DTN-22-4-19

Pope, Buhari condemn deadly Easter attacks in Sri Lanka Mathew Dadiya, Abuja with agency reports

Pope Francis and President Muhammadu Buhari have condemned the deadly Easter attacks on Christians in Sri Lanka.

Speaking on Sunday while celebrating Easter Mass denounced the “cruel violence” https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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of the Easter Sunday when Christians and foreigners in Sri Lanka were massacred.

The Pope expressed the sadness while celebrating the most important mass for Catholic faithful as well as Christian liturgical calendar, lamenting the bloodshed and political violence afflicting Continued on page 3

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2019

9th NASS leadership

VOL. 3

NO. 928

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Why I support APC, Buhari’s position – Tinubu

Says his efforts are focused on backing APC, Buhari in achieving shared vision Berates those accusing him of meddling in APC’s nomination process to 9th NASS leadership positions

L-R: Proto- Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), The Very Bamidele Osin; Secretary Conference, MCN, The Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Prelate MCN, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche; Bishop of Trinity Church Council; MCN, The Rt. Rev. Omotayo Babalola, during the 2019 Easter Sunday Church Service at Tinubu Lagos.

PHOTO:Olawale Rotimi

Zamfara emirs g 3 Hungry children apologise to Air in IDP camp feed Force over alleged on onion leaves civilians’ killings in Bauchi g 6

Easter: Religious leaders, others task Nigerians on love, peace g 6

Buhari vs Atiku 2019: Shehu Sani backs Galadima, dares APC leaders to swear by Holy Quran, Bible g17

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Pope, Buhari condemn deadly Easter attacks in Sri Lanka Continued from page 1

lamenting the bloodshed and political violence afflicting many parts of the world.

Francis skipped his homily during Easter Mass but delivered his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (To the city and the world) speech highlighting conflicts in the Mideast, Africa and the Americas and demanding that political leaders put aside their differences and work instead for peace.

“May the one who gives us his peace end the roar of arms, both in areas of conflict and in our cities, and inspire the leaders of nations to work for an end to the arms race and the troubling spread of weaponry, especially in the economically more advanced countries,” Francis said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking the flower-decked square below.

In a special appeal

at the end, Francis lamented the “grave attacks” on Sri Lankan hotels and churches, which occurred just as the Christian faithful were celebrating Easter Mass that marks the resurrection of Christ following his crucifixion.

“I want to express my loving closeness to the Christian community, targeted while they were gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence,” Francis said.

“I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event.”

Also, President, Muhammadu Buhari expressed shock and sadness over what he described as “the terrible attacks” on several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

The President on behalf of his administration and people of Nigeria, extended his deepest

condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wishes speedy recovery to the injured.

Buhari, in a statement on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, condoled with the victims and their families, saying that “we stand with victims of terrorism all over the world because we know and understand this harrowing inhuman activity.”

Assuring that Nigeria stands with the people of Sri Lankan at this “terrible moment,” President Buhari urged the authorities not to spare the wicked elements behind the mischievous attacks.

More than 130 people were killed and hundreds wounded following nearsimultaneous blasts at three Sri Lankan churches and three hotels frequented by foreigners.

Zamfara emirs apologise to Air Force over alleged civilians’ killings Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Chairman, Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, has apologised to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over recent allegations that innocent citizens were killed in the state during air strikes by personnel of the Air Force.

The Chairman Council of Chiefs, who is also the Emir of Anka, made the apology when a sevenman high powered investigation team led by AVM Idi Lubo visited him at his palace in Anka on Saturday.

Recall that the traditional rulers had, weeks ago, alleged that air strikes on suspected bandits camps hit at and killed innocent citizens in some parts of the state.

The emirs spoke at a press briefing through the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru following an emergency meeting they held in reaction to an earlier accusation by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan Ali, that some high ranking traditional rulers were conniving with the bandits.

The Emir of Bungudu also followed up the claim

with the release of the names of some persons who were killed in the air strikes.

The Emir of Anka, however, said “the council regrets the embarrassment caused by the press briefing because it was not targeted at the Air Force or the army but at our own son, the Minister of Defence, who wrongly accused us of complicity in the bandits activities in the state. “l apologize over whatever embarrassment the statement may have caused and from now, we have drawn a line, there won’t be anything like that again, and I want to appeal that care should be applied while tracking the bandits and when they run from your fire power into the community, the land army should take over so as to avoid killing the innocent.

“Out of the 17 emirate councils that we have in the state, mistakes occurred in only four and the submissions we made were gathered in the last two years, l also want to state that nothing happened on innocent citizens in the last six months in the state,” he said.

While speaking on the list of killed persons that was later released by the Emir of Bungudu, the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs said: “The Emir of Bungudu is not the spokesman of the council even though he read our press briefing that day.

“The list of victims that he released to the press on a later day did not emanate from me nor was I aware of it as the Chairman, l will only take responsibility because l am the Chairman”.

He then assured that the traditional council would continue to support security agencies in the fight against armed banditry in the state and urged the army to go and occupy deserted villages where some of the bandits were hiding.

Earlier, leader of the team, AVM Idi Lubo, said the team was in the state to investigate the true position of the allegations in order to avoid future occurrance.

“We have also come with condolence letter from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, in case some innocent people were killed in our encounter with bandits.”

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed (middle) flanked by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma during a press brief after a successful outing at the Spring Meeting 2019 of the IMF and Wolrd Banking in Washington DC

L-R: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki during a meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in Doha.

The African Church, Salem parish Abekoko in a Palm Sunday prossesion lead by the Peoples warden of the Church, Olufemi Sowumi and clergy in charge, Rv. Canon, Omokehide Betiku during the palm Sunday prossesion at Iyana-Ipaja to Agege road Lagos...on Sunday.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

L-R: Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe, 2nd Vice President (AIHN); Ms. Mary Uduk, Ag. DG (SEC); Mr. Chuka Eseka, President, AIHN and Mr. Ike Chioke, 1st Vice President, AIHN, during the Association’s First Bi-Annual Business Lunch held in Lagos.

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Monday, April 22, 2019

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9th Assembly leadership: Why I support APC, Buhari’s position – Tinubu Patrick Okohue, Lagos

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has defended his position in supporting the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly, saying all he has done in respect of the impending election is without ulterior motives.

Tinubu said all his mind, heart and efforts are focused on backing the APC and President Buhari in achieving their shared vision of a flourishing economy and a prosperous people.

The APC leader in a press statement by his media office and signed by Tunde Rahman, was responding to news reports that he was meddling in the APC’s nomination process to National Assembly leadership positions in order to position himself for a presidential run in 2023.

But, Asiwaju said he would have committed a terrible blunder by navigating against the President’s position.

He said those who cast aspersions at him were in reality bucking against the stated position of President Buhari.

While urging rumor-mongers to court greater discipline and wisdom, he added that there is no action a person can take that constitutes a political guarantee as to what may come four years from now.

He also dismissed the claim that having allies in the National Assembly leadership positions will greatly enhance someone’s presidential ambitions as spurious, noting that “Asiwaju is neither inclined, nor sufficiently naïve, to take his eye off the present in the futile attempt to peer through the thick fog that is the future.”

While noting that the National Assembly positions are important to the fulfillment of the President’s agenda, he lamented that a painful lesson was learned in this respect in the last four years.

“With the Senate leadership usurped by regressive elitists that chamber constituted a brake on progress and good governance.

“The Senate leadership, and to a lesser degree the House leadership, stymied APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious, reactionary and self-interested legislation on the nation,” he said.

According to him, outgoing Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and their ilk, highjacked the budget

process these past four years.

“National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them.

“Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefitted the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly,” he added.

He pointed out that in 2015, Senator Saraki finagled his way into the senate presidency, “he planted himself at the apex of legislative power. But his actions as Senate president showed a man devoid of compassion for the average Nigerian. All he cared for was power and position.

“Soon he will be deprived of both. House Speaker Dogara has fared only slightly better.

Occupying these positions is not a guarantee of future success. It is only a guarantee of present duty.”

He said: “Politics requires jockeying and maneuvering for influence to get the right people in the right positions.

To be beneficial, politics must be tied to the greater purpose of governance such as with President Buhari’s goal to reform the national economy for the good of all Nigerians.

“In supporting the party and the President, Asiwaju has shown his commitment to achieving the President’s goals.

Nothing more should be read into it”.

Part of the statement titled ‘Tinubu Focusing On The Issues Of Today: Tomorrow Is The Master Of Itself,’ reads, “We have monitored, with rising incredulity, the rash of news stories claiming Asiwaju Tinubu is manipulating the APC nomination process for the National Assembly leadership.

“The stories claim this supposed manipulation is the first salvo in Asiwaju’s effort to position himself for a presidential run during the 2023 election cycle.

“Not only are these reports utterly false, based as they are in the febrile imaginations of those persons by whom they are being peddled, they are injurious to President Buhari’s historic quest to reform Nigeria. It is for this latter reason that we find cause to speak out where otherwise we would have continued to watch on in silent amusement.

“Nigeria has barely emerged from President Buhari and the APC’s resounding victory in the

last election. The President, with the support of an APC majority in both chambers of our National Assembly, is now preparing to lead the nation forward for the next four years. Instead of covering the President’s exciting Next Level agenda and what it promises in terms of economic and social growth & development, these people want to skip ahead to the next election as if they can cast aside the next four years.

“However, the Nigerian people do not elect politicians to office simply to watch on as they maneuver and jostle for position at the next election. The people elect those who they believe will be the best public servants, committed to the national wellbeing. This is why they reelected in President Buhari while rejecting the horde of political jobbers that constitute the PDP. “The peddlers of these rumors have arrogated to themselves the preternatural ability to read Asiwaju’s mind more than he himself can know it. They also seem to have acquired the unique gift of bending time so that 2023 appears before we even reach the midway point of 2019. If these people would only enlist their uncanny talents in the service of the nation instead of in the service of political intrigue and gossip mongering our country would be much the better.

“This attempt to caricature Asiwaju as if his words and actions are all aimed at grabbing power will fail because this portrait distorts the plain truth. While the headlines are sensational they are also senseless because they are not grounded in fact.

“Asiwaju has not run for elected office since 2003. He last held office in 2007. He has never vied to become chairman of the APC nor has he tried to insinuate himself into any major government office.

“If you were asked to name another political figure who has exercised such forbearance, you would be hard pressed to identify another person with a comparable record when it comes to restraint in seeking office.

“Where others, upon leaving one office, tend to set their eyes immediately upon another, Asiwaju, uniquely in Nigerian politics, has foregone his personal ambitions as his political ideas and policies have flourished in the hands of his allies and mentees.

“This track record does not evince a man obsessed with power and office. While

Tinubu

the intrigue-mongers seek to depict Asiwaju as a man hungry for position, his deeds speak of something else. These peddlers of tales do not know the measure of the man nor can they understand what motivates him. Thus, they project their own petty ambitions and designs on to him.

“The rumors reveal more about the mongers than they say about Asiwaju. They merely reveal what these people would do if they were Asiwaju. But they are not him and thankfully he is not motivated by the same selfish designs that fuel such people. Perhaps because these people have nothing to contribute regarding statecraft or providing actual solutions to actual problems, their minds remain forever mired in political machinations.

“What afflicts them does not affect Asiwaju. Since he last held public office, Asiwaju has, with unprecedented success, dedicated himself toward building a political party that would furnish a progressive alternative to the regressive policies of the PDP. “Joining forces with President Buhari and others who shared his progressive ideology, he helped form the APC. Since the inception of the APC, Asiwaju’s focus has been to assist President Buhari develop, refine and implement a progressive agenda that would give every Nigerian a fair chance to prosper and provide for his loved ones.

“As he enters his second term,

President Buhari has stated that he will give the economy special priority. His goal is to defeat poverty and joblessness while spurring the type of growth and development that will make Nigeria a durable and flourishing economy. These goals are laudable and necessary to move Nigeria forward. However, the obstacles before us are vast and complex.

“Asiwaju’s mind, heart and efforts are focused on supporting the President in achieving their shared vision of a flourishing economy and a prosperous people. He is committed to doing what he can to help President Buhari surmount the challenges in order to achieve the economic reform the nation sorely needs.

“Given that the imperatives of today are sufficiently daunting in and of themselves, Asiwaju is neither inclined, nor sufficiently naïve, to take his eye off the present in the futile attempt to peer through the thick fog that is the future.

“It is against this backdrop that Asiwaju’s support of the party position regarding the National Assembly leadership must be interpreted. There is no surprise in him supporting the party and the President’s position regarding the National Assembly positions. Nor is it wrong that he do so. As a loyal party member and progressive leader, he would have committed a terrible wrong by navigating against the President and party in these matters,” the statement said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Hungry children in IDP camp feed on onion leaves in Bauchi Hungry children in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the outskirts of Bauchi, are forced to feed on onion leaves for survival because inadequate food items.

A visit to the camp, located about two km from Rindebin community in Bauchi Local Government Area, reveals that the children, between the ages of three and five, look pitiful as they consume the onion leaves.

Some of their parents interviewed said there were no enough food, as such they had to

“improvise” ways of tackling hunger, saying they believed onion leaves were nutritious and would also protect their children from hunger and diseases.

One of the parents, Mrs. Aisha Musa, said that for the past one year, children and adults in the camp had been struggling to survive, with little or no assistance from any quarter.

Also, another parent, Mrs. Ajidda Ahmed, said the hardship being encountered were enormous, adding that most of them had given up any hope of living a

normal life.

“Both adults and children suffer from hunger; this has resulted in forcing us to eat raw onion leaves from sellers that come in to the camp.

“Rainy season is about to set in and another fear is the outbreak of child childhood diseases because for the past one year, our children were not immunised and there are no water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

“We defecate in the bush and the rain water will soon wash our faeces back to the stream, where

we source for water to drink,” she lamented.

It was further observed that children under two years in the camp were showing symptoms and signs of malnutrition.

Commenting on the situation, the leader of the IDP camp, Mr Bulama Gojja, said that they were over 200 in number of the Shuwa-Arab stock from Marte, Marfa and Jere local governments of Borno state, and that they forced to relocate to the camp last year as a result of the activities of ‘Boko-Haram’ insurgents.

Gojja enumerated their challenges to include insufficiency of food items, lack of potable water, health facility and education for their children.

He said that in 2018,no fewer than 20 pregnant women delivered in the camp without the required medical attention, expressing fears that the off-springs might develop health challenges due to lack of immunization.

He lamented that in spite of their efforts at drawing sympathy over their plight, assistance was

not forthcoming from any quarters.

