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The amazing world of male hair stylists

t Why women love them and challenges they face

Ladesope Ladeloku ÏÏÏFor anyone unfamiliar with Cash Plaza near Ikeja Roundabout, Lagos, it may depict a place strictly meant for serious financial transactions. But alas, a visit to the plaza reveals a different world.

Right from the gate, dark, full and luxuriant hair of women beckons,

with busy hands of male stylists performing ‘surgical operation’ on the hair of young women determined to look good in this hair clinic.

Though the business of bringing out the beauty in a woman’s hair cannot be said to be the sole business of women alone, many agree it is a business largely dominated

Slave trade, rights violations: Libyan Govt orders probe P.6

by women. But one feature of the plaza that can’t be missed is the preponderance of male hair stylists. Their signature here is, whatever a woman can do, a man can do much better.

Olusoga Omotayo studied Accountancy at the Lagos State Polytechnic. He does not see himself working in an accounting firm or any

PDP Convention: Northern elders, youths split over chairmanship position P.7

Continued on page 6

Nigeria, Libya get exemption from OPEC production cut B1

Opinion does not define a person – Ubi Franklin

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

5 News

Minister assures of women Inclusion in peace, conflict resolution Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Minister of

Women Affairs and Social development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, has assured the inclusion of women in peace and conflict resolution to find lasting solution to issues of women being most affected in conflicts and violence.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) bill 1325 unanimously passed by the Security Council on the 31st of October 2000 is the first of many resolutions on “Women Peace and Security” (WPS).

This resolution recognizes that armed conflict impacts on women differently from men, and demands protection of women and girls during armed conflict and post conflict situations.

Speaking at the inauguration of National advisory Committee on Implementation of the 2nd National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs. Allhassan said: “The advisory committee has a role to provide guidance in the implementation process and assist the federal government to plan and coordinate the implementation”.

According to the Minister, the committee will ensure the sustainability of implantation of the 2nd NAP and promote nationwide impact and encourage an enhanced local ownership; noting that the UNSCR 1325 calls for a comprehensive assessment on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, their role in peace building and the gender dimensions of peace processes and conflict resolution.

“During the implementation of NAP in Nigeria, several gaps and emerging peace and security issues were observed at all levels.

There is need to revise the plan so as to integrate relevant components for a more comprehensive and strategic approach.

“Several initiatives were conducted to facilitate the revision process. These include capacity building and strategy meetings with national and international partners, desk review of relevant documents and zonal stakeholders consultative review meeting in the six geo political zones”, she said.

The meeting, which at-

tracts women members from all states of the federation has a representative each in the committee including the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Daily Times recalls that the 1st NAP, for the implementation of the resolution and related resolutions in Nigeria was developed and launched on 27th August, 2013 which stressed the inclusion of women in the process of peace building, peace Keeping, conflict resolution and management.

The Minister stressed the need for active participation and contributions by development partners, government Ministries, department and agencies (MDAs), CSOs, traditional and religious institutions, and beneficiaries, saying; “this would create a springboard for the NAP at both state and national level.

“The need to sustain the momentum cannot be over emphasized. Concerted efforts should be developed and implement with State Action Plan and adequate funding for its sustainability”.

She assured of the ministry’s collaboration with states, key MDA’s, civil society organizations and the private sectors to deliver and implement on the commitments to NAP. Speaking at the inauguration, United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria Ms Comfort Lamptey, represented by the UN program manager on peace and security, Njeri Karuru charged the advisory committee to explore and strengthen partnership and strategies to enable effective and efficient implementation monitoring and reporting of NAP and SAP with the stakeholders at all levels.

Head of Gender and Vulnerable Care Unit at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) , Asmau Leo, in her contribution , said government has made tremendous effort in the inclusion of women in peace process adding “there is need for more to be done”.

“Many women have interest in joining the security sector but the system hinders them due to their internal process of recruitment, as they feel that women cannot be combatant.

“Most women in the military are usually in information department or as cooks; a position not too

engaging. The system deploys only men as combatants but that is changing now and there is progress in the inclusion of women in peace and conflict resolution.

The Deputy Director and Head, Gender Peace and Security at the Institution for Peace and Conflict

Resolution Mrs. Grace Awodu, said the situation of peace and security in Nigeria is precarious.

According to her, a lot of women are taken for granted in peace processes, adding that women themselves have not been exceptive of their roles in the sector.

“Everybody knows that women play active role in conflict resolution, they are bridge builders who are interested in the stability of their home and community, so they are major stakeholders in peace resolution because she has a lot of interest to protect.

“Women have been vio-

lated both sexually and economically during crises because no woman run away and leave her children during crises. Women will rather die than leave their children and it is the process of protecting their children that makes them vulnerable in conflict situations, “she said.

L-R: General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority, Ilorin, Hajia Kande Abdullahi; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chairman, DigiTeam Nigeria, Mr. Edward Amana; Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Malam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu and General Manager, Integrated Television Services (ITS), Mr. Rotimi Salami, during the minister’s inspection of facilities at the ITS Transmission Station in Ilorin, Kwara State… on Friday.

$40m payment to Jonathan cousin’s firm came from NNPC- Witness

Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏAn

operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. David Mkpe, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that $40million paid to former President Goodluck Jonathan cousin’s firm One Plus Holding Nigeria Limited, formed part of $1.2bn released in March 2014 for security purposes.

Mkpe ,the 10th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Jonathan cousin, Mr. Robert Azibaola , his wife, Stella and the firm Oneplus Holding Nigeria Limited, further told the court that the money was taken from the account of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Azibola, Stella and One-

plus are facing a sevencount criminal charge

by EFCC after the anti -graft agency traced the sum of $40 million to a bank in London that was wired through Citibank N A Canada Square Canary in Wharf London E 145 LB into the account of One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited.

EFCC is prosecuting the defendants for allegedly diverting $40 million purportedly meant for the supply of tactical communication kits for Nigeria’s Special Forces.

According to the commission, the offence is contrary to Section 8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. Mkpe disclosure on Thursday under cross examination by Defence lawyer, Chris Uçhe (SAN)

further confirmed the source of the funds. The EFCC operative said that the investigative team came across a memo from the ONSA that okayed the payment of $40 million to One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited.

The witness said, “My Lord, funds from which the $40m was paid to Oneplus Holdings Nigeria Limited came from NNPC funds.

“In March 2014, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) wrote a memo to the President entitled “Intervention in Urgent National Security Project” through which he sought the approval of Mr. President for the sum of $1bn for subheads and surveillance of pipelines and additional request for $250m.

“The President gave approval to his request and approved the release of the sum of $1.2bn. And

in May the sum of $1.2bn was then released from NNPC accounts.” “ It was this fund that was disbursed to various recipients. The $40m was part of the $1.2bn statutorily approved and released for urgent national security intervention. I can confirm.”

Mkpe also admitted that the $40 million paid to Oneplus was not the only payment for security assignment from accounts of the NNPC, through the Office of the NSA under Col.Sambo Dasuki, (rtd) Asked if he saw the memo from ONSA through which the payment of $40m was made to Oneplus account, Mkpe replied, “Yes, my lord. The payment was duly authorised by the NSA.” Justice Nnamdi Dimgba later adjourned the case till January 22 and 23, 2018.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

The amazing world of male hair stylists

Cross-section of Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS and Civil Society on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, during a rally to mark the 2017 World Aids Day in Ibadan, Oyo State… on Friday.

Continued from page 1 blue chip company anytime soon. His visage exudes joy and contentment as his hands settle on what he knows how to do best while the blast of music got his head moving in different directions.

The philosophy of Omotayo is, financial prosperity lies in the things that give expression to the individual’s passion.

Born to a hair stylist mother

he assisted as a student during his days in high school, eking out a living from what was his favourite pastime is not an accident.

“My mother was a stylist.

I can say she inspired me. I helped her whenever I came back from school and that kindled a light in me. However, I realised I needed to read more,” he told The Daily Times.

Omotayo revealed his pleasure for the work is not money.

“I really have passion for this job. I’m not doing it for money, and that was what encouraged me to acquire more knowledge on the job.’’

Another male stylist, Samuel Johnson, says his life has witnessed a tremendous turn around since he discovered what he called “the game changer’’.

Samuel, who has been working as a stylist for nine straight years, said he was influenced

Slave trade, rights violations: Libyan Govt orders probe Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

government of Libya has ordered full investigation over the alleged human trade and human rights violations taking place in the country.

The CNN had in a documentary exposed the establishment of human trade markets in Libya, saying that human beings were sold for mere $400 while others were subjected to various degrees of inhuman treatment.

In a statement made available on Friday in Abuja, by the Charge d' Affairs, AmbassadorDesignate of Libya, Dr S E Alkhoder, stared that the Libyan government has said that it will do all within its powers to unearth the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

Making reference to the teachings in Islam and traditions, the principles of Human Right, the United Nations (UN) agreement against the cross border crimes and its related protocols on human trading, Alkhoder said, "The Libyan Authority has immediately instructed the relevant authority to carryout comprehensive investigation on this

criminal claim according to the Libyan law and reveal its findings to local and International Community, apprehend and punish persons responsible for it, be it human trafficking of immigrants or human trading.

"Libya considers such matter if accurate as a result of illegal immigration. Libya is harmed of it. she rejects being held responsible."

According to him, "Solving the issue of illegal immigrants is a collective responsibility to the countries of origin, transit and destination. Moreover, Libya spends a lot of money to construct and manage camps to accommodate the immigrants and facilitate their voluntary return to their countries".

He added that the challenges of managing immigration should be a collective responsibility of every nation.

"The phenomena of illegal immigration and it outcomes needs serious coordination of international efforts to stop it.

Therefore, there is the need for practical and effective measures between the countries of origin‘ transit and destination" He further urged the European Union and the International

Community to cooperate with the countries of origin to establish developing permanent projects to stop the phenomenon and its outcome, as contains in Tripoli Declaration 22, 23 of November 2006 on Immigration and development.

Condemning this new development, Alhkoder continued, "The Government of National Accord renew its condemnation of the criminal practice of trading and trafficking of human beings on all levels, be it a national, regional or internationally.

"We would like to confirm that any deed that happens to immigrant right is not more than individual action and not the practice of Libyan people.

We condemn and reject in totality the criminal practice of trading and trafficking of human beings on the basis that any relation with immigrants should be conceded with human dignity".

The envoy renewed the determination of the Libyan government to put an end to exploitation and suffering of the ambitious African man looking for better life in Europe and human trafficking.

by a friend whose life was an open testament to a goldmine he never knew. ‘‘I had many options to make money but I have this guy, a friend who is a super stylist and, just watching him at work got me thinking,” he told The Daily Times.

“Besides making me love the job, I saw he was doing very well. I told myself that I could do it too so that decided me. I threw myself into it and got all the training I needed and here I am. From that time till now, I can say my story has changed in no small way.”

Exuding confidence and fulfillment, Johnson said he had never regretted his decision. “I am happy doing this and I am proud to tell you I feed myself with this job, feed my hangerson and I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon.’’

A third amazing male stylist in a woman’s world is a Mechanical Engineering student of the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Adediran Adedeji.

The Daily Times gathered that the human instinct for survival propelled him into the hair making business. Adedeji believes that styles and curls are heavily dependent on calculation.

“Making hair for a lady involves a lot of calculation and creativity. The beautiful styles you see on women are created by people,” he intimated our correspondent.

“I can stay here and create styles that no one has ever seen and people will wonder and ask: ‘who did this?’ So, basically, it’s about calculation that births creativity.”

But much as he is enjoying his work, the engineering streak in him refuses to be dumped for hair styles.

“Much as I love what I am doing, the truth is, I’ m not staying long on this. I will do it for some time; after I leave school, I plan to hand it over to someone. Though I love the creativity that goes into female hair styling, engineering is my natural call and I am going for it,’’ Adediran said.

The lures and feminine challenges The Daily Times learnt firsthand that being a male hair stylist exposes the guys to advances from their female clients.

Olukoga Omotayo intimates that he is not one to easily give in to overtures from the opposite sex when it comes to his job.

“The challenge I face now is that I am constantly faced with temptation multiple of relationships from my clients. If you are not focused and lack discipline, I tell you that you will end up making hair for many women free of charge. I have many customers falling in love with me – or so they say, but I am wise about it. When they show interest, I discourage them by paying little or no attention them.’’

He recalls some of his colleagues in the business who didn’t know how to separate business from pleasure and the indiscretion has made many bankrupt.

Samuel Johnson admits he was in that error at a time. “But now, the time to fool around with customers is over. Time there was when I offered free services to my female customers because they offered to be my girlfriends, but not anymore. I later discovered if I didn’t stop, I would not make any progress. That’s in the past anyway.

“I had to resolve that if my girlfriend wants my services, she must pay for it. That’s the new rule and it has been working for me,” he said.

Why do women prefer male hairstylists?

“They take their time to work on your hair,’’ says a marketing executive with a leading insurance company.

Bisola says before she got married, she would always go for a male stylist, but her husband was not comfortable with it.

“That forced me to get a female stylist. Otherwise, I’m more comfortable with men and how they make my hair.

My husband didn’t like the fact that another man is touching my hair. He’s the jealous type. So, I had to stop. I don’t want trouble in my marriage,” she added.

Among scores of career ladies and business women who prefer men stylists to women, one business woman, Ajoke Akinpelumi, was an exception. She has something against male stylists besides her religious background.

She told The Daily Times: “I am a Muslim. Islam does not allow men to touch our women’s hair, but besides that obstacle, I find that men are too slow when they make hair.

If I have a party and I need to get my hair done as quickly as possible, I can’t patronise a male hairstylist, even if my religion allows it,’’ she said firmly.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

News 7

PDP Convention: Northern elders, youths differ over chairmanship position Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏAs

the countdown to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention slated for December 9 draws closer, the Northern elders and youths in the party have expressed divergent views over the endorsement of aspirants from the South-West by some elders of the zone.

A group of Northern elders had at a caucus meeting on Friday in Abuja, resolved to throw their support behind the SouthWest zone for the Chairmanship position.

But hours later, another group under the aegis of "Concerned Northern Youths of PFP like minds" who were part of the earlier meeting, said that the North has no powers to micro zone a position the party had already zoned to the South, adding that the matter was never agreed during the meeting and as such cannot be part of the communiqué.

The group, led by Hon. Sani Idris Kutigi from Niger State and Mohammed Imam, stressed that the North lacks powers to micro-zone the chairmanship position for the south, saying that if the trend is not checked,

then the South will also microzone for the North the position of the president which the party has thrown to the North.

In a press conference on Friday in Abuja, the Northern youths faulted the elders for meddling into the affairs of another zone, insisting that the South should be allowed to zone the way it pleases them and aspirants should be prepared to test their popularity at the convention if they are unable to reach a consensus.

Addressing journalists, the group said, 'Various groups and contending interests are jostling for vantage positions ahead of the National Convention of the PDP coming up on December 9, 2017.

"The latest most obnoxious and objectionable plot is by some party Members from the North who have purportedly micro-zoned the National Chairmanship of the Party to the South West in a bid to accord undue advantage to a preferred aspirant.

"Their action is hereby rejected and totally condemned.

Majority of members from the North dissociate themselves from this misadventure which patents unintended consequences if left unchallenged.

"It is a slap on the face and an insult on the face of Southern Nigerian Politicians/Leaders that few Members from the North can sit down and determine 'who to elect".

In their meeting earlier in the day, the Northern elders, led by Prof Jerry Ghana had moved for the micro zoning of the position to the South-West.

A source close to the group claimed that the elders are working for Prof. Tunde Adeniran and are doing everything possible to turn the table to his favour.

The elders in a communique signed by former Minister of

Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and Hon. Margaret Icheen, former Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Margaret Icheen, said, "As we head to the national convention, the forum showed keen interest on the position of the National Chairman. After extensive deliberations, it was resolved that, in the spirit of fairness, equity, carrying every part of the country along, giving every geo-political zone a sense of participation and inclusion in the affairs of the PDP, we strongly support the quest of the South-West geo-political zone to produce the next National Chairman of the

party.

"In line with our resolve to rebuild and reposition the PDP, we urge delegates from all the Northern States to abide by this decision and vote for only aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone in the forthcoming national convention, in the best interest of the party. This is without prejudice to the right of aspirants from other geo-political zones to contest".

Also at the meeting were former PDP Chairman, Senator Ahmodu Ali, former Acting Adamawa state governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri and many other party chieftains.

Paris Club Refund: Oyo workers, pensioners will smile before Christmas - Ajimobi ÏÏÏOyo

State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has promised that pensioners and workers in the state’s public service will celebrate the coming end-of-theyear festivities with smiles with the expected refund of the Paris Club excess deduction to the state.

The governor made the promise in his address during the Mawlid An Nabiyy (celebration of Holy Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, on Friday.

Ajimobi, who said he was pained by the cash crunch that had made regular payment of salaries and pensions impossible, expressed optimism that the state would be able to pay at least two months salaries, out of the three months arrears, before the coming celebrations.

With a workforce of more than 40,000, which he said was one of the largest in the country, the governor said that the administration had been very prudent in the management of the dwindling accruals to the state.

The governor said, “Let me assures citizens that we will spend the Paris Club excess deduction refund being expected from the Federal Government prudently. We have that record of spending past refunds and

budget support fund judiciously.

“Workers and pensioners will celebrate the coming festivities with joy, because we should be able to pay at least two months from the three months arrears we owe workers before the holidays.

“We are ruling this state with the fear of God. And I’m confident that those who are yet to come to terms with my positive interventions will sing my praise at the end of my tenure.

Those abusing me today out of lack of understanding will celebrate me tomorrow.”

On the essence of the Prophet’s birthday celebration, the governor said it was an occasion to remind the people of the need to love and respect one another and fear only the Almighty in all their endeavours.

A popular Islamic preacher, Sheik Muyideen Bello and the Chairman of the state’s Muslim Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, said that Ajimobi deserved all the plaudits he had so far received from the Islamic faithful.

Judging by what they posited as the governor’s spirited efforts at ensuring that Muslims were not relegated in the state affairs, the Muslim leaders said it was natural that the adherents reciprocated the governor’s gestures.

L-R: Lagos State Controller, Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Mr. Tunde Ladipo and other officials sorting out documents for drugs donated by the NPS headquarters to inmates at the Ikoyi Prison in Lagos… on Friday.

Emefiele tasks graduates on job creation Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has challenged the graduating students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to take advantage of the present challenges confronting the country to become job creators in the economy.

Emefiele gave the charge on Thursday while delivering the 47th Convocation Lecture of the university entitled: “A mindset for succeeding in todays Nigeria”.

He noted that rising unemployment remained one of the greatest challenges facing the country, warning that failure to galvanise the youths could boomerang against the Nigerian society.

While stressing the need for young Nigerian graduates to change their mindset on the labour market, Emefiele insisted that, in spite of the many com-

plaints about the country, Nigeria remained a land of limitless opportunities.

He therefore urged the graduating students to strive to be job creators and entrepreneurs rather than being mere jobseekers.

Emefiele, who is also an alumnus of the UNN said the CBN, as part of its effort to address the challenge of unemployment on the one hand and the promotion of entrepreneurship among the youth, had designed and formulated policies and programmes aimed at direct real sector intervention.

The apex bank boss therefore encouraged the graduating students and other Nigerian youth with not more than five years post-service experience to take advantage of the CBN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP), which the bank runs in collaboration with banks and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Citing examples of successful entrepreneurs and businesses in Nigeria and abroad, Emefiele further challenged the graduating students to take cognizance of the opportunities in their respective environments, motivate themselves, create innovative ideas and turn their ideas into profitable ventures.

Speaking on current economic developments and policies of the Bank, the CBN Governor recalled that several global shocks that affected the Nigerian economy were amplified due to the country’s over-reliance on the oil sector for its foreign exchange revenue and for government finances.

He however disclosed that the Bank embarked on some proactive policy measures such as policy tightening, restriction of forex for imports of 41 non-essential commodities, exchange rate management and development financing in key sectors in order to keep the economy sound.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

News 8 ‘Gov Bindow remains loyal APC’ - Party chieftain

Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏAdamawa

Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), Mr. Osita Aboloma (3rd left); participants and other inducted fellows, ICMC, during their inauguration in Abuja… on Thursday.

Army 38: Court backs Gen. Ijioma against Buratai, Nigerian Army

Ï0ƈƔƆ 0ƆƄê Ƥ Ƈ Ə Ɔ Əƈ Babatunde Opalana

ÏÏÏThe

National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Abuja has ruled that Major General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma has the right to challenge his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army.

The trial Judge, Hon. Justice EN Agbakoba on Wednesday, ruled against the preliminary objection to the suit filed the Army and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, clearing the way for formal hearing of the case. To this end, the NICN has fixed February 8, 2018 for hearing in a legal action instituted by General Ijioma against the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff and two others.

Ijioma is one of the 38 officers of the Nigerian Army challenging their forced retirement citing injustice, lack of due process and fair hearing.

The ‘ex-Senior officer” in his prayers before the Court in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/262/2016, is seeking for his reinstatement into the Nigerian Army, stating that his compulsory retirement did not follow due process and procedure.

Other defendants in the suit are: Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff- the duo were absent in court.

In her ruling, Justice Agbakoba had after considering submissions of counsels to the claimant, Godwin Iyinbor of the chambers of Mike Ozekhome SAN and counsel for the 1stand 4th Respondents,

M.D. Owolabi said “General Ijioma has the permission of the court in furtherance of his prayers to challenge the defendants that he be reinstated back to service on the ground that his compulsory retirement did not follow due process as laid down by the Armed Forces Act for an officer of his status”.

His counsel, Barrister Iyinbor, while responding to journalists on Thursday, said the judge cannot rely on Section 178 of the Armed Forces Act as advocated by the defence counsel because the section does not apply to his client who was not an officer any longer as at the time his letter of retirement was handed over to him.

In his submission before the court, Iyinbor said “There was no justifiable reason(s) for the claimant’s early compulsory retirement as he has not attained the man-

Rise in cases of missing persons unsettle Delta residents

NOSA AKENZUA, Asaba

ÏÏÏThe

increasing cases of missing persons across Delta State in recent times has unsettled residents of the state who are currently living in the fear of the unknown.

Investigation revealed that last week, about 7-11 cars and a boy was declared missing in a mysterious circumstances in Agbor town, Ika South Local Government Area of the state and the victim was allegedly taken away by a neighbour under the guise of buying biscuit for him, and they both never returned.

It was further learnt that the search for the victim, an Urhobo, (name withheld), and a

student of Memorial Primary School, Abubayi, Agbor, at present had proven abortive.

A similar incident was reported on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, where a fiveyear-old boy reportedly playing outside the father’s premises, was alleged to have been missing in mysterious circumstances.

Members of the gang, suspected to be behind the disappearance, escaped as area boys chased them out of the area after they robbed a lady at gunpoint.

However, luck ran against four other members of the gang as they were later arrested during the week in their hideout in Asaba by operatives of Asaba Community Vigilance.

datory retirement age for Major Generals in the Army, which is 56 years, as he was only 53 years by 12thJune 2016, and have only served for 32 years, 11 months and 5 days, as against the mandatory 35 years’ service age for retirement as provided for by Rule 020810 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules, which is also applicable to the Military.”

He prayed that the court compel the Respondents jointly and severally to pay to the him the sum of N1 billion (N1, 000,000,000.00) only as general, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages for the unlawful, wrongful, illegal, unconstitutional and oppressive compulsory retirement and the attendant humiliation, psychological trauma, mental agony and odium caused the him and his family, by the actions of the Respondents.

State Governor, Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow, has been described as a faithful, honest and loyal stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was stated by the Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Adamawa State chapter, Alhaji Ahmed Lawan, on Friday.

According to Lawan, the unfortunate media report by one of the inactive members of the state APC accusing Governor Bindow of betrayal is nothing both the work of enemies of APC and enemies of Adamawa State.

Lawan stated that Governor Bindow was the first governor in Nigeria to pledge his support for the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari come 2019.

‘It’s unfortunate that some irrelevant party members want to ruin the good relationship between the APC, President Buhari and Governor Bindow by making false and deceitful statements in the media.

“It may interest everybody to know that the so-called party chieftain is not even an active party member. He doesn’t even participate in the party activities”, Lawan added.

“It is also worthy of note to know that when Adamawa APC declared their support for Buhari 2019, it is the same group of people who kicked against it and accused the chapter of being biased because they wanted to work for Kwankwaso”, he concluded.

PDP S’W crisis: Olafeso heads to Appeal Court ahead of party’s convention ÏÏÏDr.

Okowa

It was gathered that following the arrest of the first members of the gang by some soldiers, the suspect was interrogated and he named other members of the gang.

Eddy Olafeso-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West, has headed to the appeal court few days to the party’s national convention slated for December 9.

