified his suspension, which was announced on Monday.

The Real Madrid forward missed the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona later on Wednesday.

He will also miss the first four matches of the Spanish league, which Madrid opens on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna.

Ronaldo was suspended for one match after being sent off during Sunday’s first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Spanish media reports said Madrid appealed Ronaldo’s second yellow card, when the Portugal forward was booked for diving.

Ronaldo was given an additional four-match ban for shoving the referee in the back after he was shown the red card.

Ronaldo concluded his Instagram message with ‘’Thanks to my teammates and fans for their support.’’

The message was accompanied by a photo of the moment when referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea showed Ronaldo the red card.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has also criticized the extended ban of his best player.

– adding to a City contingent of Pablo Maffeo, Aleix Garcia, Marlos Moreno and Douglas Luiz at Montilivi. Kayode was the top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga with 17 goals last season as Wien finished as runners-up behind champions Red Bull Salzburg.

Girona play their first LaLiga game at home to Atletico Madrid today, having concluded their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over City in midweek.

Justin Kluivert will stay.

“It seems Sanchez leaves, but I assume that everyone else remains,” Keizer said. “After last night, I have heard nothing, negotiations will continue.

“Of course, you would rather have clarity around your players, but it’s no excuse for back-to-back defeats.

“I would like to keep the group together, but if there is a big club with a lot of money, the player also has his say.”

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the potential signing of Sanchez on Friday but he opted not to confirm the Premier League club’s interest in the defender.

“I cannot speak about him be-

cause he’s not our player,” Pochettino told reporters on Friday. “He’s a player in another club.

“Like always I fully respect everyone from every club and every player - I never speak about rumours. We expect to sign some players before the end of the transfer window.

“That is our aim - to try to improve our squad and try to bring new faces and new energy to the team because it will be a long sea-

Allegri tasks Dybala on form J uventus star Paulo Dybala has been told he must produce an “extraordinary season” by head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The forward was linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window, having enhanced his reputation with two productive campaigns in Turin since joining from Palermo.

Dybala scored twice as Juve suffered a shock loss to Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana last week and is expected to feature when his side host Cagliari today to open their defence of the Scudetto.

Allegri hopes last weekend’s brace will be a sign of things to come, but has warned Dybala he still has work to do if he wants to reach the very top of the world game.

“He needs to have an extraordi-

nary season,” said Allegri.

“It would be a mistake to think that he could not improve and is already at the highest level. He can still improve and to do that he must work hard.

“For him it is an important season - he has to prove himself as worldclass in Italy and, above all, Europe.

“Dybala was a striker at Palermo, but his role is now behind the strikers.

His role suits him a lot because of his physical qualities – he runs 13km a game. The position lets him combine all his running with so much quality that he has. He can express himself there.”

The Argentina international has been given the historic number 10 shirt by Juve this season, following in the footsteps of former stars Paul Pogba, Carlos Tevez and Alessandro Del Piero.

Allegri

“Dybala isn’t affected by the pressure of the number 10,” said Allegri.

“His mental strength is exceptional and he has clear goals in his mind.”

son.”

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ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP… ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP… ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

BRIEFS

Rooney deserves more credit —Sigurdsson N

Sanchez joins Tottenham in club-record deal

Tottenham have completed the signing of defender Davinson Sanchez from Ajax in a club-record deal that could rise to €42million.

Arsenal defender Gabriel joins Valencia

Stories by Ben Nwachukwu with Agency Reports ew Everton signing Gylfi Sigurdsson believes teammate Wayne Rooney deserves more respect for his achievements during his career.

The Iceland international completed a move from Swansea City this week in a club-record deal reportedly worth £45million.

The 27-year-old is the eighth signing made by manager Ronald Koeman in a hectic transfer window, during which Rooney made a return to his boyhood club after 13 years at Manchester United.

Sigurdsson is relishing the prospect of playing alongside England’s record goalscorer and feels he has not always been treated fairly given his success.

“He’s been a fantastic player for Everton and Manchester United and the national team and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves,” he told a news conference. “But he’s one of the players I look forward to playing with.”

Sigurdsson is relieved to have signed a five-year deal at Goodison Park following a protracted transfer saga, although he insists there is no bad blood between himself and Swansea boss Paul Clement.

“Me and Paul and all the staff there had a really good relationship, there was no going behind each other’s backs or anything,” he said. “After a difficult season last year, if there was a possibility for me to look somewhere else, I wanted to be open to it.

“Everton has high ambitions and it’s been making the squad stronger. We want to continue the good progress from the last couple of years.”

Koeman expects Sigurdsson to help to ease the burden of losing last season’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku, who left for United in a deal reportedly worth an initial £75m.

Valencia have signed Gabriel Paulista for a reported €11milllion, the centre-back agreeing a fiveyear deal at the club after leaving Arsenal. Gabriel joined the Premier League side from Villarreal in January 2015 and made 64 appearances in all competitions during his two-and-a-half years in north London. Valencia, who will present the defender to the media today, confirmed Gabriel’s contract runs until 2022 and has a release clause of €80m.

Neymar

Rodriguez set to make Stoke debut Jese Rodriguez is set to make his Stoke City debut against Arsenal.

Manager Mark Hughes revealed he wants to give all of his six recent signings an appearance when the Gunners visit the bet365 Stadium today, although he is yet to decide which of those will start. Former Real Madrid forward Jese has joined on a season-long loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain, delighting Hughes, who described the 24-yearold’s talent as “elite”.

Burke in Crystal Palace radar, says De Boer

F Coutinho

Reds reject £114m Barca bid for Coutinho

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iverpool have rejected a third bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho - believed to be in the region of £114m.

Last week, the Reds rejected a £90m bid from the Spanish giants for the 25-yearold Brazil attacking midfielder, who then submitted a transfer request.

Coutinho has missed the opening two games of Liverpool’s season with a back injury, but the club has repeatedly stressed he is not for sale.

Despite that, Barca have previously said they are “close” to signing him.

On Thursday, responding to Barcelona

general manager Pep Segura’s claim that a deal was close, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: “I don’t know why other people are saying what they are saying.

“I don’t even know them - especially this guy. I’ve never even met him.”

The La Liga side have moved for Coutinho after selling Brazil team-mate Neymar to Paris St-Germain for a world record transfer fee of £200m. Coutinho signed a new five-year deal at Anfield in January, which did not include a release clause.

He is also set to miss today’s home Premier League match against Crystal Palace.

rank de Boer has revealed RB Leipzig winger Oliver Burke is a player of interest for Crystal Palace, but stressed they are tracking many targets.

Burke, 20, joined Leipzig for a reported £13million from Nottingham Forest ahead of last season and played 25 Bundesliga games as the promoted side impressively finished second.

However, only five of those appearances were starts, leaving De Boer interested in making a swoop as Palace look to bolster their squad before the transfer window closes.

“He is a very young, promising Scottish player of course,” De Boer said ahead of today’s match away to Liverpool.

“He had a great year at Leipzig, though he didn’t play in all the matches.

“He is from Great Britain, so it is always interesting to see those kinds of players and he is still very young. Maybe – but we are also focusing on other players.

“We want quality players who can improve the squad, are 100 per cent fit and can fit in directly with how we are playing.

You are not going to throw money away.”

De Boer will be without Wilfried Zaha against Liverpool due to a knee injury, a major blow after Palace lost their opener 3-0 to Huddersfield Town.

“Wilf Zaha is not fit,” he said. “That is of course very negative news for us.

“Wilf’s a very robust player, but we don’t want to force it, because we need him for a whole year of course.

“It is still quite difficult to say how long it is going to take but I know Wilf is a player

who wants to get fit again as soon as possible.

“He’s a very important player for our team but we have to deal with it. Almost everybody [else] is fit but maybe not to play 90 minutes for example, Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur.”

Burke

Defoe pushing for start against Watford J

ermain Defoe is in contention to make his first Bournemouth start in the Premier League against Watford today.

Eddie Howe’s men are at home for the visit of the Hornets as they look to avoid a second consecutive defeat to kick-off the new season.

Bournemouth lost 1-0 at West Brom last week, a match in which new signing Defoe only appeared as a second-half substitute, but the England striker is now likely to start.

“Jermain didn’t have a knock but he felt a tightness in his groin after the Valencia pre-season game,” said Howe.

“He felt it until before the West Bromwich Albion game but he came on in that game and is in contention to start this weekend.”

Howe comes up against Marco Silva for the second time this year today having lost to the Portuguese in his first league match in charge of Hull City in January.

The Cherries boss was full of praise for the Watford boss and the way he has adapted to life in England.

“Marco Silva is very friendly, very knowledgeable and did his research on the Premier League so he’s got a very bright future,” said the Bournemouth boss.

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INTERVIEW Super Eagles players looking dejected after a poor show.

