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NAHCO truck hits Air Peace aircraft in Lagos

Ï Aircraft declared unserviceable Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ A truck operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) yesterday, rammed into and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in La-

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gos, disrupting some of its flight operations. The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo Continued on page 6

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 533

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Osoba, Amuka-Pemu, others grace Miss Nigeria 2017

Ï Beauty pageant created for empowerment purpose –Anosike

Mutiat Alli, Lagos

ÏÏÏ Former

Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, captains of indusContinued on page 5

EFCC debunks GTBank’s involvement in 5 Innoson boss’ arrest Customs exceeds revenue target, generates N1.01trn in 2017 B1

L-R: Managing Director, Aim Group, Amin Mussalli; Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and Publisher, The Daily Times Nigeria, Mr Fidelis Anosike, during the 2017 Miss Nigeria/ 60th Anniversary in Lagos... on Thursday.

PHOTO: WALE AKINOLA.

BUA lied on claims to mines’ ownership - Dangote 6

Ogun launches MITROS rice Esther Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏ The Agricultural Pro-

duction and Industrialisation policy of the Ogun State Government, one of the five cardinal programme of Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, has yielded another landmark result, with the launching of the MITROS rice. The unveiling of the rice was performed by the Presidential Task Force on Agricultural Commodities and Production, led by its Chairman, Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

The MITROS rice, made up of the Nerica 8 and Faro brands, are the short and long grains, planted, harvested, processed and packaged, exclusively by the Ogun State government and small holder farmers in the Gateway State. Speaking at the event, Amosun said the rice is ready for sale from this festive period in all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State at affordable prices, ranging from N1,000.00 to N11,500.00. According to the governor, his government will continue to partner with other state governments

and private partners, saying that “we don’t only want to be known as the industrial hub, but also the Agricultural hub of the nation”. Amosun said the step is to restore the culture and heritage the state is known for, in the production of the famous Ofada Rice. He added that his government is in tandem with the economic growth plan of the Federal Government on agriculture, saying that “as a nation, we must grow what we eat and consume what we produce. Amosun said, “We have established three processContinued on page 5

L-R Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Kebbi State Governor and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Bagudu and wife of Ogun State Governor, Olufunso, at the official commissioning of the MITROS Rice Processing Factory and formal launch of MITROS Rice in Abeokuta... on Thursday.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

News

Osoba, Amuka-Pemu, others grace Miss Nigeria 2017 Continued from page 1 try, and the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu and other dignitaries on Thursday, graced the 2017 Miss Nigeria contest at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island Lagos. Top personalities including former Delta State Governor James Ibori,

Erelu Abiola Dosumu and Managing Director, AIM group, Amin Mussalli, also attended the event. Important personalities, socialites, and celebrities amongst others were also treated to a quality show during the historical occasion. The event which was hosted by the Chairman of Folio Media Group/ Publisher of The Dai-

ly Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike and members of the Miss Nigeria Organisation, is the 41st edition of the contest which aims to showcase positive attributes of Nigerian women beyond beauty and physical appearance. It was a night of glimpse of happiness and startstudded event as the event kicked off on very high note as celebrities strut

the red carpet in their fabulous outfits. With Comedian Bovi taking centre stage, he assured guests of brilliant performances all through the night. Giving his view of the platform, Osoba disclosed that the Miss Nigeria Pageant is a foremost and oldest beauty pageant in Nigeria which celebrate positive attributes of Ni-

gerian women beyond beauty and physical appearance. In this welcome address, Anosike reiterated the fact that the Miss Nigeria Platform was created solely for empowerment purpose, saying that the platform would continue to build young, diligent queen for the world. The final contestants, 37 in all, thrilled the at-

tendees with varying performances at the end of which one of them would emerge as winner. The new queen would walk home with a brand new car, cash prize, a year accommodation and other luxury packages. Leading the trail of judges at the contest was Nollywood screen diva Continued on page 6

Ogun launches MITROS rice Continued from page 1

L-R: MD/CEO, FMDQ Plc., Mr. Bola Onadele Koko; Director General, Debt Management Office, Mrs. Patience Oniha; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc., Mr. Yinka Sanni and Group Chief Executive Officer of the United Capital Plc., Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, during the listing of the US$3 billion Federal Government of Nigeria Eurobond on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange… on Thursday.

ing mills in each Senatorial District of the State; Sawonjo area in Ogun West, Asero, Abeokuta in Ogun Central and Ijebu North East in Ogun East, to ensure easy access to processing mills by our local farmers, and also to ensure quality assurance of the product”. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, expressed his delight in the Ogun State Government’s giant strides in rice production and ensuring food security among its people. Emefiele assured of the CBN’s continued support to grow the Agricultural sector, as he emphasised that it will provide food,

jobs and grow the country’s economy. Also speaking at the event, Bagudu said Nigeria has the ability to produce rice, with which it can achieve as much as crude oil, congratulating the Ogun State government for leading in the South West. In her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, said the MITROS rice was borne out of the vision of the state government, towards ensuring food sufficiency in the state. Adebajo, while appreciating specially the local farmers, urged Nigerians to patronise the MITROS Rice to encourage locally made products, which would in turn, help the nation’s economy.

EFCC debunks GTBank’s involvement in Innoson boss’ arrest Ganiyu Obaaro

ÏÏÏ

Following the arrest and release of the Chairman/Chief executive Officer of Innoson Motors Nigeria, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the furore it has generated since Wednesday, the Commission has given further clarifications on the matter. The Daily Times gathered that, GTBank has never denied that Chukwuma is its long time business partner, just as “it is not behind Innocent Chukwuma’s arrest as EFCC states N1.4bn fraud and usage of forged documents to secure tax waivers as reason for arrest, the campaigns in the media space and the fanning of ethnic embers on the part of the motor manufacturing/ marketing company boss do not augur well , more so as the case is still pending before a competent court.

Ï Reveals details of GTBank/Innoson transaction It would be recalled that the EFCC had issued a statement on Chukwuma’s arrest stating that, “Chief Chukwuma and his brother, Charles Chukwuma (who is still at large), are being investigated by the Insurance and Capital Market Fraud Section of the Commission’s office in Lagos over matters bordering on N1, 478, 366, 859.66 fraud and forgery.The industrialist, among other infractions, allegedly used forged documents to secure tax waivers.” A document obtained by The Daily Times said, “GTBank on their part has chosen to remain silent on the matter, perhaps trusting in the integrity of the legal system as against playing to the gallery. Many attempts by us to get the bank’s representatives to comment on the story have proven abortive. A staff of the bank, who spoke under anonymity, stated: “Ir-

respective of the issues we are facing with the company, Innoson remains a customer of the bank and we owe him a duty of confidentiality and to conduct ourselves in a responsible manner towards him.” “GTBank (in 2009) granted Innoson several credit facilities (i.e loans) totalling N2,400,000,000,00 (two billion, four hundred million Naira only), to part finance working capital requirements, import new motorcycles and motorcycle spare parts, agricultural spare parts and plastic manufacturing equipment (“Imported Goods”). “Under the loan terms agreed by Chief Innocent Chukwuma on behalf of Innoson, proprietary interest in the Imported Goods was consigned exclusively in favour of the Bank. This means that the Bank was the exclusive owner of the

Imported Goods. Accordingly, the original shipping documents (i.e. the Bills of Lading) were in the custody of the Bank, and have remained in the custody of the Bank at all times. “Because GTBank was the exclusive owner of the imported goods, ownership of the goods could only be transferred to Innoson (or any other third party) by the Bank. The condition in the agreement between the Bank and Innoson, for the release of the Imported Goods by the Bank to Innoson, was the payment of 25% of the value of each Letter of Credit transaction by Innoson.” It was further gathered that, “Innocent Chukwuma approached the Bank, on behalf of Innoson, requesting the release of the shipping documents without payment of the agreed+ 25% equity. The Bank declined

his request as a result of Innoson’s failure to meet the agreed conditions. It came to the Bank’s knowledge sometime in June, 2011 that the Imported Goods for which the Bank declined to release shipping documents to Innoson in view of its failure to meet the agreed conditions, had been fraudulently procured by Innoson. “The Bank discovered that Innoson, under the control of Dr. Innocent Chukwuma had forged the Bank’s endorsement on the bills of lading to the Shipping Line and fraudulently cleared the Imported Goods which were in the name of the Bank. The Imported Goods, being property of the Bank should not have been cleared from the Port without the original shipping documents being endorsed by the Bank in favour of Innoson, or any third party. “The signatures of 4 (four) staff of the Bank, to wit, Taofeek Olalere, Dan Attah,

Bunmi Adeyemi and Amazu Amalachukwu, as well as the Bank’s stamp were forged on all the shipping documents used by Innoson to fraudulently clear goods at the port. The Bank did not at any time endorse or transfer the shipping documents to Innoson, as the originals of each of the relevant Bill of Lading remain in the Bank’s custody to this very day. “When the Bank reported the matter to the Nigeria Police, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma claimed the Bank released the shipping documents to him. Consequently, the Police commenced investigation into the Bank’s complaint, including a forensic examination of the disputed signatures, and established that the signatures of the Bank’s staff were forged, and the Imported Goods were fraudulently cleared from the Nigerian Ports Authority by Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and his accomplices

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Osoba, Amuka-Pemu, others grace Miss Nigeria 2017 Continued from page 5 and Philanthropist, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde alongside brilliant personalities that included Chioma Ude, Adebola Williams, Ishaya Bako, Adesua Wellington, Jumoke Adenowo, Joke Silva, Enyinna Nwigwe, Osepiribo Ben-Willie, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Noble Igwe, Julie Donli, Odio Oseni, Yemi Keri, Mariam Mohammed, and Ozinna Anumudu amongst others. The event had TV Personality/Big Brother Naija Host, Ebuka ObiUchendu, Bovi, Kemi Lala-Akindoju and Olive Emodi, as comperes. Leg-

endary 2Baba alongside other musicians that included Mayorkun, and Jennifer Eliogu amongst others thrilled the guets with various performances. Dignitaries who attended the event commended the doggedness of the Publisher of The Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, in the sustenance of the foremost beauty pageant in the country, adding that the platform had produced winners who went on to be role models for young women. The event was also used to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the existence of the Miss Nigeria

brand, which had played host to past winners from the platform. The first edition of Miss Nigeria was held in 1957 where the former Miss Grace Oyelude, a northerner from the present Kogi State by origin and by birth from old Kano State, represented the state and emerged as the overall winner winning four cotton dresses and 200 pounds amongst others. The Miss Nigeria 2017 was sponsored by NAPTIP, Lasena Water, Sari Signature, House of Tara, Heritage Bank, Studio 24, Eko Hotel, Wazobia FM, Power House, GAC Mo-

tors, Ciniron, Pedini, EbonylifeTV and New Crystal Communication Ltd. As part of the improvement on the beauty pageant for this year, whoever emerges as queen will be inducted as brand ambassador against human trafficking for the next five years, courtesy of NAPTIP, one of the sponsors of the event. With all the contestants considered as winners, the organizers have also created a 5% volume share of Folio Media Group to contestants for empowerment purpose. The 2017 edition of the event was aired live on Wazobia TV.

PTAD pays December pension to pensioners Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has said that it has paid all pensioners in federal government agencies under the Defined Benefit Scheme their December pension. PTAD added that the development was to enable the pensioners mark the festive season in happy mood with their families. In a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Communication, Mr Emma Okondo, PTAD maintained that the early payment was in line with the Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor’s desire to ensure the pensioners get their monthly pension without any delay. The statement stressed that the Directorate is committed to keeping its prom-

ise of making Pensioners happy. “PTAD was a Treasury Funded Agency and rely on financial releases from government to pay the workers,” it stated. PTAD has been able to ensure that these senior citizens have received their pension entitlements till date and will continue to do so. Okondo said that the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Sharon Ikeazor remains resolute at ensuring that every pensioner under the DBS receives his or her pension before the end of every month. PTAD also assured pensioners who completed their verification exercise recently that they would soon join other pensioners in enjoying prompt payment of their monthly pensions.

NAHCO truck hits, damages Air Peace aircraft in Lagos

Continued from page 1

L-R: Managing Director, XLS Concepts LTD, Mr. Muniru Balogun; Director Accounts, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions (ETP), Mr. Deji Koko; Permanent Secretary, Office of ETP, Mrs. Clara Omotilewa Ibirogba; Chairman, House Committee on Establishments, Training, Pensions and Public Service, Hon. Adedayo Famakinwa; Director, ETP, Mr. Ayodeji Aruna; Director, XLS Concepts LTD, Mr. Sammy Oki and Participants, during the closing session of 3-day workshop titled: Human Resources Counseling in the Workplace, held in Lagos… on Thursday. PHOTO: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

route. A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident. The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable. The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers, the statement said, were rescheduled to fly later in the day. The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of its Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers. It

assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations. It would be recalled that a truck belonging to Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April this year. Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport on Thursday.

BUA lied on claims to mines’ ownership - Dangote

Ganiyu Obaaro

ÏÏÏ The

management of Dangote Industries Limited has again vehemently rejected the many assertions of BUA Group, on its dubious claim to being the rightful owner of Mining Lease No 2541. Dangote in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, said that its reaction became very necessary as a result of its status as a publicly quoted company and to further re-assure its shareholders, the regulators and members of the public that the company is and remains a responsible corporate citi-

zen. Faulting BUA’s fraudulent claim that the Dangote Group is trying to monopolise the cement business in the country, the Dangote Group said that BUA has willfully, deliberately and mischievously concealed the fact that it has at least 12 Mining/Quarry Leases within and around the area in question as opposed to this sole Mining Lease No 2541 owned by the Dangote Group. Dangote further stated that: “First and foremost, there is no Status Quo Order made by any Court that allows BUA to continue mining over the disputed

Continued from page 1

Mining Lease area. In fact, there is no Status Quo Order at all. It is critical for us to point out that there is currently pending, a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction dated 27 April 2016 seeking to restrain the BUA Group from continuing with its illegal mining activities on the Mining Lease Area, but in spite of having been served with this application and contrary to all tenets of the law which forbid a party served with an Interlocutory Injunction Motion from taking any step in respect of the subject matter of the suit, the BUA Group has in utter disdain to the court

continued with its illegal mining activities.” Dangote said BUA, that is now using the media to cause confusion, applied for a Mining Lease over the same area in 2013 but the Application was rejected by the Ministry on the sole ground that it overlaps ML. 2541, which at the time belonged to AICO. “If BUA had title that dates back to 1998, is there any conceivable reason why it will apply for the same title over the same area in 2013,” the statement said. Dangote, while debunking the claim by BUA that it is trying to monopolize the cement business stat-

ed that: “It is misleading for BUA to falsely accuse Dangote of undermining its operations and attempting to create a monopoly in the Cement Industry in Nigeria, as we have always coexisted peacefully with other competitors in Obajana and Ibese.” According to Dangote, “The claim by BUA that it has always been in possession of the disputed mining lease was also faulted by Dangote Group, as it affirmed that the Group “has been the one in possession of the Mining Lease since 2016 and this was recently confirmed by the Kogi State High Court’s

Judgment delivered on 27 October, 2017, in Charge No. HCL/65C/2017: State v. Joshua Oghene, Hon. Haruna Afegbua and Bulus Golit, which sentenced the Chief Security Officer of BUA Group, Mr. Bulus Golit to one year imprisonment without any option of fine, for attacking Dangote Group’s officials and workers in the Mining Lease No. 2541”. The statement added that, “The imprisonment of BUA Chief Security Officer amongst other things has confirmed that the claim by the BUA Group that it has been in possession is totally fallacious.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Secondus hands party flags to Ekiti PDP candidates in LG polls

ÏÏÏ In

what appears to be his first official assignment the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on Thursday handed flags to the party’s candidates in Saturday’s local government elections and charged them to represent the party well in the elections. Secondus, who was in Ado Ekiti on a visit to the state, described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a broken government and a party

which has failed the entire citizens of Nigeria.” Secondus, who insisted that the PDP will defeat the APC in any election, urged the party supporters in Ekiti State to come out en-mass and vote for the party’s candidates in the local government election. The PDP national chairman, who addressed path faithful at a rally at Matthew Street in Ado Ekiti, charged the people to come out on Saturday, “so that the APC would be dis-

graced in the 2018 governorship election.” For the coming governorship election in the state, Secondus assured that the PDP would conduct free, fair and transparent primary election henceforth across the country, and also do the same for the governorship, Senate and the House of Representatives members. Secondus described Ekiti State as “lucky to have a governor like Ayodele Fayose,” saying his infrastructural development of

the state was laudable and would endear the PDP to the people. Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it will not participate in the weekend local government election across the state. In a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said it is boycotting the election because of what it described as a “misnomer, undemocratic and compromised election from the beginning”.

Wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola (middle), with children, during the 2017 End of the Year Children’s Christmas Party in Osogbo, Osun State… on Wednesday.

Why we postpone debate on $N1bn to fight Boko Haram- Saraki Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday said the Senate decided to postpone debate on plans by the federal government to withdraw $1billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to prosecute war against Boko Haram because of the absence of Senator Sam Anyanwu (PDP, Anambra East) who was billed to present the motion on the floor. The National Economic Council, NEC, had during its last meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, hinted of plans by the federal government to withdraw $1billion from the ECA to tackle insecurity in the country. But Saraki gave assurances that the matter would be treated as a

Ï Says debate will hold at appropriate time matter of priority upon resumption for plenary in January 2018. He pleaded with his colleagues to exercise patience on the matter, assuring them that the issue would be listed as first motion for consideration on the Order Paper next year. Saraki said, “The issue would have come up today but Senator Sam Anyanwu could not present the motion today. “He pleaded for more time and I agree that we move it to another legislative day, which is when we resume. It will be the first item on the Order Paper. “It is an important motion that we cannot take if the person that moved it is not here. It cannot be delegated. I assure you that we will take it.

“Our party will not spend money that did not follow due process. I am assuring you that the money will not be spent until we come here and debate on it”. Saraki’s explanation on the issue at stake came on the heels of remarks earlier made by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who observed that the issue surrounding the $1billion for fight against Boko Haram was not listed in the order paper of the day. The National Executive Council with all state governors as members had authorized the federal government to withdraw $1billion from the $2.3billion currently in the ECA to fight Boko Haram in the North East as well as

threat to security in the South-South and the SouthEast of the country. Defending the plan by the government, Osinbajo later explained that the proposed $1billion was not meant for fighting the terrorist organisation alone but also to tackle other security challenges in the country. Osinbajo spoke at the opening of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF and Secretaries to State Governments, SSGs’ retreat in Abuja. He said the fund will be used to tackle security challenges such as activities of Boko Haram in the North East, kidnapping, small arms trafficking, cattle rustling and clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

News

Tambuwal budgets N220bn for 2018 fiscal year ÏÏÏ Governor Aminu Wa-

ziri Tambuwal Thursday presented the 2018 budget to the Sokoto State House of Assembly with a total estimate of N220 billion earmarked to be spent by the government. Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Sokoto, Tambuwal said 69.9 percent of the budget, or N152.8 is for capital expenditure while the sum of N67.6 billion, representing over 30 percent, was set aside for recurrent expenditure. Tambuwal said for the third year running, education sector got the highest allocation with 26.1 percent of the total budget sum, followed by Health sector which was allocated the sum of of N20.932 billion, Agriculture got the third highest allocation with N16.535 billion. Similarly, the sum N14,255 billion was allocated to the ministry of Works and Transport while the sum of N11.560 billion was allocated to ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey. “The Budget, tagged ‘Budget of sustainable positive change’, will focus on completion of the projects started in the preceding year and ensure execution of new ones in line with our development policy agenda. It is a budget carefully formulated to address the fundamental future needs of our people. “On 2017 budget, let me announce it here that the implementation was smooth and in harmony with provisions of existing laws and regulations. It is also gladdening to note that, in the face of

critical resource constraints, we have recorded significant milestone of worthy note,” the Governor added. Tambuwal said in order to provide conducive economic and commercial environment in the state, the Ministry of Energy would be created in 2018. He said this will help in creating employment opportunities all over the state. He added that the sum of N1,450 billion has been earmarked for the energy sector and the take off of the new ministry. He said key projects earmarked to be executed include the completion of the 38mw independent power project inherited from the previous administration, construction of 30km feeder road from Kuruwa-Kaurare in Tureta Local Government, 10km feeder road from GoronyoBirjingo-Tuluttu in Goronyo Local Government, 18km feeder road from Toronkawa-Binjin MuzaKibiyare in Yabo Local Government Area, 15km feeder road from KebbeGirkau-Mazoji in Kebbe Local Government among others. While urging the lawmakers to expedite action on the budget documentation, Tambuwal assured that all provisions passed will be implemented for the benefit of the citizenry. In his remarks, the Speaker of the state House of Assemby, Hon Salihu Maidaji, commended Tambuwal for achievements recorded since he came to power in 2015. He said the lawmakers will work extra hard to ensure the passage of the document in record time.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

L-R: Alternate Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association Committee on Human Right, Mr. Maxwell Okpara; Chairman, National Committee on Torture, Dr. Samson Ameh and Director Monitoring Department, National Human Right Commission, during a public hearing on complaints against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja… on Thursday.

2018 Budget: Gov Lalong presents N145bn appropriation bill to Assembly

By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏPlateau

State Governor Simon Lalong on Thursday presented N145 billion budget proposal for 2018 to the State House of Assembly for deliberation. Presenting the appropriation bill tagged budget of rescue and consolidation, Governor Lalong said, “May I have the honour and privilege to present to this House, the 2018 Budget Estimate, which is tagged “Budget of rescue and consolidation. In this budget, we shall be consolidating on the gains and achievements of this administration since the beginning of our Rescue Mission.

“The Budget has a total size of N145,488,066,352.00 only. The increase is due to increase in certain Recurrent Expenditures and the fact that the Country is go-

ing out of recession and the hope that our economy is getting better; thereby improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) potentials of the State. He also said, “the Recurrent Revenue in the 2018 budget is estimated at N76,534,751,393.00 only. This consist of N21,166,091,714.00 only as Internally Generated Revenue N36,500,000,000.00 as Revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) derived from the projection of Federal Government’s MTEF variables and figures released as well as projection from the state’s MTSS. Other revenue projections include N18,869,659,679.00 only

as Reimbursements from the Federal Government for the Federal Roads constructed by the State Government.” “Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, let me reiterate that a Budget is a statement of intent on spending and its success depends also on the understanding and cooperation of the Citizens who are the stakeholders and greatest beneficiaries. On the part of Government, we are resolved to implement the budget to the best of our ability as we have demonstrated in the past since assumption of duty. However, we note that expeditious considerations and passage of the budget will enhance early implementation and improved performance rating that we desire to achieve”.

News 8

UN votes against Trump on recognition of Jerusalem Myke Uzendu with Agency reports

ÏÏÏA major international contro-

versy was averted yesterday by the United Nations following the rejection of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel with 128 countries voting against the move. Despite series of threats by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, who said that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it, the Envoy could not convince other nations to buy into their plan. A total of 128 member nations voted in favour of the resolution supporting the longstanding international consensus that Jerusalem should not be recognized as the capital of Israel. But countries which voted in favour of the move included major recipients of US aids such as Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq. The vote is on the heels of furious diplomacy by both the Trump administration and Israel, including Trump’s threat to cut US funding to countries that did not back its resolutions. Among all the UN member countries present, only nine states – including the United States and Israel, voted in favour of US. The other countries which supported

2019: APC frustrating opposition parties from running against Buhari - PDP Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned as undemocratic, the efforts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to frustrate other parties from sponsoring candidates that will run against Muhammadu Buhari come 2019. The party said that part of the strategies mapped out by the APC to ensure that this is carried out is by monitoring the activities of each political party and planting discord within its ranks to ensure that opposition parties are crippled in the country. This was disclosed by the National

Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan on Thursday in Abuja while addressing the press on the splinter groups that emerged from the PDP. He said that the APC, having failed in all its efforts to scuttle the PDP National Convention which they claimed, had been adjudged as the best convention ever organised by a political party, the APC is now using all means to prevent the party from becoming a formidable force that will frustrate their plans to re-elect President Buhari in 2019. “We will not allow APC to distract us. They are so unhappy and unsettled that PDP

is progressing and progressing progressively” he said. On the efforts party to reclaim its lost glory, he said, “We shall commence membership drive across the nation and the National Chairman will even go to the wards to canvass for membership. Nigerians have never suffered the way they are suffering now. This is a government of vengeance”. On the “Fresh PDP” splinter group, he said, “the issue of a splinter group is a storm in the tea cup. The party under Uche Secondus is one and united. And I can assure you that the issue of the splinter group will be resolved.” He said that prior to their

emergence, two of the members of the group who contested but lost as well as other aspirants who were unsuccessful have been assured that the PDP Reconciliation Committee would meet them in the second week of January, adding that the party will explore all available options and reconcile all aggrieved groups. He said, “There could be issues but we will sit down as a family to resolve it. The leadership of Secondus is a reconciliatory one. “We are not begging, we are being reconciliatory. We have become new and very democratic. PDP is a family party. If one of your children misbehaves

and goes astray, you go and bring him back. We want to grow our party so that before 2019, APC will run away from Aso Rock. He stressed that they have information that APC is behind the new aggrieved members. “Just as APC is monitoring our party, we are also monitoring them but we shall not disclose our strategy. We shall not allow the APC to muzzle us. APC is afraid that we are getting a strong candidate for the 2019. “Majority of those you see hanging around the APC will come back to their home. APC will go to the poll as an empty party” he maintained.