Mr. Remi Olatubora, counsel to the Olafeso group, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Olatubora said he had filed a motion on November 29 at the Court of Appeal in Ado Ekiti for a stay of execution against an interim order of Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of the Ado Ekiti Federal High Court, which was delivered on November 8.

Recall that the federal high court had ordered the Olafeso faction to stop parading itself as executive members of the

party in the South-West.

The order of the federal high court was at the instance of another faction led by Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, which had earlier dragged Olafeso group to court.

Olatubora said that the implication of the interim order was to deprive the Olafeso-led faction of its legal right to attend and participate in the Dec. 9 national convention of the party.

He said that the Olafeso-led executive was elected in the South West zonal congress which was duly convened on May 14, 2016 in Akure.

“We have filed a motion for a stay of execution and further proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ AD/CS/18/2017, now pending before the Court of Appeal, Ado Ekiti Division.

Politics

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Bayelsa 2019 elections is going to be more complex than before – Ekiyor-Welson–P10&11

9

PDP governors pledge free, fair convention–P.12

Abdulsalami wants Nigerians to assist FG in maintaining peace

Patrick Okohue with Agency Report

Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on all Nigerians to assist the Federal Government to maintain peace and harmony in the country.

Abubakar made the call while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the Excellence in Public Service Award 2017 organisd by Business Day, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the need for sustainable peace in the country could not be overemphasised, adding that all hands must be on deck to support the efforts of government to enhance peace and stability in the country.

He expressed sadness over the level of carnage of war and civil disorder in

some parts of Africa, noting that without peace there would be no meaningful development in any country.

“I will not end this speech without making reference to the need for peace and harmony in our country. Since I left Office in 1999, I have been involved in peacemaking efforts all over our continent and it is sad to see the carnage of war and civil disorder.

“So I want all of us to put our hands on deck to assist the government who are our leaders to maintain this peace which we are taking for granted.

“If there is no peace the Business Day will not have the occasion to organise this award and without peace the awardees will not have been able to perform,” Abubakar said.

He commended the Publisher of

Business Day, Mr Frank Aigbogun for identifying committed public servants who are doing great job for the nation.

The former head of state observed that all over the world the value of civil servants is not being appreciated until when they leave office.

“I am glad also that you have realised that anybody who does service in the society needs to be appreciated and I want to thank you for this recognition to the awardees.”

Speaking earlier, Aigbogun commended Abubakar for the prompt way his administration handled the process leading to the return to democratic rule in 1999.

He said that the award given to the awardees was in recognition of the innovations introduced by the personali-

ties in their various organisations.

“We can sometimes pause to look around carefully and see semblance of oasis around us in the midst of people who give their lives to our country.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awards recipients are Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education and Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

Others are Mr Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Enyinnaya Enelema, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Malam Maikanti Baru, the Managing Director, NNPC and Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, Managing Director, NDIC among others.

Defection of Atiku not end of APC, says party chieftain

Lagos APC chairman honoured with life achievement award

Iniobong Iwok

Patrick Okohue

The recent decamping of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the All Progressives Congress (APC), would not lead to the death of the party or affect its chances of winning the 2019 general elections.

This was the view of a chieftain of the APC in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Olusunkanmi Oluwole Adefioye in an interview with The Daily Times, noting that though the former Vice President had the right to defect to any political party to actualise his political interest, the APC was well grounded all round the country to collapse because of any individual.

Adefioye who is the Leader of MosanOkunola LCDA, legislative arm, added that defection was part of politics in the country, adding that while Atiku was leaving the APC, several other people were equally joining the party.

He said the APC was the only truly democratic party in the country, which was why it has said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot have automatic ticket for his re -election toward the 2019 presidential election.

He stressed that the administration was making significant progress in the anti graft war, which had assumed an alarming proportion before the advent of this administration and urged Nigerians to support him.

He said, “In a democracy there is freedom for anybody to join association, I want to believe Atiku is exercising his political freedom, but I don’t see how it would affect APC. The APC is grounded in all the local giver government in Nigeria, the exit of one man will not affect us, because as he is leaving someone else is joining the party.

“I don’t see how his defection would

Nigeria’s longest serving soft sell Magazine, City People Magazine has celebrated the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale, with an award for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s politics especially in Lagos State.

The organisers of the award noted that the recipient of the award has done extremely well in re-positioning the political sphere of Lagos State and indeed Nigeria and needs to be recognised and appreciated.

The immediate past Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale who represented Chief Ajomale at the event in company of Chief Chris Ekwilo (JP), leader Igbo coalition in APC Lagos State, Mr. Oladele Fasan and comrade Bukola Olaoye said that, “it is a great honour to receive a lifetime achievement award from a very revered soft sell magazine on behalf of my father and one of my mentors, Chief Henry Ajomale.

Comrade Adewale while receiving the award, described Chief Ajomale as an astute and consummate politician, brilliant lawyer, activist, successful businessman, fine diplomat, philanthropist and family man.

According to him, Chief Ajomale exemplifies good quality of loyalty not only to his commitments, family and trusted friends, but to our national leader who is my father and his friend Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ajomale in his youthful days was a member of National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) and was one of the Organisers of a revolutionary but historic protests (struggle) against the Anglo-Nigerian Defense pact on Novem-

ATIKU

affect us in 2019 election, APC is a big party and as you can see this administration is making progress in the anti graft war, the level at which corruption was being perpetuated this country would have collapsed if not checked,” Adefioye said.

On his experience of 100 days in office and achievement of the council, he said the current administration under the leadership of Mrs Olabisi Adebajo is passionate about ending poverty, unemployment among the youths and women which informed the recent empowerment and skills acquisition programme for people of the council, adding that a collapse bridge which had been abandoned for years was recently renovated and commissioned by Adebajo.

“The chairman is doing well, she recently commissioned a bridge which had been abandoned for long and it has opened up that community in terms of movement and trade. And some people were empowered recently and given cash to start up with.” he added.

ber 9, 1960.

Without sounding immodest, Comrade Adewale further said that Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale has paid his dues for the political survival of this country and he duly deserves this Lifetime Achievement Award in politics, for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s politics especially in Lagos State.

“On behalf of the Lagos State Chairman of APC, I want to thank you profusely for believing and appreciating him.’’

He noted that the government of Lagos State will continue to formulate policies that will bring positive development to our dear state and indeed Nigeria.

Other recipients of various awards at the event are Senator Ganiu Solomon, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, amongst others distinguished personalities. Legendary Sir Shina Peters entertained guests to their delight with other artists.

AJOMALE

Politics 10 The Campaign for Development and Democracy in Bayelsa, (CDDB) sounds trite. Reason being that we are already in a democracy for about 18 years and counting.

So why the campaign for democracy when we are already in a democracy?

There is a very simple and easy misconception. Nigeria is not yet a democratic country. If you study the tenets of democracy and look at the principles of democracy, you know that Nigeria is very far from democracy.

What Nigeria is having now is a civil rule, you know. So we have moved from the military era to the civil era; we are still in transition. Nigeria is still in transition. It will get to a point where we can say we are in a democracy. But the truth is this; there is no democracy without development.

There is no democracy without development.

Democracy is an outcome of development. What do I mean by development? I am not talking about bridges and schools and hospitals, no. I am simply talking about the individuals. When an individual is developed, it means the individual has assumed freedom. Freedom to be whatever he wants to be, freedom to achieve his life goals, freedom to achieve his ambition.

That is the essence of society – to give people freedom.

So the freer the society is, the more developed it is. So today, the most developed nations on earth are not America and China. It is those Scandinavian countries where the level of freedom for their citizens is very high. So for Nigeria, we are still far, really, really far. That is why in spite of the kind of money we make from oil, the kind of money we make from gas, the kind of money we make from agric, Nigeria is still categorised as a poor country. It is because the level of freedom for an individual to be whatever they want to be, we don’t even have freedom to eat what we want to eat. A man wakes up in the morning he wants to eat rice, but he can’t eat it because of the level of his poverty.

So we are not in development yet. So what we are doing is to push that process, intellectual process of letting the society know that there is something called development. It is the kind of society that we will create through our government that will give us the freedom we need to now become democratic. The after effect and the outcome of lack of development is a fact that Bayelsa people still play the politics of the belly. They are led; they are motivated by their belly.

They don’t work for society, they work for themselves. Another outcome is the fact that the citizens are basically selfish.

They think more of their self interest than the society. So when you give governor money to do work, he thinks of himself, and doesn’t think of the society. It is because he is very, very under developed.

So we are pursuing this because we are telling people that there is something called development, beyond building bridges and building roads, but about government helping you to achieve your life goals. Every individual has a life goal, and the ability for you to achieve that life goal is a function of freedom. So the more freedom you have, the better you are developed. And once you are developed like that, you can choose your leader.

So how have you been going about this task?

It has not been easy, because it is a

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

EKIYOR-WELSON

‘Bayelsa 2019 elections ‘ll be more complex than before ‘

Dr. Konrad Ekiyor-Welson is a university lecturer and Executive Director, Campaign for Development and Democracy in Bayelsa, (CDDB). In this interview with CHRIS EZE , Ekiyor-Welson says CDDB has raised the bar of political awareness among Bayelsans as politicians are scared to make any ‘noise’ about their ambitions come 2019. new concept. It’s a new idea. So you can imagine how Nigerians resist change, not to talk about Bayelsa resisting change! It is a herculean task. Even when we meet some of our political friends, when we visit them in our political intercourse; they tell us that this task we have taken upon ourselves, the task is huge. And we know it is huge because we are changing mindsets; you are changing mentality. You are changing the way people think, and you are giving them a new ideology, a new philosophy to think of society first before they think of themselves.

You know, the message is there. The people are now grappling with it. At the end of the day, we will see the effect of the message. And a people deserve the government they get. Invariably they deserve the kind of society they get. If Bayelsa wants to remain a primitive society, there is nothing we can do. But if they want to free themselves and extricate themselves from those primordial tendencies or primitiv-

In 1999, Alamieyeseigha was chosen in Abuja, 2003, his second term, was decided in Abuja. In 2007, Jonathan was decided in Abuja, even though he left the ticket and went up to Abuja. Sylva was decided by Jonathan who had moved to Abuja.

2011, Jonathan decided from Abuja. 2015, he decided PDP ticket to Dickson from Abuja. This is going to be 2019, there is nobody in Abuja that is going to decide for them. So they now know they need to go to the people.

ism, collecting money for you to play politics and all that, there is nothing anybody can do. They will suffer the consequences.

But what we have done now is to take the message to all the nooks and crannies in Bayelsa. There is hardly any enlightened person now that will say he is not aware of the message of CDDB. It is people first, you understand and the people can create the kind of society they want.

So it’s been mixed bag. On one hand, we see enthusiasm of the people accepting what we are saying. In each place we go to see traditional rulers, we see young men; they are all enthusiastic about the whole process. On the other hand, you cannot know the taste of the pudding until you eat it. So our experiment will bring out results in the next election.

You have also been visiting some personalities who may be presenting themselves as aspirants in the next election. What has been your message to them?

The message to them was very outstanding. What we told them was if you depend on an endorsement from somebody out there, in 2019, you will fail. And if you are depending on your political class to make you what you want to be, you will fail. The

message we are telling you now is that you must reconnect with your people because this time around, the people are being sensitised and the people are being mobilised to have a different style; to have a different mindset and a different mind game which they are accepting. So if the people are already changing the way they see politics, then you the politicians must also change.

And a few of them are, in fact all of them have accepted our message, that there is need to reconnect with the people and that’s why now nobody has been able to say he wants to be anything because the old system has not presented itself.

There is nobody to endorse anybody in Abuja. This is the first time that an election in Bayelsa State is going to be by the people. In 1999, Alamieyeseigha was chosen in Abuja, 2003, his second term, was decided in Abuja. In 2007, Jonathan was decided in Abuja, even though he left the ticket and went up to Abuja. Sylva was decided by Jonathan who had moved to Abuja. 2011, Jonathan decided from Abuja.

2015, he decided PDP ticket to Dickson from Abuja. This is going to be 2019, there is nobody in Abuja that is going to decide for them. So they now know they need to go to the people. And that is what they CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

11 Politics

‘Bayelsa 2019 elections ‘ll be more complex than before ‘ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

must do. And because of how unpopular they are with the people, they are finding it difficult. That is why you see the lull in activities.

I know that four years ago, Andy Uba, Ifeanyi Uba, Stella Odua all indicated interests to be governor of Anambra State, and the election was held last week. They indicated interest four years ago. They didn’t wait till one month to the primary, you understand. Look at Bayelsa, it is effectively two years from now that the general election will take place, and a year, six months or thereabout, for the next set of primaries and a year for you to prepare yourself, because you will use one year to prepare yourself, use another three months to prepare for the primary, and use another three months to prepare for the general elections, nobody is showing interest, nobody has a group anywhere. Nobody is preparing simply because the politics of 2019 is going to be more complex for them. The bar has been raised by CDDB. We have raised the bar, we have created a consciousness and we have conscientised our people to raise the bar. So today no illiterate can come and contest election in Bayelsa again.

You must have an ideology, you must have principles, and you must have character. You must have competence because we will not allow any idiot to be imposed on us again. So it’s been collectively interesting between the political class and us representing the masses. The interactions have been going well, the interface is going well, they are buying our vision, and they are buying our idea. Three of them actually asked for our endorsement. Three of them so far we have visited actually asked us to endorse them which we did not commit ourselves to.

Who and who have you visited?

Okay. We started with Turner; A.J. Turner by all standards is one of the most prominent politicians in Bayelsa State.

Even as a traditional ruler?

Even as traditional ruler, he is more of a politician than a traditional ruler. You also know he was a public servant who rose to the position of permanent Secretary before he retired. While he was in that position, he was very politically active. As a traditional ruler, he is very politically active. And now as a political leader, he is very, very active. We had this interface with him and it was very exhilarating and very eye opening. We had a very good time with him.

We also met with T.O., one of the political machines. We call him T.O., but his name is Abel Ebifomewei. He was Alamieyeseigha’s cousin who held the politics of this state from 1999 to 2005. He held it like a colossus. And for you to become anything then, you must see him. He was the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end of Bayelsa politics. We saw him and he indicated interest to want to be the next governor and asked for our endorsement. Then we saw Igali, Godknows Igali is a very bright mind who also wants to be the governor of this state, but somehow he is yet to set up the necessary structure.

We met him, very intelligent young man, very cerebral and we had a good interaction with him. He is one of the people we are praying will come out and indicate interest.

We also saw a man called Architect Reuben Okoya who is one of the brightest in the land, worked in Abuja for sometime managing the Abuja city. We met him, and he quite told us that what we were doing

EKIYOR-WELSON

was very, very tough. But, we told him that we knew from the beginning it was a very serious task. He said at the appropriate time, he would decide his political future.

So we are meeting them. We saw Warman Ogoriba, those you know are of lesser category. And we keep on going. We tried to see Timi Alaibe, our letter is with him, and we are expecting that anytime he invites us we will have the courtesy of having a chat with him.

We met the APC chairman in the state, (Joseph) Fafi. A very disciplined and upright man, we had a good time with him.

He likes our idea, he buys the idea. He has said he is even going to set up a committee of we and them to see how we could work for the collective interest of Bayelsans. So we are meeting them.

What has been the major challenge of this campaign?

Ordinarily, if you ask me some persons will think I should say finance. But I have never seen finance as an obstacle anywhere. No. I see money as a messenger. You send money, it goes. You send for money, it comes. The greatest challenge I face in this our task is to find Bayelsans that are selfless. What we doing is basically pure charity, pure selfless service. I spend money to do what I am doing. All I need are Bayelsans that are committed. I bring students together, to see how they can mobilise students for me, they need money, I bring any young man to see how they can work, you know within their category, you know mobilising young men like them, they ask for money. I go to the elderly and more mature people, I meet people in the middle class, they want money. Then you want to talk about the elders, a lot of them are unemployed and they are in the political class, but they are not in government, so they are unemployed and for them to buy the vision and work with the vision, they need money. So the greatest challenge today is to find a Bayelsa man who is going to do charity. People see that the rich in Bayelsa do not do charity. It is a culture that is alien to our people. Our people have the culture of taking, of grabbing by all means possible. They don’t have the culture of giving and assisting each other.

So my greatest challenge is to find those activists in the rural areas, in the communities at the ward level, at the local government level that will carry this vision whole heartedly.

We are blessed that we have a few, and we are working with that few. We are

believing that as time goes on, because we have a long time to do what we are doing, with what we have to do on radio, what we will do in the media, what to do on ground, we are hoping that more and more people will identify with our vision selflessly and achieve our purpose. So in summary, the greatest challenge we have now is to find Bayelsans who are ready to serve Bayelsa.

Those you call altruistic who are ready to work for society than for themselves. That is the greatest challenge.

One other thing we foresee, because we witnessed it in the last election in Bayelsa is vote buying. It featured in Edo, and most recently in Anambra. So it’s going to be a challenge even if you get a credible person to come and stand for election, peoples’ wish might still be subverted when people begin to buy votes particularly in a state like Bayelsa where salaries are not regularly paid and people are hungry.

It is actually part of an old thinking that vote buying and financial inducement during elections is something that can be abrogated or completely stopped. But I just discovered that I was wrong and that is the essence of thinking from both sides of your brain. What I just discovered is done all over the world. Now vote buying takes different forms. I know that for Obama to become the president of America, he had to do a little bit of vote buying but in a different way. For example, Obama had buses, flooded all campuses, so what did he do, he sent buses to take voters to the venue of the elections, to their polling stations and polling units and they were served coffee, they were served lunch. That is another form of vote buying. Now it could be that those things were provided for them in kind or they were provided in cash. All I know is from the process of the primaries, monies were spent in America. For people to go and register with a particular political party you needed money, so for Obama to win nomination in the Democratic Party more people had to register to become members for them to decide against Hilary (Clinton). You understand?

So those people were assisted to register.

Then during the caucuses and primaries, people moved from their places to where the caucuses were taking place. They were assisted financially. Then on the voting day, people who didn’t have transport fares to go and vote, Obama provided fares for them to go and vote. While they were there, Obama provided assistance for them to eat and drink tea, you understand?

And so, the formula now, the ideology and philosophy now is that when you have found the man that has the competence, that has the capacity, that has the capability and has integrity, you can assist the voters to vote for him. That was what happened in Anambra. Among all the contestants in Anambra, Obiano was the best by all standards. You saw the people that came to contest against him; none of them was living in Anambra except Ezeemo. Ezeemo has his business in his village. So you had most of them either staying in Lagos or Abuja. Obiano was on ground for four years working with the people, creating relationships with the traditional rulers, with students and co. So you have a situation where others accused him of paying. So the question now is if it was merely payment, all of them were richer than Obiano. They are all richer than Obiano. So why didn’t they spend their money? They didn’t want to spend because they felt if they spent, they would lose because they knew they were not popular. If you are not on ground, you don’t come few months to the election and start making noise like Chidoka. Between the primary and the election, it was less than two months for Chidoka, a PDP man suddenly became a UPP and wanted to win an election. It was impossible.

So the way we are going to design it in Bayelsa is first of all find a man that is competent, a man with the right character, a man with the right capacity both intellectual and physical. Once we have found that kind of a person, then you assist the voters to bring him into power knowing full well he is coming to serve them. So, you cannot completely eliminate politics of the belly because our people are undeveloped.

Last election in Bayelsa was very violent. And looking at what happened in Anambra, not even one gun- shot was heard. Are there lessons Bayelsans should learn from Anambra?

It will be difficult for Bayelsans to learn that lessons now because of the kind of people that are at the helm of affairs.

Dickson is a very violent man; Sylva is a very violent man. Now you have two major parties in Bayelsa State, you have APC led

by Sylva, a very violent man. And PDP led

by Dickson, another violent man. And two of them are not democrats. They are basically some despots and very dictatorial in their ways. So if you look the way APC is in this state, it is controlled by one man, you see the way PDP is, it is controlled by one man. And when you look at the levels of their intellectual capacity, they have no ideology. So PDP has no ideology in this state, APC has no ideology. So if you ask a simple question, what is the difference between APC and PDP, it will just be that one is in power, the other one is out of power.

The greatest challenge today is to find a Bayelsa man who is going to do charity.

People see that the rich in Bayelsa do not do charity. It is a culture that is alien to our people. Our people have the culture of taking, of grabbing by all means possible. They don’t have the culture of giving and assisting each other. So my greatest challenge is to find those activists in the rural areas, in the communities at the ward level, at the local government level that will carry this vision whole

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

PDP Govs pledge credible convention Stories by Patrick Okohue with Agency Report Governors of states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged support for a free and fair National Convention of the party on Dec. 9.

This is as one of the chairmanship aspirant to the party’s Dec. 9 National Convention, Chief George Olabode has warned against any act that can cause further crisis in the party during the event.

Gombe State governor, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, made the pledge on behalf of the governors at the 77th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.

He said that party members were up and doing for the success of the convention, adding that there was need for party leaders to sit up and earn more respect from the members.

“PDP governors are solidly working with the National Caretaker Committee and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and successful convention,” he said.

In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, commended all aspirants for conducting themselves rightly ahead of the exercise.

He advised managers of the convention to realise that the success of the party was dependent on its outcome.

Ekweremadu said that if the process was free and fair, the aspirants would peacefully accept the results even when they lost.

He, however, warned aspirants against making trouble after losing, saying “you may just be the victim.”

He urged all aspirants to have the interest of the party and of the nation at

MAKARFI

heart as they went into the convention.

Earlier, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, had commended NEC for standing by the committee over the last 18 months.

He appreciated the aspirants for conducting themselves orderly as they sought votes and for bringing “free positive publicity to the party’’.

Makarfi urged the aspirants to continue to conduct themselves with decorum and see the election as a family affair and not do-or-die.

He said that like Nigeria, the party must remain united in spite of its diverse nature.

Also speaking on the same issue at a news conference in Abuja after submitting his nomination form for the chair-

manship race, George said that the party could no longer afford further crisis, stressing the need to respect its constitution.

“We have to be extremely careful in managing the Dec. 9 convention; we can no longer afford another crisis.

“Impunity and lack of respect for party constitution must not be allowed,’’ he cautioned.

He said the party could not afford to entrust its leadership in the hands of novices or someone that had not been part of its management team.

The aspirant likened the party to a ship at sea hit with bad weather saying it needed a competent and experienced captain to safely sail it ashore.

The party chieftain said if PDP sank, it could spell doom for the country’ democracy.

Olabode said he was fit, experienced and was presenting himself for the service of the party and the country.

Also speaking, Mr Kola Ologbondinyan, who is aspiring to be the National Publicity Secretary of the party, said PDP was at a point where it needed the best hands to run its affairs.

Ologbondinyan said Nigerians were looking up to the PDP for a viable opposition that would strengthen the nation’s democracy and that their hopes must not be dashed.

He said in line with the party’s logo, it was time to rebrand it adding “the umbrella shields the people both from the sun and rain.”

Ologbondinyan challenged other aspirants to a public debate and said he was the most competent person for the office of the publicity secretary. (NAN)

Niger Assembly returns commissioner nominees list to governor The Niger State House of Assembly has passed a resolution to return the list of commissioner nominees recently sent to it by Gov. Abubakar Bello, to him.

The Assembly wants the list to be resubmitted at a later date when it would have concluded pending assignments before it.

This followed a motion on a matter of urgent public importance by Malik Bosso (Bosso-APC) and seconded by Bello Ahmad (Agwarra-PDP).

Bosso argued that there were numerous pressing issues that had long been pending for legislative action, and pointed out that refusal to attend to them could draw the state backward.

“The schedule of the House is tight on other matters that also require urgent attention.

“It will be more suitable and convenient if the screening of the commissioner nominees is carried at a period the House will conduct such task within a continuous period.’’

In his contribution, Ahmad noted that it was in the interest of the state and in compliance with section 192 sub-section 5 of the Constitution that the list be sent back to the governor.

Ahmad said that the Constitution mandated the House to screen nominees within 21 days from the date the list was submitted, adding that 12 working days had elapsed from Nov. 15 when the list was submitted.

“We cannot thoroughly screen 18 nominees in the nine days left,’’ he said.

The House, therefore, unanimously resolved to return the list to the governor for re-submission when it was through with pending assignments.

The Speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, directed the Clerk of the Assembly to communicate the executive on the resolution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House also acknowledged the receipt of the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill in a correspondence from the National Assembly, for legislative action.

I remain in APC- Sen. Boroffice The Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, has said that he had not joined another political party as being speculated.

Boroffice made this clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure by his media aide, Mr Kayode Fakuyi.

“Few days ago after a successful APC stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, a plot to link Sen. Boroffice to another party in Ondo State was hatched; the plot is diversionary.