Russia 2018: Nigeria’s last chance to win WC—Apostle Aika

The Primate and Founder of the Glory Church of Christ, Egor, on the outskirts of Benin, Apostle Tommy Yisa Aika, is known for his spot predictions on the Nigeria national soccer team, the Super Eagles. The 76-year-old Esan, Edo State-born seer has on various occasions claimed to be the pillar behind some of the chains of successes achieved by the team. In this exclusive interview with OSAZUWA IKPONMWOSA, the seer also stated that 2018 is Nigeria’s last chance to win World Cup. Excerpts:

Q

:How and when did you start predicting the outcome of Super Eagles matches?

A:It all started in 2002 when God revealed to me to go and read Amos 3 verse 7 which says that God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servant who’s a prophet.

The following night I had another vision where God told me to read the book of Luke 1 verse 32 - 37. Then Luke chapter 19 verse 10. This gave me the authority to write to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) as the football body was then known to demand for US $15,000 to commence prayer sessions that will make my prediction that we’ll qualify us for the Mundial come to reality.

The officials of the FA gave me the goahead to do the special prayers. There were three matches left for the Super Eagles to qualify for the Mundial. The first game was an away match with Sudan. We defeated them by a 4 goals to zero margin, irrespective of the support that the Sudanese president gave to his team telling his countrymen to go on 7 days fasting for them.

The Nigerian team was led by Coach Shuaibu Amodu in line with my prophetic advice. We beat Liberia that was before then leading the group two goals to nil and also defeated Ghana 3 - 0.

After the Super Eagles miraculously qualified for the World Cup the football administrators disobeyed God in line with my vision that Amodu should be in charge of the national team. They dumped Amodu for Coach Festus Onigbinde. That was how we played woefully at the 2002 World Cup finals.

In 22nd December 2003, I was at the NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja to see Dora Akunyili of blessed memory (the agency, NFF and FRSC were neighbours) to give her a message from God. But she was not on seat. So, I decided to use the opportunity to see Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, who was then a topshot of the NFA and whom I had known since his days with Julius Berger FC of Lagos.

Then I discussed the issue of the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in Tunisia in 2004.

I told him Cameroon that had all along been our nemesis would be our stumbling block

at the tournament. I got his consent to do the needful with an agreement that I will be entitled to the equivalent of a player’s bonus if Super Eagles emerged victorious.

We defeated the Cameroonians by 2 goals to 1. However, Ogunjobi reneged in his promise despite the fact that three of the players were sent out of camp for misconduct and thus the bonus that one of them was entitled to could have been given to me.

After the victory the President of the supporters club, Rafiu Ladipo, was saying that the members of the club turned to prayer warriors for the outcome of the match. Since Ladipo could make such a claim I decided to stay away from the Super Eagles so that he could achieve his plans for the team. Thus from that period to 2009 I had nothing to do with the team.

I came back in September 2009 when I predicted that despite our dismal performance we were going to qualify for the 2010 World Cup with two matches remaining and that God has made it known to me that Nigeria will be the first country in Africa to lift the trophy.

Not long after that the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua set up a Presidential Task Force (PTF) headed by the then Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi with the assignment of making sure that we qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“God has told me that the 2018 World Cup tournament is Nigeria’s last chance to win the prestigious trophy. And that Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President, is in good stead to make it happen and that’s the reason for his elevation to his present position, apart from the fact that God wants to use him to unite the people.”

The players condemned their coach saying that they have no confidence in him. While Amaechi lambasted the NFF, we were able to qualify for the tournament. Unfortunately, despite my prophecy that we can only win the World Cup with indigenous coaches the NFF employed a foreign coach to handle the team.

This affected our performance.

What is the chances of Nigeria qualifying for Russia 2018 World Cup and also doing well at the Mundial proper?

God has told me that the 2018 World Cup tournament is Nigeria’s last chance to win the prestigious trophy. And that Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President, is in good stead to make it happen and that’s the reason for his elevation to his present position apart from the fact that God wants to use him to unite the people.

There is however a caveat that we should not employ a foreign coach. The prophecy is very loud and clear. We should not let a foreign coach lead our team to the tournament. God cannot be mocked neither will His words come back to Him without achieving His purpose.

I will participate in the spiritual aspect of selecting three coaches and two financiers to be attached to the team. The process of the spiritual selection of the coaching crew will involve a girl not older than 7 years picking the three coaches and the two financiers through a lucky dip. One of the coaches would be given the responsibility of coaching the team. The

Apostle Tommy Yisa Aika.

second coach would be saddled with the responsibility of training the midfielders.

Then the third will be assigned to training the defenders and goalkeepers.

As per the two financiers, one will be mandated to cater for the footballers while the other would be in charge of the officials.

All these will be done in the presence of the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and two other prominent personalities - Generals (Rtd) Theophilus Danjuma and Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Of course, I and my team of prayers warriors would be doing the needful in the background. We should not allow this opportunity to slip from us. It’s our very last chance. We have to act fast.

How has been your relationship with the nation’s football administrators?

I must be honest with you by saying it has not been smooth sailing. I have been harassed and insulted by some of the nation’s football administrators. Somebody like late Stephen Keshi when he was the coach of the Super Eagles behaved rudely towards me when I met him at the team’s camp in Bolton Hotel, Wuse, Abuja. He told the hotel security guards to bounce me out of the place.

This led to my being physically harassed and injured. Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi mandated me to pray fervently for the Super Eagles qualification to the World Cup finals during his tenure as the Secretary General of the NFF with a promise to compensate me and my prayer warriors. Till date he has yet to fulfill his promise. I have met with Amaju Pinnick, the current President of the NFF but he gave a cold shoulder. All these have not discouraged me from doing what God has given me the mandate to do. I am emphatic that until we harken to God’s words we will continue to grope in the dark. Our vision of lifting the World Cup trophy will remain just a mere dream.

Can you share with us your experience on your relationship with the management of the defunct Julius Berger FC of Lagos?

My relationship with the management of the Julius Berger FC of Lagos, which was one of the prominent outfits in Nigeria in the 90s

“The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, is only playing to the gallery by apologising for our poor performance in football. Nigerians do not need his apology at this time and would not accept it. Rather, he should do the needful. On February 27, 2016, I sent a proposal to him on the way forward for Nigerian football but he has not deemed it fit to give me a response. That is sad.” and early 2000 was very robust. I first met Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi when he was a member of the management team of Julius Berger FC under the chairmanship of Chief Daniel Idama. My relationship with the team started when a voodoo man recommended that the management should do some fetish things so that the club would be able to perform well on the field of play. I met Chief Idama and countered the recommendations telling him that he should embrace prayers instead which he accepted.

What’s your reaction to the recent apologies made by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung to the recent Super Eagles poor show?

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr.

Solomon Dalung, is only playing to the gallery by apologising for our poor performance in football. Nigerians do not need his apology at this time and would not accept it. Rather, he should do the needful. On February 27, 2016, I sent a proposal to him on the way forward for Nigerian football but he has not deemed it fit to give me a response. That is sad.

The arms of the Almighty are bigger than most people can imagine and He is abundantly able to give us succour if we humble ourselves and keep to His commandments.

THE

DAILY

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Business & Economy

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Why Nigerian youths need entrepreneurial orientation – Nwosu Page B2

Air Peace boss disowns fake Facebook accounts Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Air Peace Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allen Onyema has alerted the public of the existence of several fake Facebook accounts created by fraudsters in his name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

A statement issued by the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said Onyema had no Facebook or any other social media account.

The existing social media accounts with the name and pictures of the carrier’s boss, the statement warned, were the creation of criminal elements seeking to swindle members of the public out of their hard-earned money.

“Our attention has been drawn to several social media accounts in the name of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema.

Some of the accounts, especially on Facebook, bear the pictures and other materials connected to our chairman.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, we confirm that all the accounts are fake and were created by fraudsters intent on scamming members of the public of their hard-earned money and other valuables. Air Peace Chairman has no Facebook or any other social media account and has not authorised anyone to open or maintain any in his name.

“Members of the public are, therefore, advised to refrain from dealing with the fraudsters posing as the Chairman of Air Peace and report any suspicious representation in his name to security agents for action,” the statement said.

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Tourism: Nigeria lagging behind in domestic brand -Expert Page B3

Addressing power sector problems through renewable energy Page B7

Solar revolution will transform business in Nigeria - Tsitrinbaum Azubike Nnadozie, with Agency report The people behind one of the fastest growing off-grid solar companies in Africa have said that the mobile solar revolution will transform Nigeria’s small-business economy.

Access to power is a major constraint for Nigeria’s SMEs, and thousands are now using the Lumos Mobile Electricity service, which provides customers

with reliable, clean, affordable solar electricity.

Lumos Nigeria CEO Yuri Tsitrinbaum believes the availability of solar solutions will play an essential role in efforts to bridge the nation’s electricity supply gap. He says that businesses without access to the grid find alternative electricity sources expensive, unreliable and dirty - many are now discovering that the clean energy wave sweeping across Africa can transform

their fortunes.