News 9

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

APC chieftain faults el-Rufai on Atiku’s contribution to 2015 campaign Tunde Opalana, Abuja

ÏÏÏA chieftain of

the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has faulted the claim by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai that the former vice president Atiku Abubakar did not make a tangible contribution to the 2015 presidential campaign of the ruling party. He described the governor as a pathological liar whose statement is “a height of ingratitude of a jilted lover.” Mallam Nasir El-rufai, was said to have made the statement in an interview he granted on Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service Programme, “Democracy Today”, monitored in Kaduna, in which he challenged Atiku to state categorically, his contributions, including how much he gave the party and what the money was used for. The governor was quoted to have said that: “For me, I know those that supported us with their money and property that we used during the election, and I never heard the name of Atiku that he brought a dime. If Atiku said he brought money, who did he give it to? Let him come and say it and how much did he give and what was

it used for? “And, in fact, if Atiku brought money, I ought to know, because I was part of the leadership of the party and during the campaign, along with former Governor Rotimi Amaechi. We were at the centre of the presidential campaign. Therefore, we are supposed to know. So, let him mention who he gave the money and how much?” Reacting to the claim in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Comrade Frank, the APC National Deputy Publicity Secretary urged the governor to refresh his memory by watching the campaign video or meet the then Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Rotimi Ameachi, for the record of what transpired before, during and after the campaign in 2015. Comrade Frank said: “Ameachi has a record of those who contributed to the campaign, so if El-rufai does not know he should contact the Minister of Transportation. Moreover, it is on record that the former vice president had responsibility for seven states during the campaign. “Again, it is also on record that Atiku’s media asset was transferred to the campaign. If El-rufai has forgotten so soon,

L-R: Staff of Lagos State New Town Development Authority, Balogun Adeniyi Abdul-Wakil and Property Developer, David Olumide Aderinokun, being arraigned by Lagos State Government at the Igbosere Magistrate Court over alleged land fraud…on Wednesday. the Director of Media APC in Abuja, which significantly, Presidential Campaign Coun- the role Atiku Media office cil, Mallam Garba Shehu, who played cannot be removed.” is now the spokesman to the The APC chieftain while rePresident, was handed over to minding governor El-rufai of the party campaign team from what the wife of the President Atiku Media office, the deputy said that some of those who director of Atiku media team made contributions to the sucMr. Paul Ibe was also part of cess of APC in 2015 election APC media team during the were not rewarded, asked the 2015 campaign and other key governor to justify his claim members of Atiku’s group. I on Atiku. While urging Mr. Eldon’t know how El-rufai will rufai “to stop his political sycoquantify the cost? phantic act toward President “Moreover, President Mu- Buhari,” Frank also urged the hammadu Buhari, as a Pres- President to study El-rufai’s ident-elect himself acknowl- antecedent in politics and how edged the role these people the Kaduna Governor has conplayed as a group when he met stantly betrayed all his benewith them at the Defence House factors in the past.

Cross River PCRC condemns anti-robbery squad protest By Edem Bassey, Calabar

ÏÏÏPolice

Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Cross River chapter has condemned the current protest on the scrapping of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force. Speaking at a rally organized by PCRC in support of the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force, Mr Michael Edem, Chairman of PCRC in the state said that SARS has reduced cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “We stand with SARS”, stop meddling into police affairs, Cross River stand with SARS”, “Safety of life assured with SARS amongst others”, Edem said it was wrong for some group of organisations to clamour for the scrapping of SARS, adding that it was a misplacement of priority on the side of some groups. According to him, the rally was

held in support of the activities of SARS, adding SARS had contributed in reducing crime rate to the barest minimum nationwide. “What we are doing here today is to sensitise the public against the call to scrap SARS. SARS has always responded timely to emergency calls. We are appealing to the government not to scrap SARS because their role in curbing cases of kidnapping and armed robbery nationwide is commendable. “No security agency in Nigeria today is 100 per cent perfect, and as such we must bear with them on their shortcomings”, he said. While he called for adequate funding of the police, he also said that it would go a long way in helping the force to carry out its constitutional duties creditably. Another member of the committee, Mr Charles Edet, a trader, said it was inappropriate to end SARS, rather, he urged the police authority to train and re-train members of the squad to always obey human rights in their activities.

Anti corruption crusade panacea to change agenda – Perm Sec

By Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebeyi, has affirmed that the Anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is premised on the quest to institutionalize good governance panacea for inclusive growth and development in the pursuit of the Government Change Agenda. The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Hu-

man Resources Management, Mr. AbduIrahim Ajibola Ibrahim, made this assertion Thursday in Abuja while declaring open a one-day Sensitization programme Organized by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit, of the Ministry, on the Theme: Anti-Corruption, Transparency and whistle blowing. He emphasized that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had specified the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUS) in every Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS).

Fulani herdsmen attack: Middle-Belt Forum seeks FG’s intervention Doosuur IwambeAbuja

ÏÏÏThe Middle-Belt Forum has

called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the face-off between Fulani herdsmen and Bwatiye people in Numan, Adamawa state. A statement signed by Bala Takaya President of the forum also warned traditional rulers in the north to restrain from making inciting statements. The forum, which elected its new leadership last week, also regretted the inclusion of former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Obaddiah Mailafia, CBN, in the new Executive Committee members, saying he was wrongly included in the list of the new exco. The forum it has hindsight into the act of brigandage by the herdsmen. The forum said, “We therefore, demand that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria intervenes in this matter immediately by not only quelling the situation to avoid further escalation, but also to call the said instigators to question and account for the inflammatory statement which was made with such an air of impunity and utterance which led to the ongoing mayhem. “On our part we have with hindsight been painfully reviewing the prior act of brigandage engaged in by the Fulani killer- herdsmen. “But we observe that they are the same night marauders that had since long specialised in raiding and burning down towns and villages at night during which they also kill residents in their sleep or mauled down when they escape the inferno in places like Babale, Riyom, Mangu and Barkin Ladi on the Jos Plateau.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

We must avert collapse of public confidence in Judiciary, Buhari tells NBA Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to work with the government to avert the collapse of public confidence in the justice system of the country. The President stated this while receiving the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA at the State House in Abuja. He warned that a collapse of public confidence in the justice system will have disastrous consequences for the entire country. Buhari said, “Let me reiterate that the collapse of public confidence in the justice system will have disastrous effects on our democracy and will negatively affect the capacity of the legal profession to

thrive and flourish in the country,” he said. In making a request to the NBA to ensure the highest form of discipline among its members, President Buhari charged the body to ensure that all cases of indiscipline and corruption are tackled effectively. He expressed worries about allegations of the roles of some senior lawyers in attempts to corrupt judges and the judicial system. President Buhari also gave assurances that his administration will continue to operate on a foundation of the Rule of Law. According to him, “We are convinced that corruption and impunity fl ourish when due process mechanisms are disregarded. We, however, expect a corresponding duty on the part of all professional

bodies such as the NBA to ensure the highest forms of discipline among their members”. The President urged the members of the legal profession, whom he described as opinion builders in their various communities, to work for the public enlightenment of the citizenry, and to support the initiatives of government in sanitizing the public services, improving standards of public accountability and the insistence on the normal standards of judicial integrity. He emphasized that government will continue to dwell on its programmes of a vigorous anti-corruption campaign; ensuring the recovery of looted national assets; prosecution of an effective and sustainable anti-terrorism war; and the institutionalization of

law and order in all aspects of our national life. President Buhari thanked the members of the NBA for their support so far, and urged them to do more in that regard. He noted concerns raised by the NBA President and assured of his readiness to work with the bar association and the Judiciary to achieve needed reforms. In his remarks, the President of the NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmud, SAN, had commended President Buhari for his confidence in the members of the association, considering the number of lawyers in high places in the administration. These included the VicePresident, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal when he presented the 2018 budget before the Sokoto State House of Assembly in Sokoto...21/12/18

Anambra senatorial poll: IPAC boss advises INEC to be cautious …Says Prof. Yakubu-led body has restored electoral confidence Tunde Opalana, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been advised to be careful in obeying fragrant court orders in order not to derail the 2019 elections. This advice came from Chief Perry Opara, the National Chairman of National Unity Party and the National Secretary General of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) during an interactive session with journalists. Opara opined that the current leadership of INEC has tried over the recent past to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral body as the independent umpire for elections in Nigeria. Chief Opara frowned at the alleged abuse of Nigeria jurisprudence by some court orders to the electoral umpire with different judgments thereby confusing INEC. “Nigerians are shocked, particularly Anambra Central District constituents over the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja on the 13th December 2017 advising INEC to issue Certificate of Return to one Dr. Obiora Okonkwo as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District. “We are aware that since 2015 there have been series of legal battles at the courts culminating in the Court of Appeal on November 20, 2017 ordering INEC to conduct another election before 90 days and INEC has fixed January 13, 2018

and the date for a re-run for Anambra Central Senatorial election. “My advice is that INEC should be very focused on their assessment of Court Orders and at all time respect the judgments of higher courts of the land”, Opara said. He wondered how a lower court will order INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to a person who is alleged not to participate in an election even when the Appeal Court has ruled on November 20, 2017 in the contrary. Commending Prof. Yakubu, he said the Chairman has within a short while demonstrated leadership and capacity in delivering credible elections in 2019 and such court orders should not deter INEC from doing the needful towards ensuring that Nigerians get the best in 2019. “As a key player in Nigeria democracy, I am afraid that if court orders are not checked and harmonized, all the good efforts of Prof. Yakubu to give Nigerians free and fair election in 2019 will become a mirage. “I, therefore, urge Prof. Yakuku, Chairman of INEC to be steadfast, courageous and always do the right thing at all times and also consult with the best legal minds in order not to run into disrepute, Opara said. “We must praise INEC under the leadership of Prof. Yakubu for conducting more than 170 very conclusive elections without the courts upturning any within his tenure as Chairman of INEC.

Gov Yari never an indigene of Zamfara - Sen Marafa ÏdƄ Ǝ ƍ Ǝ ƃƈƉƄ 1 Ɛ ƐƄƍ ƍƄƇƄƃƎƄƕ `& ƊƆ ƄƄ Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe standoff between

the Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) over nominee for the position of Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Zamfara, assumed a new twist on Thursday as the Senator told his colleagues that his state gov-

ernor has never been an indigene of Zamfara. The Senate had earlier turned down Ahmad Bello Mahmud as REC nominee for Zamfara based on a petition reportedly filed against him by governor Yari, a development which Senator Marafa fiercely objected. Yari in the petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari in March this year and cop-

ied the Senate leadership, alleged that the nominee was not an indigene of the state. As if fighting back Marafa after a third attempt to push the REC nominee had failed, told the Senate that even Yari is an alien in Zamfara. He said, “The Governor himself based on available records on his ancestral roots, is not an indigene of

the state but got elected as governor because he was born and brought up there the same way the rejected REC nominee was born and brought up in Gusau, the capital of the state Marafa made his remarks through orders 1 and 127 of the Senate standing rules arguing that for any petition to be admitted and acted upon by the Senate there must be an affida-

vit to that effect which he said was not made available by the Governor in his petition against Ahmed Mahmud. He averred, “We cannot go against our rules and in doing so, we need to put the nomination of Ahmad Mahmud as Zamfara REC nominee to voice votes again because Gov Yari who claimed that the man is not from the state did not

swear to any affidavit to that effect in his petition . “Besides, Gov Yari himself going by available records on his ancestral roots , is also not an indigene of the state but somebody born and brought up in the state , the same way Barrister Ahmad Mahmud rose to be known as a resident of the state who has also served the state in different capacities “, he said .

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Politics

Afenifere faults Buhari over tenure extension of service chiefs - P12

Gov Ambode counsels civil servants on enhanced productivity - P 12

PDP to APC: Stop intimidating our leaders Myke Uzendu, Abuja

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has condemned the ceaseless arrest of PDP leaders, the latest of which is the former Senate President David Mark. Secondus made the call during the meeting of the newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and members of the Board of Trustee at the Wadata House in Abuja. According to Secondus, the intimidation is enough as the party will no longer keep quiet while its leaders are being subjected to all forms of harassment. Secondus said, “All over the world there is no place a former senate president can be treated the way David Mark was treated. “We shall not be humiliated by the witch hunt of the APC government. Those in authority should be very careful because power will come and power will go. “I want to call on the APC government to stop this intimidation. Enough is enough. All they do is intimidating, demonizing, harassing our people. Don’t intimidate the opposition, that is injustice, fulfill what you have promised to the people. “You don’t need to attack us. Let’s engage in a more meaningful manner. We are not in a military era. Let me remind them that God does not sleep. “The time shall come when Nige-

PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS

rians will speak with their votes in their hands. By that time you will not be able to intimidate them because they will vote freely” Secondus reminded the ruling party. He was very optimistic that the PDP will bounce back and take over governance of the country and he reassured members of the BoT that they will always rely on their wise counsel. “At every time, God brings a leader to take care of the party, we shall not disappoint you. “Time shall come and we shall win. It had happened to us in 2015, and we handed over. Let them also prepare to hand over to us in 2019. “We shall rely on your support and we will respect the constitution of the party. We shall not bring back

CHIEF JOHN ODIGIE-OYEGUN

imposition and impunity,” Secondus was told. In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the BOT, Senator Walid Jibrin said that the emergence of Secondus has proved wrong the notion that only a former governor, minister or president is qualified to be the party Chairman. He promised to work with him and reminded him that the whole Nigeria is hopeful that PDP will recover all the 776 local government chairmanship seats, the 36 governorship positions, the 360 seats in the House of Representatives, and 106 senate positions. He urged the NWC to ensure that all warring factions in the party are reconciled, “Now that the convention is over, we support the reconciliation

efforts of the Dickson led committee and will look into all the petitions sent. He paid tribute to the former Chairman, Senator Makarafi for a successful convention. The party’s National Secretary, Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri in his vote of thanks said, “APC is very good at opposition. PDP is very good at governance. By 2019, APC will go back to what they are very good at which is while PDP will also go back to governance which they are very good at.” Other PDP stalwarts present at the event were Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Ahmadu Ali, Ambassador Juta, Chief Kema Chikwe and Senator Adolphus Wabara.

2019 Presidency: Group wants Atiku to contest The Intellectual Think Tank for Advancement Initiative (ITTA), a civil society organisation, has called on a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to formally declare his intention to contest for president in 2019 general elections or be dragged to court. Meanwhile according to report gathered, the Chairman of the group, Mr Theophilus Ohuoba, told newsmen in Abuja that the time was ripe for Atiku to make public his intention to run for the position. Ohuoba described Atiku as a man with the pedigree to move the country forward by building a robust economy that would create wealth for Nigerians. “We therefore call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to immediate-

ly make public his intension to run for the presidency of this country come 2019 or we shall collectively drag him to court for denying Nigerians of his good services. “We also call on all other social organisations to immediately join hands in this crusade to restore Nigeria’s lost glories by promptly declaring for an Atiku Presidency in 2019,’’ he said. According to Ohuoba, if Atiku is elected as president of the country, there will be an unprecedented participation of distilled youths in his government that is unparalleled in the history of Nigeria. “Security of lives and properties of both Nigerians and foreigners alike will be assured

and he will restructure Nigeria in a way that the North, South, East and West will be better for it. “We have never been this divided along ethnic, religious and tribal lines. “Atiku will be the first professional, liberal minded, accommodating, detribalised and successful businessman politician; Nigeria will have as a president. “He has been tested and trusted. He alone knows the right buttons to press that will re-gig the economy. He is a great communicator; he has a listening ear, a unifying factor that will put us back together to be one strong united Nigeria as it was in the beginning,’’ Ohuoba said.

ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Groups hail ex-Taraba acting governor at 70 Patrick Okohue

The Taraba Peoples Assembly (TPA) and youths in the state have facilitated with its former Acting Governor and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Garba Umar UTC on his 70 birthday, saying he epitomise a model of good governance. TPA coordinator, Martins Andekin in a press statement described Umar as an apostle of peaceful coexistence, whose influence cut across ethnic and religious divide because of his contribution to development of the state. He said residents of the state will continue to acknowledge his wonderful contribution in stabilising the state during one of its most difficult moments in its history. He said the state is in dire need of Garba Umar’s experience in delivering good governance to the people. Andekin maintained that no amount of acrimonious and atrocious political hatred against Garba Umar UTC can remove the reality and achievement of his tenure in the state. Andekin noted that if only for recruiting staff after many years of embargo on employments into the state civil service distinguished him as a worthy leader to be celebrated. Also Spokesperson of the 2015 Taraba State PDP delegates, Bala Gassol said the people of the state are still mesmerised with his golden touch of governance witnessed in his two years administration. “One thing you hear on the street is that the present administration is owing workers salary, in fact local government workers and primary school teachers are owed more than five months, this was not the case with UTC who prioritised the welfare of workers across board. “How will workers in the state not celebrate the man who implemented 18,000 minimum wage for local government workers and paid backlogs of pension arrears in the state.” He said his good gesture towards workers in the state recently earned him an award of excellence from RATTWU He describe the former acting governor as a political colossus whose contribution to the state is immeasurable.

12 Politics Stories by Patrick Okohue The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of the chief of defence staff and service chiefs continues to draw diverse reactions across the country amid allegations that the move has political undertones and could undermine the career of other military officers. While the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, maintained silence, the Yoruba Afenifere flayed the decision. The Spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “Mr. President himself being a retired military officer, who rose to the post of Major General and Head of State should have better understanding of the fact that other officers’ careers would be affected negatively with the decision he took, which of course is not fair and is professionally wrong.” He also faulted the move on the ground that it was part of the administration’s ploy ahead of the 2019 elections to suppress the opposition with military might. “I don’t see the reason for extending the tenure of the current service chiefs except and unless he would prove there are no other competent officers to continue the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents in the country.” According to him, “The present service chiefs are mere instruments in the hands of Mr. President to perpetrate himself and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in power in 2019.” He noted: “It would also continue the current domination of the military environment by the Hausa/ Fulani sections of the country,” adding: “If you take a critical look, the entire service chiefs, except one, are all from one northern section of the nation. “Apart from these, there also about 17 other service chiefs in other paramilitary organisations across the country dominated by the northern section. It is therefore unreasonable and suspicious of Mr. President to

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Afenifere faults Buhari over tenure extension of service chiefs

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

OLONISAKIN

BURATAI

have extended the tenure of the chiefs. ” But the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima, said there was nothing extraordinary about the development. According to him, “Considering the great job the service chiefs have been doing in terms of containing insurgencies across the country, they need to be encouraged. Bringing in new people now would not help our situation as a nation, because the new ones would have to start learning.” He said since the tenure of the Buhari government would soon end, there was no need to

change a winning team. However, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), a former member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, said Buhari might have taken the decision based on the trust he has in the chiefs, and “which to some extent, I would support, on the premise that when the country was in crises, they held the nation together.” In a statement, pro-democracy and non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) criticised the ex-

tension. It said: “The unprecedented third term extension of the tenure of offices of the current serving chiefs will inevitably create ethical issues of skewed reward system; it will create increasing levels of lack of professionalism and would ultimately lead to personalisation and politicisation of the constitutional offices of service chiefs.” The rights group said the Boko Haram counter-terror war cited as an excuse did not justify the illegality because the terrorists increased the sophistication of their suicide bombing campaigns during the tenure of the chiefs.

Gov Ambode counsels civil servants on enhanced productivity Benjamin Omoike

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has advised civil servants in the state over enhanced productivity. The governor, who spoke on Thursday in Lagos, added that civil servants played a pivotal role in the overall development of the state, especially when it came to policy implememtation and smooth running of governance. He stated that his administration was poised to engage the core of the state public servants in training and retraining in order to enhance greater and effective productivity on their part to the overall benefit of the state. In his address at the opening of a twoday training session for the state civil servants, holding in Ikeja, with a theme titled: “Human Resources Counselling in the Workplace”, Ambode assured that Lagos would move from being the fifth largest economy in Africa to being the third largest by the Year 2023. Governor Ambode, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, said

the need to embark on the exercise was borne out of the fact that he had since realised that “in order to deliver effective and efficient service to the people, officers of Lagos State public service must be continually equipped with necessary competencies and skills.” The governor also said that, “Indeed, the aim of the Lagos state government is to transform the civil service into the quintessential future workforce that can, in addition to delivering an effective HR service and getting basic people processes right, while also responding to the government’s current and future challenges in terms of skills gap and functionality.” While saying that numerous training programmes had been approved and organised for the officers to be able to meet the present challenges and deliver on the fundamental commitments to Lagosians, the governor contended that the choice of the theme was to examine how the civil service could better utilise counselling to assist officers fulfill their full potentials within the service. According to him, the theme of the training will further strengthening the state government’s efforts to fulfill its role of staffing government and civil service

positions with qualified and suitable candidates. He said this was to ensure that the critical organs of the state civil service, the government and the society at large would be positioned to run more effectively and efficiently. Ambode said, “It is about human resources, human counselling. You know counselling is a very fundamental issue in any organisation and in Lagos State counselling plays a major role in the life of the public servants. Once you counsel very well, there is every likelihood that the public servants would have to do their jobs according to the right ethics, according to the right rules, according to the right process. It would inform adequate decision making process and this thing will lead to greater and effective productivity. “Secondly, it is for them (civil servants) to be able cope effectively with their counterparts all over the world because if we have effective decision-making process on ground, there is every likelihood that everything that we do would yield positive results. “The training would be a continuous process to ensure efficiency in the public service in order to increase productivity

Gov. Ambode

among the public servants and also to ensure that Lagos State public servants will be able to cope effectively with their counterparts in other climes. “What we are expecting is for them to be able to cope with the components that involve human behaviours, human resources discipline and counselling organs so that they would apply them to the specifics of Lagos Public Service and there and then their productivity would be enhanced and through enhancement, it would affect the government in its service delivery.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Page Thirteen

Editorial

PHOTO TIMES

$1B insurgency fund, violation of Nigeria’s Constitution

he approval of the sum of $1bn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the Nigerian Governors Forum has continued to stir up more controversy. According to Prince Nosa Eweka of the Benin Royal Family, ‘’the Nigerian Governors Forum,a body that is not known by law or the constitution to purportedly execute the constitutional duty of the Federal Government amounts to violation of the constitution”. In a statement made available to the Daily Times, Prince Eweka said “ The Presidency and a quorum of the Governors Forum cannot decide what to do with monies that belong to the Federal Government, all States and Local Government Councils, that’s a NO NO. If individual States or Local Government Councils want to donate their monies to the Federal Government to fight insurgency they can but you cannot force every State or Local Government Council to do that”. “It’s sad that most of our Governors, the Vice PresiPublisher/Editor in Chief

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

dent and the President who all swore to uphold and defend the rule of law and our constitution don’t even know our laws, very sad”. Prince Eweka also added that “The Buhari administration need to share what’s in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) amongst all tiers of Government and abolish it”. The Excess Crude Account was established in 2004 by President Olusegun Obasanjo to save oil revenues above a base amount derived from a defined benchmark price. Recall on November 7th, the Senate described the operation of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as unconstitutional and in violation of section 162 of our constitution. Section 162 of our constitution states “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called the “Federation Account “ into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation. Any amount standing to the credit of the Federation account shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State”.

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, when the delegation of NBA visited the President at the State House, Abuja… on Thursday.

L-R: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Aare Ona Kakanfo Designate, Aare Gani Adams, during a courtesy visit to Saraki at the Senate Chamber, Abuja…on Thursday.

L-R: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Guest Speaker, Dr. Goke Adegoroye; former Head of Service/Secretary to the State Government, Cheif Inaolaji Aboaba and Head of Service, Osun State, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, during the 2017 Osun Public Service Annual Lecture in Osun State… on Thursday.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Folio Group Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

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Mathew Kukah

Ibrahim Babangida

Wole Soyinka

“The world can provide for the need of everybody but cannot provide for the greed of everybody.”

“The work of Nigeria is not complete for as long as there is any one Nigerian who goes to bed on empty stomach.”