“The senator remains a chieftain of the APC in Ondo State and has not at anytime resigned his membership of the party nor at any moment joined another party,’’ Fakuyi said.

“As a grassroots politician and one of the founding fathers of APC in the state, if he has any reason to join another party, it will attract statewide rallies and political carnivals.

“The evolution of the APC did not start with the 2016 governorship primary election in the state.

“It started in 2011 when Sen. Boroffice, as the only elected member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, mobilised fellow progressives to build the progressive family in the state,’’ he said.

Fakuyi advised the citizenry to disregard any false report that the Senator had left the APC, saying it was untrue.

“On the circulated letter, which purportedly appointed the deputy chairman of our party as the acting chairman, the letter is fake.

“Mr Isaac Kekemeke remains the state chairman of the party, if there is any allegation against the state chairman, the allegation should be investigated.

“Only the National Executive Committee of the party has the power to sack the state party chairman and appoint an acting chairman.

“It is on record that the NEC of our party has not considered the matter and has not taken any position on it. Any letter seeking his removal is fake in its entirety.

According to Fakuyi, Boroffice reaffirms his confidence in the state chair-

man of APC in Ondo State.

He said, “about 75 per cent of the party’s followers have declared support for the state chairman and no outsider can impose any pro-tempore chairman on our party.

“The letter, which purportedly appointed the deputy chairman as the acting chairman is fake.

“The well-attended meeting held on Nov. 27 deliberated on a number of issues and made far-reaching resolutions.

“Stakeholders passed a vote of confidence on Mr Isaac Kekemeke-led State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party and reiterated support for the APC-led Federal and Ondo State Governments,” he said.

However, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the state party spokesman, told NAN that the investigative committee did its work thoroughly and invited the former chairman three times but he refused to turn up.

Adesanya said the hearing was open and transparent, adding that the national leadership of the party wrote and approved the Acting Chairman of the

SEN BOROFFICE

party, Mr Ade Adetimehin, pending the final resolution of the issue.

Kekemeke was suspended by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party on June 1, 2017.

The suspension arose from a division in the party, occasioned by the outcome of the last governorship primary election, which produced Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu as the party’s flag bearer in the last governorship election.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Be advocates of HIV prevention in communities, Wike tells Rivers people Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏTo

mark this year’s World AIDS Day, the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has renewed his call to the people of the state to be advocates of HIV prevention in their respective communities and institutions.

The Rivers State Chief Executive made the call during the celebration of the 2017 World AIDs Day in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday.

Represented by his Deputy Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said:

“Abstinence is best for young people. Learn to avoid risky sexual behaviour. Know your status today. Do not stigmatise infected persons. Let us all support Government’s effort to achieve universal health coverage for our people.”

According to him, it is totally unacceptable that a large percentage of new infections of HIV are due to mother-tochild transmission.

“Here in Rivers State, we have directed that every health centre and health facility must provide Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. It is a

very cost effective technology to ensure that not one child is born HIV positive,” the governor said.

The Governor said his administration has invested substantially on strengthening the health care systems by renovating abandoned secondary health care facilities, upgrading and equipping the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital for better standard of patient care and facilitating access to interest free loans for private health facilities to raise the quality of care.

“We are hopeful that the

heavy drain of Out of Pocket Expenditure for health services will reduce once the State Health Insurance Scheme is fully underway,” he stressed.

Wike said the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘My Health, My Right’, resonates around the right to health services, access to social services and the importance of individual knowledge in order to keep healthy, and expressed the need for everyone to take seriously, the simple tasks of routine exercise, diet and continuous effort of monitoring biologic indicators of good health.

News 13

Gunmen kill 4 policemen in Adamawa as residents flee Numan town Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Police Command in Adamawa State has confirmed the death of four of its men in clash with gunmen in Numan Local Government Area of the state.

The command spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, who confirmed the incident to newmen on Friday in Yola said the four policemen killed were not Mopol but from Numan divisional headquarters who were on patrol.

Abubakar said the identity of the gunmen was yet to be ascertained.

He said contrary to speculation by the public that the killing was by Fulani militia on reprisal attack, the command was still investigating the incident and had further boost security in the area with support from the military.

“We don’t want to work on speculations and I want to urge the public and media to shun rumour mongers and speculations that would further raise tension in Numan and its environs,” Abubakar said.

He, however, confirmed that the speculations of reprisal attacks has resulted in some residents of Numan and its environs to start moving to Yola, the state capital, and other places they considered safe.

Some residents of Numan,

the third largest town in Adamawa, told news men that the town was now deserted with shops and markets closed.

“The markets and shops are closed as people remain in their houses while others are leaving the town because of rumours of impending reprisal attack.

“The tension was further heightened with the report that some policemen were killed by the attackers who attempted to enter Numan in the night,” a resident who simply identified himself as Ibrahim said It would be recalled that two weeks ago about 50 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Numan area by gunmen alleged to be Bachama militia.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, who visited Adamawa over the incident last Tuesday, had directed the deployment of five units of Mobile policemen to contain tension and further attacks in the area.

Meanwhile, Adamawa chapters of Muslim Council and Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) have condemned the killings and called for the arrest of the perpetrators.

The religious groups also called for the setting up of a panel of inquiry over the incident.

NBS puts rate of persons with HIV in North-East at 21.8 per wcent Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi; Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogu, during the Eid el-Maulud Celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State… on Friday.

Education faculty tops list of first class at UNN’s 47th convocation Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏOne

hundred and thirty two graduates of the University of Nigeria Nsukka have bagged first class at the 47th Convocation with Faculty of Education topping the list.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, announced this on Friday during the 47th convocation of the university.

“The total number of graduates and diplomas are 7830.

One hundred and thirty two graduates bagged first class.

“I commend these first class graduates for their academic excellence, “he said.

The VC said the two convocations the university held within one year was a practical testimony and demonstration of his administration’s resolve to improve academic curriculum of the university.

“Holding second convocation within one year shows improvement on university curriculum as well as timely released of computer based results in line with best academic practices,” he said.

He said the 5-point plan of

his administration include to offer quality education and professional programme to build university that would serve as intellectual and cultural centre for the promotion of new ideas and partnership.

In a remark, Mr. Michael Olorunfemi, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of UNN Governing Council, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to be good ambassadors of their alma-mater where ever they find themselves.

“Today is an occasion to

celebrate the successes of our children and wards who devoted themselves to the academic demands, today is a day to reward their devotions and sacrifices to academics.

“I urge you graduates to be good ambassadors of your Alma mater by doing what is right as well as contributing your quota to improve and the university best in the world.

Miss Augusta Ofondu from department of Pharmacy was named as the best graduating student of 47th convocation.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that at least 21.8 percent of persons in the Northeast have been tested for HIV in the last 12 months and the result made known.

Chioma Ikemakholam, a statistician with the NBS made the disclosure Friday at a one-day meeting on the dissemination of the 2016/17 MICs report of the Northeast by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with UNICEF, held at the Chartwell Hotel and Suites in Bauchi.

The statistician disclosed that the 2017/17 MICs survey by the NBS was the fifth round in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, as part of the global MICs programme.

The survey, according to her, further indicates that more than 75.6 percent persons in the northeast region have comprehensive knowledge of HIV, with women recording 28.5 and men recording 47.1 respectively.

“More males have comprehensive knowledge of HIV than females in Nigeria with

a record of 35 percent for men and 29 percent for women. In the last 12 months, same proportion, that is 15 person of males and females have been tested for HIV and know their status”, Chioma said.

“The knowledge about HIV is higher in South South than other zones in Nigeria. Percentage of those who know about AIDs in the Northeast is 77.6 percent, for Southeast is 92.6 percent, South South is 92.6 percent while South West is 93.3 percent”, she added.

While speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Bureau of Statistics Northeast zone, Musa Mohammed, pointed out that the Multiple Indicator Survey, MICs, was an international Household survey programme developed by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) which is designed to collect statistically sound and international comparable estimates of key indicators that are used to access the situation of children and women in the areas of health, education, child protection and HIV/AIDS. Mohammed said it can be used as data collection tools to generate information for monitoring the progress towards national goals and global commitments which is aimed at promoting the welfare of children and women such as MDGs and SDGs.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

World AIDS Day: Okowa calls for increased advocacy against stigmatisation Nosa Akenzua,Asaba

ÏÏÏAS the World marked

L-R: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu and others, during the 173rd meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Austria.

Mortgaged property: Court fixes Dec 14 for ruling in suit against bank, registrar Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏRuling

on a suit filed by the Administrators of the Estate of the late Samuel Iyiola Omotoso against Ecobank Nigeria Plc and Registrar of Titles, Lagos State over the landed property situate at 5, Oduduwa Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos has been fixed by a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

Justice Beatrice OkeLawal, fixed December 14, 2017 to rule on the family suit against the bank and the registrar of titles.

The Estate Administrators in the suit with No: ID/3967GCMW/17, which emanated through Originating Summons filed by Rotimi Aladesanmi are, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Nwafor, Mrs. Omowumni Olugunja, Mr. Elijah Omotoso and Mr. Emmanuel Omotoso, who are the children of the deceased.

The Administrators in their argument through their counsel, Rotimi Aladesanmi, contend that the propriety of a Mortgage Deed dated August 24, 2001 and registered as No 14 at page 14 in volume 2044 at the Lagos State Land Registry in respect of the property, upon which a credit facility of N155 million was extended to JNC Limited by Ecobank wouldn’t have been signed by a dead person, two years after his demise as claimed by the plaintiff.

The claimant also contend that there was no loan advanced to alleged borrowing company, JNC Ltd, by the 1st defendant (Ecobank) pursuant to, or consequent upon the deed of tripartite legal mortgage registered as No. 14 at page 14 in volume 2044 at the Lagos State Land Registry with the claim that the

said company was not registered.

Aladesanmi further told the court that the person who prepared and signed exhibit EC 17 which was attached to a counter-affidavit, meant to have been written by the morgaggor, Engr. Samuel Iyiola Omotoso was wrongly spelt, with the error occurring on the masthead.

The Claimants, also stated that no amount was stated on the deed of tripartite legal mortgage as loan covered by the mortgage, neither is there any date for ‘repayment’ of any loan stated.

Counsel to the respondent, in his response to the claimants submission, urged the court to strike out the claimant’s case, based on the fact that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The counsel also informed the court that

the respondent in a preliminary objection dated July 27, 2017, had also proved that the case of the claimant is contentional.

“My Lord, we have taken time to go through the claimant’s case and we want to state before your lordship that they lack merit and we have replied them appropriately.

“In a preliminary objection before the court, we seek that the matter of the claimant be quashed because this court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

On another ground, we also urge the court to strike out the matter because it is contentional”.

“Contrary to the claimants claim, there was no transaction in the first place and this and other points we have proved in the preliminary objection of the plaintiff party before the court,” he said.

Fulani attackers on rampage in Plateau community, injure 4

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏAt

least four people were on Friday fatally injured after suspected Fulani gunmen opened fire at a local mining site in Jol village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack followed the arrest of two Fulani herders after allegedly grazing into irrigation farms in Tanjol village, in Jol. The gunmen were said to have further ambushed travellers near Vwak village who reportedly escaped unhurt.

Police Public Relations Officer, Plateau State, Matthias Terna, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had commenced and promised the perpetrators will be brought to book.

Similarly another youth identified as John Danladi in Rakung village of Ropp District of Barkin-Ladi LGA, was reportedly lynched by a group of Fulani herders while working in his farm.

Danladi was said to have been assaulted after attempting to protest against an alleged trespass on his farm by the herders.

The herders armed with machetes and sticks reportedly beat him to coma and fled before the villagers arrived.

Mr. Danladi, according to sources, was however able to identify one of the suspects after being resuscitated.

The suspect was therefore traced and captured by the villagers who later handed him to the police.

The Special Task-force in Plateau, code named, Operation Safe Haven, confirmed the incidence and said personnel have taken over the area.

The STF spokesperson, Captain Umar Adams also said a similar case was reported on Tuesday in Riyom where Fulani herders attacked a farmer in his farm and ended up being nabbed by villagers.

Adams said people should not take laws into their hands but report any incidence of attack to the authorities.

Our correspondent reports that there is an ongoing secret killing in Plateau communities and about one to three persons are either being ambushed and killed, or lynched and butchered in cold blood on daily basis.

World AIDS Day on Friday, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for increased advocacy on the HIV/AIDS pandemic to eradicate stigmatisation and discrimination in the country.

Governor Okowa, who made this call during a Live Radio and Television broadcast to mark the day, said that Delta State has about 78,359 persons living with the virus with a prevalence rate of 0.7%, stressing that there was the need for an increased advocacy to reduce discrimination and stigmatisation among the populace.

“According to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Nigeria has over three million persons living with HIV. Furthermore, the HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria stands at 3.4%, here in Delta state, with an estimated population of over five million people, we have about 78,359 persons living with HIV. Of this number, 38,257 are eligible for treatment, while 28,000 are currently accessing the life-saving AntiRetroviral Drugs (ARV), which is 73% coverage in treatment.”, he said, stating that “Delta State HIV prevalence rate currently stands at 3.6% (among Ante-natal surveys), while the survey among the general population is 0.7%”.

MRS EDE MONICA ANGELA AJA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AJA MONICA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDE MONICA ANGELA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OSSAI IFEOMA CHINWENWA OSSAI: I, formerly known and addressed as OSSAI IFEOMA CHINWE, now wish to be known and addressed as OSSAI IFEOMA CHINWENWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

OPARA NKEMDILIM WINIFRED ELOBUIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as ELOBUIKE NKEMDILIM WINIFRED, now wish to be known and addressed OPARA NKEMDILIM WINIFRED (NEE ELOBUIKE). All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

ABDULQUADIR TAWAKALIT A 2. I formerly known and addressed as ORIADETU TAWAKALITU now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULQUADIR TAWAKALIT A. .

All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

ILESANMI JOSHUA I formerly known as . ilesanmi Sunday , now wish to be known as ilesanmi Joshua . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

“I enjoin all stakeholders to re-double their efforts at educating our people on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as to take proactive steps at eradicating stigma and discrimination among the citizenry. It is a known fact that many people are generally aware of HIV/ AIDS, but correct knowledge on how to prevent the infection is rather limited, due mainly to unfounded myths and outright denial of the reality of HIV/ AIDS”, Governor Okowa stated.

Describing as very apt the theme for the 2017 World AIDS Day, ‘’Right to Health: Making it Happen’, Senator Okowa appealed to all Deltans to endeavour to know their HIV status and also register “with the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme as a sure way of ensuring rights to quality health.

He assured Deltans of government resolve to provide an enabling environment and support for HIV/ AIDS activities in the state and called on the organized private sector, the multinationals and philanthropists to assist in filling the funding gaps so as to give the people renewed hope for tomorrow.

OYEBISI KAMAL OYELEKAN I formerly known and addressed as OYEBISI KAMALDEEN OYELEKAN , now wish to be known and addressed as OYEBISI KAMAL OYELEKAN. All fformer document remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that EGBUNINE CHIKA BAMIDELE and EGBUNINE CHIKA BAMIDELE DAVID refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as EGBUNINE CHIKA BAMIDELE DAVID. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKOH LOVELINE ANAYO ADAEZE.

OZIOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as OZIOKO LOVELINE ANAYO ADAEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOH LOVELINE ANAYO ADAEZE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AGU BEATRICE OGO OZOALOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OZOALOR BEATRICE .O , now wish to be known and addressed AGU BEATRICE OGO. All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

MARY EUCHARIA CARLTON 3. I formerly known and addressed as CARLTON EUCHARIA now wish to be known and addressed as MARY EUCHARIA CARLTON . All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS OBIAGERI FAVOUR OZONWANKWO

1. I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBIAGERI FAVOUR IGWEBUIKE SAMUEL now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIAGERI FAVOUR OZONWANKWO . All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

15 For the Record

New thinking, respect and vision for professional broadcasting

By John Momoh

M

edia is new life to humanity, it is now impossible to separate the hu- man being from a device, that gives us access to majority of people we love, do business and interact with, or influencers of our daily lives.

A media device can arguably pass as the quintessential non-biologi- cal human organ no one has given a thought about.

Be it a television set, radio or a hand-held communication system - not even the great- est minds of our humanity could have conceived them in time past.

Of critical importance to this human phenomenon and in this digital age of unlimited innovation, disruptions and resources is the question of content. What kind of content does media possess? The survival of human kind will depend on the kind of content we broadcast or mass communicate.

To this end, it is my profound privilege to address this conference on the need for a New Thinking, Respect and Vision for Professional Broadcasting. I wish to advocate that we in the media profession must be at the forefront of setting and maintaining a universal agenda for this very important part of our collective lives.

More careful thought must be given to how we create content. Whereas the strength of our diversity as people of the world lies in gain- ing better understanding of each other, we have also reached a point where what used to be normal or acceptable is no longer so. In this significant paradigm shift, race, ethnicity, religion, gender etc. have become issues of great division. And division is never the purpose of mass media or communication but a tool for convergence.

When careful thought given to how we create broadcast content we could create reasons for discrimination, lack of understanding, misin- formation, intolerance and conflict.

The complex nature of the human being calls for further collaborations amongst broadcast professionals and content planners, the employ- ment of specialists in human history and social anthropologists. Being a broadcaster and content producer is no longer enough.

There are several examples of where literal work or media content led to great human conflict. Misguided broadcast have caused up- heavals in some societies because due regard for the rights or wishes of others were not considered or the mischaracterisation of persons or groups of persons.

As such the need for respect cannot be overemphasised. Though not enforceable in a sense, the importance of being

respectful will show how adaptable the broadcaster has been and the understanding of the weight of responsibility by the broadcaster to the society they serve.

The broadcaster faces the now endemic challenge of unethical activi- ties of some professionals and content producers who devote their tal- ent in creating content that do not meet the minimum requirement of educating, informing and entertainment of mass media. All in the drive to wrongly influence the society, much of which is responsible for the ‘fake news’ phenomenon. A recent CNN documentary suggests that this a thriving sub-sector of our industry.

Just as we struggle to understand and deal with this scourge, we still battle the issues of plagiarism and copyrights infringements of original media work of others in broadcasting.

Paraphrasing a quote by A. Brown as published in the Journal of Media Economics, 1996: “The traditional rationale for the production and transmission of broadcasting arises from the perceived social impor- tance of the broadcasting media and their potential influence on val- ues, attitudes, and beliefs.”

This has not changed, but furthered by the accessibility enabled by technology to much more people. Secondly local has become global and global, local.

The role of the broadcaster has exceedingly increased and we must be very progressive and proactive in meeting the challenges of these responsibilities.

I hope we will take the opportunity of this conference to examine our methods, explore new ways of doing business and create opportuni- ties for effective professional collaborations across the diverse repre- sentation of media entities we have today.

In the same breath I hope that Africa will take centre stage at this conference.

Africa needs a clear development agenda with realistic and achievable solutions for development of its media and broadcast ar- chitecture, systems and economy. With a large aspirational young population, media in Africa holds great power to change negative stereotypes predominant in global mainstream media. The narrative of all content ought to beam the flood lights on Africa’s many potentials, a continent of achievements and showcase our successes.

Ladies and gentlemen, buoyed by the endless media opportunities as a result of the revolution caused by digital technology, please permit me to set the tone and lead the way in stating the following for a (new; renewed) vision for professional broadcasting in this era.

I hope that Africa will take centre stage at this conference.

Africa needs a clear development agenda with realistic and achievable solutions for development of its media and broadcast architecture, systems and economy.

John Momoh 1. More content. Content is King: far more than a cliche, but a sub- stance and material of quantity and quality. An expression of cre- ativity, human rights and aspirations. Content will remain what our audiences will consume, we must continue to make it more universal. For the developing world, technology has provided the opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world, what needs to be a fo- cus is the push and desire of media creativity that has universal ap- peal, as content or channels. A prominent example is ‘Greys Anatomy’ created by Shonda Rhimes, an African-American that won global mainstream appeal, just as the prominence of Al- Jazeera and CNN. A winning formula exists.

2. Brave competition amongst media practitioners that will enhance professionalism, develop talent, build capacity for broadcast value chain and media economy.

3. Build critical mass against unethical practice and sanctioning of discredited professionals and well as a vetting system that fact- check the quality of content materials.

4. Inclusiveness of diversity, champions in this area will lead the indus- try.

Diversity issues in the developing world are still touchy subjects, be it gender or religion. However, we have must maximise the full extent of social development in societies we operate in.

5. Technology is the backbone of this industry, broadcasters have to understand that technological evolutions are quite fast – the old rapidly giving way to the new. There will always be a brand

new so- lution for the needs of broadcasters. Relying on old technology and equipment will never be a prudent way of doing things, as we have seen with the literal dumping of outdated equipment in some parts of Africa.

6. Economically, media will thrive when there is a good commercial plan behind it. Advertising revenues are waning, but technology is helping us share resources. We can be more effective it we see competition as partnerships in progress. One may consider this counterintuitive, but a clear evidence of this possibility is the revolu- tion of broadcast transmission brought about by Digital Terrestrial Transmission. We can achieve the same through co-productions, af- filiation networks and talent development.

I have chosen to speak of the different meaning of the obvious, be- cause the familiarity of these issues increasingly make us near-sighted that they are fundamental to the cause of professionalism and excel- lence.

It is my utmost hope and faith that this conference, in it’s 20th anniver- sary will result in quantum leaps for advancement of broadcasting for the benefit of the society. The relationships created here will be of en- during legacy and cooperation.

Momoh (OON), the Chairman /CEO, Channels Media Group, delivered this keynote address at this year’s 20th Anniversary Edition of AfricaCom in Cape Town, South Africa on November 13-15, 2017.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

17

18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

FEATURES

s

Abakaliki rice as alternative revenue for Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

Before the creation of Ebonyi State on October 1, 1996 by former Head of State, the late Gen Sani Abacha, rice has remained the mainstay of the daily living and earning of the people.

For years now, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital has been known as home of local rice production not only in Nigeria, but in West Africa sub-region.

Ebonyi State is one of the most agrarian of the states in Nigeria.

Made up of predominantly farmers, with savanna and semi tropical vegetation, humid, sandy and marshy soil, the state is blessed with moisture land for growing of varieties of cash and food crops, such as rice, yam, cassava, cocoyam.

Among the agricultural potential, the production of the famous Abakaliki rice has made the state so popular and a beehive of commercial hub. No visitor comes to Abakaliki, the state capital, without testifying to the high quality of Abakaliki rice compared with other rice produced locally and internationally.

The Abakaliki rice is blessed with so many nutritional values, which is gotten from the salinity in the land of Abakaliki rice mill. It is even better and graded higher by those that know its nutritional values.

Apart from its nutritional value, the Abakaliki rice is naturally salted with good taste. The reputation of Abakaliki rice is derived from its superior taste. Rice production no doubt has created jobs from which a lot of people feed their families.

There are numerous jobs for the youths in Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry including technical/professional and unprofessional/causal works, as well as others who sell their wares in the area.

The Abakaliki Rice Mill, as it is popularly called, is adjudged to be the first indigenous company since the creation of the state. During the creation of the state, at least Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry is equally the only existing industry in the state.

The company started as Abakaliki Rice Mill in 1967 on No. 60-65 Gunning Road Abakaliki. The first milling engine procured for milling of Abakaliki rice was bought by Mr. Anekwe Bestman. The relocation of the mill to its present site was done under Hon. P. O. Nwike, who was then the Executive Chairman, Abakaliki Local Government Area in the then Anambra State. Signatories to the statement include the Chairman, Joseph Ununu; Administrative Secretary, Nwede Richard; Secretary, Usulo Emmanuel and Fidelis Igwe.

But on November 15, 1977, the land used for the construction of the rice mill was leased by the Abakaliki Lo-

cal Council to Rice Mill Abakaliki, for 99 years upon payment of valuable consideration.

In September, 1989, the Rice Mill Association Abakaliki was registered as a company with the incorporation name – Rice Mill Company Nig. Ltd with registration number RC. 136,800. But on January 1, 2000, customary right of occupancy with

respect to the entire area of land measuring 1938.464 square metres occupied by the company was issued

by Ebonyi State Government.

Inside the rice mill established in 1957 lies an expanse of land measuring 1938.464 square metres, various workers abound – machine operators, dust carriers, bag stickers, off loaders, barrow pushers, on-loaders,

accountants, water suppliers, security men and a host of others.

Narrating the event leading to the success story, Chief Sunday Oketa said he started the rice mill business at the age 18. As a child, Oketa recalled he joined the industry as a “dust carrier” and later trained for one year and six months as a machine operator. He said, “My father

was alive then and he was one of the founders of the rice mill,” he said, adding that the entire family members were trained properly in farming.

