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Few days to Christmas, fuel scarcity bites harder

Anxiety as Father Christmas dies in Italy

TIMES SATURDAY P.7

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 534

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Behold!

New Miss Nigeria How 24-year-old Ehiguese Peace emerged as beauty queen Mutiat Alli ÏÏÏIt was a night of glitz and glamour as top socialites, politicians, entertainers all gathered at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, venue for the 2017 edition of the Miss Nigeria Pageant where a new queen emerged on Friday night. At the end of a rigorous process, 24-year-old Miss Adamawa State, Ehiguese Mildred Peace, emerged the new queen, beating other 36 contenders to win the ultimate prize of a brand new car, cash prize, and a year accommodation amongst others. Guests were treated to a beautiful red carpet moment as top personalities, celebrities strut the beautifully crafted walk way. Continued on page 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

5 News

FERMA Identifies ‘critically’ damaged roads for repairs ÏÏÏThe

ance scheme designed to provide compensation to employees who suffer from occupational accidents or diseases in the line of duty. The fund is funded by deducting one percent from all government and private sector employees enrolled in the scheme. Incidentally, the antigraft agency had declared her wanted in June. She was said to have fled the country shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari fired her in 2015. A source close to the EFCC also disclosed that, “After months of running, Olojeme finally turned herself in. She is cur-

rently being detained and we have identified most of her properties.” Olojeme’s travails reportedly began after the EFCC received a petition alleging that over N50bn was diverted from the employee compensation scheme fund, paid by ministries, departments and agencies and private companies. Another N18bn, being the contributions of the federal government as take-off grants to the NSITF, was allegedly mismanaged and diverted into the personal accounts of Olojeme and Umar Abubakar, managing director of the NSITF.

The source further disclosed that, “It was discovered that the NSITF accounts in some banks have witnessed a total turnover of over N62,358,401,927 between 2012 and 2015 from the Employee Compensation Scheme contributions. “That out of the N62bn, the Federal Government contributed N13,600,000,000 while the sum of N48,758,401,927.80 was contributed by the private sector. That there were several payments to individuals and companies from the NSITF bank accounts for purported contracts or consultancy services.

at a Christmas school party in Southern Italy for pupils aged around 11 to 13. The Gino Rossi Vairo institute in Agropoli, a seaside town about 100 kilometres south-east of Naples, told dpa that the cause of death

was not known. The ANSA news agency named the victim as Pasquale Pagano, 45. A local newspaper, InfoCilento it, quoted the mother of one of the pupils as saying that his face turned blue, suggesting that Pagano might

have had a heart attack. “An ambulance was called and they tried everything to save his life but there was nothing they could do for him,’’ the mother, whose name was not published, told the paper.

Federal Roads Maintenance Agency says it has identified no fewer than 10 critically damaged federal roads for urgent intervention in each state of the federation. The Acting Managing Director, Nuruddeen Rafindadi, disclosed this on Friday Abuja at his maiden media briefing since assumption of office in October. Rafindadi said the agency was mandated to maintain and repair federal roads to ensure that the roads last long, adding that in an ideal situation, the agency tries to prevent damages on the roads. He said: “Arising from all these, we compiled what we call a maintenance or repair work plan for the next nine months. “This include quick intervention programme which is targeted at doing what we can within that period depending on fund availability.” He said that since his assumption of office, the agency has been able to review procurement plan and status, set up monitoring teams that would access works done and verify financial status of projects. Others are taking inventory of the entire agency’s asset, machineries, partnering with the media to educate the masses on the proper use of the roads. Rafindadi said: “One of our major challenges is the attitude of Nigerian toward road usage; we need the media to assist in disseminating of information on the proper use of the roads and getting feedback from them to the agency.” He listed some of the challenges faced by the agency to include indiscriminate cutting of the roads, vandalism of road

pay 100 per cent of the salary arrears across board for the four months. Asiru said: “In line with the new direction administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and the sincere promise by our amiable Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to pay civil servant in the state before Christmas celebration, I wish to notify that payment has started in earnest. “With deep remorse, we

sincerely apologise for the delay and its attendant consequences. Regrettably, we are only able to pay 60 per cent salary across board. “It is the sincere hope of government that through our aggressive drive to increase internally generated revenue, the fortunes of civil servants and all citizens will improve. Accept our responsive and esteemed regards always.” It will be recalled that

Governor Bello had on December 2, promised to settle all outstanding salaries of civil servants and the pension arrears of retirees before the end of 2017. Bello made the pledge on the occasion marking 110th birthday of the Odeyani-Anebira, Alhaji Audu Otonoku and his eighth year anniversary as the Otonoku at the Lokoja Township Studium. However, in a telephone interview, the commission-

er said that the government was unable to clear all salary arrears of civil servants and pensions of retirees as promised due to unforeseen circumstances. Asiru said: “The Federal Government is owing us N14 billion for projects executed and 50 per cent of the recent Paris(Club)refund has not been paid; we thought it would be paid, but the FG has not paid us as at this period. “We assumed things

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, hands over the draft of the State 2018 Appropriation Bill titled: Budget of Finishing Strong, to the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, shortly after the budget presentation by the governor, in Yenagoa… on Friday.

EFCC detains Olojeme, Jonathan’s ex campaign manager over N69bn fraud Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former deputy chairman, finance committee of former President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the 2015 election, Dr Ngozi Olojeme. Olojeme, who was the former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between 2009 and 2015, was arrested for allegedly diverting N69billion from the agency. NSITF is a social insur-

Anxiety as Father Christmas dies in Italy

Myke Uchendu with Agency Report

ÏÏÏA man dressed in a Father Christmas costume collapsed and died on Friday while handing out presents

infrastructure and burning of tyres. He explained further that other areas include educating the public on the use and misuse of the roads, defacing of signboards, and indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles on the roads. He said that many roads in the country were constructed 20 to 30 years ago and the structures which needed reconstruction currently was not part of the agency’s scope of work. He said: “We are also working on a five-year strategic plan to increase our in-house capacity-building to repair the roads ourselves and not necessarily giving them out to contractors and we will ensure we assess the performance of our staff.” He explained that so far the agency has about 380 to 400 bad spots that had been identified and documented for repair. He said: “It is not about taking a 100 kilometer road and repairing it but identifying a very bad spot and repairing it.’’ On funding of the agency’s projects, he said that its main concern was to get adequate and timely release of funds to carry out road maintenance. Rafindadi said: “If funds are not released to cover the maintenance of a particular bad spot on the road and the roads are repaired half way, it costs more to complete it because of some unforeseen factors. “We have started some works; we prioritise road maintenance according to how bad the roads are and the availability of funds. “We do not receive funding from states on road repairs done in any state.”

would work out well and that was why we made the promise, but unfortunately it did not.” The commissioner said that the four months salaries would be paid across board by 60 per cent. Some workers, however, said they had only received salaries for two months (September & October), while others said they received only one month’s salary as at the time of filing this reports.

Kogi begins part payment of 4 months’ salary arrears Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Kogi State Government on Friday commenced the payment of workers’ salary arrears from September to December by 60 per cent. This was contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Finance, Idris Asiru, issued to newsmen in Lokoja. The Commissioner said that the state government regretted its inability to

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

How 24-yr-old Ehiguese Mildred Peace emerged Miss Nigeria 2017

Continued from page 1

Roll Call The well-attended event had in attendances top personalities that included Managing Director, AIM Group, Amin Mussalli, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Ubi Franklin, Ejike Asiegbu, Hilda Dokubo, CEO NHN Couture, Nkechi Harry Ngonadi, the trio of Big Brother housemates, Kemen, Gifty and Somas amongst others. About the Hosts The show was indeed awesome as the hosts of the event, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Bovi, Kemi Lala-Akindoju and Olive Emodi gave their all, taking the audience on a smooth ride all through the event. With Comedian Bovi, he was on standby to deliver crib-cracking jokes to the audience, making it a night filled with lots of happiness, run and razzmatazz. And the man of the moment With a journey that started years ago, the Chairman of the Folio Media Group/Publisher of The Daily Times Newspaper, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, was indeed filled with honour as the platform celebrated its 60th anniversary and the crowning of the 41st queen. He said, “The essence and commitment of the pageant is to showcase positive attributes of Nigerian women beyond beauty and physical appearance, noting that ”the platform further empowers and portrays women as role models for young women in the country at large”. All contestants are winners… In further celebration of all the participants, Anosike through the empowerment theme of the Miss Nigeria platform, announced publicly that going forward, all contestants are winners and would be empowered at the end of the day. Anosike later presented a cheque of N4.1million which is 5% volume share of Folio Media Group to the contestants, the presentation which was received by ex-Miss Queen, Miss Ezinne Akudo. Former Governor Segun Osoba thought… Giving his view of the platform, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba disclosed exclusively to The Daily Times that the Miss Nigeria Pageant is a foremost and oldest beauty pageant in Nigeria which celebrates positive attributes of Nigerian women beyond beauty and physical appearance. He however noted that he is rest assured that the platform will come out bigger and better in years to come.