“The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”

Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

EFCC’s arrest of Innoson and GTB loan: Facts behind saga

James Osaremen

ecently, the Innoson/GTBank story has gained so much media prominence, especially following the arrest of the Innonson chairman a few days ago by EFCC. Though the case is pending in court, Innoson has taken the battle to social media. There have been numerous sponsored social media campaigns against the bank such as #BewareOfGTBank and #WhatIsWrongWithGTBank. The company has also gone to television, with its owner, Dr Innocent Chukwuma granting an interview to TVC, where he claimed he had obtained a judgment of N8bn against the bank. He added that the bank pleaded with him over their inability to pay, and that he graciously offered to accept shares of the bank as payment. GTBank on their part has chosen to remain silent on the matter, perhaps trusting in the integrity of the legal system as against playing to the gallery. Many attempts by us to get the bank’s representatives to comment on the story has proven abortive. A staff of the bank who spoke under anonymity, stated “Irrespective of the issues we are facing with the company, Innoson remains a customer of the bank and we owe him a duty of confidentiality and to conduct ourselves in a responsible manner towards him”. This statement didn’t stop us from conducting our own investigations on the matter, and below are our findings, put in bullet points for your optimum understanding. The obvious: Innoson is, and still remains, a customer of GTBank. What we discovered: 1. GTBank (in 2009) granted Innoson several credit facilities (i.e loans) totalling N2,400,000,000,00 (two billion, four hundred million Naira only), to part finance working capital requirements, import new motorcycles and motorcycle spare parts, agricultural spare parts and plastic manufacturing equipment (“Imported Goods”). 2. Under the loan terms agreed by Dr. Innocent Chukwuma on behalf of Innoson, proprietary interest in the Imported Goods was consigned exclusively in favour of the Bank. This means that the Bank was the exclusive owner of the Imported

Goods. Accordingly, the original shipping documents (i.e. the Bills of Lading) were in the custody of the Bank, and have remained in the custody of the Bank at all times. 3. Because GTBank was the exclusive owner of the imported goods, ownership of the goods could only be transferred to Innoson (or any other third party) by the Bank. The condition in the agreement between the Bank and Innoson, for the release of the Imported Goods by the Bank to Innoson, was the payment of 25% of the value of each Letter of Credit transaction by Innoson. What we learnt: 1. Innocent Chukwuma approached the Bank, on behalf of Innoson, requesting the release of the shipping documents without payment of the agreed+ 25% equity. The Bank declined his request as a result of Innoson’s failure to meet the agreed conditions. 2. It came to the Bank’s knowledge sometime in June, 2011 that the Imported Goods for which the Bank declined to release shipping documents to Innoson in view of its failure to meet the agreed conditions, had been fraudulently procured by Innoson. The Bank discovered that Innoson, under the control of Dr. Innocent Chukwuma had forged the Bank’s endorsement on the bills of lading to the Shipping Line and fraudulently cleared the Imported Goods which were in the name of the Bank. The Imported Goods, being property of the Bank should not have been cleared from the Port without the original shipping documents being endorsed by the Bank in favour of Innoson, or any third party. 4. The signatures of 4 (four) staff of the Bank, to wit, Taofeek Olalere, Dan Attah, Bunmi Adeyemi and Amazu Amalachukwu, as well as the Bank’s stamp were forged on all the shipping documents used by Innoson to fraudulently clear goods at the port. The Bank did not at any time endorse or transfer the shipping documents to Innoson, as the originals of each of the relevant Bill of Lading remain in the Bank’s custody to this very day. 5. When the Bank reported the matter to the Nigeria Police, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma claimed the Bank released the shipping documents to him. Consequently, the Police commenced investigation into the Bank’s complaint, including a forensic ex-

amination of the disputed signatures, and established that the signatures of the Bank’s staff were forged, and the Imported Goods were fraudulently cleared from the Nigerian Ports Authority by Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and his accomplices. What we heard from the Police: 1. Police investigations confirmed that Innoson and Dr. Innocent Chukwuma deliberately set out to defraud, steal from the Bank and convert the Imported Goods belonging to the Bank by deceptive means and through forgery and misrepresentation. The unlawful takeover of the Imported Goods, which served as the Bank’s collateral, left an indebtedness in excess of the sum of N1,654,481,895.04 (one billion, six hundred and fifty four million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, eight hundred and ninety five Naira, four Kobo) as at September 26, 2012. 2. Chief Innocent Chukwuma was arrested and interrogated by operatives of the EFCC, following which he agreed to make monthly payments into Innoson’s account until the full liquidation of Innoson’s indebtedness to the Bank. However, Innoson defaulted in making the agreed payments. Investigations by the Nigeria Police following a petition by the Bank in September 2013 also found Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma culpable of the criminal allegations levied against them by the Bank, and Chief Innocent Chukwuma was accordingly charged to court by the Police. 3. The Police filed Charge No. FHC/L/565C/2015-Inspector General Of Police and Innoson Nigeria Limited; Innocent Chukwuma;Charles Chukwuma; Maximian Chukwura; Mitsui Osk Lines; Annajekwu Sunny for fraudulent clearance of goods, forgery, conversion, stealing and conspiracy presently pending before Faji J, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi and adjourned to November 21, 2017 for arraignment/or hearing of motion for issuance of Bench Warrant. What Innoson did: 1. Innoson approached the Bank for a reconciliation of his account and pleaded for a debt forgiveness. A reconciliation was carried out on the account – which had a debit balance of N1,654,481,895.04 as at December 31, 2011. In the spirit of amicable resolution and EFCC intervention, the Bank said it agreed to forego the sum of N559,374,072.09 which represented de-

fault charges that has accrued on the account and debited in line with the loan agreement between the customer and the Bank. 2. Based on this, the Bank decided to accept from the customer, the sum of N1,095,107,822.95 as full and final payment of the customer’s indebtedness to the Bank, provided that same shall be fully paid not later than (30) days from the date of the letter written to him 3. Surprisingly, Innoson commenced suit no:FHC/AWK/CS/2012 against the Bank at the Federal High Court, Awka stating that the bank had debited its account with excess charges totalling N559,374,072.09 and obtained judgement in excess of N4.7Billion against the Bank. Again choosing to dishonour an agreement that was amicably reached between him and the Bank for a full and final settlement of N1,095,107,822.95 wherein the Bank graciously forgave him the sum of N559,374,072.09 which accrued on his account during the period which he abandoned his account. 4. To further stall the criminal proceedings against him, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company instituted suits at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as well as the Federal High Court, Awka in January 2014 against The Inspector General of Police, The Nigeria Police Force and Investigating Officer(s), seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including orders restraining the Police from commencing criminal proceedings against Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma. Furthermore, in a bid to stall the Bank’s recovery steps, and distract the Bank from focusing on the criminal action, as well as civil actions filed for recovery of the debt, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company Innoson, have continued to institute various spurious suits before various courts, claiming frivolous and outrageous sums against the Bank. What GTBank is not saying: 1. In responding to Innoson’s motion for a stay of criminal proceedings at the Court of Appeal, the Honourable Justice J.S Ikyegh on September 17,2017 dismissed the motion for being unmeritorious and ordered that proceeding in the criminal case against Innson should proceed.

James Osaremen wrote from Lagos

It’s time for Nigerian youths to take power away from the ruling elite

Nosa Eweka

ccording to Webster’s dictionary, a youth is a person between childhood and maturity. The United Nations define youths as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 while the African Youth Charter defines youths as persons between the ages of 15 and 35. For this particular piece I will go with the African Youth Charter definition. It’s fascinating to me when I hear people over 35 in Nigeria still label themselves as youths, beyond fascinating. The National Youth Leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Nigeria is over 45, APC is supposed to be a party of progressives. The just elected People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Leader is going to be 40 next year. Our Minister of Youth is over 50 and the majority of our youth groups in Nigeria have members who are over 40 within their association. Why do people over 35 still want to belong in the youth demo-

graphic in Nigeria? Why? It’s time for youth groups in Nigeria to kick out people over 35 from their associations. Nigerian youths and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 don’t even realize the power they possess. This group can single handedly elect the President of Nigeria in every election cycle. The number of Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 are over 40 million today. In 2015, only 28 million Nigerians voted in our presidential elections. Nigerian youths and young professionals have to step up their game. Just imagine if young Nigerians were united and organized. The ruling elite have shown that they will not concede power to young Nigerians willingly, that’s why we still have people in their 40’s and 50’s holding onto youth leadership positions. Majority of the ruling elite are over 55 years old and the population of that demographic is about 13 million, only one third of the 18-35 demographic. Young Nigerians have to get organized and use their numerical strength to take

power away from the ruling elite democratically. I am a staunch supporter of the “Not Too Young To Run” bill that seeks to alter Section 65, 106, 131 and 177 of our constitution to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 to 30, Governor from 35 to 30, Senate from 35 to 30, House of Representatives from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly from 30 to 25 but the group pushing for the quick passage of this bill “Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA)” and all other Nigerian youth groups or young professional groups need to really focus on educating the youths and young professionals on voter registration, the constitution, governance, politics and the elective position that are available to them today in Nigeria. We have an election coming up in 2019, it time for young Nigerians to change the status quo. Currently, anyone with a sound mind and no criminal record 18 and over can contest to become a Councillor or Local Government Chairperson and anybody with a sound

mind and no criminal record 30 and over can contest in a House of Assembly or House of Representative election, most young people don’t know this. Young Nigerians need to be informed, information is power. Any young Nigerian seeking elective office should start at the Local Government level. Incredible impact can be made at the Local Government tier than any other in Nigeria. Local Government Councils in Nigeria are responsible for economic development, the provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational schools, the development of agriculture, the provision and maintenance of health services, the establishment and maintenance of markets, motor parks and public conveniences, the construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains, gardens and parks among others. Nosa Eweka is an Entrepreneur and a Member of the Benin Royal Family, he can be reached via Email at nosaeweka@yahoo.com or through Twitter @nosaeweka.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

15 Column

Lifestyle changes: A personal odyssey

Conversation with Azu 040817

I ‘

Nutrition can aid or impair the immune system. It is perhaps the biggest influencer in the development of some chronic diseases like heart disease, cancers, stroke and diabetes.

’

first did it at 50. Before then I had not done a comprehensive medical check up. Older friends above fifty would often tell me to have a complete check up at least once every year after forty. For men, a checkup is incomplete without a prostrate check. Forty per cent of men in Nigeria, particularly those over forty, are living with prostrate cancer and many don’t even know it. Yet, I thought a medical checkup was a funny piece of advice, but never said so out of courtesy. We’re all going to die of something anyway, why start worrying early about what will kill you? My odyssey began with an eye test, which I was coaxed into doing much earlier at Specsavers. Once every two years since my 40th birthday, whenever I visited my aunt in Manchester, she’d insist that I did an eye test. I resisted it but she did not stop fussing. She said she noticed I was squinting when watching TV, shifting in my chair and always wanting to move closer to the screen and that it was not normal. I denied that something was wrong, but agreed to do the eye test all the same, just to please her. The result stunned me. My vision had deteriorated and the optician recommended a corrective pair of lenses without which I couldn’t see the rear number plate of a car 10 metres ahead. I didn’t bother, since I could still read and write. I didn’t know my vision was deteriorating until I was asked to read a letter chart as part of the vision test. The result was bad. I was told that if I didn’t immediately start using lenses, my sight could get worse. It might sound quite ordinary now, but using lenses was a major decision back then, a remarkable lifestyle change. My parents lived for over 70 years and never once used glasses or any aid for the senses. I cannot recall seeing them in a hospital sickbed either, except once when my dad was operated on for hernia. I would pride myself as a chip off the old block, and it came to me as a rude shock when the optician recommended lenses as a required extension of my normal life. I took it with a heavy heart and choose the coolest of frames to deflect attention from my new, unfa-

Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) miliar looks. The real motive was to assuage my panic. After the test, life continued as usual. I continued gorging on fried plantain, assorted bread, pounded yam, washed down, quite often, with bottles of fizzy drink. I loved my evaporated milk, too. I didn’t stop pouring it till my tea turned yellow or my pap was drowned in milk. I would later find that of all mammals, only humans continued to drink milk after infancy. It’s barely tolerable for infants, but certainly dangerous for black adults because we’re lactose intolerant. It wasn’t just what I ate that seemed to defy the law of culinary balance; it was also when I ate. Like most journalists, I work long, odd hours and close very, very late. There’s hardly enough time inbetween for decent meals. After grabbing what I can at breakfast, I quench my cravings at work with snacks. When I return home at past midnight, I eat what I find – amala, pounded yam, semovita, whatever! If like me you can eat a horse and still not gain a ounce of weight, you might be eating yourself to death without knowing it. It took a decade after my eye test at Specsavers and miles of culinary waywardness before I began to realise that something was going wrong with me. I did my first comprehensive medical test at 50. Even as I walked into the hospital that February morning nearly three years ago, I still thought it was a waste of time and money. At first sight, the result seemed to confirm my suspicion. All the boxes

were ticked good except one: my blood pressure. It was on borderline (140/80) and had possibly been so for years. I didn’t know. Nearly 10 million people die worldwide every year from hypertension, described by some sources as “the single biggest risk factor for death.” The doctors advised that I should check again after about two weeks but immediately recommended lifestyle changes. No late-night eating. Cut down drastically on salt or cut out completely. I had cut out beef for as long as I can remember but now, that was not going to be enough. I was also advised to replace carbohydrate with vegetables and take as much compatible fruits as I could. No more bread, fried plantain or plantain chips. After years of eating to live, I was learning something new, something different, at midlife: Nutrition can aid or impair the immune system. It is perhaps the biggest influencer in the development of some chronic diseases like heart disease, cancers, stroke and diabetes. As part of my daily exercise, I had already started 30-minutes’ morning walk three times a week. But that was no longer going to be enough. The doctors compounded my misery by advising that I raised my game to one-hour walk daily at greater frequency, if I could find the time. On top of this new regimen, I was also supposed to try getting longer hours of sleep – at least seven to eight hours every day, if I could. At some point this seemed to me like the ultimate laundry list in the

perils of aging, but the doctors advised that if I wanted to live a long, healthy life, I had to find the discipline to follow the rules. I’ve been at it, following the rules as best as I can, not 100 per cent but well enough to notice a remarkable improvement in my sense and feeling of wellbeing. It’s amazing that it took me nearly 40 years and sheer accident to do my first eye test and nearly one decade later to start paying any serious attention to literature on healthy living. I grew up in a world where the pop icons were chain smokers, celebrities had bevies of girls, and carbohydrate – whether fufu, pounded yam or eba, high as a mountain – were the staple. And I thought that folks in that era had pretty long, admirable lives. Or did they? It’s a different world. The gospel of healthy living is everywhere and it’s hard to keep up with the deluge of dietary advisory of dos and don’ts. But millennials don’t have to wait till they’re 40 before they have the first eye test: they seem to come straight from the womb with lenses these days. They also know the nutritional value of every meal to the minutest fibre and live with one foot in the gym door. Yet, each person must, soon enough, find what works best for them and stick with it, keeping in mind at all times the golden rule: moderation. Ishiekwene is the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview and member of the board of the Global Editors Network

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

News 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Group petitions Fashola over EEDC’s alleged extortion Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏSouth East based Coalition of Human Rights and Good Governance Organizations (SBCHROS) has accused EEDC of putting the people of the South East in “acute bondage, oppression and criminal conducts”. The Coalition made the allegation in petition to the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Acting Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Anthony Akah, the Senate Committee Chairman on power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and his House of Representatives Committee counter-

part, Effiong Daniel, which was also copied to the Managing Director of EEDC, Mr. Paul Okeke among other officials of the company. In the petition, coordinated by the Internatinal Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), the Coalition said their findings of the activities of EEDC in the zone showed “untamed and unbearable criminality, recklessness and lawlessness” in the entire 18 Business Districts of the company in the zone. In the statement signed by the leadership of Coalition including the Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Intersociety the group noted that electricity as the

lire- wire of the people and the driving force of the economy has been denied the people of the zone since 2012, when EEDC took over the distribution of power in the zone. The group said “the steady and affordable power supply and associated social convenience and happiness is speedily on the brink; to the extent that crimainal syndicates have taken over EEDC; running riot on vulnerable consumers in the zone with reckless abandon. We are deeply saddened that the oversight agencies and other mechanisms put in place to checkmate the excesses of the company so as to compel same to do the needful and subscribe to

its corporae social responsibilities and laws of the land; appear weak or compromised. The failure of these oversight bodies to check and tame the excesses of EEDC has emboldened and ecalated the criminal activities and lawlessness of Sout East power distribution companny”. Continuing the group said “as a matter of fact, BEDC appears o have become an outlaw; flouting its terms of agreementwith the Federal Government that led to granting of licences to same to distribute and market power supplyto the people of South East. The most disasterous of it all is the recless abandon and impunity with which EEDC breaches the

Group advocates support for FMBN boss

Group lifts 400 prison inmates with free medicare in Delta

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏFollowing

a public hearing session organized by House of Representatives on the National Housing Fund, NHF, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Media Practitioners For Development has canvassed for unbridled cooperation of all relevant stakeholders in the sector to ensure the success of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria FMBN under the leadership of Arc Ahmed Dangiwa. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Engr. Johnson Eze, the group noted that Dangiwa as the Managing Director of FMBN has exhibited uncommon skill and commitment in positively repositioning the organization and by extension the housing sector. The statement commend the managing director not only for appearing in person to lead a debate on what needs to be done to put NHF on the right part of sustainable development but as well for showing deep understanding of the industry and proffering workable solution in simple terms. “Leadership they say is by example and what Dangiwa displayed is a remarkable leadership attribute worthy of commendations” the statement added. The group noted that Dangiwa’s revelation that banks and insurance companies have been showing utter disregard to the law establishing the NHF by not remitting the contributing fund to the scheme with emphasis on Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN leading in withholding huge sums of money designated for the fund, all point to the fact that finance sector is pulling the scheme down.

clear provisions of the NERC Act, Act No 6of 2005 and the Fundamental human Rights and other relevant provisions of 1999 constitution”. The group recalled that EEDC which was to provide steady power to the zone, has become a torn in the flash of the consumers of the zone, saying that in the recent survey conducted by NERC and other independent bodies of Disco’s in Nigeria, EEDC remained the least performing in the country as they have been “shortchanging and ripping -off its innocent consumers in the zone with reckless abandon where they never sowed”. Said the South East coalition “ in the area of provision and installation of NERC recognized and certified prepaid meters, 95 percent of single phase residential consumers in South E are yet to be metered., instead the company turns around and brazenly swoops on few PHCN –era prepaid meter owners accusing them of o tampering withtheir prepaid meters”

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏOver

L-R: Wife of the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hajia Hauwa Daminah; Wife of Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Hajiya Fatimah Nuhu Gidado and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Alhaji Muktari Wadaji, during a seminar on good governance for women politicians in Bauchi State… on Thursday.

Delta moves to protect forest reserves’ from extinction Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏThe Delta State government

has taken steps to protect forest reserves’ extinction, warning that illegal activities in the government reserved areas would be religiously monitored. The state Commissioner of Environment John Nani who made this known Thursday in Asaba, also said that the state is alarmed with the rate at which economic trees are coming under threats due to illegal activities of tree fellers, poachers arsonists and others. To avert the impending doom, threatening to drown the state’s tourist sector of the economy, the state government disclosed that the State Ministry of Environment, came out with the sustainable and proactive measures to checkmate the activities of poachers, illegal logging and the devastating impacts of

environmental related disasters across the state by procuring state-of-art-digital equipment which includes the drone. Mr. Nani, who bared his mind Thursday in Asaba, during the ministry’s one-day capacity building workshop, captioned “improver service delivery for sustainable development,” tongue flayed the Delta State University, Anwai Campus, Asaba, for allegedly contributing to the state’s environmental plight, through its infamous role in the deforestation practice. The Commissioner expressed vexation on the illegal falling of trees in the State University, Anwai Campus, forest reserve along the Asaba/Ebu/Abuja Federal Road, in an institution, with a Department of Forestry, which preachers against forest violation, but unfortunately involved itself in the act, which goes contrary to its teaching. He called on the institution to

introduce forestation policy for the replacement of the fallen trees in the Campus’ forest reserve in line with the current war against global warning. He called for Deltans to embrace the culture of tree planting adding that God ‘will not be pleased with any human being who has not planted a single tree in his life time, asserting that, “anyone who refuses to plant a tree in his life time has committed since against God.” Nani therefore challenged Deltas to plant trees to assist in global warming mitigations and for socio-economic grow and development (by planting economic trees). He then assured them of the state government readiness to provide land for interesting ones to farm on, while the government will provide seedling (trees) to plant on the allocation land, “after harvesting your crops, the trees will develop into forest reserve.”

400 prison inmates at the Ogwashi-Uku prison received free treatment and medication at the flag off of 8-day Free Medical Outreach to prison formations across Delta State. The Free Medical Programme, organized by the 05 initiative in conjunction with the Isioma Okobah Foundation and Medical Students from the Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia is targeted majorly at tackling common ailments facing prison inmates. The wife of Delta State Governor and founder of 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa who flagged off the programme at OgwashiUku prison appealed to wealthy Nigerians to remember those who are in dire need of assistance by sharing and showing them love as admonished by Jesus Christ saying that Jesus was an epitome of love. Dame Okowa said the joint partnership for the 2017 Free Medical Programme was aimed at expanding the scope of the scheme with a view to accommodating more beneficiaries and bringing the facilities closer to the door step of the people. The founder of Isioma Okobah Foundation, Dr. Isioma Okobah said the desire to give inmates a sense of belonging and promote love and care for the less privilege in the society inspired by the vision of the 05 Initiative motivated the free medical outreach which was given additional impetus by medical students from Georgia State University in the U.S.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Jubilation in Warri as Delta CJ releases nursing mother, 149 others Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎThere was wild jubila-

tion in the Warri Medium Prison Thursday as the Chief Judge of Delta State, Honourable Justice Marshal Umukoro released 65 inmates as he concluded his 2017 quarterly Prison visit in the Warri Medium Prison. Those who regained their freedom included a nursing mother of a two months old baby who was standing trial for inflicting grievous harm and several others who were asked to go and sin no more in order to reunite with their families for the Christmas celebration. The Chief Judge ordered their release amidst jubilation on the grounds of ill health, lack of diligent prosecutions by the Police, offence not known to law and no case to answer based on the legal advice from the Attorney-General of the State through the Director of Public Prosecutions. Other criteria used by the CJ to free the inmates from captivity was on the ground of the validity of the remand warrants whether it was issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the period the inmate has spent in custody awaiting trial and other exceptional circumstances. Justice Marshal who said he reviewed 3036 remand warrants and released a total of number of 150 inmates from the Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Kwale, Sapele and Warri Prisons in an exercise which

started on November 14, 2017, disclosed that the visitation was in pursuant to the provision of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody (Special Provision) Act Cap, Volume 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and in order to exemplify the passionate desire of the Honourable Chief Judge to decongest the Prisons. While lamenting the High number of youths wasting away in prison custody, the CJ observed that most inmates find their way into Prisons because they refused to live within the confines of law and morality. He said a majority of age bracket of inmates in custody fall within 17 and 27 years which according to Justice Umukoro, shows a gross dysfunction in our family system in the country, adding that many of them were from poor background but was quick to say that poverty should not be an excuse to go into crime. Amongst those released on bail was a pregnant woman while a man remanded in prison custody for over eight months for stealing a bottle of Benylin Cough syrup worth N1200 was ordered to be set free by the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge while commending the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Ernest Edomwonyi and his team for his contributions towards the success of the exercise, called for the reorganization of some Zonal Offices of the Ministry for more effective service delivery.

L-R: Hon. Adamu Gurai; President, Association of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria (AFIA), Dr. Victoria Enape and former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Dr. Phillips Salawu, during AFIA training and induction of new members in Abuja… on Thursday.

FCTA education projects gulp N9.6bn –Sen. Maina

Idu Jude, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

secretary for education, The Federal Capital Territory Administration Senator Isa Maina, has said that the administration has committed over N9.6 billion on education development projects in the FCT in 2017. Maina who made this known on Wednesday, December 20, during the 11th Annual Media Luncheon of the Secretariat, said educationrelated projects worth N2.8 billion have been completed while projects worth nearly N4billion were awarded and would be completed in a few months’ time. The Education Secretary also revealed that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello within the run of his administration approved the payment of the sum of N2.8 billion for counterpart projects between the FCTA and international partners. Some of the projects already completed and paid for by the Education Secretariat, Maina explained, are the con-

Ajimobi commiserates with Olubadan on wife’s death

ÎÎÎOyo

State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has commiserated with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on the death of his senior wife, Olori Kudirah. The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, on Thursday, said that the demise of Olori Kudirah was unfortunate and disheartening. Ajimobi, who said that

he received the sad news with shock and disbelief, described the incident as a big loss, not only to the Olubadan but also, to the entire people of the ancient city. The governor said, “I am greatly saddened by the passing away of Olori Kudirah. It is very unfortunate and disheartening, especially because we were still together with Kabiyesi and the royal retinue at the Chief of Army Staff conference, held in Ibadan, last week.