The leader therefore solicited for assistance from both government and non-governmental organizations, particularly in the areas of health, education, potable water and agriculture inputs like fertiliser, seed and herbicides to enable them engage in farming.

Efforts to secure comments of the appropriate state government agencies and some non-governmental organizations on the matter were unsuccessful.

Easter: Religious leaders, others task Nigerians on love, peace

The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese in Nasarawa State, Most Rev. Matthew Audu, has called on Christians to strive to save lives and not join in destroying them.

The bishop made the call in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lafia after celebration the Easter mass, and said that the call was imperative given the rate some Nigerians were taking the lives of fellow humans.

He said that nobody had the right to take the life of another.

According to him, people should make sacrifice for people who are in need just as Jesus Christ did for the salvation of mankind.

The cleric said that there was need for Christians to make sacrifices for people who were in need just as Christ died for the salvation of mankind.

“We are expected to do what Jesus did for us by accepting to die on the cross for our sins. We must be ready to make sacrifices so that other people will live. We must support people who are in need,” he said.

He explained that the salvation of the world was made possible during Easter as it was the time Jesus died on the Cross to save humanity.

Audu stated that the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter marked the turning point in the lives of Christians, adding that His resurrection was

the determining factor of Christianity.

He urged Christians to emulate the life of Jesus whose death and resurrection brought freedom to mankind.

“Jesus died and rose from the dead and that is why his resurrection has become a determining factor on why we are his followers. His rising from the dead has guaranteed us that He can help us to overcome death,” he said.

The bishop noted that the insecurity in the country called for serious prayers for God’s intervention and therefore, admonished perpetrators of criminality in the country to desist or face to wrought of God. Similarly, Pastor Isaac Tejabo, missionary with the Kuje Zonal Headquarters of Foursquare Gospel Church, says the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the prophecy of God. Tejabo said this on Sunday in Kuje during a sermon titled: “The stone is rolled away” to mark the Easter celebration.

He said that the rolling of stone on the grave was to prevent the body of Christ from being taken away after being buried.

The cleric said the stone was an attempt by man to frustrate the purpose of God after an earlier prophecy that He would rise again after death.

According to him,

the stone represents man’s inadequate understanding of the power of God and the fact that God has the final say in the affairs of men.

He, therefore, urged Christians to always seek for the face of God in times of trouble and learn not to rely on self wisdom, adding that “they rolled the stone on the grave to stop His resurrection, thinking they are wiser than God, but when the time came, it was rolled away and Jesus resurrected.

“The stone was not only rolled away, it was recorded that an angel sat on it, waiting for the manifestation of the prophecy of God. The hope of Christians today is that Jesus resurrected.

We must learn to trust in God, allow Him to prevail in our situations and stop the use of human strength,” he said.

The cleric said the resurrection of Christ was a clear demonstration of the fact Also, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state on Sunday, called on Nigerians to continue to live together in love, peace and unity as they joined Christians, worldwide, in celebrating Easter..

The governor, in his Easter message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said those were the attributes Christ lived and died for.

He said the attributes were also necessary ingredients for the development of any society and should never be traded for anything.

According to him, the import of the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should not be lost on anyone as it is not all about merrymaking but calls for sober reflection on why he choose to die.

Dickson noted that the principal objective of the teaching of Jesus Christ is love and forgiveness; hence, His true followers must imbibe and propagate those qualities at all times, especially during Easter.

“If we truly love ourselves, there will be no political killings, brigandage, and banditry being experienced in some parts of the country. If there is genuine love among us, this country will be better for it” he said.

Dickson restated his commitment to the security of lives and property as well as socioeconomic development of the state, not minding the few months left in his tenure.

On the coming governorship election, the governor urged politicians to be mindful of their actions, insisting that Bayelsa should not be turned into another theatre of war because of the desperate ambition

of a few.

He called for continuous prayers for the government and the state, assuring that his administration was focused on finishing strong and conducting a peaceful and seamless transition period.

In Abuja, the Charity International, an NGO, on Sunday donated educational materials and food to less privileged children in Mpape, a suburb in Abuja.

Amb. Jodie Frank, the President of the NGO, while donating the items, said it was part of the NGO’s mandates to identify with the less privileged in the society.

She said supporting the less privileged in the society was one of the best ways to achieve true national development.

“You cannot move the country forward without looking at this class of people. The vulnerable and less privileged people are also Nigerians, they are part of us, they deserve security and equal right.

There should be no segregation between the rich and poor.

“I want to use this medium to call on government and relevant stakeholders to come up with robust policies that will remove the gap between the rich and poor,’’ Frank said.

She noted that the foundation came to celebrate Easter with

the less privileged children within Mpape community, adding,” I am happy to be here with the children; it is fun’’.

According to the boss of the NGO Easter is a moment of helping and showing love, especially to the helpless people within the local community.

“I am a distinguished humanitarian; I always love to help people within the local regions.

We have done some feasibility studies and the result indicates that there are many less privileged children in the community who need support, hence my decision to be at Mpape instead of orphanage homes or IDP camps.”

Frank, who said that the children at the orphanage homes and some IDP camps received gifts from people on daily basis, noted that the less privileged children at the local community were neglected.

She said partnership and collaboration with stakeholders remained essential in enhancing the life and well being of the less privileged in the country.

Frank expressed the continued determination of the NGO to partner with stakeholders for the realisation of its aims and objectives.

The items donated were writing materials such as exercise books, pencils and cooked food.

News 7

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Cleric challenges Nigerians on good Short News governance, recreating nation Foreigner and another killed, as Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

Nigerian leaders have been called upon to sacrifice self and work for the purposeful transformation of the society and environment.

This call was made by the Methodist Archbishop, Archdiocese of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko on the occasion of the Easter celebration, who advised Nigerian leaders to allow the death and resurrection of Jesus create in them a new heart, new attitude and new sense of belonging.

He advised all those holding public offices to live a life of sacrifice, to become patriotic citizens, serve without counting the cost, show integrity, honesty, transparency and dignity in all their engagements.

“Easter places a great demand on us as Christians. It is a demand that will cause us to resist all vain things that charm us most and then sacrifice them to His blood. It is a demand that brings about a display of love that is so amazing and so divine; a love that demands our soul, our life and our all.

“This year’s Easter falls within the period when duly elected political office holders are expecting to be sworn in a couple of weeks from now. Therefore, I call on all leaders and followers alike to contribute in recreating a Nigeria of our dreams, a Nigeria that inspires confidence, a Nigeria that gives her people hope, and a Nigeria that will be politically stable, economically viable and socially happy.

“The death and resurrection of Jesus was an obvious show of love to those

who didn’t deserve it. Therefore, we must learn to show love to those around us. Husbands must show love to their wives, masters to their servants, the rich to the poor. Christians must extend this love to those of other faiths.

“We must show love to our Muslim brothers and those who still practice our indigenous religion. You may say, they do not deserve it, but remember that He showed us love while we were yet sinners,” the Methodist archbishop said.

On the implication of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the contemporary Nigerian society, the Most Rev. Opoko said that the resurrection of Christ is His victory over sin and death and we have been privileged through grace to share in this victory, adding however, Nigerians live daily as a people bewildered, encumbered and trapped by the power of sin and fear of death.

“Nigeria as a nation will never become what we desire it to be unless we begin to daily apply the victory which Christ won for us on the cross. That victory should enable us shun corruption at all levels.

“It is unfortunate that leadership in Nigeria across board has been seen by many to be corrupt, inept, inefficient, power drunk, oppressive and visionless.

Fifty-nine years after independence, there have been various civilian and military regimes, each ending with a bad record of corruption and reckless mismanagement of the nation’s resources.

“This obviously has made many Nigerians to remain in abject poverty and others victims of injustice. I ask where is the cross and its relevance? Of

what importance is His resurrection? If leaders cannot through their leadership build a Nigeria that is free from corruption, oppression and insecurity, then we make a mess of His death and resurrection.

“Corruption has been endemic; corruption of padding, corruption of nepotism, corruption of ethnicity and corruption of mediocrity. How can we conclude without making reference to the high level of insecurity and wanton killings of the innocent? We must as a nation say no to this act of wickedness.

“We must be willing to expose those we know that are involved in this wicked inhuman act. We must continue to pray for our nation Nigeria,” he stated and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rethink the present leadership status of the country’s security apparatus to include competent men and women from all parts of the country.

“It is my prayer that as we celebrate the Easter, God will enable us understand the extent of the bitterness of the cup He drank on our behalf, the gravity of the humiliation He faced from those he came to save and the level of glory He abandoned to come to this wicked and corrupt world of ours.

When we understand this, it will reflect in our attitude to people around us.

“It will reflect in the kind of leadership we have to offer. It will reflect in our attitude to the service of God and it will cause us to live daily with a heart of gratitude. Indeed, Christ is alive.

We all should be alive to holy living and righteous activities. This way, we shall justify this year’s celebration,” he concluded.

kidnappers abduct 3 others in Kajuru Our reporter

The Kaduna state Police Command has confirmed the killing of an expatriate lady and another person while three others were abducted by gunmen who ambushed tourists in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The police said in a statement that “very early this morning at about 0020hrs, we received an information through the divisional police officer in Kajuru that at about 2340hrs on Friday night, some suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons gained entry into a recreational resort called Kajuru Castle in Kajuru Local Government Area.

“They shot sporadically and in the process killed two persons, including an expatriate lady and took away three others. Patrol teams led by the divisional police officer rushed to the scene evacuated the victims to St. Gerald Hospital.

“Investigations later revealed that the victims along with 12 others came from Lagos on tourism after which they organized a party at the Castle located at the Hill Top during which the incident happened.

“Normally, whenever such social events would happen, the organizers used to inform the police for security coverage, but the party was done without the knowledge of the police in the area as traditionally done.

“However, intensive efforts are being made by the command to rescue the kidnapped persons, apprehend the fleeing culprits and bring them to justice,” the statement said and appealed to members of the public to assist the police with relevant information that would help in the arrest of the perpetrators of this heinous acts.

Millions of Euros, Dollars, other currencies found in Al-Basir’s residence Agency report Sudan’s public prosecutor has begun investigating former President Al- Bashir on charges of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds, a judicial source said earlier on Saturday.

The source said military intelligence officers who searched Bashir’s home found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and Six Million Euros, as well as five million Sudanese pounds.

“The chief public prosecutor has ordered the (former) president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial,” the judicial source told Reuters.

“The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar prison,” the source said.

Bashir has not been questioned yet, the source added. Two of his brothers were also detained on allegations of corruption, the source said.

Relatives could not immediately be reached on Saturday for comment about the investigation.

Queen Elizabeth clocks 93 Agency report

L-R: Assistant Registrar, Diocese of Lagos, Gbenga Bello; Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos, Hon. Justice Adedayo Oyebanji; The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, The Rt. Rev (Dr.) Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye; his wife Professor Motunrayo Olumakaiye; Deputy Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos, Mr. Olumide Sofowora SAN and Deputy Registrar, Diocese of Lagos, Mrs. Joy Ebeledike, during the 2019 Easter Sunday Church Service in Lagos.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Grand khadi seeks teaching of English in Islamic schools Samuel Luka, Bauchi The Bauchi state Grand Khadi, Alhaji Dahiru Ningi has called for the inclusion of English Language and some basic modern courses into the curriculum of the Islamic system of education in the country.

The Almajiri schools according to him, should include English and some basic modern education in addition to the Qur’anic recitation.

The grand khadi gave this advice on Sunday during the commissioning ceremony of the Tsangaya and Qur’anic

Education Development Centre established by a coalition of Qur’anic teachers in Bauchi.

Khadi Dahiru, who was represented by a Sharia Court Judge, Muhammed Othman El-Mainari maintained that the introduction of basic modern subjects in Islamic schools will enable the pupils learn both religious and worldly knowledge that will enable them relate comfortably with members of the society.

Also speaking, an Islamic cleric in the state, Sheikh Dan’azumi Tafawa Balewa decried the payment of high registration and periodic fees in some modern Islamic schools as this prevents poor parents

from enrolling their wards and instead, prefer to send them to schools where they would be taught free of charge.

He called on the government to motivate the Islamic teachers and transform the system with a view to bringing solution to child begging, otherwise known as “almajirci.”

Tafawa Balewa, who noted that the administration of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha initiated reforms in almajiri system of education, lamented that aside former President Good luck Jonathan, successive governments failed to address the problems associated with system.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the world’s oldest and longest reigning living monarch has celebrated her 93rd birthday on Sunday by attending the traditional Easter service at Windsor Castle.

The queen was accompanied by members of her family, including grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry and William’s wife, Catherine, at the Easter Matins service in St George’s Chapel.

According to a report by APF monitored by Daily Times on Sunday, there are five stunning facts about the queen that are worthy of note. The first is her special gift for long life.

According to APF, over 80 per cent of Britons have not experienced life under any other monarch, having not been born when Elizabeth ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, according to the UK Office of National Statistics.

She has reigned over 14 prime ministers, coming to the throne during the tenure of Winston Churchill. She has also met with 11 of the 12 US presidents in office and signed more than 3,500 bills into law. On her birthday, the queen will be 11 years and four months older than any British monarch in history, and at 67 years and 74 days will be the longest serving by three years and 224 days.

The queen was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in London’s upmarket Mayfair neighbourhood, which is now a high-end Chinese restaurant whose signature dishes include "Roasted silver cod with Champagne".

She has another official birthday on the second Saturday in June, to celebrate the landmark publicly. The double birthday tradition was started by King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a summer celebration.

Opinion 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Regulating Anambra’s obituary economy Anambra, the mercurial pearl of Igbo nation nestling River Niger, is in the news again.

Louis Odion

We are not about to revisit the ferment of executive intemperance that led the sitting governor into allegedly calling the whole leader of the pan-Igbo organization, Ohanaeze, “an idiot” for endorsing the presidential candidate of the main opposition party ahead of the just-concluded general elections.

Rather, we are confronted by the audacity of a new piece of legislation by the Anambra State Assembly seeking to smash through cultural barriers into some dark necromantic alley.

Unambiguously named “A Law To Control Burial/ Funeral Ceremonial Activities” and passed by a majority of the legislature, the act expressly seeks to abolish ostentation and impose a new culture of modesty. All thanks to its sponsor, the iconoclastic Charles Ezeani (representing Anaocha II constituency), who says it “is aimed at cutting down the cost of burial activities in the state”.