Oketa said, “Early in 1971, we sold a bushel of rice at N10 here and by then there was nothing like foreign rice. All Ebonyi people were farmers; we never knew any other handwork except farming. And when you come here, you see enough rice, foodstuffs such as cassava, yam and that’s why we name Ebonyi State, the Food Basket of the Nation.”

He remembered that way back in the 1980s; people from as far as Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt usually come to buy Abakaliki rice. “In those days, 15 trailer load of the commodity, 50 to 60 Mercedes Benz 911 lorries, aside other small vehicles such as pick-up vans leave the mill every day,” Oketa said, adding that the importation of foreign rice into Nigeria “is killing business here.”

Indeed, many are familiar with the popular Abakaliki rice which is believed to have a higher nutritional value than the imported polished and parboiled rice, and possibly the best in the world as certified by American experts. The rice is parboiled locally and processed by the small scale milling machines.

A notable rice farmer and state Commissioner for Information and CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Orientation, Dr. Emmanuel Onwe, noted that more than 80 per cent of Abakaliki rice is grown organically because the soil in vast swathe of areas in the state is so fertile that the need for chemically-based fertiliser does not exist and it’s now government policy to prioritise agriculture in absolute terms, and ensuring that everything else yields way to this policy.

Onwe noted that the drive and target of the Governor David Umahi’s administration was to produce and supply 10 per cent of the over six million metric tons of rice consumed in Nigeria annually.

He said, “The administration borrowed N2billion to invest in encouraging farmers, public and civil servants as well as the youth and women to undertake farming of a number of crops but especially rice very seriously. The injection of agro inputs and equipment such as seeds, herbicides, fertilizer, tractors, plus the necessary mechanical implements have enabled our citizens to put additional 20,000 hectares of land into rice cultivation this season” The rice milling machines were situated in such a way that it formed a cluster and people from far and near bring their rice produce there for milling. Most times, the centre is also a market where people buy or sell rice. Virtually in all communities and local council areas, milling machines are situated with commercial activities, especially for residents outside the capital city that may find it difficult to access the Abakaliki Rice Mill.

This large cluster of rice milling industry is owned and managed by private individuals and cooperative societies who have their milling machines, while government only collects royalties/levies from them.

Usually, people come from far and near to the mill to buy or sell rice on a daily basis.

People from the North including neighbouring states such as Enugu, Imo, Abia and Anambra states always come to buy rice in Abakaliki in very large quantities. The reason for the high patronage is not only that Abakaliki rice has been identified to have a unique taste when compared to foreign rice and other kinds of rice being patronised by people, it is cheap and affordable.

The price defers depending on the quality of the rice and specie. Currently, due to the ban on importation of foreign rice, the cost of a bushel of rice is sold for N10,000 and above, depending on the quality, as against N4,000 a year ago.

But the continued production of Abakaliki rice was affected during the past administration of former Governor Martin Elechi, due to the face-off between the Abakaliki Rice Mill Company and Ebonyi State Government on the planned relocation of the rice mill to the three rice clusters in each of the senatorial zones of the state.

Speaking with The DailyTimes on the matter, the chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill, Mr. Joseph Ununu, noted that the policy of relocation of the rice mill and its attendant cases of threats and intimidation have brought untold hardship to them and the trauma precipitated the untimely death of 15 rice millers as a result of heart failure.

It was gathered that one of the pa-

19 Features

Abakaliki rice as alternative revenue for Ebonyi

trons, Chief Chukwuka Okonwko, slumped and died shortly after hearing the news of the relocation. Mr. Elias Nwogu, 40, a father of six, said he has trained some of his children in both secondary and university from the proceeds of the rice business which he has been engaged in since the age of 15.

Okonkwo said he wanted to sell his milling engine, but nobody indicated interest to buy it and that was how the man died. The engine was estimated at N1.6 million, but nobody could buy it even at N300,000 and that broke his heart; because the rice mill is moving out and everybody is afraid,” he said.

Mr. Augustine Obasi, father of four kids, is one of the workers at the rice mill and hails from Ezza North local Government Area of the state.

Born in the mid-1970s, he said he joined the rice business in 1991 but lamented the government decision to move them.

For Mrs. Eucharia Ogwutor, she said since joining the business in 1989, she has been buying from the farmers to do the final processing.

“Ikwo Village is very far from here.

No buyer would like to carry his money and go to such a distant place to buy. If Governor Elechi relocates the rice mill from here, people should just forget about the Abakaliki rice,” she said.

However, respite came with the emergence of Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi. With the dwindling oil revenue, the present admin-

istration has re-emphasised the need to revert to agriculture which was the mainstay of the Nigeria economy before the discovery of oil.

The clarion call is for Nigerians to embrace agriculture, turn farming to serious business and earn additional revenue as prices of crude oil have continued to fall at international market. And Abakaliki rice represents a situation where Nigeria can earn enough revenue through the export of the product to Africa and European countries.

In line with his vision for agricultural revolution especially rice in the state, Umahi has procured 40 tractors for rice production. The Ebonyi State Government has earmarked 40,500 hectares of land for rice cultivation for next year’s farming season spread across the 13 council areas in the state. Each of the LGAs has 2,500 hectares mapped for the rice production while IFAD has 6,000 hectares and FADAMA, 2,000 hectares.

This feat, if actualised, would boost food security in the state. Already, all public servants have been directed to go into farming. Public primary and secondary schools and teachers have also been directed to have farms as basis for promotion Similarly, the state government after procuring 13 graders among other equipment to aid rice production, decided through the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to choose three Pilots schools, Girls’ Technical College Agba in Ishielu local government area, Gov-

ernment Technical College, Abakaliki and Ehugbo Technical College, Afikpo, for the implementation of its Schools’ Agricultural programme in the State.

The purpose of the programme is to reintroduce and establish the modern methods of agricultural practices and inspire students at the secondary school level on the need for them to be part of the agricultural revolution making wave in the state.

As this agricultural policies begin to gain prominence across the state, the government has also handed over 292 hectares of land to Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki for use as demonstration farms to grow all kinds of crops including maize, rice, tomatoes, yams among others.

In a chat with The DailyTimes, the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr Uchenna Orji, stressed that the state government was determined to boost rice production across the state, adding that professionalism, commercialization and mechanized system of agriculture would be adopted as part of its work plan.

According to him, no land would left fallow in the state as Governor Umahi has exemplified same by establishing a demonstration farm within the state Government House which has began to yield dividends as crops are being harvested therein on regular basis.

He called on investors, non-governmental Organizations, NGOs , including agricultural experts to come and partner the state government in its agricultural policies geared towards boosting food production across the state. Commenting after inspecting the three pilot schools across the three senatorial zones of the State, the Chairman of the Committee on Ebonyi State School Agric programme, Mrs. Juliet Okoro, stated that the inspection exercise was to enable the State Ministry of Agriculture identify at least 6 hectares of land in each school. She added that clearing and preparation of the lands hitherto identified would commence immediately for agricultural purposes.

Okoro who is also the HOD Agric in the Ministry noted that it was the intention of the present administration to boost agricultural produce and instil in students the interest for agriculture through a well designed programme and mechanized system of agriculture. The Principals of the selected schools, Rev. Sister Amaka Asike, Dr. Emmanuel Ewa Ibe and Okeh Stephen Ike of Girls’ Technical College, Agba, Ehugbo Technical College, Afikpo and Government Technical College, Abakaliki respectively thanked the state government for the initiative and pledged to contribute their quota towards the success of the exercise.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Woman passenger, Air India duty manager exchange slaps at Delhi airport

Bill Gates celebrates Zambian chief for role in AIDS combat Bonny Amadi with Agency Report

ÏÏÏ

ÏÏÏ

A show of shame ensued between a duty manager of Air India and a woman passenger when the duo’s feud degenerated to exchange of hot slaps.

The woman passenger and the Air India duty manager slapped each other at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Tuesday morning after she was denied boarding for reporting late, police said.

The Times of India reports

that the incident took place after the Ahmedabadbound woman passenger had an argument with the official.

“A lady passenger was told by a counter staff that she will not be able to check in because she was late for the flight. This led to an argument and the staff directed her to the duty manager who was also a lady and there was an altercation,” an Air India spokesperson said.

Obama meets Dalai Lama, Indian PM in New Delhi

20 Foreign News

The world’s richest man and CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has praised two anti-AIDS activists for their efforts in combating the deadly disease. Gates described the two as heroes who are making a difference in the fight against AIDS. The first was a Zambian ethnic leader, Chief Jonathan Eshiloni Mumena XI. He leads the Koande people who live along Zambia’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Agency report said that the Mumena and Gates met as far back in 2012 with Gates stating that Mumena “took a risk to challenge his tribe’s tra-

ditions in order to protect his people from AIDS.” I think my biggest problem concerning this circumcision was that it is not a part and parcel of my culture. It was taboo to even talk about circumci-

sion in my family.

According to the report, in telling his own story, the chief said it took his son (Prince Benjamin) to effect a wholesale communal change in the area of male circumcision – which was

Bill Gates

seen as a taboo topic in the community. He described the scourge of HIV and AIDS as a ‘heavy cloud’ on the lives of his people.

He said Benjamin convinced him that voluntary male circumcision was a key intervention capable of saving the lives of men, that it could reduce a man’s risk of getting the disease by 60%. He said he got circumcised at the age of 47.

“I think my biggest problem concerning this circumcision was that it is not a part and parcel of my culture. It was taboo to even talk about circumcision in my family,” he said about circumcision. But he managed to convince his elders that there was the need for a change.

Delhi records 40 % rape cases, highest crime rate among 19 major cities ÏÏÏ Delhi has reported the

maximum number of rape cases among 19 major cities at 40 per cent, besides the highest crime rate in 2016, according to the latest data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

NDTV reports said that the national capital has got the dubious distinction of topping the list in cases of murder, kidnapping and abduction, juveniles in conflict and economic offences.

Delhi reported 33 per cent (13,803 cases out of total

41,761 cases in 19 cities) of total crimes against women followed by Mumbai at 12.3 per cent (5,128 cases) last year among the 19 cities with population above two million.

The national capital reported nearly 40 per cent of rape cases and nearly 29 per cent of each of cruelty by husband and his relatives and dowry deaths, the NCRB data said.

Delhi accounted for 38.8 per cent of total IPC crime reported in 19 cities followed

by Bengaluru 8.9 per cent and Mumbai 7.7 per cent.

The India’s national capital recorded the highest crime rate (182.1) compared to the national average of 77.2.

Chennai has reported highest number of cases of Special and Local Laws (SLL) crimes, accounting for 32.9 per cent of total reported cases among the 19 cities, followed by Kochi (12.9 per cent) and Surat (12.6 per cent) during 2016.

Delhi reported the highest

number of kidnapping and abduction - 5,453 cases (48.3 per cent) followed by Mumbai with 1,876 cases (16.6 per cent) and Bengaluru 879 cases 7.8 per cent during 2016.

The city reported highest number of murders - 479 out of 2,194 cases- (21.8 per cent) followed by Bengaluru 10.4 per cent (229 cases) and Patna 8.9 per cent (195 cases).

Highest number of cases at 35.6 per cent (2,368 cases out of 6,645) of juveniles in conflict with law were reported in Delhi among the 19 cities during 2016.

…..As three get death for India teen’s rape and murder Tibetian Dalai Lama

ÏÏÏFormer

President Barack Obama and Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, met in New Delhi Friday to discuss promoting peace in the world, according to the Dalai Lama’s office.

Agency report said that Obama, on a three nation tour, also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, where he arrived after visiting China.

“It was very good, I think like reunion,” the Dalai Lama leader said calling Obama an old and trusted friend after meeting him in a New Delhi hotel.

It was the sixth meeting between the two leaders, they last met in July last year when Obama hosted

the Dalai Lama in the White House overriding strong objections from China which describes the Tibetan leader as a separatist and fears such meetings send the wrong signal to Tibetans.

Both men, who have won the Nobel Peace prize, discussed the kind of future they envision for the world, the Dalai Lama’s office said.

“I mentioned to him, we need promotion of sense of oneness…too much division,” the Dalai Lama later said.

The 82-year-old Tibetan leader, who has retired from a political role in the Tibetan exile administration, told Obama that laureates should meet to affect changes for the immediate

India Millions of Marathas participated in marches across Maharashtra

ÏÏÏ Meanwhile, a court in India has given

the death penalty to three men convicted for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl.

The men, in their 20s, had raped the teen-

ager in July last year. The court had declared them guilty on 18 November.

The victim belonged to the upper-caste Maratha community while the men were all

Dalits, formerly untouchables.

BBC News report said that the crime saw millions of Marathas holding silent protests across the western state of Maharashtra for weeks.

The victim and her attackers both lived in Kopardi village and the crime is widely known as the Kopardi case.

The brutality of the crime has led many to compare the case with the 2012 gangrape of a young woman on a bus in the Indian capital, Delhi.

There has been increased focus on crimes against women in recent years in India. However, thousands of rapes continue to be reported to the police every year.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

21 News

Aboloma, Lalung , others bag fellowship of ICMC ÏÏÏ The Director Gen-

L-R: Isah Lado; Obande Gideon and Umar Etudaye, all of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, presenting an award of credence to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Bashir Jamoh who represented the DG NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside in Lagos.

LG boss lauds Gov Ugwuanyi on payment of salaries, pensions

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏThe

Transition Committee Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Hon. John Ezeh, has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the recent verdict by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which listed Enugu as one of the few states in the country that are “up-todate in payment of workers’ salaries and pensions”.

The Committee Chairman said that the verdict demonstrated the governor’s visionary and innovative approach to governance borne out of his commitment to the welfare of the workers and the need to reactivate the state’s economy for the common good of the people of the state.

A recent media report stated that “according to the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), 23 states of the federation currently owed workers arrears of salaries ranging from one to 24 months, adding that “only

states like Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, Bauchi among others are said to be up-to-date in payment of salaries and pensions.”

Reacting to the verdict, Hon. Eze added that Gov. Ugwuanyi deserves a wide commendation for his vision, innovation, accountability, fiscal discipline and sheer dexterity in managing the lean resources of the state, which he said made it possible for his administration to be up-to-date in payment of workers’ salaries and still execute numerous massive development projects, despite the nation’s economic woes and the glaring fact that Enugu State is third from the bottom of the federal allocation chart.

He stated that Governor Ugwuanyi has written his name in gold as a great achiever and visionary leader whose purposeful and uncommon leadership style has entrenched peace and good governance in the state as well as brought enormous goodwill that has restored Enugu’s pride of place as the historical capital of the

South East region.

He said, “Your Excellency, this well deserved verdict

by NULGE did not come as a surprise. This is because your well detailed and people-oriented programmes anchored on infrastructural development, good governance, economic growth, empowerment, urbanization, rural expansion, entrepreneurship, etc, speak volume and clearly show that governance in Enugu State hasn’t only been seamless but very pragmatic, robust and progressive.

“We are therefore not in doubt of where we will be tomorrow. In our noble state, you have instituted a most dynamic and purposeful leadership, creating the Enugu State of our dreams; the Enugu State we crave and the Enugu State we deserve”.

Appreciating the governor on behalf of the people of Enugu North L.G.A for the various developmental legacy projects he has executed in the council area”, Eze added that the ongoing reconstruction of the EkochinNgwo-Miliken Hill-New

Market road, which he said was 65 percent completed, goes a long way to attest to the governor’s commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the area in particular and the state in general.

“In following your footsteps and leadership style, we in Enugu North have been able to initiate and complete some projects in Enugu North LGA within the short time we have been in office.

“There is the ongoing completion work on the Aguowo Health center, the ultra-modern Park and Shopping Mall at Aria market, the 1km road at Idume-Hilltop community, Restoration of Power at Council Headquarters that has been without power for almost two years, Local Government intervention on the New Market-Military cemetery/Civil Defense Road, Local Government intervention at Abakiliki Road, GRA, Enugu, Commencement of supply of drugs to Health centers, among others.

“Thank you His Excellency for the enthusiasm and practicality you brought to bear on governance in Enugu State”, Ezeh added.

eral, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma, was among dignitaries conferred with the honorary fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) during the week in Abuja.

The conferment took place during the annual conference and induction ceremony of the Institute at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja with a theme titled: “Myth and Reality of Agitations; The Place of Consensus Building” The ICMC is a professional body of practitioners in Nigeria that regulates and sets standards for the practice of mediation and conciliation. It promotes the use of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism in the effective administration of justice.

The Institute through ADR also ensures integration of continous dialogue and popular participation in policies of governance, promotion of peace and harmonious co-existence at home, work place and society at large.

In his goodwill message before his induction, the DG SON stated that the organisation has fully embraced ADR in its service delivery as business facilitators, using the instrument of standardisation and quality assurance.

According to him, the SON has trained about 40 of its from different departments on ADR and plans to train many more.

Aboloma stated that ADR provides greater choices for settlement of

disputes and misunderstandings in the workplace, businesses and private interactions under a win win situation.

He expressed appreciation to the Institute for the recognition of SON and many of its staff as worthy members to further advance the course of ADR. Welcoming participants to the conference, the President of ICMC, Mr. Emeka Obegolu, enumerated the recent strides of the Institute in lending its resources to national efforts in building a more peaceful and harmonious society.

He admonished the inductees to make available their acquired skills in mediation to communities in desperate need of knowledgeable and experienced professionals and peace builders The occasion was declared open by Plateau State Governor Simon Lalung who was also inducted as honorary fellow.

Governor Lalung acknowledged the great role of ADR professionals in bringing peace to Plateau State and other states of the federation to embrace the mechanisms.

Other honorary fellowship inductees at the occasion included former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu;DG, Nigerian Law School,Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko; HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor, Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Mr. Ifeanyi Uba of Capital Oil.

NDDC speeds-up completion of N24.5 bn Ogbia-Nembe Road ÏÏÏThe Niger Delta Devel-

opment Commission, NDDC, has re-stated its commitment to the speedy completion of the N24.5 billion, Ogbia-Nembe Road, with a combined length of 25.7-kilometre, in Bayelsa State.

The NDDC Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, inspected ongoing work on the road on Friday in the company of the Executive Director Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, Bayelsa State representative on the NDDC Board, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, and other directors of the Commission.

Ekere remarked that the road, which has seven bridges and more than 50 culverts across very difficult terrain,

would impact 14 communities directly and open up several others to modern development.

He expressed confidence that the project would be ready for commissioning before the end of the year. “I have been assured by the contractor that the project will be fully completed by December 10. We will come back again to ensure that the project is properly completed,” he said.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer observed that communities in the Niger Delta contribute immensely to the economic well-being of Nigeria and were, therefore, deserving of quality projects.

He said: “I am, indeed, very

pleased and satisfied with the quality of work done by the contractor on this project. It is noteworthy that this world class performance was achieved despite the very difficult terrain of the Niger Delta region. The region has a very challenging terrain and that is why projects usually cost more here than in other places.

“To get this project to this level, the contractor had to remove unsuitable materials for as deep as 25 metres in some portions. The project has also seen the use of vertical drains to take away ground water to allow the road to stabilise.”

Ekere said that the Ogbia-

Nembe road was a good demonstration of what could be achieved when development agencies, companies and state governments collaborate. He noted that the project was a worthy partnership between the NDDC and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. He said, “This is an example for other oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.

Shell has shown that in addition to its statutory obligation to contribute to the funding of the NDDC, it is also necessary to work with the Commission on specific impactful projects. I am sure that other International Oil Companies, IOCs, will feel challenged to

toe the line of Shell to provide quality infrastructure for the people of the Niger Delta.”

The NDDC Managing Director described the OgbhiaNembe road as a model in partnership, with emphasis on quality job delivery. He affirmed that henceforth, designs for NDDC projects must be proper and complete before execution, stressing: “we must redefine our standards to globally acceptable best practice and compel our contractors to abide by them.”

Ekere commended the youth leaders in the Niger Delta for their supportive roles and appreciation of the

contributions of the NDDC to the development of different parts of the region, especially Bayelsa State.

He appealed to youths in other parts of the Niger Delta to also cooperate with the NDDC to allow it to deliver on its mandate to fast-track the development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region. He stated: “We don’t need the kind of distractions that are coming from certain quarters. We need stability to concentrate and not be distracted by political considerations. I appeal to the politicians to please allow the Board and Management of the NDDC to work for the benefit of the people. When the time for politics comes, we shall play politics.”

22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Crime

s

Yuletide: EPF, Police partner to deal with criminals Stories by our correspondent

In its renewed determination to curb acts of breakdown of law and order during the upcoming Christmas festive season, the Eminent Peoples forum (EPF) and the Police in Lagos have mapped out strategies to ensure that the season is crime free.

Consequently, they have warned against any form of act that could shatter the peaceful atmosphere during the period, warning that anyone caught in the act will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Rising from a meeting yesterday, the Divisional Police Officer of Badia Division, SP. Kayode Ayeni hinted that strategies have been put in place to forestall breakdown of law and order during the festive period, adding that anyone caught foment trouble will be speared.

He disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimi has directed that no illegal party such as carnival, shooting of fireworks or banger and illegal assemblage should be held, warning that the police is ready to carry out the directives to the letter.

Ayeni added that the partnership with the EPF members became imperative, saying they are the channel through which information is passed to residents, just as he described members of the forum as dependable partners in progress.

The DPO therefore implored parents to caution their children against indulging in any untoward act, warning that the police would not fold their arm and allow the peace of the area to be shattered.

According to the police chief, the police in the state under the watch of CP. Edgal Imohimi are determined to ensure that both the Christmas and New Year celebration is held under a peaceful atmosphere.

“Please when you get back home, help us to organize your usual community meeting and pass this information to them that any form of carnival, blowing of banger, cracker or fireworks will not be allowed during the Christmas and New Year festive season.

The Commissioner of police, Edgal Imohimi has directed all DPOs to pass this information to Lagosians and this is why we are appealing to you help us communicate this message to them.

With this warning,

Lagos CP, Edgal Imohimi

anybody caught engaging in all these acts - including illegal get together will be arrested

and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“We are going to be serious about it because

the police under our hard working commissioner are determined to ensure that festive period is held under a peaceful atmosphere”, SP Ayeni stressed.

Ayeni also informed that an enlarged meeting that will involve all stakeholders has been scheduled to hold at the palace of the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu kingdom HRM. Oba Abdulfatai Oyeyinka Aromire on the 20th of December, 2017 to further pass the information to residents.

Also speaking at the meeting, Chairman of EPF Badia Police Station chapter, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed emphasized that security of lives and property is not the sole business of the police, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to

tackle the act of criminality within the community.

He urged residents to cooperate with the police in discharging their duties, pointing out that they are in the community to protect them (residents) and could be posted out at anytime.

Adding that residents know the nooks and crannies of the community more than the police, Alhaji Mustapha, who is the Mai-kanuribe of Lagos and Seriki Hausawa of Apapa, urged residents to give useful information to the police about criminal occurrence in their domain, just as he implore them to expose their children and not shield them from arrest whenever they commit any crime.

Illegal okada operators: NNAMORAL to assist police The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port in Lagos has intercepted a 40ft container with number MRKU 519445/3 containing various regulated drugs.

Following the expiration of the three days deadline by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimi to all commercial motorcycle operators in the state to register with the two approved unions, the leadership of Nagari Nakowa Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association Lagos (NNAMORAL) says it is fully prepared to assist the police in the arrest of illegal operators.

Edgal, had at the weekend ordered all commercial motorcyclists operating in the state to register with either Nagari Nakowa Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Lagos (NNAMORAL), an affiliate of Road Transport Employers

Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) or Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos (MOAL), an affiliate of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) or risk arrest at the expiration of the ultimatum which ended on Tuesday November 28th.

The commissioner of police had stated that the registration exercise became imperative in order to identify genuine operators and checkmate the activities of armed robbers operating on motorcycles.

He added that it will also help to monitor the lawlessness of the genuine operators, pointing out that most of them do violate traffic laws, adding that Lagosians are tired of their lawlessness.

Edgal, who gave the ultimatum while addressing the leadership of the two unions at Ile-Zik roundabout Ikeja said one person

who wants to be a commercial motorcycle operator in the state must register with either of the union and always put on their identification jacket while on duty.

Further, he lamented that most patients with their legs amputated at Igbo no Orthopedics Hospital were as a result of Okoda rider recklessness, vowing that a stop must be put to it.

His words, “Lagosians have been having serious issues and running battle with okada riders. There are rules and regulations that they are guided with, but they have been violation Lagos state traffic laws with impunity, they ride without helmet, riding against traffic, plying restricted routes, these are not features of a mega city.

As an agent of government, we intend to enforce that rules. I don’t intend to enforce these laws without the lead-

ers of the groups; we want to monitor the riders’ lawlessness.