“Her death is indeed a big loss, not only to our father, the Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, but also, to the entire people of Ibadanland. May the Almighty grant Kabiyesi, Mama’s children and loved ones the fortitude to bear this great loss. “I enjoin the good people of Oyo State to join me in praying for the repose of her gentle soul and may Allah grant her the highest place in Jannah.”

struction and rehabilitation of over 400 primary and junior classroom blocks across the territory, fencing of 3 secondary schools, furnishing of classrooms, offices, transit and staff quarters at Abuja University of Technology, Abaji, and provision of laptop computers to secondary schools in Kuje and Jabi among others. Other projects worth N3.8 billion that were awarded and awaiting completion are, the furnishing and equipping of science laboratories at GGSS Kuje and GGSS Abaji for computer based exam (CBE) Centre, ITVI, Utako, supply of laptop computers for students. Under the counterpart projects, Maina disclosed that the FCT Minister authorized the release of the sum of N2.8 billion counterpart funds, which enabled the administration to access the UBE funds, including the unpaid arrears of 2014 for the Teachers Professional Development (TPD) fund. This, he said, brought the FCT up to date in its financial obligations to UBEC having paid till 2016. To give brilliant but indigent students in the FCT opportunity to excel in their educational pursuit, the Administration approved the disbursement of N96 million under the FCT Education Assistance Scheme to clear the backlog of 5,450 students that applied for scholarships for the 2015 award season, which will commence after a predisbursement audit of the applicants soon. Similarly, the school feeding has been carried upward from N200 to N300 per student per day, to improve the quantity and quality of food for students in the boarding schools. School heads in the FCT

Maina revealed, have also been given the opportunity of rising to the position of grade level 17 as is the case in the federal ministries and some states across the country, adding that the FCT Administration has designated 20 schools as Grade A schools and their principals can now rise to the position of grade level 17 officers. In addition, 2,981 teachers, supervisors and quality assurance officers were trained, using the assessed UBE Teacher Professional Development Training (TPDT) funds. He said the Board also carried out cluster sensitization of 1000 primary and junior secondary teachers while 50 junior secondary schools teachers were trained on entrepreneurial skills. In the same vein some 100 other primary and secondary school teachers were trained on the use of Classmate Computers for e-learning while 200 Quality Assurance Officers conducted local training for 1,400 teachers under the strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) programme to ensure that teachers have the required skills to function as 21st century science and mathematics teachers. The harvest of these investments, Maina said, has been a gradual but steady rise in the cumulative performance of FCT students in mathematics, especially both in WAEC and NECO Exams from 2015 till date, adding that this year’s performance in Mathematics is far more impressive than the previous years. Other mileages recorded by the Administration so far include adherence to highest standards by public and private schools in the FCT. Con-

sequently, the Department of Quality Assurance followed up with visits to 550 illegal and substandard private schools shut down last year to ensure that they comply with the order not to reopen until the minimum standards are met. A total sum of N34 million was accrued from the screening of private schools,” Maina stated. The FCT, he said, “won a total of 10 trophies, 14 medals, cash award and science kits at the 2017 National JETS Competition held in March, 2017 in Lagos State, while GTC Garki also came 2nd at the National Inter-School Space Competition held at NSPRA, Abuja, with a cash prize of N300, 000. “At the 10th Anniversary of African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, GSSS Pyakassa came 1st on Quiz competition with the cash award of N100, 000. “In the 2017 STAN National Competition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 14th to 19th August, FCT emerged overall best in the primary school category. Science primary school Kuje emerged best with a project titled, “Blast funnel for the production of Eco friendly interlocks using Poly-ethne bags while JSS Orozo emerged overall best in the Free Choice projects,” Senator Maina stated. The Secretary also noted that there has been an upward trajectory in enrolment for adult and non-formal education in the various centres of the Mass Education Department across the FCT. He said a total of 13,965 learners were enrolled across the 6 Area Councils while 500 competent part-time teachers were recruited to augment the efforts of the full time facilitators.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

LOSS OF LAND DOCUMENT(S)

This is to inform the general public that Mr. Mathew Chukwudi Egbe ‘M’ of No 4 Enugu Ezike Street, Federal Housing Trans-Ekulu, Enugu. Lost land document of plot 730 situate at Premier Layout, Extension, Enugu. Which are registered at Ministry of Lands Enugu. All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to ministry of lands Enugu

Companies Registration 21 (Trustees)

ERIAMA UNITED CLUB OF NIG

The general public is hereby Notified that the above named has applied to corporate affairs commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. OKPARAKU TOBIAS CHINEZEREM 2. AMAZU OKEY 3. IKEJE SUNDAY 4. EZEORJI UGOCHUKWU EVERES 5. ERIAMA AMBROSE OKONWO

TRUSTEES ARE: 1,David Madu Odili (G O) 2,Elizabeth Odili (Sec) 3,Celestina Ada Odili 4,Nduka Odili 5,Loveth Odili 6,Patience Okoh 7,Jennifer Chizoba

-President -Vice President - Secretary -Financial Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :1. A social Club that helps members to learn to respect people and how to fulfill their responsibilities 2. To serve the interest of the members 3. Provide for upcoming youths Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication Signed by:SECRETARY

SALVATION GRACE OF GOD MINISTRIES

UDO DIMMA SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the corporate affairs commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registration-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: GENERAL OVERSEER AKANIHU ECHARIA ENYEREMONU

DAVID AKAZIE UCHECHI JOY

TRUSTEES 1.CELESTINE UDEZURUIGBO 2.OKECHUKWU IBEH 3. LINUS IBE 4. NNAMDI ENYIDUM

– -

CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETORY/FIN MEMBER

AIMS & OJECTIVES 1.To provide and serve humanity and protect the interest of those in the club. 2.To foster peace, unity, love and progress among members of Udo dimma Social Club of Nigeria. 3.To plan for and promote the economic social cultural and educational progress of Lagos State. 4.To uphold the law moral values and justice and protect the good image of the club members as well as Lagos State in general. Any objective to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi/Ironsi Crescent, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Celestine Udezuruigbo 08035057896

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUGUO ECHARIA ENYEREMONU, now wish to be known and addressed as AKANIHU ECHARIA ENYEREMONU, All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DAVID AKAZIE UCHECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID AKAZIE UCHECHI JOY, All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. CHIGBU COMFORT CHINWE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. NWAIWU COMFORT CHINWE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

MR. NWAMARA CALEB VISION I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR. NWAMARA CALEB SHOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR. NWAMARA CALEB VISION. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

OKWUDILI VICTORIA ADA

MRS CHIOMA IJEOMA IYAGBA

MRS. NWAIWU COMFORT CHINWE

During the BVN exercise, my name was wrongly written as UKOHA IBENNE CHUKWUDI instead of my correct name which is UKOHA CHUKS IBENNE. All former documents remains valid, Banks and general public take note.

I mistaken called and addressed as Ogun Ayibamiedei, now wish to effect this change to be called and addressed as Canus Ayibamiedei, and also my date of birth that was wrongly written as 10th July, 1995 instead off 3rd January 1999. All documents bearing my former name still remains valid. The general public, UBA Bank and all relevant authorities should please take note of this change.

I, formerly known and addressed as NJOKU VICTORIA ADA now wish to be known addressed as OKWUDILI VICTORIA ADA. All former documents remain valid; Banks and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIOMA IJEOMA OPARAH now wish to be known addressed as MRS CHIOMA IJEOMA IYAGBA . All former documents remain valid; Banks and general public should take note

KENECHUKWU PETER AMAGA

MRS CHINENYE IRUAKU UDEMEZUE

OKEREKE GODWIN AKPA

MRS CHRISTY NDEYARKA ASOGWA

I, formerly known and addressed as KELECHI AMAGA, now wish to be known and addressed as KENECHUKWU PETER AMAGA. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS CHINENYE IRUAKU OLISA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINENYE IRUAKU UDEMEZUE. For the purpose of my job as a civil servants and my bank transaction. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKEREKE GODWIN CHUKWUJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEREKE GODWIN AKPA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AGBASONYE UGOCHI ANTHONIA

EZEALA CHISOM JULIET

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBUOKIRI UGOCHI ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBASONYE UGOCHI ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as DIMEJESI CHISOM JULIET, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEALA CHISOM JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMASIATU CHUKWUDALU UJUNWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMASIATU GOD-FAVOUR CHUKWUDALU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

JOSEPHINE IFESI OZOANI

ETUSIONU HERBERT OKWUDILI

MRS ONYEKWELU CONFIDENCE KELECHI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IBEAWUCHI CONFIDENCE KELECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONYEKWELU CONFIDENCE KELECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS OGILI CALISTA AMARACHI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANIESEDO CALISTA AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGILI CALISTA AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOSEPHINE IFESINACHI UDEH, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPHINE IFESI OZOANI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME That I was formerly known and addressed as UCHENNA UDEH, that I now wish to add HILLARY to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as UDEH UCHENNA HILLARY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take notes.

MRS AMASIATU GOD-FAVOUR CHUKWUDALU

I, formerly known and addressed as IBEH HERBERT OKWUDILI, now wish to be known and addressed as ETUSIONU HERBERT OKWUDILI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certify and confirm that UDEOGU LOVETH BLESSING, UDEOGU CHIGOLUM BLESSING and UDEOGU BLESSING LOVETH refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as UDEOGU LOVETH BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. ASA MANSARD and General public take note.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1,To preach the Gospel of jesus christ. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, corporate affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi ironsi street,Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Sign :G O

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. MRS. GRACE OJIUGO ANORUO - GENERAL OVERSEER 2.MR. EDWARD MADUABUCHUKWU ANORUO - CHAIRMAN 3.MR. STANLEY MADUABUCHI ANORUO - SECRETARY 4.MRS. ONYINYECHUKWU UDOCHUKWU 5.MISS FAVOUR ANORUO CHINWENDU 6.MR. KINGSLEY ONYEDIKACHI ANORUO

GREAT MESSIAH CITY LIBERATION INT’L MINISTRY

The General public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters 1990.

THE LORD’S LIVING DISCIPLES CHURCH INT’L. This is to inform the general public that the above named has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1, of 1990 TRUSTEES ARE 1.PASTOR NWIBO NWABUEZE ACHI - CHAIRMAN 2.NWABUEZE JOSEPHINE 3.OKEMINI MATTHEW ONYEKACHI 4.IYIEDE AUGUSTINE - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2.TO WIN SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 3. TO ESTABLISH LOCAL BRANCHES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL WORLDWIDE Any Objection to this Registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY

KANAYOCHUKWU NNAMANI

MISS GIGI NAOMI ANACAONA KING

I formerly known called and addressed as KANAYO NNAMANI ANDREW, now wish to be known called and addressed as KANAYOCHUKWU NNAMANI. All former documents remain valid general public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly known called and addressed as Miss Naomi Esther King, now wish to be known called and addressed as MISS GIGI NAOMI ANACAONA KING. All former documents remain valid general public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MAJIYAGBE OLUWAFUNMILEYI COMFORT I, formerly known and addressed as Adeyinka Oluwfunmileyi Comfort now wish to be known addressed as Majiyagbe Oluwafunmileyi Comfort . All former documents remain valid; Banks and general public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZIHE JOY OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOYE JOY OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AROH EBUKA LUKE

MRS OKOYE JOY OLUCHI

INNOCENT PHILIP GALADIMA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHRISTY NDEYARKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHRISTY NDEYARKA ASOGWA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ARO LUKE CHUKWUEBUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as AROH EBUKA LUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as INNOCENT NZATY GALADIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as INNOCENT PHILIP GALADIMA. My corrected date of birth of birth 23rd May, 1979. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGBODO ELISHA IFEANYI

MADUKAIFE JOHNSON NNABUDE I, formerly known and addressed as MAKU JOHNSON NNABUDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MADUKAIFE JOHNSON NNABUDE. All former documents remain valid. NITEL, BANKS and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KINGSLY EMEKA OBASI, now wish to be known and addressed as KINGSPRAISE GOD’SGLORY. All former documents remain valid. ECO Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO IFEANYICHUKWU NNAMANI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBODO ELISHA IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EJI MAXWELL JOSHUA

MISS ORJI JULIET NNENNA AMUCHE

KINGSPRAISE GOD’SGLORY

NNAMANI MARGARET OGECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as EJI MAXWELL EMEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as EJI MAXWELL JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS ODOH JULIET NNENNA AMUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ORJI JULIET NNENNA AMUCHE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NWEKE MARGARET OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI MARGARET OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OLUJOBI SAMUEL OLUWAROTIMI I formerly known and addressed as OGUNJOBI SAMUEL OLUWAROTIMI now wish to be known and addressed as OLUJOBI SAMUEL OLUWAROTIMI, all former documents remains valid, general public take note

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED ASJOHN OLUGBENGA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALADESUYI JOHN OLUGBENGA . FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

This is to certify and confirm that NWANI NNENNA ROSEMARY and NWANI NNENNA BLESSING refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as NWANI NNENNA BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

ALADESUYI JOHN OLUGBENGA

22 Change of Names MRS MUSTAPHA OMOLARA OLAMIDE

ADEGOKE TITILAYO FUNKE

EBHODAGHE GOD’SWILL ODION

Formerly known and addressed as miss Kareem omolara olamide now which to be known and addressed as Mrs mustapha omolara olamide,All former documents remain valid,General public note

Formerly know and addressed as ABODUNWA TITILAYO FUNKE. Now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGOKE TITILAYO FUNKE,All former Documents remain valid,General public note

I formerly known and addressed as EBHODAGHE GODWIN ODION now wish to be known called and addressed as EBHODAGHE GOD’SWILL ODION. General public should take note.

CHUKWUDI SUNDAY NICHOLAS

OSHIONEBO MORENIKEJI HAPPINESS

CHISOM WILFRED

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

ANYA IYKE DON I, formerly known and addressed as ANYA IKECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as ANYA IYKE DON. all former documents remains valid. General public, please take note. MRS. AKPOFURE OSAYAMEN YVONNE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. AGBONLAHOR OSAYAMEN YVONNE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. AKPOFURE OSAYAMEN YVONNE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO SUNDAY CHIENE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI SUNDAY NICHOLAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MEBUDE SILIFAT MORENIKEJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OSHIONEBO MORENIKEJI HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, STANLEY CHIOMA OBIEFULE, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHISOM WILFRED. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PETERS GLORY CHINASA I formerly known and addressed as Joseph Glory Chinasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Peters Glory Chinasa, all former document remain valid General public take note

MRS. VICTOR EZINNE JESSICA

ALARAPE KADIRI ADE

I formerly known as Okeneke Ezinne Jessica wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. VICTOR EZINNE JESSICA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ALARAPE ADEMOLA QUADRI wish to be known and addressed as ALARAPE KADIRI ADE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

NWAODIKE CHIOMA PHIBE

MOSES CHIOMA REGINA NORA

OKOYE EBERE REBECCA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Nwaodike Chioma Dorothy NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Nwaodike Chioma Phibe. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known as Princess Chichi Okoro wish to be known and addressed as MOSES CHIOMA REGINA NORA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBIEFUNA EBERE REBECCA , now wish to be known and addressed as OKOYE EBERE REBECCA. All former document reemain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AND DECLARATION OF AGE

I formerly known as Uche Angelina Ada wish to be known and addressed as Micheal Angelina Ada and corrected Date of Birth is 21-03-1960. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note. MRS .JOHN~MICAH ONYEDIKACHI CECILIA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS .BENJAMIN ONYEDIKACHI CECILIA , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS .JOHN~MICAH ONYEDIKACHI CECILIA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note. EKEOBA-ADEPEGBA ADEJUMOKE FUNLOLA I, formerly known and addressed as ADEPEGBA ADEJUMOKE EFUNLOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EKEOBAADEPEGBA ADEJUMOKE FUNLOLA. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, NJOKU MERCY CHINONYE, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, PRINCE CHIDOZIE MERCY, instead of, NJOKU MERCY CHINONYE, in my BVN details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, NJOKU MERCY CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. ADLINE NKECHIKA ALABI

BAMIGBOYE MARIAM IYABO I formerly known and addressed as MRS. BABAWALE MARIAM IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as BAMIGBOYE MARIAM IYABO. All former documents remain valid. banks and general public take note.

IBUKUNOLUWA ANUOLUWA LADEJO

GANIU SHAKIRAT AYONI

ONI DAMILOLA ADESEWA

AMUSA OLUBUKOLA ABIODUN

I formerly known and addressed as Ganiyu Shakirat Funmilayo, now wish t be known and addressed as Ganiu Shakirat Ayoni. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OSHIKOYA DAMILOLA OYINDAMOLA now wish toi be known and addressed as ONI DAMILOLA ADESEWA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADENUGA OLUBUKOLA ABIODUN , now wish to be known and addressed as AMUSA OLUBUKOLA ABIODUN. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as STACY MARYJANE NNEKA UGAH , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS .STACY MARYJANE NNEKA OKAFOR. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

OYEWOLE OLALEKAN PEREZ

ADDITION OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as RASAKI OLUFEMI on my Savings Account with First Bank, I now wish to add another name ONASANYA to my name and be known and addressed ONASANYA RASAKI OLUFEMI. All former document remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss .Gibraltar Kelechi Ukandu , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs .Gibraltar Kelechi Asiegbu. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGWUIKE CHIDERA FRANK Formerly known and addressed as OGWUIKE CHIDERA, now wish to be known and addressed as OGWUIKE CHIDERA FRANK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNDIMU TITILAYO ADEPEJU

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

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

OLASENI OLABISI MART

ELIZABETH ISIOMA KING

GBENGA JOHN AKERELE

AJOSE TITILOPE SEMANDE

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEDINI ADENIKE OLABISI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLASENI OLABISI MART. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

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

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

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS HODONU TITILOPE SEMANDE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AJOSE TITILOPE SEMANDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

My maiden name is ADIBE OLUCHI JOY while my marital name and now wish to be addressed as EDEH OLUCHI JOY. Some of my documents bear both names and my date of birth is 25th Aug 1990 not 7th Aug 1990 and 25th Nov 1991 as in my bank accounts.

BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE

OBAHOR THAIBA MELISSA

Formerly known and addressed as YAMAH THAIBA MELISSA now wish to be known and addressed as OBAHOR THAIBA MELISSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKANDE RASAK ADEYEMI I formerly known and addressed as ABDULRASAK AKANDE.,now wish to be known and addressed as AKANDE RASAK ADEYEMI. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Oyewole Olalekan Tajudeen , now wish to be known and addressed as Oyewole Olalekan Perez. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIDENCE DUMBI ADAGBON

xZAINAB WUROLA BABALOLA

OLUBUADE MUKAILA OLORI I formerly known and addressed as OLORI MUKAILA AYINDE , now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBUADE MUKAILA OLORI. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

ABUBAKAR MUNGONO

I formerly known and addressed as CONFIDENCE DUMBIRI JACOB now wish to be known called and addressed as CONFIDENCE DUMBI ADAGBON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ZAINAB WUROLA BELLO now wish to be known and addressed as ZAINAB WUROLA BABALOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EGBUNIWE MIRIAN OBIZOR ADIBA

I formerly known as ONYECHI MIRIAN OBIZOR ADIBA wish to be known and addressed as EGBUNIWE MIRIAN OBIZOR ADIBA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR ALI MUNGONO, now wish to be known and addreessed as ABUBAKAR MUNGONO. All former document remain valid. General public shouid please ake note. ZINSU KENDRICK OLADAMORE

Formerly known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN JUBRILA ADEWALE now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known as Miss ADLINE NKECHIKA ANAELE wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. ADLINE NKECHIKA ALABI. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Alaba Zinsu Rapheal now wish to be known called and addressed as Zinsu Kendrick oladamore. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DECLARATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

ANIEKAN NNANNA UDO

I formerly known and addressed as Joseph Abraham Udodon, now wish to be known as Aniekan Nnanna Udo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KAREH CHINEDU NEENAADOR

EMIDA OLANIKE RUKAYAT

CHANGE OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

Formerly Jimoh Abdullahi ABBEY now Jimoh Abdullahi Abiodun. Former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IBUKUNOLUWA ANUOLUWA SHOLA ADEFIOYE , now wish to known and addreessed as IBUKUNOLUWA ANUOLUWA LADEJO. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note. MRS .STACY MARYJANE NNEKA OKAFOR

JIMOH ABDULLAHI ABIODUN

Formerly MISS OYEYIOLA YETUNDE OLUBUNMI, NoW MRS OGBOI-OYEYIOLA YETUNDE OLUBUNMI. Former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known as Harrison Kara Nwite wish to be known and addressed as Kareh Chinedu Neenaador. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ODUM GLORY JAMES

That in my internation passport my name was written as eluke charity while on my marriage certificate my name was written as eluke charity chinyere and on my bank account my name was written as esianaka charity chinyere that i was formerly known called and addressed as all these names but now wish to be known and addressed as eluke charity chinyere. That my date of birth was mistakenly written as 1st september 1983 instead of 1st september 1981. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS OGBOI-OYEYIOLA YETUNDE OLUBUNMI

PUBLIC NOTICE EQUALITY TRIANGLE FOR HEALTH AND PEOPLE’S DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under part C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act1, of 1990 Names of Trustees: 1. Dr. Stella Iwuagwu 2. Williams Kwame Rashidi - Secretary 3. Ogunbajo Adedotun 4. Dr. Doyin Ajao 5. Victor Chinedu Ogbodo 6. Unoma Azuah 7. John Adewoye - Chairperson Aim and Objective: 1. To advocate for health and human rights protection for all Nigerians regardless of distinction of any kind. Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication. Signed: Secretary

MRS. UBOCHIOMA ROSEMARY CHIOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHUKWUEMEKA ROSEMARY CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UBOCHIOMA ROSEMARY CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES This is to confirm that these names: UCHECHUKWU UMELO .G., UCHECHUKWU UMELO GODSWILL and UMELO UCHE refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known and addressed as UMELO UCHECHUKWU GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS .GIBRALTAR KELECHI ASIEGBU

Formerly known and addressed as QUADRI TITILAYO ADEPEJU, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDIMU TITILAYO ADEPEJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. ESTHER UGBOR I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. ESTHER N. SUNDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ESTHER UGBOR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALUKWU GIFT I, formerly known as AMADI CHINEDU, now wish to be known and addressed as ALUKWU GIFT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ABBA OLISAEMEKA JONAS

I formerly known as Abah Emeka Olisa now wish to be known as Abba Olisaemeka Jonas. Born on 15/08/1988. former documents remain valid. General public take note

News/Change of Names 23

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

ERA advocates N10,000 monthly stipend for Nigerians By Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎThe

Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on the Federal Government to begin payment of N10,000 monthly stipend to every unemployed Nigerian. ERA made the call during its 10th National Environmental Congress tagged: “National Resource Government, Energy Transition and National Restructuring” held recently in Benin City, Edo State. In an address delivered by the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, said adoption of social security should be seriously considered in our nation building. According to him, “a Na-

tional Basic Income Scheme (NABIS) for all Nigerians who are unemployed is long overdue. Nigeria lacks the political will and not economic power to ensure that a monthly of N10,000 is paid to all Nigerians who are unemployed. “This will cushion the effect of hard times in the economy, unlock creative potentials reduce crime rate and create sense of belonging and national harmony,” he added. He condemned what he described as the “shrinking space of the civil society groups in Nigeria”, noting that the attempt to censor CSOs from critical commentaries on national issues was aimed at curtailing their influence that must be robustly resisted. Ojo also stated that ERA/ FoEN believes that any process for the restructuring of

Nigeria must have at its core some basic elements which include the need to institute the twin ideas of post extractives and a pragmatic energy transition process as a defining principle of state policy. “How do we put a stop to the transnational corporation’s impunity in their areas of operations? The fact that the federal budget office earmarked over 17billion naira for the purchase of generator sets and fuels in 2018 simply shows that the government is not prepared to combat climate change and to fulfil its reduction of carbon emission by 20% unconditionally. “Nigeria must move away from dirty energy such as nuclear, oil and gas, coal, bitumen, biofuels for the their environmental sequences. “Secondly, Nigeria should embrace solar and an energy democracy that is de-

centralized and community driven. In this way, energy is co-produced and supplied in mini-grid and off-grid systems that are environmentally friendly and less capital intensive. To this end, the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, other financial institutions and national governments must eliminate public finance, incentives in loans and subsidies promoting extractive activities and dirty energy. “Instead, such divestment should translate to investment in renewable energy, research and development, green technology, and the provision of subsidies and zero tariffs for solar equipment and production. “Thirdly, another core demand of ERA is the need for access to justice especially on environment remediation and compensation.

Attack on Okey Ezea: DSS, Police quiz NASS member, commissioner Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State Chapter has said that the member representing Nsukka/Igboeze South in the National Assembly, Dr. Pat Asadu and the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi were among the people interrogated by the Police and DSS in the alleged abduction and torture of its 2015 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Okey Ezea. APC had alleged that Ezea was assaulted by thugs sponLAWANSON GENESIS LANRE Formerly known and addressed as LAWANSON LANRE BIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWANSON GENESIS LANRE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHIEMERIE CATHERINE OBIANUJU

sored by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the November 4 local government election held in Enugu. The APC Chairman, Barr. Ben Nwoye told newsmen in Enugu that security agencies have begun investigation into the abduction and torture of Ezea and have questioned Asadu, Okechi among others. “The Police and DSS are working; they have gone through and arrested some of the thugs and their leaders. “The thugs arrested are all in the trap of the security

x EGEMONU MONDAY Formerly known and addressed as EGEMONU CYRIL CHIZOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as EGEMONU MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. MRS ABDULHAMMED MONSURAT OLAIDE

I, formerly known and addressed as ASUZU CATHERINE OBIANUJU now wish to be known and addressed as CHIEMERIE CATHERINE OBIANUJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS KASUMU MONSURAT OLAIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABDULHAMMED MONSURAT OLAIDE. all former documents remain valid and. General public take note.