A recent survey conducted by NOIPolls revealed that 61% of SMEs in Nigeria spend between an ODI survey has indicated that as many as 85% of micro and small businesses rely on generators for supply of electricity.

With the Mobile Electricity ser-

Lumos’ Mobile Electricity service, in partnership with MTN,

is an alternative to noisy, polluting generators. Available at MTN stores nationwide, the Y’ello Box is providing a solution to millions of Nigerians who don’t have access to reliable electricity.

Lumos, which has attracted major investors into the Nigerian economy, has witnessed a rapid rise in the number of SMEs thriving thanks to safe, reliable and affordable power from the Y’ello Box.

R-L: Mr. Muyiwa Akande, Corporate Affairs Manager, SIFAX GROUP; Mr. Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank Plc; Mrs. Marvis Marshal-Idio, winner of The Next Titan Season-3; Executive Producer of the Next Titan, Mr. Mide Kunle-Akinlaja and Commercial Manager, Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Ltd, Rogers Cookey, at a press conference to flag off the season 4 of the entrepreneur TV Show ‘The Next Titans’ project in Lagos yesterday.

Myke Uzendu, Abuja The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has given a 100 percent score to 14 indigenous companies for their for total audit compliance, while four companies representing 6%,failed to make submissions before the deadline as was revealed in the on-going independent Audit of the Oil and Gas Industry covering 2015.

According to NEITI, some companies recorded 94, 88, 80, 75 and 72 percent compliance out of sixty-five (65) covered entities, made of up fifty-five (55) oil and gas companies and ten (10) relevant government agencies, which par-

Chevron, Mobil, FIRS, others top NEITI compliance ranking ticipated in the ranking exercise.

The Agency pointed out that the criteria for the compliance ranking focused mainly on two major critical areas in the NEITI audit value chain. “These are timeliness and completeness in submission of information and data requested

by NEITI in the audit templates.

While timeliness measured when the covered entities submitted the templates, the completeness considered how many of the applicable templates were submitted.”

The 2015 independent oil and gas audit, is to examine payments made by companies including

taxes, royalties, rents, signature bonuses where applicable and receipts by relevant government agencies, report quantities of oil and gas produced, exported or imported, carry out validation of payments by companies against receipts by government agencies to determine if companies paid what they ought to pay and if government received what it should receive.

The exercise will equally review policies and procedure of revenue collection, report on cases of underpayments and under assessments. The audit process will

weigh the financial, physical and process transactions during the period under review on the scale of transparency and accountability as required by the global EITI standard and provisions of NEITI Act. In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, “Fourteen companies topped the ranking table with a maximum score of 100%.

The companies are Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Consolidated, Continental, Eroton, Esso Exploration, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources.

Business Interview B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Why Nigerian youths need entrepreneurial orientation – Nwosu Bonny Amadi Nigerian youth have cause to be glad as the youth organisation for Boys, the boys Brigade of Nigeria is committed to erecting entrepreneurial training center to equip Nigeria’s budding youths with quality skills that would prepare them for the future.

The BB is an international and inter-denominational organization started in Scotland in 1883 and came to Lagos in 1908 and cuts across the entire block of the world, The incoming president of the BB, Sir Sunny Nnwosu, disclosed recently in Lagos during a pre inauguration press briefing, that empowering youth with quality education, skills and knowledge of righteous behavior has remained the focus of the youth organization that is spread across schools and religious organizations.

He added that ensuring that Nigerian children and youths become financial savvy, and the completion of national secretariat of the BB in Abuja Municipal Council would be part of key focus of his tenure as president of the Christian uniformed youth organization for boys.

Sir Sunny Nwosu, whose induction as the national president of the BB Nigeria is scheduled for Sunday 27th August 2017 at the St Ferdinand Catholic Church, Boys Town Ipaja Lagos, said that the investiture ceremony will be crowned with launch of N100 million Brigade Development fund, which will be deployed towards continue work on the national headquarters in Abuja, entrepreneurial development center, fencing its 4.5 acres of land and strengthening youth empowerment ventures.

Nwosu said that the funds would be used to complete its national headquarters in Abuja and for the development of its vocational centres in Abuja and Lagos.

He said that the Aug. 27 investiture at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos would be used to raise funds for the identified infrastructural developments for the advancement of the BB, and youths.

“We want to mould a future for youths with the fear of God because without fear of God many things will go wrong in the country,’’ he said.

Nwosu Nwosu, who is also the founder of the Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN), said he would leverage on the capital market and other sec-

“We want to mould a future for youths with the fear of God because without fear of God many things will go wrong in the country,’’

tors of the economy to raise the N100 million.

“The investiture is to raise the value of the Brigade. My tenure is for three years and I want it to be eventful because we will leverage on the capital market and other sectors of the economy to raise the money,” he said.

He revealed that the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who has remained committed to youth empowerment will serve as the father of the day on the investiture ceremony, while a frontline the president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, is also expected as the guest of honour at the installation ceremony on August 27th.

He said that as the seventh president of the Brigade, part of his agenda would be to catchthem-young to reduce the deca-

dence in the society.

He blamed parents for not bringing their children up in the way of the Lord, noting that the decadence in the society could be linked living ungodly life.

At the evet graced by graced by chairman local organizing committee of the investiture, Mr. Bisi Onodipe, National Secretary of the BB Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Magwe, National Secretary, Mr. Festus Adeniyi among others, Nwosu said that the Boys Brigade is committed to development of vocational center for empowerment of youth to enhance their knowledge on earnings as well as power of investing, hence information drives the Nigerian capital market.

“I have actually been talking to members about the capital market,, you are all living witnesses to what has happened to the capital market from 2007 to present day, it is very discouraging to get people to turn in whatever capital they have into the capital market, the organization I belong to, we have always been trying to convince people to invest in the market, therefore I cannot isolate the Boys Brigade from that understanding” According to the president of the BB to be inducted next Sunday the forth coming investiture in Lagos is the first time such event is taking place in Lagos for the past 60 years, for an organization that was founded in Glasgow Scotland on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith, and inaugurated in Nigeria in 1908.

He said that out of the 30 million BB members in Nigeria scattered across 36 states of the federation, 2 million are in Lagos and the majority are youths as entrant age is 3 years.

The youthful population, he said would be enhanced for effective development of the nation’s economy through financial inclusion and target education on financial management, savings, capital market education and entrepreneurship development of the large youthful population.

He said that irrespective of the challenges in the capital market, he has continued to advance the benefits of investing in the market. “ Formerly, we use capital

market products as gifts for new born babies, such products as share purchase for new born, but developments in the market has negated such practices.

He said that buying shares now for children in their names would ne falsified by BVN, which ensures that proceeds from the investment will not be paid directly into the kids account name, and such dividends in children’s names for shares bought for them by their parents are prevalent in many homes. “For such transaction to reflect in the child’s name, such beneficiary must attain the age of 18”, he said.

The intention for youth empowerment via saving in capital market is to poach and get the young ones because the youths are very relevant to Nigerians socio economic and political developments.

We are also looking at what we met on ground to see if we have to make some adjustments to improve on them.

On a good count, the boys’ brigade members should be about 30 million, and Lagos state has almost 2 million members, across 36 states with the federal capital which is so promising, This was in tandem with what the national secretary of Boys Brigade, Mr. Sunday Magwe earlier statement that the objective of the Boys Brigade Nigeria as uniformed youth organization is advancement of God’s kingdom among boys.

He said that the organization is structured and networks across the 36 states of Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and the globe.

According to him, membership of the organization starts from three years and has no age barrier “Before now, there was no secretariat, but anew one was started by the last administration in AMAC Abuja, which the new president has committed to devote greater energy to.

The BB general secretary revealed that in the last 60 years, there has not been BB’s national investiture in Lagos, ad that the vocational training Centre to be built by the BB is to help boys secure meaningful earnings through Mr. Magwe, emphasized that the objective of the Brigade IS the advancement of God’s kingdom.

B3

Tours&Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

s

Tourism: Nigeria lagging behind in domestic brand - Expert

FACTS BOX *Nigeria not doing enough to enhance domestic tourism * Jhalobia Park and Gardens located along Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road in Lagos. * Initially the location of the garden was a dumpsite but and a hideout for criminals * Intent was to establish a Non Governmental Organization * So I actually set up this place for the revival of the lost values and virtues of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s * Nothing much excepting that we are thinking on expanding to make here a real botanical garden and research centre * It also has a children’s play ground equipped with play toys * Now it is #980,000, if you are to take the whole place but as little as #550,000 one can do wedding.

ADEPOJU Ebere Chibuzor A tourism expert has said that Nigeria is not doing enough to enhance do-

mestic tourism such that will make the country one of the choice destinations.