Appreciation of our culture… The Miss Nigeria Platform is known for its rich cultural heritage presentation and for the first appearance, the top 37 finalists all dressed up in their traditional attires representing each state of the federation with their breath-taking appearances, giving the audience a clear cut insight into the cultural heritage of each state. Oh Mayorkun... The hall was brought on fire when Davido act, Mayorkun thrilled the audience to a wonderful performance of some of his hit songs. From Eleko to Cheche and to his current massive jam, Mama, got all guests on their feet dancing to his wonderful music. Mayorkun did left the audience with something to remember. About Heritage Bank Emerald award As one of the brand sponsors this year, one of the leading financial institutions, Heritage Bank through its contribution, held a contest among the contestants seeing Miss Abia State emerged as second runner-up, Miss Edo State emerged first runner-up and Miss Cross River (Ana Victoria Lawrence) emerged winner of the coveted Heritage Bank Miss Emerald. Contestants appears in evening dress Just as the audience could not get enough of the cultural outfits of the contestants, the 37 contestants again appeared in their mind-blowing evening dresses, with stunning blings and studs. The beautiful queens strut the stage as the judges took time out to watch them. From flowing dress to ball gown, the evening dress appearance was indeed a delight to watch. Meet the top 10 As the competition moved gradually, the 37 contestants were trimmed down to the final top 10 which included Miss Edo, Miss Ebonyi, Miss Bayelsa, Miss Ondo, Miss Adamawa, Miss Delta, Miss Ogun, Miss Bauchi, Miss Ekiti and Miss Akwa-Ibom who scaled through to the finalists. All hail Miss Nigeria 1979 Helen Prest-Ajayi, Miss Nigeria 1979, who doubled as one of the judges, described the Miss Nigeria as a platform for empowerment of women. Relying on her experience, she disclosed that the Miss Nigeria pageant has been in existence before social media came in place and the platform has always been an avenue that people look up to. Speaking further, Prest-Ajayi said there was nothing like celebrities as the only celebrity back then was the Miss Nigeria personality. She said: “It is a platform where every girl has equal opportunities and ability to be heard”.

The magnificent 2Baba Legendary singer, 2Baba brought the house on fire as he mounted the stage to give a super performance. Starting off with his ever-green song, ‘African Queen’, 2Baba performed with the contestants and after which switched up the tempo as he took the audience down memory lane, dishing out some of his classic songs that included See me so, Let somebody love you, Implication and the popular song, Gaga Shuffle. With excitement, the entire room sang and danced to the music of 2baba. And new queen got inducted to Isis Model Despite not winning, Miss Ekiti (Bolarinde Damilola Rebecca) emerged as the top model of the competition, making her get a slot with the Isis Model Agency in Johannesburg, South Africa. The judges sure had a tough time Leading the trail of judges this year was Nollywood screen

diva and Philanthropist, Mrs Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde alongside brilliant personalities that included Chioma Ude, Adebola Williams, Helen Prest-Ajayi, Ishaya Bako, Adesua Wellington, Jumoke Adenowo, Joke Silva, Enyinna Nwigwe, Osepiribo Ben-Willie, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Noble Igwe, Julie Donli, Odio Oseni, Yemi Keri, Mariam Mohammed, and Ozinna Anumudu amongst others. Truly, the judges sure had a tough time, coming out with the top three finalists as they had to make lots of consultations before the announcement. And the audience never knew Lala-Akindoju was a good singer Doubling as the host, actress Kemi Lala-Akindoju gave a breathless performance of the rendition of Asa’s classic song, ‘Mama’, which praises the womenfolk. At first, the audience thought Asa was present in the house, Lala nailed it just like she will do.

NAPTIP ambassador As part its partnership benefit, the winner was inducted as brand ambassador against human trafficking for the next five years, courtesy of the National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) who were one of the sponsors of the event. The moment of truth finally beckoned After a tough process of judging, the new queen emerged and she is none other than 24-yearold Psychology graduate of Redeemers University, representing Adamawa State, Ehiguese Mildred Peace, while the duo of Rita Chinedu, representing Miss Delta State and Anne Ufuomanefe, representing Ondo State emerged first and second runner-up respectively. The winner was later presented with a brand new car, courtesy of GAC Motor and it is important to note that this year’s edition was aired live on Wazobia TV.

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and Head, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Michel Arion, during the Nigerian-European Local Political Dialogue in Abuja.

NURTW advises Travellers bo board vehicles at parks ÏÏÏThe

National Union of Road Transport Workers in Gwagwalada has advised travellers for Christmas celebration to board vehicles at motor parks for safety. The Chairman of the union, Musa Sanda, gave this advice in an interview in Gwagwalada on Friday. Sanda advised passengers to board vehicles inside motor parks whenever they wanted to travel and to fill the travellers’ form before leaving, in case of any eventualities. According to the chairman, boarding of vehicles outside motor parks is against the ethics of road transport unions in the country.

He said that besides, stiff measures to address boarding of vehicles outside parks, were being put in place, to reduce any bad incidents during festivities. Sanda said: “We are determined to reduce abnormalities during the ember months, especially during Christmas. “Our members have been warned repeatedly to pick passengers only at the parks during and after every celebration in the country. “The union has also organised various enlightenment, training and awareness programmes for members to keep them informed on the road signs.” He said the union would punish any member found driving

under the influence of alcohol during the yuletide. Sanda said that the union would also punish any member that tested positive to the Federal Road Safety Corps breathalysers to detect any driver under the influence of alcohol. The chairman said that members of the union had also been advised to obey traffic rules and regulations at all times while driving. He said: “The union has also established a task force to arrest and punish any erring member, who drives against traffic or violates rules and regulations. “We are doing this for safety purpose to curb unnecessary accidents during and after Christmas.’’

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December23, 2017

News 7

Few days to Christmas, fuel scarcity bites harder

Johnson Ayantunji

ÏÏÏ The lingering fuel scarcity

on Friday became more pronounced in Lagos and other parts of the country as only major marketers had the product to sell. This led to long queues of motorists in the filling stations across the metropolis. Some of the motorists spent up to 12 hours just to purchase the commodity. The resultant effect was traffic gridlock and hold up. From the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway to the inner roads and streets, the story was not different as long queue of vehicles took over the roads. There were more vehicles in the filling stations than on the road. Commuters were stranded at the bus stops and motor parks. Besides the commuters rush-

ing to board the few available vehicles, they did this at exorbitant rates. Across board the fare rose to hundred percent. Most commuters resorted to trekking as there were gridlocks, as a result of the vehicles that lined the roads to get in to the filling stations. Black market resurfaced, as those who could not stand the long queues patronised the black marketers who bought them in jerry cans and resold to motorists. “I bought a five litre jerry can at N2, 000,” volunteered a tricycles operator popularly called Keke Marwa. I had no choice after I had spent 12 hours at the station.” Those travelling out of Lagos for the Christmas celebration had the shock of their lives, as they got what they did not bargain for. “I do not know how

to get home. The sharp rise in transport fare has affected my budget, said Mopelola, an indigene of Osun State. I may have to go back home and see how I will travel”. This has led to war of words between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC had accused stakeholders in the petroleum industry of hoarding the product which has led to its scarcity in cities across the nation. The ruling party in a tweet on Friday apologised to Nigerians for the inconvenience the situation may have caused, noting however, that there is no actual fuel scarcity, rather, some persons have hoarded the product for selfish reasons. “There’s no ‘actual scarcity.

Some stakeholders hoarding allocated products in order to cause artificial scarcity/panic buying, for their selfish interests. There’s no ‘actual scarcity’. Some stakeholders hoarding allocated products in order to cause artificial scarcity/panic buying, for their selfish interests. However, it’s unacceptable, even as relevant authorities are on the matter. Any inconvenience is regretted. This comes shortly after the PDP on Friday challenged President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, to find a quick solution to the lingering fuel scarcity now ravaging all parts of the country. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary,

Kola Ologbondiyan, the party insisted that it is not enough for the President to sit in his comfort zone and put the blames of the fuel scarcity at the doorsteps of marketers, while Nigerians continue to suffer untold hardship. The PDP, however, urged Nigerians not to despair but rekindle their hope in the future as the party is now re-positioned to regain power in 2019 and return the nation to the path of good governance, social stability and economic growth, for which it is generally known. As the fuel scarcity enters its third week, with fuel queues getting longer even as the yuletide season draws near, Nigerians have their fingers crossed with hopes that the Federal Government can bring an end to the issue.

EFCC arrests fake investigator over attempt to defraud Gov Al-Makura Tunde Opalana, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Economic and Finan-

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (right), exchanging pleasantries with his admirers, at Okesa area of Ado Ekiti.

What I saw shocked me when I assumed office in 2015- Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari on Friday said that he saw “unbelievable things” when he assumed office in 2015. The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying this while receiving supporters under the aegis of the Governance Support Group in Abuja. Buhari said, “Some of the things I saw here were unbelievable. I still shudder and wonder how a country can survive un-

der such abuses. It is only by an act of God that we survived.” Buhari added that his administration had ushered in a new era of accountability and responsibility. He said that his government had been able to correct the “many wrongs” of the previous administrations which “crippled the economy”. Promising to consolidate on the reforms of his administration, the president said the commitment and sacrifices of all his supporters over the years would be remembered. The President said, “I can

never forget your sacrifices and I am grateful for all. You never gave up when things were bleak, and we needed to survive. I can’t express my gratitude enough. “In spite of the environment you found yourself, you kept believing and pushing. Some of you were really exposed to risks. My consolation is that you voluntarily threw in your lot with me. “Some of you exposed yourself so much, and I knew it. I urge you to still stick to your principled ways of doing things and our country will be the better for it.”

cial Crimes Commission on Friday arrested a farmer, Mohammed Momoh, for attempting to defraud Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al- Makura. The suspect, while posing as a “Private investigator from the Villa“ was said to have approached the wife of the governor with a proposition to help stop a purported investigation of two accounts belonging to the governor by the EFCC. He reportedly claimed that he came across information regarding the two accounts that had been under investigation since 2011 and also intercepted mails and gotten wind of investigation report purportedly sent to First Bank by the EFCC. The suspect had requested for N8million but was offered N6million. Suspicious about the proposal, the governor’s family contacted the Commission and were asked to play along with the suspect. He was arrested in a sting operation after he collected marked N2million. and he is presently in custody and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. In a related development, a serving Police Officer, Mohammed Nuhu Maina, has been arrested for impersonation. The suspect who claimed to be Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, attached to the Commission, had approached his

victim with offer to help him recover his N21million, which is subject of investigation by the EFCC. Maina allegedly collected several sums of money from his victim before he became suspicious. The suspect called the victim on December 21, 2017 and demanded for more money. The victim immediately contacted the EFCC and he was accompanied by operatives of the Commission who tracked Maina and arrested him opposite Rockview Hotel, close to the EFCC head office in Wuse 2, Abuja. In the course of arrest, Maina was found with EFCC Vehicle Auction Certificates, EFCC Stickers, EFCC writing pads, amongst others. Maina is currently in custody, assisting the investigation. The EFCC has consistently warned members of the public to be wary of impostors who go about extorting unsuspecting members of the public.