AFOLABI BABATUNDE RASHEED Formerly known and addressed as AFOLABI BABATUNDE AYINDE now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI BABATUNDE RASHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KOLAWALE IWALADE JOHN now wish to be known and addressed as IWALADE KOLADE JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBINNA ENDURANCE FAVOUR Formerly known and addressed as NWACHUKWU ENDURANCE CHIDINMA now wish to be known and addressed as OBINNA ENDURANCE FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as HASSAN SULAIMON AKILAPA now wish to be known and addressed as HASSAN SULAIMON OYEBANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IWALADE KOLADE JOHN

HASSAN SULAIMON OYEBANJI

agents”, he said. “They have questioned the serving Member representing Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr. Pat Asadu. “Including the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Vitus Okechi who said he was going to sue me. “PDP have no legal basis in the matter to coordinate any court action. They committed a crime and they are going to pay for the crime they committed. “We will not be intimidated because we are on the path of

justice”, he said. When contacted, Mr. Chineme Onyeke, an aide to Asadu said he had no knowledge of the invitation. “If such existed, Hon. Pat Asadu has to honour the invitation as a mark of respect to constituted authority; he was not a candidate in the election neither from the same ward with Ezea. He was just a voter. “I don’t see why the honourable should be linked with the issue of abduction and assault on Okey Ezea. He need ordered the attack, he only saved him in the hands of his attackers”, he said.

Anambra Central: We are studying judgement –INEC Myke Uzendu and Oluchi Okoroafor, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it is still studying the judgement of the Federal High court on Obiora Okonkwo whom the court ordered that he be issued with a Certificate of Return. Protesters had stormed the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, carrying placards with various inscription, like “INEC obey court order”, “Release Certificate of Return to Obiara” etc. They said that they were at the INEC headquarters to prevail on the commission to release the Certificate of Return to Obiora so that he can be sworn in by the National Assembly to represent the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District which according to them has been suffering since the sacking of Senator Uche Ekwunife who was erroneously declared winner of the 2015 National Assembly election. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Azubuike said, “We are here to appeal to INEC to issue certificate of Return to Obiora whom the court declared as the right person to represent Anambra Central at the National Assembly. ”He needs the certificate to go to the National Assembly to be sworn in as senator representing Anambra Central. We have been suffering because of lack of representation at the Senate. “We believe INEC is a law abiding institution and they will do the right thing”. But an Acting Director in

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

x CORRECTION OF NAME

MRS IFE JOANA OTUODICHI

This is to confirm and certify that MRS. OKEREKE EBONY EGO is same person bearing EBONY. K. ENUMAH. That I now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKEREKE EBONY EGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as OKHIRIA TIMOTHY. E. OLUWAKEMI instead of OKHIRIA TIMOTHY EHIZOKHAE. That my correct name is OKHIRIA TIMOTHY EHIZOKHAE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

6. I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezike Joana Otuodichi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ife Joana Otuodichi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AFEAH AWASE TERVER Formerly known and addressed as AFEAH AWASE REBECCA, now wish to be known and addressed as AFEAH AWASE TERVER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UBAIKE THELMA OBIANUJU now wish to be known and address as IBEZIAKO THELMA OBIANUJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABOSI EMILIA UDOAMAKA I, formerly known and addressed as ONYEMAECHI EMILIA AFOERINWA now wish to be known and addressed as ABOSI EMILIA UDOAMAKA. All former document remains valid, the general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHRISTIANA HOUNDEGAMME now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHRISTIANA NAKOU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BOLARINWA MODUPE Formerly known and addressed as OGUNGBUYI MODUPE now wish to be known and addressed as BOLARINWA MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that TITILOLA OLAYINKA SIWOKU and TITILOLA OLAYINKA WILLIAMS refer to one and same person. That my date of birth is 25 September 1954. . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IBEZIAKO THELMA OBIANUJU

MRS CHRISTIANA NAKOU

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

IKEOZALA JOSEPHINE UCHENNA Formerly known and addressed as DOMINIC JOSEPHINE now wish to be known and address as IKEOZALA JOSEPHINE UCHENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHABI ABDOUL-AZIZ

Formerly known and addressed as ISHIAK BOUKO ABDUL-AZIZ now wish to be known and addressed as CHABI ABDOUL-AZIZ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as OLOWO AYOMIDE RUFUS instead of OLOWO AYODELE RUFUS. That my date of birth is 04/04/1980 and not 04/04/1983 . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

charge of Security at the Commission, Richard Awolola, while addressing the protesters, said that INEC is still studying the Federal High Court’s judgment and will take a decision soon. He commended the group for the orderly and peaceful manner they have conducted the protest and urged them to remain law abiding as they await the action of INEC. Justice John Tsoho of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, had in a judgment on December 13, declared that Okonkwo as the rightfully elected candidate of the PDP in the primary election held in 2014. The court went further to order INEC to immediately issue Okonkwo with the Certificate of Return being the rightful candidate of the disputed Anambra Central Senatorial Election won by the PDP in 2015. The INEC official assured the protesters of the Commission’s readiness to obey the court ruling, explaining that the commission is following the normal process and would act as soon as possible. You may recall that the court of Appeal in Enugu had in 2015 nullified Ekwunife’s election on the grounds that she was not a product of a valid primary and declared the seat vacant at the National Assembly. x TINUKE FATIMA OMOLAYE MRS I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tinuke Fatima AKANDE now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Tinuke Fatima OMOLAYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. MRS ONATOYINBO xOLUWATUMININU ABIGAIL

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLATUBOSUN OLUWATUMININU ABIGAIL now wish to be known and address as MRS ONATOYINBO OLUWATUMININU ABIGAIL . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as ONYEAGHALA ONYEDIKACHI HENSHEL on my Bank details instead of ONYEAGHALA ONYEDIKACHI HENSCHEL. That my correct name is ONYEAGHALA ONYEDIKACHI HENSCHEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEJARE

Formerly known and addressed as ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEGBENRO now wish to be known and addressed as ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEJARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. x JOY NKECHI CLEMENT

Formerly known and addressed as NKECHI JOY ONYEKA now wish to be known and addressed as JOY NKECHI CLEMENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Companies Registration (Trustees)

FIRST RIVERSIDE EDUCATION AND MEDICARE GLOBAL FOUNDATION

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

DIVINE FIRE FOUNDATION MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

ARENA OF MERCY CHURCH

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR JOLAYEMI ADEBAYO TAIWO 2. DR (MRS) JOLAYEMI MARY BOLANLE 3. MR OGUNLEYE EMMANUEL IDOWU 4. PHARM ADEKOLA SAMUEL OLUWAOROMIPIN 5. MR JOLAYEMI EMMANUEL OLUWATOBI

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1, REV DR CLEMENT PATRICK ESHIET 2, REV PASTOR EMMANUEL JEROME ENIN 3, OLUEHI NNAMDI TONY. 4, MRS INEMESIT CLEMENT ESHIET 5, ELDER CLETUS UDOKA. 6, MRS LOVINA BATHOLOMEW JAMES.

THIS ARE THE TRUSTEES FULL NAMES: 1. MADU FRANCA CHIEDU. 2. MADU AUSTINE ONUABUCHI. 3. OMOROSE OSAROBO GEORGE. 4.CHUKWUMA TOCHUKWU CLETUS. 5. OTOBOTEKERE PAUL DINIPRE. AIMA AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO RECONCILE MAN BACK TO GOD. 2. TO TEACH THEM HOW TO ATTRACTS GOD’S FAVOUR FROM HIS WORD. 3. TO DELIVER MAN FROM EVERY EVIL FOUNDATION. 4. TO MAKE MAN TO UNDERSTAND THAT HEAVEN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN RICHES. 5. THAT MERCY OF GOD IS AVAILABLE TO EVERY ONE THAT WILL ASK FOR MERCY.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO HELP IN IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA AT LARGE BY PARTNERING WITH AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS

AIM: 1. PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST OBJECTIVE: 1. BRINGING MEN AND WOMEN TO CHRIST

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: DR JOLAYEMI ADEBAYO TAIWO

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

THRONE OF GREATNESS BIBLE & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

CITY ON THE ROCK ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

TRUSTEES 1. PST. MRS DAVID IDUKU JULIET. - CHAIRMAN 2. EDWARD OBEBEGBEDE IKIABO. - SECRETARY

TRUSTEES: 1. OGBEKILE NICHOLAS CHIZOBAM 2. ODABI ONYEBUCHI JESSICA 3. IGBINIJESU OLUBUNMI DEBORAH 4. ERONIM ALEXANDER CHUKWUYEM 5. IGBINIJESU PHILIP EDOBOR OSASUYI

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2. TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD OF GOD ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

DIVINE GRACE ARENA MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKORODUDU CHRISTOPHER OMOHWOVO -CHAIRMAN 2. GORDEN IKUTEGBE - SECRETARY 3. OKPE FRANK UGO -P.R.O THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2. RAISING A GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS THAT WILL BUILD A BETTER CHURCH FOR 3. TO PREACH AND BRING DELIVERANCE TO THOSE WHOSE JOY HAS BEEN TAKEN THE WORD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE COMING OF OUR LORD AWAY BY THE ENEMIES AND RESTORE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS, JOY TO THE: SORROWED AND LIGHT TO THOSE IN THE DARK 4. TO PREACH AND TRAIN CHRISTIAN TO POSSESS THE GOOD CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND SHINES AS LIGHT IN THE WORLD AND SALT OF THE EARTH ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, WUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ELDER J. K. NANA (J.P) CROWN KINGS CONSULTANCY CO 08037769526

ST. LAWRENCE”S GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OSUN THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO HE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 PART C THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JIMOH ADEBAYO KADIRI 2. ALUKO OLUFAYO LANRENCE 3. AJIBOYE LAWRENCE AJIBADE 4. ADEDUGBE JULIE OMOLARA 5.OSINOWO SYLVESTER ADETOLA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: FOSTER UNITY AND LOVE AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, VWUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

HEPHZIBAH WORD AND PRAYER MINISTRY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO SPREAD THE FULL GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST. 3. TO ATTEND TO THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF MEMBERS 4. TO WORK TOWARDS PROMOTION OF CHRISTIAN UNITY THROUGH PRAYERS AND ACTION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AYEMERE JACOB FRIDAY (SECRETARY)

LIFE STREAMS CARE INT’L INITIATIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO HE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 PART C THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. REV. DIKE JONATHAN-CHAIRMAN 2. PST. (MRS) DIKE MAGDALENE-SECRETARY 3. PST. SOCHI FESTUS EGBUNE -FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADEQUATE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC 2. TO ENCOURAGE INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH 3. TO AID AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE FATHERLESS, MOTHERLESS, AND THE HANDICAPPED ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, VWUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

INCIDENTAL OR ANCILLIASW TO THE ABOVE OBJECTIVES

THE ROYAL MAJESTY CHURCH OF GOD WORLDWIDE

ESQ

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALICE IDIKU ACHI 2. CHRIATIANA IYAJI OBIAJE 3. FRIDAY AKWAJI OKO 4. NNEKA UZOAMAKA OKARO 5. BRIGHT BESOR

SIGNED: SECRETARY

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. KENNETH NWAFOR, 2. NWAOKORO UZONNA CAJETAN, 3. JOHN OGBONNA CHRISTIAN, 4. ELOSI IFEANYI, 5. SUNDAY OKOLI. AIM AND OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2. TO ENSURE THAT THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS ARE MADE A PRIORITY AND PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO 3. TO REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF THE ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBERS BEFORE GOVERNMENT BODIES, PRIVATE SECTOR AND ORGANIZED BODIES. 4. TO DO ALL THINGS INCIDENTAL OR ANCILLIARY TO THE ABOVE OBJECTIVES.

THE MINISTERS AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY. 2. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

SIGNED: ELDER J. K. NANA (J.P) CROWN KINGS CONSULTANCY CO 08037769526

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1 TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

SIGNED: SECRETARY

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ZIKLAG HOPE FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OSUNKEYE STEPHEN (2) OSUNKEYE MODUPE OJUETIMI (3) OLADELE BOSE OLUWATOSIN, (4) OMOJUSARIBI JULIUS FOLORUNSHO (5) ADENIYI LOLA OLUBUNMI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: THE AIM IS TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASES TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. OBJECTIVES 1.TO AID YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS HIV/AIDS AND CANCER SURVIVORS LEARN VOCATIONAL SKILLS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH VARIOUS ESTABLISHED VOCATIONAL SKILLS ACQUISITION SCHOOLS. 2. TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASES, HIV/AIDS, CANCER SURVIVORS, DM TYPE 1 AND 2 ETC. 3. TO PROMOTE PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC DISEASES. 4. TO ENCOURAGE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE AMONGST PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASES AND CANCER SURVIVORS. THIS WILL MINIMIZE DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL ATTITUDES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

MOUNTAIN OF FAITH AND LOVE CHURCH WORLD-WIDE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 PART C THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. OMONUGO PATRICK ADEWALE - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. AVWERHOBA ELOHOR - PASTOR 3. GOLDE SUNDAY- DEACON THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH AND BRING DELIVERANCE TO THOSE WHOSE JOY HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY THE ENEMIES AND RESTORE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS, JOY TO THE 2. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS OF THE WORLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH 3. TO PREACH AND TRAIN CHRISTIAN TO POSSESS THE GOOD CHRISTIAN VIRTUES 4. TO MINISTER DIVINE DELIVERANCE FROM FOUNDATION HOLDS SORROWED AND LIGHT TO THOSE IN THE DARK THE WORD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND SHINES AS LIGHT IN THE WORLD AND SALT OF THE EARTH 5. RAISING A GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS THAT WILL BUILD A BETTER CHURCH FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, WUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: J. K. NANA CROWN KINGS CONSULTANCY CO 08037769526

RECREATION CLUB OF BADAGRY

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROPHET MOSES OLUWOLE. (G. O.) 2. PROPHETESS MOSES RONKE. (SECRETARY) 3. PASTOR AJAYI AYODEJI. 4. MUSILE MOYINBI FUNMILAYO (MATRON)

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 KUTON FELIX ABIODUN 2 DISU AYODELE MOHAMMED 3 AMOSU SENU 4 AJOSE ANTHONY OLOYEDE 5 KUTON JOSERH NUNAYON 6 KIKI JOHN ZINSU

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO TEACH AND PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, VWUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: FOSTER UNITY AND LOVE AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION. NDOLA SQUARE, ZONE 5, VWUSE, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

BETHEL CITY OF GOD MISSION NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999. TRUSTEES 1.UZUEGBUNAM EMMANUEL OKECHUKWU 2. OKECHUKWU RACHAEL CHINENYE AIM AND OBJECTIVE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

INITIATIVE FOR GREAT CONCERNS FOR UNITY PEACE & DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999. TRUSTEES: 1. PRINCE ABBA EMMANUEL JP -PRESIDENT GENERAL 2 INUSA ANGA 3 DOROTHY AMAKA ANAYO EMMANUEL (SECRETARY) 4 CHIEF MIKE LUBE NWIDOBIE(MEMBER ) 5 PASTOR AMINCI HABU CHOSEN (MEMBER ) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PROMOTE UNITY, PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED:- OYONAKPARE VICTOR

Companies Registration 25 LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL LAND DOCUMENTS OF PEGI RELOCATION SITE DATED 21/06/2011, PLOT NO. B/19/46 BEARING REUBEN OLESEME GOT LOST. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE LOSS DOCUMENTS PROVED ABORTIVE. THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ANY AUTHORITY CONCERNED TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION IN NIG. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990. TRUSTEES: (1) PROF. ARIMIYAU AKANJI SANUSI (REPRESENTING NORTH CENTRAL GEOPOLITICAL ZONE). (2) MALLAM KAMAR ABDUKADIR (REPRESENTING NORTH EAST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE) (3) PROF. OYESEGUN OLUFEMI OYERINDE (REPRESENTING NORTH WEST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE) (4) DR AKHERE IBHAFIDON (REPRESENTING SOUTH EAST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE) (5) DR. (MRS) FELICIA SATURDAY EKPU (REPRESENTING SOUTH-SOUTH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE) (6) PROF. OLAWALE AKANBI MORONKOLA (REPRESENTING SOUTH WEST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE)

HELEN SPRING FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATIONS AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) EZINNE HELEN EKUME (2) ENGR. UZO EKUME (3) HON. AMECHI EKUME (4) MRS. NNEKA CHIJIOKE (5) MISS CHINWE EKUME (6) DAME BARR. NKOLIKA ASHARA (7) MISS NDIDI EKUME (8) MRS. ADAMMADU AGBANAJE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: (1) TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO INDIGENT STUDENTS, (2) SUPPORT ORPHANAGE HOMES, (3) MOBILIZE AND MAINTAIN A CHARITABLE FUND FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WIDOWS, ORPHANS AND DESTITUTES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

EVERYDAY WITH JESUS MINISTRY - CAC/IT/NO 42765 THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART “C’ OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND AIDS TO SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION.

OLD TRUSTEES: 1. JOHN ONUOHA, 2. PASTOR (MRS.) CHARITY ONUOHA, 3. CHINEDU ONUOHA, 4. DEBORAH ONUOHA, 5. JOSHUA ONUOHA, 6. GOODNESS ONUOHA. NEW TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR (MRS.) CHARITY ONUOHA, 2. CHINEDU ONUOHA, 3. AKATUGBA OGHOGHO JOY, 4. ZHIYA JOSHUA, 5. HULOBU PISHIKEN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME:

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED: SECRETARY

WORD EXPLOITS ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

RHEMAPLACE MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATIONS AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART “C’ OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IDOJERIE FAITH IMORSIMEN 2. IJIMEDAMEN DESTINY SHEDRACK 3. IDOJERIE SAMUEL IJIMEDAMEN 4. OCHO ONYAWOYI 5. JULIUS JOE ONUH

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. BEST OZULIGBO.....RETAINED 2. PASTOR (MRS). CHARITY OZULIGBO....RETAINED 3. REV. DR. GODWIN NWACHUKWU....APPOINTED 4. REV. TOPE ILESANMI....APPOINTED 5. DEACON. TEMITOPE OKUNOWO.....RESIGNED 6. DEACON IFEANYI ODASHI.....RESIGNED 7. DEACON. AZUKA AGWUATA....RESIGNED. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME

CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION . (OLD TRUSTEES) 1 REV’D UFUAH EMMANUEL -RETAINED 2.DR WILSON IWURHIE - REMOVED 3.AFE GRACE FRANCISCA(DNS) RETAINED (NEW TRUSTEES) ALL APPOINTED 1 REV(MRS) UFUAH STEPHANIE 2 DN ENGR.CHIBUIKE BASIL 3 DN IDUNIDUN AUSTIN. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION TO REFLECT CHANGES:

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

GODSHIP LINK MINISTRY

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARRISTER CHARLES REUBEN OZULIGBO (ESQ)

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE MONARCH INT’L CHURCH

VOICE OF THE LAMB EVANGELICAL OUTREACH

THE RESTORATION PEOPLES ASSEMBLY INT’L

TRUSTEES: (1) PASTOR MRS CATHERINE OBE (2)PASTOR CHRISTOPHER UGOALA (3)DOCAS OBARI PHILLIP O (4)SUNDAY OSAROBE JUNIOR --SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: TO TAKE THE GOSPEL TO EVERY DOOR STEP AND RAISING ORPHANS /LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE FEAR OF GOD

TRUSTEES ARE ( 1) REV. IKEKA GABRIEL --PRESIDENT. (2) JENNIFER GABRIEL --SECRETARY (3) NWAKAJI NWAKAJI EKAA --TRESURER (4)APOSTLE DAN WINNER-- MEMBER (5) REV IHEANACHO WILLIAM -- MEMBER

TRUSTEES ARE (1) APOSTLE BENJAMIN ONUOHA --CHAIRMAN (2)PASTOR MARY LAKA --SECRETARY (3) EMANUEL ONUOHA -- TRESURER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REACHING THE WORLD THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

CHRIST MY ROCK RESTORATION MISSION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHUKWUEBUKA INNOCENT ANENE 2. CHRISTOPHER OKECHUKWU KATCHY 3. JANET NKECHI ANENE 4. GERALD BENJAMIN ASOMUGHA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENGAGE IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 2. TO USE THE PROPHETIC GIFT OF GOD TO EDIFY THE BODY OF CHRIST. 3. RESTORE HOPE TO THE IOST SOULS IN THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

WALLLESS CHURCH

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR INNOCENT VALLENCE 2. MELODY VALLENCE 3. DR. NDIDI OKOLO, PH.D AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO FULLY RESTORE THE REASON JESUS RAISED THE CHURCH ON EARTH. 3. TO GIVE BELIEVERS’ LIFE TRUE MEANING WITH OUR WELFARE PACKAGES. 4. TO REACH OUR TARGET AUDIENCE THROUGH ONLINE ARTICLES AND POSTS. 5. TO LEAD SOULS TO HEAVEN THROUGH SOUND DOCTRINAL TEACHINGS. 6. TO REACH OUT TO OUR AUDIENCE THROUGH; EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP, WORSHIP AND CONFERENCES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BY BUILDING A MINISTRY DEDICATED TO SOUL WINNING AND REACHING OUT TO THE HURTING AND BROKEN HEARTED ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PRAYER LAND SOLUTION MINISTARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE MARTINS, JOSIAH OSARO - PRESIDENT 2. MARTINS, GLADYS ADA - SECRETARY 3. OGBECHIE LINDA NDIDIAMAKA - FINANCIAL SECRETARY 4. CHUKWUDI, RICHARD A. - TREASURER 5. MOMOH PATIENCE AKHERE - MEMBER 6. ASOGWA CHINEDU ERIC - P. R. O. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2. TO RAISE AN ENDTIME ARMY OF HOPE, FAITH AND PURITY WHO THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD AND PRAYER BREAKS SATANIC PROTOCOL 3. ORGANISING REVIVALS TO WIN SOULS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

News/Change of Names 26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Dickson seeks exclusion of 13% derivation fund from $1b security fund Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÎÎÎGovernor Henry Seriake

Dickson of Bayelsa State, has asked the Federal Government to exclude the 13 percent derivation funds accruable to oil producing states from the one billion Dollars to be deducted from the Excess Crude Account for national security. The governor demanded that the 13 percent Derivation component of the one billion Dollars be deducted and sent to the various oil producing states to prevent subjecting them from making double contributions to the security funds. Dickson, who made the demand in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Wednesday, also said that

the implication of the withdrawal inclusive of the 13 percent was that the oil producing states would be making double contributions to the security funds. The Governor stated further that he had discussed the issue with both the Vice President who is Chairman of the National Economic Council and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. Dickson noted that while Bayelsa was not against the withdrawal of the funds to enhance national security, the utilization of the funds should benefit the entire security agency and service and cover every part of the country. The Governor said, “Our position generally has been that leaders should collaborate on issues of national security and the economy. On

these matters, there should be no partisanship or showmanship because these issues touch on the core of our nation and the individual wellbeing of everybody. “Secondly, as it has been done before, Bayelsa has no opposition to the withdrawal of money for national security expenditure targeted at improving the capacity of our military and security agencies to protect the territorial integrity of the country and all Nigerians. “Our position is that the 13 percent derivation element be deducted and sent to the states. Not to do so means that the oil producing states would be contributing from both ends: we will be contributing our statutory allocations like every other state, and then the 13 percent derivation which is meant to address special circumstances

as oil producing states, including security challenges. The Bayelsa Governor further demanded that a committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum be set up to interface with the Chairman of the National Economic Council and leadership of the national security agencies to receive briefings on the details of items to be procured. According to him, it is necessary for the committee to be briefed on the modalities of procurement to allay concerns already expressed by a cross segment of the populace. Dickson said that Bayelsa like other states would be interested in knowing what component of these security procurements would directly benefit the security architecture in Bayelsa.