Although, Nigeria is richly endowed with a variety of natural resources, but they

need to address state of insecurity has become imperative, as no nation can be a tourist destination without first paying attention to security.

This was the view of the

Managing Director of Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens, Mrs. Veronica Adepoju, who specializes in horticulture and gardens’ management.

Tourism industry and infrastructure She said that, “I would not say tourism is doing well in Nigeria because of the proCONTINUES ON PAGE B4

B4 Tours & Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday,August 19, 2017

B5 Tours & Travels

Tourism: Nigeria lagging behind in domestic brand - Expert CONTINUED FROM B3

paganda of insecurity of the country. They do not know that Lagos is quite far from the north. They just bunch things together. S,o not too many foreigners, except those people who really understand that Lagos is quite far distance from the northeast, could easily understand this.

And some of our domestic tourist sites are not destinations because, the roads are really not good enough. We are lucky that the international airport road directly in front of us.”

She said, “Electricity, if you do not have your own generators, you cannot really make it.

Public power is nothing to drive home about. With everything in place, tourism remains the best alternative choice to drive the economy, hence the sales in oil has drastically nosedived.”

Adepoju, who is also a barrister, was speaking to the Daily Times Correspondent on Wednesday at the Jhlobia Recreational Parks and Gardens located along Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road in Lagos.

According to her, initially, she had no intention of setting up any garden. What she had in mind was to set up a Non Governmental Organisation and use the platform to empower women. But through fate, today, she sits atop one of the most reputable and famous gardens in Lagos.

She said, “Initially, the location of the gardens was a dumpsite and a hideout for criminals,

but it has all

nization changed to a perfect and an excellent relaxation centre, which is popularly known as Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens, located along Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Road in Lagos.”

Currently, she said, the gardens, which began in 1980, has become a centre for guests, who come from far and wide just for fun catching, sight-seeing, conferences, seminars, weddings, birthday, marriages and other social functions.

Non- governmental orga-

Destinations Third Mainland Bridge The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest bridge in Africa and the longest of three bridges in Lagos, Nigeria.

There is the Eko Bridge, the Carter Bridge, and then the Third Mainland Bridge, connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. It starts at Owonronshoki and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. Measuring about 11.8 km long, the Third

CONTINUES ON PAGE B4

“It is people who made it to become business. In 1981, all I wanted to achieved was to held an exhibition to tell people what the therapeutic effect of gardening on the mind is.”

She said that, because she found out that “most women spent a lot of time groaning over what the men are doing to the women. Instead of daily meetings, complaining of what their husbands are doing, which I thought could get them mentally imbalance if they spend much time on gardening, beautifying their homes not only would

they have joy, their husbands were very pleased to the extent that they wanted me to become somebody to give talks to women on a programme called, “Feminine Fancies” at the only Te l ev i s sion stat i o n ; they had then in Benin; and it was Nigerian Television Authority as appreciation.

The commissioner of Agriculture then chaired the exhibition. The exhibition was such a huge success; and some people were asking me to sell plants.”

She said, “I did not intend to sell plants, but because of this demands, I expanded the planting I was doing at the back of my house and started selling plants. So, Jhalobia, as ugly as it was, became commercialized as a result of the request of the people to buy plants.

According to her, “When I left teaching, I taught for 35 years; and 10 years a school principal. Although, during

my teaching career, I saw a lot and I wondered about the origin of decadence in the society; because it was not so while I was young. But as a teacher, also with my exposure to the complaints and murmuring from those women, I decided to hold an exhibition. I came to understand that family fabric had been so weakened; and I decided to create a beautiful place, because in those days, I was very particular about husbands and wives’ issues.”

She said her intention was to establish a Non Governmental Organization(NGO), an umbrella body where those women would be re-oriented , adding that it was strictly on that focus, not until some Lagosians started coming to say can we hold our events there.

According to her, she started in Benin in 1980; and finally moved to Lagos after 13 years.

Origin of Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens “I set up this garden for the propagation of those ideals.

How to build, retain a happy home and how our children who have gone astray could be rescued by finding out or making them known to ourselves what is responsible for youth decadence, adult

decadence in the society. So, I actually set up this place for the revival of the lost values and virtues of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s; and once the place became beautiful, Lagos people with all their love for parties, came to find if they could have party here,” she said.

She added, “I became tired.

Everything in the society was going downwards in terms of values. I started teaching as a grade 2 teacher in 1962; and values was very high at that time, the profession was held in high esteem; and teachers knew what they were doing. By 1980s, I was not pleased with

what I was seeing; and I decided to read law. I decided to move that nursery at the back of my house to Lagos. Then, the nursery was beautiful that people would asked me, “ could we bring our children to come and play here?”

Geographical location The two-acre park of Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens is a tapestry of beautiful and functional garden features, such as, the ever-green lawns, walk ways, topiary of different shapes,

tains, ponds, rock gardens, gazebos of different sizes.

There are exotic trees, palms and flowers. It also has a children’s play ground equipped with play toys. The park is known for its expansive space for guests and it’s beauty.

Lagos residents, in particular, due to their love for parties and nostalgia for pre-independence parks, discovered Jhalobia Parks as a place suitable for running social programmes.

The garden also offers as an event centre for weddings, ceremonies, parties, product launches, seminars, religious retreats, picnics, school visits, children’s play centre, among other facilities.

Events Management

sculpture, water -falls, foun-

“When we started in 1998, it was with #80,000. Later, because of the change in the economy, we increased it to #300,000. Now, it is #980,000. if you are to rent the whole place, you could pay as little as #550,000 and 750 one can do your wedding too.

With event centres springing up everywhere. In a street, you could have about six event centres as if people do not know what to do before Jhalobia came into being. As soon as Jhalobia came into being, people started setting up event centres everywhere.”

ADEPOJU According to her, “Car garages in Lagos Island and everywhere, and even those of them with money who had empty spaces, have turned them to event centres. So, that had reduced our monopoly for occasional parties here. We had a monopoly of field events, but I can still boast that all the event centres available in Lagos, none has our kind of garden land-

scape; and we still have our own clients who insist on garden wedding; and it has drastically reduced to about 30 per cent.”

What Stands out Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens She said the gardens and the landscaping features, the tranquil atmosphere make it unique.

Most visitors to Nigeria come through Lagos anyway. Whether you are resident in Nigeria or coming in as a tourist, the following are some of the attractions you must see in Lagos anytime you visit;

Mainland Bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria and opened in 1990 by President Ibrahim Babangida.

Lekki Conservation Centre Managed by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, the Lekki Conservation Centre has a large area of wetlands and wildlife animals like

Silverbird Cinema and Galleria The Silverbird Cinema and Galleria is located at Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island, Lagos, and a modern facility for a shopping experience that you can only find in developed countries of the world.

It houses several cinema companies, with the Silverbird cinemas located in the multi-purpose building.

There is a spacious facility on the ground floor which can be used for dance competitions, parties, and other

amusing events that require a crowd. You can also find bookstores, boutiques, a bowling

center, and several other entertainment and lifestyle services at this galleria.

crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds, and other animals that you can see when you visit early in the morning or late in the evening. There is also a library and a conservation centre.

The Shrine

African

Once owned by the late afro music maestro Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the African Shrine is one place you must visit if you cherish weekly live performances by one of Fela’s most energetic sons, Femi Kuti.

Femi performs every Sunday night with his array of backup female singers, and you can also watch him re-

hearse every Thursday if he is available and not away on international tours. Visit the

African Shrine to enjoy the legendary beats of the late Fela brought to live again.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

B6 Tourism

Nigeria’s Diaspora festival to assist 15m Africans trace their roots - Dabiri-Erewa The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri -Erewa has said that the Federal Government is nursing a desire to help about 15 million Diaspora Africans trace their roots back home through the Nigeria Diaspora Festival in Badagry.

In a statement personally signed by Dabiri- Erewa and made available to the Daily Times on Thursday, the SSA said that the festival with a theme titled, The voyage to heritage “, will provide a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world and also promote the country’s tourism potentials.

The festival is scheduled to hold in Badagry between August 23 and 25, 2017 Abike-Dabiri also commended Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for throwing

his weight behind the festival, saying the event would host the largest gathering of Africans in the world, and that it was a thing of joy that many Africans in Diaspora had already indicated interest to trace their roots back home.

She said, “ After attending past editions of this event, it is evident that with consistency and the support of of the government and respective organisation, this would eventually be the biggest cultural events to come out of Africa”.

She further expressed delight at the concept of the door of return saying, “ celebrating the return of diasporans and their connection to homeland, as well as the platform to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world, will definitely enhance tourism.

“For the first time, we have been having in Badagry a festival that brings people in the Diaspo-

FTAN partners NCAC to promote Nigeria’s cultural tourism products The executive members of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) continued their Nigeria Tourism Sensitization drive with a working visit to the management of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja Nigeria, on August 10th 2017.