Should Governor Willy Obiano assent with his golden fountain pen, it then becomes a grave felony “to deposit any corpse in the mortuary or any place beyond two months from the date of the death, while burial ceremonies in the state shall be for one day.”

No person, it further forewarns grimly, shall subject any relation of the deceased person to a mourning period of more than one week from the date of the burial ceremony.

To confer the sobriety thought appropriate in the circumstance, the law also forbids traditional gunshot salute, praise-singing, blocking of roads/ streets during obsequies or assumed ritual destruction of property.

In what could only be targeted at relieving the bereaved of financial burden or unreasonable expectations, another clause states specifically that the family of the deceased “shall provide food for their kindred, relatives and other sympathizers at their own discretion.”

Taken together, these proposals are, to say the least, quite earth-shaking indeed. Before arriving at this historic juncture, the report however did not state how much of public buy-in had been secured through the agency of public hearing facilitated by the state assembly over a potentially explosive

proposition.

While Ezeani’s motive could hardly be faulted in nobility and public-spiritedness, however, considering that key provisions are framed by a thinking that tends to suggest extremism of sorts, one is persuaded to assume that not much consultation took place with the stakeholders. It is very doubtful if the vested interests in the obituary value chain would have just sat by and allowed an arrangement that seeks to dim their lights or simply take bread away from their tables without raising a voice of dissent.

By that single law, a whole universe of professionals will undoubtedly be facing existential threat, if not extinction already. A more austere burial means bearish market for mortuaries and the morticians, for instance. So, how are caterers, “Aso Ebi” (fabric) merchants, event planners, vintners, lessor of marquee/canopy/plastic chairs expected to survive now?

What then happens to the familiar hawkers of white handkerchiefs or hand fans? To say nothing about traffickers of mint-fresh banknotes for “spraying”. Or those who thought they had struck gold by stocking milllion units of the rave-of-themoment – the pistol-like cash-spraying machine fabricated in – where else? – China.

We have not even considered “professional mourners” on hire to wail louder than the bereaved when the latter become too tired or had lost their voices to too much sorrow.

Moreover, big or elaborate funerals also create brisk business for the masters of the two contrasting realms – the cosmic and the secular: rainmakers and alchemists who solemnly prime the canon for traditional gun-salute on the one hand; and native drummers who fall over each other in the driveway to usher you into the party venues with soliciting crescendo.

Well, we were also not told whether Ezeani had contemplated a ceiling to the cost of a coffin permissible in Anambra soil henceforth. That may, in fact, drag us into a corpus of morbid details like the apocryphal tale of a thrifty coffin-maker who, upon being pressed for a concession, promised the customer a discount the next time. Or the theatrics of the hyperactive curator of the communal hearse, gleaming from meticulous preservation probably by generations, its utility yet creatively extended by the

current custodian to double as family car to church service on Sundays.

And lo, the king of them all – the musician who makes a fortune from performing at the big parties which the new Anambra law seeks to outlaw.

At a time piracy has virtually made album sale unprofitable, who does not know that most artistes now hustle for live performances for subsistence, aside endorsement deals with rich corporate bodies.

Of course, praise-singing is the short-cut.

As an editor some fifteen years ago, I remember being approached by one of our star reporters (Emeka Eyinnaya) saying a famous Igbo musician was aghast at the headline given his interview we had published the previous week.

While responding to a specific question, the iconic entertainer had stated rather casually that he was not in a position to know whether the provenance of money sprayed on him by those he usually eulogized at soirées was tainted or not.

I cast the said headline to reflect such selfacquittal from possible complicity on account of a murky source.

Apparently, a good number of his big spenders – most probably bigtime conmen or money ritualists – had rang him up to express bitterness at his impudence to speak so uncomplimentarily of the hands feeding him.

But note, the respondent didn’t disown or dispute any portion of the transcript which could have been cited as basis to fault the “offending” title, but was simply unhappy that the interview he was reluctant to grant in the first place was now going to pour sand in his garri.

Such is the sensitivity that sometimes underlines the rendition of eulogy at social parties and the tightrope musicians have to walk thereafter to remain in business.

But while all the foregoing merely pertains to the consequences, the new Anambra funeral act would also appear to be in cold contempt of something more substantial – cultural sensibilities or habits.

While it is much easier to fix damage at the material level, altering things at the cultural realm is never an easy task. Those already thinking the proposed law will suddenly usher the desired change in social behavior in that jurisdiction will, therefore, need some reality check by simply recalling the anti-spraying law similarly pushed by the Obasanjo

administration in 2007.

Despite that section 21 subsection 1-4 of the CBN bill passed by the sixth National Assembly prescribes heavy penalties beginning with arrest and a prison term of six months or N50,000 fine, Nigerians have not stopped spraying crisp Naira notes at social parties.

Let us face it: the Igbo in Anambra are certainly not alone in turning burial to carnival of sorts. In most African societies, loud funerals are not only deemed fitting finale to an illustrious life but also considered one last debt owed the dead.

Therefore, the common prayer among folks is not just the grace to die not faraway from one’s wardrobe only but also in the arms of one’s offspring who should be in material position to meet often high expectations of the community.

So, whereas the bereaved in, say, western societies might consider as parting gift memorializing the departed by instituting a foundation to propagate the idea they cherished while alive, the average African would rather preserve the memory of their dead by hosting a shindig to be remembered as the grandest in a generation.

In Yorubaland, such jollification falls under the rubric of “Owambe”. In Edo, it is called “Obito”.

It is, therefore, doubtful if this age-old lifestyle can be legislated out of existence overnight like the Anambra’s funeral act envisages. The “Owambe” industry in Lagos is reportedly worth a whopping N26b, for instance. While the culture of ostentation must be seen as constituting ready normative offence, one would rather suggest the adoption of a civic engagement approach to wean the society off such hang-over. The underling mindset speaks to what psychologists call the edifice complex. It partly explains the obsession for bogus things – big cars, big houses, long convoys.

We also see this showoffishness manifesting in the knack for titles that make many insist that their names be prefixed with “Sir, Chief, Dr, Engineer…”

There is an urgent need for a re-orientation of the society to begin to see the nobility in simplicity.

The crusade is not for government alone but also the traditional and religious institutions as well.

Meanwhile, rather than prohibit loud parties, what stops the authorities from imposing punitive taxes on those who choose to exceed the threshold considered modest?

Nigeria: How not to fight corruption

Godwin Onyeacholem

Between fighting corruption with bare knuckles in an inspired manner and wearing wellpadded gloves to do half-hearted battle with a monster that has literally crippled the country, the Buhari administration has to make up its mind on which style to adopt. And because time is not on its side, it had better do so now.

Although Buhari says he is fighting corruption, the question to ask is, how is he fighting it? It is true that waging war against corruption was at the top of his agenda in 2015 and he set up a thinktank of seasoned eggheads as well as introduced a couple of novel anti-corruption strategies to match the resolve. But it is also true that in spite of these supposedly virtuous schemes, corruption in various shades, propelled by its more virulent evil partner, impunity, is still rampaging through the land.

A more dispassionate scrutiny of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign would undoubtedly reveal a huge gap between the performance of government and perception. Such awkward disproportions should not be the case in this matter of prosecuting the anti-graft war. What ought to be happening—at least as an enduring index of the promised change—is that citizen perception would largely correspond with the government’s side of the story. That is, government should be seen to be genuinely dealing hard blows on corrupt people and corrupt practices in the country. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Government says it is winning the war, but a large segment of the populace doubts this assertion.

The problem is that the political will mobilized to fight corruption is itself severely enfeebled by the corruption it is summoned to confront. There is no way corruption can be defeated when Buhari seems to be engaging with it wearing blinkers.

In all honesty, his fight is puerile; lacking all the firmness, decisiveness and, more importantly, the even-handedness required to secure confidence and belief.

Given Buhari’s reputation for toughness, who could have thought that reports of investigation of alleged corruption would be lying on the desk of whosoever in the presidency or outside of it for ages, gathering dust in a Buhari presidency? Has he, all of a sudden, forgotten that his lead campaign

promise to fight corruption to the bitterest end, not to mention his acclaimed integrity, is the major reason the people elected him in 2015?

Sometime in October 2017, Abdulrasheed Maina, the civil servant who absconded after being declared wanted for corruption, suddenly surfaced and was reinstated and promoted to a higher position in the civil service. The news of the recall reverberated across the country and was accompanied by widespread condemnation.

Seemingly furious, Buhari, on October 23,directed Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Service of the Federation, to submit a report of the circumstances of Maina’s recall to the office of Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President, before the end of that day. That report indeed got to the table of Abba Kyari before the end of that day.

In another six months, it will be two years since the report of that investigation was received at the presidency. But, up till now, no word has come from the presidency regarding the report. It must be on somebody’s desk or shelf, submerged in cobwebs perhaps. No one needs be told that this sends a wrong message about the fight against corruption.

The fury of what the media aptly dubbed “Mainagate” promptly spread to the National Assembly where the House of Representatives launched its own investigation by setting up a 10-man adhoc committee headed by Aliyu Sani Madaki, a member of the ruling APC from Kano State. At the end of two weeks, the committee laid a report at the plenary which indicted Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The report said Maina’s recall was “fraudulently masterminded” and that Malami “pressured all that mattered” to force Maina back into the service. s the Senate was also plunging into an investigation of the scandal, Malami rushed to court to stop the probe, showing clearly that he had something to hide. But what do you make of Attorney General, the chief law officer of a country who held secret meetings with a wanted citizen outside the country? Ordinarily, anyone would think this is a fugitive whose extradition Malami should be working hard to perfect.

Even ItseSagay, professor of law and chairman

of Presidential Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), was horrified by Malami’s action and urged Buhari to do something about it. Nothing happened. Not one person among all those found culpable by the House of Reps probe in the reinstatement of a fugitive into the civil service has been punished by this government. From the AGF, to officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and the permanent secretary, all are still sitting pretty in their cozy positions, none visited with the consequences of such grievous wrongdoing. Again, a wrong signal in the fight against corruption.

And there is yet another. Also in six months’ time, it will be the first anniversary of the presidency’s announcement of investigation into allegations of infraction and financial malfeasance levelled against Usman Yusuf, professor and head of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), by the governing council. Yusuf, according to a statement by the presidency, was directed to proceed on administrative leave November 5, 2018, to make way for an investigation by a 7-man panel headed

by Hassan Bukar.

Although the panel had two weeks to submit its report to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the report was not turned in until seven and a half weeks later on December 24, 2018. It is about four months now since that report was submitted but nothing has been heard about it. Recently, one top official of the office of the SGF said government was unable to release the report because of the general election that was just concluded. Pray, what does election have to do with making public the report of an investigation into allegations of corruption against the NHIS boss?

There are many allegations of corruption involving top government officials, including those very close to the presidency, among them a serving governor and even Buhari’s chief of staff, where the president blatantly refused to take action, or reluctantly did so after intense public outrage, as in the case a former secretary to the federal government, Babachir Lawal.This, certainly, is not how citizens expect that corruption would be fought anywhere in the world, least of all in Nigeria under

a Buhari presidency.

Only recently, at the request of Ade Ipaye, deputy chief of staff in the presidency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) sent to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo a preliminary report of its findings on allegation of corruption against Marilyn Amobi, MD/CEO of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc. (NBET).Limited as it was in its findings and conclusion, the report dated March 6, 2019 indicted the NBET boss and said the Commission would prosecute her and others for violating the ProcurementAct 2007 and ICPC Act, 2000. Significantly, the report stated that two whistleblowers who reported Amobi’s corrupt practices—Waziri Bintube, former head of finance and Abdullahi Sambo, former head of audit, were wrongfully dismissed.

Since December 2017 these officers have not been paid their salaries and entitlements even after Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing whose office supervises NBET, had directed Amobi to reinstate the officers and pay their salaries and entitlements. That is just one of the many instances of insubordination she had shown to Fashola.

It is more than five weeks since the presidency received the Commission’s report on the NBET boss but nothing has been done. You would wonder why the presidency is still sitting on the damning report. With it, a government that is really committed to fighting corruption would promptly direct Amobi to step aside as MD/ CEO and encourage the Commission to begin prosecution. In addition, that government would also immediately direct that the whistleblowers (Sambo and Waziri) return to work and all their outstanding salaries paid without any further delay.

Clearly, this government realised, and rightly so, that it can never make meaningful headway in the fight against corruption without the input of the citizens. That must have informed the introduction of the whistleblower policy in December 2016. Yet, it cannot claim to be seriously fighting corruption when whistleblowers are not protected; and so far, there is no demonstrable political will to hold wrongdoers accountable.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, Arpil 22, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

9

Editorial Commentary

Buhari must stop t digging our grave

Times Guest Columnist Azu Ishiekwene

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar made an unpopular statement during the campaign worth a second thought. He said if he was elected president, he would sell off the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), even if it would cost him his life.

It didn’t seem anyone was interested in his life, really. Or the point he was trying to make; namely, that NNPC is killing Nigeria. Atiku, being Atiku, his remark was overshadowed by suspicion that the PDP presidential candidate was planning another bazaar for his friends.

But the long petrol lines that resurfaced in some parts of the country last week, followed by panic buying that had NNPC swearing by the barrel that it had enough petrol in reserves, raised again the question of NNPC’s future.

What will Nigeria do with NNPC? Every NNPC chief executive or petroleum minister said they were running the place in the country’s best interest. That may have been true in the days of Festus Marinho, Aret Adams or Rilwan Lukman. But God knows that the place has since become the ATM of a few.

Between Dan Etete and Diezani Allison-Madueke (two ministers who ran the show within roughly a decade of each other) for example, billions of dollars disappeared, most of it into their private pockets. Etete awarded an oil block to himself, after transferring about $1.1billion into his own account; while conservative estimates put Allison-Madueke’s theft at $6billion.

In popular culture, NNPC is the place people go to if they want to steal, and not work.

The NNPC ATM took an innovative turn under former Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu.

Like his bosses, he also claimed to be running the place in the public interest. Unlike them, however, he brought something new to the office.

To ensure that the ATM was never out of money, Yakubu modified a block of houses in rural Kaduna, and stocked them with $9.8million cash. Some of the cash was lifted in private jets and personally delivered by top bank managers for whom Yakubu had used his position to facilitate concessionary placement of government funds.

When anyone says that NNPC is working in the country’s best interest, you must ask, how? Subsidy, that’s one way, isn’t it? The language has changed though. Subsidy has become a dirty word after multiple petrol price increases failed to deliver government’s promise of regular, unimpeded supply or improved alternative infrastructure.