Attack on Okey Ezea: DSS, Police quiz NASS member, commissioner Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎThe

I, formerly known and addressed as ASUZU CATHERINE OBIANUJU now wish to be known and addressed as CHIEMERIE CATHERINE OBIANUJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS KASUMU MONSURAT OLAIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABDULHAMMED MONSURAT OLAIDE. all former documents remain valid and. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KOLAWALE IWALADE JOHN now wish to be known and addressed as IWALADE KOLADE JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as HASSAN SULAIMON AKILAPA now wish to be known and addressed as HASSAN SULAIMON OYEBANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IWALADE KOLADE JOHN

HASSAN SULAIMON OYEBANJI

Anambra Central: We are studying judgement –INEC Myke Uzendu and Oluchi Okoroafor, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Independent National

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

x CORRECTION OF NAME

MRS IFE JOANA OTUODICHI

6. I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezike Joana Otuodichi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ife Joana Otuodichi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AFEAH AWASE TERVER Formerly known and addressed as AFEAH AWASE REBECCA, now wish to be known and addressed as AFEAH AWASE TERVER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UBAIKE THELMA OBIANUJU now wish to be known and address as IBEZIAKO THELMA OBIANUJU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHRISTIANA HOUNDEGAMME now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHRISTIANA NAKOU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BOLARINWA MODUPE Formerly known and addressed as OGUNGBUYI MODUPE now wish to be known and addressed as BOLARINWA MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IBEZIAKO THELMA OBIANUJU

MRS CHRISTIANA NAKOU

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHABI ABDOUL-AZIZ

ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEJARE

Formerly known and addressed as ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEGBENRO now wish to be known and addressed as ALHAJA TAIBAT ADEJARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. x JOY NKECHI CLEMENT

Formerly known and addressed as NKECHI JOY ONYEKA now wish to be known and addressed as JOY NKECHI CLEMENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

27 News

Glo-sponsored CNN African Voices celebrates first S’ African female pilot Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe Globacom-sponsored CNN African Voices, will this weekend celebrate Asnath Mahapa, the first female pilot in South Africa. Globacom, in a press statement in Lagos on Thursday, stated that

viewers across the globe will have the opportunity of seeing the South African pilot tell her inspirational story on the programme. Mahapa, who explained that she defied her father to follow her dream said, “When I told my father I wanted to become a pilot, he never

even entertained the idea”, adding that she did not give up. “It just dawned on me that those big things that we see in the skies, someone is actually in charge of them,” she tells CNN. “I thought if someone can fly this thing that means I can also do it,” she added.

Mahapa, who became a pilot in 1998, also went ahead to open African College of Aviation in 2012 to help women who aspire to become pilots, thus fulfilling her passion for training and inspiring a new generation of pilots. The programme will also feature Michael Pur-

chase, a pilot from Kenya who will also talk about his work as a Conservation Officer at Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia in the northern part of Kenya. Purchase, a conservationist working to protect the earth’s most precious treasures, combines his passion for flying with

his love for wildlife and the environment. The 30-minute magazine programme which comes up at 9.30 a.m. on Friday is also repeated at 3.30 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 6.30 p.m. on Sundays. The show will also be aired on Monday at 10:30 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 4.30 a.m.

Stop Hunting My Family

ÏÏÏA normal, quiet life is a

choice. It is also a fundamental human right, one that no one in a free country like Nigeria expects to have to fight for. Yet here we are, my family and I, fighting for our lives. I come from Osun State, from a small town called Owo-Ope where the deity Ifa is worshipped. My father, Oloye Aderemi Adekunle (of blessed memory), was from the Ifa priesthood clan. The Ifa priesthood is rotated within this ruling clan, but my father was never priest. My childhood, lived in faraway Lagos State, was simple yet memorable; my father, mother, brother, three sisters and I went through our share of ups and downs, but we stayed a close-knit family. Eleven years ago, my father passed away – and with his death ended my family’s ties to Ifa. But the Ifa priesthood clan does not agree. After the last Ifa priest died on January 18, 2016, news came that the oracle had decreed it was the turn of my father’s family to lead the clan. In the event of the demise of the father, the mantle was to be passed to the first son – Adedotun Adekunle, in this case. My response, of course, was a firm no. My wife and I are Christians, and I respectfully declined to forego my faith for a course I do not believe in. That should

have been the end of that, but it was not. It was just the beginning. The clan’s chief makers came after my siblings, my wife and me. My siblings would, on several occasions, emerge from their homes or return from work to meet strangers from the village on their doorstep. And these kinsmen did not stop to say hello before raining curses on my siblings, interspersed only with threats. With my wife and me, they went even further – we were stalked, manhandled, physically assaulted and beaten. We would wake to find ebo (a voodoo sacrifice and symbol of a curse) placed in front of our home. We received calls in the wee hours that left us wide-eyed and feeling haunted. We had to watch our backs at home, at work and everywhere in between. Beginning January 2016, we endured no fewer than three of these attacks per month from either members of the clan or hoodlums hired by said members. The Ifa priesthood clan are known to mete out stiff penalties (including torture and death) to those who contravene their wishes. Traumatised, vulnerable and fearful for our lives, we fled home in September of 2016: my wife ran to her family, while I made a hasty exit from the country.

L-R: Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; Member, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Olufemi Adebanjo and Committee Chairman, Tajudeen Yusuf, at a public hearing on a motion to intervene on the conflict between Minister of Finance and suspended Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission, Mounir H. Gwarzo in Abuja… on Thursday.

Bayelsa firm, Azikel group denies allegation of tax evasion, heads to court

Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏPresident

of Azikel Group of Companies, Dr Azibapu Eruani on Thursday denied the allegation that the company is indebted to Bayelsa state government to the tune of N30 million in unpaid taxes. On December 15, 2017, Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenue sealed off the sand dredging subsidiary of the company, citing a debt of N30 million, accruing from Pay As You Earn, PAYE taxes from the staff of the

company. The action of the board followed a court order from a Bayelsa High Court, but Dr. Eruani said the allegation was false and had no substance of truth in it. In a statement issued by the Media Assistant to Eruani, Mr Tari Ebibo, the firm said that Azikel Group was not indebted to any organization including the Board of Internal Revenue. He said that the alleged tax debt was not only misleading, but targeted to malign the unblemished

image and excellence for which Azikel Group was known for in the state and Niger Delta as well as within and outside the country. According to Ebibo, the firm is seeking legal redress. He advised the BIR to address the substantive suit in court and stop misleading the public by their reckless behaviour and utterances. “Azikel Group has continued to contribute to the human capital development in the state

ASUU Berates Kogi Governor over unpaid salaries

Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone has condemned the action of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over the alleged proscription of the Academic Staff

Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state owned University, Anyigba. It also urged the authorities of Lagos State University (LASU) to urgently look into the issues of seven of its members who were allegedly sacked by the institution’s

management. Briefing journalists in Benin City, Zonal Coordinator ASUU, Anthony Monye-Emina who described the purported proscription of ASUU in the Kogi State University as a nullity said the Governor has allegedly sacked over

120 ASUU members and these members are on the verge of being evicted from the University Staff Quarters. Chairmen of all the branches in the zone and their representatives as well as national officers who condemned the action of the Kogi State

Governor said, “some of our Comrades who have refused to sign back to work register have been declared sacked and are on the verge of being, if not already evicted from the University Quarters which they occupy.” Monye-Emina who decried the system

as an indigenous company owned by a Bayelsa person. “It has brought hope to the people of the state by bridging the unemployment gap. “Majority of the people we employ in our sand dredging operations and our subsidiary companies are people of Bayelsa origin. “While Azikel Group has continued to receive commendation within and outside the country for successes recorded in job creation and the industrial deficit in the state.

decay in the Kogi State University particularly the use of unqualified teaching staff put in place to replace the sacked lecturers alleged that graduate assistants and Corps members have taken over the jobs of ASUU members in the University.

con-

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Buhari assures better investment in health sector Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that the Federal Government will increase investment in the health sector, so that the country can halt the loss of well trained professionals to other lands. Receiving the executive members of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at State House, Abuja on Thursday, the President appreciated the concern expressed by the association on the state of the health sector in the country. He assured, “We will do our best to work on your recommendations, and increase investment in the health sector.” Professor Ngim E. Ngim, President of MDCAN, said the association consists of trainers, researchers, leaders and major stakeholders in health care, who are concerned about the well-be-

ing of the sector. He appealed for action on the resolution of interprofessional rivalry in health care in the country, noting that a panel had been convened in 2014 to look into the issues, headed by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, “but no White Paper has been issued till date.” Among other requests brought before the President by MDCAN were better health financing, reconstitution of the Governing Board of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, need for a single term of five years for Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary hospitals, and the establishment of medical universities in each geo-political zone of the country. The association also hoped that the constitution of a Minimum Wage Committee by the Federal Government would help curb brain drain, if medical professionals were better remunerated.

Relocate your embassies to Jerusalem Zionists urge African countries Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, yesterday urged all the African countries to immediately relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This followed US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a declaration that has sparked negative reactions across the world. However, in statement he made available to journalists in Enugu, self-acclaimed Biafra President, Benjamin Onwuka Nsiegbe said his group was totally in support of Trump’s decision. “This is to make it loud and clear that what Donald Trump has done by

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officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is right. We applaud him, we support him. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and its been there for almost 5000 years. So, the people of Biafra supports Trump for taking this bold step. “This opposition from British, Germany, France and the rest of them is unacceptable. It is hypocritical; their opposition is rubbish; Biafra people support it 100 percent. We also congratulate the Israelis; Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. “Any country that does not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will no longer buy Biafra oil. If you do not recognize Jerusalem,

there will be oil embargo on any country that fails to recognize Jerusalem. That’s our economic embargo. “We are, therefore, calling on African countries to relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, this is to avoid economic conflict with us. “As for all these other companies, Shell UK, Agip of France, and the rest of them, we shall sack them from Biafra land and replace them with American companies for supporting the Palestine”, he boasted. Onwuka, who equally disclosed that all his members in detention have regained freedom after over three years of incarcera-

tion, vowed that nothing would stop his push for a total recognition of Biafra. He said, “We have been in prison since June 5th 2014, but I want to announce that out of all our members arrested that day, 11 have come out alive. Unfortunately, we lost one of them. He was shot dead by the police during our encounter with them at the ESBS. “We have made several sacrifices for Biafra; so the Zionists remain the leaders of Biafra. The next announcement Trump is going to make is on Biafra; just watch and see. “We are going ahead; we are now into diplomatic engagement, no more physical action, but we are not afraid of arrest; Biafra cannot be stopped.

Group renews call for state creation Sunday Nwakanma - Umuahia

ÏÏÏ The National Associ-

ation of State Movements, NASM an umbrella body of those advocating the creation of additional States, has appealed to Federal Government to listen to the wishes of Nigerians who desire, with concrete, genuine and verifiable data, the status of statehood for their areas. In a seven points communiqué signed by the National Chairman Elder Dr E. O Adaelu, National Vice Chairman Alhaji Habibu Mohammed Gwarzo, National Secretary, Gbenga Omiwole , and the National Director of Publicity / Enlightenment Mr Godfrey Akara among others and made available to Daily Times Thursday in Umuahia, the group said no argument against State creation will satisfy the wishes of the people, except to give them states of their own, pointing out that it’s clear to Nigerians that state creation is for even development.

The communiqué reads in part: “Creation of additional States in Nigeria remains one of the greatest wishes of Nigerians and other people of goodwill who desire with genuine and verifiable data the status of statehood for their areas “ “The National Association of State movement hereby unequivocally states that refusal to heed to this progressive desire of Nigerians, as its appears now is undemocratic” “NASM cannot continue to tolerate the deliberate silence of the current power that be, on this burning issue, that satisfies the yearning desire for liberation and emancipation of the agitators. “There is no argument against State creation that will satisfy the wishes of the people, except to give them states of their own, it’s clear to all Nigerians that state creation is for even development, greater number of Nigerians have watched with great shock, the lopsided development partner in the countr.

We won’t participate in local govt poll - Ekiti APC ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it will not participate in the weekend local government election across the state. In a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said it is boycotting the election because of what it described as a “misnomer, undemocratic and compromised election from the beginning”. Olatunbosun explained: “The compromised State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) is composed of members who are card-carrying

members of the People’s Dem ocratic Party (PDP) with a mandate to endorse and implement the decisions and directives of Governor Ayodele Fayose and his party. “No democratic institution or political party worth its salt will waste its resources and time to participate in a compromised election and under a lawless administration as exemplified by Fayose. “Fayose in the last three years has demonstrated an extreme recklessness and executive rascality in government, almost usurping the responsibilities of other arms of government with impunity who is ac-

customed to presenting himself as the Speaker of the House of Assembly and who also invaded the court where he attacked a judge in the temple of justice. “Fayose has constituted himself as an enemy of democracy, rule of law and electoral process and therefore an institution, such as SIEC under him, is an aberration having been instituted contrary to the provisions of the law of the country, and, unfortunately, Ekiti courts are helpless in calling him to order because of fear of violent attacks. “Again, the process of the emergence of the so-

called candidates of PDP under the supervision of almighty Fayose inside Ekiti State Government House was patently illegal and unconstitutional, yet SIEC accepted and approved of such undemocratic and illegal conduct, which points to the direction the charade is headed. “We won’t join this charade because if they could do that to members of their party, then it is instructive for us as an opposition party to know we cannot have a free, fair and credible election, particularly under a caged, compromised and biased umpire.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Friday, December 22, 2017

EXTRATIME

Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

IFA has released its end-of-year international ranking of Men’s National Teams, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria slipping down the charts for the second straight month.

FIFA End-Year Ranking : Nigeria 51st in the world, 9th in Africa The Super Eagles were inactive since the last edition of the rankings but their past matches were added to FIFA formula’s calculations, and they have dropped one place to 51st in the world; the three-time African champions were ranked

the ninth best team among CAF countries. Elsewhere in the rankings, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Congo Democratic Republic and Morocco are the best five teams in Africa in that order. Our World Cup rivals Argen-

tina occupy the fourth position, Croatia and Iceland are 17th and 22nd respectively on the ladder. 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifying opponents South Africa, Libya and Seychelles sit in the 81st, 88th and 192nd place respectively in the updated ranking.

Germany maintained their top spot at the summit, with Brazil, Portugal and Belgium completing the top five teams. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 18 January 2018.

Missing NFF $40,000 - Ex - NFF president’s sister involved

woman working as an intern in the Nigerian Football Federation has allegedly stolen $40,000 with the intention of returning the money after doubling it via voodoo. The lady who allegedly stole the money and who is said to be a sister to an ex-president of the Nigeria Football Federation, picked four bundles of $10,000 and took to her heels leaving her handbag at the scene of the crime. The lady whose name was not mentioned then handed the money to two men who assured her of doubling the money to $80,000 within 48 hours. “Yes two middle aged men have been arrested in connection to the money theft at the NFF. The men confessed to the Police of being money doublers and confirmed that the lady actually gave them the money to double for her”, a top source at the NFF said. You would recall that the Nigeria football Federation is in huge debt as it continues to make plans and source for funds for the World Cup. And that only recently the Sports ministry said it needed N3billion ($8340000) to persecute next year’s World Cup. You would also recall that this is not the first time money especially foreign currencies will go missing in the NFF. In March 2009, the accounts department of the NFF was broken into, and $200,000 was carted away from one of the drawers. In 2012, $80,000 was alleged to have gone missing, but the NFF denied such ever happened. Ironically, the NFF is yet to issue an official statement since the latest incident happened.

Foreign Ujah

Ujah re-joins Mainz from China

igeria striker Anthony Ujah’s skills in the Bundesliga have been recognised Mainz Mainz sporting director Rouven Schröder German side Mainz have re-signed Nigeria international striker Anthony Ujah from Chinese club Liaoning FC. He joins the Bundesliga side for an undisclosed fee and signs a three-and-a-halfyear deal until summer 2021. The 27-year-old scored twice in 17 appearances for the club in the 2011-12 season before he switched to Cologne. “I’m extremely happy to return to Mainz, I’m looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga again.,” he told the club’s website. “I have only good memories of my time here [at Mainz], My ambition is to help the team from the second half of the season to reach the goals of the club.” Mainz sporting director Rouven Schröder is delighted with the reunion and believes the Super Eagle will improve the squad. “Anthony [Ujah] is an athletic, determined and strong attacker who has proved his qualities at the Bundesliga level,” said Schröder. “He adds real value to our squad, a great character and due to his short past here. We made sure that he commits to a long-term future at Mainz.”

Coach rejects

FALCON’s jobs

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed its disappointment that Randy Waldrum has rejected the chance to become coach of the women’s national team. Waldrum and the NFF failed to agree terms for the American to to succeed Florence Omagbemi in the role, despite an announcement from the federation in October. Earlier this week the 61-year-old opted to accept a new role as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh women’s team. “I’m quite diapppointed that Randy Waldrum was appointed and he decided not to come again,” top NFF official Chris Green told BBC Sport on Thursday. “But again I’m actually disappointed in the fact that I thought we had a good coach in him.” Green explained why Waldrum had changed his mind and admitted some of the blame must lie with the NFF. “He said in his letter [to us] that from when the [NFF] president gave him the job, they did not do anything or contact him any further,” Green added. It doesn’t speak well of Nigerian football that after the Paul Le Guen saga this one is happening again, it doesn’t tell well, but what can we do? We just have to learn and move on. “There are other things that are required like signing the contract itself, working conditions, and all the basics that parties have to agree to - nothing was done. “He was left in the limbo and said he has to feed his family, but extremely disappointed that we’ve lost out on another coach.” It is the second time in 18 months that a foreign manager will reject a coaching offer from the NFF after Frenchman Paul Le Guen rebuffed the chance to handle the Super Eagles in July 2016. This latest setback comes as a big blow to reigning African champions the Super Falcons who have not played or trained since lifting the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations a year ago. But Green apologised and admitted shortcomings by the federation as they have failed their women’s team - Africa’s most succesful national side - once again. “Nigeria is a great country with abundant talent for anyone to want and coach, but on our own part [as administrators] there are many things we should have done that are left undone,” he admitted. “Administratively, that is not how to get things to work out for an organisation like the NFF or in football generally because things are changing in football with new dynamics. “It doesn’t speak well of Nigerian football that after the Paul Le Guen saga this one is happening again, it doesn’t tell well, but what can we do? We just have to learn and move on.”

Friday, December 22, 2017

EXTRATIME

EURO.........................EURO........................EURO.............................

Wenger

Paco

Wenger wants revenge against Liverpool

rsene Wenger wants to put the memory of Arsenal’s painful 4-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool firmly in the past when the sides reconvene on Friday. The Gunners were comprehensively outplayed at Anfield back in August as Jurgen Klopp’s men ran riot - Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge all on the scoresheet. Arsenal come into Friday’s meeting at Emirates Stadium fifth in the Premier League, a point and a place behind their opponents, and Wenger has called on his players to avenge that early-season humiliation. “When you have such a long career as I have, you have some defeats unfortunately that hurt you for the rest of your life,” he said. “I believe what is interesting in football is you always have a time to make up for it. When you can put things right, do it “So let’s focus on what is in front of us and turn up on Friday night with a completely different perfor-

Balotelli wants ‘big club’ M

ario Balotelli says he hopes big clubs are taking note of his continued good form at Nice as he eyes a return to Serie A or the Premier League in future. The Italian forward has scored 16 goals in 21 games this season for the Ligue 1 side -- just one short of the 17 he scored in 28 outings last season. While confirming he is enjoying life on the Cote d’Azur, Balotelli admits he does still seek another chance “at a big club to win something great again,” adding that he pines for an experience like the one he had at Manchester City. “No doubt that is where I enjoyed my best ever season,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s a truly unique place -- I would even go back to play there for free. I’m aiming to play on at least another five, six years at the very top.” Balotelli has not excluded a return to one of his former Serie A clubs AC Milan or Inter Milan either, although he is not sure they want him. “I was speaking to Ignazio Abate the other day because I wanted to go and pay my former teammates a visit at Milanello, and they were delighted, but [general manager Marco] Fassone made it clear that he didn’t want the atmosphere of their training camp to be disturbed. “The Nerazzurri are a great club and I had a great time there. I was talking the other day with [sporting director Piero] Ausilio and I told him I’d love to go back, but it was just jovial.” The closest Balotelli has come to returning to

mance. “The motivation is there. This squad has a good mentality and it is about us, to make sure we are on top of our game. We must play with pace and a determined attitude.” That 4-0 drubbing proved to be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s last appearance for Arsenal before leaving for Liverpool and although the England international attracted widespread criticism for his display on that day, Wenger refused to point the finger at his former player. “It would be not fair to put the defeat at Liverpool, where the whole team had a bad performance, on one player,” he said. “After that, on the other side, you analyse ‘did you make mistakes or not?’ You cannot go home and say everything was perfect when you lose like we did. “I rate Alex highly and he knows that. After that, you want all the players to be respected who have played for us.”

Balotelli

Serie A was with Napoli, although he says a move there in the summer never materialised because president Aurelio Di Laurentiis did not want him. “From what I understood, it was the president who didn’t want to take it any further,” he said. “Everybody knows I would be delighted to go to Napoli.” Playing in Italy may help Balotelli win back his place in the Italy reckoning and he admits he was disappointed not to be given more consideration by former Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura. “I won’t lie -- my dream is to wear that [Italy] shirt again,” Balotelli said. “My father was my No. 1 fan and I owe it to him, and I don’t know how to explain it but when I put on an Italy shirt, I always have special feelings and give that little bit more. “It still angers me to remember [the World Cup playoff] Italy-Sweden. You can’t get knocked out when you’ve got players like [Andrea] Belotti, [Ciro] Immobile and [Lorenzo] Insigne in your squad, and that’s without mentioning the veterans. Sweden had two players at most who were on a par with us. It’s incredible.

Las Palmas appoint Paco Jemez as new coach

a Liga strugglers Las Palmas have appointed Paco Jemez as their new coach. Las Palmas had been without a coach since they sacked Pako Ayestaran on Nov. 30. A club statement read: “UD Las Palmas have reached an agreement with coach Paco Jemez to take over the team until the end of the season. Jemez will be unveiled on Dec. 27.” It will be Jemez’s second stint at Las Palmas, having guided the Canary Islands-based outfit in the 2010-11 campaign. Jemez, who left Mexican side Cruz Azul after one season in charge earlier this month, was the main candidate to replace Ayestaran but initially turned down the offer. Las Palmas were hopeful of handing the reins to Jorge Almiron, who left Lanus earlier this month, but he did not have his coaching li-

cence approved by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. However, the 47-year-old Jemez reconsidered and says he is ready for the challenge. The former Rayo Vallecano coach told Onda Cero: “I’ve meditated and taken the decision for some time now. I’m going to the island with my philosophy because at this stage of my life, I’m not going to change. Las Palmas has enormous potential and defects that we need to work on.” Las Palmas ended the year with a 2-0 defeat at Getafe on Wednesday and sit at the foot of the La Liga standings with 11 points from 17 games. Jemez’s first game in charge will be a Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg against Valencia on Jan. 3.

Xavi warns Barca, Madrid will be tough

eal Madrid may head into El Clasico 11 points off LaLiga’s summit but leaders Barcelona should be wary of a wounded animal, says Camp Nou icon Xavi. Fresh from securing Club World Cup glory in Abu Dhabi, Madrid host the first league Clasico of 2017-18 on Saturday, desperate to close the gap on their fierce rivals. Reigning Spanish and European champions Madrid have enjoyed a stellar 2017, which Xavi suggests could have led to a dip in performances in the early months of the current campaign, but he warned his old club that nothing can be taken for granted in El Clasico. “I don’t know if they have relaxed or not but they won LaLiga, the Champions League and the Supercopa [de Espana] so assuredly,” he told Catalunya Radio. “That could be the reason for them not being at their level, but Real Madrid are difficult to kill off.” The Champions League last-16 draw

threw Madrid together with Paris SaintGermain in the tie of the round, and Xavi believes whoever prevails from that mouth-watering clash will be favourites to go on and lift the trophy. “In the Champions League, [Manchester] City, Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern [Munich] under Heynckes now,” he said of potential challengers for the trophy. “The one who eliminates the other in the PSG-Madrid game will be a favourite because that is a massive exit. Barca will have nothing easy.”

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Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 22, 2017

DPR warns depot owners against illicit activities

Page B2

Obligors frustrating AMCON’s work – Bulkachuwa, Auta

Dangote refinery will save Nigeria $12bn, create Page B5

Page B4

Customs exceeds revenue target, generates N1.01trn in 2017 Myke Uzendu, Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has declared a revenue inflow of N1.012 trillion, an excess of N770.5 billion, representing 23.9 per cent of its 2017 revenue projections. This was disclosed by the customs Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah on Thursday, at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, while briefing the press on the activities of the

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Service. He said that the revenue is the highest recorded by NCS with 10 days more to the end of the year, adding that Customs personnel were able to raise the bar despite more restrictions on importation of goods and economic downturn. According to him, the Service was able to achieved the feat due to the dogged implementation of the Presidential mandate to Restructure, Reform and Raise revenue

(3Rs) strictly implemented by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd). He said: “Nigeria Customs Service has recorded the highest revenue collection ever, of N1.012trn with five more working days to the end of 2017.” Attah noted that the performance in revenue collection showed N241.68bn (about 23.9 per cent) increase over the N770.5bn target for the year, and that it was

well above the N898.67bn collected in 2016. He praised the Service for achieving the record breaking target despite economic recession experienced earlier in the year with low volume imports, occasioned by restriction on additional 41 items barred from accessing foreign exchange. He disclosed that some of the strategies deployed by the Customs boss to raise the revenue in-

clude strategic redeployment of officers and men, overhaul and retraining operatives of the Customs Intelligence Unit, and intensified anti-smuggling exercise through the Compliance Team. Other strategies included prompt reward for hard work and punishment for defaulters, transparent and merit-based promotion, stakeholders’ sensitisation, and maximising automation through monitoring, blocking and recovering lost revenues. He stressed that the ruthless anti-smuggling operations adopted by the service resulted in over 4,000 assorted seizures with over N11bn in value in 2017 including 2,671 pump action rifles and 13,000 metric tonnes of rice.

