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Buhari warns against smuggling petroleum products outside Nigeria g 3

Urges IPMAN to support FG in tackling menace

19 suspected internet fraudsters in hot soup https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 867

N100

How romance scam, extortion landed youths in EFCC’s net Suspects caught with exotic cars, iPads, iPhones, female pants, fetish objects

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan zonal office, have arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters at Ologuneru Area of the metropolitan city of Ibadan and at Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The four other suspects arrested early hours of Friday, February 1, 2019 at their hideout at Akobo, Ibadan are Babatunde Afeez, Akorede Ahmed Olalekan, Adeleye Damilola and Moshod Richard.

According to a statement by the EFCC Ag. Head, Media & Publicity, Tony Orilade, the anti-graft agency in a sting operation led by the Ibadan zonal head, Friday Ebelo, the suspects who are between the ages of 21 and 35 years were taken by surprise when operatives swept on them at one of their notorious havens in the city.

The statement disclosed furthermore that five of the suspects allegedly claimed to be undergraduates while the other 10 claimed to be self-employed in varied vocations.

They are already helping operatives with useful information.

“The Commission got wind of their activities following series of intelligence report, alleging that they engaged in various fraudulent activities ranging from obtaining money by false pretences through sending of scam emails to unsuspecting victims mostly in the United States of America, while others were engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

“At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered four different models and brands of exotic cars, five laptops, 20 telephones (10 iPhones) and one small bag containing items suspected to be fetish objects (juju) from them.

Several documents, including international CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Lassa fever g 5 outbreak: WHO strengthens efforts to contain disease in affected states

Okada riders protest, dump corpse of member at C’River g5 Governor’s office

Court orders g 5 forfeiture of N1.04bn traced to Patience Jonathan

2019: PDP raises the alarm, demands investigation into foreigners’ presence at APC Kano rally g18 I once doubted myself – Lilian Afegbai g 12

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

19 suspected internet fraudsters in hot soup Continued from page 1 passports, and ATM cards were recovered from them”, the statement added.

The suspects are Bamidele Ayodele Samson, Bamidele Philip, Tunji Oladapo Sowale, Bololaji Olalekan and Abdulrauf Abiodun.

Others are Olaleye Pelumi, Anuokuwapo Olanrewaju, Paul Damilola, Olateye David Tobi, Arewa Adekunle Ibrahim,

Oyesanmi Ayomikun Oluwaseun, Olaleye Israel, Adediran Kemisola, Omobolade Alarape and Olowolusi Oluwatomisin.

In a related development, operatives also arrested four other suspects on February 1, 2019 at their hideout at Akobo, Ibadan. The suspected cyber criminals are between 21 and 30 years.

Their arrest followed series of intelligence alleging that the suspected fraudsters engaged in

fraudulent activities of obtaining money by false pretences from unsuspecting victims.

At the point of their arrest, EFCC operatives recovered SIM cards, one exotic car, laptops, telephones, female underwears and four bags of fetish objects (juju) from them. Several documents containing false pretences were also recovered from the suspects.

They will all soon be charged to court.

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

Nigerians protesting under cold weather in London...on Friday

Buhari warns against smuggling petroleum products outside Nigeria Urges IPMAN to support FG in tackling menace

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to support the government in ensuring that petroleum products meant for Nigeria are not illegally taken out of the country.

The president said that illegal smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria is a threat to the nation’s economy and security and must be stopped.

Buhari gave the warning on Friday when he received in audience, National Executive Committee of IPMAN led by the National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo and the former President Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Buhari said, “To the IPMAN leadership, I want to ask you to fully collaborate with Government by exposing those members who participate in these illegal activities.

“Let me sincerely thank you for the significant support and contributions you have made during 2018 in ensuring Nigerians have adequate supply of petroleum products throughout the year.”

He noted the Association used its large network of petrol retail stations across the nooks and crannies of the country to distribute petroleum products sustainably.

“I am also very pleased to hear that your members

are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities.

This clearly shows that IPMAN, like the APC, also has plans to move to the NEXT LEVEL. I want to assure you that this Administration will fully support this investment which aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Security Agenda.

“I sincerely thank you once again for the support and confidence you have shown in this Administration.

Rest assured that we will continue to do our best for Nigerians,” the President stated.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the downstream oil sector, under the auspices of IPMAN have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

The association said it controls 80 percent stake in the downstream sector with over 50,000 membership base scattered all over the country.

Chinedu Okoronkwo, IPMAN National President, also disclosed that IPMAN has concluded plans to build a new refinery in Nigeria, to be cited in Kogi State.

According to IPMAN, their decision to endorse Buhari was hinged on stability in the downstream, especially the ability of the Federal Government to checkmate the racketeering that characterised the sector in the past.

He said since the inception of the current administration, their investment in the industry stands in the margin of over N2 trillion.

Okoronkwo said: “IPMAN controls 80% of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry with over 50 thousand members

scattered throughout Nigeria with more than 2 trillion investment in the oil industry.

“Your Excellency, we thank you immensely for all your support to the oil industry which has made it possible that in the last three years we have not witnessed the incessant fuel scarcity which had dogged previous administrations.

This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience.

“By virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you - one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election.

“In the same vein we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches. It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption.

“The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability year round. This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support.

“We shall soon furnish your office with detailed presentation of our plans and timelines for the actualisation of this project”.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle); endorsing Edo South All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (2nd left). With them are, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); Secretary to the State Government and Edo State APC Campaign Director-General, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (left); and APC House of Representatives candidate for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma, at the APC rally in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area, Edo State.

PDP Governorship candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, during a visit to the palace of His Royal Highness, De Wheno Ahelu Menu Toyi 1, the Akran of Badagry...on Friday

L-R: Senior Financial Sector, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr Ayman Alfi; Acting Executive Commissioner, Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Isyaku Tilde; Deputy Director, Collectives Investment Services, SEC, Mr. Efiok Ekpeyong Efiok, and IMF Delegate, Mr Lisbon Sullivan during a meeting between IMF delegates and SEC in Abuja.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Lassa fever outbreak: WHO strengthens efforts to contain disease in affected states Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) is scaling up response to the Lassa fever outbreaks in states across Nigeria to strengthen rapid containment of the disease.

Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Officer in Charge (OIC) for Nigeria, stated that the WHO is mobilising experts to intervene in investigations, contact-tracing and risk communication.

According to a statement from the WHO, plans are underway to strengthen efforts to further assist Nigeria in controlling the Lassa fever outbreak.

The Daily Times recalls that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had on January 21, 2019, declared an outbreak of Lassa fever following an increase in the number of cases.

The NCDC had said that

from January 1 -27 2019, a total of 213 confirmed cases including 41 deaths were reported from sixteen states (Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, FCT, Benue, Rivers, Nassarawa and Kogi States) across 40 Local Government Areas(LGA).

This, according to the NCDC, represented a significant increase in the number of cases reported compared to at the same period in 2018.

Meanwhile, the WHO has said that with the outbreak confirmed, it will intensify its technical assistance to State and Federal authorities in investigation and response to the outbreak.

Dr. Peter Clement said: “WHO reorganised its staff to provide assistance to each of the response pillars and directed field offices to assist in outbreak investigation,

coordination and response activities at the state level.

“WHO is supporting coordination, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and risk communication. We are also mobilising experts to support case management and detailed epidemiological analysis to monitor situation in the affected states”.

The statement further revealed that through the polio infrastructure in the State field offices, WHO is also providing technical assistance and coordination of partners in the affected states.

In Edo State, one of the worst hit states, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, stated that “WHO continues to strengthen capacity of health workers, conduct disease surveillance as well as other control measures which include coordination of contact tracing on behalf of SMOH and engagement with communities”.

Okada riders protest, dump corpse of member at C’River Governor’s office Etim Etim, Calabar A corpse of a middle age man was dumped at the Governor’s office in Calabar, Cross River State capital on Friday.

The corpse was brought in on Friday by Okada riders numbering over 200.

The protesters dragged the corpse of their member whom they alleged was killed on Friday morning by the task force incharge of special services attached to the State Security Adviser South to Governor Ayade, Mr. Ani Esin.

It was further alleged that the victim, an Okada rider, was said to have been beaten black and blue by members of the task until he became unconscious.

The incident was said to have occurred at Ikot Ansa, close to the popular St. Patrick College in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area.

Sadly, the victim died while being taken by his colleagues to a health facility. This drew the ire of his colleagues.

Consequently, the protesting Okada riders arrived the Governor’s office and effortlessly overpowered three unsuspecting, unarmed security personnel made up of an officer of the NSCDC, and two policemen.

The protesters damaged the

5 News

Court orders forfeiture of N1.04bn traced to Patience Jonathan Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Kano presided over by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa has ordered an interim forfeiture of N1,000,494,000 billion lodged in three deposits account with a second generation bank on 20th and 25th May, 2015.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained the order of interim forfeiture for the sum following an ex-parte motion it filed by Justice A. Lewis- Allagoa.

The Commission had in the motion asked for the interim forfeiture of the money, which was found in the bank account of Magel Resort Limited, a company linked to the former First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan.

The Commission had gotten an intelligence that a bank account domiciled in the second generation bank, had a huge sum of money that was not being used by anybody.

Upon receipt of the intelligence, the EFCC swung into action by conducting preliminary investigation, which revealed that Patience and some relatives of former President Goodluck Jonathan were directors of the company.

Others named as directors are Oba Oba Tamunotonye, Goodluck Jonathan Aruera, Goodluck Jonathan Ariwabai and Esther Fynface.

In trying to trace the origin of

the money, it was discovered that N500,000 was deposited on the 20th of May, 2015 by Fynface, who is alleged to be in-charge of the company, while N1 billion (One Billion Naira Only) was transferred in two tranches on the 25th May, 2015 from Pagmat Oil And Gas Nigeria Limited, a company that was not incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Ruling on the motion, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that: “An interim forfeiture order is granted to the Federal Government in the sum of N1,000,494,000 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand Naira Only) in the Bank account of the 1st respondent Magel Resort Limited 4011019546 which is maintained with 2nd respondent Fidelity Bank Plc”.

The court further ordered that the forfeited sum be deposited in the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government.

Patience

TCN records 1,811.3 MW increase, transmits 127,157.7 MW in January

Gov Ayade

security paraphernalia at the main gate of the Governor’s office, tore the official security registers, went for the main entrance (reception) and smashed the glass doors as well as the office of the protocol.

As the protest became more violence, reinforcements of armed soldiers from 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army and policemen from the nearby state police command arrived.

They shot several times into the air to scare and disperse the stubborn crowd of Okada riders and onlookers but a couple of the Okada men were not lucky as they were arrested by the combined team of soldiers and policemen.

They were thoroughly beaten.

Reacting, state Police PRO, Irene Ugbo, explained that the victim fell from his motorcycle and died when the task force team wanted to arrest him for violating government ban on Okada plying major road.

When The Daily Times contacted the State Security Adviser South, Mr. Esin, he said “the corpse had been removed and calm has been restored” and he declined further comment.

Disappointingly, Governor Ben Ayade and his officials as well as the security personnel attached to his office, had gone to Bakassi Local Government Area in continuation of his campaign for his second term governorship ambition.

The Federal Government recorded an increase of 1,811.3 megawatts (MW) in power generation in January 2019, as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) transmitted 127,157.7 mw as against 125,346.4mw in December 2018.

The daily statistics of TCN operations obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Nigerian Electricity System Operator (SO), a section of the TCN, indicated that 127,157.7mw was generated between Jan. 1 and Jan, 31, 2019.

This translates to an increase of 1,811.3 mw harvested from the ongoing Nigerian Independent Power Projects (NIPP) to the national grid as against 125,346.4mw generated between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018.

The statistics indicated that power generation increased by 1,811.3 mw between December 2018 and January 2019.

NAN reports that the daily power generated between Jananuary 1 and January 15, 2019 stood at: 3,874.6mw, 3,806mw, 3,729.3mw, 3,733.4mw, 3,764.2mw, 4,077.8mw, 4,060.3mw, 4,165.5mw, 4,055.8mw and 4,029.8mw

respectively.

Others are 4,442.6mw, 4,004mw, 4,151.7mw, 4,465.2mw and 4,281.5mw.

It also showed that daily power generated from January 16 to January 31, 2019 stood at 4,290.2mw, 4,301.7mw, 4,352.9mw, 4,107.4mw, 3,683.6mw, 4,069.9mw, 4,006.2mw 4,372.2mw, 4,358.2mw and 4,033mw respectively.

Others are 3,986.4mw, 4,140.2mw, 4,424.8mw, 4,240,4mw, 3,307mw, and 4,221.9mw.

The energy generated was transmitted to 11 distribution companies (Discos).

The TCN said the national peak demand forecast stood at 19,100.00mw, while the installed available capacity was 11,165.40mw.

The current transmission capacity and network operational capacity are 7,000 mw and 5,500.00mw respectively.

NAN also reports that the peak generation ever attained in Nigeria is 5,222.3mw, while the maximum energy ever attained stands at 109,372.01mwh.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

2019: PDP accuses Buhari of importing Short News foreign nationals to influence poll Osinbajo endorses Obahiagbon, Iyoha, Inegbedion, Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Friday accused the All Progressive Congress (APC) of allegedly importing foreign nationals into the country to influence the elections.

National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus stated this at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, venue of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in the state.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to disqualify the presidential candidate of the APC and President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari from the February 16th general election for the alleged infraction.

Mr Secondus described as shameful, the incidents in Kano on Thursday during the APC presidential campaign where governors and other persons from neighbouring countries especially Niger Republic reportedly attended the rally and openly campaigned for the president.

He said such action by the APC is tantamount to importation of foreign nationals into the country to influence the

elections and called on INEC to disqualify the party from the elections.

While telling the people that a vote for the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar is a vote for freedom from poverty, hunger and insecurity, Mr Secondus commended the state Governor, David Umahi for the massive transformation going on in the state.

“Atiku will rescue Nigerian from poverty, hunger and mass killing. The governor, David Umahi is the best governor and I know that you are going to vote for him again.

“Let me warn INEC that what we witnessed yesterday is the worst that we have seen in the country where people from other countries like Niger and Chad came to influence the election in Nigeria.

“We ask INEC to disqualify Buhari for bringing in machineries to influence the election. INEC better be warned that you cannot rig this election. We have already won this election. Atiku believes in the youths and women, that is why they are always trouping out massively to welcome him anywhere we have gone”, Secondus said.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki lamented the high rate of hunger and unemployment in the country since the

coming of the APC to power.

He attributed the economic downturn in the country to the inexperience of the ruling government in management of the economy.

“Atiku is experienced having been in the private sector, so vote for a man that can talk to anybody, bring in investors to Nigeria, eliminate hunger from the land and revitalise the economy. That man is Atiku Abubakar”, he said Vice presidential candidate of the party and former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi said that the party wants to replicate what the state governor is doing in the state throughout the entire country.

“What the governor is doing in the state is what we want to be doing for the entire country. The country is collapsing, no security, nothing is moving. With Atiku Abubakar there will be a better Nigeria. Students are home instead of in school, hospitals are not working. If you want these things to be corrected vote for Atiku, vote PDP”, he said.

Wife of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Mrs Jennifer Atiku noted that the huge crowd in the stadium shows that the state governor is solidly behind the presidential candidate of the party.

Agbonayinma, other APC candidates

Says Next Level agenda ‘ll secure better future for Nigerians, at Edo APC rally

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Edo State residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state in the 2019 general elections, noting their support was needed to sustain progress being recorded in the state and the country at large.

Speaking to a mammoth crowd of APC supporters at the party’s campaign rally in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday, Osinbajo said the Next Level Agenda was about the careful and wise allocation of the nation’s resources to secure a better future for Nigerians.

The candidates of the APC in the state are Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, who is contesting for the Edo South senatorial seat; Hon. John Inegbedion, Edo Central senatorial seat; Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha for Oredo Federal Constituency seat at the House of Representatives; Dennis Idahosa for Ovia North East/ South West seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Joseph Ikpea, Esan South East/ North East seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma for Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat, among others.

Osinbajo said that Edo people’s votes for the Next Level Agenda of the APC will allow for the sustenance of effective allocation of the nations’ resources.

Election: Plateau Governor seeks media partnership Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, has said the media is critical in the sustenance of democracy, even as the general elections gets underway.