It’s now officially called “under-recovery” – different words, same difference. Whatever assurances NNPC may give about supply, the public would be foolish to assume that the current price for a litre of petrol is sustainable at N145 per litre. Whether it is subsidy or under-recovery, at current market prices, consumers are paying at least 55kobo less than the actual price per litre. But NNPC, the current NNPC, cannot look at consumers in the face and say it.

Of course, there have been muted noises from the corporation that it spends N774million daily (for 50million litres of petrol consumed locally) or N1.4trillion yearly. Never mind that. The reason why NNPC would be unable to speak plainly about its misery is that in Buhari’s first term, his government mismanaged the opportunity to follow through the steepest hike in petrol prices in the country’s history with a fundamental restructuring of NNPC. I’m not just talking about NNPC still being outside the reach of TSA. Or the turf war and self-interest that often leave senior officials working at cross purposes.

That’s bad enough. I’m saying that any change in the price of petrol, however slight or steep, that does not follow through with fundamental changes in the way the NNPC is currently being run, will fail.

The restructuring of the downstream sector started two decades ago with government divestment from the major oil marketing companies. Downstream deregulation continued until 2007 when the refineries were put up for sale. But in what amounted to throwing away the baby with the bath water, the government of President Umaru Yar’Adua reversed the process.

And it’s been downhill since, with NNPC not just getting back in play, but actually becoming a Leviathan.

Cheap government funds were funneled into building mega petrol stations, in direct competition with private investors who sourced funds at a premium for the same business.

Instead of cutting back, NNPC became even more deeply involved in the value chain. It has now become the sole importer of petroleum products, determining volume – including which distributor gets what – price, and assignment of jetty. Sometimes buyers even pre-pay for products only to be supplied at NNPC’s discretion.

Since discretion is the cousin of corruption, part of the cost of the so-called subsidy is the toll that beneficiaries have to pay for doing business with NNPC. The oil majors have either scaled back or left the field altogether.

On paper, PPMC, a subsidiary of NNPC, has been “unbundled” into three companies. In practice, however, it maintains tight control over depots and a monopoly over pipelines.

These inefficiencies cannot, and will not, be addressed by simply topping up the price of petrol or promising to remove “subsidy gradually”, whatever that means.

Just attempting to follow NNPC’s refined products management account (one of its two main accounts) reveals, in the starkest terms, Anthony Sampson’s immortal words: “All oil business is greasy.” When NEITI, the country’s extractive industry transparency watchdog, laments year after year that it has difficulties reconciling NNPC’s receipts with payments, this, for example, is what it means.

We assume that NNPC has statutory allocation of 450,000 barrels of oil daily. But we don’t know and cannot even assume what quantity of this crude oil is refined in the country, what is consumed locally or what is refined abroad. Our refineries are virtually dead.

So, NNPC determines which refiners abroad take the crude, and exercises a malicious lack of transparency on the volume exported, the price of refining, the cost of importing back the refined products, and how much really goes into the refined products management account. It’s secrecy, uber alles.

When NEITI said crude oil swaps between 2005 and 2012 led to losses of $11.63bn, for example, this is what it means: the more you look into the refined products management account, the less you see. It was here that Diezani made her kill; it’s here that those who came after her and those who will come after those who came after her will make their kill. It’s here that NNPC is digging Nigeria’s grave.

All the talk about subsidy or under-recovery cannot make sense until NNPC comes clean about its accounts and NNPC will not come clean on its accounts unless it is restructured.

The reputational risk that Buhari bears is that he is the Petroleum Minister. By the end of his second term, if he retains the portfolio, he would have been petroleum minister for eight years – the longest since President Olusegun Obasanjo. If, for lack of political will to do the right thing, the NNPC fails as it will under the present arrangement, then Buhari will take the blame squarely.

There is still a window of opportunity for change. Before Dangote’s refinery comes on stream to compound NNPC’s misery, the government should hands-off the downstream. It should sell off the refineries, reorganize DPR, and break up PPMC’s depot and pipeline units by rearranging the assets into regional clusters, with open access.

With some of the lessons learnt from the restructuring of the power sector and changes to make the system fit for purpose, Buhari urgently needs a roadmap to make NNPC work for the country.

For too long, the place has worked for a few who never quite lack big grammar or the political clout to make the public believe that we’re living on subsidy.

Maybe. But the evidence suggests that these same elite are the bigger beneficiaries of subsidy. They’re digging our grave.

OUR POSITION Containing rising deaths from sickle cell anaemia

S

ickle cell disease affects an increasing number of people but is still unknown to the general public.

More than 66% of the 120 million people in the world with sickle cell disease live in Africa. In Nigeria, about 150, 000 children are said to be born yearly with the debilitating disease, heightening the need for all hands to be on deck to checkmate the disease.

The condition can cause extreme pain, life-threatening infections and other complications such as stroke or loss of vision. The disease can interfere with many aspects of the patient’s life, including education, employment and psychosocial development. Despite the disastrous consequences, they do not receive adequate attention.

In particular, the sources of funding for the fight against these diseases and the technical partners involved are insufficient.

The burden of blood-related diseases could be considerably reduced if cost-effective preventive and curative measures and interventions are implemented in a balanced and coordinated manner.

In 2008, Ministers of Health from the WHO African region adopted a regional strategy to combat sickle cell disease and in some countries where sickle cell disease is a major public health concern, control programmes do exist. However, these have neither the national coverage nor basic facilities to manage patients. Systematic screening for SCD using a simple blood test is not a common practice, and diagnosis is usually made when a severe complication occurs.

Counselling and prevention of causes and infections are simple measures not readily accessible to most patients. As a result, the majority of children with the most severe form of the disease die before the age of five, usually from an infection or severe anaemia.

We are of the opinion that there is an urgent need to tackle the disease.

We must continue to make an effort so that together with our brothers and sisters from other continents, we can win the noble fight against blood diseases in Nigeria and Africa.

Our States alone, without the precious support of partners, will not be able to cope with information, communication, education, screening, case management and also basic research in this field.

SCA is a significant and underrecognized global health problem, and with new SDG efforts focused on ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under the age of 5 it is essential to specifically include SCA in that effort. With increased availability of POC diagnostics and inexpensive and highly effective treatments, such as hydroxyurea, simple efforts can result in millions of lives saved.

Pediatricians have the unique opportunity to be leaders in improving the health of children not only in our local practices, but also across the world. Increasing the visibility and advocacy for less commonly recognised childhood health conditions, such as SCA, can lead to important changes and provides an opportunity to save millions of lives.

S I G N AT U R E Publisher

Folio Communications Plc

Acting News Editor Henry Omunu 08033047507 The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Buhari can’t Islamise Nigeria – PFN chairman Alphonsus Nweze

Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Anambra state chapter, Rev. Moses Ezedebego, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot Islamize Nigeria.

Rev. Ezedebego, who is also the secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state said he was convinced as a Christian leader that nobody can Islamize Nigeria.

But, he sounded a note of caution to Christians in the country, saying “we must pray. We must open our eyes. We must be on guard.”

He lamented the high degree of

insecurity in the country, which the government has refused to assume responsibility for, saying that the indifference on the part of government has created genuine suspicion among Christians in the country.

He said that “government is not doing anything. No herdsman has been prosecuted. We are concerned about that,” but however, urged Christians not to lose hope.

“We should remain consistent and steadfast. We cannot give up.

Winners never quit and quitters never win. God has a way of defending his own people,” said Ezedebego.

Speaking on Easter, the PFN boss said without Easter there will be

no Christianity, stressing that the celebration reminds all of God’s greatest manifestation of love by sending his son to take our place at the cross of Calvary.

“Jesus was our substitute sacrificial lamb. He was cursed for our sake” he said. Ezedebego said in spite of pressures on the Christians in this generation, there are still a lot who are committed to serving God. “The only problem is that evil people are noise makers. We promote evil instead of good. There are thousands of prostitutes, armed robbers, cultists, criminals of all types who have given their lives to Christ,” he said.

L-R: Proto- Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), The Very Bamidele Osin; Secretary Conference, MCN, The Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Prelate MCN, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche; Bishop of Trinity Church Council; MCN, The Rt. Rev. Omotayo Babalola, during the 2019 Easter Sunday Church Service at Tinubu Lagos.

PHOTO:Olawale Rotimi

Easter: 700 benefit from Chidoka’s free medical outreach in Anambra

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has identified quality education and good healthcare as crucial factors for a productive society.

Chidoka made the submission at the closing ceremony of a two-day free comprehensive medical outreach to Obosi, Idemili North Council Area of Anambra on Sunday.

The programme which was organized by the ex- minister’s outreach benefited 700 persons who treated free under the medical mission offered by a 12-man team of doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists.

Chidoka said both the private sector and government must work in a collaborative manner to bringing the services to the people. He said he was working with Nigerian volunteers in the Diaspora and within the country to take the medical outreach to every part of the state.

“We have figured out that two

things are critical to the survival of any society; these are education and good health. Making it possible for people to have good education will prepare them for the society.

“But, if they don’t have good health, we cannot actualise that vision, so my attitude as an individual, is that we should contribute our own little quota, without calling on government all the time.

“Governments have promised health for all, governments have tried to bring healthcare to the people but of course you can see it is not available. What I have decided and I have been doing it for years very quietly is to bring the things we can do for ourselves to the people.

“So, starting from Obosi, we will take this medical mission to other parts of the state. I am in touch with some Nigerians in Diaspora who have volunteered to come for medical mission on their own with me

providing local support.

“We are going to leverage on the network of doctors in Anambra who have volunteered to work with us on this medical mission. Government can do a lot, there is nothing like free education or free healthcare, somebody is paying somewhere.

“So what should be done is that in budgeting, government should fund healthcare and education through the private sector and not just building public institutions,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said his prime motivation for rendering the services was the memory of his grandfather, who was an amputee for 68 years, but could still train his 12 children because of the medical care he got in his time.

He said most Nigerians were destitute because of their inability to access medical help for treatable ailments.

10 News

Short News Group demands open voting system to elect NASS leaders

Sustainable Democracy Agenda (SUDA), a political group, has called for open balloting during the election of presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly.

Convener of the group, Malam Ibrahim Usman, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. Usman alleged that SUDA had uncovered plot by some principal officers of the present 8th National Assembly to manipulate the election in both chambers through the use of secret balloting.

“The plan is to ensure that they thwart the resolution of the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) which has adopted Sen. Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The principal officers are allegedly desperate to manipulate the process with the aim of reenacting the 2015 scenario, where presiding officers emerged against the resolution of the APC. “They are bent on frustrating the majority party by installing their stooge as President of Senate and Speaker through the fraudulent secret voting pattern,” he said.

He called on the leadership of the APC to reject plans for secrecy during the election of the presiding officers.

The convener stressed the need for the APC to sustain consultations with its members towards ensuring that the adopted candidates in both chambers are supported by all lawmakers ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly in June.

“Otherwise, the party may have lost the presiding positions to the minority party, which is set to exploit the division in the APC. The party may have survived its inability to control the legislature the last time but mistakes are not meant to be repeated,” he said.

Usman said the electorate have the right to know how their representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives voted during the elections. He said that Senators and members of House of Representatives are voting on behalf of their constituents, who reserve the rights to know how they vote.

Easter: Cleric urges Buhari to appoint more women into cabinet

An Anglican Communion cleric, Rev. Isaiah Oluwaniyi, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint more women than men into the cabinet in his second term soon to commence.

Oluwaniyi made the call in his Easter Sunday sermon entitled: “Resurrection the heart of the Christian message” at the Basilica of Grace Anglican Church, Abuja. He urged women to start preparing for governance in 2023, adding that they would play important role in Nigeria’s politics.

According to him, Nigeria has many women that can perform better than men, and if women rule, there will be a good difference. The cleric recalled that Jesus appeared first to a woman, Mary Magdalene, after His resurrection,and said “that is to show that women are special.”

He said that Easter, also referred to as resurrection Sunday, was celebrated in Christendom to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and assured Nigerians that peace would reign in the country again “because Jesus lives in Nigeria.”

Oluwaniyi said that resurrection was the strength of the Christian faith, adding that the power in the resurrection was available to bring peace to Nigeria.

He said that anyone working against peace of Nigeria would fail because Jesus had risen from the dead, and would bring the desired peace to the country.

He advised Christians not to lose hope in spite of challenges they may be facing, and assured that they would overcome.

“The resurrection power is available to solve whatever problem you may be faced with, nothing can stop your testimony and greatness. So, do not lose hope because Jesus is alive,” he said.

News 11

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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New wage: Kwara TUC urges govt. to curb irrational increase in prices of commodities Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kwara state, Comrade Kolawole Olumoh, has urged government at all levels to curb any irrational increase in the prices of commodities.

Olumoh stated this on Sunday in Ilorin while speaking on the presidential assent to the new minimum wage bill.

The TUC leader, who applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Nigerian workers a new wage, noted however that the concern was that marketers and manufacturers would increase prices of their products irrationally.

“We appreciate the President for the quick assent and a promise

fulfilled. However, it is of concern that marketers and manufacturers alike seize this as an opportunity to irrationally increase prices of their products. This will impact negatively on the increased value of our wages,’’ he said.

Olumoh explained that for the purchasing power of a new minimum wage to be useful, impactful and effective, government at all levels must assist in protecting and enforcing measures that would curb irrational increase in prices of commodities.

This, the trade union leader said would safeguard the workers, citizens and the economy as a whole.

He also urged the president to order the release the state share of Paris Club refund to enable the payment of all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions owed the state workers and retirees.

“We want to appeal to the president to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the non-release of Paris Club refund to Kwara state.

There is a serious need for this so as to enable the state to pay-off all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions being owed as well as to offset indebtedness to state Parastatals and MDAs. “This is an appeal on behalf of starving Kwara workers and inhabitants as a whole,’’ the TUC boss said.

Short News Assassins came after me for election money - Security aide Security Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River state, Mr. Ani Esin, says assassins that came to his house on March 12 were sent because of alleged election money.

He stated this on Sunday at a thanksgiving service to dedicate his survival in the hands of the assassins to God at the Presbyterian Church in Duke Town, Calabar.

“For today, I just had a thanksgiving service to celebrate God for sparing me and family from an assassination attempt by unknown men. It was a terrible day and that is why I am here to return all glory to God Almighty.

“The only statement I could get was that the assassins were sent to attack me because I took election money. But in truth, I never did in any way. There was no election money given to me, the money that was available was for the general election for Bakassi Local Government Area where I come from and the money was disbursed accordingly.