Shell: Eleme community protests at NNPC, allege oil production resumption in Ogoni Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

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Nigeria ranks 11th in local investors’ capacity across Africa - Report Adesola Afolabi Amongst 17 African countries analysed recently in the Barclays Africa Group Financial Markets Index, Nigeria has been

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Deputy Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capitak Market Editor Bonny Amadi Money Market Correspondent Motolani Oseni

ranked 11th in terms of the capacity of local investors. The Barclays Africa Group Financial Markets Index evaluates financial market development in 17 countries, and highlights economies with clearest growth prospects, in a report to show not just present positions but also how economies can improve market frameworks to meet yardsticks for investor access and sustainable growth. The report obtained by our correspondent via the official website of Official Monetary and Financial Institute Forum (OMFIF) assessed countries according to six pillars: market depth; access to foreign

exchange; tax and regulatory environment and market transparency; capacity of local investors; macroeconomic opportunity; and enforceability of financial contracts, collateral positions and insolvency frameworks. The lowest amongst these rankings for Nigeria was on the capacity of local investors which placed countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt, Seychelles, Mozambique ahead of the giant of Africa. The metric, examined the size of local investors, assessing the level of local demands against supply of

assets available in each market. A breakdown of other metrics showed Nigeria at 6th position in terms of Market depth, 8th position in terms of Access to foreign exchange, and 3rd position in terms of Market transparency, tax and regulatory environment. Nigeria’s capital market was used as a benchmark for Market transparency, tax and regulatory environment. In his comment, the Managing director, the multinational bank said “The Nigerian stock exchange is a good example for others in terms of the quality of reporting and regulatory frameworks.

Hundreds of Ogoni people on Wednesday blocked the office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, protesting against alleged connivance of Shell Petroleum Development Company and Roborts Michaels oil firm to illegally resume oil activities in Ogoni land under the watchful eyes of NNPC without the consent of the people. The protesters, who were seen carrying placards and chanting songs were led by the coordinator of Ken Saro Wiwa’s associates, Chief Gani Topba. They blocked the NNPC office, thereby, preventing entrance or exit to and from the premises. Topba said: “We have come here to let the world understand that the Ogoni people are peaceful people, that we will continue to follow the path of non-violent struggle on issues. Over 20 years ago, Ken Saro Wiwa and Ogoni people declared Shell non persona grata in Ogoni land. Today, the GMs of NNPC are issuing legal license to the Robots Michaels oil firm without the consent of Ogoni people. “We are investigated the Robots Michaels company and discovered that the company has a lot of issues. They have never been in the oil industry. And what we are saying is that they cannot use Robots Michaels as Shell vehicle to come to Ogoni land where Shell has only 45 per cent of that license given to her and the NNPC has 55 per cent. What we are asking is for Shell to stop that process and if they want to come to Ogoni land.

Business News

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22 , 2017

Taraba budgets N96.5bn, to focus on agric, others

L-R: Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Adenike and Adesola Adeduntan, MD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited at the FBNHoldings end of the year celebration tagged An Evening with FBNHoldings at Christmas held in Lagos... on Tuesday.

Simon Ugwu The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has placed stiff penalties against depot owners who engage in illicit activities. This is contained in a statement signed by Zonal Operations Controller, DPR Lagos, Wole Akinyosoye ‘It has come to the notice of the department that some depot owners are selling PMS to unlicensed bulk buyers and some retailers at prices above the approved exdepot prices. We have also noticed that some retail outlets hoard PMS or sell at above the industryset cap price”, he said. He stated that these actions are clear violations of the Petroleum

Athanatius Okerafo

DPR warns depot owners against illicit activities Act 1969 and extant Regulations and they exacerbate the current supply challenges by bringing unnecessary hardships on the consumers. “Sequel to the foregoing, The department has been sanctioning the erring operators and wishes to hereby reiterate that the following penalties would be imposed on any operator engaging in illicit acts as applicable: Depots selling PMS to bulk buyers without verifiable retail outlets — A fine of Ten Million Naira and closure of the erring

Workers tackle Discos, Gencos over inadequate work tools Joy Ekeke

Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, Generation Companies, GENCOs, are currently receiving backlashes from their workers, under the platform of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, for failing to provide working tools and other materials since the privatisation of the power sector four years ago. The union in a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Lagos, also lamented, the recurrent arbitrary disengagements of electricity workers by companies in the Power Sector in the last four years. Further condemning the ‘poor attitude of Management of DISCO towards provision of working materials to their workers, hence they should stop sanctioning the workers for poor performance’.

“NEC-in-session condemned the deliberate spate of frustration of Union activities by various management(s) of the Power Sector. “NEC-in-session condemned the nonchalant attitude of management(s) in the power sector towards provision of health and safety apparatus for the purpose of providing safe working environment and to urge the related agencies to direct the various Managements in the Sector to pay attention in order to reduce the incessant rates of avoidable accidents”. “The NEC-in-session congratulated the companies who negotiated and signed procedural agreement and Conditions of Services with the union and called on others with anti workers posture to reconsiders their steps and promote decent work OR be ready to face the wrath of the labour.

depot for at least six months, after the products in the depot have been sold off ’, he stressed. “Selling PMS above approved ex-depot price — A fine of Twenty Million Naira, closure of the erring Depot for at least three months. PPMC shall also exclude the erring Depot from Coastal supply allocation for at least a period of one (1) calendar year. The zonal operations controller also said that hoarding at retail outlets attracts a fine of N200.00 per litre would be imposed on the hoarded product and the erring

station would be closed for at least six months. In addition, the recovered product would be auctioned off free to the public. Adding that selling above the price cap at retail outlets also attract Six-month closure of the erring station. Product being sold above the cap price would be auctioned off to the public. “Operators are to note the foregoing and be advised accordingly. We are also assuring the public that the government is doing everything to ensure restoration of normalcy to the sector,”he added.

Medview boss makes case for Nigerian pilgrims’ carriers Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Medview Airline CEO, Muneer Bankole has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) should give priority to indigenous airlines over their foreign counterparts to create employment opportunities for Nigerians. Bankole’s call is coming on heels of NAHCON’s awarding the lion share of the pilgrims to be airlifted to foreign operators over the years. The CEO made the call in Abuja during the inauguration of the 28-member Air Carriers Screening Committee for the 2018 Hajj operations. He commended the commission for the transparency and accountability it has displayed in the handling, screening and selection of air carriers since its inception in 2006. The screening committee, which is headed by NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji

Abdullahi Moddibo has its membership drawn from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET}, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB} and the Nigerian Custom Service. Inaugurating the Committee, the Acting Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo charged them to handle the assignment diligently and with the fear of Allah. The Acting Chairman further advised them to select qualified and competent air carriers with viable capacity that would effectively transport Nigerians pilgrims to and from the Holy Land. Medview Airline and Medview International Travel and Cargo Ltd are among the eight airlines that applied to participate in the airlift of pilgrims for the 2018 Hajj operations.

Taraba Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku on Thursday presented an estimate of N96, 597, 308. 00 as 2018 Appropriation Bill before the lawmakers of the State Assembly. The budget estimate tagged: “Budget of Sustainable Growth,” was presented before the legislators at the hallow Chambers of the State Assembly Complex, Jalingo. Ishaku, at the occasion, said the figure recorded a decrease of 12.32% over the 2017 Budget, which was 110, 168, 883, 942.00. He further explained that the reasons behind the decrease of the 2018 Budget from that of 2017 was due to lower expected receipts from Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax, Internal Generated Revenue and Internal Loans. The governor said N51,230,477,130.09 which represents 53% of the budget will be for Total Recurrent Expenditure ,while N45,367,312,178.00 which represents 46.97% will be for Capital Expenditure. He commended the good relationship between the executive and the legislator, describing it as the reason behind the successful implementation of the 2017 Budget.

Lagos Assembly set to enact law on 24-hr electricity By Alade Tasma

Lagos State House of Assembly(LAHA) is set to enact a law that would strengthening electricity generation and ensure 24 hours’ uninterrupted power supply in the state. A bill to this effect would soon be passed into law by the Lagos State House of Assembly. The bill, which went through public hearing on Wednesday, was described by stakeholders as a good development for the state. Entitled; “Lagos State Electric Power Sector Reform Bill” would accelerate the embedded power supply in the state. According to the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the House, Hon. Folajimi Mohammed, the state has obtained a no objection from the Federal Government to generate, distribute and transmit electricity through embedded power supply. Speaking with Journalists at the parley, Mohammed said the power project would bring a new lease of life to the people of the state as there would be an uninterrupted power supply. In his welcome address, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, said the project would have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Group advocates support for FMBN boss Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Following a public hearing session organized by House of Representatives on the National Housing Fund, NHF,a Non-Governmental Organisation, Media Practitioners For Development has canvassed for unbridled cooperation of all relevant stakeholders in the sector to ensure the success of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria FMBN under the leadership of Arc Ahmed Dangiwa. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Engr. Johnson Eze, the group noted that Dangiwa as the Managing Director of FMBN has exhibited uncommon skill and commitment in positively repositioning the organization and by extension the housing sector. The statement commend the managing director not only for appearing in person to lead a debate on what needs to be done to put NHF on the right part of sustainable development but as well for showing deep understanding of the industry and proffering workable solution in simple terms. “ Leadership they say is by example and what Dangiwa displayed is a remarkable leadership attribute worthy of commendations” the statement added. The group noted that Dangiwa’s revelation that banks and insurance companies have been showing utter disregard to the law establishing the NHF by not remitting the contributing fund to the scheme with emphasis on Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN leading in withholding huge sums of money designated for the fund, all point to the fact that finance sector is pulling the scheme down.

Obligors frustrating AMCON’s work – Bulkachuwa, Auta Motolani Oseni President of Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa and former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, have joined the campaign by the management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in calling for a paradigm shift in debt recovery processes in Nigeria. Such shift according to them would act as act as panacea, if indeed the Corporation were to meet its mandate of resolving its huge outstanding obligation. Current AMCON management under the leadership of its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ahmed Kuru, upon assuming office and reviewing the challenges, as well as bottlenecks

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied allegations by the House of Representatives that it did nit remit over $5 billion into the Federation Account describing the issue as “feign imagination.” The House had on Wednesday accused the CBN of non-remittance of over $5 billion into the federation account and has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged infraction by the apex bank. The allegation was contained in a motion sponsored by Ayo Omidiran (Osun/APC) accusing the CBN of flouting Sections 80 (1&2) and 81 of the constitution by failing to remit into government coffers revenue amounting to more than $5 billion. But the CBN in swift reaction to the allegation, said “It is not possible to divert any money into any account like that.” The Acting Director, Corporate Communication Mr Isaac Okorafor

inhibiting recoveries mounted a strong campaign that the current practice where habitual and recalcitrant debtors are treated with kids gloves, especially by agencies of government would not help AMCON resolve these loans before its sunset date. According to Justice Auta, the approach to debt recovery and resolution must change at this point in the life of AMCON, especially going into 2018 and beyond, because the corporation came as a child of necessity at the time it was created with all the good intentions in the world to recalibrate the beleaguered economy of the country at the time. In his words, “Nigeria witnessed the 2007 global financial crisis, which was caused by insolvency, illiquidity, poor corporate governance and outright financial crimes. However, with the cre-

ation of AMCON by the Federal Government, no bank has been liquidated, depositors’ funds are safe and no bank has been subject to collection queues. The financial crisis led to the depression in value of the securities created against these defaulting loans thereby leaving the banks with an unfortunate inability to recover their losses. The effect of such monumental exposure was that banks were unable to sustain the equilibrium of lending required to maintain a vibrant economy. This in turn led to higher interest rates and an inability to perform the bank’s primary functions of financial intermediation like the pooling of savings and lending.” He added that Judges have critical role to play in the insulation of the macro-economy from fragmentation since most disputes

that relate to banking, which AMCON currently shoulders are presented before them. Lending her voice to Justice Auta’s position, Justice Bulkachuwa in her own analogy argued that since the rise of the financial sector is tied to economic growth, Nigeria’s economy, the livelihood and wellbeing of the citizenry are inextricably related to finance. She said all over the world, whenever the economy goes into crisis, governments across the world intervene to stabilize the macroeconomy, which AMCON did in the case of Nigeria. But with what she described as “deliberate reluctance” of debtors to redeem their obligations to AMCON, Justice Bulkachuwa said, “Having realized deliberate reluctance of debtors to redeem their obligations to AMCON, it would seem that AMCON has limited options.

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Moji Adeyeye and her husband and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, when the DG of NAFDAC, led other management staff of the agency on a visit to the Senate in Abuja yesterday.

CBN refutes allegation of $5bn diversion, says it’s not possibly

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

B3 Business News

told the Daily Times in a text message that the apex bank keeps account for government and cannot divert what it maintains. He explained “When we convert forex into Naira, we have both selling rate and buying rate. And we make it known to everyone.” Okorafor emphasised that the CBN has nothing to do with any secret account. “I am sure if anyone requires clarification on any of our activities we will be happy to do so. Our operations are clear, structured, professional and always in national interest,” he added. Part of the allegations was that the apex bank “takes advantage of this all important function of warehousing funds for the three tiers of government and preparation of the federation account statement, to manipulate the system by opening various accounts not known to the three tiers of government where funds are remitted, hidden, diverted and spent without authorization.”

Expert canvasses long-term financing for renewable energy Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Energy expert and Chairman of AO Demarg - an indigenous solar power generating company has called on the need for government to provide long term financing for firms engaged in renewable energy in the country. General Ademola Fadunsi (rtd) made the call while speaking to journalists in Abuja on the sideline of the annual thanksgiving of the solar energy giant, AO Demarg. Fadunsi expressed concern over the reluctance of local banks to provide loans to the solar energy sub-sector even as many people are now embracing solar as alternative and reliable source of energy. He however commended the Federal Government’s intervention through the Bank of Industry, which has made N2 billion avail-

able to enhance solar energy. According to him, one of the challenges facing the solar sector in Nigeria today is finance. “In Nigeria today, the local banks are not giving loan to anybody, but as God will have it, with the interest the Federal Government is putting in solar business, bank of Industry has released two billion naira solar fund for investors, individuals and banks to access for the purpose of solar. I think is a good start,” Fadunsi added. The energy expert noted that the FG’s initiative of connecting remote communities with solar mini grid will go a long way in addressing energy needs of the people and reduce pressure on the national grid. He said, “The Federal Government has started doing something with solar in the sense that it is considering powering some

remote communities with solar mini grid in partnership with the private sector and the World Bank. It is a step in the right direction to power rural communities with solar.’’ Speaking further, he commended the government on its policy on energy generation adding, “the government is providing a level playing ground for all players in the solar industry. “Many people are becoming aware of solar energy and are embracing it too. Meanwhile, the government is giving every player in the industry level playing ground depending on your capability, your technical knowhow and you financial mark up too. If the government is giving out fund, you as a vendor, you must contribute some percentage. You must show that commitment so that you won’t see the money given to you as free money.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Stories By Motolani Oseni After trading at N484 to the Pound sterling for two consecutive days within the week, the Nigerian currency, Naira on Thursday relapsed to 485, the same rate it traded on Monday at the parallel segment of the foreign exchange market. Although, the Naira stood steadied across the other two major foreign currencies, dollar and euro, with the closing rates of 365 and 428, respectively, at the unofficial forex market. Breakdown of the four trading days during the week, saw the US dollar maintained a strong fight against the Naira to close at 365/$, the same rate it sold on the first trading day of the week, which was sustained the three other tree days

B4 Money Market

Naira relapses against Pound, steadies across Dollar, Euro at parallel market at the parallel market. For Euro, the Naira recorded a depreciated rate for the first time at the end of trading activities in the mid week, after selling at 427 per Euro on Monday and Tuesday but could only sustained the depreciated rate of 428 at the close of yesterday business activities. Also, at the official forex market, the naira, halted its gaining streak consistency to close at the appreciated rate of 306.15 sold on Wednesday, even though it was stronger than 306.20/$ on Tuesday and N306.25 traded on Monday.

At the Investors& Exporters (I&E) FX window, the local currency, started trading on a positive note, with an opening rate of N306.25, gaining 0.02 per cent while compared with N360.34, however, recorded a depreciated closing rate of N361.31 compared to N360.91 stood on the previous day. The I&E FX window, also, recorded significant drop in the daily transactions turnover with closing figure of $116.30 million compared to the traded sum of $856.45m on Wednesday .The autonomous FX segment, had on Tuesday declared a total

sum of $113.58m, which was stronger than $109.67m sold on Monday, as midweek ex-

changed figure remained the highest on a single trading day in the recent time.

Group raises the alarm on ‘suspicious items’ in 2018 Budget Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun welcomes the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, to her Office at the Federal Ministry of Finance, during the visit of the IMF Executive Director... on Thursday

A budget monitoring advocacy organization, BudgiT, has raised the alarm over certain items listed in the 2018 proposed Appropriation Bill w described as suspicious and needed explanation to avoid the repeated experience of “budget padd The 2018 budget is currently being considered by the National Assembly and the group on Wednesday highlighted certain grey areas in the budget. These include N22.6 billion allocated for the purpose of Research and Development and N19.3bn for Export Expansion Grant in the budget of the Minis-

2018: Experts say investors in emerging market risk higher volatility Finance experts at UBS Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Office (CIO) have said investors in emerging market should be prepared for higher volatility, and higher dispersion of returns from individual stocks in 2018. They noted that Central banks in emerging markets might tighten monetary policy and in some cases raise interest rates in 2018, stating that certain areas, especially financial services, will bring opportunities, except in the unlikely event of significant hikes. Specifically, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has come under heavy pressure

to reduces its rates, in a move to drive productivity and boost economy growth at large. According to UBS forecast, “2018 will be positive on global equities relative to high-grade and developed world government bonds. Global economic growth should continue at the high 3.8per cent rate witnessed in 2017”. They added that the outlook is cautiously optimistic next year. The report by UBS also expected emerging markets to be well prepared to weather gradual monetary tightening globally. In addition, few other regions are better posi-

tioned to benefit from growth in the technology sector. The Global Chief Investment Officer at UBS Wealth Management, Mark Haefele said, “Periods of high economic growth often sow the seeds of their demise. But there is little evidence today of an impending recession. “Historically, recessions have been caused by one or more of: capacity constraints, oil price shocks, excessively tight monetary policy, contractions in government spending, or financial crises. None look likely to materialize in 2018. In this environment, we remain positive on equities relative to high-grade and govern-

ment bonds”, he said. Head of Wealth Management Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, France and Benelux International at UBS Wealth Management, Ali Janoudi, said, “Longer term, we continue to see significant potential for African economies, supported by demographic trends, and particularly visible in technological progress. In the case of South Africa, such opportunities seem currently challenged by political risks in the short term.” Outside Africa, the report by UBS explained that, “Extreme political scenarios, principally a US-North

Korea conflict, remain a low-probability risk for markets. However, politics may have a significant local impact. Investors can either hedge this by diversifying their portfolios globally or by treating it as an opportunity, particularly in the case of longer-term trends such as emerging market infrastructure development. “Likewise, extreme financial outcomes, principally a Chinese debt crisis, are unlikely to materialize in 2018 but worth monitoring. Total bank assets in China are 310per cent of GDP, nearly three times higher than the emerging market average.

try of Industry, Trade and Investment. Also in the list is an entry of N10bn for Settlement of Liabilities in MDGs, SDGs and Direct Mandate Projects in the proposition of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and another N4bn earmarked for Building Maintenance Works for Other MDAs in Abuja. In the proposed budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, a question was raised on the allocation of N5.5bn for the project titled: Support for Infrastructure, Projects, and Coordination Services. A total sum of about N3.65bn was traced to security issues with BudgiT querying the Directorate of State Security Service, for allocating N2.21bn to Social Media Minning Suite, the allocation of N1.14bn by the Office of the National Security Adviser to Cleaning and Fumigation Services and N308.42 million allocated under the Police Formation and Command Headquarter sub-heading for Procurement of Riot Control Equipment A sum of N4.9bn meant for Annual Routine Maintenance of Mechanical/ Electrical Installation of the Villa was queried in the State House Headquarters budget. It questioned the rationale behind the N338m budgeted by the Ministry of Finance for acquisition of Computer software.

Capital Market B5 GTBank reacts to market negative hearsay The Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc has reacted to trending news stories on the bank, which is targeted at the bank’s image, assuring depositors that it would ensure protection of their funds in the bank. The bank said that its attention has been drawn to publications in the news and social media which purports to accuse the bank of being behind the arrest of one of its customer. The bank in a statement signed by Company secretary Erhi Obededuo, released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the bank said that as a law abiding citizen, reserves the right at all times to report any untoward criminal activity to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation, subsequent to which the said law enforcement agencies are constitutionally empowered to take necessary and appropriate actions. GTB bank reassured its customers and stakeholders that the bank remains committed to providing best class customer experience to all its valued customers adding, “The bank does not comment on matters that are under investigation by the law enforcement agencies or in courts as they may be interpreted as overreaching either the law enforcement agencies or the courts.” According to the statement, the bank advised the general public to disregard rumours, innuendos and false statements “that are being spread by mischievous elements both in the news and social media.” It added that the bank would not be deterred from pursuing appropriate actions either in respect of its delinquent loans or reporting any untoward/criminal activity for investigation by the appropriate authority.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Concerns over FG’s debt as DMO lists $300m Diaspora bond, $3bn Eurobond Stories by Bonny Amadi Some stakeholders of the Nigerian capital market have raised concerns over rising debt profile of the Federal Government and commitment of borrowed funds to target infrastructure development projects, as the Debt Management Office (DMO) lists FG bonds on the exchanges. Cross- section of stakeholders at the facts behind the listing of the FG’s $300 million Diaspora bond and $3billion Eurobond at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday expressed concern on the utilization of the huge amount raised by the government through the interna-

tional debt markets. They also called for addressing what led to increase in interests’ rates and sustenance of the equities segment of the market through less borrowing by the federal government. While some argued that the government, through sustained borrowing , may be heading to the pre -Obasanjo years when the government had huge debt burden, while others maintained that the increasing debt portfolio through foreign borrowing had not really addressed cause of forex volatility in the country. The DMO listed $300m Diaspora bond and $3billion Eurobonds on NSE as well as the FMDQ OTC market on Thursday.

The DMO Director General Mrs. Patience Oniha, addressing capital market community yesterday said that the listing would provide the opportunity for trading on the instruments in the secondary bond market. According to her, the Diaspora Bond was issued in June 2017, while the $3billion Eurobonds were issued in November 2017 at the International Capital Market (ICM). Both offers were issued with significant features with the $300m Diaspora Bond was unveiled with five- year tenor and 5.625 per cent coupon. On the other hand, the Eurobonds issuances, she said came in two tranches of $1.5bn 10-year offer with 6.50 per cent coupon

and another $1.5bn 30-year offer priced at 7.625 per cent coupon. According to the DMO Director General, listing the $300m Diaspora Bond and $3bn Eurobonds on the NSE and FMDQ OTC would help increase the number and range of securities available in the domestic capital market. Meanwhile, a stock broker, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka, raised concern on government’s stance on certain government policies, which tend to stabilize market trend and at the same serve distort the system. ‘Borrowing he said “is making Forex available and address the forex challenge, but what really drove the interest rates up has not been addressed.”

L – R : Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) presenting a replica of the closing gong to Ms Patience Oniha, Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO) during the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of the listing of FGN Diaspora Bond and Eurobond Issuances at the Exchange ... on Thursday.

NSE, CBI focus on excellence, inaugurate rating system The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) have sounded its commitment with celebrating sterling qualities of corporates, with the recent inauguration of Steering Board of the Corporate Governance Rating System. Chief Executive Officer, CBi ,Soji Apampa said that, “with the conclusion of this first cycle of the process, deep lessons are emerging regarding decision making of boards and the impact of such decisions on firm performance. There are correlations between quality of governance and various indices that investors would consider important.

According to the CBi CEO, the body is looking forward to celebrating the companies that have distinguished themselves and the beginning of a new cycle of the CGRS certification which will be announced in due course so that listed companies that did not participate in the current cycle as well as companies that did not complete the process would have the opportunity take part and be CGRS certified.” General Counsel and Head of Regulation, NSE,, Tinuade Awe, said, “we are excited to have gotten to this final stage of the first CGRS roll out process for all companies listed on the Main and Premium Boards of the NSE.