Lalong said hope for Nigeria lies in effective media reportage with robust objectivity devoid of bias, adding that the future of democracy depends on it for the enhancement of good governance.

Lalong spoke during a press briefing to herald his official campaigns into the trenches to canvas for votes as he seeks to return to power.

Speaking through his Director of Campaign, Mr. Pam Dung Gyang, Lalong said, “We have come to seek your support as partners in these crucial elections. Let it be said without equivocation that we have very high regards and consideration for the Media who have done a lot in propagating the activities of this administration.

“The launch of the campaign comes up on Friday at Pankshin which is the zonal headquarters of the Plateau Central zone, which will be followed by the campaign launch for the Southern zone at Shandam on Monday 4th February.

“We wish through your medium to appeal to the generality of Plateau people and all political parties to eschew acrimony and hate mongering as we commence the next stages of electioneering campaigns”.

NGO screens 16,139 persons for cancer

The DG of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli flanked by Le Mer Gerard and Cotelle Patrick.

Joint Health Sector Union threatens to down tools over unpaid salary arrears Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in collaboration with NLC/TUC have disclosed its intention to stage national rally in Abuja on Monday to draw the attention of the federal government to what they described as “unjustified withholding of salaries of its members”.

JOHESU President, Josiah Biobelemoye said that the action has become necessary to put an end to the unending tyranny targeted against health workers.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Friday, Biobelemoye said that the branch executive representatives in federal health institutions and state chairman/secretaries of all members unions of JOHESU have been specially invited to attend a crucial meeting slated

to commence at 8 am on Monday, February 4.

According to the JOHESU President, the meeting will determine the next action to be taken by the union.

While calling on its members to remain alert to await further directives which will be communicated to them from the headquarters, Biobelemoye called on the federal government to immediately facilitate reward of labour to its members.

“We are calling on the federal government to immediately facilitate reward for labour, especially, to our members who have been tortured and afflicted at unprecedented levels in the last three and half years by the coalition of forces the federal ministry of health have continued to epitomize.

JOHESU also called on its members to get their voters card ready in order

to make the needed impact in the forth general elections,.

“JOHESU calls on its over one million members, their spouses and voting age children who together form a block of over two million and tending to four million voters to collect their PVCs. “While we remain a non- partisan organization, we are resolutely committed to establishing the building blocks of a better Nigeria where there shall be political stability, financial prosperity, economic growth and development as well as value driven services in all sectors of national life, especially the health sector where we remain very dominant players”, he added.

Daily Times recalls that JOHESU had issued an ultimatum to the federal government on January 16 which ended on January 31.

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), says no fewer than 16,139 persons were screened for cancer between October 2017 and November 2018.

Executive Director of LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, made this known on Friday in Benin-City.

Idowu-Osehobo said that the figure was collated from the organisation’s target states of Edo, Lagos, Imo, Rivers and the FCT. She said that the screening was conducted under the organisation’s Community Campaign for Cancer Control (LAPO-C4) project, adding that over one million people were sensitised during the period under review.

According to her, 141 persons were referred to government-approved health facilities for treatment.

She also said that more than 46 million people had benefitted from the LAPO-C4 project in the target states within the period under review.

The director said that the project was designed to assist community members in early detection of cancer for prompt treatment.

Police warn political parties against violence in Cross River

Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Mr Hafiz Ringim has warned political parties and their candidates against any form of violence before, during and after the upcoming general elections in the state.

Ringim gave the warning at the signing of Peace Accord by political parties and their candidates on Friday in Ccalabar.

The event was organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conjunction with Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES).

Ringim, who is the Chairman of ICCES in the state, said all the relevant security agencies in the state had been trained and were ready to counter any threat to security before, during and after the elections.

“We are here to preach peace as enshrined in all religious books. There is no society that can progress without peace. Let us have a peaceful election in the interest of ourselves; our state; and our country.

“We in ICCES will not compromise. Thuggery, violence, ballot box snatching, hooliganism will not be tolerated.

“The peace pact you are signing is a commitment. On no account will you allow your supporters to carry offensive weapons, even catapult during campaigns.

“Our men have been trained to meet all security challenges before, during and after the elections,” he said.

He appealed to the parties and their candidates to change their attitude towards elections in the interest of the country.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Why I asked Buhari to cancel APC rally in Zamfara - Senator Marafa Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The senator representing Zamfara State Central, Kabir Marafa has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not hold its Presidential Campaign rally in Zamfara State because he has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel his visit to the state owing to the intra-party wrangling.

The Presidential Campaign Council has scheduled the rally for Zamfara State on Sunday, February 3, but the rally was cancelled on Friday shortly after Marafa met with the President; the advanced team who had departed Abuja for Zamafar on Friday were asked to return pending further directives on the new date for the campaign.

Speaking with State House correspondents on Friday after the Jumat Prayer, Marafa denied being aware of the cancellation of the APC Zamfara rally; saying, “honestly because I was not told. I just submitted a proposal which I think will serve the interest of our party, the president and our people.”

He said that the ruling party did not have candidates for now because of the political impasse that characterised Zamfara State in the last few months and the president is billed to be in Zamfara on Sunday, February 3.

“Because of the rumple between disagreeing

parties, we felt it is better Mr President suspends his visit to Zamfara. After all, we are there; we can campaign for him; he knows us; he knows our individual capacities; there is no point bringing all the factions under one umbrella, because once the president is there, if you like the president and you are with him, you will like to show your face.

“However, we feel it is avoidable; but you cannot come to the president with just one single suggestion. So. I just put my opinion across; that if it is a must; maybe the party has fixed February 3 for the visit, then we want to excused because there is no way “President Muhammad Buhari will go to Zamfara and my face is not seen and people will not ask questions and I think it is not fair just to absent like that. We are not doing what we are doing to impress anybody; we have already gotten all the necessary trust and belief from Mr President even if he is not there, we will do the right thing,” the embattled senator explained.

According to him, if the party or the Presidential Campaign Council feels they must be in Zamfara on Sunday, we and our supporters want to be excused and we will conduct our own rally for the president on a different date and we will televise it live on NTA so that everybody can see; so let everybody show his support in Zamfara not to come together and then everybody will be claiming victory that I pulled

this crowd; let everybody stand on his own.

“The most important thing is that we all believe in Mr President and we all like him and we will support him and we want him to win; so let us work individually, and Feb. 16, we will all converge on the box and show what we can do but let the people of Nigeria see us individually,” he added.

On way forward, the senator said: “The way forward like we proposed before the State High Court in Zamfara that heard complaints from the governor and his side.

“The governor went to court and said he conducted primary elections, we joined the case and said no, you didn’t conduct elections because you don’t have the right; the constitutional powers to do so; it is not the size of your office that determines what you can do; it is the constitutions that specifies your functions and responsibilities. “State governors cannot conduct elections, state party chapters cannot conduct elections, so nobody except the National Working Committee of the political party especially our own- that is specifically mentioned in the constitution.

“So, only the political party can conduct primary elections. We felt that APC needed to be represented; the people of Zamfara State needed to be given choice and as they say, ‘variety is the spice of life;’ the more the variety, the better for the people.

7 News

Short News Muslim body examines causes of frequent divorce cases in Nigeria Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos In line with her passion for children and women welfare, ‘The Criterion’, an Association of Muslim women in business and different professions has concluded plans to hold her annual seminar centred on rapid increase in divorce cases and the effects on the children and the society at large.

The Lagos District Amirah (President) of the association, Alhaja Dhikrat Abiodun Oshodi said in a statement that erudite scholars have been invited to the seminar to dwell on the theme: ‘Beyond The Feel of Love’.

According to her, topics to be discussed at the seminar include: ‘’, ‘Spousal Abuse’ and ‘The Ripple Effect of Domestic Violence on Training a Child in a Multi facet Society.’

The seminar slated for 10th February, 2019 will be held at the MRC Hall of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) as from 10am.

The Managing Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri is expected to deliver lecture on ‘Spousal Abuse’, while Director, Office of Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice Mrs Mariam Olayinka Adeyemi will deliver Paper on ‘The Ripple effect of Domestic Violence on a Child in a Multi facet Society’.

APC chieftain mobilises Ebonyi youths for Buhari’s re-election

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, Chief Okenwa Uka, has urged youths in the state to support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Uka, the Ebonyi Coordinator of the National Youth Campaign Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the call on Friday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that by re-electing the president for a second term, the youths would guarantee good governance in the country and the state.

He added that the victory of the APC’s presidential candidate in the Feb. 16 election is a task that must be achieved.

Uka, who is also the state Financial Secretary of APC, said that many youth-oriented programmes and policies of the present administration would be sustained with the re-election.

He noted that the administration’s ongoing war against corruption and the ease of doing business were benefitting the youths.

“The N-Power scheme and other social investment schemes of the present administration have encouraged the youths to engage in entrepreneural ventures.

“Nigerians are now very productive and exploring the vibrant business climate engendered by the unrelenting war against financial graft by Mr President.

PDP campaign DG in Gombe defects to APC Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

EFCC Arrests 19 Suspected Internet Fraudster

FG, APC plan enterprise bank for small scale businesses Isaac Job, Uyo In her effort to alleviate the burden of sourcing for capital for small scale businesses, the Federal Government has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would float an Enterprise Bank to enhance small scale businesses for women and youths if the party is voted back to power in the coming general election.

The Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this while addressing APC rally held yesterday at Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.

Osibanjo said that the bank when established would give loans to youths and women at very low interest rate to improve their businesses He reminded party supporters that when APC was campaigning in 2015 with a promise to provide jobs to five million people the opposition party did not believe, and

emphasized that the APC has delivered on their campaign promises.

He said “N-Power is only the beginning; we are starting something called the entrepreneur bank. That bank is for giving loans to men and women like this in N-Power who have a plan for the future.

“The loans will be given to them at very little interest rate so that they can start their own businesses, and so that they can make progress.

“When we said in 2015 that we will start N-Power, they said it is impossible, how can you employ 500,000 people but we have done it. When we said we are going to do home grown school feeding, they never but today we are feeding 9.2 million children all over Nigeria They said it was not possible but home grown school feeding is here. Home grown school feeding used 6.8 million eggs in one week, and we are expanding it.

He advised young people to remain focused

for more dividends of democracy.

“If you are a young man or woman here and you vote for PDP, know that you are living in the past, every young man or woman must go to the next level. If you have voted PDP in the past, apologize and say we are going to the next level, I cannot remain on the same level.

The vice president urged Akwa Ibom people not to play opposition, stressing that the state could not avoid playing opposition as it was strategically positioned for development.

According to him, palm oil being abundant in the state when properly harness would replace crude oil and boost the economy of the state.

“We have found here palm oil which will be a replacement for crude oil, so we are going to be number one in this local government”.

“Akwa Ibom should not be in opposition, no reason. There is every reason for you to join so that you become part of the next level.

The Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisation in Gombe State has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alhaji Bala Bello Tinka (alias Tinka Point) met with President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja, on Thursday night, where he pledged allegiance to the APC, and also vowed to bring his political weight to bear on the election of the President for a second term in office.

Coming exactly a fortnight to the presidential election, the defection of Alhaji Tinka deals a massive blow to the PDP in Gombe.

PDP currently governs the state, and has done so since 2003.

President Muhammadu Buhari campaigns in Gombe Saturday, and Alhaji Tinka is expected to formally join the APC, alongside others, during the event.

Cleric admonishes Muslims on God consciousness

A Muslim Cleric, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, has admonished Muslims to always have the consciousness of Allah in all endeavours to protect themselves from His punishment.

Al-Yolawi, who is the Imam of the Area 10 Juma’at Mosque, Garki, Abuja, gave the admonition during his sermon at the mosque on Friday.

“In Islam, Taqwa means that a person should have protection and shield between him and the anger or punishment of Allah.

“The protection can be established through sound faith and good deeds, which in turn, will cause great love and fear of Allah that will lead to doing righteous deeds and avoiding evil ones,’’ he said.

The cleric said the significance of God consciousness was that Allah accepts acts of worship only from those who have the fear of Allah in their hearts.

He advised Muslims to fear Allah anywhere they are and in any condition they find themselves to earn His love and blessings.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Short News EFCC asks court to reschedule Useni will return Plateau to arraignment of sacked NIA DG, wife PDP, no work, no pay - Gov Lalong Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

The planned arraignment of the sacked Director General (DG) of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, and his wife, Folashade, could not hold on Friday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

This is due to the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce the duo before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The anti graft agency had last Wednesday instituted a four counts charge against the former NIA boss and his wife, Folashade.

Specifically, the EFCC had intended to arraign the defendants before the judge in connection with the sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 (totalling N13bn) removed by the EFCC from Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos linked to them.

When the matter came up, the anti-graft agency through its lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, who came to court without the defendants,

asked the registrar of the court to reschedule the arraignment until Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Oke and his wife may have left the country.

Part of the charge against the duo reads: That you, Amb. Ayodele Oke, Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke on or about the 12th day of April 2017 in Lagos concealed the sum of $43, 449, 947, 000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. That you Amb. Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court indirectly used the sum of $1, 658,

000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to acquire Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. That you Ambassador Ayodele Oke and Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke between 25th day of August 2015 and 2nd day of September 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court directly retained $160, 777, 136.

85 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has said voting for the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and its flag bearer, Jeremiah Useni, will return the state to the era of no work no pay.

He said the PDP owed the Plateau state civil service workers a total of 10 months salaries before exiting office in 2015.

Lalong stated this on Friday in Pankshin local government area of the state during his campaign flag-off to herald his return to the office.

“Don’t vote the PDP, the want to return us to the era of crisis and non payment of salaries.

“They want to bring back tribalism where only their ethnic group will benefit from infrastructure.

“Jonah Jang concentrated major road construction in his area when he was governor and today nobody is plying that road.

“We are now enjoying peace but they want to bring back crisis which is their style of leadership.

Nigeria congratulates Xi Jinping on Chinese Lunar New Year Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping on the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

In a letter personally signed by him, President Buhari said, “All over the world, the advent of a new year is a period of celebrations with friends, family and well-wishers and, on this note I wish the Chinese people warm celebrations.”

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina on Friday, stated that the Nigerian leader also expressed his delight at the growth and global influence of the People’s Republic of China under the leadership of the ruling party.

“I am particularly delighted that this year coincides with the 7oth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China as well as the 70th anniversary of the able leadership of the Communist Party of China. Under the rule of the party, China has witnessed phenomenal growth and development with a vast improvement in the quality of life of its citizens.

NDLEA nabs 11 suspects with 9.3 kg of cannabis in Gombe

L-R: Oyo State All Progressives Congress Oyo Central Senatorial District candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin (4th left); Oyo South Senatorial District candidate, Governor Abiola Ajimobi (5th left); and Governorship candidate of the party, Chief Adebayo Adelabu (6th left), during the during the APC campaign rally at Lagelu Local Government, in Lalupon...on Friday.

FCT minister commiserates with FCT NUJ over members’ death Promises speedy completion of council secretariat

Idu Jude, Abuja The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commiserated with members of FCT Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of their colleagues, three in two months, describing the deaths as a loss to the journalism profession.

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who was at the council secretariat in Utako, Abuja, yesterday on a condolence visit said the three fallen journalists were friends of the administration which was why he personally wanted to condole with council members.

The Minister presented letters of condolence on behalf of the FCT Administration, to the council chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, for onward transmission to the families of the deceased journalists; Grace Nwodo, aka

Madam Waka of Love FM; Olajide Fashikun of Gong News and Chris Edoga of FRCN, all of the FCT council, who died between late December 2018 and January 2019.

Malam Bello, who was accompanied to the event by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, expressed disappointment at the state of the secretariat, used the occasion to also assure the Council that all hindrances to the completion of the FCT NUJ Secretariat have been cleared and that the contractor would mobilize to site for the speedy completion of the secretariat complex in a couple of weeks.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma quoted the minister as saying “I am surprised that the building is still like this because I thought that by now it would have progressed more than this. But, I assure you that in the next two weeks, the contractor

will be mobilized to site to complete at least the first phase because we agreed that the complex will be completed in phases. I can also assure you that when the first phase is completed, the building will be more benefitting than any other in the country”, he said.

Earlier while welcoming the Minister, the Council Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche thanked the Minister for his continued support to the council, especially in his efforts to ensure the speedy completion of the Council’s secretariat. He lamented the lack of a befitting secretariat for the council and the slow pace of work at the site, calling on the Minister to make good his promised to complete the secretariat complex.