“Henceforth, to be an Okada rider in Lagos, you must belong to either of the two groups, we don’t want stray okada riders in Lagos, every Okada rider must have a vest of his group, with his identification imprinted at the back. Go to Igbobi, you see lots of people with amputated legs as a result of Okada reckless riding: this must stop.

A window of just three days has been giving for every member to have a jacket”.

The police boss also urged commuters against patronizing any Okada operator without the jacket of any of the unions, even as he hinted that the police intend to have a data base of all operators in the state.

Speaking at the event, the state chairman of NNAMORAL, Alhaji Suleiman Adeshina

Raji said his association welcomes the decision of the police boss, adding that the leadership was fully ready to assist the police in enforcing the directive.

He hinted that the taskforce of his association has been fully mobilized to liaise with relevant agencies to assist in the arrests, pointing out that the illegal operators are mostly responsible for the violation of traffic laws and reckless riding.

“We welcome the directive of the Police Commissioner as this will help us to weed the illegal operators because they are bringing bad name to our associations. They are the ones that are mostly responsible for the reckless riding and violation of traffic laws.

We are fully prepared to assist the police in arresting them”, the NNAMORAL chairman asserted.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

23 News

Nigerian Navy arrests notorious recruitment fraudster Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Navy has arrested a 27-year -old man, Yohanna Ahmadu, a recruitment fraudster who defrauded one Mr Adamu Ibrahim of his N50,000 during the last nationwide recruitment exercise.

The Commander, Naval unit Abuja, Commodore Gbolahan Olubode–Fazaz in his brief stated that the suspect charged his victim the sum of N50,000.00 promising him enlistment into the Nigerian Navy and directed the victim to the Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna, promising that his ‘boss’ will assist in the exercise .

Ahmadu thereafter collected the victim passport photograph, photocopies of credentials and urine sample for a fake test.

The suspect demanded for the sum of N50,000.00 from his victim before releasing a fake Nigerian Navy appointment letter which he will use to report for the training at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Port Harcourt.

But luck ran out of him when the victim called a Naval personnel complaining of this extortion and was directed to play along by promising to pay the amount upon their return to Abuja, where he was lured

to a Diamond Bank branch in Kubwa and was arrested.

The suspect has been handed over to

the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Acting director of in-

Ogun State Government says its zero tolerance for environmental infractions has prompted the ongoing inspection of industries operating in the State to ascertain their level of compliance, warning those disregarding the State environmental law specially in Sango and its environs not to risk being seal off.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye who made this known during an enforcement tour of inspection to industries in Ado/Odo Ota Local Government Area at the State, said one of the factories located in the area had long been endangering lives of residents in the community for its refusal to comply with the environmental laws of

the state.

Oyeleye who was represented by the Team Head of the Special Task Force, Alhaji Oyesiku Amosun, noted that sustenance of environment was one of the priorities of the present administration at ensuring healthy and friendly environment for the people. ‘’We will make sure that environmental infraction becomes a

thing of the past, we have standard in Ogun State and we will make sure the environment is clean at all times in line with the State law,’’ he said.

He advised industries operating in the State to abide by the environmental rules guiding the State, adding that the Ministry officials would continue to monitor their level of compliance.

Police arraign 4 over false allegation Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏThe

police in Benin have charged to court Messrs Egharevba Jacob, Jonathan Oweibor, Goodluck Uwaifo and Flora Oyakhilome on a two-count-charge of false information and allegation against one Solomon A.Oboh and four others.

The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in the open court presided over by Chief

Mrs. Buhari offers free medical treatment to 3000 persons in Bauchi Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏNo fewer than 3000

citizens and people living in Bauchi State are expected to benefit from a medical outreach organised by the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, under her pet project, “Future Assured.”

The wife of the president, who stated this while flagging-off the medical outreach at the State Specialist Hospital in Bauchi, said that the target of the outreach is to screen and

treat about 3,000 people as well as creating awareness for Diabetes, Hypertension, Eye ailments and deworming of children.

The North East Coordinator of Future Assured, Zuwaira Gambo, who stood in for the wife of the president, said that the initiative was aimed at complementing government efforts to provide health care for the populace.

Gambo while expressing optimism that the screening will improve the health sta-

the Service is free of charge . He advised interested Nigerians to avoid fake recruitment websites.

L-R: National Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Jamiu Ibrahim; President, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Chairman of Conference Partners, Mr. Pascal Dozie, during the first NACCIMA-NIRSAL agribusiness and policy linkage conference in Abuja… on Thursday..

Ogun frowns at industries over environmental infractions ÏÏÏThe

formation Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Suleman Dahun, has said in a statement that recruitment into

tus of the people of the state, as well as serve as a reminder on the need for regular medical checkups, added that the outreach was being carried out in collaboration with the Bauchi State ministry of Health and the wife of the State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed.

She assured that the outreach will offer free medication for the treatment of some of the ailments screened for and offer free eye glasses to adults who needed them.

On deworming of children, she said: “Deworming of children is also part of the event.

Vitamin C tablets will be given out to the children while toothbrushes and toothpaste will also be given to them to encourage dental hygiene”.

“As part of the event marking the outreach, we donated 2,000 assorted drugs to some selected schools in the State and have sensitized residents of the state on the importance of turning out for this medical outreach”.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Saidu Aliyu Gital, described as very impressive the turnout for the outreach by the residents, saying that the programme was going well as planned without any hitches.

Gital said a total of 160 medical personnel for the programme were on ground to attend to patients, urging the people of Bauchi to take advantage of the free treatment programme in order to better their health conditions.

Magistrate F.E. Akhere Esq., are being tried for giving the police false information in their written statements on December 15, 2015 at the AIG Office, Zone 5 Headquarters in the Oredo Magisterial District to the effect that Solomone A. Oboh, John Ehigie Jacob, Eliss Igodan, Mrs. J.N Okeke and Charles Awodu had fraudulently diverted the sum of N1 million Association and Vigilante funds and threat to life knowing same to be false and with the intention of causing the police officers to use their lawful power to the injury and annoyance of Mr. Solomon Oboh and four others, an offense punishable under section 125 (A) (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C21 Vol. 1, Laws of the defunct Bendel State 1976 as applicable in Edo State of Nigeria.

The accused also being tried on count two for conspiring among themselves to falsely accuse Solomon Oboh, John Ehigie Jacob, Eliss Igodan, Mrs. J.N. Okeke and Charles Awodu and caused them to be charged with the offence of fraudulent diversion/stealing of One million Naira knowing that they were innocent of the alleged offence, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 125 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Vol II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State1976 as applicable in Edo State of Nigeria.

eing m

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Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

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efender Ifeanyi Anaemena in his fourth season with Enyimba and a second chance to play continental club football believes the return of Paul Aigbogun to manage the squad is a big boost.

Aigbogun, it was who guided the team

Aigbogun will take Enyimba further - Anaemena

to a group stage exit in the 2016 CAF Champions League before exiting the Peoples Elephant at the end of that season.

Anaemena only recently penned another two-year deal with the Peoples Elephant, making him one of the longestserving squad members at the club.

On the return of Aigbogun, the player was quick to offer the thumbs up: “We have an advantage because it’s coach Paul

who led us the last time we played at continental [level], and we got to the group stage, so definitely he is a good coach, I have to say.

“As far as the pre-season [programme] is concerned, things are going well. He’s trying to push us so things come off well.

With the level of preparation, I believe we are going to make a mark on the continent.”

Even with a place on the continent secured, albeit in the Confederation Cup, Anaemena is clearly not resting on his laurels. That last sojourn, back in 2016, saw the team come through a gruelling round of qualifiers to book a place in the Champions League group stage, an experience that has taught the defender a thing or two about what it takes to prosper in CAF competition.

Aigbogun

Nwakaeme excited over 4th goal in Israel

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apoel Be’er Sheva of Israel striker, Anthony Nwakaeme has expressed happiness at his ability to net his fourth goal in the Land of Milk and Honey, as he was on target away to Beitar Jerusalem.

Nwakaeme was on target for Hapoel Beer-Sheva in their 2-2 away draw against 10-man Beitar Jerusalem in the Israeli top flight on Monday.

Also in action for Beer-Sheva was John Ogu who played for 90 minutes, as Beitar took the lead in the 52nd minute before Nwakaeme drew Hapoel level in the 55th minute.

A minute later, Beitar were reduced to 10 men following a straight red card shown to Michael Seroshtan.

Hapoel Beer-Sheva took advantage of their numerical advantage and went 2-1 up through Maor Melikson, but Erik Sabo equalised for Beitar in the 92nd minute, to earn them a share of the spoils.

The draw left Hapoel second on 24 points in the league table, same points as leaders Hapoel Haifa who are ahead on superior goals scored.

Iwobi’s injury worries continue at Arsenal

Iwobi

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rsenal attacker, Alex Iwobi is yet to overcome recent injury worries, as lack of 100% fitness has been forwarded as the major reason why he did not see action against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday.

There was a suggestion that Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger preferred to keep Iwobi fresh for the clash against Manchester United this weekend, following the gaffer’s disclosure that the player had a dead leg earlier in the week.

That came before Iwobi was an unused substitute at Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal recorded their 12th consecutive English Premier League win at home with an emphatic thumping of Huddersfield.

In Iwobi’s absence, Arsenal romped to a stunning 5-0 thumping of their visitors, but the missing link in the day of delight for Gunners’ fans is that fears continue over the Nigerian lad’s physical condition.

Ighalo confident of being in Eagle World Cup team C hangchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Jude Ighalo says he is sure of being part of Nigeria’s squad to next year’s World Cup, and parried speculation that playing in the Chinese Super League could hamper his chances of being part of the Super Eagles’ list to the Mundial.

Ighalo insists that his presence in China is not in any way hampering his relevance with the Eagles, as he believes the technical adviser, Gernot Rohr is very understanding and always has his players at heart.

As he seeks a spot on the final list, Ighalo said playing in the World Cup is his motivation with the Eagles, not lining his pocket with the riches on offer.

Ighalo claims he is ready and looking forward to playing a leading role for the team at Russia 2018 and any financial reward that comes his way would be an extra gain for him and his pals.

He said: “Most of us in the team have not gone to the World Cup, so there is no amount of money that can get me motivated.

“Playing in the World Cup is my motivation because I have only been to the U20 World Cup. It will be a great honour for me to represent over 170 million Nigerians in Russia.”

It was Nwakaeme’s fourth after nine league games in the Israeli Premier League this season, but the Velje Football Academy product says the most important thing for him was that he was able to draw his side level in the 55th

Nwakaeme

World Cup: Nigeria draw Argentina for 5th time

N Ighalo

igeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in a fair first round Group D with perennial opponents Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.

The Eagles have already clashed with Argentina four times at the World Cup – 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014.

They have lost all these matches.

However, the Eagles have most recently recorded two famous wins over the South Americans in friendlies.

The last was last month when they beat them 4-2 in Krasnodar, Russia.

The three-time African champions will play their opening game against Croatia.

Nigeria have never clashed with Iceland at full international level.

The pairings: Group A: RUSSIA, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay Group B: PORTUGAL, Spain, Morocco, Iran Group C: FRANCE, Australia, Peru, Denmark Group D: ARGENTINA, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria Group E: BRAZIL, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia, Group F: GERMANY, Mexico, Sweden, Korea Republic Group G: BELGIUM, Panama, Tunisia, England Group H: POLAND, Senegal, Colombia, Japan Meanwhile Argentina legend Diego Maradona is confident that Argentina will make it through to the last sixteen of the 2018 World Cup after the two-time world champions were pitted against Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia in Group D. The Super Eagles face off with the South Americans at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018 in both countries final group game.

Nigeria have lost by the odd goal in each of their five group matches with Argentina at the World Cup, including a 3-2 loss to a team inspired by Lionel Messi in Brazil 2014. ‘’It is a feasible challenge because of the type of teams. Argentina have to step up their game. They can not play as badly as they are doing,’’ said Maradona during the draw in Moscow on Friday afternoon.

Nigeria qualified for the second round of the World Cup in 1994, 1998, and 2014, and were knocked out in the group stage in 2002 and 2010.

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Abandoned Eyimba stadium

Contractor returns to Enyimba Stadium site

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he contractor handling Enyimba Stadium project, Monimichelle, has returned to site as efforts to get the arena completed is stepped up.

CEO of the stadium facilities construction outfit, Ebi Egbe confirmed yesterday that his workers have moved in, even as he commended Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu for releasing funds and personally taking charge.

“We are back to site and as we speak work is going on. I want to thank the governor for releasing funds to us and the special interest he has shown in seeing that the project is completed. I pray

that the bureaucracy that had before now slowed us down won’t rear its ugly head again,” Egbe said.

The governor last week released N100million to fund the project which was started way back on January 1, 2015.

Enyimba that will be flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup next year has been playing away from home since re-construction works started at the stadium.

Monimichelle has assured stakeholders that the arena would be ready for Enyimba to stage a return home if enough funds are made available to enable the firm complete the project.

CAF to financially assist all African World Cup teams

Desailly backs Nigeria ahead 2018 finals

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he Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) have agreed to offer a financial assistance of $500,000 each to the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the quartet of Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. CAF made the announcement on their official website on Friday.

The decision to offer the five African representatives to next year’s World Cup, which will serve as assistance to the countries, was taken during CAF’s Executive Committee meeting held in Rabat, Morocco on November 16, 2017.

A statement on CAF’s website reads: “At its last meeting held on 16 November 2017 in Rabat, Morocco, the CAF Executive Committee decided to set up an ad hoc committee chaired by the CAF 1st Vice President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, to map out a kind of support to be provided to African representatives to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

“The committee, which has the Confederation of Africa Football Executive Committee member Kalusha Bwalya and presidents of the Football Associations of the five qualified countries as members, met in Moscow, Russia, on the sidelines of the draw for the FIFA World Cup scheduled for 1 December 2017.

Femi Thomas

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Desailly

egendary French midfielder Marcel Desailly has tipped Nigeria to be one of the surprise teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, the former Chelsea FC and AC Milan player has rued the absence of Nigeria’s rivals Ghana from next year’s World Cup which will be hosted by Russia.

Desailly, who was born in Accra, Ghana, decided to play for France during his playing career and he enjoyed a lot of success with the European side.

The retired defender-cum-midfielder was part of the France team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 UEFA European Championship, and FIFA Confederation Cup twice in 2001, and 2003. ‘’My native Ghana did not get into the final part,” Desailly told Sport Express Russia.

“This is my spiritual wound. But other African teams are able to surprise. ‘’And Nigeria , which has a strong squad, and the Arab countries - Tunisia, Egypt,” the 49-year-old continued.

“Perhaps, the moment has come when a team from Africa will finally reach the semifinals.’’

The draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals will be conducted on Friday.

Enugu Rangers sign new players E nugu Rangers have announced the signing of five new players ahead of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Top on the list of the new signings is goalkeeper Femi Thomas who joined the Flying Antelopes as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Rivers United.

Thomas who has represented Nigeria at youth level and was part of the home-based Super Eagles squad to the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda will compete for a starting berth in the team witj Ghanaian duo, Nana Bonsu and Seidu Mutawakilu.

Midfielder Ugonna Anyora also linked up with the Coal City side on a free transfer after the expiration of his deal with Swedish outfit Assyriska FF. The 26-year-old player who started out with Rangers youth team, has previously featured for Norwegian clubs; Haugesund and Bonefoss BK. The Umuahia club have also signed two forwards, Richard Jonathan and Godwin from Wikki Tourists and Abia Warriors respectively, while little known Francis Shederack teamed up with them from Rivers United.

The seven-time NPFL champions will look forward to a better outing next season after finishing in a disappointing 14th position last term.

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Klopp downplays Salah-Suarez comparison

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Klopp

urgen Klopp had little interest in comparing in-form Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to former Reds star Luis Suarez, insisting such discussions are for newspapers and social media.

Egypt winger Salah has been in sensational form since moving to Anfield in the closeseason, and he took his tally of goals for all competitions to 17 with a double in Wednesday’s 3-0 Premier League win at Stoke City.

Such an impressive return has led some to compare Salah’s contribution to that of Suarez, who scored 82 times in a fruitful threeand-a-half-year spell before he departed for Barcelona in July 2014.

Reds boss Klopp welcomed Salah’s impressive form, but is keen not to match him up against Suarez.

“I’m not interested, I respect Suarez a lot – he’s a Liverpool legend,” he told a news conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

“He’s a fantastic player, I like his attitude and style of play but he’s not a Liverpool player anymore.

“It’s not me that has to compare players or impact. That’s a story for the newspaper or social media, I’m not a little bit interested in that.

“He’s [Salah] in a good moment obviously, we hope he’ll stay in a good moment, but how could I still be surprised by this impact?

Suarez

Pogba

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am Allardyce has said he is delighted to be starting life as Everton manager rather than attending the World Cup draw as England boss.

A quirk of fate meant Allardyce faced the media for the first time as Toffees boss little more than an hour before England, and his successor Gareth Southgate, found out their fate in Moscow.

Allardyce could not resist one barb at those who dismissed him after just one match in the wake of a newspaper sting, but was otherwise positive about beginning work as Ronald Koeman’s successor

Germany want revenge over France - Pogba

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rance star Paul Pogba fears Germany will be gunning for revenge if the two sides meet at the 2018 World Cup. Joachim Low’s reigning world champions and Les Bleus, led by Didier Deschamps, cannot be paired together in Friday’s group-stage draw in Moscow, with both nations ranked among the top seeds.

A meeting at the business end of the tournament is more likely, when France’s Euro 2016 semi-final win in Marseille thanks to an Antoine Griezmann brace would be fresh in the memory.

Pogba and company suffered heartache of their own as Eder fired Portugal to a shock extra-time win in the final, but the Manchester United midfielder is confident a lavishly gifted squad can go all the way in Russia.

“I’m really excited,” he told Sport Bild. “Ultimately, the opponents do not matter. I fly with France to win everything.

“Germany certainly wants revenge for the semi-final against us at the European Championships last year.“Germany have improved since the European Championships and have many new promising talents.

They are certainly among the favourites.

“But we have also got even stronger and have a young, hungry team.”

Allerdyce happy with Everton job

Allerdyce at Goodison Park.

“I’m delighted I’m the Everton manager,” he said. “What went on in the past is in the Atlantic Ocean now ... water under the bridge.

“Obviously it will always be there in the back of the mind but it wasn’t my decision.

“I’m bound to say it’s the wrong one, I think it’s probably been proven it’s the wrong one, but life goes on. I’m just delighted to be here.”

Mayor takes over London Stadium

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ondon Mayor Sadiq Khan is to take over control of the London Stadium, where West Ham play, it has been announced.

An independent report published on Friday said there had been “a catalogue of errors” leading to massively increased costs over the stadium’s conversion after the London 2012 Olympics.

It was a “bungled decision that has left the taxpayer to foot an annual loss of around £20 million,” the review said.

Khan said: “I ordered the review into the finances of the

Sadiq

London Stadium to understand how key decisions were made about its transformation and why costs were allowed to spiral out of control.

“What has been presented is simply staggering. Not for the first time, it reveals a bungled decision-making process that has the previous mayor’s [Boris Johnson] fingerprints all over it.”

Khan ordered the in-

vestigation after it was revealed that the bill to taxpayers for converting the stadium into a multipurpose venue had climbed to £323m.

London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the body that operates the stadium for the Greater London Authority, admitted problems with the venue’s retractable seating were the biggest cause of the rise in costs.

West Ham, who have a 99-year lease on the 60,000-seat stadium, made a one-off contribution of £15m to the conversion costs and pay £2.5m a year in rent.

The total price tag for the stadium, which also has a new roof, is estimated to be £752m.

Khan commissioned a review by forensic accountants Moore Stephens in March 2017, and the 169-page document warned that the cost to the public was never going to be recovered.

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Manchester U’s Class of 92 celebrate Christmas party

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anchester United’s famed Class of ‘92 met up for their annual Christmas get-together on Thursday evening.

The usual suspects convened in Manchester city centre for the occasion, as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers were joined by Salford City owner Peter Lim. Good night with our boss!!!

A post shared by Philip Neville (@philipneville18)

on Nov 30, 2017 at 3:27pm PST The evening was documented on social media by Phil Neville, who posted a photo of the ex-United heroes sitting down for a meal at Mahiki, a Polynesian-themed restaurant.

The party then moved on to a bar, with Gary Neville looking less than enthused

by Nicky Butt’s dance moves in a video shared on Instagram.

A post shared by Gary

City to pay for De Bruyne’s pre-derby holiday

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ep Guardiola wants the Belgian to be at full fitness for next Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, which could have a big say in the title race Manchester City will pay for Kevin De Bruyne to enjoy a warm-weather break in Abu Dhabi ahead of next Sunday’s Manchester derby, Goal understands.

De Bruyne played a full part in City’s dramatic 2-1 victory against Southampton on Wednesday night, and is scheduled to play against West Ham this weekend.

But he is banned for the Blues’ final Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in Kharkiv next week, and instead of staying behind in Manchester he will be allowed time off with his wife and young son.

Having already confirmed a place in the last 16 of the competition as group winners, Pep Guardiola will also leave several other first-team players out of the match, and they will be allowed to relax with their family and friends away from Manchester.

In De Bruyne’s case, sources have told Goal that he will not have to pay a penny for his trip, just as City sent injured left-back Benjamin Mendy to Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 Grand Prix last weekend as he continues to recover from ruptured knee ligaments.

De Bruyne is currently in talks with City over a new contract, and while no formal agreement has yet been reached he has communicated his desire to stay at the club, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

City are keen to tie down their best players ahead of next summer’s World Cup, partly in a bid to ward off advances from Europe’s biggest clubs.

Gabriel Jesus is also in talks over a new deal, while Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane could also be in line for renewals.

David Silva signed a one-year extension on Thursday, which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2020, while Fernandinho is also in discussions.

Alex

Chelsea target Alex Sandro

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helsea are ready to pounce as Alex Sandro considers demanding a move away from Juventus.

TMW says the left-back will be available for a big-money transfer after the 2018 World Cup. Sandro was targeted by Chelsea in a move worth nearly £50million in the last transfer window.

But Juventus refused to sell and instead offered the Brazilian a lucrative new contract. However, it’s now been said that Sandro has no intention of extending his future in Turin.

Chelsea are now set to move for the fullback - who is a priority target for Blues boss Antonio Conte.

A move in January cannot be ruled out with Chelsea willing to spend big to satisfy Conte’s transfer demands.

Neville (@gneville2) on Nov 30, 2017 at 5:22pm PST The rest of the evening is something of a blur, as the Class of ‘92’s social media output got progressively sparser.

However, we do have evidence that an excess of alcohol might well have been involved, with our Gary looking a little worse for wear (to put it politely) in the back of a taxi the following morning.

Don’t go out with the big boys @gneville2 if u can’t handle it ??- just off for a run ????? me A post shared by Philip Neville (@philipneville18) on Nov 30, 2017 at 11:43pm PST “Don’t go out with the big boys if you can’t handle it,” quipped Neville the younger.

Absolutely no sympathy.

It’s the brotherly code’.

Guardiola regrets face-off with Southampton’s Redmond

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ep Guardiola regrets approaching Southampton winger Nathan Redmond after Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Southampton but is bemused by the Football Association (FA) asking for his observations on the incident.

In the immediate aftermath of Premier League leaders City snatching the points through Raheem Sterling’s 96th-minute winner, Guardiola approached Redmond on the field and gesticulated in an animated fashion.

Guardiola’s behaviour appeared to be aggressive but he claimed afterwards he was merely praising Redmond’s attacking qualities – something the once-capped

England international corroborated in a statement issued on Thursday to refute allegations made by The Sun newspaper that the City boss directed foul and abusive language towards him. Nevertheless, Guardiola’s unusual display has prompted the FA to ask him to explain his version of events by Monday. He has not been charged with misconduct at this stage.

Speaking at a news conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League game against West Ham, Guardiola was asked whether he regretted his actions and simply replied: “Yes.” He went on to draw parallels with an infamous incident during

his time in charge of Bayern Munich.

“It happened in Munich when I was with my old player, lovely player, Joshua Kimmich. I did the same after a game in Dortmund and I had regrets then after the game and the same now, he explained.”

“I cannot control myself. I have to do that but I could not. Hopefully I can improve.”

Guardiola was grateful to Redmond for coming forward to verify his own words to reports after the match and, as such, he was unsure over why the FA felt the need to pursue the matter further.

“What I said is what I said and what Nathan Redmond said in his

statement yesterday,” he continued.

“I admire him as a football player and I say thank you for his comments.

“If the FA wants my statement again I am able to explain whatever they want but, if they don’t believe me, I don’t know what we are doing here. I don’t know why we make press conferences.

“If you ask me what happened and I explain what happened and the people don’t believe me it is better we cancel our press conferences and just play games.

“If they want to listen to me, I will do it. The can do that with me, with Nathan and with The Sun. It’s not a problem.”