Governor Al-Makura

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Innoson withdraws suit against EFCC, others Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏA

fundamental right enforcement suit filed by Innoson Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been withdrawn. Other respondents in the Exparte application suit marked FHC/L/CS/1962/17, are: Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation

(AGF), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Nigeria Police Force, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). The matter was adjourned on Thursday till Friday as the there was controversy over the coming into the matter by any of the respondents. But when the matter was called on Friday, lawyer to GTB, Mr. Adebowale Kamoru, citing several Supreme Court’s authority, insisted that his client must be heard in the Ex-parte

application. However, his submission was strongly opposed by the lawyer to Innoson Nigeria Limited and Mr. Innocent Chukwuma. Justice Hadizat RabiuShagari, had to adjourned the matter till Friday, as both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the matter. When the matter came up Friday, Innoson’s lawyer, Professor MacCharty Mbaduagha, told the court of his clients’ intention to withdraw the suit,

due to the filing of a counter by the sixth respondent, Guaranty Trust Bank. He said: “giving the development as at yesterday, we filed a motion Ex-parte on 20 December, 2017, we did not serve the processes on any of the respondents. “Yesterday, the sixth respondent was represented on Exparte application, counsel made submission and did inform the court that the sixth defendant had indeed filed a counter to the

Gov Umahi presents N208.331bn budget to State Assembly

Senator Abe laments absence of investors in Rivers

Edward Nnachi,

Amaka Agbu,

Abakaliki

ÏÏÏGovernor David Umahi of

Ebonyi State Friday presented a budget estimate of N208 .3331 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval. The bill which passed through second reading at the house was tagged “Budget of Divine Manifestation” with N100.562 billon expected to be financed through both internal and external loans. Presenting the budget, Governor Umahi explained that N13.965 billion would come from internally generated revenue within the state. Umahi further noted that expected inflow from Federation Account of N72.916bn and N18.889bn unutilized dedicated funds that will be carried forward into the budget. He maintained that capital expenditure stood at 165.005 billion naira inclusive of contingency provision of N5.5bn for capital projects while recurrent expenditure will gulp N43.326bn including inbuilt contingency fund of N3bn. “The Economic Sector has a provision of N124.064, thus taking the largest-chunk of the Capital provision. This is justified on the basis of Government’s serious commitment to commence the construction of flyovers, rehabilitation of urban roads, construction of rural roads and the ring road, water reticulation in our urban centres among other commitments. “Within the Economic Sub-sector, works and transport has the highest allocation of N96.567bn followed by Ministry of Power with the sum of N4.626bn and the sum of N63.811bn. is shared among other sub-sectors”, he said. Umahi also said that his administration in 2018 would increase her tax aggressively by diversifying in other areas untouched.

Ex-parte application. “We brought this to the knowledge of our client and he instructed us to withdraw it, and find out why due process is not followed in the circumstance. “We duly and humbly apply to withdraw the suit”. The bank’s lawyer, Adebowale Kamoru, said they are not opposing the withdrawal of the suit. He however stated that they will await the applicants’ investigation on how his clients got to know about the suit. Justice Hadizat RabiuShagari, granted Innoson’s request. “In view of the application of the applicants’ counsel, the application is hereby granted”, the Judge said.

Women patronise ‘fairly used’ clothes at Madalla weekly market near Suleja in Niger State… on Thursday.

Monarchs key in fight against fake goods – Bauchi Emir

From Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwa-

nu Sulaimanu Adamu Thursday in Bauchi said that traditional leaders are key stakeholders in the fight against substandard products in the country. The Emir stated this while declaring open, a sectoral stakeholders workshop organized by Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), with the theme “Reduction of Substandard Goods in Nigeria”. The Emir, who was represented by Barden Kudu of Bauchi Dr. Hayatu Mustapha described the workshop as timely saying, “SON should also from time to time, be organizing similar workshops for community leaders too, because of our strategic importance and closeness to our respective communi-

ties”. The Emir also called on Nigerians to be vigilant in identifying substandard products around them and in the markets. “It is only when we are in tune with what is happening around us that we will be able to know that there is fake products in our markets,” he pointed out. Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General of SON Mr. Anthony Osita Aboloma, said the objective of the Workshop was to bring together stakeholders from the North Eastern part of the country, hoping that at the end of the workshop participants will be well informed about the activities of SON in reducing the circulation of substandard products in the market. While calling on participants to be participatory at the workshop,

the DG, who was represented by an Assistant Director Operations, SON headquarters Abuja, Alhaji Adamu Abba (Galajen Bauchi), said “it is expected that at the end of the workshop you will be taught the various techniques of detecting Substandard products and it is also hoped that you would also try to proffer ways on how to curtail the presence of those products in our markets and other places”. In her vote of thanks at the end of the one day exercise, the state coordinator of SON Engineer Hauwa Hussain, thanked Bauchi state government, Bauchi emirate council, other traditional institutions in the state, security agencies and the media for the support the SON office in Bauchi has been receiving in carrying out its mandate of mitigating the circulation of substandard products.

Port Harcourt ÏÏÏThe Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has decried the absence of private investors in the state. The Senator said the newly commissioned Pleasure Park which Governor Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike revealed attracted no fewer than 4,000 visitors per week, should have attracted private investors. Abe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) spoke while addressing some of his supporters and friends in Port Harcourt, the State capital. The Senator said, “I was very surprised the other day when our governor was on television and he was saying that the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, which was built by the Rivers State Government, that they were recording over 4,000 visitors per week. Yet, the Rivers State Government is awarding a contract to Julius Berger to build a restaurant in the park”. “If you are somebody who understands how things work, you will be shocked that in a place that is recording over 4,000 visitors in a week, the government has to go and build a restaurant. It tells you there is no private investment flowing into the state.” He stated that time has come for the people of the state to forget about the past and focus on the future by organizing the economy of the state. Abe said: “The issue here that we have always talked about is the future of Rivers State, not the past. We cannot continue to fight and kill ourselves over what has passed.

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

APC has failed to deliver, but Nigeria will not break-up –Sanyaolu –P10&11

PDP lawmakers jubilate as colleague joins APC Stories by Patrick Okohue It was an unusual sight Thursday, as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) openly jubilated as one of their member in the House of Representatives defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP lawmakers described Hon Johnson Agbonnayinma, the defecting lawmaker as “an outcast” whose defection to the APC is a welcome development. In a letter read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara at plenary, Hon. Agbonayinma who was loyal to the ousted chairman of the PDP, Ali Modu-Sheriff, alleged that he had been sidelined in the party. He said after Sen. Sheriff lost at the Supreme Court, his colleagues in the house and his former party “shut the door against him”. He said as far as they were concerned, the party remained factionalised even after the December 9 National Convention as a “concocted Unity List” was used in conducting elections. However, instead of the PDP law-

AGBONNAYINMA

makers to raise a point of order demanding that Dogara should declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant as they did in the past, they became jubilant and bid him farewell. Present in the chamber to receive him was the deputy governor of Edo

State, Philip Shuaibu, who was once a member of the House of Representatives. Reacting to his defection, the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuma Onyema, expressed joy over the exit of Hon. Agbonayinma, describing it as a great relief. “It’s like getting rid of a cancer,” he said. The PDP caucus did not urge Hon. Dogara to declare the seat vacant as with similar defections. It had been reported that three members of the PDP were likely to ditch the party for the APC. The three members include Nnanna Igbokwe who just defected on Tuesday, Agbonayinma who just defected, and Ben Nwankwo, who had already declared for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Anambra State. The defection of Agbonayinma brings the number defector lawmakers to seven. The earlier defectors are Edward Pwajok (Plateau), Adamu Kamale (Adamawa), Hassan Sale (Benue), Zephaniah Jisalo (FCT), Yusuf Tijjani (Kogi), and Nnanna Igbokwe (Imo).