Ogbeche also called on the Minister to provide the Council with buses for conveying members to and from union events as well as for sustainable investments that would take the union to the next level.

Gombe state command of National Drugs Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said it arrested a total of 11 suspects for dealing in prohibited drugs, weighing 9.3 kg, last month.

Commander of the agency in the state, Mr Aliyu Adolescent, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday that 113 tablets of psychotropic substances were also recovered, adding that the suspects comprised of a female and 10 males.

“Within these 30 days, we were able to arrest 11 suspects, 10 males and one female and removed from circulation, 9.3 kg of cannabis and 113 tablets of psychotropic substances,” he said.

According to him, the psychotropic substances are the major drugs of abuse in the state.

Adole said the agency had resorted to targeting ‘black-sport’ in the state and arresting major dealers in an effort to reduce the rate of abuse.

He called on youth to be careful and focus on things that would make them successful in life instead of indulging in drug abuse.

The Commandant also advised them not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians.

Over 9m pupils in 29 states benefiting from FG’s free feeding programme – Manager

No fewer than nine million pupils in 29 states are currently getting free meals under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Mr Dotun Adebayo, the programme Operational Manager, has said.

Adebayo also said at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on Friday in Kaduna that over 96,000 cooks were engaged for the programme across the affected states.

The School Feeding Program is being implemented as part of Federal Government’s National Social Intervention Programme.

According to him, the implementation of the programme was pioneered by Kaduna State in 2016, adding that the remaining states would be integrated as soon as they complete necessary preparations.

Adebayo listed the benefits of the free feeding programme to include, “increase in the enrolment of pupils, improvement of nutritional health, improving our locally produced food and job creation.”

He explained that the engagement with stakeholders including parents, teachers, pupils, cooks, school based management committees and ministries, was to review the programme, identify and plug loopholes.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

9 News

Short News Abia APC chairman regains freedom, recounts experience in kidnappers’ den Sen Binta uses sports as bridge for Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

The kidnapped All Progressives Congress (APC) state party chairman, Hon Donatus Nwankpa, late Thursday regained his freedom.

On the eve of the APC rally in Abia State, on the January 27th, Hon Donatus Nwankpa was kidnapped while on his way to Aba. However, by 9 pm last Thursday, he was released unharmed and he spoke exclusively to our reporter that he was kidnapped after shooting at his vehicle when he ran into them about 30 meters away from a police checkpoint, while the Police was watching “as they shoot at us”.

Hon. Nwankpa disclosed that contrary to reports that he had large sums of money on him was false adding that the little he had on him was not touched.

The APC boss in Abia disclosed further that

having not succeeded after the shooting, “they used the butt of their gun to smash my vehicle window. Eventually, they had me”.

Nwankpa said he pleaded with them to release his Personal Assistant, Chigbu on grounds of his health, “while they took me to an unknown place which I found out was a thick forest”.

He said it took them 48 before establishing contact with his people stating “after talking with them, they now communicated with my people, thinking I had cash”.

According to him, his major fears were that in the event of any shootout with the security agents, he may be injured, disclosing that he was held in a ditch in what looked like a burrow-pit.

He identified the area he was held to be in a forest close to Abia and Rivers states boarder.

Hon Nwankpa regretted the insinuations that he was trailed from a bank where he had gone to withdraw money, adding that he does not want

people to politicize insecurity in the state.

“It is a state of insecurity. There is the need to restructure security” in the state, he said and commended the Police, the State Security Service, and the Army “for rising up to the challenge” over his ordeal.

He lamented that he missed the APC Presidential rally the next day, adding “but also being in the cold was another action”.

He further said, “it is also a show that no man is indispensable and no one will be absent and the rally will not hold, except the President”.

He thanked God who provided the attention and those who in one way or the other, including prayers, made his release possible.

Also speaking, the APC Zonal Vice Chairman (Abia North) Chris Onyeabor Nwabueze Aja said they were expecting him at the stadium at Aba for inspection when they got the news the next day.

unity, peace building in Adamawa Tom Garba, Yola

The Senator representing Adamawa Northern Senatorial zone at National Assembly, Mrs Binta Masi Garba has introduced football tournament for the five LGAs constituting the district.

According to her, sport is one of the games that foster peace and unity around the globe, a giant and unifying factor if properly harnessed will bring out good football talents in the zone.

Binta who is making deliberate efforts to see that the youth of the area are engaged positively in the area of sports, introduced the first edition of football competition in the constituency which 70 teams are involved from all the state development areas of the zone.

The tournament kicked off at the various local governments where two teams were qualified from each local government. Ten teams are presently playing in Mubi, the finals will be play on Friday the 8th February 2019.

The senator supply 17 sets of Jesseys, nets, balls and first aid kits, transportation, feeding and accommodation for those who are outside Mubi.

Public schools shut as ex-VP campaigns in Enugu

Public primary and secondary schools in Enugu were shut on Friday, when the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stormed the state for the Feb. 16 presidential election campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that students of the various public secondary schools were seen going home as early as 10 a.m. as a result of the campaign visit by Atiku’s train.

One of the students, who wanted anonymity, told NAN that his teacher told him and others in the class to go home because of Atiku’s visit.

It was the same situation in other public schools visited by NAN education correspondent in Enugu town.

The students, however, said they were not mandated to attend the campaign rally holding at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Meanwhile, some parents in the state have faulted the decision to send students home because of a political campaign rally.

Mr Francis Ogbu, said it was wrong to have suspended academic activities due to an individual’s political aspiration.

Maku signs peace pact, tasks INEC on neutrality

Wife of Ondo State Governor and Founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, (BRECAN), Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, (right), during her arrival to the monthly meeting of breast cancer survivors “Team Survivors Nigeria” held at BRECAN centre, Ijapo Estate, Akure.

Nuhu Ribadu says nothing wrong in 2 Niger Republic Govs attending Buhari’s Kano rally Tom Okpe, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council field operations Director, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu has said that the two Nigerien Republic Governors who attended President Muhammadu Buhari’s Kano rally did nothing wrong.

Alhaji Ribadu said the two Nigerien Republic Governors live in a free world, therefore enjoy the constitutional right of free movement, especially as Nigeria has protocol/agreement that allows entry to the country without visa for people from West Africa.

The former Police Chief while responding to question by newsmen on the presence of two Governors from Niger Republic who attended the APC mega rally in Kano said: “It is a free world and it is the constitutional right of everyone to be where he wants to be.

You have no right to curtail anybody from doing what he wants to do. People from West

Africa are free to move into Nigeria. We have a protocol or agreement that they don’t need a visa to come into this country.

“I know for sure that they don’t have the vote but as free West Africans who believe that someone has done extremely very well, and decided to identify themselves with what they believe in, I don’t think there is anything wrong; I don’t think there is any crime committed. You cannot and you have no right as a Nigerian to stop them from exercising their fundamental right to identify with friends.

“Their presence may or may not have any impact on the re-election but they are entitled to it. We have to guarantee their freedom because their presence is within the law and we don’t have right to stop them”.

He called on all Nigerians to join hands to rescue the country from total collapse.

The former Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) boss in a chat with journalists in Abuja on Friday also said

as habitants in a free world, people can live anywhere carrying out their daily activities as required by law.

He said: “We have to join hands together to rescue this nation; we don’t want things to go bad like they were before. We don’t want anyone to steal from our own common wealth again. We don’t want anyone to come and sell some things that belong to all of us to his own few friends. We want justice and fairness; we want to show that nobody is above the law in our own country.

“You (the canvassers) are all believers. You people make this sacrifice as volunteers that have agreed to come collectively to improve ourselves and go to the field. We intend to go to every single door, every single house, every single Armlet to train others who are also going to carry out this responsibility.

“I know that we are prepared and we have the best people that are going to do the work for us. We are not rich but we will deliver Muhammadu Buhari insha Allah”.

Labaran Maku, the Nasarawa State Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Friday signed the peace pact ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

The peace pact is an initiative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties and their candidates to ensure hitch-free elections.

Speaking after signing the pact in Lafia, Maku promised to be committed to ensuring issue-based campaigns devoid of hate speech that could lead to violence.

“God has been faithful to me and has lifted me up to a minister, so, I cannot engineer crisis because the progress and development of the country are dear to me.

“I do not want any life to be lost on the account of my ambition to be governor of Nasarawa State.

“If I’m not alive, I cannot contest for any position, so I want my supporters to be alive so that if I win, I will better their lives and develop the state,” Maku added.

Kaduna Contributory Health Scheme: Stakeholders call for inclusion of nutrition services

Nutrition stakeholders in Kaduna State have advocated for the inclusion of nutrition services in the state’s Contributory Health Management Scheme.

Malam Isah Ibrahim, Nutrition Advocacy Advisor, Save the Children, Kaduna Office, said in Kaduna on Friday that the step would help to increase demand and uptake of nutrition services.

He commended the state government for establishing the contributory health insurance scheme to enhance access to quality health services.

He, however, expressed the concern that nutrition services were not covered by the scheme, describing the development as counterproductive to the fight against malnutrition.

“Kaduna State Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to universal health.

“This represents a great opportunity to ensure that children, adolescent girls and women can gain access to nutrition services during ante-natal care, post-natal, health promotion platforms and delivery period.

“Stunting and iodine and iron deficiencies combined with inadequate cognitive stimulation, are the leading risk factors contributing to the failure of many children to attain their full development potential.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

PDP has done so much for S’East, says Ekweremadu Short News Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Friday, said the South East region has benefitted so much from previous administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the extent that the party will win the votes of the geopolitical zone in coming elections.

Addressing party supporters at the PDP Presidential campaign rally in Enugu on Friday, he urged the people of Enugu and the entire South East to reciprocate the good gesture of the party by voting all its candidates in the coming elections His words:”Today, we assembled to recommit ourselves to PDP. And we have reasons to do so. PDP is the party that gave our people the Senate President of this country.

They gave us Deputy Senate President, they us the National Chairman, they also gave us the Governor of Central Bank, they us the Minister of Finance. What more can they do for us?

“They gave us Chief of Army Staff for the first time since after the Civil War, they gave us IG of Police. Since PDP left, we have lost all

this. They gave us Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “ Now, we are going back to power. We are believing that with our son as the Vice President and our daughter as the First Lady, we will return to power. So, this is the time for your people.

“In infrastructure, PDP commenced the Second Niger Bridge, they started the dredging of the River Niger and they us access to the international community through the Enugu International Airport. “ So there is nothing the PDP has not done for us. So, we are committed to PDP. When we get to 16th of February, we will vote for Atiku Abubakar as our president with Peter Obi as his Vice President. And all our National Assembly candidates will be returned to the National Assembly. And we will repeat it on the 2nd of March when we will elect our governors and members of the state house of assembly. I believe this is the wish of our people.

The party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar urged people of the South East to avail themselves of the opportunity of moving

closer to the centre stage of political power by voting for the PDP. He said if they vote PDP, the zone will in the next government have a Vice President and First Lady in a PDP government.

“Now, many of you may not realized that you have two over three in this context. You have vice president, you have the wife of the vice president. It will take a long time for the south east to have this kind of opportunity.

Therefore, this may be a lifetime opportunity. “ I appeal to you to vote for PDP. In any case PDP has never fail you, everything you have gotten in this country is through PDP. Now you are heading towards the presidency, from the vice president next is the president.

So I appeal to you to continue to vote PDP”, Atiku said .

Senate President and Director General of the campaign, Bukola Saraki said the mammoth crowd that attended the rally has confirmed that Enugu State is PDP. He said: “ Enugu State is for PDP. Enugu belongs to Atiku Abubakar. Please come out February 16 and give Atiku Abubakar 100% votes”

FCT minister urges electorate to support Buhari’s re-election Idu Jude, Abuja Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has again called on electorates in the territory to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid for continuity and sustainable development.

The Minister who made the call Thursday at the “Say Women” event, organized by the FCT All Progressive Congress (APC) Women and Youth Movement at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, also stressed the need for voters to vote in credible candidates of the APC vying for positions to achieve the objective.

Malam Bello said voting for APC from top to bottom (President to Councilors) in the upcoming election would ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari gets the necessary support to take Nigerians to the next level. He warned party supporters to desist from any act that could jeopardize the election process in the FCT. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, the FCT minister said “I want you to note that apart from voting for President Buhari, you also need to vote in all other APC candidates vying for the different positions. This will ensure that the President gets to work with people with like minds and vision of the party. Anything short of that could derail the plan of the party to take Nigeria to the next level”, he said.

FCWM matriculates 411 students for 2018/19 session Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

The Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa in Niger State has matriculated Four hundred and Eleven (411) fresh students for 2018/19 academic session.

Addressing the new intakes, the provost of the College, Dr. Titus Ayodele Ampitan charged the students to be law abiding, disciplined and hardworking, so that they will excel in their chosen career.

“This college runs courses in wildlife conversation and management, Animal production, leisure & Tourism, forestry technology and computer science.

In addition, the college also runs Pre-National Diploma programmes in Vocational Training programmes as well as a highly functional Entrepreneurship Development Centre”.

Dr. Titus Ayodele Ampitan emphasized the accreditation of all courses with qualified manpower to teach, research and impact knowledge on it students.

“I strongly advise you to pay prompt attention to your academic works and shun any form of distraction.

EFCC parades 13 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu

Elder Silas Eke, Chairman, BOT, Christian Mission School for the Deaf, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries, Otunba Michael Daramola, Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries, Ilesha Plant, Mrs. Folashade Omole and Pastor Johnson Olalekan, Principal, Christian Mission School for the Deaf, Ibadan, at the handing over of a solar-powered borehole, donated by International Breweries, to the school in Ibadan.

Gov Obaseki gives scorecard on rural infrastructure Titus Akhigbe, Benin-City Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration has embarked on the reconstruction of several roads in Uhunmwode Local Government Area to open up the area for more socio-economic activities and change its development narrative for the better.

Obaseki said this during a parley with All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful at Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, on the side-lines of the party’s campaign rally.

The governor had told people at Ehor that his administration’s decision to invest in road across the state was informed by the important role that roads play in economic development.

“Obadan-Ugonoba Road has been awarded for reconstruction and by next week, the contractor will commence work. I have awarded contract for the reconstruction of Ehor-Ukpogo Road and have mobilised the contractor to immediately commence work and I have done same for Oke-Oruah

Road.

“I have taken all these steps because I know the importance of roads. I will construct many more roads in this local council.

However, while appreciating the Governor for his visit to his Local government of origin and the road promises, the ADP house of assembly Candidate for the area, Mr Austine Osaghae says he expected more from the governor and the APC besides the roads.

According to him the people of the constituency are tired of empty promises which are the hallmarks of past electioneering campaigns loaded with promises and pledges that soon fizzled out after the polls.

“Everyone including the governor and all the APC leaders and candidates in Edo south know that what Uhunmwonde needs at this time is more than roads. Yes we need roads but more than that we need drinking water rather than harvested rain water which we presently drink”.

On the road promises Osaghae said both the Oke-Orhua and the Ehor- Ukpogo Roads are federal roads and wondered why the

Ehor- Ukpogo is not extended to Ugiamhen, Emuhi among other A communities down to Ekpoma.

Osaghae said he has toured all of the 10 wards in the area including Egbede, Ohuan, Isi North and Isi south, Irue, Igiebhudu, Ehor and Igieduma and his conclusion is that first and foremost Uhunmwonde could do with a General hospital.

He said, “In most of the wards and this is since I was born, our people have been drinking harvested rain water, which is stored in underground wells that are open to lizards and frogs. When these wells of infested water dry up, they go to nearby streams to get the dirty untreated water and for this, lives have been lost over the years.

Yet there are private boreholes all over. Why have the people been so badly treated?”

The aspiring lawmaker who said the Edo State Water Board deserve adequate funding so they can provide Industrial boreholes however blamed poor representation by PDP and APC lawmakers from the area in the past, for the backwardness that Uhunmwo. de is experiencing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday in Enugu paraded 13 suspected internet fraudsters popularly called ‘yahoo yahoo boys’.

The South East Zonal Head of the commission, Mr Usma Iman said that the suspects were arrested following intelligence between Jan. 17 and Jan. 31, 2019 in Awka, Anambra and Enugu States.

Imam said that the arrests were as a result of the commission’s avowed and renewed commitment to stamp out cyber crime in the country.