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Ronaldo will win fifth Ballon d´Or - Zidane

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eal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo will pull level with Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and win a fifth Ballon d’Or next week.

France Football are set to reveal the winner of world football’s most coveted individual award next Thursday, with competition between the era’s dominant players as fierce as ever.

Messi has shown stunning individual form for club and country, helping Barcelona to establish a healthy lead at the top of LaLiga after dragging Argentina into the 2018 World Cup. Ronaldo has arguably failed to match his old rival in terms of virtuoso performances but a stunning goalscoring run in the knockout stages inspired Madrid’s run to back-to-back Champions League triumphs and they also pipped Barcelona to top-flight glory in Spain last season.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Athletic Bilbao, Zidane showed little regard for the prospect of it being a close race between Messi and his star man.

“He’s [Ronaldo] human, just like us but he is very different at times. He has no limits, really,” he said.

“The fact that he’s going to win his fifth Ballon d’Or explains that. It’s just amazing.

“He deserves it as well. I’m sure Cristiano is going to win his fifth Ballon d’Or. “It doesn’t surprise me. He wants more and more. He has the ambition to win a sixth or a seventh “I think he deserves the award for the season he’s had.”

Ronaldo won the Best FIFA Men’s Player in London in October, with Messi and PSG forward Neymar finishing second and third respectively.

But last month images appeared online of a supposedly leaked version of the front cover of December’s France Football magazine, which suggested Messi would be the victor this time around and move their career Ballon d’Or tally to 6-4 in his favour.

Handanovic

Ronaldo

Coutinho rumours: Valverde not interested

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rnesto Valverde insists he is not interested in discussing rumours of a renewed Barcelona push to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho in January.

The Brazil star was heavily linked with the Catalans in the previous transfer window but a deal failed to materialise, despite reports Barca lodged bids worth more than the initial €105million they paid for record signing Ousmane Dembele.

There has been speculation they will again test Liverpool’s resolve to keep the playmaker next month, with some suggesting president Josep Maria Bartomeu will take personal responsibility over the negotiations.

However, head coach Valverde says it is pointless to talk about transfer rumours, especially while the window is closed.

“The problem is we’ve been speaking about players for a long time who are not part of the club,” he told a news conference. “There was a lot of talk during the close season.

“Right now, we can’t sign anybody, so let’s concentrate on what we’ve got now. It’s damaging to us to discuss these things when the market is closed. When we get to the market, I probably won’t want to discuss these things, either!

“At the moment, Coutinho is not one of my players.

I want to worry about my players and the game we have [against Celta Vigo on Saturday].”

Valverde also denied speaking with Arda Turan about the prospect of a move away from the club, with the Turkey international having been recently linked with Arsenal, potentially as part of a swap deal involving Mesut Ozil.

“I’ve not spoken to Arda or any other player like this,” he said. “There’s still some time before the winter window.”

Dembele, signed from Borussia Dortmund to replace Neymar, only placed twice in LaLiga before suffering a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined ever since.

Valverde stated this week that the France star is

unlikely to recover in time for the Clasico on December 23 and he remains wary of rushing Dembele back into action too soon.

Coutinho

Handanovic renews Inter deal to 2021

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amir Handanovic has committed his future to Inter until June 2021.

The Slovenia goalkeeper moved to San Siro in July 2012 and has been the Nerazzurri’s undisputed number one, racking up 195 Serie A appearances for the club.

Handanovic had been previously linked with a move to Manchester United, had David De Gea moved on from Old Trafford, while Liverpool have more recently been credited with an interest.

But the 33-year-old appears set to remain in Milan for the foreseeable future after penning fresh terms with Luciano Spalletti’s men.

A brief statement on Inter’s website read: “FC Internazionale Milano are delighted to announce the contract renewal of Samir Handanovic until June 30th 2021.

“The Nerazzurri story between Inter and Handanovic continues!”

Inter are unbeaten in Serie A this season, winning 11 and drawing three to sit two points adrift of leaders Napoli.

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Messi want Coutinho in Barca

Lionel Messi is pushing Barcelona to pull out all stops to land Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

Barca are expected to launch a new bid for Coutinho in January after having three summer bids turned down by Liverpool.

Don Balon says Messi is fully behind the transfer as he believes Coutinho has the ability to make their midfield the best in Europe.

He feels their powerful forward line has been lacking quality behind it since club legend Xavi left two years ago.

Coutinho’s arrival would mean Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta would no longer be guaranteed starters.

Both players will want to be in top form going into next summer’s World Cup and have no interest in losing their place.

Alaves appoint Abelardo Fernandez as 3rd manager of season

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laves have appointed their former player Abelardo Fernandez as their third coach of the season.

The 47-year-old replaces Italian Gianni De Biasi, who was sacked earlier this week after barely two months in charge.

He replaced Luis Zubeldia in September.

Abelardo takes over a side who have picked up just six points from 12 La Liga games this season, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table and already six points adrift of safety.

A club statement read: “Alaves have completed the appointment of Abelardo Fernandez as the club’s new coach. The coach returns to the club after his spell as a player.

“He has experience of being at clubs with the aim of staying up and takes charge until the end of the season.”

Former Spain defender Abelardo represented Alaves during the 2002-03 season at the end of his playing career, having previously spent eight years with Barcelona and five years with hometown side Sporting Gijon.

Sporting are also the club he has spent most of his coaching career with, including a spell as head coach between 2014 and 2017.

Javier Cabello took charge of the team on Thursday night as they beat Getafe 3-0 in the Copa del Rey. Alaves go to Girona in La Liga on Monday.

Neymar

Bayern have no backup for Man U, Man City threaten Lewandowski – Muller

T

Lewandowski

homas Muller is concerned about Bayern Munich’s strength in depth in attack, but accepts it will be difficult to find a quality player willing to play backup to Robert Lewandowski.

Poland international Lewandowski recently urged the club to sign another striker to allow him the opportunity for more rests.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has shown few signs of slowing down this term and has 13 Bundesliga goals in as many matches, but he felt that bringing in a deputy would allow him to play 15 or 20 minutes less in some games, potentially minimising the risk of injury.

Hoffenheim’s Sandro Wagner is reportedly a target Bayern are keeping tabs on, but Muller feels that any striker the club decides to go for will find life “complicated” playing second fiddle.

“We have no player who can replace Robert Lewandowski as a striker, being the type of player he is,” Muller

Madrid’s Neymar plans

M

anchester United are keeping tabs on Neymar’s situation at PSG. Neymar only left Barcelona for PSG back in August, smashing records in a £200million transfer deal. However, talk is already intensifying that Neymar could leave at the end of the season, with Real Madrid being heavily tipped to be his next destination.

The Daily Mail says United are one of three clubs who would be ready to smash the world record to secure his signature.

Real Madrid are interested in him as well.

Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez dreams of landing the 25-year-old after missing out on him during his time in his homeland with Santos.

And he could be a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose struggles this season seem to suggest his best days are over.

Capello convinced Roma can win Scudetto

F

Capello

ormer Roma coach Fabio Capello says his old club can win the Scudetto.

Capello was the last coach to win the title with the Giallorossi in 2001.

“They’re strong, very strong. They have a complete squad and a good Coach,” Capello told il Romanista.

“I’ve been a little surprised [by Di Francesco] because I know how difficult it is to coach Roma.

But Di Francesco already showed with Sassuolo that he has good ideas.

“It’s important that Roma know it won’t be easy to remain competitive in all three competitions they’re competing in. “Can they win the Scudetto? I’d say that they can, for one simple reason: this is a league which is open to several outcomes.

“In the past few years Juventus have been the strongest: no ifs, no buts. Now the situation is different, there will be four in contention for the Scudetto.

“Napoli are in the lead, then there’s Juve, because they’re Juve. Inter because they have no European commitments, Roma because they’re strong.”

Saturday, December 2, 2017

EXTRATIME

FEATURES

30

FRANK JUMBO

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igerian football fans were shocked and dismayed by the latest FIFA world football rankings released in November 2017 by the world football regulating body. In it, the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles had dropped to No. 50 down from No, 45 in October 2017.

Many felt that here was more to it than met the eye. As a fan pointed out, it was as if there was a cabal or a clique operating within the confines of FIFA that was totally determined at all costs to ensure that we do not improve in the rankings.

More galling was the fact that the Eagles were ranked behind countries like Senegal, Tunisia, DR Congo, Morocco, Burkina Faso and Cameroun. To add salt to injury, the Eagles were ranked behind Burkina Faso, Cameroun, and DR Congo who did not qualify for the World Cup. More painful was the fact that the Super Eagles had of recent been in excellent form. They topped their World Cup qualifying group and decisively defeated former title holders in a pulsating Grade A friendly match played in Russia. With this ranking, Nigeria is the only qualified team that is not in the top 5 in Africa. Our team is ranked in the 8th position behind Senegal, Tunisia, Dr Congo, Egypt Morocco, Burkina Faso and Cameroun.

An angry Patrick Pascal, a former Eagles player and now their co-coordinator, vented his displeasure about the ranking when he addressed journalists in Abuja recently.

“It came as a shock to me. I can’t read any meaning to the new ranking. For me, we should continue to do well on the pitch and the reward will surely come at the right time.” He said.

Former Super Eagles player and Coach, Christian Chukwu in a phone interview with Extra Time was more succinct “ The rankings do not mean anything to me. In all my years in football I have come to realize that FIFA rankings count for nothing. It does not mean that a lower ranked team cannot beat a higher ranked team. It is just mere formality. We should just continue to improve our football because we have a very young team. We should ignore the rankings and set our focus in doing well in the world cup.”

Ex-Eagles winger and Coach Henry Nwosu also in a phone discussion reechoed Chukwu’s position.

“All these FIFA rankings have no bearing on our football or anybody’s football for that matter. High ranking does not make you the world champion. Low ranking does not mean you are weak. FIFA ranking has not been fair to our style of football.

Our team is getting stronger every day.

My position is that we should ignore it and just go and play our football in the world cup.” He reiterated.

The question must then be asked, how are these rankings conducted and what

Chukwu

Super Eagles, politics of FIFA ranking are the criteria for the rankings?

Back in 2013, a certain Mr. Giovanni Marti of the FIFA media department provided an insight into the basis of the rankings. This was after a serious outcry from many football associations about the ranking system.

According to him, FIFA does not calculate “results and rankings on a hypothetical basis” He went on to explain that the result the ranking is not based solely on current results and that older results have an impact on current scores. “it is simply an accumulated depreciation over the past years, meaning that as some matches grow older, they are devalued according to a calculating scheme.” He said.

He provided documents to back up the basis for the rankings. In one of the documents labeled MEN’S RANKING PROCEDURE, the following indices were inputted: A team’s total number of points over a 4 year period is determined by adding The average number of points gained from matches during the past 12 months The average number of points gained from matches older than 12 months, (depreciates yearly).

The number of points that can be won in a match depends on the following factors: Was the match won or drawn?

How important was he match?

How strong was the opposing team in terms of ranking position and the confederation they belong to?

All these factors are brought together in the following formula to ascertain the total number of points: P =M x I x T x C M = Points for match results I = Importance of the match T = Strength of opposing team C = Strength of the Confederation Mr Adekunle Adeyemi, a lawyer, football analyst and sports journalist carefully examined the above ranking procedure with

Nwosu

Extra Time and his verdict was eye-opening.

According to him: “Is FIFA saying that all the matches played by the Super Eagles in the period under review, are not important?

Most of our matches in the better part of this year have been Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifiers. With due respect, are these not important matches?

“Looking at the strength of our opposition – Is Algeria a weak team? Is Cameroun a weak team? Is Zambia a weak team?

What about South Africa and Argentina are they weak? With all sense of responsibility it is an insult to all Africans to hint that our Confederation CAF is inferior to other Confederations. It is my considered opinion that this smirks of racism and it is therefore actionable under FIFA”S much touted rules on football racism.”

“When we arrived at the USA 94 world Cup, the Super Eagles were rated the 5th best team in the world based on our world cup qualification matches and our performances at the Nations Cup. I do not see anything significantly different from that USA 94 team and the current team under Rohr.

What then is the basis for their ranking of the Eagles in the 50th position? He queried.

Thankfully, FIFA President Infantino, according to latest reports, has comfirmed that the organisation is in the process of overhauling the ranking system.

In his words: “ We are not unaware that the rankings have not refledted the true position of participating nations and i can assure you that it will be changed for the future.”

FIFA is an organization that over the years have become steeped in scandals and controversies. From corruption to the politics of world cup host selection, and now to the seriously growing problem of monthly rankings. Many experts have suggested that the ranking process should be handed over to an independent research organization that is fully represented by each member of FIFA to ensure fair play and equity. That may well be the hope of teams like the Super Eagles who seem to be condemned to the whims and caprices of a dubious and suspicious ranking system.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

EXTRATIME

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31

OTHER SPORTS..................OTHER SPORTS...................................

iguel Cotto’s fabulous career ends on Saturday in a super welterweight title bout at Madison Square Garden on Saturday against Sadam Ali. There was never a fight in which Miguel Cotto entered the ring unprepared. There was never one in which Cotto didn’t fight as hard as he possibly could.

There wasn’t an opponent he could have fought that he did not.

The Puerto Rican’s fabulous career ends on Saturday in what he says will be his final fight in a super welterweight title bout at Madison Square Garden televised by HBO against Sadam Ali, and it’s sad because you don’t get the likes of Cotto very often.

Cotto was beloved, not because of a warm and fuzzy personality or a quick wit or even a charitable streak which drew people to him. No, this was a guy who was beloved because for 17 years as a pro, he was the dictionary definition of what a fighter ought to be.

He wasn’t the slickest boxer of his era, but he beat several very slick ones. He wasn’t the most powerful, either, but he doled out significant punishment. But there were few in his era who had the all-around game that Cotto did.

He could punch and take a punch. He could box. He was savvy in the ring and could adjust strategy on the fly, if necessary, and had the courage to face the harshest fire.

Cotto enters Saturday’s bout with a 41-5 record and 33 knockouts.

His losses say much about the fighter he has been: A loss by TKO in the 11th to Antonio Margarito on July 26, 2008; a loss by TKO in the 12th to Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 14, 2009; a unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather on May 5, 2012; a unanimous decision loss to Austin Trout on Dec. 1, 2012; and a unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez on Nov. 21, 2015.

Those came against several of the greatest fighters of all-time, and certainly against the best fighters of his era.

But Cotto points to a lesser known bout as the one that put him on the path to greatness.

“I think the fight with [Ricardo] Torres in Atlantic City is the one that put Miguel Cotto on the map,” Cotto said of the Sept. 24, 2005, bout that he won by seventhround knockout. “It was the way the fight was happening that night and the way I woke up from the canvas, and it was the fight that put Miguel Cotto on the map.”

Torres entered the fight with a 28-0 record and 26 knockouts, but he was something of an unknown commodity at the world-class level. Prior to the bout with Cotto, he’d fought 27 of his 28 fights at home in his native Colombia against largely unknown opposition.

Torres fought 12 winless opponents in his 28 fights prior to facing Cotto and his opponents had a combined record of 100-158-6, so there were legitimate questions about whether his power was real or a product of facing overmatched opposition.

The answer came early. Cotto was hurt badly in

Boxing: Miguel Cotto hangs his gloves Round 1, and was knocked down in Round 2 for the first time in his career. He was badly hurt in rounds five, six and seven, as well.

If you want to know the type of fighter Cotto has been throughout his career, watch a replay of that bout. He floored Torres four times, standing up in the face of a hellacious beating and coming out on top.

He did much the same three years later in the most controversial bout of his career and one of the most controversial in boxing history.

Margarito and Cotto put on a savage show in their July 26, 2008, bout in Las Vegas before referee Kenny Bayless stopped it in the 11th as Margarito was overwhelming Cotto.

The sheer violence in the ring was breathtaking, but when Margarito was discovered to have had plaster of paris in his hand wraps in his next fight, when

NFL: Talib, Crabtree get twogame suspensions for fighting

T

he NFL rarely suspends players if they were ejected from a game. Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green threw multiple punches

Cotto

at Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey earlier this season and the NFL didn’t suspend him.

So the league made quite a statement on Monday night when it suspended Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib and Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree for two games each for their roles in a brawl on Sunday afternoon.

The fight started when Crabtree was blocking Talib. Talib pulled off Crabtree’s chain, like he did in a game last season, and that seemed to set Crabtree off. Crabtree blocked Talib well out of bounds, drove him into the ground and that started a brawl that involved both teams. Talib and Crabtree separated themselves from the scrum, and when they got to midfield they started throwing more punches. It was a pretty ugly fight, and got way further out of hand than most football fights.

In a letter to Crabtree, the NFL said in addition to everything else that happened it was suspending him because he punched Broncos cornerback Chris Harris right before the Talib incident, and a game official was injured trying to break up the fight with Crabtree. In a letter to Talib, the NFL referenced Talib snatching Crabtree’s chain off his neck for a second time.

The NFL usually counts the game a player was ejected from as part of its punishment. Talib and Crabtree were ejected less than four minutes into Sunday’s game. Given the suspension that followed, the league was pretty angry at what went down in Oakland.

facing Shane Mosley, suspicions arose about what he may have done while fighting Cotto.

Cotto believed in his heart – as did many who witnessed their fight – that Margarito’s gloves were loaded when they fought. Margarito has vehemently denied that, and continues to deny it to this day.

He prefers not to discuss it, saying only, “Everybody knows what happened in the first fight.” But when they rematched in 2011 at Madison Square Garden, it was a one-sided bout in Cotto’s favor.

He stopped Margarito in the ninth and delivered a brutal beating in a fight in which there was no doubt that Margarito’s hands were wrapped legally.

“I was just showing people what happened in the first fight, that was over,” Cotto said of the rematch.

He didn’t dwell on it, just like he never gloated in victory or moped in defeat. It was all part of the job. He

tried fiercely to win, but on those few occasions he did not, he moved on. Even though there was tremendous bitterness toward Margarito, when the rematch occurred, he won it and went on to face Mayweather.

He’s among the greatest fighters of the 21st century and arguably to greatest to come from Puerto Rico.

There have been few like him and boxing will undoubtedly feel his loss.

His courage, his tenacity, his professionalism and his spirit will never be forgotten. He didn’t wow his with his words, but oh did he ever wow us with his fists.

Miguel Cotto is the epitome of what every professional boxer should strive to be. It can’t get much better than that.

MMA: MacGregor may never fight again

I

t’s been more than three months since Conor McGregor last fought, and almost 13 months since he last set foot inside the Octagon.

UFC president Dana White admitted Tuesday in a small gathering with reporters that he’s not sure when – or, significantly, if – the lightweight champion will fight again.

White said he knew nothing about reports in Ireland

McGregor

that McGregor was involved in a brawl in a pub in Dublin on Sunday. One of the men McGregor is alleged to have punched is a man with ties to the leader of a drug cartel in Ireland.

McGregor couldn’t be reached for comment and his manager, Audie Attar, failed to respond to messages.

White said he hasn’t spoken with McGregor, but was betting the reports are erroneous.

“No, [I don’t know anything about it], but I don’t think it’s true,” White said. “Conor can walk down the street and it’s big news now. If this is true, I just have to believe it would be off-the-charts crazy.”

White said he was trying to put together a fight involving McGregor for UFC 219, which will be held at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 30. Because of his actions earlier this month at a Bellator event – in which McGregor jumped into the cage during a fight, shoved the referee and slapped a Bellator employee – White said McGregor now won’t fight on that show as punishment.

Attar had previously denied McGregor was going to fight on the Dec. 30 show, saying his attention had always been focused on returning to the cage in the first quarter of 2018.

White admitted that he’s not so sure whether McGregor, who reportedly earned in excess of $100 million to fight Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match on Aug. 26, will ever compete again.

“Listen, Conor might never fight again,” White said as he was discussing the McGregor-Bellator incident.

“He made $100 [expletive] million. I’ve got guys who made less than that who are lawyers and went to school their whole lives and quit working.

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Business & Economy Daily Times Nigeria

ANED to FG: Bar major stakeholders in the power ministry from using generators Page B2

‘Global oil prices witness increase’ Page B6

OPEC: Nigeria, Libya get exemption from production cut

Stories by Simon Ugwu

The 173rd meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ended today in Vienna, Austria and extended its current production agreement entered with participating Non OPEC oil producers for another 9 months and the Declaration of Cooperation amended to take effect for the whole year of 2018 from January to December 2018.

The meeting also took note of

Nigeria and Libya’s incremental production and noted their special circumstances while agreeing to maintain their exemption from the production quota.

Nigeria and Libya have committed to join the production reduction agreement once the yareable to produce collectively a volume of 2.8 million barrels per day with Nigeria put at 1.8 million barrels per day and Libya, 1 million barrels per day.

The Conference in taking the decision to roll over current agree-

ment noted the positive indication of grow thin global GDP as well as improved oil demand. It also cited the rising Non OPEC oil supplies and increasing OECD oil stock depletion as a clear pointer to global economic stability.

Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, at the Conference, welcomed the outcome of the meeting and pledged Nigeria’s commitment to meeting its obligation towards producing 1.8 million barrels per day less Nigeria’s con-

densate out put which is not counted in the OPEC quota calculation.

Minister Kachikwu said nonetheless, for Nigeria to benefit maximally from the current production exemption and to encourage and improve upstream investment, the need for the country to reduce its production cost per barrel is imperative. He said he will continue to push upstream operating companies in Nigeria to reduce production cost per barrel to ensure full advantage of the benefit and value for Nigeria.

L-R: Chima Emerueh, Jide Adekola, both directors, Homework Development and Properties Limited; Delani Adewuyi, delegate; and Tayo Odunsi, moderator, during the West African Property Investment Summit held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday.

The Senate Joint Committee on Gas and Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy has kicked against the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’s plan to run the 215 megawatts Kaduna Power Plant on diesel, instead

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu

Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi Money Market Correspondent Motolani Oseni

Run Kaduna power plant on LNG, Senate tells Power Ministry of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which it said is a cheaper alternative.

The committee, at a hearing on the “Urgent need to save the 215 MW Kaduna Power Plant,’on Monday, therefore ordered the suspension of the planned inauguration of the plant in January 2018, over the development.

Lawmakers at the hearing heard that the power plant was initially designed to run on gas, when it was inaugurated in 2009, but the ministry suddenly turned around and changed the parameters to that of a diesel powered plant.

Running the plant by diesel would cost the country N46 million on a daily basis, with the change in original design causing the cost of power to be higher, the committee heard.

The Chairman of the Committee on Gas, Senator Albert Bassey, expressed dissatisfaction at the reasons proffered by the officials of the Ministry, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Louis Edozie on why the plant was changed to a diesel powered plant.

“I feel very disappointed. Please tell your minister to stop the process of inauguration because the

project cannot be ready even by mid next year,” he said.

“We are insisting that it will be cheaper to run the plant with Gas and Gas is environmentally friendly. Let your Minister know we cannot be taken for granted,” Bassey said.

The Chairman of GreenVille LNG, Mr. Eddy Van Den Broeke, in his presentation to the committee, disclosed that his company had a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ministry, on the project, to construct gas storage facilities of the power plant at no cost to the federal government.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Buhari urges Shoprite to embrace organic foods Page B3 Hungary Eyes Nigerian Crude Oil, LNG Ï MM^ ƋƋ Ƅ Ə ƐƆ LƆƗƈƅƈ Ɔè Manpower Development At a time that international crude oil market is getting more competitive, the Hungarian Government has indicated interest to purchase crude oil and L iquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria.

The Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Professor Gabor Ternak, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, Tuesday in Abuja, said the decision to import crude oil and LNG from Nigeria was informed by the need to bridge the current supply gap being experienced in Hungary.

“Hungary depends on oil importation to serve its energy needs as the country is non-oil producing. We want to diversify our sources of crude oil and LNG import and we are considering purchasing these products from Nigeria,” Ambassador Ternak stated.

He said the Nigerian crude oil would be of great help to Hungarian Refineries involved in large scale commercial refining.

The Hungarian envoy stated that Nigeria could also leverage on the bi-lateral relationship with his country by engaging the services of Hungarian firms that specialize in repairs, maintenance and building of refineries as well as medical services.

He said that Hungarian universities with many years of oil and gas engineering expertise, could assist Nigeria in the areas of capacity building of oil workers.

In his remarks, the NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated that the Corporation had commenced tendering process for the selection of the 2018 crude oil off-takers, adding that Hungarian companies could utilize the opportunity by participating in the exercise to maximize value from direct purchase, rather than going through a third party.

“If you don’t participate in the tendering process, you would have to buy the products from one of the traders. However, if you participate with companies and refineries that meet our requirements, they could be shortlisted as off-takers,” The GMD averred.