Ex-Gov Shema wants Katsina to vote wisely in 2019 Former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema has urged citizens of the state to vote wisely, in the coming election in 2019. Shema also urged his successor not to drag him into the internal wrangling of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Shema, in a statement signed by his media team, accused the incumbent administration in the state of demonstrating clear “lack of capacity for good governance”. The statement which was signed by Oluwabusola Olawale was in response to a statement credited to Governor Aminu Bello Masari in a rejoinder by one Muhammed Sani. In the said statement, Governor Masari was said to have disclosed that he inherited the sum of N4 billion from former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema’s administration. But Shema said the claim was a falsehood of the highest order and insisted that he left the sum of N14 billion in the coffers of the state as at May 29, 2015 when he handed over. “We are glad that he admitted over N4 billion was inherited by his administration. While we will not like to join issues with an administration that has demonstrated clearly lack of capacity for good governance, we make bold to

MASARI state that the sum of over N14 billion was left in the coffers of both Katsina State government and local government as at May 29, 2015. “If Governor Aminu Bello Masari believes otherwise we challenge him to publish the certified bank account statements of state government accounts, Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as the 34 local governments as at May 29, 2015 to be duly signed by the Bank Manager of the respective Banks to be investigated by the EFCC, instead of brandishing figures on the pages of

SHEMA newspapers.” Shema also faulted claims by the state government that it inherited debt incurred by his administration stating that throughout the eight years of his administration, no amount was borrowed as loan from any source. He challenged his successor to “wake up and realise that the people are not fools” stressing that “without mincing words, Masari’s administration remains clueless, deceitful. Continuing, Shema said “and Katsina State people should not hesitate to throw him out of office in 2019”.

PDP house caucus denounces impostors claiming to be a faction –P.12

Jonathan’s kinsmen pass vote of confidence on Dickson

DICKSON Political stakeholders and key leaders from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have passed a vote of confidence of the governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, describing him as an uncommon leader who has done so much for them. Rising from a meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital, that lasted several hours, the political leaders affirmed their unalloyed support for Dickson. The leaders who are kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan, under the aegis of Ogbia Restoration Caucus (ORC), said they have followed with keen interest the activities and programmes of the governor which has given them a pride of place in the state. They therefore passed a vote of confidence on the governor which was unanimously adopted after a voice vote conducted by the member representing Ogbia constituency I, Mieteme Obodor. Chairman of the Ogbia Restoration Caucus, Chief George Eto Okirinya listed the several political appointments the governor has given to them, the numerous projects like the model schools, ongoing General Hospital amongst others as enough reason for their action. He said that the intervention of Dickson in providing funds for the Ogbia/ Nembe road which has allowed Ogbia people to have easy access to most of their communities and the fact that they are aware of plans next year to construct all internal roads in their local government, further underscores their action. Chief Okirinya stated that Dickson truly loves the people of Ogbia going by the immeasurable support he gave their son, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan while holding public office and the heroic reception he organised for him in 2015 in appreciation of his service to Nigeria. He said: “right from his time as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, Acting President and President. We recall that Governor Dickson was one of the few forces working behind the scene, providing the needed support and encouragement to enable Jonathan to succeed. “Also we are aware of the role Governor Dickson played at the national level of the PDP. The governor because of his previous meritorious performance as

Chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee was reappointed to do the same job after the last national convention.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

‘Nigeria will not break-up’ Dr Adesina Sanyaolu, a cleric is the Senior Pastor, Chapel of Holiness Evangelical International, Aboru, Lagos, he recently spoke with some journalists in Lagos on the state of the nation and why he believes that despite the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in meeting its promises to the people, Nigeria will not breakup. PATRICK OKOHUE reports.

SANYAOLU What is your assessment of the present situation in the country, will you say that government has delivered on its electoral promises? For me nothing has changed. You would recall that before this present APC-led Federal Government came on board, there were lots of expectations from Nigerians. During the campaigns, President Muhammadu Buhari, the then APC candidate was regarded as a hero by many people. Some Nigerians believed that as soon as Buhari assumes office the various socio-economic problems confronting Nigerians would come to an end. But today, what story do Nigerians have to tell? What we have today are tales of disappointments. Buhari has not lived up to expectation. Today many Nigerians are wallowing in hunger and poverty. Many have become disillusioned, losing hope and have becoming despondent. I’m not a politician, but a man of God, so I’m talking reality; I’m talking with a liberal mind like those Biblical prophets in the olden times who always spoke out against bad leadership. I’m talking of great men of God like Prophets Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Jonah. These great men of God never kept quiet, they spoke out against bad leadership during their time and they were defenders of the people. I draw my inspiration from them, and for that reason, whenever the need arise to talk about government and governance, I will not hesitate to do so. But what some Nigerians are

saying is that Buhari inherited the present socio-economic crisis from the previous administration, and that we should give him time to put everything back in order, do you agree? That is a lame excuse. What did Buhari’s party promise Nigerians, ‘change’, and the impression APC gave the entire nation is that it has the magic wand to fix those social ills. So, why the excuse upon excuses being given by APC almost on daily basis. Nigerians voted for APC to deliver dividends of democracy and not to be giving excuses. What will be your advice to President Buhari now? I believe that where there is a will, there will always be a way. The reality of the situation on the ground in Nigeria today is that people are hungry. Nigerians are getting more impoverished, President Buhari should not let some selfish advisers deceive him that all is well. If those people that can give Buhari support to turn things around for the better are not in APC, the President as an elder-statesman should reach out to other Nigerians that can work with him to get positive results. Everything should not be about party affairs only, national interests should be considered as paramount first. Nigerians are peace loving, and their needs are not beyond what government can provide. What Nigerians want is good governance that will ensure that there are abundant employment opportunities, abundant food,

functioning infrastructural facilities. But today, everything is in a state of decay. Many are out of jobs as a result of epileptic power supply. We don’t have drugs in our hospitals, and the state of the roads are nothing to write home about. Desperate and frustrated Nigerians have now resorted to selfhelp to survive, and this is why you have an upsurge in crime. This is why you have kidnappers and armed robbers all over the place unleashing violence on hapless Nigerians. Buhari should do the needful now, otherwise we are sitting on keg of gunpowder which can explode any time. With the way things are going, many Nigerians are expressing fears that situation may lead to a revolution, even some ministers of God are prophesying the breakup of Nigeria, what’s your take on this? God has not revealed to me that Nigeria will break up. But God is not happy with the way those in authority are treating the people. The suffering in the land is getting too much. However, Nigerians should not be surprised by the unfolding developments in the country. Before 2015 general elections, God revealed to me that APC would win the polls, but that they won’t be able to make any appreciable impact. That APC would form government but that under APC Nigerians will agonise and that sufferings will increase in the land. Eventually, the election took place, APC won but look at what is happening in the country today. I even told some APC leaders shortly after APC defeated PDP that even though they have won the elections, but that the party will not make any appreciable impact on the lives of Nigerians. What about the prophecies on break-up of Nigeria? Like I said earlier, God has not revealed to me that Nigeria will break, but my advice to some prophets is that they should not strike fear into the minds of hapless Nigerians. You know some Nigerians are gullible, they believe anything they are told.

But as for me and the Living God I serve, God has not told me that Nigeria would break. My warning goes to fellow men of God, some of whom tried to play upon people’s intelligence, using psychology and emotion to proclaim what God has not spoken. Again, I strongly believe that ministers of God should do more to fight social ills in the society. They should be social crusaders. Because of what some ministers of God want to eat, they are afraid of telling our leaders the true message of God. They always tell our leaders what will be sweet to their ears only. This is not right. They must be true servants of the Most High God. Some have expressed disappointment with the government over the failure to address the issue of poor infrastructures, bad road, and epileptic power supply, do you agree with those who expressed such disappointment? Yes. I completely agree with them. Government’s performance in these critical sectors are nothing to write home about. If we had standard health facilities and modern hospitals, why should President Muhammadu Buhari have to travel to London for treatment? Buhari was able to travel to London because he is a very privileged Nigerian, but what about millions of others that are very indigent? Power is critical to development and economic growth, even for small scale ventures to thrive, there is need for stable power supply. Here the power sector is almost comatose. Industries are closing down or relocating. For the health sector, is it not a national shame that Nigeria don’t have cancer screening machines. Many people that want to do screening for cancer have to travel to Ghana, is this not a shame? Yet we are an oil producing nation. The major problem confronting Nigeria is lack of patriotic leadership. The moment we get right leadership, things will change for better, and we will start getting it right. But some people are saying that CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

2019: I have not decided to run-Atiku Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that he has not decided whether or not to run for the office of President in 2019, adding that Nigerians will know when he eventually takes the bold move. Atiku reportedly said this while speaking in an exclusive interview with Voice of Africa (VOA) Hausa service when he featured on a magazine program, he was quoted to have said that “For now I have not made up my mind. When I decide, I will let the world know.” Meanwhile, Azibola Omekwe, the national coordinator of a political group, The Atiku Rennaisance, has reportedly said that Atiku’s statement is capable of demoralising his supporters, some of whom have already commenced groundwork for his 2019 bid. Azibola said the 2019 ambition of Atiku has gained considerable momentum in recent weeks, a ‘moving train’ he said would be difficult to reverse. He said; “Just recently, some people came out to say that they will sue the former vice-president if he fails to join the race. That’s how serious some of his supporters have now taken his ambition.” Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said the politician’s fans should not be demoralised by the comments. “He spoke in the context of his ongoing consultations, but he’ll eventually make up his mind to run. Those who have started

ABUBAKAR

politicking on his behalf should continue.” Azibola a former state legislator in Bayelsa, acknowledged that the final decision on Atiku’s political choice in 2019 would be the former vice-president’s to make. “But I’m sure he will ultimately decide to run because he’s the best option to beat President Buhari. We expect him to do this within the first quarter of 2018,” said Azibola.