He said that officers of the commission on Jan. 17 raided the homes of suspected cyber criminals in Awka and arrested three suspects.

The zonal head said that similar exercise was carried out in Enugu on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31 during which six and four suspects were arrested respectively.

“We are convinced after our investigations that the suspects have cases to answer. They shall be charged to court next week,” he said.

Imam said that the image of the country had been battered due to activities of cyber criminals.

Police confirm death of 2 suspected robbers in Delta

The Police Command in Delta has confirmed that two armed robbery suspects were killed in Agharho in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state while attempting to resist arrest.

The command’s Spokesman, DSP. Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the development on Friday in Warri.

Aniamaka said the suspects, whose identities were unknown were shot dead on Thursday while attempting to escape after they were apprehended at their hideout.

“The suspects were gunned down in their attempt to escape from their hideout after they were apprehended.

“Items recovered from them were two locally made guns and a Toyota Corolla car.

“All I can remember about the car registration number is LEH 236,’’ Aniamaka said.

Earlier, an eyewitness told reporters that the suspects dispossessed unsuspected victims of their property on the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Road at Effurun in the Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta on Thursday.

11

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, February 2, 2019

I once doubted myself - Lilian Afegbai She is sassy and has an exceptional look!! Beautiful actress, model, entrepreneur and 2018 AMVCA winner, Lilian Afegbai has sure registered her presence in the entertainment industry having featured in MNet series, Tinsel, done TV commercial for Diamond amongst others. Taking a step further, Lilian recently launched her lingerie line - ‘Lily’s Secret’ in the bid to make every woman feel sexy irrespective of their shapes and sizes. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, she talks about her new found business, choice of man, and tackling social media bullies amongst others. Enjoy...

Last year, the dress you wore to Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) got the internet agog; what was your reaction when the negative comments starting coming in?

Well my reaction to it, I handle negativity perfectly but am not saying that I do not care about it but at the end what matters most is myself. As a matter of fact that night, I looked very sexy and very hot nothing else at all mattered. If they do not talk about you then something is wrong. I have no issues with those who write negative things about me.

It’s funny that when my friends calls my attention to the story online; all that matter to me is whether it is written along the story that I won an AMVCA award.

What has it been like in your social circle after winning the AMVCA award?

Not spectacular but rather it made me push for more. The movie I won that AMVCA award for was a challenging movie. It almost led me to depression. It made me to keep pushing. It made me realize that people are watching. It brought about the idea of Lily’s secret. If you work hard it will happen. You cannot cheat God. I feel that this is going to be a success.

How then do you tackle social media bullies?

For me I have learnt never react to everything and anything I read about myself on social media; most times I see them and I just pretend not to because I don’t believe in negative vibes. I like when my works are been criticized constructively; I detest bullies and remember most of these bullies are just social media attention seekers.

Despite the challenges in putting out your first work as a producer, are you still determined to do more?

Yes definitely, I just finished my second production in December titled ‘Double Strings’ and starred great talents like Annie Idibia and other popular actor; so I keep pushing and doing more.

What is Lilly’s secret all about?

It’s a lingerie line that caters for everything that makes a woman confident; one unique thing about my line is the fact that it caters for all woman figures from skinny to plus sizes because I realise in my research

that most times the plus sized are usually neglected and the fact you are on the big side does not make you less human. In all everything that makes a woman sexy is all that I cater for.

Why now when the female panties are going through lots of challenges in Nigeria, from stealing and ritual purposes?

To be honest, I will always say that the circle you surround yourself matters a lot because I don’t see myself falling a victim of such; I know it’s currently happening but I don’t believe they pick any kind of panties. I believe when the panties are sexy and pretty it does not match up with their target rather I believe they go for the dirty and ugly looking panties.

What is the texture feel of your brand?

I deal in all kinds of textures because some women like theirs silky while others go for the lacy ones; there are varieties and that is one factor that distinguishes us from others.

Is strictly owned by you or a franchise?

It’s solely my personal business although productions are made in Turkey but in future I look forward to making my production process to Nigeria but certain factors are hindering that for now but my team and I are currently working on something because I believe we have better people here than all over the world.

Knowing that you have a huge fan base that cuts across both gender, don’t you think you are limiting your brand to just a section?

To be honest, bear in mind that in Lagos we have brands like ‘Still Broke’ that is strictly for men underwear’s but we don’t have such on the female side just like we have Victoria Secret and all that. For me I don’t think the men are lacking because it’s just their boxers but we woman we have lot of luxuries to us that is why we want to look sexy at all time. Mind you my brand is just about pants and Bras alone; we make you look sexy for your husband, boyfriends amongst others.

Aside acting, what other things are you into?

Lilian Afegba Aside acting and because I like money, I’m into real estate, I sell chandeliers, so I do other things that bring the money and that has been helpful and what makes me to be able to produce a movie and star a big name like Rita Dominic; but if you look at my acting, I haven’t gotten to the stage where I will be paid lots of money so how do you balance

business and passion? I do things I love, I make money from it and I love it.

What is your choice of men?

My choice of man, I just look out for a God fearing man, someone who is hardworking and don’t forget that being rich and hardworking is different.

Have you ever been heartbroken?

Yes, back in University.

Have you ever had any reason to doubt yourself?

I had a challenge with my boobs; I thought it was too small. I thought of having a breast enlargement.

But now, I love how I look. I have conquered that part of me.

Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Olamide, Mr. Eazi, AY, Timaya, Kennyblaq, others for Chronicles of Ushbebe, Yadadi 12 ‘Election Edition’

ROZE

After ‘The Whole Night,’ ROZE returns with ‘Stranded’ After the huge success of their last single, ‘The Whole Night’, in the United States of America and across Africa, particularly Nigeria, the singing duo of Row and Zuwa Agbonayinma, known as ROZE are back with another love-themed club banger titled ‘Stranded’ set for release on all digital music platforms from February 4, 2019. The music artist duos, ROZE (Row & Zuwa), work on ideas separately and combine their ideas to produce a project. Their latest effort releasing on February 4, 2019 ‘Stranded’ was the idea of Zuwa.

For the brothers who are sons of politician and music lover Hon. E. J and Mrs. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma and Itohan Agbonayinma, their talent is too diverse to stick to any particular genre of music. They believe it is a natural phenomenon and should be delivered the way the inspiration came and thus says ‘Stranded’ is to be to interpreted in accordance to how you as an individual perceives it. The key point to take is that ROZE produces and make tracks from a wide variety of genres.

Having distinguished his brand amongst others, Justice Nuagbe, better known as Ushbebe, has revealed that preparation is already in top gear towards the 12th edition of this year event popularly called Chronicles of Ushbebe with the 2019 edition tagged ‘Ushbebe Live ‘Election Edition’ Yadadi 12.

Packaged by Pride Rock Entertainment, the event will hold at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites come February 17, 2019 and will witness rib cracking jokes from industry finest that includes Kenny Blaq, Akpororo, Ay, Acapella, Gordons, Funnybone, Helen Paul, Kelvin Sapp, and Woli Agba & Dele to mention but few However top personalities, guests and fans who would be attending will equally be thrilled by music performances by Olamide ,Mr. Eazi ,

They first appeared in 2014 while working on a test project, titled ‘Time to Party,’ which was never released.

However, they later appeared again in 2016, being introduced to producer, Mekoyo, who has produced for artist such as Style Plus.

Out of the several songs recorded

by ROZE, the hit song titled “The Whole Night,” was a huge success and it was already making waves in the US before it was released in Africa. The video for the track was directed by Clarence Peter [Clarence Shot It].

DJ YB spreading vibes and empowering the streets through music Stories Mutiat Alli

DJ YB

Now becoming an household name, DJ YB who is the official DJ to popular singer Runtown has revealed that this 2019, he will be spreading joy and love worldwide through the sounds and message of Afrobeats is his goal as he will continue to pursue by making music, supporting artists, curating playlists, Charity, mix tapes, events, and travelling as often as possible.

Speaking further, DJ YB noted that he will do embarking on multiple trips this year as part of his plans for 2019.

DJ YB who recently returned to Nigeria in order to regain the essence of the music we love so much has played alongside Runtown in countries that includes Haiti, Canada, Rwanda, and different cities in the States.

His first time in Nigeria, he experienced the liveliness and excitement of east Africa, and lately he visited Nigeria, but most importantly the streets where he was raised that started his love for the genre. Staying true to the principle of Fela Kuti he uses Afrobeats music to relay positivity and joy.

Ushbebe

Timaya, Patoranking, Falz ,Tiwa savage ,Mayokun,Duncan Mighty, Johnny Drille, Pasuma ,Kcee, Zlatan , Chinko ,victor Ad , DJ consequence, DJ Kentlaky, Alternate sounds and lots more.

Speaking on the coming event, Ushbebe disclosed that since it’s the 12th edition of the yearly show, there was need to spice up the entirety of the event and by so doing we tagged the show the ‘Election Edition’ and that’s why we have given chances to guests attending to choose from the ticketing categories that’s includes Presidential Table, Governorship Table, Senatorial Table, Chairmanship and Councilor with price ranging from 5,000 to 2Million naira.

The event is however supported by Beat FM, Naija FM, Lagos Talks, Classic FM, Nelson Jacks, HNK Interiors, Hennessy, Trace, Hiptv, and MTV Base amongst others.

Life and Times 13

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

We use simulation to teach children leadership and communication - Akin Olu-Philips Education they say is the best legacy, invest in it and you won’t regret you did as it open doors of opportunities. This belief is what defines the prime mover of Peat Philips Foundation, Mr. Akin Olu-Philips, who is investing his time, money and knowledge in making sure Nigeria and Africa as a whole are at the same pace with other developed countries through Scripps Spelling Bee. The young but intelligently industrious communicator is the brain behind Nigeria Spelling Bee Competition, a competition that educates, train and galvanises children between the age of 8 to 13 in becoming leaders and good communicators while representing the country at the global level. In this interview with ISAAC OGUNTOYE, the young and humble humanitarian-turned philanthropist, spoke on why he established Peat Philips Foundation and his dream to train children on leadership and Communication. Excerpts: Tell us a little bit about how Spelling Bee started?

Spelling Bee Competition started in Nigeria in 2014. We were in partnership with Young Educators Foundation, a Ghanaian based NGO that holds the African franchise for Scripps Spelling Bee. The Scripps Spelling Bee is the national Spelling competition in America. They host the Annual Scripps Spelling Bee. Young Educators approached me for a partnership to host the annual Bee competition in Nigeria and we hosted the maiden edition in the State of Osun with the support of Sheri Care Foundation, the pet project of the First Lady of Osun State Her Excellency, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola. It was a beautiful co-incidence because I’m equally from Osun state in line with the adage that says, Charity must begin at home. The first edition had a young girl, Zainab Olawale from Middle School Oshogbo as our first Champion.

She was 11years old and she had the privilege of traveling to the United State of America as our maiden winner and that signal the beginning of the Scripps Spelling Bee journey in Nigeria. We are preparing for our sixth edition this year 2019.

This year edition, what is going to be the difference?

In the first four years, our winners attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals in Washington DC as non-competing guests because Ghana is the only country in Africa with the rights to compete at the annual US finals. As Nigeria organizers it was a thing of concern for us because many individuals and organization were asking questions why Nigeria was not participating, but in our several approaches to the issue the organisers of the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in the US made us understand that it is meant to be a national competition for Americans and with over 11 countries already allowed to compete at the National Finals it is almost loosing it national essence, so they cannot allow more core countries to participate. However, plans are in progress to evolve an international Spelling Bee competition, which will afford more countries an opportunity of competing. So, Nigeria winners only come to watch the US Finals and later go on a tour of the country and afterwards return home. But the 2018 champion due to our inability to get an emergency interview date at the American Embassy the way we normally get it every year couldn’t make the Scripps final in May, but in line with our planned new direction we applied for a summer camp for her and the feedback was good. Hence, in line with our new vision and direction for the Foundation our Champions will be attending a summer camp in the US as the Grand Prize of winning the Nigerian competition. Summer camping is a prominent phenomenon in America, which is also gradually taking root in Nigeria. It is a time where students take part in extra curricula activities that supports school curriculum in building and strengthening their education.

And we felt it is time to start getting them from the younger age. So, the Spelling Bee is dedicated to children between the age of 8 and 13. We felt we should catch them young, train them on the skills of communication and leadership and in the next 15 to 20years Nigeria and by extension Africa will be better for it. We strongly believe that education cannot be limited to only what is taught in the classroom; co-curricular activities must be included in the curriculum.

Why do you change from Young Educator Foundation to Peat Philips Foundation?

We operated as Young Educators Foundation, a registered NGO in Nigeria in partnership with our Ghanaian friends until last year due to non-alignment of vision and ideas but we decided to rebrand and refocus by setting up Peat Philips Foundation. The vision is clear our focus is “Leadership and Communication”. The Young Educator Foundation focus was actually to promote literacy and encourage reading culture in our children but Peat Philips Foundation is taking it a step further by teaching developmental values that is enshrined in quality leadership and articulate communication skills, our observation is that aside reading and being literate, there is a dearth of men and women with leadership and communication skills in our continent especially our nation.

Bee programme, they actually save us and this year, there is an ongoing talk with them. We are almost at the last stage of discussions. They’ve accepted us fully that The Spelling Bee Nigeria is an Indomie project, so, what we are discussing now is the value. We’ve made our budget for the year and we have presented it to them. It’s quite huge because covering the whole nation is not something that is small. And at the same time, taking the winner on an international tour is equally big. In the next few days, we are going to sit again to make our final decision. The plan is for Indomie to become the title sponsor, consequently we are going to rebrand and be called Indomie Spelling Bee.

Akin Olu-Philips

Nigerians children actually read but what do we do with all our acquired knowledge when our values are all turned upside down. You will be amazed at the level of knowledge that the typical young Nigerians possess due to reading and exposure but what we want to do at Peat Philips Foundation is to galvanize this knowledge into valuable citizenry. We need to let them understand that your knowledge can be used in bettering our society regardless of the field you find yourself. Leadership and Communication for us is not just about politics, leadership can be found in all spheres of life. When you have the leadership potential and you understand the concept behind leadership and you also have good communication skills, regardless of where you find yourself, you can help evolve a better society.

What are the major challenges for the past six years?

The major challenge has been funding. Funding in the sense that, corporate Nigeria has not come to terms with the fact that, if we actually want to change our society where you put your money into is very important. We put a lot of money into entertainment. Don’t get me wrong, entertainment is very good, and for the wellbeing of the people we need to be entertained.

We need to laugh, we need to rejoice and we need to have fun but the bedrock of our society also needed to be fed, which is the education sector. Now, what we have done is to support the brands also because we understand what they are thinking and where they are coming from. It’s unfair on them to spend so much money sponsoring an educational program that very few people get to be impacted. So, to be able to marry the two we’re evolving our programmes into a TV Show and we have spice it up with fun and entertainment. It is more like a mini Big Brother Africa because we usually accommodate the national finalist in a camp, called the Bee Academy. The Bee Academy is where we camp them for weeks and all the educative activities carried out using entertaining modules in the house are recorded and it’s going to be use for the TV Shows for the 2019 edition. Basically, our major challenges have been funding, and we also have to go back, think through on how to help ourselves by making sure that we are more attractive to brands support. Since brands are putting their money into entertainment, let us infuse entertainment into the Bee because the Bee can be a bit boring because it is education.

Like you said, having brand support has been the major challenge, but in the last edition, you have Indomie as one of the sponsor, and they are known to be major sponsor of educational program, what is the relationship?

In fairness to Indomie, last year they were our lifesaver.

DUFIL Foods has been extremely good and kind to the Spelling

You’re passionate about children education, and the present government is also advocating for quality education, why didn’t you approach them for sponsorship?

Basically, we’re been careful about who we approach for sponsorship. We would eventually get government involvement but we want to make sure that we have built our brand to a point where nobody can interfere with it because if we rely on government for our sustenance. I’m not saying that they will come to disrupt it but we need to be careful about it. Another thing is that, we want to make sure that we have been fully established as a brand with our distinct DNA, so, if government wants to come in, they can come in to endorse us. We would partner with them to build the education sector.

With all your plans for the 2019 edition, what impact is this going to have on the winner?