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) received FTAN executive members in the company of other NCAC Directors. The meeting resolved, among other things, that FTAN and NCAC would close ranks to jointly design, promote and sell inbound Nigeria tour packages.

He said the tour packages would be built around cultural festivals, events and host destinations in Nigeria.

At the meeting, FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, reiterated the fact that cultural tourism is Nigeria’s most competitive tourist product. The President recalled that leisure tourist arrivals to Africa are mostly in two catego-

ries, that is, either wildlife safari destinations, such as in East Africa, or cultural tourism destinations, such as in West Africa.

Alhaji Rabo emphasized that Nigeria’s ethnic diversity of over 300 cultural groups makes the country more appealing to cultural tourism source markets, like South America and Africans in Diaspora. And the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) core mandate includes, promoting Nigerian arts and culture.

Accordingly, some FTAN delegates at the meeting expressed their readiness to collaborate with officials of the NCAC, in conjunction with relevant traditional institutions, to professionally package some of Nigeria’s cultural events, including Osun Oshogbo festival, Argungu Fishing festivals, Sallah Durbars, Abuja carnival and many others.

The whole idea is to market such cultural tourism products at international tourist markets. They would be sold as full inclusive tour programs.

Alhaji offered FTAN’s plan to come up with a Ni-

ra together, but when we attended this festival a few years ago, we sat together and said this would be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa. “ One of the unique aspects of the festival is the ‘Door-of-Return’.

A lot of people and things were taken out of Africa, and Badagry, in particular. So, our people in Diaspora would be coming back through that door that we are calling the ‘Door-of-Return,’ which is the opposite of ‘Point-ofno-Return’ through which Africans were taken out. Beyond that, we will be showcasing the beauty and culture of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria in general, through the festival.” she added.

A major stride the festival is making this year is the coming on board of a marketing outfit to propagate its ideals as the best tourism brand worth supporting among Nigeria’s corporate community.

Dabiri

South Africa’s stakeholders review National Tourism Strategy to become Top 20 destination by 2020 A consultative session was held

by South Africa’s Department of Tourism aimed at soliciting inputs, as well as stimulating engagement by the public and private to ensure alignment and sharing of resources in the implementation of the South Africa’s Draft National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS).

South Africa’s Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa exchanged views with industry players and stakeholders during the session on the strategy.

The NTSS is a tourism development framework approved by the Cabinet in 2011 and which envisions South Africa becoming a top 20 tourist destination in the world by 2020. It is a guid-

The Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Thursday in Abuja called on Nigerians to exploit the nation’s multicultural background to promote its unity.

Saraki gave the advice while declaring open the Public Hearing on “Nigerian Tourism Development (NTDC) Corporation Act Cap N137 LFN, 2004 (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill 2017 (SB 429)’’.

The senate president said that the need to develop Nigeria’s tourism sector did not only lie with increasing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but also promoting its unity with its different multicultural background.

“At the high rate of our

ing document for economic growth and job creation in the tourism sector.

The Department of Tourism commissioned the review of the NTSS in 2015 in order to ensure alignment to the broader National Development Plan (NDP) as well as the Tourism Act 3 of 2014.

“The NTSS is a long-term framework which responds to the country’s development imperatives. We want to align ourselves to the NDP and contribute to the national agenda to inclusive growth by creating jobs and growing the economy,” Xasa said at the consultative session.

Referring to challenges facing the sector due to innovations such as the

sharing economy, the Minister said that the tourism industry was not immune to the fourth industrial revolution. “There will be shocks due to such technological innovations, but we remain a labour-intensive sector,” she added.

Tourism Department DirectorGeneral Victor Tharage presented the draft NTSS with emphasis on the five strategic pillars of the strategy which are effective marketing, facilitating ease of access, visitor experience, destination management practices and broad-based benefits which will strengthen the realisation on an inclusive and quality tourism sector.

Tourism bill: Saraki urges Nigerians to exploit nation’s diversity to promote unity people’s individual accomplishment virtually in all fields of human endeavours such as in writing, engineering, sports, etc.

“These people have branded themselves and the country effectively, and the potentials of Nigeria as a tourism destination can be better if the attention these individuals have drawn is harnessed back home.

“This must, however, be with a framework for projecting our tourism amenities and facilities to the rest of the world,’’ Saraki said.

The senate president said that the bill was to reposition the country’s tour-

ism industry to benefit its citizens economically with little cost on government.

He said that the bill was to encourage partnership with private investors who had interest in developing the nation’s tourism sector.

“The private sector unarguably is the driver of every country’s economy and in order to reduce the financial burden on the government.

“We will need the private sector to utilise the industry effectively to create employment, promote our cultural awareness while preserving our local cultures and tradition.

“The sector can stimu-

late trade, income and enter partnership, especially with Small, Medium-scale Enterprises and increase regional development.’’

The lawmaker said that even though the hospitality and tourism industry was underutilised, it contributed about 4.8 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2016, while employing about 1.6 per cent of Nigerians.

He stressed, however, that these figures could grow significantly if the tourist attractions were fully developed and utilised.

The senate president was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Bala Na’Allah.

Business Review B7 Simon Ugwu The power sector in Nigeria has experienced challenges over the years with regards to provision of constant power supply. As a result of these challenges experienced by Nigerians, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency has reaffirmed its commitment to increase household access to electricity in the sub-region by 35 per cent through renewable energy sources by 2020.

The International Energy Agency estimates that in order to achieve universal electricity access, mini-grids will have to provide around 40 per cent of new capacity by 2030 with the largest percentage needed in Sub-Sharan Africa.

The centre noted that at the moment, household energy access to electricity in the ECOWAS sub-region was below 50 per cent, which was among the lowest globally.

The Executive Director, Mr Mahama Kappiah, made this known at a regional training for 17 renewable energy experts from Englishspeaking member states of the sub-region in Abuja.

He said that the regional policies developed by ECREEE were aimed at increasing renewable energy access to 35 per cent by 2020 and 48 per cent by 2030.

Kappiah said that the policies were adopted by the Heads of State and member states were engaged to develop national action plans.

“The ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the region’s overall electricity mix to 35 per cent in 2020 48 per cent in 2030.

“The ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy aims to implement measures that would free 2,000 MW of power generation capacity.

“Following the adoption of these policies, the Heads of State engaged member states to develop their national action plans towards the attainment of the goals of these policies.

“Every member state has developed their national action plans.

“Following that they (Heads of State) said every country should develop an investment prospectus, that is the investment requirement to meet this action plan that will take everybody to this target,” he said.

He further said that 10 countries had developed their investment prospectus adding that the other five countries would conclude theirs by the end of 2017.

“Once all this is done, then we, together with member states will go on the fund mobilisation to look for ways to get funding to support one another and get these plans implemented,” he added.

He explained that the workshop for the 17 renewable energy entrepreneurs was part of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Entrepre-

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

Addressing power sector problems through renewable energy

Renewable Energy neurship Support Facility.

Kappiah added that the training would help participants develop project proposals, marketing strategies and learn how to access finances from banks.

The Coordinator, ECOWAS Community Development Programme, Mr Guevera Yao, disclosed accessing finances from the banks was a major challenge faced by entrepreneurs.

Yao said that the training would assist participants to develop “bankable” projects.

“Bankable projects are those projects that really outline not just the technical aspect but the financial aspect specifically return on investment, risks involved, the mitigating factors and this is called a business plan.

“This is something that has been noted across the 15 member states; having a bankable project is so important to attract any financing,” he said.

The Environmental and Sustainability Officer for FCT and North, ECOBANK, Mrs Abimbola Odesanya, said that viable projects would be reviewed and the needs of the entrepreneurs would be taken consideration.

“We are here to offer our financial services; the aim of this training is to make sure the projects are bankable and there are some things the banks look out for before a project is financed.

“Most importantly is payment sources, we also look at customers’ cash flows to see if they can pay back; if the projects are viable and we see that they can repay the bank will be willing to partner.”

Odesanya said that ECOBANK

was in partnership with the International Financial Cooperation and would use the feedback from the workshop to develop products favourable for entrepreneurs.

Also speaking, Regional Programme Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa, International Renewable Energy Agency, Safiatou Nouhou said that the training would also address challenges faced by renewable energy entrepreneurs.

Nouhou said that the workshop provided a platform to better engage with and understand the needs the entrepreneurs.

“We believe that training workshops and advisory assistance provided to entrepreneurs are ways in which we can closely engage with local enterprises and address some of their technical challenges so we can see more bankable renewable energy projects.”

The training is in partnership with IRENA, Centre for Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance and the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, among others.

In a related development, a team of Africa’s green energy experts would be hoping to within 18 months identify the key challenges that stand in the way of a practical green energy revolution in the economies of four African countries – Nigeria; Kenya; Rwanda; and Ethiopia.