“While I was in the hospital, I was told that the assassins took my car away and on their way, they had an accident while the security agencies were trailing them,’’ he said.

He said security was everyone’s business, adding that the state government was doing its best to improve security in the state, adding that “with the conclusion of the elections, we hope that things will return to normal because some of the security challenges occurred during the election period.’’

He thanked the police in Calabar that came to his rescue during the ordeal, adding that the state government places premium on security of lives and property of residents, adding that more detailed security framework was being worked out to curb further challenges.

Earlier during the sermon, the officiating minister, Rev. Nseobong Ukpuho, admonished Christian to use the Easter celebration to reconcile their differences with God. Ukpuho, who read from the book of Joshua: 1-9, advised Christians to imbibe the lessons of the Easter period by exhibiting unity, love and peace.

The service was attended by family and friends, including a former Deputy Governor of Cross River, Mr. Efiok Cobham, Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Austin Agbonlahor amongst others.

Sign digital right bill into lawNGO urges Buhari Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Head of Service, Anambra State, Barrister Harry Uduh, with Government House Drivers, during the commencement of their six months conversion course at Awka recently.

Obiano urges Igbo people to sustain, promote cultural heritage Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra state on Sunday in Ogidi called on Igbo people to sustain and promote their rich cultural heritage.

He spoke at the Ito Aro (retirement ceremony) Ogidi Cultural Festival, held at Ogidi Town Hall. The governor stressed the need for Igbo people to encourage and sustain culture that celebrate people while alive, rather than honour them when they die.

Obiano praised the organisers, especially the traditional ruler for the colourful and orderly nature of the event.

Igwe Alex Oyido, traditional ruler of Ogidi, said the Ito Aro is an age-long traditional observance in Ogidi which had been abandoned for quite long, adding that “Ito Aro is deeply rooted in the age grade system in Igboland.

“Age grade in Ogidi have been very influential and impacted positively on communal discipline, community development and engineered healthy competitive spirit among the youths.”

Chairman Dome Entertainment Centre, Abuja, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, one of the promoters of culture in Ogidi, said the Ito Aro would help foster unity among the

people.

Obiora said that one of the inherent gains of the age grade was to checkmate anti social conducts among the youths, asserting that “these days, problem of youths indulging in drug addiction and other anti social life style are on the rise, with the age grade system, members can help correct negative conducts of their age grade”, he said.

Those honoured during the 2019 Ito Aro were 508 octogenarians, drawn from Uru, Ezinkwo, Ikenga and Akanano quarters, the four components parts that make up Ogidi.

President Muhammadu Buhari have been urged to sign into law, the Digital Right Bill in order to enable people have access to the Internet without hindrance.

A non-governmental Organization, Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) made the call yesterday at a workshop held in Bauchi.

The Technical Officer of the organisation, Mr. Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu made the call while presenting a paper entitled “Nigerian Digital Rights and Freedom Bill” said, the signing of the bill will provide maximum protection for the rights of Internet users in the country.

He added that the bill when signed into law will safeguard their privacy, protect their dignity, improve server security and create room for gender inclusion in the internet usage.

According to Aliyu, people have been prevented from using the internet because of fear of molestation, accounts hacking, bridge of privacy and a lot of issues surrounding the internet which infringes upon their rights to freedom of expression.

He therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the ‘Digital Right Bill’ has been signed into law, so as to bring sanity into the internet usage and minimize the spread of fake news and hate speech in the society.

Reports indicated that the House of Representatives and the Senate have already passed the ‘Digital Right Bill’ and forwarded to the president for signing, which is still being awaited as the president requested for more clarification on the bill.

In her remarks, the Program Officer of CITAD in charge of Gender and Internet Advocacy Maryam Ado Haruna said women are far left behind in the use of Internet despite several advantages they stand to achieve, especially in the area of business development opportunities.

She noted that studies have shown a huge gap between the way women and men access the Internet which have placed women at the very low state due to fear of falling victims of Internet violence.

The Program Officer tasked women in the country to take advantage of the digital world and improve their lives, thereby bringing their talents for the world to see and equally excel in their business endeavours.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

Speakership: Gbajabiamila being rewarded for hard work, loyalty – Lawmaker A lawmaker, Rep. Magaji Aliyu, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsement of Femi Gbajabiamila as speaker of 9th House of Representatives is reward for his hard work and loyalty.

Rep. Aliyu, a member of House of Representatives, and Director (Mobilisation), Campaign for Femi Gbajabiamila for speakership, stated this on Sunday in an interview in Abuja.

The APC had on Tuesday, adopted Gbajabiamila as its candidate for speakership position when President Muhammadu Buhari hosted members-elect to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

However, the decision did not go down well with some party lawmakers in the House as Reps Idris Wase (Plateau), Mohammed Bago (Niger) and John Dyegh (Benue), among others, insisted on vying for the position.

Aliyu, who represents Birnin Kudu/ Buji Federal Constituency of Jigawa, said that Gbajabiamila was presently the most competent and qualified member to lead the lower chamber.

He, therefore, said that it was not a surprise that Buhari and the APC backed his candidacy.

“Nobody wins election on his own; we all won on the platform of the party, and, all over the world, a party can endorse and individuals can also endorse a candidate. ”Mr President and the party have endorsed him; it is never because of the North-East or South-West factor. It is because of competency; he is competent and qualified,” he said.

Aliyu said that although any party member had the right to vie for the position, such member would be punished for his or her disloyalty.

“Any member can run for the speakership position but that is disloyalty. We will tag him to be a disloyal member and he will be punished for disloyalty. Femi is being rewarded for hard work, commitment, honesty and above all, loyalty. So disloyalty will be punished,” he stressed.

Aliyu, who said that he was fully in support of the Lagos lawmaker’s candidacy, explained that ”all over the world, the party

dictates”.

“Nigeria is part of the world. It is not about south, east, north or west; it is about our collective democracy and collective heritage.

Let the institution grow; let the best person lead; Femi is the most competent now and the most qualified,” he insisted.

The lawmaker noted that though there were sentiments regarding Femi’s geographical identity, ”on this effort, he is the best. What are we looking for? We are looking for a person who is knowledgeable, suitable, proficient, skillful and brilliant.

“And, that was what the president said though he said he was not dictating to us. He was pleading with us to take to the advice because he did not want the 2015 scenario to repeat.

“You could see how we were back-stabbed.

Insha Allah, this time, we are going to have it correctly,” he said.

On system of voting his group preferred to be adopted for electing leaders of the House, he said: ”No, we have not reached that stage.

Now, we are campaigning, we are talking to members.

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Uja Tor Uja in a warm handshake with the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Pastor Alex Okoh and NCPC Staff during their thanksgiving service for a successful 2018 pilgrimage exercise at RCCG City of David Parish jubilee Resort, Ecumenical Center Abuja.

APC preaches love as Christians celebrate Easter

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, the commemoration of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the All Progressives Congress (APC) urges faithful to imbibe the belief and teaching of Jesus Christ in love and tolerance which will end violence and other evil tendencies in the country.

Rev. Fr. Francis Kale, Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church Nyanya also reminded parishioners of ‘Power of the Resurrection; during the Church Service on Sunday at the celebration which is a major cornerstone of the Christian faith, preaching from the Book of Luke 24: 1-10.

The party through its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issah Onilu said love and tolerance is all we need to end violence and other divisive tendencies among us as a nation adding that; “as we merry with friends, family and other loved ones for the

festivals, we should remember the essence of Easter which is recognition of the love, sacrifice and suffering Jesus Christ bore for humanity”.

The party calls on all citizens irrespective of religious affiliations to imbibe these selfless attributes displayed by Jesus Christ in our relationship with our neighbors and in our national life.

“In our collective efforts to progress as a nation, we must all rise above our perceived differences which pit brothers and sisters against themselves. Love and tolerance will take us above internecine violence, killings, agitations, and other divisive tendencies.

“We urge Nigerians to also use the occasion of Easter to pray for the safety and wellbeing of our Armed Forces and other security personnel deployed to flashpoints around the country to ensure safety of citizens and their livelihoods.

“We seek the continuous prayers and support of Nigerians for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration in the ongoing task of taking the country to the Next Level of our shared progress, peace and prosperity”.

In his sermon, Fr. Kale said human values devalue a man than anything in life as Jesus Christ was valued for only 30 Shekels of Silver warning against friends who will cluster on you when things are good, but will run away when things get bad. He also said as leaders in our different ways, we must be prepared to lay our lives for sake of others as that is self sacrificed which Jesus Christ stood for adding that; light is supreme over darkness.

“God is of the living and not of the dead; the power that resurrected Jesus Christ is always there to resurrect anyone that believes as Jesus is no longer in the grave.

12 News

Short News FCDA shuns Appeal Court, demolishes Abuja garden Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The Department of Development Control, at the weekend, demolished a garden at plot 164B, Cadastral Zone B01, Gudu District Abuja, belonging to Stoppy Ltd. The demolition was executed not minding a notice of appeal and a motion for stay of execution.

Addressing newsmen, Managing Director of Stoppy Ltd and owner of the Garden, Ngozi Anene, stated that her business premises worth millions of Naira were maliciously destroyed.

She disclosed that the land (recreational park) in question has been a subject of litigation, and that there is an appeal at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in respect of the disputed land.

A notice of appeal from the chambers of Barrister Anthony Agbonlahor and Associates, indicated the pendency of appeal.

Also, Anene said her counsel had filed a motion for stay of execution of a judgement of the FCT High Court on 11th April 2019.

The motion according to her has been fixed for hearing on May 27, 2019, adding that the Department of Development Control, FCDA was served with the motion.

The claimant to the disputed land, Agriculture and Rural Management Training Institute (3rd defendant) was equally served.

She therefore wondered why the FCDA and the 3rd defendant would resort to self help by demolishing the garden when they know about the appeal.

Her pain was the fate of over 20 workers under her payroll.

“Without prior notice, the Department of Development Control demolished my garden; I could not bring out anything.

“All my property and business items were buried under the rubble.

“Look at these boys and girls working with me, where will they go, what will they do; FCDA wants them to turn to the streets and become Boko Haram, thugs, criminals or what?

“I am an employer of labour, and this is not the best way to encourage entrepreneurs and small scale businesses in the country, Ngozi Anene lamented.

She said that the land was given to her since 2007 and she has invested a lot in the place since the.

Amid sobs, she said; “I was not given any notice, we woke up this morning going on with our normal business of the day when all of a sudden, they drove in with their catapillers and started razing down the garden “This was even after I notified them of the acknowledged copy of the appeal and the motion of stay of execution served on them.

“It was too sudden that we could not even move a pin. All out properties have been destroyed.

“These people are aware of the appeal pending before the court of appeal. A copy of the stay of execution was served on them. I am calling on president Muhammadu Buhari to come to my aid because I have nobody.

“Officials of the FCDA should stop taking laws into their hands”, She said .

Also, her lawyer Mr. Anthony Agbonlahor who wondered why the government will choose to execute the court judgement added that he will pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.

He said, “ A motion of appeal has been filed, a motion for the stay of execution has also been filed and May 27 has been fixed to hear the matter. “ It surprise me that despite these facts, the FCDA choose to come here and carry out this action. “ It will not deter us from pursuing this case to a logical conclusion. The Supreme court has held in several cases that if a matter is in court, you don’t resort to self help.

“We have an execution unit of the High Court. None of these parties applied for for execution. I don’t understand why they choose to take laws into their hands. The government will pay for all the damages”, he added.

Electoral Institute gets new Director General Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the appointment of Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris as the substantive Director General of the Electoral Institute (TEI).

TEI is the Commission’s organ responsible for research and training of electoral personnel.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Idris was the Acting Director General of the Institute, a position he took over after the demise of the late DG, Professor Abubakar Momoh in May 2017.

The newly appointed DG, was also the Director of Training at the Institute and appointment which he took up in January 2015. He has over 28 years’ experience in Nigeria’s public service.

Dr. Idris holds a Ph.D Economics (Labour Economics Major) from the Premier Renmin (People’s) University of China in Beijing, with focus and interest in the areas of training and development.

He obtained an M.Sc. Business Studies (Human Resources Management Major) from Salford University, Salford, Manchester, UK and bagged his first degree (B.Sc) in Political Science from the Department of Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Dr. Idris is a member and Fellow of many Professional bodies, including; the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Institute of Industrialist and Corporate Administrators (FIICA), Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA) and the Institute of Corporate

ANAMBRA TIMES

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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At Easter, Obiano urges Christians to touch their neighbours with love As Christians all over the world mark the feast of Easter, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged them to reach out and touch their neighbours with love.

In a special Easter Message delivered in Awka, the state capital, Governor Obiano observed that there is no greater manifestation of unconditional love than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind which the feast of Easter represents.

Said he: “The essence of Easter is love. There’s no incident in known history that is higher than a man laying down his own life for his neighbours. This is why Easter is about the love we show to our neighbours, no matter who they are.”

“In dying on the cross, Jesus Christ demonstrated sacrificial love. In rising from the dead, he gave us hope and sealed our salvation. So, there can be no doubt that it is only love that can heal our

broken world. And with love, we can make the society a better place for everyone.”

Speaking further on the significance of Easter to Nigeria’s national dilemma, Obiano observed that “We are at a point in our political development when some of our most intimidating challenges can be solved by a simple act of love. Love for our country and love for our neighbours and fellow citizens. We must demonstrate that love today. That is the spirit and

essence of Easter.”

Governor Obiano therefore exhorted Christians to live out the full meaning of Easter by eschewing those tendencies that endanger love and touching their neighbours in the same way that Christ touched mankind with love.

The Governor, who has just resumed work after a little holiday, explained that he purposely came back to celebrate Easter with Ndi Anambra because his heart belonged with the people.

Governor Willie Obiano (7th right); the traditional ruler of Ogidi, HRM, Igwe (Pharm) Alex Onyido (6th right) with the oldest man and woman in Ogidi and other cabinet members, during the maiden edition of Ito Aro Ogidi, at Ogidi town hall.

Respect your parents, aged people, Obiano urges youths Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged the youths to always accord unreserved respects to their parents and aged people to attract blessings from God. Governor Obiano said the practice of respect to the aged people and parents goes along with the biblical quotation that

attracts long life.

The Governor stated this at the weekend when he attended maiden edition of “Ito Aro” Ogidi, at the Ogidi Town Hall, Ogidi.

The “Ito Aro “is a celebration where all octogenarians (80 years and above) in the community are honoured.

The Governor

As Ogidi marks Ito Aro commended the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido for impacting heavily on people’s lives and creating windows of opportunities for the youths.