Ashafa empowers senior citizens at constituents’ end of year thanksgiving The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has expressed gratitude to God for the peace that the people of his district enjoyed in year 2017, just as he urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in God for a better 2018. Ashafa who made the remarks at the 2017 end of the year thanksgiving/ Awards for Excellence/ empowerment for old people and Hall meeting in Lagos East Senatorial District, held at CMD Road, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos, where he empowered residents of the constituents, said it is very important to express gratitude to God for his kindness and gift of live despite various economic challenges. “If you take a look at what God has done for us since the beginning of this year, you cannot but give thanks to God for His benevolence. There were cases of kidnapping, cultists killing, accidents, and other natural disaster without us being consumed. “We have to thank God as we continue to hold on to Him in 2018 and beyond. “You will recall in January, I encouraged Lagosians not to allow the tough economic situation defines us, but rather we should set out to work and contribute our own quota to the development of the economy. “12 months after, the result of the hard work of Federal Government and our dear Lagos State are now apparent as the country came out of recession in September, 2017.” Ashafa however called on other well meaning citizens, organisations, among others to come to the aid of less privileged, especially senior citizens, and

ASHAFA widows in order to empower families. He noted that the development of any nation starts with each family, hence, the need to assist in development of citizens at family level. The senator empowerment programme targeted at empowering over 500 widows in the Senatorial District with seed funds, saw several women receiving their funds from the Senator at the event. Also various empowerment items were given to 50 senior citizens, free healthcare checks, as well as rendering of mid-term stewardship report of Lagos East Senatorial District, with the theme: “A message of gratitude.” Ashafa, also, commended the people for the support received from the constituents. The town hall meeting witnessed a medical outreach powered by a strong team of medical personnel. The outreach attended to over 1500 constituents who came in for free qualitative medical services for various medical needs.

11 Politics

Don counsels FG on federal character clause A senior lecturer at the department of History and International Studies in the University of Benin, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe, has charged the Federal government to apply the rules on Federal Character clause conscientiously, as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution at the national level to ensure that no ethnic group feels alienated or marginalised. The don who gave the charge at the Annual May Environmental Congress organised by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, in Benin City, Edo State. According to him, “Federal Character provision as entrenched in the federal constitution should be applied at the national level and this will ensure that no group feels alienated and marginalised. In addition, at other tiers of government, a deliberate effort should be made to be equitable in appointments and distribution of amenities. “We strongly believe that the increase in the tempo of agitations for

restructuring is largely due to the feeling of alienation and perceived marginalisation of certain sections of the country by way of appointments and distribution of facilities and resources in the country. “It is also imperative that national integrative policies, such as the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, federal character clause, in terms of admission into Federal Unity Schools and universities should be consolidated and expanded, instead of the current retrogressive policy of reducing the “Catchment area” for federal institutions. “While some have tended to criticise the issue of ‘quota’ in the body politic of Nigeria, the fact remains that the policy is akin to the US policy of ‘affirmative action’ which is targeted at addressing the imbalance among groups, especially those identified as marginalised in the society. It follows that for the sake of addressing the urgent need for ethnic harmony and integration in the country, this policy should be pursued.”

‘APC has failed to deliver’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

kudos should be given to Buhari’s administration, especially on the war against corruption and insecurity, especially on Boko Haram, don’t you agree? What is so special about that? I have not seen anything spectacular that Buhari has done. Do you know that some people have also observed that the war against corruption under Buhari is selective, or what do you say about a situation whereby it is mostly members of a particular political party that are being arraigned and charged to court? Are they telling us that APC members are saints? The war against corruption should go round. It should not be selective and discriminatory. On the issue of security, especially the crushing of Boko Haram that is now being touted as one of the achievements of Buhari’s administration, God revealed to me that Boko Haram is not yet dead. Early this year, it was divinely revealed to me that Boko Haram will take another deadly pattern which will lead to increase bloodshed and loss of lives. Is this not happening already? There are reports of some people and interest groups coming together to form another mega party to challenge APC, what is your reaction to that? Formation or emergence of another political association is inevitable. I see the APC disintegrating. Some governors and other bigwigs elected on the party’s platform will exit the party

and team up with others to form a new party. The Federal Government will not take kindly to it, and attempts will be made to arrest some people and frame them up on charges bordering on treason, but this will backfire. Government should be careful. It should be tolerant of opposing views. We are in a democracy, it should not be tempted to take some actions which will look anti-democratic. Some people have suggested that all elected public office holders should volunteer a cut in their salaries and allowances as a form of sacrifice in this period of economic recession when many workers are being owed salaries, what’s your view on that? If our elected leaders are real and genuine patriots, do they need anybody to advise them to do such before they on their own should volunteer to do so. Today how many Nigerians can afford three square meals a day, but yet our elected lawmakers and other public office holders are collecting jumbo pay. Tell me, whose interests are these people serving, electorates’ interests or their own interests? Obviously they are serving their own personal interests and this is unpatriotic. I believe we should even reduce salaries and allowances of public office holders. Taking this step will enable us to know those who truly want to serve the people.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Saraki to lead Senate delegation to Adams installation as 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo Stories by Patrick Okohue Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has assured the Aare Ona Kakanfo Designate, Aare Gani Adams that he will personally lead the delegation of the Senate to his installation as the 15th Aare Onakanfo of Yoruba land in January, 2018. Speaking when Adams led his delegation to visit the Senate President in his office in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Saraki congratulated him for the title, noting that it was good that the younger generations are taking up the mantle of leadership. According to him “I was very delighted and glad when I read it in the news that you have been appointed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, your determination and commitment to the promotion of culture and tradition as well as the defense and love you have for the Yoruba race and Nigeria led you to where you are today.” In a release by the Aare Ona Kakanfo media office, it noted that the Senate President enumerated the virtues of the new Aare Ona Kakanfo, revealing that Adams was not a stranger to

ADAMS him, “You are not a new person to me, I have known you for long, especially when I was the governor of the Kwara State, you come to the state for a lot of cultural and people oriented events, you have distinguished yourself, I thank God for your life. I assure you that I will lead the delegation of the

members of the Senate to Oyo on your installation day.” In his speech, Aare Gani Adams explained that his visit to the Senate leader was to introduce himself as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land and request for the presence of the Senate President at his installation come January 13, in Oyo. He saluted the courage of Saraki and praised him for the political wisdom he is using in paddling the affairs of the upper chamber. Adams said, “We witnessed a lot of activities of different Senate Presidents since 1999, but the way and manner you approach issues are excellent, you have transformed and repackaged the image of the Senate.” Some of the Senator who were at the visit include Senator Sola Adeyeye, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, Senator Boroffice Ajayi, Senator Olamilekan Adeola and Senator Clifford Ordia. In the entourage of Aare Gani Adams, are his Chief of Staff, Prince Akanni Segun Olalekan, Mr Tanimowo Babajide Akinkunmi and Bar Oguntimehin.

PDP House caucus denounces impostors claiming to be a faction -Urges Police, DSS to question them immediately Members of an alleged faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which claim to be the “Fresh PDP” have been denounced by the House Caucus of the PDP, who described them as imposters and called on law enforcement agents to call them for questioning. In a statement issued by the House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Chukwuka Onyema, the caucus condemned the group, describing it as a mere band of ill-disguised impostors whom the House caucus will never recognise or interact with. “This band of impostors, pawns being strung along by devious elements in the ruling party, has the audacity to arrogate the name of our party, the PDP, to its misadventure, using a rented space somewhere in Asokoro, Abuja. “Feigning complete ignorance that the Wadata Plaza national headquarters of the PDP that is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is located at Wuse Zone 5 in Abuja, they pasted two copies of our flag on the wall and went to town like a band of jesters. “The PDP House caucus hereby

declares that the five leprous fingers said to constitute the mischievous adventure do not constitute any faction, splinter group or whatever fanciful description they claim within PDP as they are only serving the errands of the ruling party elements planning to use them for even more mischief early next year. “The activities of the said men claiming to be starting a fresh PDP deserve urgent investigation and immediate halt by the police and the Department of State Security as we would not want enraged supporters of the PDP to take the laws into their hands in the process of dealing with such miscreants. “There is need to investigate how far these five leprous fingers are connected to the APC and its past record of widespread deceit and unscrupulous propaganda. “Our convention has come and gone in the face of a ruling party that seems so petrified at the thought of facing a reawakened PDP, even as it remains unable to hold a national convention like we did. “We note too that a government that finds it impossible to implement

SECONDUS

a mere 25% of the national budget in any given year has now frantically woken up in a rush, doing a two-days’ FEC meeting just to pass contracts worth N377 billion before campaigns begin in earnest. “The mischievous claim of forming a fresh PDP with the voice of five unknown men shows the hands of APC in its desperation to hold on to power by all means, even after failing to touch lives purposefully in spite of making scores of unrealised promises,” the PDP House caucus stated.