This year winner will have the opportunity to attend a summer class on leadership and communications, and the summer class is going to be very intense. Aside the fact that our camping is always intense because the children get to learn so many things, if you watch the TV series this year, you will understand what I’m saying. We are in partnership with Metamor46, a leading experiential learning company that uses simulation to teach leadership and communications. We use simulation pattern to teach them communications. Spellers also learned the importance of team work, patience and persistence from fun activities, in all our classroom, we use experiential training process to communicate and teach them certain values.

It is the same thing they are going to get in the USA during the summer camp. The child is going to be exposed to standards in communication and leadership such that it stays with the child for the rest of his or her life. And this year there is an interesting package we’re having. We’re involving public schools this year.

Our registration is a token of Five Thousand Naira (N5000) only.

Before now, the winner have been going to the United State of America and United Kingdom, what about this year edition?

The winner of the spelling bee this year will be going to the USA for the Summer Camp in August.Our champion will attend the one week summer camp and afterwards will be a guest of some notable organizations like the World Bank, United Nations, New York Stock Exchange, Nigeria Embassy in Washington DC. My dream is to be able to afford all the top 3 winners an international travel exposure but that will be depend largely on funding. Our principle at PPF is everyone is a winner as long as you are good enough to make it to the national finals, we always emphasize to participants that their focus should be on the values that they will get from the academy whilst the winning prize is just an icing on the cake. So, in order to squash the winner takes all mentality, we always ensure everyone that makes it to the national final takes something home. In 2016 aside the champion’s trip to the US, we were able to take the 2ndplace winner on a tour of Oxford University Press in UK and it was a very good trip for the girl and her mother. We are hoping to extend it to the 2nd place winner again this year if the funds permit us. The world is about the winner takes it all but I don’t want this to be the case of these children. For instance, I would like the third winner to make a visit to any African countries if we have enough funds.

14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2015

Mixed Grill

Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu’s albatross Isaac Oguntoye The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that any Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in Ogun State campaigning for elective position without being on the candidates’ list released by the electoral umpire “is on his or her own” as the body

has nothing to do with such.

Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner for Information, Media and Voter Education, said this while featuring on Citizens’ Forum, a programme aired by the Rock City 101.9 FM, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives and some of his

Adebutu

supporters have been campaigning for various offices despite not making the list of candidates released by INEC. Adebutu has been at loggerheads with Senator Buruji Kashamu, PDP’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, over the governorship ticket.

According to Okoye, only members of the PDP whose names were on the list released by INEC were the genuine candidates of the party, adding that others were mere pretenders.

Okoye said: “Our position is that the INEC received judgments of properly constituted courts of law and we have given effect to the judgments that we have.

The judgments that we have asked the INEC to recognize the list of candidates submitted by a particular faction of the PDP in Ogun State. We have recognized the candidates submitted by that particular political party and we have published the names of those candidates recognized by the court. So, it is the names of those candidates that have been published. Any other individual, outside that particular list, who is campaigning for any position whatsoever, is on his or her own.

The INEC has nothing to do with that. We have obeyed the law.

We have published the list of candidates that we were asked to publish based on court order and we have done what the law requires us to do.”

This, we learnt, has been causing some sleepless nights for Honorable Oladipupo Adebutu.

On young entrepreneur, Hammed Olamijuwon Hardworking dude and Exbanker, Hammed Olamijuwon, has not stopped making waves in his Oluyole city base, Oyo State. This is because the youthful entrepreneur cum-Politician has continue to up his game business-wise and also keep identifying with the downtrodden in his community.

This reasons and many more could be attributed to why he has been making headlines for good reason in recent times. Just days back, Olamijuwon, who sits atop HSO Global Ltd, a Flight Ticketing/Building Developing Outfit, was listed among 2018 top 60 Most Influential Personalities in Ibadan, Oyo State, a feat which he said humbled him to keep working hard.

The honor which was bestowed on him by by a top organization in the State known as Ibadan Media

Olamijuwon also honored several notable young executives and influencers in the very big city of Ibadan.

Olamijuwon whose youthful political pedigree has endeared him to young and old in the town especially those in the grassroot is one of the names being penciled down to take over Political space in Ibadan and Oyo State at large in

the nearest future.

Meanwhile, the Real Estate Developer has also put together a Non- Governmental Organisation known as HSO Foundation in a bid to reach out to lots of people from the grassroot. The NGO solely own and funded by him we learnt has always be one of his dream in reaching out.

Comrade Rahman

My take on Buhari, Atiku - Comrade Rahman Adebiyi Comrade Rahman Adewale is one of the activities cum politician who is advocating for youth to take over the mantle of power come 2019 general election. He is the Chairman of the Liberation Movement Party (LM), Lagos state chapter.

According to the Chartered Accountant and tax expert, the stage is overcrowded, which means some of the old bloc needs to step aside for the younger ones to take over the centre stage.

In his words, he said “What we are saying to the old bloc is that the stage is now over crowded. They need to begin to step down for the youth to take over. The same way those they took power from step down for them some 30 years ago, they too should step down now. They need to leave when the ovation is the loudest because if they leave now, we would salute them But when they refuse to leave, then we cannot stop advocating for revolution.”

“This is the high time to tell those old politicians to get off the stage for the new blood to take over because majority of them were like our age when they took over power and some of them have been there for over 30 years, It is time for them

to leave the stage” The chairman emphasized.

When asked about the party presidential candidate, he said “The first thing that set Dr. Chris David apart is that, he is a futurist. There is no course for futurist in Nigeria But he did the course in America.

And he had a doctorate degree in it. What does that mean? It means an ability for foresight. An ability to look deep down into the future to identify the way to go. And in doing that, our party and the presidential candidate, did a long stretch of research about ten countries of the world who are successful. We did a research in what is making them to be a successful and prosperous nation and we identify values that shape them. And those values is what we have imbibed to shape the future of Nigeria, so that we can have equality. When we have equality then prosperity will be our lots as a nation. Of course we have our value of meritocracy, excellent, integrity, rule of law and others.”

Meanwhile, Comrade Rahman condemned the lingering anomalies in the society in the coming polls while he admonish the older politicians to Step aside for the younger ones to take over as they are the true liberation army.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

15

Nahcoaviance to invest N3.6bn to drive equipment procurement in 2019 Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC NAHCOAVIANCE PLC is investing at least, N3.6 billion to procure state of the art equipment and technology to enable it to drive its vision of improving the business this year.

Group Managing Director of the handling company, Olatokunbo Fagbemi who made this known yesterday in a chat with reporters said the company was expecting N1.9billion worth of equipment investment before the end of the first quarter of the year.

This is just as the new nahcoaviance boss explained the exit of her predecessor stating that it just happened due to certain reasons and that there was no controversy or hidden agenda behind the exit.

Mrs. Fagbemi said, ”In terms of investment, in the last couple of months we have invested over N1.9billion in equipment which will be doubled by the end of the year, but you will begin to see the equipment by the end of the first quarter, the first set. ” “The next set, by the end of the year, we would have spent about N3.6billion in equipment so we also believe that by September, we would have the next set of equipment, so that’s what we are doing in terms of equipment.”

Explaining the change of three chief executives in the last three years, Mrs. Fagbemi said there was nothing clandestine and that everything was done fairly.

She said Norbert Bielderman served out his tenure while there were stop gaps till it finally got to Mr. Idris Yakubu who resigned after the structure had changed stating that these changes have not affected the company’s growth negatively.

She said, “Norbert had a full term, Folasade Ode was on acting capacity, Idris Yakubu was here and then there was the restructure and so those are the reasons for the change to the best of my knowledge .”

“Sade stood a gap between Norbert leaving and Yakubu, there could be no vacuum.

Yakubu spent a year of his three-year term and was appointed as MD, we changed the structure and he left, in essence, his employment was no longer valid and actually he resigned. So I have come now.”

“Idris left because the corporate structure had changed. There was no controversy or issues, every company has issues but this is just perception and we are open about it all.

I can’t tell you much of the past but what I can tell you is what we intend to do. We let the public know to show that nothing is happening, it is as we choose to see it.”

On the companies, new core values and plans Fagbemi stated earlier that it may not have changed much but a major focus will be synergizing all the companies subsidiaries for effective management.

She said, ”We have new core statements, new core values and we decided that we will work as a group structure because when you look at the audited financial statement in nahcoaviance, you will realize there is a consolidated account and we have three subsidiaries.”

“We have NAHCO energy, NAHCO free trade zone, the Mainland cargo options, we have the energy power and infrastructure company and all these companies are being run and what we want to do is put them together to get synergy so we can get the full benefit of the business.”

L-R: Mark Slade, Managing Director, Sales and Business Development, Ringier Africa; Udeme Ufot, Managing Director, SO&U Limited; Bisi Koleosho, Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Technical), Globacom, and Sanjib Roy, Group Chief Technical Officer, Globacom, at the presentation of Globacom’s New Communication Direction in Lagos ...on Friday.

FMDQ OTC declares N182.9trn turnover in one year Motolani Oseni FMDQ OTC securities market recorded a total transactions turnover of N182.86 trillion between January and December 2018.

The latest FMDQ report showed that Treasury Bills (T-Bills) contributed the largest market turnover in 2018, followed by foreign exchange market transactions.

Analysts had expressed that commercial banks increased participation in the T – bills market over attractive yields as federal government increased domestic borrowing to finance 2018 budget.

The report by FMDQ OTC disclosed that trading activities in T- bills accounted for 39.44 per cent or N72.1 trillion of the market while foreign

exchange market transactions (Spot FX and FX Derivatives) accounted for 37.04 per cent or N67.7 trillion in one year.

Repos/Buy-Backs product categories (Repos/Buy-backs) accounted for 16.50 per cent or N30.2 trillion, and Bonds and Unsecured Placements & Takings representing 6.55 per cent or N11.8 trillion and 0.45 per cent N824 billion respectively, of overall market turnover.

Between January and December of 2018, the report disclosed that a total of N877 million Commercial papers were traded on the FMDQ OTC securities while a total of N74.6 billion Eurobonds was traded.

The report also disclosed that Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc lead seven others in N139.13 trillion overall turnover in the market.

According to the report, “The top 10 Dealing Member (Banks) accounted for 76.09 per cent or N139.13 trillion of the overall turnover in the market, with the top three accounting for 58.31per cent or N81.13 trillion of this subsection of the market. Stanbic IBTC Bank, Access Bank and United Bank for Africa were the leaders in the value traded for the overall over-the-counter (OTC) market, ranking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.”

Other commercial banks include STANDARD CHARTERED BANK NIGERIA LIMITED in the 4th position, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, in 5th position, while First Bank Of Nigeria Limited and Citibank Nigeria Limited cane 6th and 7th respectively.

The like of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc was placed in the 8th position, Coronation Merchant Bank Limited

came 9th and Zenith Bank Plc was placed in the 10th position.

However, the market for this year’s key market development initiatives include, “Introduction of new derivatives products to the financial market landscape, and expansion of the Nigerian derivatives market; Activation of new products such as repurchase agreement (Repo) with collateral management service; Full operationalisation of the DMS Market to further enhance market integration and retail participation in the fixed income markets and Infrastructure/ Housing development,” Others are Sustainable Finance development, Development, and launch of new/co-branded indices and Financial market education and capacity building for its stakeholders through FMDQ Academy.

Global Smartphone shipment dips by 4% -Research Ladesope Ladelokun Global Smartphone market witnessed a four per cent shipment decline in the fourth quarter of 2018, research by the Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service has revealed.

In the words of the researchers, failure of Smartphone users in China, US and Western Europe is a major factor responsible for the drop in Smartphone shipment. Consumers,

according to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research, held on to their devices longer due to the absence of groundbreaking innovations and higher prices of devices being offered by Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMs).

In a related development, Apple Chief Executive, Tim Cook, disclosed plans on Tuesday to cut the price of the company’s flagship phones for the second time in the device’s 12-year history in a move to stem weak sales

of the iPhone, particularly in overseas markets such as China, where 10 per cent rise in United States dollar over the past year has made Apple’s products much pricier than rivals.

To reverse the narrative, Smartphone OEMs have concluded plans to roll out products expected to be appealing to consumers and help them to upgrade with innovative designs like full-screen in-display fingerprints scanners, foldable displays, punch-hole cameras,5G, among others.

However, knowing that market is now tough for both local and global brands to sustain market share, Chinese OMEs like Huawei, OppO, vivo, and others are leaving no stone unturned to improve their quality and launch appealing new features.

According to industry experts, Huawei may surpass Apple as the second largest brand in 2019 provided it doesn’t face stiff sanctions from the US just like ZTE was denied access to suppliers in the US.

Acquisition: Coca Cola’s market value hits $204.8bn Temitope Adebayo Following the full acquisition of Nigerian beverage firm, Chi Limited during the week, Coca Cola’s global market value rose to $204 billion.

This rise in share price pushed Coca Cola’s market value by about one per cent, on the New York Stock Exchange as sentiments remained positive after one of the company’s biggest acquisition since Costa Coffee.

Its value has continued to grow following the acquisition, as its share price

currently stands at $48.50, from $47.02 prior to the acquisition.

This has pushed the current market value to $204.8 billion — more than half (or 55 percent) of Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to World Bank figures.

On Wednesday, Coca Cola acquired a 60 per cent stake in Chi Limited for an undisclosed fee, after buying 40 percent of the juice maker for $240 million in 2016.

Peter Njonjo, president of the West Africa business unit of Coca-Cola, had said on Wednesday that “Coca-Cola is continuing to evolve as a total beverage

company, and Chi’s diverse range of beverages perfectly complements our existing portfolio, enabling us to accelerate expansion into new categories and grow our business in Africa”.

“We will support the Chi management team in building on the company’s remarkable heritage and achievements while using the scale of the Coca-Cola system to replicate their success in more markets across Africa.”

Chi Limited was incorporated by Dutch entrepreneur, Cornelis Vink, in Lagos in 1980, and it began production in the same year.

It produces juice under the Chivita brand, Caprisonne and was the pioneer in the industry in the use of Tetra Pak packaging for its dairy product, Hollandia, value-added dairy under the Hollandia brand.

Following the decision of the Commonwealth to reduce sugar consumption across its 53 countries, Coca Cola and major beverage makers are cutting down on sugary drinks for other alternatives.

It is estimated that Nigerians spend as much as N4.65 billion on non-alcoholic drinks every day.

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Experts, stakeholders to discuss implications of N8.83trn 2019 budget at Covenant University Temitope Adebayo As the 2019 budget estimated at N8.83 trillion passed through second reading, experts, including other stakeholders will be discussing the sectoral implications of the national budget and its importance to inclusive growth at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun state.

Expected keynote speaker at the event next week is, the Director General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry (NACCIMA), Ambassador Ayoloola Olukanni.

Other guest include Permanent

Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Budget & Planning, Mr. Taiwo Adekunle; CEO/publisher, BusinessDay, Frank Aigbogun; a professor of accounting, Francis Iyoha; CEO JR Farms, Olawale O. Rotimi and, a professor of economics, Isaiah Olurinola, among others highly placed experts in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy According to a statement, this discussion will be held in a roundtable and panel forum organised by the Covenant University’s Centre for Economic Policy & Development Research (CEPDeR).

According to CEPDeR, the roundtable is in line with one of its main goals, which is to link economic

& development research to policy & practice by contributing to evidencebased policy process in Nigeria, and part of many other engagements the university has fostered in recent past in a bid to connect the academia with industry.

“CEPDeR, which was established in the University’s Department of Economics and Development Studies is primarily to provide innovative solutions to national challenges, as well as, drive evidence-based policy making in Nigeria,” said Evans Osabuohien, a professor of economics and the Chair, CEPDeR. “The situation of Nigeria, like many African countries, calls for a rethinking of the development

paradigm. It actually requires the academia, policymakers and industry experts to interact more actively in addressing the multifaceted challenges.

Furthermore, such interaction will ensure requisite steps are taken towards the realisation of the United Nations’ (SDGs) and Africa’s Unions 2063 Agenda, Osabuohien explained. he centre disclosed that the discussants will be examining different aspects of the possible impacts of the proposed 2019 national budget at the event themed “2019 Budget: Pertinent Issues and Sectoral Impacts” which will kick-off by 10am prompt at the University’s CUCRID Multipurpose Hall.

Lagos, other 35 states raked N936.47bn IGR in one year - NBS Motolani Oseni The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Lagos, Rivers and Ogun states and 33 other states recorded the sum of N936.47 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2017.