Comprising of whizzes in the diverse aspects of climate change; environment; and renewable energy, the team disclosed at their second brainstorming session in Abuja that they would within the

18-month long research, generate questions and answers that will address the energy and environmental needs of the four African countries.

Operating on the platform of the Governing Inclusive Green Growth in Africa (GIGGA) that’s funded by the United Kingdom Research Council, the think-tank explained their mandate was specific on finding ways to boost the capacity of the four countries to produce more energy from renewable technology to support their economies.

Team leader of the group, Prof.

Chukwumerije Okereke, a professor of environment and climate change explained that GIGGA was set up to brainstorm on the capacity gap in green growth in the selected countries.

He said: “It pools African academics, NGOs, policy makers and business persons to come together and think about burning research questions in understanding how Africa can transition from a brown economy to a green economy.

“We have three work packages that include mapping the green growth initiative across Africa to understand who is doing what and motivations for the actions taken.

We are also going to review the academic works on what they have published on green growth.”

Besides Okereke, another member of the team, Prof. Kenneth Amaechi, who explained its adopted working strategy to influence policy implementation on green economy in the countries, said: “We are working with agencies to help policy formulators under-

stand the concept (green energy) better for implementation.”

Amaechi, called for a repackaging of knowledge and conversations on renewable energy in the continent to enable policy formulators understand better the significance of green energy projects in closing the energy gaps of African countries.

Similarly, President of the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN), Dr. Magnus Onuoha, who is also a member of the team, stated that the job-creation capacity of renewable energy was enormous to be ignored by Africa which still revels in poverty and underemployment.

“In terms of value addition, for one megawatt of solar deployed, there are over 3,000 jobs cutting across the value chain,” Onuoha said, while asserting that Nigeria’s petroleum industry has been able to create just about 50,000 jobs in the 50 years of its existence in the country.

He noted that Africa stood to gain more from turning its brown economy to a green one, adding, “We need to as a matter of fact harness our resources through intense researches. So, our issue is a research challenge in Nigeria, we don’t need to import solar panels as we can make them.”

Buttressing these points, the Director of power, energy, climate change and green growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Anthony Nyong, said Nigeria could lose such benefits of geometric job creation from green energy if capacity issues identified were not dealt with.

v

B8 Personal

Finance

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 19, 2017

What to know about the stock market Bonny Amadi Understanding the stock market and how to make money form the market takes time and commitment, it is not what is achievable on a short time basis.

Before learning how to use the stock market, one need to first understand, what stock market really is?

What is stock market?

A stock market could also be called equity market or share market, is the aggregation of buyers and sellers of stocks also called shares, which represent ownership claims on business entities.

These ownership rights may include ownership of securities listed on a public stock exchange, like the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as those not listed or traded over the counter (OTC) or traded privately.

Stock exchanges list shares of common equity as well as other security types, e.g. federal government bonds, Exchange traded funds (ETF), derivatives, corporate bonds, convertible bonds, features, options.

While shares, government bonds, corporate bonds derivatives are currently traded on the Nigerian Stock exchange, features and options are yet to be introduced by the exchange.

Getting Stock market information Market information could be accessed through the TV news, newspapers, the internet, radio or directly from professional stock brokers Market terms like, “The NSE ASI closed high. “The Dow Jones closed at record highs”; “The S&P 500 is trading down two-tenths of one percent”; “The stock market is reacting to news from Washington: The stock market is reacting to news from Abuja” The stock market seems to be everywhere in our daily lives, but what exactly is the stock market?

And, what are stocks that are bought and sold on this market?

What does it mean for you, for your employer, or for the country’s economy when the stock market had “a good day”?

Your rights as a shareholder’s According to Investopedia, getting answers to market questions are not always obvious once one begins to think about what stocks are. For example, you may have heard that owning stock means that you become an owner of that company. But what does that mean? As an “owner” can you rightfully walk into one of its offices and take home a chair or a desk? Can you hire and fire people?

As a shareholder, Voting Power on Major Issues, Ownership in a Portion of the Company, The Right to Transfer Ownership, An Entitlement to Dividends, Opportunity to Inspect Corporate Books and Records, The Right to Sue for Wrongful Acts and insisting compliance with Corporate Governance.

Top Nigerian companies listed on the stock Exchange The stock market is known as an institution that grows wealth or for savings. It has never been a casino, but a medium for savings through buying of shares in listed companies and expecting to benefit form their profit sharing.

However, when listed companies make loss, the shareholders also benefit from the loss by not receiving dividend hence loss making companies don’t pay dividend.

Some of the top companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) that provide ample opportunities for people to buy their shares and expect good returns are , NESTLE Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank, FBN Holdings, GTBank, Dangote Cement , UBA,Lafarge Africa amongst others.

Majority and minority shareholder Of course, if you only own a small number of shares, you only “own” a small percentage of the company, but what if you own a majority of the shares, could you then take home a chair or fire workers?

Once you’ve come to grasp these concepts and understand what makes the stock market tick, the hope is that you’ll become a smarter, more informed, and savvy investor. Even if you don’t have a brokerage account of your own and invest with your own money, you may very well be exposed to stocks via your retirement account, pension plan, college savings plans, health savings plans, or insurance policies.

Stock market, once a tool for the rich Once a tool for the rich, the stock market has now turned into the vehicle of choice for growing wealth for many segments of the population. Advances in trading technology and low-cost brokerage services on the internet have opened up stock markets so that today nearly anybody can own stocks with the click of a mouse.

Considerations for stock purchase That means you have a reason to believe the factory needs to be expanded, or that you understand broadly the type of research being done and what the payoff might be, or that you understand and believe in the business plan of

the new venture. In other words, investing is a rational decision made with an eye to the future.

When you invest, your money is intended to be put to work increasing value.

Need for stockbroker The dealing member of the Nigerian Stock exchange, or stockbroker is licensed to trade on the platforms of the NSE and render financial advisory services, however there are also unlicensed brokers who are not reliable and could be dubious, so caution must be taken in choosing a stock broker.

The stock broker’s job is to manage the financial portfolio of your client; so this could be an individual or a company. On the advice of investment analysts, the stockbroker stands a as the investor’s agent and charges commission for his services depending on the volume of transaction or counselling services rendered.

The stock broker discusses with you as the client which shares to buy or sell in order to get the best returns on the transaction.

Before proceeding However, it is important to distinguish between two common uses of the stock market: investing and speculation. Investing is when you hand over your money so that it is put to use for productive projects such as growth or expansion.

It is worthy to know that investing in a factory, in research and development, in a new business idea – these are all done with the expectation that in the future, the factory, the research, or the startup will be worth more than the original investment.

Speculation Speculative share purchase or investing, on the other hand, is akin to gambling. Speculators purchase something with the hope that they can soon sell it at a higher price, but without necessarily understanding, or even caring about why the price should go up.

Sometimes, speculators have an intuitive feeling, or are trading on rumor, but ultimately they do not concern themselves with the factory, the R&D, or the business plan. Speculation should not always be viewed as a bad thing, however; speculators add liquidity to markets, and many have done very well for themselves.

Losing or gaining via speculation At the same time, many smart investors have lost their fortunes in the stock market through speculation. The important distinction between investors and speculators is not a normative one, but rather that investors are generally more interested in the processes underlying prices; they are in it for the

long haul, while speculators are more interested in the price itself, and with shorter time horizons for making money.

Dividend payment Dividends are now paid electronically against the previous tradition when dividend cheques are issued and in most cases they get stale and needed revalidation.

Now, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC0 has enabled easy market operations through electronic dividend or edividend.

Electronic payment network such as the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) and the registrar facilitate the processing and payment of shareholders dividends and interest on Bonds, Shares and other investment through the Automated Clearing House.

Benefits of e-Dividend It is expected that the e-dividend would: Eliminate/minimize cases of unclaimed dividends through direct credit of dividends into shareholders accounts. Minimize zero tolerance of dividends loss in transit, Eliminate the forfeiture of dividends in the future.

E-DIVIDEND also avoid incidence of unclaimed dividend and to enhance ability of shareholders to immediately access and utilize the proceeds of their investments.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, August 19, 2017

Aishat Abimbola: Sleeping with movie marketers is a matter of choice L2 & 3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

You can’t judge me by the roles I play –Aishat Abimbola Take it or leave it, she is one of the few Nollywood actress who is scandal free. Not many know her by her real name, as her stage name, “Omoge Campus” an appellation she got from her lead role in a movie also entitled “Omoge Campus”. Born Aishat Abimbola, she is one of the leading Nollywood superstars who knows her onion in the industry. Although she is known for playing tough roles which a lot of people have considered her true character but the Lagos State born actress is one of the most polite of them all. Aishat has a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Hotel and Catering Management from Lagos State Polytechnic. In this tell all interview with AJIBADE ALABI, Aishat disclosed her sojourn into the movie industry, why she chose to stay decent and why most actors who have no talent sleep with marketers. some years in the North, changing schools society. I have seen people that would come to me and which made my education very slow but I thank say I like you; I just want to be like you. Such things God. move me, I love such things.