PDP will overcome latest crisis, says Adeyeye The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has said that despite the emergence of a so called factional group in the party, he is confident that the new leadership of the party will effectively deal with the situation. Adeyeye said the defunct NCC handed over a “highly united party” to the new National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prince Uche Secondus, adding that it will be a “big disappointment” if the party start another factional crisis, adding that the rift will be resolved very soon. It will noted that a group of allegedly aggrieved members led by one Emmanuel Nwosu had on Wednesday formed a splinter group known as Fresh PDP following what they described as crisis that trailed the December 9 national convention of the party. They kicked against the conduct of the convention, citing the emergence of a “unity list” as a major flaw in the exercise. Adeyeye, who spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti shortly after he was welcomed back to his home state by thousands of supporters, said “I am now home, I am no longer in the executive of the PDP and you know that we have just handed over after serving the party. “It will be a big disappointment if we start another crisis; as far as the National Caretaker Committee in which I served is concerned, we have handed over a united PDP. “We have conducted a credible convention, the first real elective convention in the history of the party and it was very successful. “We had anticipated that there would be problems after this convention and that was why we set up a reconciliation committee headed by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. “He has swung into action already, he is already working. I believe that if we all give support to that committee, it will be able to solve these problems. “I believe that within the next weeks, we will get over these problems. It is not unexpected, but I believe we will get over our problems.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

News 13

Confusion unsettles Delta Community over alleged 60 missing goats Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏConfusion

and its related act have reportedly enveloped residents of Okpanam community near Asaba over their alleged sixty missing goats. It was reliably gathered that within the months of September to date, several cases of either missing

goats, or stolen had unsettled the people of the community who also were alleged to have been locked in the web of all manners of land disputes. Investigation revealed that the unsuspecting thieves have allegedly threatened to eliminate residents who had attempted to harass or prevent

them from carting away the goats during their operations in the wee hours of the day. Expectedly, these thieves suspected to be “insiders” during wee hours, brazenly target the big sized goats, and to make things easy, they prepare “attractive meals” for the goats, are hoodwinked into the

thieves’ waiting vehicle; a situation the goats are tied and put into the boot of the car before they will zoom off to an unknown destination, residents of the community have continued to tell sad stories of their missing goats almost every day, especially at night, and under mysterious circumstances.

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, with children during the 2017 End of the Year Children’s Christmas Party at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure, on Wednesday.

ECA Fund: Group Appeals to Buhari Over Niger-Delta Region Titus Akhigbe,Benin

ÏÏÏArising from the recent

approval of $1billion to be extracted from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the fight against insurgency in the North-East,the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers(RNDA) has written a strongly worded petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, appealing to him to thread softly as regards how he treats issues concerning the Niger Delta region. The petition was signed by the leader of the group, Johnmark Ezonebi. RNDA urged PMB to be mindful of those he negotiates with on the Niger Delta issue as there are “a lot of Niger Delta jobbers who parade themselves in the streets of Abuja claiming to be fronting for the region whereas in the true sense of it they have turned ‘NIGER DELTA TRADERS’ using the Amnesty Office

and the Niger Delta Ministry with the Hon Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu as their farmlands. “Hence, we are very serious about who represents the region at any point in time on the dialogue table to discuss with President Muhammadu Buhari led APC federal government on genuine intent. “We must not fail to place on record the genuine efforts of some Niger Delta leaders & stakeholders who have contributed in no small way to the peace process that the federal government is enjoying today from the Creeks.” RNDA warned those it describes as ‘jobless fellows’ “who continue to parade themselves as leaders of the Niger Delta region whereas they have used the region’s under development as their yardstick to curry contracts for themselves which they in turn abandon even in their own communities. “They have continuously

used the old age of Pa E.K. Clark as an advantage to defraud the old man by going about telling cooked lies to him for their selfish purposes. “This group of young men are fraudsters ,sycophants, jobless fellows, gold diggers, bootlickers of all kind, liars that do not have any legal business doing in Abuja. “Rather, they are bent on telling cooked lies to people in government and their business is to tell lies to deceive government and to defraud people. “We are advising the federal government not to take them serious and government should be weary about this group of young men.” The RNDA urged the federal government “not to take our patience and silence for granted.” RNDA accused the federal government of “negating the principles of natural justice by using resources derived from a neglected region to combat

insurgency in the North East in the senseless Boko Haram war to the tune of one billion dollars from the excess crude oil account.” Going further, RNDA stressed that “the federal government insensitivity to the Niger Delta region development has obviously reached its crescendo which we will not take but resist with our might as this broad day light robbery against the Niger Delta people and ethnic nationality will not be accepted by us and we are going to resist this perpetual injustice against our long neglected people in the region. “Imagine up till now the six billion naira approved for the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerekoko has not been released while there is no hope of starting an academic session in the institution. “Is this how we will continue to live in a country where injustice reign supreme?

Eye witness told our reporter that: “I was sleeping in my house at Idigbe-Ocha Village, Obodogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam when I heard some movements within my compound at about 3:00am last Monday, when I peeped through my window, I discovered that they parked a pick-up van between my compound and the next house near the road to facilitate their escape with goats they have stolen”. Further investigation revealed that thieves who recently invaded the Okpanam community, mainly target goats and sheep, which are selling like hot cakes, particularly in this Christmas/New year festivities. A big goat for instance, sells for between N89, 000 and N90, 000, while others range between N75, 000 and N80, 000. But the police officers at the Okpanam Police Division who did not want their names in the print, confirmed that there have been several reports about missing goats in the area, adding

that they were committed to fishing out the thieves soonest. Mr. Michael Okwe whose goats were allegedly stolen Wednesday said: “I have thirteen goats, they are big ones, I woke up the following day, four of the goats have been stolen, we must do something about this situation, it is unfair, the thieves are within us”. Almost on daily basis, there have been reported cases of stolen goats from all the nooks and crannies of the community, and all the cases involved suspected thieves with guns and dangerous weapons, using vehicles to convey the stolen goats during the odd hours of the night. Some people whose goats suddenly disappeared at night alleged that it appears that apart from suspected reports of armed movement, the people generally believed that the goat robbers were operating in the spiritual realm, as the residents hardly hear their footsteps or noise at night.

Bayelsa: Kidnappers of royal father’s wife, principal demand N100m ransom Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏThe

gunmen who kidnapped Mrs. Tina Inegbagha, wife of Paramount ruler in Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have demanded a ransom of N100 million to free the woman. Mrs. Inegbagha was whisked away by the gunmen on December 16, 2017 when they invaded the coastal settlement abducting also Mr. Egele Jack, the Principal of Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro. A member of the monarch’s family, Mr. Majesty Inegbagha, told our correspondent in Yenagoa on Friday that the abductors have contacted the family with the demand. He said, “The paramount ruler, who is my elder brother confirmed to me this morning that the kidnappers have called him and demanded for the sum of N100

million ransom and it was a relief to the tension that has built up since all these days. “Although the family is pleased to know that the woman is alive, the thought of raising that sum of money has created additional challenge to the family and we appeal to them to free her on humanitarian grounds as we lack the means to pay.” Majesty expressed optimism that the abducted paramount ruler’s wife and the school principal would regain their freedom following fervent prayers by family members and well meaning members of the public as well as efforts of the security agencies. Crime wave in Bayelsa has risen sharply in recent time. The incident had prompted the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, to send a special squad to complement the efforts of the Bayelsa Police Command in combating crime especially this Yuletide season.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

News 14 Speaker to Dickson:

Listen to the cry of Bayelsans Chris Eze, Yenagoa

L-R: Lumobi of Imobi Ijesa, Oba Adetayo Haastrup; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, and Lisa Olu Akerele, during the installation of Obasa as Baamofin Ijesa in Ilesa, Osun State.

IGP bars SARS operatives from stop and search duties on roads Ï#ƈƏƆƅƐ ƍƆƏ ƐƈƒƆ Ɛ Ɛ ƕ ƇƇ ƅƈƒƈƋ ƌ ƐƐƆƏ Doosuur IwambeAbuja

ÏÏÏThe

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has barred operatives of the controversial Police Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, from conducting stop and search on roads. The IGP also stopped them from acting as bodyguards to prominent Nigerians just as he warned them against further delving into civil matters including land disputes, personal disputes, debt collection and all matters considered civil. Besides, the police chief said all operatives of the anti-robbery unit of his organization must henceforth always appear in official unit clearly marked

for identification. This was announced after Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), held a meeting with SARS commanders in Abuja. He said they can only conduct stop and search operation on roads only when necessary, adding that such operation must be only on the permission of Commissioner of SARS or Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of operations in the commands they are answerable to. Any operation conducted by the operatives, according to the Inspector General of Police, must be in a “non-discriminatory, proportionary, fair and accountable manner.” The measures, he said, were

as a result of the police administration’s demonstration of sensibilities to the yearning and demands of modern policing. Other measures which the police leadership has taken to reform the SARS, according to the IGP, were the designation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations to lead the unit as its strategic commander, appointment of a Commissioner of Police as a field Commander of all activities related to SARS and the direct supervision of SARS operations in each state Command under the Commissioner of Police in charge of the state through the Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of

operations. As part of the reform measures, the police boss hinted that psychometric test, training and continuous assessment of operatives will be deployed to SARS to determine the suitability or otherwise of their role in keeping with acceptable standard operating procedures. He also said the unit would be confined to its established role of preventing, confronting and solving cases related to armed robbery and generally protect the public from armed robbery and other violent crimes. “The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership, shall operate strictly guided by the human rights principles as enshrined under the United Nations Charter on human rights and other extant laws.

EFCC arrests 13 suspected internet fraudsters ÏÏÏThe

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, has arrested 13 suspected Internet fraudsters for conspiracy, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining money under false pretence. The suspects are- Badejo Tobi; Abiola Dimeji; Anthony Godwin; Osoba Adeboye; Adeleke Abiodun and Awokoya Oriyomi Yusuf. Others are: Oyatayo Ismail; Coffie Meschark; Sylvester Amaddin; Olawale Farouk; Adeniran Tolani; Taiwo Michael and OyekanmiAyodeji.

EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said they were arrested on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in some parts of Lagos and Ogun States, following intelligence report received by the Commission about their activities. He said the suspects allegedly confessed to be involved in phishing, love scam, forgery, spoofing and business email compromise, among other offences. Phishing is an attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card

details (and money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Spoofing, on the other hand, is a type of scam where an intruder attempts to gain unauthorized access to a user’s system or information by pretending to be the user. Some of the suspects, who live flamboyantly without any known sources of income, were said to have bought houses and exotic cars from the proceeds of their criminal activities.

ÏÏÏBayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Konbowei Friday Benson on Friday advised Governor Seriake Dickson to listen to the cry of the people of the state and pay more attention to their welfare in 2018. The Speaker who gave the advice after receiving the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N295.203billion presented by Dickson to the Assembly in Yenagoa, urged the governor to address the issue of late payment of workers’ salaries and attendant harsh conditions of living. Benson noted that the present economic hardship in the state could be resolved by prompt payment of salaries, adding that the people’s socioeconomic condition was better in the early years of his administration. The Speaker said, “Your Excellency, I must sincerely make this appeal. In the coming year, we are all aware of what we are passing through today in the state. I wish that the cry of the people (is addressed). “And I know the cry is not just on whether you are doing anything, you are even overperforming. But there is one cry: that is the late payment of salaries and late attendance to the projects that you have generously earmarked for the development of the state”. The speaker, had also used the medium to commend the governor for his achievements and assured him that the 2018 budget estimates “will be wellattended to as usual”, Earlier while presenting his budget speech titled, “Finishing Strong, and Development, Stability and Prosperity Volume 1”, Dickson had given a breakdown of the N295.203billion for the 2018 fiscal year and said that it would accord capital expenditure a priority. He said that capital expenditure would gulp N146.578billion, personnel cost N48.15billion, overhead cost N42.57billion and consolidated fund N58.49billion. For sectoral budgetary provisions, Dickson allocated N36.641billion to Works and Infrastructure, Education N22billion,

ÏÏ

News 15

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Lagos to disburse N635.5m bursary to 8, 419 beneficiaries ÏÏÏ

The Lagos State Government on Friday said it would commence the disbursement of bursaries and scholarships totaling N635.576million to a total of 8,419 students in the State tertiary institutions on December 27, 2017. In a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Obafela BankOlemoh, the commencement of the disbursement followed the approval of the Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, and same was in furtherance of the premium placed on education by the present administration in the State. He said: “Following the approval of His Excellency, the

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Scholarship Board will commence disbursement of bursaries and scholarships to students in Lagos State tertiary institutions on Wednesday, December 27th, 2017. This is in furtherance of the State Government’s commitment to education. “The total amount to be awarded is Six Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira and ThirtySix Kobo (NGN 635,576, 432.36), to a total of Eight-Thousand Four Hundred and Nineteen (8,419) beneficiaries.” According to the Special Adviser, notwithstanding the

economic constraints, the administration of Governor Ambode continues to prioritize education across all levels, with investment in school infrastructure and furniture, as well as human infrastructure projects. While urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds for the purpose intended, Bank-Olemoh assured that the State Government, on its part, would continue to come up with policies and programmes to develop and transform the education sector in the S tate. “Students across the State and particularly, beneficiaries of the bursaries and scholarships are urged to steward well the resources of the

State, as good citizens, and to make the most of the educational opportunities that have been given to them,” BankOlemoh said. It will be recalled that earlier in 2016, over 689 bursary beneficiaries of 2011/2012 set were paid along with 60 students from the School of the Blind and 54 others on Sport Scholarship, while later in the year, the Governor approved the payment of N380million bursary and local scholarship to the State indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country. In 2015, the State Government also paid N660million to over 8,567 indigent beneficiaries for bursary, local and foreign Scholarships.

Plateau LG poll: US Embassy sustains peace dialogue with PPBA By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏ

The monthly Peace Architecture Dialogue (PAD), designed by the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), to further discuss and fashion out ways for peaceful co-existence among Plateau inhabitants has received a boost from the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja, aimed at sustaining the fragile peace in the State, even as the 2018 February Local Government elections gets underway. Speaking Friday in Jos, at one of its dialogue forum, with the theme: “Upcoming Local Government Elections An Emerging Security Challenges In Plateau State”, the Director General PPBA, Joseph Lengmang, said it is crucial to forecast peace before the 2018 February date of the Plateau LG polls. Joseph said he could recall vividly the 2008 Local Government Elections that ignited the long protracted crisis witnessed in the State, saying that the PPBA has as its mandate to ensure that the coming elections would not generate another round of crisis in the State. He said: “I am most concern that the forthcoming LG polls will not throw us back into another dark days

of the circle of crisis, having the confidence that with the continuous robbing of mind with relevant stakeholders of distinguished Civil Society Organisations (CSO), we shall put our expertise to work to ensure that the outcome of the elections will not once again destabilise the current peace being enjoyed. “I am also hoping that the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), will be able to deliver a credible, free and fair elections: this is very crucial to the maintenance of peace before and after the elections. “PPBA will not rest on its oars in partnering with relevant stakeholders including PLASIEC towards ensuring that all conflict triggers are duly addressed before the polls”, Lengmang said. Our correspondent reports that there was a healthy dialogue between various stakeholders in attendance at the PPBA’s meeting such as the PLASIEC Commissioner, representative of head of NGO’s, NDLEA and CSO’s Participants were allowed to ask questions on critical matters regarding the forthcoming elections as the PLASIEC representative provided answers. Consequently, responding to participants at the forum,

Labour Perm Sec pledges capacity development for staff By Idu Jude Abuja Stranded commuters at Agege, Pen Cinema, Lagos… on Friday.

Photo: JOHNSON AYANTUNJI.

Group demands justice , respect for human dignity from FG Myke Uzendu and Oluchi Okoroafor, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

A coalition of Civil Society group has ordered Nigerian citizens to stand together and know their rights, tasking them to shun all kinds of crimes especially the urge to travel abroad for greener pasture. The group further demanded that Federal government should restore dignity of its citizens and ensure justice for all, provide conducive working environment and capacity building for the teeming youth population so as to make this country a better place to live in.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director, Citizens of Impact Foundation Daniel Seun Olatunde Friday in Abuja while leading a protest of the coalition which began at the Unity Fountain, with the theme: “Respect for human dignity and social justice.” Olatunde said that most Nigerians have lost faith in the country, adding that there is a lot ifo mistrust on the leaders because their long period of deception which has led many innocent youths to prefer the hazards of crossing over to Europe as illegal migrants than remain in the country. Addressing the protesters,

Olatunde said that when human dignity is respected, an individual or group feels selfworth, hence there is physical and psychological integrity and self fulfilment. He said that when individuals and groups are marginalized, ignored, or devalued, it leads to low self esteem, calling on government to recognize the full place of all individual and groups within Nigeria society. “We believe each and every being deserves to live a dignified life. We believe that every individual can make a contribution to ensure that people live with dignity. “No one deserves to be mistreated due to gender race,

ethnicity, creed, ability or orientation. “We stand together with all community group to say no to discrimination and yes to inclusion.” “It is only Nigerians that can build Nigeria. We are creating this awareness that citizens must stand up to make this country a better place.” He stated. Olatunde also explained that Nigerian citizens are hungry, insisting that this is not the time for government to come and ask for $1billion to spend on Boko Haram insurgency which they earlier claimed, has been technically when people have no food on their table.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bolaji Adebiyi expressed his commitment to ensuring that planning and administrative officers in the Ministry acquire versatile skills needed in enhancing project and programme execution and for efficient service delivery. The Permanent Secretary, made this assertion Friday, while declaring open a-one day retreat on Monitoring and Evaluation/key Performance Indicators organized for the staff of the Department of Policy Analysis, Research and Statistics. Adebiyi, who was represented at the workshop by the Director, Human Resources Management, Mr. Ajibola Ibrahim said “in line with the Change Agenda of the current government and the strict measure of project per-

formance put in place by this administration, the Ministry put together this workshop to acquaint staff with relevant skills in project assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of key performance indicator.” Speaking further, He emphasized that the Key Performance Indicator scorecard is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively the Ministry is achieving key activities and also set of quantifiable measures that will be used to gauge and compare performance in term of meeting the strategic and operational goals of the Ministry and its Agencies. He added that the Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) aspect of the retreat is to impact staff with the knowledge of M and E template designed by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning covering all departments and Agencies capital project.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 23, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

FEATURES

End of road for encroachers as LASU moves to repossess 682 hectares of land Ïơƿè ƿƠƠ Ƒ Ɔ ƇƇƆƅƐƆƗê ÏG ƗƋ ƏƗ ƄƆƅ ƌƆ ƐƆ Ɛ ƒƆƏ ƤèƠƠƠ Ƒ Ɔ Ƈ ƅƆ ƗƆƌ ƋƈƐƈ

LASU Gate

Esther Taiwo As the year moves to an end and the New Year beckons, this may not be cheery news to encroachers of parcels of land of about 682 hectares belonging to Lagos State University as the institution moves to repossess its land. At the LASU Land Regularisation Stakeholders meeting held at the University Ojo campus recently, Vice Chancellor, , said LASU is a citadel of knowledge that is aiming to be at par with the world’s standard and one of the requirements for this is to have hostels for students right on campus, as well as some facilities but regrettably, encroachers have taken over 75 percent of their land. “When LASU was founded in 1982, it was noticed that some of the communities were coming on the land so by 1989 the Lagos State government earmarked 62,000 hectares for Igbo-Elerin community with the intention that LASU would be able to survive on the remaining parcel of land but regrettably the encroachment did not stop, it continued so much so that we now have a situation where 50 to 100 meters to lecture halls trespassers have built structures everywhere”, he said. According to the VC, the most painful and shocking aspect was that some of the trespassers would come to the wall of LASU, break it down and build within the university and put another wall while another trespasser would also come and break the wall again, build his own and reference it, adding that this is so much impunity.