Lagos state in 2017 generated N333.97 billion IGR, 10.43 per cent increase over N302.4 billion generated in 2016 while Rivers generated N89.48 billion IGR in 2017 against N85.3 billion in 2016 as reported by NBS. Ogun state, a neighbouring state to Lagos state generated N74.8 billion IGR in 2017, 2.54 per cent increase over N72.98 billion generated in 2016.

Bureau in its published IGR at the state level for 2017 fiscal year said a total N823.16billion was generated in 2016 as against N936.47 billion in

2017, representing a growth of 13.77 per cent year on year.

According to the NBS report, at the end of half year of 2017, total revenue generated by states was put at N453.83billion as against N482.64billion in the first half of 2017.

Analysts who spoke with our correspondent during said, state governors were adopting a series of tactics as provided by the law to increase IGR. They expressed that revenue generated by these state governments on yearly basis is based on economy growth of each state, stressing that some states are not providing needed amenities to boost revenue generation.

A tax analyst, Mr. Gbolahan Bilewu, had explained to Nigerian NewsDirect that states must grant their revenue agencies autonomy to operate.

According to him, “A few states in

Nigeria are not giving their agencies autonomy to operate. If you check, states with autonomy are doing better than states without autonomy.

“The best way for a state to increase its IGR is through taxation.

If a state can get it right from the onset, they can get more IGR from taxation. State government must professionalize their tax agencies.

“One of the factors that are making Lagos state revenue agency better is that they impose on their staff to be a member of a professional body.”

He noted that state government must be transparent in the utilization of funds generated internally.

According to him, “when taxpayers see the utilization of the IGR, definitely, they will want to pay tax. Lagos state is providing the needed infrastructure so that taxpayers can continue to pay more taxes.

“In civil service states, it is a different story entirely as most

people do not want to pay tax. If you have good infrastructure and power, it will attract more population and investment into a state.

“State governors needed to open up their states for investors and by so doing, more revenue will be generated.”

Meanwhile, three Northen states, Kebbi, Bauchi and Yobe generated the lowest IGR in 2017. The Bureau report disclosed that Kebbi in 2017 generated N4.39 billion while Bauchi and Yobe states generated N4.37 billion and N3.6 billion respectively.

The report by NBS also disclosed that the net Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation in the year 2017 is put at N1.73 trillion while the total revenue available to the states is put at N2.68 trillion.

However, the value of foreign debt stands at $19.9billion while domestic debt hits N3.35 trillion at the end of 2017 full year respectively.

L-R: South African Tourism Regional Manager, West Africa, Thekiso Rakolojane; Co-founder Diamond and Pearls Travels, Wonuola Lamidi and Sun International Market Manager, West Africa & Indian Ocean,Didier Bayeye during the Sun International awards in Lagos…recently

ECCIMA charges financial institutions on transparency, flexibility in funds disbursement Idu Jude Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has called on relevant financial institutions to be flexible in the disbursement of funds for Small and Medium scale enterprises.

The ECCIMA President, Mr. Emeka Udeze disclosed this on Friday in Enugu during the 45th Annual General Meeting of the chamber.

Udeze said that the Federal Government had taken the right step by recapitalizing the capital base of the concerned financial institutions, thereby boosting the services.

“We also commend the efforts of the Federal Government in bringing down the interest rate of loans from Bank of Industry (BoI) to a single digit by providing N10 billion to them.

“The setting aside of N15 billion for the recapitalisation of the Bank for Agriculture and BoI will always give confidence to SMEs in doing business with these banks.

“However, we wish to note that the Federal Government should increase the funds being allocated to the two banks as this will grow the nation’s SMEs which is the livewire of every economy,” he said.

The president said that the administration of SME and industrial development funds needed not to defeat the purpose it was meant for by undue stringent hurdles.

Udeze said that the chamber was excited by the Federal Government’s resolve in fixing infrastructure across the country by shroud budget implementation.

He said that ECCIMA was optimistic that going forward the economy would be stimulated by the implementation of the 2019 budget.

He said that though the economy is expected to be stimulated by the financing of contracts across the country.

The president appealed to the Federal Government to take the issue of diversification of the economy with a view to building a strong and virile economy.

Udeze commended Enugu State government for sustaining and improving the peace, stability, and orderliness in the state.

“This has resulted in the current report of World Bank ease of doing business which placed the state in the second position,” Udeze said.

In his remarks, the Director General of ECCIMA, Mr. Emeka Okereke said that the AGM was a period of stocktaking and mapping out new ways of taking the chamber to greater heights.

Okereke pledged the willingness to contribute its quota towards the economic development of the state and the nation at large.

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

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APC led-government has in various ways shown it is anti-masses - Anike Charles Anike is the president of Eastern Union a pro-Igbo political pressure group. In this interview he speaks on many national issues including the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government, the 2019 election and need for continuous voter education on violence free election.

PATRICK OKOHUE had a chat with him. knows when they are saying the truth, and that is very dangerous. The truth is that the present administration has turned everything into politics, even serious issues like security, many states in the country are facing serious security challenges, especially in the North and yet we have not heard even operation this or that, what are those crying governors doing with the security votes they are collecting every month anyway?

Do you think the Federal Government was right to have delayed the minimum wage for this long?

That is another insensitive action by the present administration, the delay further portrays the government as being very insensitive and unconcerned about the workers welfare. And this is a government whose national chairman was once president of the Nigeria Labour Congress. A man who was then ready to pull down the government and ground the whole country in pretext of fighting for the workers welfare. But now that he and his party are in power he is shamelessly showing his true colour. The APC government has in various ways shown that it is anti-masses by its policies.

Considering the likely impact it is bound to have on the economy particularly on inflation, do you think it is right to increase the minimum wage at this time?

Are we not having inflation now? They should approve it, because we are already having inflation. Think of how much was our Naira to a Dollar when the N18,000 minimum wage was approved and the rate now. Bear in mind that the Dollar exchange rate influences our market more than our local currency. Please whether inflation or not, the Federal Government should approve the new minimum wage, let the Nigerian workers be happy, even if it is for one day.

During the All Progressive Congress (APC) flag off campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, President Muhammadu Buhari made categorical statement that he had delivered as he promised on economy, security and corruption, what can you say on this?

Well there is no way President Buhari will tell you that he has failed, more especially now that he is seeking re-election. But you and I know that he has failed, pressed down, shaking together and running over. His failure in every aspect of governance has become very scandalous. In the area of the economy, remind him that it is during his time that Nigeria became the poverty capital of

Anike

the world. This is a country that was said to have the fastest growing economy in Africa and also producing the Africa richest man, in the person of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. In the area of security, the Boko Haram and Fulani Killer men became more daring under Buhari; as his actions has indirectly empowered the insurgents. And with respect to the much talked about war against corruption, the Buhari government has only succeeded in harassing perceived

enemies while making the APC a nest for looters and vultures.

But despite the outcry recently of some state governors, namely Borno, Zamfara, Kastina and some other states over security, they have continued to insist that they have done well in curtailing insecurity, you don’t agree to with claim?

Well these are some of the hypocrisies in the APC. Because of their too many lies, nobody

Buhari will tell you that he has failed, more especially now that he is seeking re-election.

But you and I know that he has failed, pressed down, shaking together and running over.

His failure in every aspect of governance has become very scandalous. In the area of the economy, remind him that it is during his time that Nigeria became the poverty capital of the world. A country that was said to have the fastest growing economy in Africa

Soon after the President called on Nigerians to tighten their belt against expected economic hardship this year, even the Central Bank of Nigeria added their voice to the same call, what is your take on this?

Well the only thing we can say is that “man proposes but God disposes�.

I can assure you that God will never allow our situation to go worse than this. And I believe that most Nigerians have learnt their lessons though in a bitter way. President Buhari has every reason to say what he said and also think the way he thinks.

That statement from President Buhari, shows how helpless and hopeless the government have become and yet, the same man is talking of retaining power, so that famine he predicted will come to pass, God forbid.

As campaigns are gathering momentum the political parties do not seem to be making definite promises on the economy, do you see this as a failure on the part of the political class?

Of course, the political class has failed woefully since they cannot harness the abundant human and material resources for overall interest.

It is very shameful that Nigeria especially under the present regime has become the poverty seat of power, not just in Africa but of the whole world. And this is a country some few years ago that was adjudged to be amongst fastest grow economy in African.

You see, it seems everybody knows the problem but nobody seems to have solution. This is why we fell into this gimmick of Change. But I believe that with Atiku/Obi presidency, we will get it right this time and get Nigeria working again.

Notable international organisations, the National Democratic Institute and others have warned that there are likely to be post

election violence in some states, how do you think we can avoid this?

The only way to avoid violence during and after elections in the country is for every well meaning citizen to get involved in the preaching of peace and continuous education of our youth. This preaching of peace will be more effective if parents and religious organisations get actively involved. More so the politicians should know that trying to manipulate the will of the people must always result to serious controversies. The rate of arms buildup across the country is of serious concern, therefore the security agents should rise up and be at red alert. Finally on this, we advise that our political gladiators should develop the spirit of sportsmanship and should not take any election as do or die. Let them understand that all power belongs to God almighty.

How will you access 2018 in the democratic process of the nation?

The political processes of Nigeria have gone backward drastically. One would have expected the present government to take a cue from the Jonathan administration, especially in the areas of human rights, peaceful conduct of elections, developments etc.

Then we had a situation where a sitting president will quickly congratulate a winner of election from another party; and even conceded in 2015 presidential election. But we have now is situation where human rights are grossly abused, the constitution and court orders are undermined at will.

Also vote buying at polling centres are done openly and security agents are used to harass and intimidate people in opposition. All these and many more have greatly dragged the Nigeria democracy backward.

The President has defended the continued retention of the Service Chiefs despite that theya fre due for retirement and also they are perceived not to have done well in securing the country, contrary to public opinion, what do you think are the likely implications?

One of the worst things that can happen to a nation is when the security agents get directly involved in its politics. Under the present APC led Federal Government, our security have been seriously dragged into the politics more than ever before. This is the reason many Nigerian have lost confidence in the security agents. And

Continued on 18

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

2019: PDP raises the alarm, demands investigation into foreigners’ presence at APC Kano rally No, Chadians, Nigerians, others free to join Buhari campaign – Ribadu Patrick Okohue The alleged presence of some foreign nationals who allegedly trooped through the Nigerian border to be part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)presidential rally in Kano State has become a source of concern for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as they call for probe of how the foreign nationals found their way into the rally, but for the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribudu, PDP’s worry means nothing as nationals of other ECOWAS countries are free to be part of the rally.

Calling on security agents to investigate the alleged participation of foreigners in the APC presidential rally in Kano State on Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who made the call at a press briefing in Abuja, on Friday, said he was reacting to the presence of Issa Moussa and Zakiri Umar, governors of Zinder and Maradi states respectively in Niger Republic at the Kano APC rally.

Ologbondiyan said the Presidency and the ruling party must explain the roles being played by Moussa and Umar in Nigeria’s political affairs.

The PDP spokesman stated that apart from the two Nigerien governors, the ruling party allegedly smuggled a crowd of aliens from Niger Republic to populate President Buhari’s campaign

rally in Kano State, after they could not get Nigerians to attend the rally.

He said it was worrisome that foreigners could come into the country to participate in the political process.

According to him, “President Buhari and the APC, in their desperation have compromised our territorial integrity as a nation and this portends grave danger to our national security and the sanctity of our electoral process.

“For a nation contending with insurgency and banditry, the involvement of mercenaries from neighbouring countries in the APC rally must be condemned by all and sundry. This is particularly against the backdrop of claims by President Buhari that killer herdsmen ravaging our nation are mercenaries who are infiltrating from the Sahel region.

“Nigerians can now see the unfolding of the plots by agents the APC to use mercenaries from neighbouring countries to precipitate crisis with the aim of scuttling the 2019 general election, having realised that they cannot win in a free, fair and credible election.”

However, speaking to newsmen on the side-line at a one-day workshop for participants in a programme organised by the APC presidential council field canvassers in Abuja, the former EFCC boss, who is also the Director, Presidential Campaign Council Field Operations of the APC, Ribadu dismissed criticisms trailing the presence of two Niger Republic governors at the President Buhari campaign, arguing that Chadians,

Nigeriens and other West Africans are free to campaign for him.

Ribadu warned that nobody should interfere in the fundamental rights of free movement as enshrined in the ECOWAS protocol.

He further insisted that although they might or not may not make any appreciable impact on the outcome of the elections, citizens of West African countries that feel strongly impressed with President Buhari’s performances however were free to join his campaign.

Adding, “For your information, it is a free world and it is the constitutional right of everyone to be where he wants to be. You have no right to curtail anybody from doing what he wants to do. People from West Africa are free to move into Nigeria. We have a protocol or agreement that they don’t need a visa to come into this country.

“I know for sure that they don’t have the vote but as a free West African who believe that someone has done extremely very well, and decided to identify himself with what he believes in, I don’t think there is anything Ribadu wrong (about that) and I don’t think there is any crime committed. You cannot and you have no right as a Nigerian to stop them from exercising their fundamental right to identify with their friends.

“Their presence may or may not have any impact on Buhari’s reelection, but they are entitled to identify with him. We have to guarantee their freedom because since their presence is within the law, we don’t have any right The Senator representing to stop them,” he emphasised.

Zamfara Central Senatorial zone, Garba Kabiru Marafa has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend his coming to Zamfara State for his presidential campaign.

In a press release by his faction of the state APC, and signed by the senator, the coming of the President would amount to dignifying Governor Abdulaziz Yari. spending much on campaign, they According to the press statement, rather wait for the day of election the Senator said that the political with their cash at hand. You have dust within the party has not settled, also seen that our President have hence the President would be giving carefully avoided the presidential the governor an upper hand. debate and other of such platforms He noted that with or without where he is expected to interact with any campaign in the state, the people the people. So obviously winning of the state were very much ready may be based on who have more to vote for the President whom he and more money or who have more described as the Messiah that would capacity to rig. bail the oil-rich country out of its present political predicament.

Twenty years after how will you Senator Marafa noted that he rate the Nigerian political space? appreciated the ways and manner So far so good, the Fourth the President does not intervene Republic is gradually moving in the political crisis ravaging the to higher level of political state chapter of the APC, saying development. It has been so great that the action of the President has an experience, even though we shown that he does not tolerate any have seen many challenges in the nonsense irrespective of whose ox is process, but I can’t tell you that we gored. are making considerable progress.

The Senator noted that even if There is no system or society the President does not heed to his without its own peculiar challenges advice, his faction within the party and if we continue without any would arrange another date for the breach, we shall perfect the system campaign of the President. to match that of other developed “I want to make it clear to nations of the world. Just imagine the whole world that the soif Gen. Buhari and his men didn’t called governor cannot stay in his truncate the Second Republic? By bedroom and decides the fate of now Nigeria democracy would over four million Zamfara citizens have been measuring with that other singlehandedly.” developed nations of the World.

Senator Marafa warned his

APC led-government has in various ways shown it is anti-masses Continued from 17 this is why the citizens are beginning not to take their statements serious and that is very dangerous, because of their noble and strategic importance. The retention of the Service Chiefs is uncalled for and also unnecessary. Nigeria is so blessed with intelligent officers in every profession that we don’t need to extend anybody’s tenure once expired. Once you extend anybody’s tenure for any reason you would have directly truncated another’s upward movement. We must learn to allow people to come in with new ideas.

deceiving the people, you can not cheat nature. This man is not only old, he is also very sick, so why can’t those cabals rooting for him give up for the interest of the country. This is another reason we always talk about mentorship, because if President Buhari have mentored anybody, it would have been easy for him to bring up such a person at a time like this. Now you can see him avoiding the press and avoiding the same people he wants their votes. And even his few outing this time are always with discouraging news and scandalous outcomes. Please let this old man go back home to take care of his health, we acknowledge his efforts so far.

From the look of things the President may not be involved in all the political campaigns of his party in the country; do you see this as a healthy political development?

Well that will be very strange and that is why we say that in APC, wonders shall never end. I think all these are indications and confirmation that this President is tired and need to go home to rest. One thing you must bear in mind is that even if you succeed in

What do you think will make any party win the next general elections?

Well years back, it is the party’s manifesto and programme that helps it to win election, but in this present time, it is how much you have and willing to throw around that make you to win. The APC government has introduced another dimension to vote buying and thuggry since it took over power.