And what about the things that fame has changed Tell us about your family background? about you?

My parents are both late. I lost Mom and in I am a perfectionist when it comes to picking my 1984 and Daddy in 2002.The two of them are things; I want to buy my things myself. I like to go to gone but God has been with me. I am from a Mile 12 market, get my fresh fruits. I love shopping polygamous home and I have quite a number myself. I would have loved to go to the remote areas, of older and younger ones. My mom was the get the things I want. I still go to Idumota because I youngest wife until her death. I equally have am from there. I go to Oke -Arin. The noise would be quite a lot of siblings. there, hoodlums here and there but I still appreciate Acting for you, how did it all started? really love to bargain very well and say Actually, I had nursed the ambition of being an actress while I was growing up.

As luck would have it, there was a day the crew of Wale Adenuga came to Isolo campus of our school to shoot a scene. Then I saw Antar Laniyan who was the director

Have you ever envisage while growing up that you will be an actress?

I will not really say from my childhood but from a very young age. Let me just put it this way: from my primary school days, I joined this theatre group, that dancing troupe, that cultural group and all that. I did it even before I was an actress. I have done job as Master of Ceremony on several which I equally kickstarted while in school. I think I grew up being an entertainer because I was already a pain in the neck in my classroom. I made so much noise, disturbed the whole class, cracked one jokes or the other, so some of my friends that I had in school were not actually surprised that I am into the industry.

How will you describe your growing up?

Growing up to me was tough but I thank God, I scaled through. I grew up on the Island and I spent most of my life there. I am a Lagosian. Then I spent

Life&

act. He was kind of looking at me as somebody who was not serious, but I told him, I meant what I said. Luckily for me somebody who was supposed to act a role of a philanthropist was not and to the surprise of Antar Laniyan, who was the director, I performed excellently well. Ever since, there has not been any looking back.

Looking at your journey in the movie industry; what are some of those positive things that acting has brought to you?

Acting has taken me to places I never imagined. I have met people. I have gone to places and one of the things that happen is when the whole world is on queue to get something and you get there, people would say “oh, you are welcome, it is nice to have you around” it has brought out the success in me. I have always loved give back to the

within

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Interview L3

‘I learnt to stay decent even before joining the movie industry’ myself, okay I have not wasted money but you say “ spend this money, a whole you!” It is good, I still go to the market but not the way I would have to. I am not the kind of person who hides her feelings, if you have done something wrong and I want to give it to you right there, I will tell you this is wrong, but then I will just have to look around

our elder sister too as you have blessed the family with a baby. It was so tough, it was crazy, but I stood my ground that I would graduate so it was a tough experience and today I can chest out and say I m a graduate and not just for pass, I had a good grades. When I did my youth service,

around sometimes, I just fake a smile and say it is okay. That kind of thing

May be I would have been a pastor. I would have also be a good MC, which I am doing with my acting job, or I would have been a cook because I read hotel management and catering. I would have been an hotelier or owned a restaurant. But I will still be acting in those jobs.

That is testimony, my parents were Muslims and even before my dad died, I had been attending he would not just stop me. Then when you have some convictions within you, not that anybody has told you, nobody would stop you. And that was why I went into Christianity. It is what nobody told me to do; it is what I wanted to do. I wanted to do it a long time ago and I told my dad, so he was aware before his death.

one was Omoge Campus and the second one was Eje Adegbenro which was written and produced

by Jide Kosoko. It was a little bit intimidating, it was very challenging. There was Racheal Oniga, Saheed Balogun, Opeyemi Aiyeola, Yinka Quadri, everyone was on set. I was wondering how I would cope alongside those people. I remember I was not getting at that point. I was rushing my line and Uncle Jide Kosoko just told me and said,” you are a good actress, this show is all about you, so relax and deliver your lines” and that was all I needed. The next scene that was shot got me a standing ovation and everybody was clapping and then I knew I was going to do something good with this job.

Going to school. Yes because I was changing schools and then I made up my mind that I was not going to get married until I become a graduate. Do you know what it feels like for all your younger ones to have had children and nobody dares call you by your name? You know it is Yoruba tradition they would call me Big Mummy because they could not call me by name. Even when Islamic clerics come around during naming ceremonies they would say “ Allah consider this

In the industry, the bold step I would say I have taken was having my own mind and staying decent despite the challenges of wanting to do otherwise, being able to stand my ground that I am not going to do this and I am not going to do that. It was a very bold step for me because challenges would come and men would come, you would go on dates, people that you have never even imagined you would meet in your life would come for you, but taking a bold step like I am not going to fall for this temptation in this kind of, industry and this permissive world of ours. I tried (Laughs)

I have never been sexually harassed. See this sexual harassment of a thing is everywhere. But it all depends on how you carry yourself. Those actresses that always claim of being sexually harassed are not talented. If you know your onions, no producer or director can harass you, but because some of these actresses are not talented, they hide under the guise of been sexually harassed. For me, I have never been harassed. Let us examine this thing call sexual harassment very well. It is not possible for any producer or director to just start harassing an actress sexually, the director or the producer must have studied the lady involved not to be intelligent enough or not so talented before she will be harassed sexually. If you are talented and good in your profession, there is no way you can be harassed.

That was what I was saying, before I became an actress, I knew what I wanted, and I knew I have the talent to excel, so I did not go to the industry to embarrass myself. There is no way I should have been sexually harassed, I know what I went to do in the industry.

You cannot judge me with the role I play in movie.

In a movie I followed scripts, I am acting another person character, but in real life I am my real self.

Or are you telling me the fact that I smoke and act as prostitute in a movie make me to be one? No, no they are not the same thing. Aishat of camera is different from Aishat off camera.

Society Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Ajibade Alabi

Femi Akinruntan, OBAT MD Omowunmi Akinnifesi goes celebrates life @ 40 with a new look into photography He has always been on the big side but for his birthday, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntan, the managing director of OBAT Petroleum decided to get a total makeover with his physique. During the celebration of his 40th birthday this handsome dude decided to shed all the baby fat for a slicker look to usher himself into the club of 40 Not many may be able to recognize him as the welltravelled Prince and one of the industrious sons of Oba Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugboo Ugbonla Kingdom in Ondo state trimmed down considerably. He decided it was about time to live a much healthier lifestyle by shedding off all the excess and today he looks better, far healthier with a spring to his steps

Omowunmi Akinnifesi former most beautiful girl in Nigeria has added another business to her chain of business as she has dips her hands into photography business.

Wunmi who is a daughter of a former Central Bank of Nigeria Director started out a running a public relations and ushershe combined with her role as the Lagos State ambassador for environment. Her role as an ambassador propelled her to get a Master Degree in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling, and Management from Kings College, London, shortly after, the gregarious style icon launched her fashion label in 2016. Omowunmi who recently got signed on as the face of Nivea Africa has now added photo business to Femi Akinruntan and wife

Unveiled: Lagos Big girl who designs for society women Right now in Lagos, there is one Lagos big babe who has been the toast of many people on the Lagos social circle.

She is no other than Taiwo Suleiman. Though many are not familiar with her name but mention the name of her fashion to any one and you will quickly be told that she is the babe of the moment Taiwo runs one of the most patronized fashion brands patronized by rich and mighty in Nigeria.

She is a fashion designer, apart the fact that she has a big fashion house in Island she just newly open another one in Estate, in Ipaja, Lagos In fact, the rich and mighty do not only wear her brand they love her for who she is and what she stands for. London based society woman, Joke Bodunrin and Princess Oluwabukola Fasuyi a media practitioners, actress and activists and a social worker and the president of Lady of Africa Empowerment and advocacy foundation are

Lagos big girl, Taiwo Suleiman

some of her society women who cannot do without this beautiful woman design. Taiwo not only design clothes she also wears the best , as she is one of the powerful dressers and soin the Lagos social

circle Latest gist coming to Daily Times revealed that the beautiful woman is planning her 21 years in clothing business later this year with many society women expected to grace the event.

Omowunmi own photo studio.

Prominent personalities, media guru, others set for Nigerian Media Nite –Out Award ... Daily Times Mutiat Alli and Andrew Ekejiuba makes nominees list The 11th Edition of the soar – away NMNA is gradually gathering momentum, and it excitement is already in the air, attracting rave attention from all sectors of industries.

The all – embracing media practitioners event which debuted eleven years ago to recognize excellence and achievements by media practitioners (print, electronic/social media) in the baby of Solkem entertainment to specifically celebrate media Excellence in Nigeria conceived 10 years ago with a view to carrying media practitioners along as an appreciation of their hitter to unrecognized contribution to the development and emancipation of the Nigerian nation, has rolled out the nominees for this year award which will be held be on Sunday, 2017 at the B-Event Hall at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos starts from 3:00pm while Red Carpet commence in earnest from 2:00pm prompt.