“The celebration is an opportunity to encourage the youths to desist from all forms of crimes and social I’ll so as to live longer.

“Igwe Onyido has empowered many youths by creating job opportunities for

them. He has employed over 6000 youths across the nation.”

Obiano added.

In his address, the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Pharm Alex Onyido, said: “Ito Aro Ogidi is an age-old traditional observance in Ogidi which had sadly been in the coolers. It is deeply rooted in the age grade system.

“By re-renacting the system, they want to encourage people to come together, inspire and

assist each other.

“It is an opportunity to appreciate those who had contributed immensely for the growth of Ogidi.” Igwe Onyido noted.

Igwe Onyido exempted the celebrants from community works, dues and taxes, promising them shelter, clothing, healthcare, provision of water and power supply among others as Ogidi’s civic responsibility.

ANSG to upgrade facilities at Special Education Centres In his sincere effort to give every Anambra child the best of education, irrespective of social status, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, is set to upgrade facilities at all the special education centres in Anambra State.

Governor Obiano demonstrated his readiness to

implement this action plan by sending the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, and her Basic Education counterpart, Prof. Kate Omenugha, to a fact finding mission to get first hand information on areas the government can intervene to improve facilities at special

education centres across the state.

The Commissioners in the company of ASUBEB chairman, Mr. Patrick Ugbaja, inspected facilities at Basden Memorial Special Education Centre Isulo and Special Education Centre Umuchu, in view to report back their findings to the Executive

Governor of Anambra State.

In her magnanimity, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, in each of the centres visited, donated some items including toiletries, provisions food items and other gift items to the inmates and staff of the special education centres.

g13 Women Affairs Commissioner takes Campaign against street begging to parks, markets

Following the ongoing clampdown on street begging and other public nuisance, the Anambra State government has taken the campaign against these social vices to parks and markets in the state, through a dialogic engagements between the Commissioner For Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, and her transport counterpart, Comrade Uchenna Okafor (Wiper) with parks and business owners, in major cities in the state.

The Commissioners used the opportunity to clampdown street begging and cleared all mentally challenged persons from the streets of Anambra State.

The exercise took place at motor parks and markets vis-a-vis Onitsha Main market and Upper Iweka Onitsha.

During the exercise, the park owners were solicited to assist the state government in its efforts to rid the streets of Anambra of those seeking alms with under age children and other illegal activities that are mostly associated with motor parks and markets across the state.

Responding, some park owners and managers promised to be of help as much as they can to rid the state of these illegality associated with begging and loitering in parks and markets in the state.

Bishop Ibezim urges FG to arrest killings in Nigeria

The Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt Rev Alexander Ibezim, has charged the Federal Government to put urgent measures in place to ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens in the country.

Right Reverend Ibezim, who gave the charge in his Easter message, explained that life was so sacrosanct to be wasted violently.

The Bishop who described killing of human beings as unethical, stressed that government at all levels must rise to the challenge of bringing sanity to the nation through the stoppage of the senseless and inhuman act.

He noted that human beings were created in the image of God for a special purpose, noting that the death of Jesus Christ was a great sacrifice which gave humanity victory over the forces of darkness through His resurrection.

Right Reverend Ibezim urged all classes of leaders in the society to tap from the wisdom of God to help them in resolving issues negating the growth of the nation.

The Anglican Bishop advised the faithful to identify with the victory of Jesus over death by being obedient to the words of God to secure a place in His kingdom.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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14

We’re committed to a robust renewable energy sector, says REAN Joy Obakeye The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) has said the group is committed in its efforts in ensuring a robust renewable energy sector.

REAN is the umbrella body of Renewable energy companies in Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen, Executive Secretary, REAN, Lande Abudu said the activity within the sector has increased its awareness.

She said, “We are unrelenting in our efforts to build a robust renewable energy sector and this comprises numerous activities such as spearheading efforts to ensure favourable, business-friendly policies for the sector and proper implementation of the same.

“Within a multi-stakeholder group including REAN members, renewable energy experts, public sector stakeholders and regulators, other associations, developers and more, we are engaging with the wider power sector to encourage sustainable growth for what is essentially an evolving sector.

“While this is very much a workin-progress, we are making strides.

Increased activity within the sector has increased the visibility and the conversation has reached a wider audience.

“With the increased awareness, comes an understanding of the need to put our collective efforts into ensuring that the sector works effectively, supports the players within it and that there is a good foundation for long term sustainability.

“Our common aim, we must not forget, is to give Nigerians access to clean, reliable and affordable access to power. These activities are meant to make it happen”, she stated.

Speaking further, she said the regulatory environment should encourage increased investment in the sector.

“The regulatory bodies have to be open to listening to the industry players.

“The Industry operators can operate optimally where regulation is fit for purpose but not so stringent as to stifle the very industry that they are trying to regulate.

“The regulatory environment should give comfort to those committed to working in the RE space, thereby encouraging their growth for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.

Investor confidence will naturally follow, thereby increasing investment into the sector.

“Industry players on their part need to be disciplined and to run businesses with transparent processes. Quality Assurance in line with global best practices is the primary goal. We cannot allow sub-standard goods to flood the country and we cannot compromise on robust standardisation within the industry. It’s a natural synergy. It must be a symbiotic relationship”, she said.

L-R: Unit Head, Power and Telecoms, Sterling Bank, Ayodele Odulaja; Managing Director, Mojec International Limited, Ms Chantelle Abdul; Head Retail Business Advisory, Sterling Bank, Ogundiran Ibidapo; and Chairman, Mojec International, Mrs Mojisola Abdul, at the Launch of Bank consumer and Retail Financing Scheme For MAP Meter Acquisition in Lagos

How Dangote Refinery will drive world crude oil refining capacity – OPEC Motolani Oseni The The organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is upbeat at the prospect of the Dangote Oil Refinery serving to drive world crude oil refining capacity increase especially in Africa by 2020.

The organisation in the current edition of its World Oil Outlook (WOO), said that the Dangote refinery, which is the first privately owned and operated a refinery in Nigeria will refine as much as 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day at installed capacity.

Presently, total world oil production in 2019 averaged 80,622,000 barrels per day. Approximately 68 per cent is coming from the top ten countries and an overlapping 44 per cent comes from the fourteen current OPEC members.

OPEC said in the outlook that the world is expecting some capacity

expansion coming from Nigeria in Nigeria by 2020, either through the rehabilitation of existing refineries – in part to raise their utilisation rates, or through grassroots projects, like the Dangote Oil Refinery.

OPEC stated: “Last year’s World Oil Outlook hinted that, in Africa, “new projects could improve the situation somewhat toward the end of the period”.

This year, increasing confidence that the Dangote project in Nigeria will go ahead is indeed changing the picture.

“Allowing for some uncertainty in the project’s start-up timetable, incremental potential in Africa is expected to continue to lag incremental demandbased requirements through 2020, after which the potential is for a balance or excess requirements.

“A deficit of around 0.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) from 2019 to 2020 is estimated to swing to an excess of around 0.3 mb/d by 2022 to 2023. It

must be borne in mind that this regional outlook is unusual in that it hinges largely on a single project”.

OPEC said the completion of the project would reduce the importation of petroleum products in West Africa.

“Since the project is in West Africa, its implementation does not necessarily alter the situations in North and East/ South Africa. What should happen, especially in West Africa, is a reduction in the need and opportunity for product imports,” it added.

According to OPEC, in Africa, there are some 50 listed refining projects, which, if all built, would add nearly 5mb/d of new refining capacity to the continent.

The organisation noted, however, that in recent WOOs, the proportion of projects considered firm has generally been low, for example, 0.4 mb/d for 2017 to 2022 period in WOO 2017. “This year, the outlook represents a significant

reversal from recent history. For the first time in many years, projected firm additions at 1.1 mb/d exceed regional demand growth for 2018 to 2023 at 0.7 mb/d.

“This change relates primarily to one project in Nigeria now under construction. Recognizing that this one major project is in West Africa, the prospects for North and East/South Africa continues to be for further increases in regional net product imports.

“It must be borne in mind that this regional outlook is unusual in that it hinges largely on a single project.

Moreover, since the project is in West Africa, its implementation does not necessarily alter the situations in the North and East/South Africa. What should happen, especially in West Africa, is a reduction in the need and opportunity for product imports”, it stated.

ETI raises $138bn by means of Debut Eurobond Temitope Adebayo Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) the Lomé-based parent company of the Ecobank Group, is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised N138 billion or $450 million (equivalent of N306.95/$) in its debut Eurobond which was oversubscribed.

The Global Offering for the capital is a 5-year unsecured note (144A/

RegS) listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The bond matures in April 2024 and was issued with a coupon pricing of 9.5 per cent with interest payable semi-annually in arrears.

The proceeds will be used for ETI’s general corporate purposes and to refinance existing Holdco obligations.

Investor interest was global, including United Kingdom, United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia,

and Africa.

On this debut Eurobond issuance, Group Chief Executive Officer of ETI Mr Ade Ayeyemi, in a statement, said, “This is another first for Ecobank and I’m very excited at the prospects for the Group as we continue the second phase of our 5-year ‘Roadmap to leadership’ strategy.

“Our efforts toward greater operational and capital efficiency are paying off, and this offer is another

example of the measures we are taking to strengthen our institution and deliver value for all of our stakeholders.”

The Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr Greg Davis, also commenting on this Eurobond said, “The success of this Eurobond reflects appetite from high quality and real money institutional investors globally and the trust that continues to be conferred on our institution and the markets we have chosen to participate in.”

Business Times 15

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Africa Prudential posts 17.2% decline in profit Temitope Adebayo

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, D. Adesola Adeduntan; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele; Group Chairman, FBN Holdings Plc, Dr Oba Otudeko; French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquier; Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr UK Eke and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema at the gala night to commemorate the 125th year anniversary of FirstBank.

Tax revenue: How Nigeria can generate $13b through digital ID - Report Ladesope Ladelokun Not less than $13 billion can be raked as additional revenue, but only if Nigeria could use digital ID to expand the tax base, a report by Mc Kinsey Global Institute has revealed.

The report, also, showed that the use of digital ID will be helpful in including informal income and reduce fraud and errors in tax filing.

Governments and businesses,

according to the report, are implementing digital identification programmes with mixed results and adoption levels. The report further stated that good use of digital ID programmes can help people participate more fully in their economy and society, which will lead to a bounteous economic value and inclusive growth.

The new Mc Kinsey Global Institute report explains further that, with the adoption of digital ID and the right principles, Nigeria

can be helped to unlock 3 per cent economic value equivalent of Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in advanced economies and 6 per cent in emerging economies.

The report, which X-rayed seven economies - Nigeria, Ethiopia, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom and the United States, analysed almost 100 ways digital ID can be used, helping countries on its radar to understand the economic benefits of proper deployment of the digital ID. According to Rogerio Mascaren

has, Managing Partner, Mc Kinsey, Nigeria office, three-quarter of the potential economic value accrue to individuals in Nigeria, making it a powerful key to inclusive growth, noting that the rest flows to the private sector and government institutions.

He added that Nigeria’s unmet financial needs are huge as 64.5 million individuals are unbanked and therefore may be cut off from access to credit or the ability to deposit income.

Customs rakes N311.2bn in Q1, targets higher revenue in 2019 Temitope Adebayo As the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) set further revenue target in 2019, a total sum of N311.2 billion has been generated for the first quarter of

2019.

The Customs in a document released by the office of the Public Relations Officer of the service, Joseph Attah, over the weekend showed that the revenue was generated between January and March.

The federal government had set a revenue target of N887 billion for NCS in 2019.

However, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali had promised that the figure would be surpassed as the management had earlier set a

higher target for the organisation.

The breakdown of the revenue generated during the period under review indicated that NCS got revenue of N116.5 billion in January, N84.9 billion in February, and N109.8 billion in March.

NSE: Equities market adds N198bn in 4 days Motolani Oseni The equities market segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the end of four trading days activities added N198 billion, as positive earnings performance of major bellwethers catalyzed investors sentiment.

The NSE, ended equities trading ended on Thursday and will open on Tuesday, due to the two days public holiday declared by the federal government of Nigeria to commemorate the end of the Lenten season and Easter celebrations.

Figures obtained by The Daily Times showed that the market capitalisation, which opened trading on April 15 at N11.103 trillion, gained N198 billion or 1.78 per cent to close trading on April 18 at N11.301 trillion.

Specifically, the All-Share Index (ASI) gained 525.84 basis points, representing a growth of 1.78 per cent to close at 30,086.31 basis points from 29,560.47

basis points it opened for trading last week.

All other indices finished higher with the exception of the NSE Oil/Gas Index that depreciated by 2.12 per cent.

According to NSE weekly market report, a total turnover of 988.692 million shares worth N11.432 billion in 13,596 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.770 billion shares valued at N15.264 billion that exchanged hands last week in 17,015 deals.

The Exchange revealed that 33 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 35 in the previous week. 33 equities depreciated in price, higher than 31 equities of the previous week, while 101 equities remained unchanged, the same with 101 equities recorded in the preceding week.

Chams Plc was the best performing stock, topped the gainers’ chart with 28.57 per cent to close at N0.36 from N0.28 per share, an up of N0.08.

First Aluminum Plc followed suit with

N0.09 or 28.13 per cent to close at N0.41 from N0.32 per share while Dangote Flour Mills appreciated by 27.38 per cent, opened at N8.40 and closed at N10.70, an of up N2.30 per share.

Access Bank Plc grew by 15.13 per cent or N0.90 from N5.95 and closed at N6.85, while AIICO Insurance Plc gained 10.29 per cent to close at N0.75 from N0.68, an increase of N0.07 per share.

On the other hand, ABC Transport Plc led the losers’ chart, dropping by 7.50 per cent to close at N0.33 from N0.40 per share. Royal Exchange Plc followed with a loss of 12 per cent or N0.03 to close at N0.22, while United Capital Plc fell by 11.43 per cent or N0.52 to close at N2.48 per share.

Other losers are C & I Leasing Plc shed 9.89 per cent or N0.79 to close at N7.20 per share, while AG Leventis Plc declined by 9.68 per cent to close at N0.28 per share.

Further breakdown of the trading showed that “The Financial Services

Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 766.191 million shares valued at N7.261 billion traded in 7,820 deals; thus contributing 77.50 per cent and 63.51 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

“The ICT Industry followed with 74.769 million shares worth N24.600 million in 212 deals. The third place was Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 48.022 million shares worth N3.095 billion in 2,374 deals.