Now you can see that parties are not

Sen Marafa urges Buhari to suspend coming to campaign in Zamfara teeming supporters to avoid any gathering of the governor, stressing that he is just a political joker whom he said was only hiding under the influence of President Muhammadu Buhari to cover his democratic shame.

Marafa said that the visit to Zamfara State was not necessary until the party settles its persistent problems that are ravaging it in the state.

He said that Abdulaziz Yari was just fronting for his Commissioner of Finance so as to cover up his numerous administrative sins and to impose himself as the political leader of the state.

Marafa noted that the people were aware that Governor Yari was only deceiving the people of the state, adding that the whole of his deceit would soon come to limelight.

The Senator Marafa faction said it was waiting to see who the President would hand over the flag of the party to on Sunday, noting that President Buhari would not make such expensive mistake to hand over the party flag to Muktar Shehu Idris since the case was still in court.

The Senator revealed that he was still a bona fide member of the APC, saying that he would not decamp to any other party until the case would be finally decided by the court of competent jurisdiction.

He noted that the governor has paralysed the civil service in the state, noting that nobody in the state, not even the grassroots want to hear anything about the governor.

ARTS & CULTURE TIMES g 19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Parents should encourage their wards in extracurricular activities - Neander Schl, Principal

The winner, Miss Adedamila Toluhi (middle); Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi (second right); Wife of the Ooni, Olori Noami (left); Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (second left) and wife of the Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun at the event in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Ooni showers gifts to QMA winners As Adedamola Toluhi emerges as new queen

Stories: Chris Onuoha Certainly, divine providence often times visits at a place of providence, and when such grace beckons, the joy becomes superfluous. Such is a touching narrative of one of the contestants in the just concluded Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural pageant sponsored by the House of Oduduwa Foundation and held at The Providence Event Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Going by the name of the venue, ‘Providence Event Place’, one would not but imagine that it is truly a place of providence for the young ladies who found fortune and fame participating at the finals of the QMA pageant. And liitle did Miss Adedamola Toluhi, winner and crowned Queen Moremi Ajasoro 2018/19 knew that a casual move to get registered in the prestigious cultural pageant will materialize into something as big as being a proud owner of the latest Toyota Camry car, a N1million cash prize and watering endorsements accrued. For her, it is a grace visitation in a place of providence.

In a competition laced with mixed feelings by cultural observers as one with mostly inexperienced young girls who perhaps, picked the free registration form and wanted to give luck a chance, but however became engrossed, having realised that pains and gains of such venture is a life changing experience. This was quite noticed in their initial ineptitude, cladded with naivety synonymous with their age bracket, but when the grace of God decides to be a pulling factor, it became a different story for some of them. And that is Adademola story who won the contest having tried and won Miss Surulere sometime ago However, armed with a winner spirit, it becomes easier to adapt and comprehend the rules of the game which is epitomising the characteristics of the Yoruba heroine - Queen Moremi Ajasoro. This also goes with many thanks to the organisers who did not relent in their quest to get the best candidate out of the whole contestants for the revered position of Queen Moremi torchbearer.

Miss Adedamola Toluh is a 300 level English student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU Ile-Ife, Osun State. She emerged as the winner in the just concluded Queen Moremi Ajasoro

Cultural Pageant held last Sunday at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In the highly contested pageant sponsored by the House of Oduduwa Foundation, palace of the Ooni of Ife and hosted by the wife of Ogun State governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Miss Adedamola beat other five finalists to clinch the coveted crown as the new Queen Moremi Ajasoro 2018/19, having certified the four-man judged that conducted the finals. She took home a brand new Toyota Camry car, N1 million cash prize in cheque and other incentives. The new queen, who was Miss Surulere 2017, broke down in tears of excitement and joy as soon as the result was announced in her acceptance speech, that her first mission would be to work with the motherless homes to care for disabled and needy children.

Other winners, 25-year-old Agara Oluwatoyin from Ondo State came second while Adejuwon Oluwaseyi, a creative fashion designer from Ogun State bagged the third position. They went home with N7500,000 and N500,000 respectively, while other two winners got N200,000 each.

Some of the participants also received various awards. Miss Shaba Oluwabukola, (Most charismatic) Miss Ololade Lawal, (Miss Amity), Miss Adelekan Funke (Miss Culture) while the best talent award was given to Miss Oyetola Oyewumi. Miss Toluhi Adedamola also received the best model award while Miss Deborah Oyedele received Miss Photogenic award.

Notable personalities that grace the occasion were the Ooni of Ife, His imperial majesty, Oba Adeyeye, Ogunwusi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Olugbon of Orileigbon, Oba Francis Alao; Elerinmo of Erinmo kigdom, Oba Michael Ajayi and hosts of other monarchs and traditional rulers across the Yoruba land.

Others were Senator Ibikunle Amosun, governor of Ogun State and his wife, Olufunso Amosun as chief hosts; government officials and cultural enthusiasts.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who initiated the project, said the aim was to promote the Yoruba culture among the youth to prevent it from extinctions. Ogunwusi thanked Gov. Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun and his wife, Olufunso, for accepting to host the event in the ancient city of Abeokuta.

He noted that the new queen automatically

becomes the cultural ambassador to the Ooni and would enjoy the privilege of being part of his foreign trips’ entourage and also added that every other contestant would go home with N200,000 cash gift to compensate them for their efforts.

In his goodwill remarks, the Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun thanked the Ooni of Ife for granting the hosting right of the competition to Ogun State and especially modelling his wife as the living model of Queen Moremi Ajasoro legacy.

“I am really honoured to host this memorable event. It is actually my wife who is at the forefront of this project, it is a laudable cultural tourism that will boost our economy,” he said.

He noted that the cultural pageantry is an effort to reawake the Moremi legacy in Yoruba land, saying the awareness has brought together brothers from all the yoruba of the Southwest Nigeria including Kogi, Edo and Kwara states to promote the cultural heritage of the Yoruba land.

Gov Amosun reiterated the importance of such programme as a way of reminding the young ones their cultural values and who they are. He also said that the contestants had done really well, and deserved commendations from all.

Speaking to newsmen, the Queen Moremi Cultural Ambassador, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi, said that part of the requirements used in the selection was that a contestant must be between ages 18 and 25.

She added that others include: such a contestant must be an undergraduate and at least one of her parents must be Yoruba. ”The contest showcases our culture which is really important to the Ooni of Ife, it encourages young ladies to discover and learn more about their culture. This whole initiative about the queen is to project leadership roles in the future of our young girls as legendary Queen Moremi Ajasoro did during her life time. ”The contest showcases the strength of a woman, which dates back to thousands of years, in encouraging young ladies to be selfless and be committed to nation building,” she said. ”The rationale behind the granting of hosting right to Ogun State is to have the cultural contest in different Yoruba states each year. In 2016, it was in Ife, 2017 was in Lagos and this year in Ogun. Next year will be in another Yoruba State.

Principal Neander International Schools, Epe, Lagos, Mr. Idris Agbaje has urged parents to release their wards for competitve events outside school curriculum, saying that it is the only way children can adapt fast and express their hidden talents with other children in the society.

The head teacher said this during an Art and Sports competition organized by the school for primary school pupils within Lagos State.

The event held at the School premises had about 9 primary schools participate in a still-life art drawing for arts and various field and track events in sports.

They comprise Corona Schools, KiddieQuest School, Smiley Kids International School, White Horse Montessori School, Loban Genius School, Standard Bearers Schools, Delphi International Schools, Bowine Schools and Maria Breed Schools.

Mr. Agbaje said, “We organised this event for primary schools basically to help these young ones exhibit their talents. Schooling should not just be about academics alone. Children should not be hooked up in the four walls of the classroom all the time.

Speaking further, he said, “ Competition like this allow them to express their hidden talent and imbibe the spirit of competition and also the spirit of sportsmanship.” According to him, “It is not everyone of them won but they have learnt to take loses in good faith which society need most at this time of do or die affair in the polity.”

He also said that “Holding the competition at Neander school was to show good neighbourliness among schools within us and those we partner with. And also to take children out of their comfort zone to appreciate competition beyond the normal common entrance examination which is only what they know. Noticing the outcome of the competition, it shows that the country has a wealth of talent that requires tapping into,” Agbaje said.

The pupils who exhibited high level of creativity both in the art and sports were a cynosure of a sort as parents, guardians, teachers and spectators admired, hail, and encouraged their enthusiasm. For those who participated in the drawing competition, a still-life composition was set at which few minutes were given to test this artistic acuemen while in the track and field event, 100m, 200m and relay race featured for both boys and girls.

At the end of the competition, pupils from Corona school emerged first and second best in drawings while third position went to pupil from smiley Kids International School. In the sport segment, Corona School also won the 1st position followed by Kidddie Quest while the 3rd position went to White Horse Montessori School.

Speaking to Aisha Idris and Bolaji Ogunwo, both artists and judges for the art competition, affirms that the children have bundle of talents lurking inside them that need expressing. “The pupils are between the age bracket of 6 to 11 year old and what I saw in them are willingness and ability to interpret art at young age.”

“Some of them may not be artists at the long run but I saw upcoming creative potentials that can be brewed to stardom,” says Bolaji.

Mr. Charles Okafor, art teacher with one of the participating schools said, “ What the children displayed here today is good and will give room for more grooming. The spontaneity of the occasion gives the children some extra challenge from doing their normal best at school.”

While Ufoma Usivwe, art teacher with Neander International Schools simply sums up the competition as “fantastic.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019 CORRECTION OF NAME

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FOREIGN TIMES

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

US suspends compliance with INF treaty, may withdraw in 6 months The United States is suspending its compliance with the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia on Saturday and will withdraw from the landmark 1987 arms control accord in six months if Moscow does not end its alleged violation of the pact, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.

Pompeo said the administration will provide formal notice to Russia that the US is withdrawing from the INF in six months and, if Moscow doesn’t come into compliance, the treaty “will terminate”.

President Donald Trump said in a statement that “for too long” Russia has violated the treaty “with impunity, covertly developing and fielding a prohibited missile system that poses a direct threat to our allies and troops abroad”.

Responding to the announcement, Moscow said it was ready to maintain dialogue over the treaty, Russian state news agency RIA reported, citing a foreign ministry spokeswoman.

An American withdrawal from pact has been expected for months and follows repeated accusations by Washington that Moscow is violating the treaty - a charge the Kremlin denies.

The treaty, signed in 1987 by thenPresident Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, banned an entire class of weapons: groundlaunched cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5,000km.

Such weapons were seen as particularly dangerous since they take

only a few minutes to reach their targets, leaving little time for political leaders to ponder a response and raising the threat of a nuclear war in case of a false attack warning.

US officials have also expressed concerns that China, which is not party to the treaty, is gaining a significant military advantage in Asia by deploying large numbers of missiles with ranges beyond the treaty’s limit.

NATO said that if Moscow failed to destroy all new missile systems that Washington insists violate the treaty, “Russia will bear sole responsibility for the end of the treaty.”

Trump said his administration “will move forward with developing our own military response options and will work with NATO and our other allies and partners to deny Russia any military advantage from its unlawful conduct.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters earlier on Friday that he was expecting to receive official notification in the coming days.

He accused Washington of being “unwilling to hold any substantial talks” with Moscow to save the treaty.

Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands, reporting from Moscow, said one of the major problems with a US withdrawal is that there is no alternative in place.

“There have been various critics, across the spectrum, saying the INF treaty was out of date because it was something the US and Soviet Union had agreed to, but countries such as China hadn’t. They were allowed to

forge ahead with missile development as they wished,” he said.

“The problem is that right now, there is no replacement ... and there doesn’t seem to be any work in progress to develop one.”

In a tweet on Thursday, chief Spokeswoman for NATO Oana Lungescu, said there are no signs of getting a compliance deal with Russia.

“So we must prepare for a world without the Treaty,” she wrote.

Technically, a US withdrawal would take effect six months after this week’s notification, leaving a small window for saving the treaty. In talks this week in Beijing, the US and Russia reported no breakthrough in their dispute, leaving little reason to think either side would change its stance on whether a Russian cruise missile violates the pact.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the Russian state news agency Tass as saying after the Beijing talks on Thursday, “Unfortunately, there is no progress. The position of the American side is very tough and like an ultimatum.”

Ryabkov added that Moscow remains ready to “search for solutions” that could keep the treaty in force.

A US withdrawal raises the prospect of further deterioration in US-Russian relations, which are arguably at the lowest point in decades, and debate among US allies in Europe over whether Russia’s alleged violations warrant a countermeasure such as the deployment of an equivalent American missile in

Europe.

The US has no nuclear-capable missiles based in Europe; the last of that type and range were withdrawn in line with the INF treaty.

The prospect of US withdrawal from the INF pact has stirred concern globally.

Following the US announcement, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted that Russia is not prepared to restore confidernce in the INF treaty.

“There will be less security without the treaty,” he said.

Nuclear weapons experts at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said in a statement this week that while Russia’s alleged violation of the INF treaty was a serious problem, US withdrawal under current circumstances would be counterproductive.

“Leaving the INF treaty will unleash a new missile competition between the United States and Russia,” they said.

Laura Rockwood, executive director at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, called the treaty “extraordinarily successful” and said it “needed saving”.

“It would be best to keep the INF in place,” she told Al Jazeera. “You don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s been an extraordinarily successful arms control treaty. There have been concerns over competition

by China but perhaps the best way of addressing that is instead of scrapping the INF altogether, you try to engage China either on a trilateral basis or on a separate bilateral basis.”

ICC orders conditional release of Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered the conditional release of former Ivory CoastPresident Laurent Gbagbo after he was cleared of charges of crimes against humanity last month.

Judges agreed on Friday

to release the 73-year-old former strongman and his aide Charles Ble Goude on condition that they live in an as-yet-unspecified country pending an appeal by the prosecution.

Gbagbo and Ble Goude

Gbagbo was found not guilty on January 15 for a wave of violence that killed thousands following the 2010 elections

PUBLIC NOTICE

stood trial on four counts of crimes against humanity for murder, rape, persecution and other inhumane acts committed by pro-Gbagbo forces in the aftermath of the disputed 2010 polls.

Gbago has been in ICC custody since 2011, Ble Goude since 2014.

Appeals judge Chile EboeOsuji said the court would release them “to a state willing to accept them on its territory and willing to enforce the conditions set” by the court.

Ivory Coast is an ICC member state, but the court may be unwilling to send Gbagbo to his homeland, given that it has refused to surrender Gbagbo’s wife Simone despite an outstanding ICC warrant for her arrest.

Gbagbo had been kept in detention pending objections by prosecutors, who plan to

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT, I, MR. SHIMBURA V. NUGAMIYA WISH TO PUBLICISED THAT I MISPLACED TITLE DOCUMENTS TO BLOCK A, PLOT 23, ATLANTIC NOMINEES ESTATE IN RESPECT OF ALL THAT PIECE OF LAND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVED LAYOUT PLAN NO. DM467 OF 5TH MAY 1999 DRAWN BY REGISTERED TOWN PLANNER DR. A. O. OMOLOLA OF FEMI OLOMOLA & CO. THE SAID LAND SITUATE LYING AND BEING AT AJIWE VIA AJAH, ETI-OSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE AND MORE DELINEATED AND EDGED RED ON THE SURVEY PLAN NUMBER NSMC/2000/LS.014 DATED THE 28TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2000 WITH BEACON NOS. AE/ L4670, AE/L4671, AE/L4701, AE/L47O2, AE/L4703 AND AE/L4713 PREPARED BY REGISTERED SURVEYOR OBAYANJU R.O. OF NIRAN OBAYANJU & ASSOCIATES, NO. 17 IKARE STREET, OKE ARO, AGBADO STATION, OGUN STATE. IF FOUND CONTACT THE NEAREST POLICE AS I HAD SINCE JANUARY, 2019 SOLD THE LAND TO MR. EMMANUEL NELSON USMAN FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION. GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

appeal the acquittal and sought guarantees that the men would return to court later if required.

Lawyers previously cited the arrangement reached with former Democratic Republic of the Congo vice president and rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who went to Belgium after he was cleared by the ICC last year.

Bemba was acquitted on appeal for crimes allegedly committed by his militia in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003.

Bemba was later convicted of tampering with witnesses but did not have to return to serve time in jail because of previous time served.