Meanwhile Daily Times Entertainment head of desk Mutiat Alli who has distinguished herself in her field has been nominated in the Entertainment category. Also

Andrew Ekejiuba has also been nominated in the sports category Dignitaries from all walks of life, captains of industry, politicians, tip government functionaries, socialites and media group are, as visual, expected to grace the ever glamorous event.

According to the organizing committee the event led by Sola Olagbemuro, it is yet another opportunity for media practitioners to come under one umbrella to celebrate their own colleagues in an atmosphere of conviviality and jollity where entertainment and intellectual bantering will be at their best. We are again hoping to improve our media practitioners with those responsible, honest and diligent trait expected of them and to also provide that unique platform that will showcase their potential every year.

It is therefore our belief that you will in your own peculiar capacity sary assistance and patronage it seeks to engender. This in all sincerity will in your own little way give our gentlemen of the press, a genuine sense of belonging in our beloved country.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Ajibade Alabi

Kechi Okwuchi excels at ‘America’s Got Talent’ live show

Society Gist L5

Comrades Dare Adesope set to take OPC to next level Oodua People Congress under the new leadership of Comrades Dare Adesope and Rasaq Arogundade

Got Talent show after her soulful rendition of Donny

“We are happy and grateful to Eledumare we are entering a new period with an assuredly bright future for all the shows.

Today, what seemed improbable and impossible is now

Mandel, Mel B and the

not just on your story, but on your talent.

day with other students Jesuit College. The plane the estimated landing time.

Senator Iyiola Omisore confirm Daily Times exclusive story

Adesope

Olori Wuraola denies rumour of infidelity

…Declares interest in Osun 2018 governorship race

The rumours had it that the marriage of Olori Wuraola.

In a statement released by her press that there is absolutely no truth to these

the slanderous rumours and sensationalist distortions about Her Majesty, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi through unnamed and

Iyiola Omisore

that of prominent businessmen in Nigeria,

whole. We are deeply disturbed by these rumors and there is absolutely no truth to Olori wuraola

state from APC,

are helping us. Now we are ready and I as a per-

That her marriage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, is presently going through a turbulent time is not the issue, but what is issue to Olori Wuraola, is the rumour

Olori and Ooni

Due to the nature of the allegations and

Gist L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Photo: Efe makes acting debut

Fally Ipupa, Runtown, Seyi Shay, others battle for AFRIMA 2017

Big Brother Naija 2017

industry as he shares location pictures with comedienne/ OAP Helen Paul, Mr. Ibu onset of the movie Seyi shay and Alikiba

Angolan RnB star, Anselmo Ralph, traditional music star from Mali, Oumou Sangare and Nigerian pop-star, Wizkid lead the pack of highest nominated African music talents on the just unveiled 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Nominees List with six, six and seven nominations respectively. This was revealed on Thursday, August 17, as the African Union and the International Committee of AFRIMA released the full AFRIMA 2017 Nominees while also disclosing that public voting on the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org has been scheduled to open on Monday, August 21.

The full nominees list of 33 categories comprising of the Regional Category the genre-based Continental Category was revealed to the media and on AFRIMA digital media platforms.

Other African talents which made the AFRIMA 2017 Nominees List with three nom-

and C4 Pedro (Angola). Contemporary music stars with two nominations are: Mr.

the advice of a number of his fans and putting his hands in activity other than music.

Showkey.

Vibe.ng hosts Nollywood in second community meeting forum

-

also been nominated for their depth of perception in making motion picture come (Nigeria) has received a nomination for his

Shay, as well as Moroccan-American star four nominations each in the jostle for the for 23.9 karat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.

From August 21 – November 11, music lovers across the continent will be empowered to vote for their favorite artistes in Regional and Continental categories during the voting period that will be ongoing for 11 weeks on the AFRIMA website. The works that were reviewed and assessed by the

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ey has also been forum “Community meeting with Nollywood” with theme “From Script to Screen and everything in between”

the year in review (August 1,2016 –July 17,2017).

OAP Yaw to offer free eye treatment for visually impaired in Anambra Popular OAP-comedian Steve Onu otherwise known plans to visit Akwa, Anambra state on August 19 for the provision of free eye treatment in celebration of his 40th birthday coming up on the 23rd of August, 2017. urging fans in Anambra who are suffering from eye defect(s) or know someone who is to participate and cal services.

The actor also revealed

the initiative which is con-

not only to celebrate his birthday but to also comwhich both fall on the same date.

Further details reveal the treatment being offered tion/examination, provision of eye glasses, and general eye treatment for the visually impaired.

The eye treatment services will hold at Umukwa

will commence 9:00 AM – attendees are advised to arrive promptly.

The panelists consist of veterans and new age entertainers who came together to discuss the Nigerian Movie Industry.

Adunni Ade took centre stage as the ranging from Classic Nollywood to the new Nollywood. dustry has grown from the early stages to the New age Nollywood, how distribution and piracy is still a major problem, how social media is a very effective tool for marketing in this new age and era, how good content is what will keep impacting the society.

She also spoke on new opportunities available in the Nigerian movie industry.

Movie Producer Jade Osiberu, who recently produced “Isoken: The Movie” spoke on how she was able to market Isoken effectively with the Internet and

social media, she mentioned how injor challenge.

She also gave some key points on to make than others.

Movie Producer & Actress Juliet Ibralenges faced with distribution and how spoke of how foreign movies are given priority in Nigeria and therefore limiting the growth of the Nigerian Movie Industry. about how movie reviews should be done properly & professionally, there should be better marketing structures, business models and ventures for the Nigerian movie industry.

He suggested that the focus should be on impactful movies that will educate and positively affect the Nigerian society.

Beautiful Adunni Ade ended the foment.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

7

L7

Folarin Leonard

People you come across at events

Understanding reduces criticism in the social scenes. If you understand the categories of people you meet at events you attend, you will know how to handle and ensure effective communication, making it interesting and worthwhile especially if you are going to be there for long hours.

I have categorized the set of people I have met at events from wedding ceremonies to conferences, to parties and other forms of gathering into seven groups.

The Newbie This set of people are either there for the first time or are alone and observing. A talker may describe them as “Forming” but they are simply trying to adjust to the atmosphere and environment. They are usually quiet and busy looking around stylishly and sometimes, rely on their phone for company and engrossment.

The Insider This set of people are the popular ones. Very familiar with virtually every notable person present at the function. They receive and exchange greetings even from the car park before finally settling down after a couple of stops and quick catch-up discussions. They sometimes steal attention from the main focus of the event especially if this insider is a celebrity.

The Reporter

organisation. He/she is there on a specific go with friends who have not the slightest idea assignment, not in attendance by choice. of what the event is about.

representative. He may be handling a research The Scribe project or in attendance in respect of an The Clique Cliques are virtually everywhere, from old You must be cautious and careful around time friends to work buddies. They enjoy each these people. They are the ones who blast through the doors already taking pictures of together. They are sometimes outside the themselves and funny incidents to upload on world of the event because they are probably social media. They have their cameras on discussing something different. They dress standby, be it a phone or a camera. You should alike with similar designs and seem to show be careful as a lady to sit right and prevent each member of the clique content from their exposure of your parts because these people are eagle-eyed. They may even decide to catch about! you and publicize your embarrassing moment.

The Help This is usually an usher or a member of the committee in charge of organising the event.

They usually attend to the needs and requests of attendants. Their job is to ensure that they are satisfied. Some I have met are saucy and The pain that runs through my soul when food they tend to console be by saying “There is food but no meat, E ma binu sir”.

The Checkers This set of people usually enjoy checking out events they are not necessarily invited to. Maybe out of boredom or just for fun, they decide to go around and stop by events with access granted to almost anyone. The Yorubas call them “Mogbo,Moya”. They may decide to

You often come across these categories when you visit public places like the mall, parks etc. Places like Shopping malls, The Scribe do what they know best, Taking pictures of items or even people. Some intend to get photo report.

The insiders in scenes like that are people familiar with staff and regular customers. They sometimes purchase sales on credit. The Checkers don not really need to have money to spend before going into the shopping mall.

They probably go in to see beautiful things and people.

The Clique are seen virtually everywhere.

Walking in rows and sometimes causing inconvenience for passers who apply curtesy by going around them instead of going through their middle.

Home Affairs L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Folarin Leonard

How to setup your kitchen and maintain orderliness The kitchen is an area of your home that gets used

a cooking area.

An innovative sink design has a cutting board that

Cabinets each cabinet and go through it. Discard things that items. Do this with each cabinet and drawer as most

are various cabinets to suit your taste in terms of

refrigerator.

Dining You may choose to modernize your kitchen by

you avoid going back and forth across the kitchen for the things you need just to make your morning beverage.

Accessories are another great way to add

There is such a movement these days for

more.