Business News B2 Clamp down private depot selling petrol above ex-depot price, IPMAN urges DPR, NNPC The Independent Petroleum Markers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western zone on Friday urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and NNPC to clamped down private depots selling petrol above ex-depot price of N 133.28k.

Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the western zone chairman of IPMAN made the appeal in an interactive session with the energy correspondents in Lagos.

Ahmed said that the shutdown of private depots selling petrol above government approved price became necessary against the back drop of the association’s threatening to withdraw its services across Lagos State and part of Ogun State as from December 11.

He alleged that most private depots owned by Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) in Apapa were selling petrol between N141 to N143 per litter as against Ex-depot price N 133.28k According to him, we urged DPR, NNPC and all other regulatory agencies saddled with monitoring of depot petroleum pricing to live to its responsibility by shutting down any pri-

vate depot selling products above government approved prices. `` The increase in price of petrol by depots is killing our members because most marketers will be forced to shut down their stations if the situation continues. ``The DPR and NNPC seems to be helpless in this situation where the private depots sales petrol above. ``Many of IPMAN members cannot buy the petrol from NNPC depots because the product was not sufficient and not all NNPC depots that are working. Ore, Ilorin are not working, while Lagos and Ibadan are doing partial loading,’’ he said.

Debo said that due to insufficient of petrol at NNPC depots, adding that most marketers are forced to buy product from private depot.

He alleged that the private deports are not invoicing marketers directly, adding that they give way bill which the prices are not indicated, to cover up there atrocity.

The IPMAN boss, however urged all concern authorities to urgently look into the issues to avert its members close down their over 1,200 filling stations, which might lead to fuel crisis during the yuletide festivities.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

ANED to FG: Bar major stakeholders in power ministry from using generators The Federal Government must bar the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, all Managing Directors of the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country as well as major stakeholders in the power ministry from using generators.

The trade association for investors in power distribution, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), which made this demand during a visit of its officials to the corporate headquarters of New Telegraph in Lagos yesterday, maintained that this would hasten

solutions to the myriads of power challenges rocking the country.

Speaking through its Director of Research and Advocacy, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, who led the team, the group also threw its weight behind the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s call for cost reflective tariff, maintaining that this would help to better the humongous industry shortfall, which hit N892.4 billion in August.

“All those in charge of power should be barred from using generators; minister of power, Permanent Secretary, ministry of power, Chief Executive Officers of

all power Generation companies (GenCos) and distribution companies (DisCos), all of us must be barred from using alternative source of power.

“If we are all on the grid and have no access to generators, we would act immediately we discover power outage in our areas. We all know who to call when there is no light and I believe that we would act accordingly if there is no alternative source for us to bank on,” he said.

Throwing his weight behind the Vice President over his comment on power tariff review, Oduntan, who was accompanied by ANED’s

Technical Specialist, Akin Akinpelu; Project coordinator, Mayo Fadelu and Project assistant, Bimpe Amure, said:“Tariff needs to be adjusted to be cost reflective.

In the alternative, a subsidy must be put in place to address any gap between the cost of energy and the suppressed tariff.”

He urged Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to pass an Order “for the creation and application of Regulatory Asset instrument to be used for monthly reconciliation by NBET.”

NBC wins Manufacturing Excellence awards Non-alcoholic beverage giant, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has been named Manufacturing Company of the Year in the Soft Drinks Category of the Guardian Manufacturing Excellence Award 2017, by The Guardian Newspaper, in collaboration with the African Development Studies Centre. The Award ceremony which took place at the prestigious Eko Hotel, in Lagos recently, witnessed a large turnout of industry stakeholders, from the private and public sectors.

Speaking during the award ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, representative of the Vice President of Nigeria, stated that the manufacturing sector remains a key driver for industrialization and national development, and recipient companies deserved to be recognized for their contribution to the growth of the sector and the Nigerian economy.

In a company statement

on the award, NBC Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Sade Morgan, said, “As a distinguished sector player and industry leader, the award is a recognition of NBC’s extensive transformational work, product innovation, investment in infrastructure development and society shared value initiatives.”

The Manufacturing Excellence Awards recognizes organizations that developed the most innovative and ground-breaking products and ideas in their operations and services in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, thereby contributing immensely to the overall growth, development and sustainability of the Nigerian economy, despite adverse business and economic challenges.

In addition, the award showcases manufacturing as a key driver of economic growth and identifying organizations and individuals that are driving and advancing the course of manufacturing in Nigeria.

L – R (1) shows Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE; Michel Puchercos, Group Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc; Tony Ibeziako, Ag. Head, Capital Market Division, NSE and Femi Onifade, Head, International Primary Market, NSE during Lafarge Africa Plc Facts Behind the Offer at The Exchange today.

Why we unveiled TOTI Prima lotto brand – Camilleri Nigerians are set to give their dreams a wing to fly and win as TOTI Prima, a new lottery company led by experienced lottery operators, recently unveiled a dynamic lotto brand in Nigeria. The lotto brand was unveiled at a colourful and impressive ceremony that took place recently at the prestigious Lagos Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event witnessed the presence of the media, celebrities and Nigerians from all walks of life including representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Lagos State Lotteries Board who endorsed the transparency and openness of all activities of TOTI Prima Lotto.

At the occasion, the Chairman, TOTI Prima, Mario Camilleri revealed that the company had engaged in painstaking market research and strategic mapping which took about two years of planning, to come to the conclusion that TOTI Prima should play lotto in the Nigerian market. At a time when some companies are faint to invest in the Nigerian economy, Mr. Camilleri showed confidence in Nigeria and the Nigerian people. According to him, TOTI Prima believes in Nigeria, her economy and her people. The company sees a country where it can contribute its own quota to make the economy more robust. He added that the company feels the energy

of the people and the vast opportunity in the land for companies that are ready to bring something refreshing to the people and the economy. TOTI Prima is ready to give the people the game to fly their dream, he said.

The Chairman further revealed that, apart from the approval from both the Lagos State Lotteries Board and the NLRC, they also discovered that the Nigerian market is a mature economy, with truly strong regulators, world class banks, professional lawyers, creative marketers and other support companies who, they believe, could help them get to their final destination.

“Today we believe that we are able to change people’s lives, as well as perception

of lottery in Nigeria.”

Commenting on the unique name of the company, Mr. Camilleri revealed that his father’s name came in quite handy. He explains, “When it came to naming the company, I had one name that stood out for me.

That name was TOTI Prima.

TOTI was my father’s name.

I have always believed that my father had the Midas touch and made a success out of everything he did.

And this is my dream not only for us as a company, but also for our players. My father was a man of integrity and his name became synonymous with respect, good ethics and values, which will be the basis of ur company.

Tours&Travels

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

Buhari urges Shoprite to embrace organic foods Stories By Simon Ugwu

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, tasked the management of Shoprite to embrace the local content policy of his administration, with a view to promoting made-in-Nigeria goods, stem capital flight and conserve the most needed foreign exchange.

The President, who also lamented that Nigeria could not afford to continue as a dumping ground for foreign goods, especially of such products where it has been abundantly blessed, stated this during the grand opening of the Novare Gateway Mall in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s vegetables and fruits are rated among the best in the world. You would be demonstrating a very great act of patriotism to promote the cultivation of such crops at home as you would wish to shelf on your shops.

President Buhari, whose message was delivered by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the Mall, beyond its commercial potentials, represented a practical expression of Abuja’s openness for business, saying it was also a reminder to investors, who were still

Buhari waiting on the wings, that time, was running out on them.

“Among the qualities that make a great city are its landscape, cultural life, tour-

ism potentials and shopping precincts. The completion and opening of the Novare

Gateway Mall is indeed a welcome addition into the Abuja landscape and an added beauty to its skyline.

We hope it would boost tourism, create jobs and provide refreshing shopping space for residents and visitors alike.

“I commend you also for the interest you have taken to ensure that the buffer zone extending to the express road from your premises is landscaped. It has added, not only to the ambience of the shopping environment and would improve the aesthetics of airport express road whenever it comes to full bloom.

“In the same vein, I call upon all owners of property on the buffer zones of the Abuja International Airport expressway and indeed, all other major roads in the city to emulate the good example of the Novare Real Estate Africa”, he added.

In their separate remarks, the Novare Board Chairman, Professor Fabian Ajogwu and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Derrick Roper, respectively said the cost implication of the project was about N68, 000 million dollars, which was billed to cater for about 500 job opportunities.

Lagos to shut down Oba Akran for carnival

Akinsola

The Lagos State Government on Sunday said this year’s edition of the Lagos Street Carnival will hold on December 3, 2017, on Oba Akran Avenue in Ikeja.

The Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adebimpe Akinsola, added that the road would be shut down, but said alternative routes had been prepared for the use of motorists.

Akinsola said, “Several adjoining roads will also be

closed on the day of the carnival, but alternative routes will be accessed by road users.

“Arrangements are in place to ensure that the venue and its environs are safe and incident-free. We expect more visitors this year; so the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is working with the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Lagos State Fire service, and the Lagos State Waste

Management Agency to ensure safety.”

She added that through project THESE, which stood for Tourism, Hospitality Entertainment and Arts and Sports to achieve Excellence, the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had been ensuring excellence everywhere.

The commissioner said artistes expected included Olamide, Lil Kesh, Queen Salawa Abeni, Malaika and Tope Sax, among others.

Tours & Travels

B4

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, December 2, 2017

Travel Forecasts, Trends for 2018 Stories By Simon Ugwu As part of the United States Tour Operators Association’s (USTOA) annual survey of travel forecasts and trends, the organization found several strong indicators that the industry will thrive during 2018.

95 percent of all USTOA tour operator members expect growth in sales next year, with another 64 percent of members forecasting estimated growth between 7-10 percent.

The bright outlook for 2018 comes after many tour operators reported strong numbers for 2017, including 84 percent of members saying their overall sales grew and 35 percent watching their numbers jump by 10 percent or more.

MORE Tour Operator Celebrate the Royal Engagement With a London Trip Tour the World With Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales Collette Resource Guide Will Boost Your Business As for what is causing the growth in sales, 35 percent of members looked to an improving economy and consumer confidence as the main reason, while 31 percent attributed the increase to better and improved marketing.

“Member confidence levels for continued growth in 2018 are high,” USTOA president and CEO Terry Dale said in a statement. “The reported growth and positive pro-

jections the year ahead are particularly encouraging. It speaks soundly to the remarkable resilience of both our industry as well as today’s traveler, who continues to explore, despite the challenges of an ever-changing world.”

Another portion of the USTOA survey focused on the top travel trends for 2018, which found that Iceland, Colombia and Vietnam were the top three off-the-beaten-path destinations for next year.

As for hot locations forecasted for 2018, respondents listed Australia, Spain, Iceland, Italy, France, and Japan as the most popular international destinations, and ranked California, Florida, Hawaii, New York, Alaska, Nevada and Washington DC as the top U.S. destinations for clients.

Additionally, the USTOA announced the 2018 Board of Directors, including Chairman Dana Santucci, vice president of Development at EF Edu-

cation First; Vice Chairman Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti Destinations; Treasurer Charlie Ball, executive vice president of Princess Cruises & Tours; Secretary Scott Wiseman, president of Travel Impressions and immediate past chair Paula Twidale, executive vice president of Collette.

The remaining members include Bob Drumm, Alexander + Roberts president; Dan Mahar, Tauck CEO; Elizabeth

Crabill, CIE Tours International CEO; Ian Swain, Swain Destinations owner and president; Kirk Demeter, Down Under Answers president and owner; Madhvi Buch, Destination America CEO; Nish Patel, Mayflower Tours president; Olle Olsson, WorldStrides Explorica senior vice president; Peter Schaefer, Mark Travel Corp & Affiliated Companies general counse and Scott Nisbet, Globus Family of Brands CEO.

Avis Announces first fully connected car Fleet The Avis Budget Group announced Thursday it has launched the company’s first fully connected wireless car fleet in Kansas City, Missouri.

Avis will connect all 5,000 cars in its Kansas City fleet to the internet, other vehicles and to the car rental company’s centralized network via wireless technology as officials continue to enhance fleetmanagement services.

MORE Car Rental & Rail Avis Budget Group, Choice Hotels Cozy Up

The Road to Exploring Sixt Doubles Down on US Expansion The vehicles in the fleet will also share live data with Kansas City officials in order to sharpen computerized traffic flow models and collaborate on ways to improve tourists’ experiences when they rent through Avis.

With the new connected fleet, Avis customers will be able to manage the entire rental process through an app, including locking and unlocking car doors via smartphone or honking the horn when they cannot locate their

vehicle.

Avis officials said the company’s goal is to make its global fleet fully connected by 2020, which includes almost 400,000 vehicles in theUnited States.

Another benefit of the connected wireless car fleet would be automating manual processes and managing the life cycle of its vehicles.

Vehicle connectivity is also a major building block in the development of self-driving cars. Avis signed a deal in June with Alphabet Inc’s self-driving car unit, Waymo, to manage its growing autonomous vehicle fleet.

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, December 2 , 2017

B5

Tours & Travels

A fresh look at Sheraton Lagos Hotel Stories By Simon Ugwu

Opened in 1985 as the first arrival point for international travelers to Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel has since been a city landmark and a hotspot for the local community as well as the international traveler. The hotel’s close proximity to the international airport has positioned it as a safe haven in the commercial capital of Nigeria.

After 30 years, the hotel recently undertook major renovations on its fifth and Sixth floors, as well as two main restaurants – (the Continental Restaurant formerly called Crockpot now the Pumpkin Leaf) and the Italian Restaurant. Together, these make up the best Five Star facilities Lagos has to offer as of today.

The recently unveiled 107 newly renovated clubrooms and suites and all refreshed and elegantly furnished with modern interiors and enhanced amenities. Intuitive design blended seamlessly with local cultural elements, permeating through the re-energized interiors to provide a sense of place. The hotel also revealed an all new invigorated Sheraton Club Lounge, the brand’s exclusive lounge destination that provides upgraded access and enhanced privileges.

The renovation of our Club Rooms and Suites and the Sheraton Club Lounge underscores our new elevated and customised ap-

proach to put our property back in the spotlight and solidify its positioning as a leading Five Star Hotel of choice, everywhere,” said Barry Curran, Area General Manager for Nigeria. “ We are confident that these modern enhancements and added amenities will further empower our guests and enable them experience more during their stay. ” All the 107 Sheraton Club Rooms and Suites are completely redesigned in order to create a modern and elegant experience.

Purposefully designed with attention to detail, they come equipped with the renowned Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience providing unmatched comfort. Also, particular attention given to the lighting has ensured efficient task lightings where required and at just the right level of ambient light for relaxation. The use of mosaic patterns on the wall tiling has added intricate detail to the room, while the bathrooms are thoughtfully designed using quality materials and fittings with premium bath amenities.

On the other hand, the new Sheraton Club Lounge, which combines intuitive design with a higher level of comfort and access, provides Club guests with added privileges and highly personalised services. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, tea, coffee, drinks and snacks.

“Our customers are now of-

fered a variety of dining experiences that range from local cuisine to an international buffet to authentic Italian at the three restaurants,” he said.

A lively and eclectic Sunday brunch, theme Nights every Monday-Saturday at the Pool Terrace, local live entertainment on Fridays and the very popular Wazobia nights, form a highlight of the hotel’s food and beverage facilities.

“While the buzzing atmosphere at our lobby bar creates the ideal ambience for regular Sheraton Paired events where friends, family and colleagues connect over a delightful selection of premium wines and local

brews paired with unexpected bar snacks and food,” he said.

Recently, the hotel announced the re-opening of the its newly renovated Italian Restaurant – La Giara. The restaurant has undergone works to bring the Italian charm of dining to life.

Guests will be able to get a full Italian dining experience as they enjoy traditional Italian Recipes in a stylish contemporary environment. The new menu consists of traditional hand crafted dishes ranging from pizzas to pastas that are sure to delight lovers of Italian cuisine.”

“In the same vein, our all day dining restaurant which holds fond memories of dining with

family and friends on special occasions; The Pumpkin leaf – now features a new concept- our unique Brunch venue with an added leading terrace. The operational capabilities it is renown for includes all day dining and this outlet has becom the number one restaurant and foodies choice location within Lagos.

Serving the most refined buffet breakfast along with a quality oriental culinary experience during lunch and dinner“ “The hotel has carefully selected the décor to create a modern ambience. It is guaranteed that all guests will leave feeling satisfied after being fully immersed in the culinary culture we pro-

Enjoy Lagos, Nigeria’s first tourism mobile app

All is set for the launching of the first ever tourism mobile application in Nigeria, Enjoy Lagos, which is billed for December 23, 2017.

However, the app will be avail-

able in all play stores and apple stores starting from the December 1.

The CEO, Enjoy Africa Discounts and Tours Ltd and the founder of the Enjoy Lagos mo-

bile app, Iyadi Grizi, made the announcement yesterday, during the press briefing in Lagos.

The app aims at stimulating the local and national economy, while offering discount to shop-

pers, organising private tours, booking flights and honeymoon packages; nearest ATM, emergency points for tourists and indigenes of Lagos state.

According to Grizi, “the mobile application is in four categories; Deals and offers, Lagos Tours, Lagos State and Enjoy Lagos. All of this will feature millions of businesses and retailers in Lagos and Africa.”

He added that the application would be Location enabled to tell the users where and how much discount the retailers in that location are offering.

Enjoy Lagos would also make quarterly publication of its Enjoy Lagos Coupon Book to increase awareness and brand loyalty. Already, the second edition of the coupon is out and distributed around airports, embassies, over 300 merchants locations in Lagos and would last till 14th of February 2018.

To ensure connection with Lagosians and Nigerians at large, Enjoy Lagos has entered into partnership with The Guardian Nigeria. This partnership would bring invaluable exposure to the businesses enlisted on the quarterly publication of Enjoy Lagos Coupon book, and also published on the Guardian digital platform.

“With one million daily print readers, and a reach to diverse and influential audience in Nigeria and globally, The Guardian is the most trusted newspaper in Nigeria to connect the brand to the right audience,” Grizi added.

Meanwhile, Vconnect and United Bank for Africa (UBA) will also partner the app with support from the Lagos State government and the Federal Government Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

B6

Busines Interview

‘Global oil prices witness increase’ The global Oil prices is gradually picking up as visible in the in the global oil space. Current oil price: 57.69 per barrel, from recent high of $64.02. In the Oil & Gas Companies, more exploration activities are ongoing in preparation for subsequent rise in price. Abiodun Adesanya, immediate past president Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists,who is also Managing Consultant/ Chief executive Officer, Degeconek Nig. Ltd stated this at the workshop NAPE organized for Energy Correspondents in Lagos. Simon Ugwu reports.

Financial institutions Financial institutions may see more customers coming in, Transactions may be pick up from in their tracks, government may repeat the 1980’s policy, Tax holidays for oil companies and intrusion of austerity measure.

Also, divestment and acquisition would pick up at moderate price, alternative energy likely to pick up due to subsidy from oil, renewables are only competitive when oil and natural gas prices are high as well as Oil Price historical variation.

Work programmes Re-evaluation and reprocessing, drilling and Completion Operations, reservoir Characterization and modeling and installation of production facilities – onshore, shallow water, offshore & deep offshore

Recent Developments Affecting Oil Prices US Shale Oil Production, Exploding US oil production has transformed one of the world’s leading oil consumers into one of its leading producers as well, in fact, North Dakota alone produces a million barrels of oil per day.

Production Cut Deal (Saudi & Russia Collaboration) Oil price rises as both countries plan to work on stabilizing world oil markets, following the Saudi King Salman first ever visit by a Saudi monarch to Russia in October 2017.

Sanctions on Iran & US – Iran Nuclear Deal Uncertainty Factors Affecting Oil Price is tied to overall State of Global Economy, recession vs. growth, alternate Fuels e.g. Shale gas, nuclear, coal, renewable.

Also include, political stability of OPEC members as OPEC controls more than 75 per cent of world crude oil reserves, reduction of production can help stabilize plummeting oil price. Discoveries/Production in non-OPEC Countries – history shows oil shocks are followed by an impressive amount of new discoveries in non – OPEC regions.

Exploration efforts and the success of exploration activities Conservation incentives/practices e.g. speed of global warming .Energy consumption taking into account the demand side and world energy equilibrium.

Russia and Commonwealth Independent State (CIS) oil exports. Producing Assets Producing Assets are fields with

Drilling testing, completion and facilities Risks Dry well Non-commercial accumulation Technical risks Exploration Assets are the riskiest of all upstream assets Appraisal & Development Assets A field with a discovery well but where the extent of the petroleum accumulation needs to be established to determine if the field/ reservoir is commercial to justify further development, Should the appraisal confirm the economic potential of the field/reservoir, the field is then developed for production by drilling additional wells.

Results Confirmation of reservoir characteristics, confirmation of commerciality and productivity of hydrocarbon reserves. Development plan for producing and marketing hydrocarbon.

Production of petroleum Financing Opportunities – typically financed using either equity financing, debt financing or a mix of equity and debt financing.

Abe producing reservoir or a field that had previously produced petroleum i.e. Marginal field.

Producing Assets Work Programme include, production well drilling, re-entering and production logging operations, it also involves, work-over/well intervention which entails Drilling of in-fill wells. Which is additional wells to increase production.

Well Abandonment Outcome Commercial production of hydrocarbons, re-commencement of production/increased production Risks in production assets, reduced sub-surface risks and appropriate sizing of production facilities, pipeline risks Non-technical risks Financing Opportunities – Typically financed using loan or cash flow from operations Appraisal & Development Assets: Well Completions, onshore/ shallow water completions, straight forward process. Well produced into flow stations, pro-

duction platforms (shallow water), barges, storage tanks etc.

Subsea completions (Offshore) Involves completing a well and installing the well head and production equipment (Christmas Tree or gas lift, flow lines, risers etc) Subsea work can be done by three methods: (i) a diver (ii) a diver in a diving vehicle (iii) Remotely operated Vehicle (ROV), ROVs are used at water depths greater than 80m due to extreme water pressures at the ocean bottom Subsea well produced into a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The FPSO contains gas handling, separation and treating facilities to process the crude oil.

Completing a Well usually costs more money than drilling a well. CAPEX costs for offshore reservoirs is typically 3 x onshore CAPEX and increases with depth of seabed Exploration Assets Typically fields with no exist-

ing wells or known hydrocarbon reservoirs but with a high probability of discovering new oil or gas reserves based on seismic evaluation, Oil Prospecting Licences (OPLs) are typical exploration assets.

Work Programmes The work programmes are seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation, Exploration drilling Test any highly ranked prospect mapped not previously drilled Test a reservoir in a known field that is deeper or shallower than the proved and/or producing reservoir Drilling outcome Discovery of new hydrocarbon bearing reservoir(s) for that field – Discovery Well or Dry well Financing Opportunities – typically financed using equity financing License acquisition financing Seismic acquisition (probably combination of equity and ebt)

Reserve based Lending Well drilling and completion services (Service Contractors) Procurement of production equipment – Production platforms, surface equipment etc.

Frontier Exploration, preseismic exploration, regional Aero-magnetic/Gravity surveys, ground geological mapping & studies of outcrops, Identification of Potential Source rock and quality Regional/Reconnaissance Seismic Survey Exploratory drilling for data collection and concept validation, identification and delineation of Sub-basins Block delineation for licensing round and Road show, bid round and award Frontier Sedimentary Basins A frontier basin is a geologically-conducive area underlain by sedimentary rocks where oil and gas exploration activities have either never been conducted or where limited exploration activities and/or limited understanding of the petroleum system is known.

Business Features

B7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

FG, firm sign power purchase agreement on 40 mega watts

Fashola Simon Ugwu The Federal Government has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Mabon Nigeria Limited, which is currently executing 40 megawatts hydro-power project.

The government, represented by the Managing Director of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Dr. Marilyn Amobi, said the agreement would enable the government buy electricity from the investor and sell to the distribution companies (DisCos).

Amobi said though the government is not making initial payment now, such payment would be made based on metered capacity when the investor starts selling electricity on completion of the project.

She said: “We have been on this for a couple of months. It is a hydro-power project based in Dadinkowa, Gombe State and they have electricity they want to inject into the grid.

“What we are signing is just a binding document for us to

engage with them and buy their electricity which we will then sell to the distribution companies and other general service companies which buy electricity from NBET. There is no initial payment until when they start selling based on their metered energy.”

However, the Project Development Consultant, Christopher Cyril, who represented Mabon Limited, noted that though the signing of the PPA had taken long before being realised, but with the signing now, the investor has been assured of return on the investments.

Cyril, who stated that so far, $48 million had been invested on the project, which is at about 80 per cent completion while the total cost of the project is $68 million, said: “So, we are going to put all eagerness until the last paper is signed and once we have it, I think it is going to reassure us as a company as soon as we are up and running, that we will make a vi-

able business and recovery of investment cost is also guaranteed.