The court ordered officials to make “appropriate interim arrangements” to find somewhere for Gbagbo to stay until a final agreement is made with whichever country hosts him.

The first former head of state to stand trial in The Hague, Gbagbo was found not guilty on January 15 for the 2010 wave of violence.

More than 3,000 people died on both sides after Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to his internationally backed-rival, Alassane Ouattara, who is Ivory Coast’s current president.

The ICC was set up in 2002 for trials relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

So far, most of its cases have involved African countries.

Previous ICC attempts to try top politicians for crimes committed by subordinates or followers have all run into serious difficulties.

In 2014, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, dropped crimes against humanity charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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Uganda seizes 750 pieces of ivory being smuggled from South Sudan

Ugandan authorities have seized 750 pieces of ivory and thousands of pangolin scales being smuggled from neighbouring South Sudan in one of the largest seizures of wildlife contraband in the East African country.

The ivory and pangolin scales were discovered inside hollowed-out logs in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, authorities said on Thursday.

Two Vietnamese men, suspected of smuggling, were detained.

The illegal cargo was discovered after the Ugandan Revenue Authority (URA) officers scanned three six-metre containers carrying timber logs which had crossed the border from South Sudan.

After growing suspicious, a team secretly tailed the cargo to a warehouse in Kampala and made the bust.

“Logs were hollowed out and filled with ivory and pangolin scales then resealed with tonnes of melted wax to disguise the contraband,” URA spokesman Vincent Seruma told AFP news agency.

“In a single container there were more than 700 pieces of ivory and more than 200 pangolin scales but we expect to recover thousands of scales,” he added.

The full value of the cargo has yet to be established but the agency estimated at least 325 elephants would have been killed to acquire the ivory.

Seruma said the traffickers were part of a “very dangerous racket” which takes advantage of conflicts in eastern and central Africa to poach endangered species.

The URA said it believed the ivory and pangolin scales had been packed at a smuggling centre in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The URA tweeted that the two men arrested will be charged with failing to declare prohibited items and concealment of goods.

“We believe they planned to bribe their way to their final destination so we are investigating the shipping agent and other contractors,” the agency said.

The little-known pangolin is the world’s most trafficked and poached mammal because of the demand for its meat and scales.

The scales are often used in traditional Chinese medicine and its meat is eaten in several countries in Asia and Africa.

The illegal ivory trade is the third most profitable form of trafficking after narcotics and weapons.

The seizure proves Uganda “still is a major transit point for illegal wildlife”, Kristof Titeca, a Belgian researcher who recently investigated the role of individual traders in ivory trafficking, said in a Twitter post.

Traffic is driven by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicine and ornamentation.

Poaching has seen the elephant population fell by 110,000 over the past decade to just 415,000, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

22 Sports Times

Maurizio Sarri denies attacking Chelsea players after defeat at Bournemouth Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has denied attacking his players in the wake of their 4-0 thrashing in the hands of Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Sarri held a lengthy dressing room debrief alone with his squad after the defeat to discuss the capitulation .

According to several reports, the Italian picked apart Chelsea’s display over the course of the game and singled out a number of players for blame over their performances.

“I didn’t attack my players,” Sarri explained during his Friday’s media conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Huddersfield.

“I talked to them because I needed to understand. Then I went home immediately because I wanted to review the match, there wasn’t another reason.”

“I am not able to motivate them, I said this, but if we have some mental problems then I think the reason could be the players or could be the technical staff, could be the club. I can’t think about the club, only the players.”

“The staff, first of all, the players first of all. I said I am probably not able to motivate them. After another match, I said probably it is difficult to motivate them. It is part of my job of course. I want to change the mentality, it is a long way.”

“I think my football is co-operation so I need to speak to my players and involve them more than I am doing at the moment. We need to improve in the

reaction, the offensive phase as we have a lot of individual players, it is not easy to change.”

“In the last game we built up the action in the first half well, but then we were too tight with the offensive players so it was easy for the players to defend.

We need to stay high and wide.”

“I need to change completely the mentality as they were used to playing in counter-attacks, it is a long way I think but I am trying to change the mentality.”

“I want to score and have the right reaction if we concede a goal. We have to just play. We were in control, we have to start again. We have only to play.”

Sarri also admits that the challenge of managing Chelsea is tougher than he first thought.

“Probably yes, but I knew very well it is very difficult because here the level is very high. It is difficult because this team played another football and won with another style of football. It is very difficult,” he said.

“I have to involve my players more in my football than we are doing at the moment. Now we have the mentality for doing the match. We have to improve our reactions and improve in the offensive phase. We have a lot of individual phase.

“First of all I want to do very well the Plan A. I don’t want to change something that at the moment doesn’t work very well. First of all, I want to see my football

Nigeria’s Uche Agbo joins Spanish side Rayo Vallecano from Standard Liege

played very well. Then we can go to change something.”

“They were really patient, we have to work to change the mentality and go on. For me, the situation is very clear.”

On Hazard, who has been accused of playing the way he wants, Sarri said: “I think he is changing. He was used to playing as an individual player but now he has to play in a cooperative way.

“It is not easy for him because he became Hazard playing another way.

I know it isn’t easy but now he is more available to play this way.”

Pep Guardiola not worried about Manchester City players’ social media use Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals, Liverpool.

Walker posted a picture of Harry Maguire on Twitter after the Leicester defender’s equaliser secured a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday, meaning that Jurgen Klopp’s side leads City by only five points, rather than seven.

The tweet was based on a picture that became a popular social media meme during the World Cup, featuring Maguire leaning over a fence to talk to his fiancee.

Walker tweeted the picture after Wednesday’s game with the caption: “So basically, they thought they were gonna go seven points ahead.”

The City defender quickly deleted the tweet after receiving criticism but Guardiola suggested it was not an issue with him.

“I don’t control them,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “I’m not concerned about tweeting or Instagram because I can’t control it “I don’t think it gives Liverpool extra motivation because of one tweet. The opponents do many things against us and nothing happens. The motivation is our game and that is what we have to do.”

City faced the prospect of slipping seven points behind Liverpool after a surprising 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Newcastle on Tuesday, and Guardiola has told his players that he expects a significant improvement when Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

A victory over Unai Emery’s side would put them two points from the

top of the table, as Liverpool do not play until Monday when they visit West Ham. “Of course we analyse our game to see what we have to improve on,” said Guardiola. “It will be different against Arsenal.

We analyse what we’ve to do and don’t repeat what we did in the last game.”

City face a busy Premier League week as they attempt to reduce Liverpool’s lead, with the Arsenal match followed by a trip to Everton on Wednesday and a home fixture against Chelsea the following Sunday.

Guardiola is confident that City have what is required to cope with such a demanding schedule.

“It’s the same situation as it has been in the last two or three months,” he said. “It happens and it’s not new.

“It’s the only way I know, that after a negative result we need to focus on the way we play and the

mentality. We have to say: ‘OK, it’s February 1. There are a lot of points to play for and many things can happen.’

“The situation is simple, we improve the way we play, and with the details, we didn’t do well, we have options to change that. It’s not new. The players know that.”

France defender Benjamin Mendy is back in training as he continues his recovery from a knee problem but is not expected to feature against Arsenal.

Mendy returned for the League Cup semi-final second-leg victory at Burton on January 23 after more than two months out but reported swelling after the game and has not played since.

Guardiola said: “Really, I don’t know. After the minutes he played against Burton away, he had two or three days where he could not train. In the past two training sessions, he was able to train, and we will see day by day.”

Uche Agbo has joined Spanish La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on loan from Standard Liege with an option to purchase.

The 23-year-old signed for the Belgian outfit on an initial loan from English Premier League side Watford in the summer of 2017 before the deal was made permanent.

The midfielder scored once in 35 league appearances in his debut campaign with the Stade Maurice Dufrasne outfit. However, this season he has found game time difficult to come by, playing only 12 times across all competitions.

On Thursday, the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas outfit announced the acquisition of the former Granada

player after agreeing on personal terms.

“El Rayo Vallecano reports that Agbo Uche is officially player of Rayo Vallecano,” read a statement from club website.

“He arrives from the Lieda Standart as a loan with an option to purchase.”

Rayo Vallecano are two points above the relegation zone and will hope the acquisition of the midfielder will help them retain their stay in the Spanish top-flight at the end of the season.

Agbo could make his debut for his new club when they play host to Kenneth Omeruo’s Leganes on Monday.

Qatar stun Japan to lift maiden Asian Cup title Qatar has stunned four-time champions Japan 3-1 in the final of the AFC Asian Cup held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lift its maiden title at the continental tournament.

Striker Almoez Ali opened the scoring for the Maroons on Friday in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, with a spectacular overhead kick – his record ninth goal of the tournament.

Ali’s 12th-minute strike took him past Ali Daei’s 1996 tally, and combined with a 27th-minute strike from Abdulaziz Hatem and a late Akram Afif penalty, helped the Qataris make an emphatic statement ahead of their hosting of the 2022 World Cup. The Sudan-born 22-year-old Ali’s record goal came after a complaint by the host UAE Football Association about his eligibility to represent Qatar was dismissed by the Asian Football Confederation only a few hours before kickoff.

Japan finally found a way through a Qatar defence that had not conceded in six previous matches when Takumi Minamino scored in the 69th minute but the penalty condemned the Samurai Blue to their first defeat in an Asian Cup final.

Qatar’s road to the final had not been

without controversy.

Hosts UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed all diplomatic and economic ties with Doha, imposing a land, sea and air blockade on the Gulf nation in June 2017.

The Maroons had to take a circuitous route via Kuwait to get to the tournament, an air journey that took more than five hours when a direct flight would take under an hour.

Playing against the backdrop of that regional political dispute and without any fans in the stands, Qatar beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a group match and then thrashed UAE 4-0 in a semi-final that saw shoes and bottles hurled at Qatari players.

Francis Uzoho joins Anorthosis Famagusta on a six-month loan Nigeria first-choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has joined Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta on a six-month loan deal from Spanish LaLiga side, Deportivo La Coruna.

The Russia 2018 World Cup goalkeeper had to cut short his loan to Spanish second division side Elche to join the Cyprus outfit shortly before the January transfer deadline.

The former U-17 rose to prominent after couples of good performances for his parent club Deportivo in the Spanish La Liga last since and had since went on loan at the second division to continue his development.

Uzoho, however, is optimistic that the move will benefit him as he

have the chance of playing regularly in order to be in good shape for the summer African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Anorthosis who previously had Super Eagles right back Shehu Abdullahi on their payroll are sixth on the table with 27 points from 18 matches

SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, February 2, 2019

Aruna Quadri moves up to 25 ITTF world ranking

Nigeria table tennis star Aruna Quadri has moved up one place in the latest February ITTF ranking released on Thursday.

Quadri only won a game in Hungary before he crashes out of the tournament but he picked up some points to move a step up from 26 to 25 in the world ranking and keep his place as Africa’s highest-ranked player in the world.

Second-placed in Africa remains Egypt’s Omar Assar who moved three steps up to move to 44 from

g23

47 in the new world ranking.

Nigeria’s rising star Olajide Omotayo also benefited from participating in the Hungarian Open as he moved up five places from 146 to 141.

Chinese stars Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin occupy the top two positions in the world, while Japanese Tomokazu Harimoto dropped to number four for Lin Gaoyuan who won the Hungarian Open, Germany’s Timo Boll completes top five in the world ranking.

2,000 Nigerian fans still in Russia six months after World Cup Almost 2,000 Nigerian football fans who arrived in Russia for the FIFA 2018 World Cup are still in the country, making up the largest number of the more than 5,000 supporters who have remained illegally.

It was reported last week that 5,500 World Cup fans were still in Russia as of December 31 – the date on which the FAN ID system formally ended.

The system allowed fans with World Cup match tickets to enter Russia during the tournament without a visa, as long as they held a FAN ID document.

The scheme was deemed a success and extended so that FAN ID holders could continue to enter the country without a visa until the end of the year.

However, the Russian Interior Ministry reported last week that more

than 12,000 fans had remained in Russia illegally beyond the deadline, a figure which has since been reduced to around 5,500.

The Interior Ministry press service provided RIA Novosti with a breakdown of those numbers on Thursday.

Nigerians make up the largest group still in Russia, with 1,863 citizens yet to have left. That’s followed by people from Vietnam (911) and Bangladesh (456) – neither of whom were playing at the 32-team tournament.

Senegal, who were playing in Russia but like Nigeria were knocked out at the group stage, have an estimated 253 citizens still in the country.

The Interior Ministry has said that work to expel those in the country illegally will continue, and is expected

to be completed by the end of March.

Around 650,000 foreign fans visited Russia during the tournament, according to the ministry.

“In the main, they were all lawabiding and left the country in their own time,” migration department head Andrei Kayushin had said last week.

Some fans may well have been looking to continue the World Cup party, although others may have hoped to enter Russia before moving on elsewhere – including to the EU – AP reported. Others are said to have planned to file for asylum in Russia.

The World Cup in Russia was hailed as among the best ever, and was won by France, who beat Croatia 4-2 in the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.

Asisat Oshoala delighted to join FC Barcelona Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala is delighted to have joined the women team of ‘best club in the world’ Barcelona.

Oshoala joined Barcelona for the remainder of the 2018/19 season from Dalian Quanjian FC after an agreement for the transfer was reached on Thursday.

The 24-year-old trained for the first time with her new teammates at the Joan Gamper Sports City on Friday ahead of Sunday League match against Albacete in the Miniestadi and expressed confidence that her arrival will help bolster the team to win laurels.

“Obviously this is one of the best clubs in the world, the team has a great history and a good football mentality,”

Oshoala told Barcelona official website.

“I am very excited to play again with Vicky Losada, a great midfielder, with a lot of energy and technique, I have also met Fabiana in China and she has helped me make this decision.

“My goal is to strengthen the team and help them win and make history, it’s a great opportunity because I know something big is going to happen.”

FC Barcelona Women are currently second in the First Women’s division in Spain with 48 points from 18 games three points adrift leaders Atletico Madrid.

The three-time CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year also previously featured for Arsenal and Liverpool Ladies in the FA Women’s Super League

Austin Ogunye: Lobi Stars want nothing but victory against Wydad Casablanca

Austin Ogunye has stated that Lobi Stars are only interested in picking the maximum points at stake not minding the quality in Wydad Casablanca.

The reigning Nigerian kings face the Moroccans at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and Ogunye who knows the importance of the fixture stressed that Lobi Stars players are in dire need of victory to brighten their chances of qualifying for the next round of the competition.

He said they have used the last two league matches against Enyimba and Kwara United to fine-tune their build-up to the fixture and that they are certain that the three points will be theirs.

“We have prepared very hard for this game and the results of our last two matches in the league are just to tell our fans that spate of our preparations,” Ogunye told Goal.

“We know that Wydad Casablanca are a difficult side but we have noticed that our progression in the competition will depend on winning our home matches and securing a few at away.

“This is our home game and we must make the most of it. We were unlucky to lose to ASEC Mimosas because we played very well in Abidjan while the incidence that led to the penalty decision that was awarded them was soft if you look at the playback.

“I was able to contribute my quota to the four points that we gained in the two league games that we played when I came on in the second half in both games. We are looking beyond those games and concentrate on what we must do to ensure that the maximum points are ours. We have worked so hard for this and it is just natural that a home win becomes ours.”

Lobi Stars are third in Group A with three points from two games behind Wydad and Mamelodi Sundowns who are also on three points but are higher on superior goals difference.

Rafeal Nadal proposes to girlfriend after 14 years Spain tennis star Rafeal Nadal has finally proposed to his long-term girlfriend Xisca Perello after 14 years of being together.

The 32-year-old actually proposed to Perello, who was born María Francisca Perello, back in May during a romantic trip to Rome, with the news only just emerging.

They will tie the knot this autumn in Mallorca.

The happy news comes after Xisca, 30, supported her beau at the Australian Open last week.

Xisca looked glum as she watched Nadal get beaten by Novak Djokovic to win the final at the weekend.

During the match, Nadal’s longterm partner watched on in the stands but failed to smile as she watched her beau get beaten on the court.

Xisca sat in the player’s box during the men’s singles final alongside Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya.

The beauty was dressed in a stunning leopard print dress for the huge day.

After losing out on the Australian Open final, Nadal spoke out about a “tough” year.

“I have been going through tough times over the past year,” he said.

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