“Trading in the Top Three Equities namely, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 355.043 million shares worth N4.845 billion in 2,133 deals, contributing 35.91 per cent and 42.38 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.”

Analysts at GTI Securities Limited stated, “We expect the overall market sentiment to stay positive in the next trading week as more positive earnings results are released.”

Africa Prudential Plc has reported a decline of 17.2 per cent in profit, posting N381 million in its unaudited financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2019, compared to N406 million reported in the first quarter (Q1) of 2018.

Africa Prudential’s profit before tax also dropped to N453 million in Q1 2019 from N541 million in Q1 2018, a 16.2 per cent decline.

The Company recorded a weak balance sheet as it closed the quarter ended March 2019 with total assets of N20.38 billion as against N21.27 billion in the full year of 2018.

The drop in total assets was as a result of the 37 per cent reduction in debt instruments at amortized cost, the latter which was the result of a reduction in debt instruments such as Treasury bills and Loans & Advances by 67 per cent and 28 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the result, The Managing Director/CEO of Africa Prudential, Mr Obong Idiong, stated that “While we were faced with some challenges which impeded our performance this past quarter, one of which was the declining yield environment thus mildly impacting one of our income line item- Interest Income.

“On the other hand, we saw a 23 per cent increase in our revenue from contracts with customers which were as a result of the several corporate actions undertaken by many of our clients in view of their full-year Annual General Meetings, dividend declaration etc.

“The management is however committed to improving upon our performance in the coming quarters following the launch of our strategic business units (SBUs), namely; Digital Technology, EasyCoop Mart and Cooperative business.

“To complement the traditional Registrar business, the benefits of the new business segments are expected to be felt from Q2 2019 going forward”.

Furthermore, he reiterated that “The various strategic steps we have been taking is towards establishing us as the registrar of choice, while making a foray into new ventures with high growth prospect, to do this we would be leveraging on technology, research & development as well as capacity building to ensure we achieve the aforesaid goals.

“We would continue to bring to bear, our doggedness whilst taking pragmatic steps towards tackling the arrays of issues plaguing us and our industry for a long time now.

Going into the second quarter of 2019, we would not be resting on our oars as we would ensure we keep to our promise of delivering unique customer experience to our wide clientele base” Idiong added.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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APC youth group demand 40 percent appointments from Buhari Some youth organisations under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Organisations has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allocate 40 percent of his administration’s appointive slots to youths in the country.

The youth organisations added that by so doing the President will be fulfilling one of his reelection campaign promises.

They said “this promise, if fulfilled, will give the youths good sense of belonging and compensation for their contributions towards his victory.”

Convener and acting President of the APC youth organisations, Samsideen Ogunolu said this at the inaugural meeting of the group in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.Representatives of the youths from South West, South East, North

Central and North-West attended the meeting.

Ogunolu said: “We appreciate President Buhari to make the youths self-reliant by providing excellent empowerment schemes like N-Power programmes for graduates as a means of volunteering for the success of youths.

“However, we appeal to the President to create more opportunities for our teeming youths being churned out of the various institutions of higher learning across the country. This can be achieved by creating more entrepreneurship programmes and equipping our universities to be ICT compliant.

“Similarly, we want to honestly appeal to the President to improve on free education as that will help

indigent students and serve as indirect empowerment to widows who could not afford their wards school fees and reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

“We equally want to remind the President of his campaign promise to “Not too young to run” to support the emergence of youthful candidate in the next presidential elections and implore the youths to always vote beyond ethnic sentiment and religious lines.

“The future of Nigeria and Africa at large rests in our hands and we need each other irrespective of political differences to accomplish this task.

“All positive contributions are needed to bring positive transformation to our fatherland,” he said.

Buhari vs Atiku 2019: Shehu Sani backs Galadima, dares APC leaders to swear by Holy Quran, Bible he Senator representing Kaduna Central District in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has dared members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to take up the challenge by spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Buba Galadima, to swear by the Holy Books that they neither bought votes nor rigged the 2019 elections.

Galadima had challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to take the lead by swearing by the Qu’ran that he defeated Atiku in the presidential race without any form of malpractices.

He had said: “The election was a national embarrassment. It was far from being free and fair. Not only that, it was clear to everybody that INEC, the military, and the police all colluded to work for APC “The whole world knows that Atiku defeated Buhari hands down, but the election was Shehu Sani heavily rigged in Buhari’s favour.

“I boldly challenge Buhari and other APC leaders to swear with the Holy Quran, and the Bible if they were sure that Buhari won that election.

“If they are sure that Buhari defeated Atiku, Buhari , and APC leaders should take up my challenge.

“I’m throwing this challenge openly, I’m making it public, and I’m waiting for any of them who is bold and sure of himself to take up this challenge.”

Reacting through his Twitter handle on Sunday, Senator Sani, a former APC chieftain, said: “Nobody in the ruling party can take up Galadima’s challenge and swear by the Holy Book that he never bought votes or rig election to

Ondo APC tasks Christians on justice, keeping hope alive at Easter The Chairman, members of the State Executive Committee, and indeed all stakeholders of the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), felicitate with Christians in the state and across the country on the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The party urges Christians to be guided by the ideals and virtues that the Lord Jesus Christ lived and died for, in their lives and conducts. The party said that is a sure way to make meaning out

of the supreme sacrifice.

The Ondo APC in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Kalejaye added that “We view religion as a tool to fortify unity, tolerance and love for the adherents, and neighbours. With that, conversion would become an easy task.

“We imploy leaders in all capacity to emphasise and preach the message of compassion, hope, justice, fairness, and equity, within their folds, in the spirit of Easter.”

The Ondo State chapter of the APC assures its members of its tireless efforts to promote their interests and welfare.

“We must build confidence among ourselves, and consistently harp on quality governance to reposition our party for victory in future elections.

“We commend the display of understanding by all the stakeholders in the state thus far, and urge them to continue to work for the unity of the party.”

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Emulate Jesus’ Spirit of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, Lagos Speaker tells Nigerians at Easter The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa has urged Nigerians, Christians in particular, to imbibe and emulate the spirit of love, sacrifice and forgiveness displayed by Jesus Christ during his lifetime.

Rt Hon Obasa stated that these qualities are essential in nation building and socio-economic growth and development of any society.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker’s message was contained in a statement issued on Saturday to rejoice with Christians and Nigerians on the Easter celebrations. The statement was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Musbau Rasak.

“Jesus Christ was an embodiment of love throughout his life time.

He preached forgiveness throughout and even displayed such on the cross.

To cap it all, he eventually sacrificed his life for his people.

These are essential qualities for us to imbibe and practice for us to grow as a nation and achieve greatness,” Obasa,

who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, said.

He expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their support and prayers for the All Progressives Congress (APC) government at national and state level, saying the party would not relent in reciprocating the support and prayers by putting in place programmes and projects that will enhance their standard of living and improve their welfare.

“We, in the APC, appreciate the prayers and support of Nigerians for our administration at all levels.

I want to assure you that we will continue to reciprocate the prayers and support by putting in place programmes and projects that will improve the standard of living of our people and enhance their welfare,” he said.

“On behalf of my colleagues in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I wish Nigerians, especially, Christians, a happy Easter celebration,” the Lagos Assembly Speaker said.

Group demands open voting system for election of 9th NASS leadership Sustainable Democracy Agenda (SUDA), a political group, has called for open balloting during the election of presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly.

Convener of the group, Malam Ibrahim Usman, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, NAN reports Usman alleged that SUDA had uncovered plot by some principal officers of the present 8th Assembly to manipulate the election in both chambers through the use of secret balloting.

“The plan is to ensure that they thwart the resolution of the majority All Progressives Congress (APC), which has adopted Sen. Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The principal officers are allegedly desperate to manipulate the process with the aim of reenacting the 2015 scenario, where presiding

officers emerged against the resolution of the APC. “They are bent on frustrating the majority party by installing their stooge as President of Senate and Speaker through the fraudulent secret voting pattern,” he said.

He called on the leadership of the APC to reject plans for secrecy during the election of the presiding officers.

The convener stressed the need for APC to sustain consultations with its members towards ensuring that the adopted candidates in both chambers are supported by all lawmakers, ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly in June.

“Otherwise, the party may lose the presiding positions to the minority party, which is set to exploit the division in the APC. “The party may have survived its inability to control the legislature the last time, but mistakes are not meant to be repeated, “ he said.

FOR THE RECORD

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Corruption index, Transparency International and realities on ground Wahab Shittu The 2018 Corruptions Perceptions Index (CPI) recently released globally by Transparency International has erroneously shown that Nigeria has ‘neither improved nor progressed in the perception of corruption in the public administration in 2018’. This is the fallacy that this intervention seeks to address, not on the basis of sentiments, but on the premise of raw facts, data and verifiable statistics. But first, what is the assessment of the rate of corruption in Nigeria in the context of global affairs as released by Transparency International this year?

In the assessment just released, Nigeria scored 27 out of 100 points in the 2018 CPI, maintaining the same score as in the 2017 CPI. In the country comparison, Nigeria ranks 144 out of 180 countries this year as opposed to 148 out of 180 countries in the 2017 CPI. This may have shown that Nigeria is still perceived as highly corrupt, meaning that even if Nigeria moved up four places in the latest ranking, this has not translated into any significant improvement because four other countries may have scored worse during the period under review. But has Nigeria really fared worse in the year 2018 as erroneously portrayed by Transparency International? I think not for the following reasons.

First, the EFCC has raised the ante in criminal prosecutions securing 312 convictions in 2018 including that of politically exposed persons. This feat is remarkable given the performance in previous years. In 2010, the rate of convictions was 68, in 2011 the figure was 67, in 2012, the figure was 87, in 2013, Nigeria had a figure of 117, in 2014, Nigeria recorded a figure of 126, in 2015, the conviction rate was 103, in 2016, the figure rose to 194, in 2017, the figure dropped to 189 and significantly in 2018, the figure rose to 312 – very remarkable and unprecedented. Remarkably, this 312 figure include convictions of former governors of Taraba (Rev. Jolly Nyame) and Plateau State (Senator Joshua Dariye) in addition to the conviction of the former Executive Chairman of Ogori/Magongo Local Government of Kogi State, Mr. Gabriel Daudu amongst others.

A breakdown of 2018 EFCC’s Zonal Offices Convictions reveals the following: Abuja 53; Lagos 85; Kano 36; Port Harcourt 33; Gombe 28; Benin 27; Enugu 15; Maiduguri 11; Ibadan 10; Uyo 8; and Kaduna 6 respectively.

The agency also made a strong showing in the 2018 record of concluded financial crimes and corruption cases compiled by the National Judicial Council’s Corruption and Financial Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, COTRIMCO. Out of 297 cases compiled by the Committee being prosecuted by law enforcement agencies in the country, the EFCC proved itself as the agency to reckon with, with a total of 175 cases being prosecuted by it, with 13 listed for the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. The EFCC and the ICPC are the leading anticorruption agencies in Nigeria. Perhaps, what is most remarkable in 2018, is the conviction of the seemingly untouchables in the society.

Significantly, these achievements are happening during the Buhari administration that is committed to the agenda of tackling corruption in many ways. One example that can be cited in favour of the Buhari’s administration is the new Whistleblowing Policy introduced by the Federal Ministry of Finance in December 2016 which has since yielded several recoveries. These include N13.8 billion from tax evaders and N7.8 billion, $378

million, #27,800 in recoveries from public officials targeted by whistleblowers.

Secondly, the National Economic Council (NEC) under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved the audit of key federal revenue generating agencies, which has so far yielded a total sum of N526 billion and $21 billion. The money was underpaid to the Federation Account between 2010 and 2015.

Significantly, the Buhari administration is also on record as addressing issue of poor levels of remittance of operating surpluses

by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. This blockage of leakages is already posting phenomenal results. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) remitted N7.8 billion in 2017, with prospect of achieving similar feat in 2018. This figure was against the sum of N51 million remitted between 2010 and 2016 an indication that it is no longer business as usual.

Significantly, the Buhari’s Administration has also submitted an Executive Bill for the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Nigeria and other foreign countries, to facilitate the identification, tracing, freezing, restraining, recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of proceeds, property and other instrumentalities of crime. The government has further signed agreements and MOUs with various countries to boost international cooperation for the investigation, tracking, freezing and return of stolen assets. In addition, the government has also set up the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), which is aimed at strengthening controls over government finances through a continuous internal audit process across all MDAs, particularly in respect of payroll. The government has also introduced the Treasury Single Account Policy by virtue of which all MDAs are advised to close their accounts with Deposit Money Banks and transfer their balances to the Central Bank of Nigeria with effect from September 15, 2015. This policy has resulted in the consolidation of more than 17,000 bank accounts previously spread across Deposit Money Banks in the country.

Secondly, the policy has resulted in increased transparency in public financial management amongst several advantages.

The Buhari’s administration also attended and participated in the International AntiCorruption Summit organized by the UK Government in May 2016 with President Buhari being recently appointed by the AU to drive the anti-corruption agenda of the continent. Nigeria was elected to lead the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2018 alongside Argentina, France and Romania.

The federal government has established an efficiency unit in the Federal Ministry of Finance to review all government overhead expenditure so as to reduce wastage and provide efficiency and quantifiable savings for the country. The policy has resulted in savings on travels, sitting allowances, and souvenirs to the tune of N17 billion.

Significantly, in an effort to deliver on transparency and accountability, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been publishing its performance monthly report in newspapers and various new media platforms and most importantly on the NNPC website. The government has also created a new prison Data Management System as well as the creation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Teams to some states as some of its major achievement in the area of transparency and good governance.

There are other far-reaching achievements of the Buhari’s administration including

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reforms in the judiciary. One example of these reforms is the establishment of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) to, among other things; promote the reform agenda of the government on the anticorruption effort, and advise the administration in the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. The work of PACAC has been quite significant and farreaching. PACAC has empowered Judges and Prosecutors to operate effectively in carrying out their responsibilities through workshops on the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. PACAC has also trained both federal and state prosecutors on proper drafting of charges and has also helped anti-corruption agencies devise clearer strategies for obtaining forfeiture of assets suspected to have been acquired fraudulently, mainly from State Coffers, before prosecuting suspected culprits.

PACAC has also reviewed existing laws like the Money Laundering Act, 2004, the EFCC Act, 2004 and the ICPC Act, 2000 to identify and highlight sections directly conferring powers of forfeiture on Nigeria’s anticorruption agencies.