“The project concession was awarded in 2005, and like in the industry, once a concession is given, the next thing is the PPA to enable the developer mobilise funds, mobilise to site but it so happened that after the concession was given, as result of change in government and policies, all these things contributed to the delay in the PPA which we finally got today.

“However, while waiting for the PPA to come, Mabon as a company decided to mobilise with our personal funds to site. If you come to the site, the project is at about 80 per cent completion stage.”

“Without looking at my books, we have invested nothing less than $48 million because when we inherited the dam, it was like an abandoned place. So, the first thing we had to do is what is called stability test and we

try to stabilise the dam, procure all the hydro mechanical equipment and carry out other civil works in the dam which was even outside the concession.

“The total cost of completing the project is about $68 million and it is 40MW installed capacity with twinturbine and if we are able to close the deal by December, seven to eight months after, the first unit will be commissioned while others will follow subsequently,” he further said.

In a related development, the electricity Power Generation Companies (GenCos) have given their support to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for the declaration of eligible customers in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

They said it would stimulate and enhance competitiveness for efficient service delivery in the sector. The Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), the umbrella body of the GenCos, said that the declaration of eligible customers by the minister was long contemplated in Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSR) and could not be said to be force majeure as claimed by the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The Executive Secretary of APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, in a statement titled “The declaration of eligible customers – A timely intervention,” maintained that the declaration of eligible customers is the first among many steps that need to be taken if the nascent privatization in the power sector will succeed.

According to her: “I am persuaded to believe that if the relevant agencies such as Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the policy-makers provide the enabling environment, that this policy directive will lead to increased generation capacity, as GenCos would potentially ramp up their generation capacities to provide supply to eligible customers, address issues bother-

ing on financial viability of the electricity supply value chain which is the main and immediate issue confronting Nigerians from enjoying the benefits of the power sector reforms.”

Ogaji, who stated that the recent notice for declaration of force majeure by the DisCos was out of place as the declaration of eligible customers was part and parcel of the provisions of the EPSR Act 2005, said that if there should be declaration of force majeure by any operator in the NESI, it should be the GenCos, which are being owed billions of naira for power generated.

She said: “I believe if there should be any force majeure, the generation companies should declare force majeure for a failure by the market in breaching the contract it had with them, taking power and not paying for it after selling all of it. After all, it was not foreseen that NBET cannot pay for 100 percent of its power as promised and contracted for and for TCN not able to wheel all the power Generating Companies can generate?

“If there is anyone sitting on a force majeure event, it is the legacy generating companies who are suffering from the lackluster performance of relevant agencies with accumulating debt and an unrecognized deemed capacity.”

“The total cost of completing the project is about $68 million and it is 40MW installed capacity with twin-turbine and if we are able to close the deal by December, seven to eight months after, the first unit will be commissioned while others will follow subsequently,” he further said.

v

Personal Finance B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 2, 2017

How to monitor your portfolio in stock market Bonny Amadi Savings and Investments could be seen to be similar but with slight difference, it is vital to recognize the connections and variances between saving and investing your money.

It is also key to be sure that you are doing both within your budget and wealth building plan. Essentially, saving money is putting money aside on a regular basis. You spend less money than you earn and put the rest into the bank.

Some people go extra mile to extend the savings, by putting he extra into stocks, with the hope of reaping from either dividend payment or equity price growth, which essentially would be higher than interest paid by banks on savings account.

However, investing takes into recognition that, if you keep your funds in a savings account, the amount of interest you will earn will be very small. However, if you invest in mutual funds or stocks, your interest rate will be much higher. You will eventually come to the point where your investments make more than you are contributing each month.

Your wealth really begins to grow at that point. Investing is a bit riskier since the money you put into the stock market does not guarantee you a return and it can negatively affect your income, but, it essentially become savings when the funds is put in company with clean growth and dividend payment history.

Greater number of investors spend very little time thinking about portfolio management.

Individual investors tend to trade their portfolio based on news flow, tips and price action.

They use price targets and stop losses to buy and sell stocks in their portfolio.

According to veteran of the financial services and investment industry, Timothy Melvin, the tends to create a lot of activity in the portfolio and is one of the leading causes of retail investor under performance. Academic research indicates that poor portfolio management and over trading are among the leading causes of investor under performance.

Some of the ways to monitor portfolio in the stock market as enumerated by Melvin and other top investment experts, are

as enumerated below.

Focusing on the business and not daily equity price list of your shares In his classic 1972 book 100 to 1 in the Stock Market, author Thomas Phelps tells the story of a businessman who sold his companies and invested the proceeds in the stock market. He told Phelps that it was driving him crazy to watch the fluctuating stock prices every day.

The stocks he bought went down and the ones he didn’t went up, and the whole experience was causing him sleepless nights. Phelps asked him how he evaluated the companies he had owned before he sold them.

The businessman said it was simple.

As long as sales were rising and profit margins were good, he knew the business would be fine and it didn’t cause him a moment’s concern. He couldn’t see a price for the businesses every day, so he focused on how the business was performing and not the current price.

Phelps suggested he manage the stock portfolio the same way by focusing on the quarterly reports and the progress of the business and ignore the daily price fluctuations. Thi s would allow him to achieve similar results and peace of mind. The businessman said he couldn’t.

The information was available, and he felt compelled to check the prices every day. This

was before Internet and smartphones allowed you to check prices every minute, and the only reliable source of information was the Wall Street Journal.

Investors would be wise to manage their portfolios in the way Phelps suggested. Every quarter companies release their financial information, and investors should focus on what’s going on with the business and less on the day-to-day price fluctuation of the stocks they hold.

A longer term focus with less activity should lead to higher long-term returns.

Study your company’s quarterly and annual results and ask questions Each quarter investors should read the earnings release of their holdings and ask some basic questions. Are sales growing? If not, why not? Are earnings higher than they were in the previous quarter and 12 months ago?

Again, if not, why not? Has the company issued new shares of stock or increased debt levels? If so, what was the purpose of the offering, and how will the funds be used? Are there new products or services being released that could drive sales and earnings growth?

All of these questions are answered in the earnings release and subsequent conference call.

Investors should read the release and the transcript of the

call and ask a series of question that determines how the business is doing.

Since everything else in the financial statements ends up being reflected in the shareholders’ equity, it’s important to determine if the book value per share is growing as fast as reported earnings. If it’s not, then you need to know where the money is going.

If it’s being spent on research and development, that’s potentially positive. If it’s disappearing into higher selling general and administrative expenses, that’s a red flag indicating management is unsuccessfully reinvesting profits in the business.

Over time book value per share should be growing at least as fast as reported earnings.

Study attitude of management of company you invested in As an investor, you need to regularly examine management’s attitude towards shareholders. Is the company paying a dividend? Has it been increasing over time? Are the buyback shares of stock to increase the value of remaining shares?

Are they doing so at reasonable valuations, or are they buying overvalued shares to temporarily inflate earnings per share? If they’re buying back shares of stock, is the number of shares outstanding, or is it offset by stock options and stock grants to management?

You study should also focus on , if any officers and directors making open market purchases or sales of the stock around current prices? The attitude of management towards shareholders and their ownership and trading activity of the company they own can be a significant factor in considering the future performance of the corporation and the stock price As an investor your focus should be on long-term ownership of worthy businesses As an investor, rather than focusing on arbitrary price targets and daily market action, you should consider how the business itself is doing.

If the company is growing and profit margins are stable, then you can comfortably hold the stock. If the company is doing well and the stock is down, you might want to consider buying more shares. If, however, the business is struggling and you can find no valid reason that it will improve anytime soon, then it’s time to think about selling the stock regardless of the current price action.

The Bottom Line Focusing on the business itself rather than the stock price will lead to long-term ownership and lower transaction costs. The real money in stocks is made by those patient investors who view their holding as ownership of a business and hold their shares as long as business is good.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, December 2, 2017

Ubi Franklin: Music mogul and serial entrepreneur on a mission L2 & 3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Opinion does not define a person –Ubi Franklin 31-year-old Music mogul and serial entrepreneur, Ubi Ekapong but reckon with as he is taking the steps towards changing the face of business not just in Nigeria but outside the shores of the country. Driven by passion to always emerge winner, Ubi founded a company which provided a platform to fund business ideas and start-ups; hence, he launched his online laundry services comedian, Julius Agwu, sure understands the music industry environment having worked with few entertainers and his label Future Awards, and his growing businesses amongst others.

Congratulations on the launch of another brilliant idea; how does that make you feel?

I feel good and excited on the launch of yet another business idea but at the same time. My best is yet to come as there are still a lot in the definitely positive about it too.

You something ago posted on your Social Media page; things you would like to achieve before you attain 35 years, do you consider this as one of it?

can bring setback to your growing record label?

Not at all, none of the businesses have affected each other rather they help one another grow. I know how to attend to each at every given time. My record label is one of the biggest and I am proud to have on one of the biggest artiste in Africa with me.

Tripple MG is growing in leaps and bound; we are working tirelessly to be a trend setter when it comes with releasing of quality content. With Selebobo, Teckno, Ellyman and others; 2018 is sure going to be an awesome year.

to set out your goal and follow suit gradually; I am a positive driven person and I set my mind at a target always. I set a goal to be married before I am 30 and it happened at 29; I set the goal to own one of the biggest record label in Africa with the biggest artiste out of Africa, it happened before I am 30. Moreover, I also own a premium rooftop restaurant and other startups like Instant Pickup and the new one Instant Apartment and the drive now is to achieve more before I am 35. There is equally a dream aspiration too to be achieved on or before I hit 45.

presently; when should his fans expect an album?

Like you rightly said he is one of the brightest of stars currently in the entertainment industry as we speak but I can assure you that all hands are currently on deck towards putting out an album with a value. At Tripple MG, we are full of surprises; we can release an album before of the year but all that is still in the works.

And what is that?

To become the Governor of my state.

Where did you get these ideas and how long did it get you to do it?

When you have an idea, that same idea comes out fast but it depends on who acts first. So when I see people they will be like oh I have this idea, but

A lot of things happen in the music industry that

that comes to you, develop it and move it. You know the truth is some ideas are very easy, but the implementation is very tough; so once the idea is very easy just know that the implementation is going to be tough and also when the idea is very difficult just know that the implementation is going to be easy, not that difficult.

me more popular and I am monetising it. Opinions

Speaking on implementation, how long did it

How do you feel about people having an opinion about your life, interpreting every single move you make?

It is the life I chose. You see, a lot of things happen

Life&

take you to reach this far?

You see one thing I have come to understand is that ideas like this you have to put it first, you have to start getting reviews. For example IPhone 10x just came and it push like five updates already, so we keep updating, we make sure whoever is using the platform enjoys the platform. In trends of today and trends of yesterday, there was no Instagram but now there is Instagram. Before Snapchat amongst others. So things are moving, we are moving with the trends.

While thinking of setting up, were you not scared that people may wish not to buy into the idea?

You see the thing is if you believe in something, you go for it, you might not get yes to it immediately but you will agree to it one day. You could get so many No as answers but once you get a single Yes for it, it means you have a brilliant idea.

How did you go over it because a lot of people in 2017 had cause to relent especially in this recession, so did you have any cause to relent?

I do tell a lot of people that when there is recession there is actually a room for a lot of money. You see because there is recession a lot of people increase their products, like before its 180 per dollar and now people are busy selling their product , they are not selling it to the buyers

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Interview L3

‘One of my dreams is to be Governor of my state’ taste. So if you have a lot of that goods you are it actually pains you, so you need to be ready for the change. So I am always ready when it comes how to figure out what to do.

Running a business like this requires constant monitoring; how do you intend to cope with the challenges ahead?

Well, I may be the CEO of the company and like you righty said such a business of this kind requires constant monitoring and updates so as not bore our clients; solving such issues is where we now draw out responsibilities for each members of team. I strongly believe in team spirit as this is one of the reasons so many companies collapse when that lacks. I am blessed with a lot of talented and positive driven persons round me and together we can all grow together.

As one of the nominees of the coming Future Awards, what does that signify for you? nominated for the Future Award. It is one of the platforms that has made people come to know your brand and things you do. The irony is that year in and out I get denied of nominations and I then asked myself am I feeling left out at all time; and I realised that I was not doing something right. With that passion in me; I went back to my drawing board and I went for the right things and so for me been a nominated alone for me is a big achievement and I am positive that after Future Awards, the next stop for me is Forbes.

because I am a positive driven person; one of the things I have come to realise in life is that when awards nominations like this comes for you, all you need do is to embrace the atmosphere because at least it shows that your

afraid of losing because all I want to do is win at all time. If I lose, you will see in me that I am very down, hence I am always careful with what I do.

With all these, what do you intend to create?

Well as you can see, the Ubi Franklin brand is a movement because what I intend creating at the end of day is that for any reason any of my staff is leaving, they will equally be setting up their own company not to go work under somebody at the end of the day. I want to create lots of employment via my various business and further contribute to nation building.

Is there any other business you are trying to break into? well over nine businesses that I run and so many

winning or not but the fact I was considered for an awards, I feel like a winner already irrespective of whatever happens on the D-Day.

cat out of the bag now; when that time comes, we would let you know about it.

Should in case you win, any prepared speech?

What has been your challenges?

For me, one of the challenges I have faced is staffing and that is getting the right person for

With several businesses, what do think you are doing differently that others are not getting right? extra touch I am giving; a lot of people are in such business does not stand the test of time at the end of the day. Often time when I see people give up in the same business that I am thriving in, I question myself on what I am doing differently but I realised that the zeal I have my

interviews with all zeal and when they finally get one, they misuse the opportunity given. Another challenge also is since the bulk of the work is

forging ahead.

As a music mogul, how will you rate 2017 in the entertainment industry at large?

The industry has grown tremendously and we still open to more improvement; our sounds have improved and our artistes have gained

several international recognitions. It can only get better as am full of positive vibes that come 2018, the industry will have achieved quite a lot again.

Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Falz set to hold biggest concert of 2017, ‘The Falz Experience’

Falz

Multi-talented Nigerian artiste, Falz has announced

show that will showcase the 3 unique sides to Folarin

Falz Experience set to hold on December 20, 2017 at the comedian.

recorded in its second season,

Victoria Island, Lagos.

Falz announced this on

skit which has since gone all-round production and entertainment.

including

Simi,

22, among others.

Big Brother Naija Reality TV show to return for season 3 in 2018

YCEE,

entertainment and this is also the case in Nigeria,” Regional

audiences to once again tune in

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said.

entertainment that the show is

season with auditions scheduled to hold in six locations across Nigeria.

Uchendu, the second season continent with a record number

and Delta State.

“Around the globe, the Big

housemates going on to pursue careers in entertainment.

winning the grand prize: 25

car.

Photos: Bovi, Mr. P, Ini Dima-Okojie, others out for Future Awards Nominees reception

Ema and others.

the charge and impacting their

Foundation.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Living & Decor L5

5 Steps to keep your child in their room

Folarin Leonard

Children are heavenly gifts and the evident result of love. This love should naturally be extended to these children. Children live in their own world and have a completely different perception to life compared to adults. Therefore, it is important to make them feel comfortable in that world that produce outstanding children. Sleep is essential and for children who have less to worry about, their comfort zone should be considered.

Their bed! your approach should be much different from decorating an adult bedroom. For kids, their bedroom is where they play, rest, have personal time and maybe have friends over for games or sleep over, read, listen to music or just day-dream.

So apply these few steps of providing comfort.

Know your child This step is essential in every sense as a parent or guardian. Their hobbies, likes, dislikes even favorite movies should be part of your knowledge.

Talk to your child, Find out what activities and fantasies he or she enjoys, what their favorite that a theme could portray. This will determine their bed and room elements and properties.

Make it Functional You should make the room multi-functional.

Since children use their room for many activities besides sleeping, it should have several different zones, such as a play area, reading area, and entertainment area. Some beds are designed with book shelves and compartments.

Warming Comfort Soft and comfortable fabrics should be used and versatile. Patterns should be repeated in other items in the room, such as in pillows, bed sheet, both task lighting for homework and reading, and important.

Use wallpaper or paint to add color and texture You can apply borders along the top edges of the walls, and clouds or stars on the ceiling. Make sure walls are washable, so if you are using paint, bright colors.

Allow your child to select the design theme be it angels, rainbows, unicorns, baseball, a bedroom for a princess or kings, underwater scenery, outer space, race cars, airplanes, trains, jungle motifs, wizards and dragons, and dinosaurs.

Decorating with your child offers a great opportunity to display your playful side, while doing some memorable family bonding. While doing this and the choosing, make sure you consider the safety of the child as well, usually, it is advised to avoid iron and wood with sharp edges. If you are installing a bunk bed, attach a step to the bunk and discourage jumping.

Furthermore, if you have babies, ensure safety measures are taken every step of the way. Your stairs in the home is expected to be baby-friendly and without sharp edges. A Remember that babies aged eight months and

older like to copy what adults are doing. Your baby mostly wants to play with the items he sees you using.

So paper and scissors, Mp3 players, tablets, phones, cookware, and tools all have enormous appeal.

Also remember their convenience. You may need to urinate directly in the water closet. This will reduce the messiness of the toilet seat. This water closet however, should be locked and kids will need the presence of an adult so as not to fall in with his/her butt.

Society Circle L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

Between Senator Yayi and the secret police

Nigerian billionaire, Col. Sani Bello in joyous mood The joy of everyone life that is worth emulating. Nigerian businessman and retired Nigerian Army Colonel, Sani Bello, cannot ask for more as he has made the world a better place through his life without being in worldly posi-

Senator Yayi

If information reaching us from the grapevine is anything to considered, then the Lagos sitting senator representing Lagos West, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is not having it smooth at the moment. Since he declared his intention to become the next gover-

nor of Ogun State, series of allegations have been levied against his personality. Now, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) is said to have commenced investigation into the matter. It was reliably gathered that the issues being investigated include alleged change of name by Yayi after he unceremoni-

ously left The Guardian as an accounts clerk in the early 90s and his claim to the Ilaro root in Ogun State.

An impeccable source revealed that there are over 200 petitions against the philanthropic politician bothering on criminal and civil allegations. Source: Hot News

Ogun/Lagos Zonal PPRO, Dolapo Badmus celebrates

septuagenarian is one person who has broken many grounds without blowing his trumpet.

Aside him celebrating ment, he is also celebrating his 51st wedding Anniversary with his beautiful and fashionable wife, Hajiya Rabi, who is set to clock 70th philanthropist par excellence was recently honoured with an award and chieftaincy title by the TIV Youth Peace Initia-

Col. Sani Bello

tive as the KURUTYA U BEM which literally means The Warrior of Peace on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Col. Sani has his hand tucked in different businesses

and he has been described by the people as an amiable humble and likeable philanthropist who always give back to the society irrespective of your race and gender.

Sade Okoya’s entrepreneurial skill

x

Penultimate Friday, Ogun/Lagos zonal pubBadmus celebrated her wedding anniversary. Although, the gorgeous fedecisive about the announcement when she shared the good news on social media, inviting everyone to join her celebrate on her big day.

The fair-skinned and charming female police of-

Dolapo Badmus

some years back asked her followers to save the date that she will be getting married on Friday, December 1, 2017 but unknown to many that was actually her wedding anniversary.

The beautiful cop, who has been described as the face of policing in Nigeria, is married to a Senior Police married for couple of years and still counting.

watch the delectable Dr. Sade Okoya glow at any event. She makes heads turn anytime she steps into an event. When you say she combines beauty with brain is just like stating the obvious. With the help of her darling husband, she has been able to change the face of Eleganza.

At a glance, she has a physique that can compete favourably with super models, while her girlish look and fashion statement could make many young girls green with envy.

Meanwhile, ever since she took over ness, Eleganza, according to information, the business has experienced

Chief Rasaq and Sade Okoya

change as its now competes favourably well in the market. Folashade is a woman of many parts. She is beautiful, brilliant, industri-

ous, hardworking and a resourceful individual whose entrepreneurial spirit is compared to none.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Society Circle L7

Isaac Oguntoye

Meet Ota new Oba

Ambode’s government of the people Ambode is one of the symbols of democracy according to those who have been following his track records for the past two years.

Truly, it is not the duties of the government to provide job for citizens but to provide enabling environment for both small and major scale business to thrive. But some are of the opinion that the current government of Lagos State under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is losing its popularity amongst the masses by the day.

If you recall, the brutality meted out on the protesting women of Otodo-Gbame community in front of the Ikeja by the Police, was ignored by the Governor and dress them over the demolition of their homes by government agents.

Recently, residents of Chief Lateef Jakande low cost housing estate, popu-

Dr. Yemi Obalanlege, Olota of Ota, Ogun State

Dr. Yemi Obalanlege does not need much introduction as the UK based journalist and Senior lecturer at the Crescent University, Abeokuta emerged as the 13th Olota of Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria. Dr.

his parents were Prince Hassan Taiwo Obalanlege of Ijemo Compound and Mrs. Isoloshi Compound, Ota. He was elected on Tuesday morning by an open ballot system held at the AdoOdo/Ota Local Government Secretariat by High Chief Bamgboye Osunlabu.

Gbolagade Akinboyede of Isoloshi ruling house, his brother, Barrister Abiodun

Akinboyede and Barrister Oluwatoyin Adeyanju.

It would be recalled that 22 names were shortlisted by the Ijemo-Isoloshi rul-

Gov. Ambode

an estate known to be predominantly inhabited by civil service retirees of the Lagos State Government were shocked to have agents of the Lagos State Ministry of ing counterparts as guests.

They came bearing the

directive that all shops sited in the estate must be demolished.

Hence, the reason why these hapless retirees are plunged into this situation by the Ambode-led Government is yet a mystery to resi-

Meet Otunba Wale Saranda’s wife

selected after careful examination by the kingmakers.

The election was supervised by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Adewale Dada with heavy security presence.

Dr. Yemi Obalanlege is a member of the National Union of Journalists, United KingAcademy, UK. He had before now lectured ly lectures at the school of Post Graduate Studies, Crescent University, Abeokuta in the Department of Mass Communication.

All set for Otunba Sade Adesoye’s mum Sade Alesh is one of the most celebrated society ladies in Nigeria.

She owns Jewellery Affairs, which is situated at the Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island. She has been in the jewellery business for over 20 years and was operating from her home, before she opened her store in 2007. And over the years, she has come to win the love and adulation of most society ladies, who patronise her. Beyond her business acumen, Sade is also an em-

bodiment of humility and warmth.

Meanwhile, the information at our disposal has it that the Yeye Gbaderogun of Ijebuland is ready to roll 90thbirthday in Lagos. According to inside source, the carnival-like event will have crème-de-la-crème in the society while King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, K1 De Ultimate will be on the bandstand to entertain the guests.

Asabi Adesina,

ion professional to the core is one of the topmost socialites who dictates The stylish and ever-radiant woman of substance has been described by many as humble and God-fearing and

when it comes to fashion, she knows you know her husband, Otunba Wale Saranda, you will agree with us that despite his humble beginnings, business successes, he still maintains an unbelievable private life.

Relationship L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Common phrases you don’t realise are actually abusive Books and movies from “Twilight” to “50 Shades of Grey” teach society to buy into the idea that dependent and harmful relationships are the epitome of love. Because of these complicated versions of romance, it can be challenging for people to recognize emotional abuse.

However, anything that causes the victim to feel degraded, guilty, invalidated or humiliated may be a result of emotional abuse. While this list does not include every form of emotional abuse, nor indicate a partner is abusive, the following list may help you evaluate whether your relationship is suffering from emotional abuse.

“Get over it” Rather than validating feelings, this phrase implies that the person who needs to “get over it” is overreacting.

This is a form of gaslighting_a type of abuse where the abuser makes the victim feel like they are crazy.

You are entitled to your feelings and to express them.

Your partner should disregard them.

Communication

in

not exclusive

relationship

is

basis—meaning, if you feel you have a need to know you an should know. Your partner

because, really, healthy for their own good. It also relationships are not built on places the abuser in the place secrets. of authority, which can make the victim feel dependent on “I love you, but …” the abuser.

If your partner expresses love to you but tacks on a This phrase masquerades you. Rather than building as constructive criticism, you up as expression of love alerting you to your issues should, it decreases your so that you can improve. self-esteem, leading you to However, abusers use this believe that your abuser is the phrase repeatedly to destroy only person who could “put making hyper-aware of their

Another form of gaslighting, While at times you need this form of abuse makes it to accept responsibility for are talking about. Someone who loves you will try to your point of view instead of disregarding it.

feel persistently guilty. No matter what, your partner is responsible for his or her own actions. You are not the cause of their actions. They should not make you feel Abusers may try to make guilty for things that they did.

trying to help you. However,