The CGRS certification is a thing of immense pride for the successful companies and directors involved, especially given the stringent requirements of the certification process. The NSE remains resolute in its longterm commitment to promoting corporate governance, including through the collaboration with CBi on the CGRS.” The CBi and NSE will continue to keep the public apprised of developments at the steering board. In a statement by NSE, the Steering Board is the governing body of the CGRS, defining its scope, guiding its development and its ultimate authority. It is charged with the responsibility of

reviewing and endorsing all acts performed by other bodies and sub-committees of the CGRS and approving the release of the results of the CGRS exercise. The Board comprises of six members, two representatives of CBI, a representative of The Exchange, a representative of the media, a representative of rating agencies and a representative of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At the inaugural meeting, the steering board began the review of the outcome of the roll out phase of the CGRS. The results of the roll out phase will be announced in January 2018 and a certification ceremony will be held

for all successful companies and eligible directors in February 2018. The certification ceremony will showcase the successful companies and their directors that have distinguished themselves as entities and individuals with high standards of corporate governance. The companies and their directors will also be issued with certificates confirming their CGRS certifications. Meanwhile, the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), a company limited by Guarantee was established in 1997 with the aim of promoting ethical business practices, transparency and fair competition in the private

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 22, 2017

Behold! Ogun’s attractive tourist sites Ogun State located in South West Nigeria has an array of tourism attractions, which have been over the years drawing local people and international tourists. Some of these tourist sites have evolved over ages; and are today monuments. These include Olumo Rock, Lisabi Sacred Forest and Madam Tinubu Shrine, among others. Olumo Rock Olumo Rock is the most popular tourist attraction in Ogun State. It is located in the heart of Abeokuta. It is an imposing rock with lots of large caves and historical artifacts. Legend has it that the rock sheltered the ancient peoples of Abeokuta and Egba from enemy invasions and tribal wars. It is now beautified and upgraded to allow for international visitors to tour its facilities. Lisabi Sacred Forest The Lisabi forest is considered sacred by many indigenes of Ogun State. It is bounded to the south by Tegbelu Stream and to the west by Ogun River. There are several rare bird species in the ancient forest and it also hosts several endangered animals and reptiles. Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine Situated a few miles from Olumo Rock, this monument is credited to one Sungbo Eredo who ordered it built several centuries ago. It is a 100-mile-long wall with a moat which encloses

about 25 miles of inbound space with lots of monuments. The earthen bank of the Eredo rises to about 70 feet with patches of moss covering it as it wounds round a wide ditch of earth.

Tourism

FG considering commercialising National Parks Stories by Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency reports

Ebute Oni Tourist Beach This is a tourist beach located in Oni of Ijebu Waterside. The beach was discovered by fishermen several decades ago and the government came up to reconstruct it into a resort for tourists and native visitors.

Olumo Rock

There are chalets into which tourists can lodge and have a nice time around the place. 5. Madam Tinubu Shrine Madam Tinubu was the first female high chief or Iyalode of Egbaland. She was both influential and rich. She was reputed to have had a quarrel with two Obas of Lagos and came out on tops. The Iberekodo shrine in Ilaro with water out of the ground is named in her honour.

Lisabi Sacred Forest

Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine

The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering commercializing some of the nation’s National Parks The government’s decision is coming on the heels of the need to inject better management into the parks, as well as generate additional revenue therefrom. The Daily Times learnt that this is, following the evaluation of Expressions of Interest for the engagement of transaction advisers for the partial commercialization of the Nigeria National Parks Service and concession of eco-tourism activities in three selected national parks. It was gathered that some firms have shown interest in the parks, which are under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Culture, headed by Alhaji Lai Muhammed. The firms are: African Wildlife Foundation, IOS Partners/IWorld/ Ecoplannet, and CPCS. Several National Parks abound across the country, such as Abuja National Park, among others. It is expected that when the parks change hands, more value adding issues, such as marketing, aqua culture, revenue and employment generation would be acoomplished.

Mohammed

FG to grow television Ad market by $200m yearly - Buhari Kehinde Akinpelu , Ilorin The Federal Government yesterday announced plans to grow the television advertising market by $200 million per annum through audience measurement. President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this at the launch of the Nigerian Television Authority ( NTA) Ilorin digital switch over. Represented by the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the president added that that would be done through the development of digital economy. Buhari also said that the digital economy would create a N100 billion per annum free TV distribution network

for Nollywood. “We have watched our beloved Nollywood movies from VHS tapes to VCD to DVD, whereas the whole world has moved to digital consumption of content with its attendant benefits and democratisation of distribution, we have been constrained by limited penetration of internet in our homes. With the middleware in our set top boxes, homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for internet. Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to all the households in Kwara at the touch of a button. That’s the kind of experi-

ence we are talking about. “In the meantime, there are a number of initiatives that we will be focusing on in order to achieve a credible and effective development of the digital economy. I will mention some of these initiatives are the consumer proposition that is all-encompassing which most Nigerians, and definitely majority of the people of Kwara, have never had access to; creating tens of thousands of jobs through technical and manufacturing opportunities. Set top box assembling and ultimately manufacturing is an irreversible mandate by the government to the industry. “We expect this to extend very quickly to local smart

TV and tablet manufacturing. With our strong consumer base, we can quickly become the supplier of these equipment to the whole of West Africa. “I am talking here of 30 digital channels and counting. Television is all about content and we are going to ensure that more emphasis is placed on this critical component of the industry. “Of course the electronic programme guide (EPG) will also be a platform for App developers to create products that will make life easier for the home consumers, thereby creating and promoting an industry of developers that will operate in both the Television and Telecoms industries. For

the people of Kwara, we welcome the publishers of Apps to start looking for how to make living easier and commerce easier,” he stated. The president added that “the launch of the digital switch over (DSO) here in Ilorin, Kwara state, puts us back on track in our digitization efforts. As you would recollect, it’s now one year since our last DSO launch in Abuja. “Let me assure you all that we will not wait for another year before our next rollout. In fact, the next launch will be barely 48 hours from now, in Kaduna. We will then follow up rapidly to extend this digital television experience to all the six geo-political zones, and then across the entire country.”

Industry Stories: Ladesope Ladeloku Dangote refinery will save Nigeria $12b annual import substitution, and create 149000 direct and indirect jobs . This was disclosed by the Technical Consultant to the Chairman and CEO of Dangote group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote when the House Committee on Local Content paid an oversight visit to Dangote refining and petrochemicals Limited in Lekki Free zone in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. Soyode said the refinery would crash prices of petroleum products in the country, adding that it would have the capacity to refine 650,000 bar-

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Dangote refinery will save Nigeria $12bn, create 149000 jobs – Consultant rels of crude per day. He further stated that the petrochemical plant would produce 780 KTPA polypropylene, 500KTPA polyethylene and the fertilizer project will produce three million metric tones per annum of urea. On the capacity of the fertiliser plant, the Technical Consultant to Africa’s richest man says it will be the second largest urea fertilizer in the whole world, and it is expected to generate over 100000 employment opportunities.

His said: “ By the time we finish out gas pipeline, it can generate about 12,000 mw and we can export gas to other African countries.’’ He said, “ This is the largest refinery in the world. The petrochemical that we have is 13 times bigger than Eleme petrochemical built by the government.’’ Speaking on the diversification of the Nigerian economy, Soyode says paying special attention to agriculture is the way to go, noting that

the Dangote fertilizer plant is consistent with that goal. He added that the culture of overreliance on crude oil must be stopped. On his part, the chairman of the committee on Local Content, Emmanuel Ekon, says the positive effect of the refinery on the socio-economic development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, pledging the lawmakers’ support to Dangote group and other indig-

enous companies, and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Commenting on what Nigerian stand to gain from Local Content Law, Ekon said, “ It has the capacity of transforming our economy to any level that we want to, but again the implementation lies with us all. We must realize that Nigeria is our country. We do not have any other country to call our own.’’

Dangote

Give bailout to ailing industries, Reps tell FG Following the adoption of a motion titled: “ Need to Bail out Ailing Industries to enable them Absorb the teeming unemployed Graduates,’’ the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to bail out ailing industries to stem the tide of social vices and unemployment among youths. The sponsor , Hon. James Faleke, says the motion was inspired by the need revive Nigeria’s economy and create more employment opportunities for Nigerian youths. According to Faleke, it is important to design a special bail out strategy for ailing and collapsed industries for resuscitation devoid of bureaucratic bottlenecks and demand for collateral, except with equipment and assets of the industries. He also added that the bailout should be applied through the Bank of Industry, the Bank of

Agriculture, the Nigerian Export /Import Bank at a single digit interest rate with three years moratorium. Faleke harped on the need to involve microfinance banks in the bail out programs to give loans at single digit interest rates to boost the sales of traders. Expressing concern over the growing population of unemployed youths, the lawmaker says 1.3 million new graduates pass out every year from the National Youth Service Corps scheme without jobs,adding that Nigeria has about 20 million unemployed graduates at the moment. “ As a result of the collapse and closure of many industries that would have employed the graduates, they are now left to roam the streets of major cities in search of unavailable jobs . In the process , they are exposed to the risks of kidnapping, prostitution,cultism,

armed robbery and other sundry crimes, as well as falling prey to the antics of employment scammers who take advantage of their desperation to exploit them,’’ he said. Faleke, however, urged the Federal Government to change the ugly narrative by taking drastic steps to save Nigerian youths from the lure of social vices. He said, “ Unless the Federal Government takes drstic steps towards redirecting this trend, the country will continue to experience geometric rise in ritual killings involving young people, brigandage, internet fraud, terrorism and other sundry crimes.’’ On his part, Hon. Babajimi Benson described the unemployment rate in the country as alarming, noting that the power sector is key to economic recovery.

China SME Fair: SMEDAN, Consulate collaborate on Nigerian products at fair Thirty-six small and medium enterprises from Nigeria are to participate at the 14th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair in Guangzhou . This was made known by Nigeria’sConsul-General in Guangzhou , China, Mr. Wale Oloko, recently. He said the consulate and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria were collaborating to showcase Nigerian products at the fair, noting that the SMEs will also be participating at the Canton International Trade scheduled to commence on October 15 in Guangzhou. “We are to ensure that Nigerian entrepreneurs showcase their products to visitors and investors from all over the world and explore export opportunities . The SMEs of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria will exhibit food, clothing , handicraft and manufactured agricultural products,’’ Oloko said. Oloko added that it was important to make the Chinese know Nigerian government’s commitment to improving its infrastructure and making Nigeria a producing nation. “ Nigerian government takes the issue of economic revitalization seriously and will grant incentives to encourage investments in the priority sectors listed in the recently released Economic recovery and Growth Plan. The plan is focused on achieving macro-economic stability, transforming agriculture, driving sufficiency in energy, improving transportation infrastructure and growing industrialization with attention on small and medium scale enterprises.’’

Enterprenuership

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Is a big change underway in global capitalism? (3)

a giant arms race. By the late ’30s, you had the whole world realizing the threats of fascism and rearming rapidly. Keynesian government spending was what pulled up the economies; it just had some really bad repercussions from 1939-45. But if we get into any kind of global arms race with China, either conventionally or otherwise, that would be Reagan-like. I don’t know what the numbers would mean in terms of employment, but you would take a lot of manufacturing people and turn them to making other things.

An interview with prominent short-seller, Jim Chanos Interviewer: To turn to Europe, you’re a Greek-American, and you have been critical of the Eurozone’s attitude toward Greece. What do you make of the situation there now? JC: The key issues for Greece now revolve around two entities that are not Greek. First you have the EU as a whole. We continue to have these bombshells, like the Italian referendum and Brexit — and you’ve also got elections coming up elsewhere in 2017. I think Greece was sort of the Spanish Civil War to what’s about to be the EU’s WWII in that it was the opening preview of all of the problems that are going to come to the fore if Catalonia wants to become independent, if Italy wants to leave, if France wants to leave. The EU is being held together by chewing gum and string right now. With this rise of nationalism — if that’s what it is and it continues — the EU is going to find itself increasingly a victim of people wanting self-determination in northern Europe. That’s the first thing. Second is something I’m much more concerned about which nobody’s paying attention to, and that’s the continued rise of Erdogan in Turkey. He has not only consolidated his power through a series of purges —thousands and thousands of journalists and academics have been thrown in prison since the aborted coup — but increasingly he is becoming more militant and Turkey is becoming a pro-Islamic state that is part of NATO. He’s throwing wild monkey wrenches into the whole Middle Eastern situation by making claims on land that was owned by the Ottomans, pre-WWI, like modern-day Iraq, modern-day Syria, and modernday Greece and Bulgaria. He’s warned the EU that he will open Turkey’s borders to un-

Interviewer: How do you rate the current moment with big periods of change you’ve seen in your lifetime?

Elumelu documented immigrants if EU membership talks are frozen. Like Xi Jinping, he’s putting out these old maps and saying: this another nationalist. Poor Greece is at the crossroads of all these seismic events and Ottoman Empire II. You have got the possible weakening or dissolution of the EU, and Greek debt problems are about tenth on the list of issues in that region. They are going to struggle, no doubt about it. Every time the Greek economy starts to show some green shoots, it seems to stall and fall right back down again. Interviewer: What do you hope might happen in this emerging world? JC: This is the tough thing about being in the financial markets. You can have opinions on all this stuff and either get it wrong or have it not matter. First, I hope our system of

free trade holds up. That’s one thing I believe in fervently. The evidence seems to be that a rise of tariffs and trade walls and barriers will be bad for global growth. Given the debt overhang that’s out there, which is relentless, the ability of economies to service debts in a global trade war will be greatly curtailed, so I’m clearly watching that. I also continue to be concerned, on a stand-alone basis, with the giant debt bubble occurring in China. It has done nothing but just gotten bigger since you and I last sat down. Despite all the talk of reform, there really hasn’t been any. The Chinese are more reliant on the state than ever — on state lending and state banks. The debt continues to grow at twice the rate of growth, and now the currency is depreciating. We’re getting a situation where the Chinese economy is still a very important driver of global growth, but increasingly it is using the old methods that the Chinese themselves said

only a few years ago that they would have to change. But they can’t, because every time they try, the economy slows too fast. China continues to be half of the demand for global commodities. It basically supports Africa and countries like Australia and Brazil. Almost 40 percent of global GDP is either China or commodity-exporting countries whose prime market is China. That’s considerable. So we have to look not only at China’s role with us, but China’s role on its own because it is such a driver for global growth, Chinese growth represents 1 point of the 3 percent GDP growth, so if China were not growing at all, we’d be at 2 percent. Doesn’t sound like a lot but it is. We have to keep our eye on what’s going on there. A global trade war would probably send China into a really steep recession. How would an average worker navigate a rising trade barrier globally? It’s scary. If we look back at the ’30s template, one major outlet was, of course,

JC: I had this odd personal journey from being a union pipefitter and boilermaker as a college student — I made more money in two-and-a-half months making steel than I did my first year on Wall Street. I went from being a product of the industrial Midwest and putting myself through college by working in a steel mill, to being the beneficiary of the Reagan-Thatcher era. I saw the world change, but I didn’t really understand until years later what an important period the late ’70s/early ’80s was (and a great period for music, by the way!). If we are in one of those periods now, if 2016 is like 1932 or 1979 — then you not only have to change your portfolio, you have to change your lifestyle. That’s one of the things we have been telling clients. If this is a major shift to populism, nationalism, greater state involvement, and less globalism, then you really have to rethink almost everything in your life. Certainly, if you were a capitalist in 1932, you might be best served to change your outlook. And if you were a union leader in 1979, it would have been good to change your outlook. The question will be, in 2016, would it be best for the Davos man and woman, the globalists, to change their outlook?

With this rise of nationalism — if that’s what it is and it continues — the EU is going to find itself increasingly a victim of people wanting self-determination in northern Europe Nwaodu Chukwuemeka, is a consultant with IDEAS Exchange Consulting, Lagos. He can be reached at nwaodu.lawrence@hotmail.co.uk (07066375847)

Life&

TIMES

ANAMBRA STATE Louella Eze, is a 22-year-old student who is passionate about self-empowerment. Hence, she hopes to organize skill acquisition classes to enable independency.

Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 Miss Nigeria: Final 37 contestants in focus L P

BAUCHI STATE Pare Ruth, a 20-year-old student wants to raise awareness about child abuse.

2,3,4,5

ABIA STATE

BAYELSA STATE

Amarachi Onyeabo, a 24-year-old legal practitioner wants to launch a self-awareness campaign and promote the importance of personal value and the pursuit of a decent source of livelihood for young women.

Alfred Ibeinmo Deborah, a 20-year-old student wants to create awareness on child hunger and provide assistance to widows and less privileged children.

ADAMAWA STATE

BENUE STATE

Ehiguese Mildred Peace, a 24-year-old Youth Corp member wants to provide medical and psychological help for women who have been victims of rape as well as empower them.

Patience Abiyanya Adokpe, a 22-year-old student is passionate about education and would like to give young children on the streets a chance at education.

AKWA IBOM STATE

BORNO STATE

Annalisa John Umanah, a 22-year-old student wants teenage girls to be aware of their strength and their role in the society. Because the future is female, she wants them to love, respect and support each other.

23-year-old student is passionate about empowering the girl child. She wants every girl child to be conscious about their being.

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 Miss Nigeria: Final 37 contestants in focus EKITI STATE Bolarinde Damilola Rebecca, a 21-year-old fashion stylist, model and makeup artist wants people hopes to pave the way for them.

IMO STATE

Life&

T E A M

Collins Moyosoreoluwa Cassandra, a 19-year-old model wants to create an awareness on drug abuse especially to those in private universities as she believes that the rate of drug abuse is very high amongst youths.

ENUGU STATE Ezugwu Chinonye Emilia, a 26-year-old secretary believes every girl has the right to education.

JIGAWA STATE Ayo Deola Ashley, a 22-year-old Radio presenter wants to create a unity project where Nigerians all over the world would make a video highlighting what they love about Nigeria.

KATSINA STATE Okpara Roseline Amarachi, 24-year-old, wants to set up a vocational institute for young women to acquire skills, get trained and become independent.

KANO STATE

KWARA STATE

Faith Samuel, a 22-year-old student wants women, especially Northern women to believe that there is more to life than marriage. She believes that women are untapped reservoirs.

Nicholas Vanessa, a 22-year-old student wants to create a massive campaign and awareness about the importance of the girl child education.

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 Miss Nigeria: Final 37 contestants in focus

ONDO STATE Benjamin Anne Ufuomanefe, a 21-year-old student intends to educate parents on the need checked out regularly and she plans to provide the required medication and/or glasses if needed.

GOMBE STATE Adebola Omogbeminiyi, a 25-yearold presenter is concerned about the residents at the IDPC camps and would want to spend more time with them. She also wants to have a rehabilitation home for drug users.

OYO STATE Anjolaoluwa Boluwatife Bolaji, 22-year-old, wants to successfully execute a hunger eradication scheme to put smiles on the faces of children.

KADUNA STATE Yasmin Umar, a 24-year-old student is living her dream and wants to enlighten and encourage teenagers to live their dreams.

KEBBI STATE Mariam Atinuke Matti, a 23-yearold journalist believes that setting up a program for young women themed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Emancipation and Empowerment for womenâ&#x20AC;? is the way to go.

OGUN STATE Tolulope Ayanfalu Mary, a 20-yearold student wants girls to believe in themselves and acquire the necessary skills to survive in life.

NIGER STATE Gina Odogwu Reginald, a 19-yearold student, is passionate about helping under-aged girls who foundation that would help them mentally, physically, emotionally and medically if need be.

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 Miss Nigeria: Final 37 contestants in focus LAGOS STATE

YOBE STATE

Oluwatomisin Awoyemi, a 24-year-old Law student is passionate about education and wants to ensure that education at the primary level is free and affordable at the secondary level.

Khadija Ahmed Younis, a 24-year-old Marketer and On-AirPersonality wants to make the society a more bearable place for kids who are deaf and dumb.

PLATEAU STATE

TARABA STATE

Abigail Zere Kim, 22-year-old, is passionate about the victims of drug abuse and wants to enlighten the society in various ways about the dangers of drugs.

Lovelyn Emmanuel, a 23-yearold student wants everyone to be empowered and she would want to create more awareness about pageantry to ladies especially those in the Northern part of Nigeria.

SOKOTO STATE

FCT

Oche Immaculata Fije, is a 23-year-old student who is passionate about the less privileged and wants to ensure that they feel loved.

Chinaka Sharon Ezinne, who is a 20-year-old student wants to empower physically challenged people.

ZAMFARA STATE

NASARAWA STATE

Jolly Yahaya, is a 22yr-old student who is passionate about the education of the girl child and has vowed to send at least 200 girls to school if she becomes Miss Nigeria 2017.

Ikpe Igbe Joy, a 21yr-old student wants to raise awareness on bipolar disorders by creating a campaign that will diminish the stigma of mental illness and encourage people to maintain a balance of strength between their brain and their body.

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 22, 2017

2017 Miss Nigeria: Final 37 contestants in focus

EDO STATE old writer/model/blogger is up for promoting education in the slum by providing them with essential educational materials and bringing young volunteers to give free lectures.

CROSS RIVER STATE Ana Victoria Lawrence, a 24-yearold writer is passionate about teaching young girls the art of speaking, soft skills and other upper class cultural rights.

RIVERS STATE Fahny Brown Peterside, a 22-year-old student is all about the Green Girl Project and creating causes that will raise awareness about the environment.

DELTA STATE Rita Chinedu, a 24-year-old OnAir-Personaity would love to improve the quality of education in the country as well as carry out medical campaigns to emphasize the importance of hygiene amongst school students.

OSUN STATE Daramola Joy, is a 24-year-old fashion stylist who wants to create a documentary video focused on the everyday struggles of women in rural areas.

EBONYI STATE Ezinne Emelda Elijah Agbom, a 24-year-old Corp Member wants to set up an NGO for men and women who have been physically and sexually abused. She also wants a branch of this to cater to the aged.

KOGI STATE

Egwaba Patience Ojonugwa, a 19-year-old student wants every woman to be brave and believe that they can do more!

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Meet the judges who officiated in the 41st edition of Miss Nigeria Tara Fela- Durotoye

Adebola Williams

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Screen goddess, Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde is a Nigerian actress, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood

Noble Igwe

Ishaya Bako Adesua Etomi-Wellington

Chioma Ude

Joke Silva

es. She is also the pioneering Jumoke Adenowo

Julie Donli

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 22, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Mixed Grill L7

Ebuka returns to host Big Brother Naija season3!

Bidunni Ighodalo plans biggest free baby shower

season one alumnus and season two host, Ebuka

follows his successful hosting of the critically

Ebuka housemate and then as a host, ultimately launching Former beauty queen and pany, Ibidunni Ighodalo has announced what may become the biggest free baby shower ever, as the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IFF) invites parents with babies aged from one day-old to one year-old to a marketplace of free shopIbidunni is the wife of accountant and clergyman, Ituah Ighodalo whose search for a child has been widely publiidunni Ighodalo whose interest in issues around pregnancy and childbirth is becoming legendary is known to fund assisted reproductive procedure for infertile couples, costing, at Earlier in the year, the IIF

that accommodated heartrending testimonies from couples who surmounted the ent experts were also on hand to discourse matters relating to infertility; while medical teams Holding at the Millennium Ibeshe-Ikorodu today, Friday

that brings to manifestation

Ikorodu is the apparent next -

for a third edition, auditions for the show held in six locations across platform to celebrate the birth of children from one day-old to one year-old by presenting gifts to mothers and babies at

pop culture and entertainment whilst also lending and viewers alike are familiar with his cool, debonair and witty on air and on stage personality, and they

As event planning is Ibidoccupation, the IIF is expected to create a perfect baby shower including themes, ideas, games and foods; which merge seamlessly into the she will build a grotto from out the gifts to the babies and haps, th cal tradition of Wise men from the East who brought gifts to Since there is no restriction, tens of hundreds of babies and mothers are expected to throng the venue between may include mini furniture such as play table or rocking chair, toys, dolls, stuffed animals, picture books, keepsake boxes these items and the logistics of taking them to Ikorodu run into The IIF statement does not discriminate on the social status of babies and mothers who can attend the event, suggest-

and happiness to couples (if Ibidunni was from Imo State, The Millennium Estate where she would have been the best the event will be held is occuperson to head the Ministry pied largely by lower middle

Alibaba promises grand edition of ‘January 1st concert 2018’ Widely celebrated comedy pioneer, Alibaba has promised fans that the upcoming edition of his annual will be an impressive upgrade over the previous editions as it is scheduled to hold at The comedian-actor assured fans online that there are numerous segments of the concert, which have been specially put together for the utmost amusement of the auhave since shared their enthusiasm following the initial announcement of the concert which was made on Instagram – the legend has actually added value to the celebration

this concert, not many can think back to whatever they were doing to cel-

be an uneventful day after the crossover hangover Alibaba moved on to share several other photos regarding the concert on social media, further instigating anticipation from thousands of fans, includnecklaces, hats, tees and

has urged fans to take pictures of the branded

It would be recalled that -

are spotted in public, post the pictures and tag him to stand a chance to win tickets to the highly antici-

star-studded affair, featuring several unforgettable segments, including comedy competition for bud-

the upcoming edition of the concert will record rare feats that are yet to be acrian concert – ultimately making attendance un-

went home with a brand new car, another segment featured fast-rising fashion designers in a contest where they were required to design attires for some members of the audience

and the winner went home with a brand new sewing

over the years to become one of the most anticipated annual events in the country, featuring the which include comedians, music stars, dancers, and

Society Gist L8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 22, 2017

Ajibade Alabi

Five years after, Ogbunike Cave Carnival rolls out the drum

High society honours Indimi again as daughter, Maimuna weds It appears wedding and merry mak-

Encomiums for Deaconess Deborah -

Shade Okoyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion statement -