Lately because of these reforms, there has been a significant increase in the use of NonConviction Based Asset Forfeiture Mechanisms by anti-corruption agencies.

Significantly, PACAC has also drafted a bill for establishment of Special Crimes Court to speed up anticorruption related matters.

Based on the foregoing measures, one cannot justify the newly released index by Transparency International wherein Nigeria scored 27 out of 100 points in the 2018 Corruption Perception index. This ranking ignores some positives in the governance field, judiciary and anticorruption agencies particularly in the number of persons convicted for corruption related charges. The

ranking also ignores measures put in place to fast track the trial process including measures culminating in the seizure of ill-gotten assets in non-conviction based trials amongst other positive narratives.

Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s efforts in curbing corruption inspite of the tremendous strides in recent times, is still work in progress. We still have to do more to strengthen institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances over political power and ensuring they are able to operate without intimidation or coercion. Secondly, we need to close the implementation gap between anti-corruption legislation practice and enforcement.

It is also important to support Civil Society Organisations to enhance the quality of political engagement and oversight responsibilities particularly on public expenditure. A free and an independent media that will facilitate the reportage of corruption related practices are desirable. We need to build systems, build institutions, enhance societal traditions, strengthen ethical and moral values including personal behaviours and delivery on effective leadership with the requisite political will to combat corruption in the land.

In conclusion, corruption perception index 2018 may have shown that more is still required in the fight against corruption in Nigeria but the ranking of Nigeria inspite of the giant strides recorded by the Buhari administration is unfair.

Unfair significantly not only because of the anticorruption measures of the administration including the positives delivered by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) but more particularly because of the phenomenal achievements of the EFCC under Magu’s watch.

Wahab Shittu is a legal practitioner and a law lecturer at the University of Lagos.

FEATURE

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

How circumcision, initiation rites unsettle families Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Mrs. Comfort Eke from Owerri Municipal area in Imo State, on hearing that her first daughter had delivered a baby, rushed down to Lagos to attend to her daughter. In the Ibo land, this is known as “Omugwo” and it is compulsory for mothers to participate in such periods.

Mrs. Eke had not been to Lagos since 3 years ago when her daughter, Uju Ugochukwu, consummated her marriage in the ancient city of Owerri. However, Mrs. Eke made it to Lagos, few days, after her daughter delivered a bouncing baby girl.

To Mrs. Eke, her main reason of visiting was to ensure that her first female grandchild was properly and timely circumcised.

Narrating to our correspondent, Mrs. Eke said she had sworn earlier before that trip, that there is no female child that would come her way without being circumcised.

She said: “I came to ensure that my grandchild is circumcised. I have had very terrible experiences in life and I know the kind of experiences I had with my only child who I did not circumcise. She is different from others. It was not a good experience”.

At the end of the day, the baby girl was circumcised and she lost her life in the process because of excessive bleeding. This made Harry Ugochukwu, the husband of the Mrs. Eke’s daughter to quit the marriage, an action that brought the marriage to an end.

That was the end of Mrs. Eke’s daughter’s marriage.

However, the trend of grandparents insisting that their female children must be circumcised seems to be fizzling out in most Nigerian communities. In the case of the above family, Mr. Ugochukwu attempted to prevent his daughter from being subjected to the outlawed tradition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) but both the parents of Ugochukwu and the in-laws were in support of the circumcision. Unfortunately, Mr. Ugochukwu didn’t have a voice to say no to the practice. To many, it is a right step in the right direction. On the other hand, some may however, see it as a bad thing and a wrong step.

Although, there are many cases of the practice of female circumcision in Nigeria but with civilization, many cultures were either modified or dropped in their entirety.

Cultures like killing of twins, prohibiting kids from eating meat and so many others were eradicated but not FGM, which still exists in some communities.

According to reports, the main reason for the global stand against FGM is the dangers it poses to the victims. From severe pains caused by lack of anaesthesia, to shock, excessive bleeding, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and even death.

For instance, Mrs. Folashade Agbebi from Iyin in Ekiti State told our correspondent that she refused to allow the family circumcise her children simply because she could not stand the gory sights of such practice.

“I cannot imagine that happening to my daughter. Although my refusal didn’t change anything, the family still went ahead to carry out the practice on my daughters which has left one of my daughters paralyzed and the other in a state of shock as we speak. This has caused a lot of issues with me and my husband because of the perpetual agony that the practice has left my children with. It has been a very serious problem”, Mrs. Agbebi noted.

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Mrs. Agbebi is not alone in the controversies that circumcision has caused in different families. Presently, all is not also well with the Iduozee family of Evboesi Community of Edo State, Nigeria over the refusal of the family to perform the traditional rituals, circumcision and initiation of their 4 children.

Problem started couple of years ago when the Royal palace of the Benin kingdom declared a sudden search for Mrs. Onaiwu Vanessa Iduozee and her children.

Her sin was that she had refused to provide her children to perform the traditional rituals, circumcision and initiation of her children.

“

I cannot imagine that happening to my daughter. Although my refusal didn’t change anything, the family still went ahead to carry out the practice on my daughters which has left one of my daughters paralyzed and the other in a state of shock as we speak.

”

Mrs. Iduozee is a wife to the brother of the Enogie and traditional ruler of Evboesi community in Edo State. With the Enogie’s position in the community, it is widely believed that all traditional procedures would be observed within the family.

For this reason, the Enogie and the traditional ruler of Evboesi community, His Royal Highness Chief Iduozee Festus Ogiefo had sometime instructed his palace chiefs and guards to search everywhere within and outside the state, so as to apprehend Mrs. Iduozee’s children, namely: Iduozee Aizeyosabor Harry, Iduozee Osayuwamen Havana, Iduozee Osahenrunmwen Haward and the toddler child, Osama David Iduozee, who has never been to Nigeria since his birth.

Lamenting the situation, Mr. Iduozee Sunny Aiyeki, husband of Mrs. Iduozee, expressed displeasure over the continuous search of his 4 children who have done no wrong to the community.

Mr. Iduozee explained that the search has spread so wide that, his mother in-law, Mrs. Caroline Idowu Omobude, in her early 70’s had to escape from her residence. According to him, he is now living with her relative outside the state.

He stressed that the situation is even more dangerous now, as Mrs. Omobude was recently attacked by men suspected to be palace sword bearers and warriors in an attempt to apprehend her and her grandchildren.

Mr Iduozee added that apart from attacks that have been meted on him at different times, the recent onslaught on his mother-

in-law is connected with the suspicion that the woman may have conspired with the daughter, that is his wife, to keep the children away from the traditional demands.

Pointing out that the attack was not the first attempt on his mother-in-law, Mr. Iduozee said that they have made similar visits in the past to her residence.

“It was a serious attack but she only managed to escaped and run for her life to Abuja with injuries. Her health condition worsened there and she was admitted in a nearby hospital. Thank God, she is alive today”, Mr. Iduozee narrated.

Mr. Iduozee however, informed that he had been strongly against the tradition because such initiation was against the Christian faith of his family and the risk of exposure to the dreaded HIV/AIDS by using the same knife on all the children.

He said that the crude method of circumcision of children in the country would inflict permanent scars and leave his children in agonising pain and trauma for the rest of their lives.

According to some custodians of Bini culture, tradition and custom demands that all male children of the traditional palace must be initiated to the Ekpenlegbe Deity as they attain maturity age to assume their traditional positions in the kingdom.

It is therefore, believed that Mrs. Iduozee may have incurred the wrath of the gods of the land by not presenting her children for initiation into the Ekpenlegbe Deity, as decreed by the traditions of the community as severe punishment would be meted to the entire community.

FOREIGN TIMES

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Justice must be done for the victims of the Ethiopia plane crash

Relatives of crash victims mourn at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crashed shortly after takeoff near Bishoftu, south-east of Addis Ababa on March 14

On Monday, March 11, John Quindos Karanja went to Nairobi to pick up his wife, their daughter and three grandchildren from the airport. He had prepared a small celebration for them back home, since he was to meet his youngest granddaughter for the first time.

Instead of celebrating that day, however, he had to mourn their deaths. All five were on board Ethiopian Airways’ Boeing 737 Max which had crashed, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. The youngest victim was his nine-months-old granddaughter, Rubi.

It is important to begin any conversation about the aftermath of the ET 302 tragedy with stories like these because they are likely to get lost amid discussions about aviation technology and regulatory frameworks.

When the tragedy hit, I was struck the most by the speed at which both Boeing and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in the US took to defending their planes and shifting blame to Ethiopian Airlines, as well as the number of international publications willing to go along with that story.

One article in the New York Times even suggested that the cause of the crash might have been a terrorist attack, since the flight ET 302 originated in Ethiopia and was meant to land in Kenya - the two countries currently being involved in the fight against alShababin Somalia. Another NYT piece scrutinised the training the ET 302 captain received and questioned Ethiopia Airlines’ procedures. After all, it’s easier to believe that an aeroplane belonging to an African airline was bombed or mishandled than to imagine that an American company could produce faulty aircraft.

The FAA eventually quietly backtracked on its defensiveness and grounded all the 737 Max planes flying in the US, putting to rest speculations that this was somehow a problem of poor countries and their low safety standards.

On April 4, Ethiopia’s transportation ministry told the media that the plane most likely crashed due to a mechanical problem with the new plane.

The same day, Ethiopia Airlines released a preliminary report which alleged that the

MCAS system, designed to stabilise the plane and prevent stalling, was activated repeatedly minutes before the crash. In their last moments, the pilots had tried to switch the system off, following emergency procedures but had failed to take control of the plane. This was exactly the same situation the Lion Air pilots had faced in October just before the crash.

The US media also reported that the tragedy might have been prevented if the plane had been equipped with two additional indicators. These tools, which could have helped with the type of software problem the ET 302 pilots faced, were optional and Boeing charged additional money for installing them, since the FAA had not set them as a mandatory safety feature. Both Ethiopia Airlines and Lion Air apparently had decided to opt out, perhaps not knowing that the indicators were, in fact, be a “life-saving” feature, and not just an extra. And while some might cast doubt over Lion Air’s safety standards as a low-cost airline, the track record of Ethiopia Airlines has been sterling and its pilots - well-trained.

Thus, important questions are now emerging about whether Boeing had briefed companies and their crews sufficiently on the dramatic changes it introduced to the 747 series and whether its pursuit of profit margins had come at the expense of the safety of its aircraft.

Broadly speaking, these two tragedies should be a wake-up call for all of us to finally register the major holes in ethics and regulation which capitalism has poked in order to enable the world’s largest corporations to profiteer with impunity.

On March 28, lawyers for the family of Jackson Musoni, a Rwandan victim of the plane crash, filed a wrongful death claim against Boeing, alleging that the firm failed to warn of the defect in the plane’s flight control system, which eventually led to the crash.

On April 5, the family of American citizen Samya Stumo, who died in the crash, followed suit, saying in a statement: “Blinded by its greed, Boeing haphazardly rushed the 737 MAX 8 to market, with the knowledge and tacit approval of the United States Federal

Aviation Administration”.

And on April 16, family members of Kenyan victim George Kabau also announced they are filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Boeing. What happens next with these and other cases that might be filed should concern us all.

This is also a moment to reflect on the role of regulatory agencies, and what happens when they give too much trust and autonomy to the entities that they regulate.

What should effective domestic regulation of an industry with international reach look like?

The same question is pertinent to the regulation of social media, mining and other sectors.

Boeing is a flagship US company, which has sold over 300 737 Max planes so far. It appears that international airline regulators deferred to the findings of the FAA on the 737 Max, while the FAA, in turn, deferred to Boeing itself. Where the potential impact goes far beyond borders, this approach clearly has risks, which domestic regulators in other industries should be paying attention to.

As a person who flies frequently, this story has been chilling: 189 people died on board the Lion Air plane, another 157 on ET 302 less than six months later. I keep coming back to what John Quindos Karanja might have been doing today if regulators had listened to past prejudices about different parts of the world.

He might have been out in his backyard playing with his ninemonths-old granddaughter that he had never met, marvelling at the smooth curve of her cheek and the growing alertness in her eyes. He might have been listening to his daughter, in awe of how this person he had helped raise, was coming into her own as a human being. He might have been laughing at something the love of his life had said to one of the children.

No amount of money can address this tragic loss of human life, but those responsible must be held to account. As we enter the contentious phase of determining liability and accountability, these are the human stories that should guide the conversation.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019

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MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 923

N100

Why Tiger Woods’ comeback is an Easter story Jack Graham

Last weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. It was the win

by Tiger Woods at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

You had to be there to really know how powerful and emotional it was. We all felt the momentum crescendo until the second that 1.620-ounce golf ball rolled into the 18th hole and every person in the stands erupted in cheers.

Even the toughest and manliest of us had trouble holding back tears. Woods had not won a major tournament in over 11 years, and seeing him burst in a shout of celebration — eyes shut, arms up in the air — made all of us who were present realize just how much he had to overcome to get to that moment.

But I have to admit it: I was a doubter.

Two years ago, Woods could barely walk due to paralyzing back issues.

His personal and very public failures over the years had taken him to the bottom and left him with deep emotional wounds and scars. He had four back surgeries and in the process became addicted to pain meds.

Many people thought he was done winning major tournaments. At one point in 2017, he even admitted to Jack Nicklaus, who is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time that he had given up on himself.

Yet somehow he persevered through the pain and rose to the top of the sports world again.

Today nobody talks about him as if his career was dead. Instead, they are talking about how he is one

PGA Tour win away from matching golf legend Sam Snead’s record and three wins from catching up to Nicklaus’ majors record.

“He’s got me shaking in my boots,” Nicklaus said Sunday after Woods’ win.

But beyond being one of the most incredible moments in sports history, I believe Woods’ comeback is actually a reflection of an even greater comeback story.

Easter is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

People in my church, along with millions of Christians in America and across the world, will gather to remember and reflect on the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection and its significance in our lives.

Easter is the greatest comeback in history, because Jesus’ resurrection gave all of us a chance of redemption.

No matter how terrible your mistakes are or how deep you think you’ve fallen, there is always hope in Jesus. His resurrection reminds us it’s never too late for a new beginning — as long as you’ve got breath in your lungs, your story is not over. Even when you’ve hit rock bottom, you can make a comeback and find forgiveness.

If you are struggling to endure the pain in your life, I invite you to find a church near you and go to one of their Easter services. Just like Tiger Woods at the Masters last Sunday, it could be the day you make the greatest comeback of your life.

Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church and the host of PowerPoint Ministries.

Tiger Woods

TIMES Cartoon

Culled from Fox News

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