“The quota given to us by the National Universities Commission is to admit 8,000 students but due to the limitations that our facilities are based on we are not able to admit more than 2,500 students. For some of the trespassers, we will go through the process of regularisation whereby the landlords will regularise their titles with the university and be paying rent to the university but those with impunity, who built on the university land, we will have no choice but to demolish the structures”, he said. Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said over the past years, the government found itself in a situation whereby it could not achieve what it ought to achieve for the university when over 75 percent of land belonging to LASU had been encroached upon. “The goal and mandate Governor Ambode has given to this university is to be among the top five in this nation by 2020 and for us to achieve that it is very critical for us to engage the issue of LASU land, this is something we are committed to do”, he said. Bank-Olemoh said this administration is equal to the task of repossessing its land from trespassers and that is why the government is appealing to everyone to grab the opportunity and take advantage of the life time opportunity presented to them, “We ask you to partner with the Lagos State government in ensuring that our university continues to grow and educate children that will

move the nation forward”, he said. Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said encroachment means operating on another person’s territory, adding that an encroacher does not have any iota of right over the land he is encroaching upon in whatever manner. “The bigger implication is that an encroacher is a trespasser who has no iota of right and that land can never become his own no matter the years spent. LASU has laws and one of the laws is to make the university residential. To ensure security of lives of students on campus, we must make sure that these lands are repossessed,” he said. The Attorney General explained further that the first step is to ensure that the parcel of land that had not yet been encroached upon is secured then the one that are have been encroached upon, the buildings on it will follow proper developmental process. “The criminal law of Lagos is clear about this. The proper thing is to go after people that have encroached but government has been so magnanimous with them by introducing the regularisation process. The vision of the founding fathers of LASU is to build a world class university and one of the criteria for this is to build infrastructures and facilities on campus but this is impossible because more than half of the land had been encroached. Trespassers are hereby advised to take optimum advantage of the opportunity CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

19 Features

End of road for encroachers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

offered them by Lagos State Government,” he added. Commissioner for Town Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowose, reminded them that what the present government is offering has not been done anywhere, saying if it is military era, all the structures will be demolished but instead the government is talking about regularising the land. “You don’t have a Deed of Assignment for the property in your possession because no one will give you a Certificate of Occupancy as the only one available has been given to the real land owner which is LASU,”Anifowose added. Director of Centre for Planning, LASU, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, explained that for the trespassers to become bonafide LASU tenants, they have to go to LASU website as portal will be open from January 15th, 2018, update their personal information and pay registration fee of N100,000, upload their building and land documents, “They will also pay Land Regularisation Fee which is calculated based on the land size, type of building and building use either commercial or private use after which they will obtain signed Certificate of Regularisation,” he said. Prof. Omotayo said beginning from December 18, 2017, LASU land regularisation and urban regeneration survey paper will be pasted on their houses, adding that fees will be charged per building and not per owners. He also explained that compliance deadline is April 20, 2018, first penalty phase is from May 1 to June 30, 2018 which attracts 25 percent of regularisation fees and second penalty attracts 50 percent which is from July 1 to September 30 2018. “Any property not registered by September 30, 2018 will be repossessed by LASU”, he said. Said LASU is a citadel of knowledge that is aiming to be at par with the world’s standard and one of the requirements for this is to have hostels for students right on campus, as well as some facilities but regrettably, encroachers have taken over 75 percent of their land. “When LASU was founded in 1982, it was noticed that some of the communities were coming on the land so by 1989 the Lagos State government earmarked 62,000 hectares for Igbo-Elerin community with the intention that LASU would be able to survive on the remaining parcel of land but regrettably the encroachment did not stop, it continued so much so that we now have a situation where 50 to 100 meters to lecture halls trespassers have built structures everywhere”, he said. According to the VC, the most painful and shocking aspect was that some of the trespassers would come to the wall of LASU, break it down and build within the university and put another wall while another trespasser would also come and break the wall again, build his own and reference it, adding that this is so much impunity. “The quota given to us by the National Universities Commission is to admit 8,000 students but due to the limitations that our facilities are based on we are not able to admit more than 2,500 students. For some of the trespassers, we will go through the process of regularisation whereby the landlords will regularise their titles with the university and be paying rent to the university but those with impunity, who built on the univer-

Prof. Lanre Fagbohun

sity land, we will have no choice but to demolish the structures”, he said. Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said over the past years, the government found itself in a situation whereby it could not achieve what it ought to achieve for the university when over 75 percent of land belonging to LASU had been encroached upon. “The goal and mandate Governor Ambode has given to this university is to be among the top five in this nation by 2020 and for us to achieve that it is very critical for us to engage the issue of LASU land, this is something we are committed to do”, he said. Bank-Olemoh said this administration is equal to the task of repossessing its land from trespassers and that is why the government is appealing to everyone to grab the opportunity and take advantage of the life time opportunity presented to them, “We ask you to partner with the Lagos State government in ensuring that our university continues to grow and educate children that will move the nation forward”, he said. Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said encroachment means operating on another person’s territory, adding that an encroacher does not have any iota of right over the land he is encroaching upon in whatever manner. “The bigger implication is that an encroacher is a trespasser who has no iota of right and that land can never become his own no matter the years spent. LASU has laws and one of the laws is to make the university residential. To ensure security of lives of students on campus, we must make sure that these lands are repossessed,” he said. The Attorney General explained further that

the first step is to ensure that the parcel of land that had not yet been encroached upon is secured then the one that are have been encroached upon, the buildings on it will follow proper developmental process. “The criminal law of Lagos is clear about this. The proper thing is to go after people that have encroached but government has been so magnanimous with them by introducing the regularisation process. The vision of the founding fathers of LASU is to build a world class university and one of the criteria for this is to build infrastructures and facilities on campus but this is impossible because more than half of the land had been encroached. Trespassers are hereby advised to take optimum advantage of the opportunity offered them by Lagos State Government,” he added. Commissioner for Town Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowose, reminded them that what the present government is offering has not been done anywhere, saying if it is military era, all the structures will be demolished but instead the government is talking about regularising the land. “You don’t have a Deed of Assignment for the property in your possession because no one will give you a Certificate of Occupancy as the only one available has been given to the real land owner which is LASU,”Anifowose added. Director of Centre for Planning, LASU, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, explained that for the trespassers to become bonafide LASU tenants, they have to go to LASU website as portal will be open from January 15th, 2018, update their personal information and pay registration fee of N100,000, upload their building and land documents, “They will also pay Land Regularisation Fee which is calculated based on the land size, type of building and building use either commercial or private use after which they will obtain signed Certificate of Regularisation,” he said. Prof. Omotayo said beginning from December 18, 2017, LASU land regularisation and urban regeneration survey paper will be pasted on their houses, adding that fees will be charged per building and not per owners. He also explained that compliance deadline is April 20, 2018, first penalty phase is from May 1 to June 30, 2018 which attracts 25 percent of regularisation fees and second penalty attracts 50 percent which is from July 1 to September 30 2018. “Any property not registered by September 30, 2018 will be repossessed by LASU”, he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

20 Foreign

Libya 2018 election: Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam to run for president ÏÏÏThe

2018 presidential election is currently trending across the global circle as the son of former Libya’s president, Muammar Gaddafi may run for the country’s president next year. According to agency report, a spokesperson for the Gadaffi family said that Saif al-Islam Gadaffi, the son of the former Libyan leader will contest in the upcoming presidential elections. Basem al-Hashimi al-Soul told the influential local media agency, Egypt Today, that Saif al-Islam has the support and credentials required to end the chaos that has gripped Libya since the overthrow of his father Muammar Gadaffi in 2011. “Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former Libyan president, enjoys the support of major tribes in Libya so he can run for the upcoming presidential elections due in 2018,” said Libyan Tribal Chief and spokesperson of the Gaddafi family, Basem al-Hashimi al-Soul The report added that ,Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former Libyan president, enjoys the support of major tribes in Libya so he can run for the upcoming presidential elections due in 2018 Al-Soul says that a platform to launch the former first son’s presidential campaign will soon be

Saif al-Islam Gadaffi launched. “The platform includes some procedures that Saif al-Islam hopes the United Nations would adopt to help Libya move from the incumbent transitional period to stability.”

Today, Libya is grappling with insecurity as different factions control different parts of the country. Saif al-Islam Gadaffi hopes to unify the factions and restore peace and stability in the country that was once

After 5yrs, Toure Mali’s ousted President set to return

Bonny Amadi with agency reports

ÏÏÏMali is full of anxiety and

expectations as its ousted president Amadou Toumani Toure is set to return to the country on Sunday for the first time since the coup that deposed him. Recall that the former leader was a victim of mutiny from Malian soldiers who overthrew his government and detained him on March 22, 2012. The mutiny culminated in the fall of the country’s northern territory to Islamist rebels which formed an ally with Al-Qaeda. The revolt which was led by

an army captain Amadou Sanogo toppled what many referred to as the region’s most stable democracies, and Toure has been living in exile in neighbouring Senegal since his exit. Mali’s current president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita took over in September 2013 in an election held after Sanogo, the coup leader agreed to step aside. Speaking to AFP in a telephone conversation on Friday, the ousted leader said, “With the agreement of Mali’s president, I will return to Bamako on Sunday” This

conversation is believed to be Toure’s first public statement since he left the country. “I am happy. I would like to thank the Senegalese authorities. I will see my brother, President IBK, on Sunday, and I am not there to do politics,” he told AFP. In an earlier event, the President had muted at an event that the day had come “for us to tell our brother Amadou Toumani Toure to return to Mali”.

prosperous under his father’s rule. “Saif al-Islam plans to impose more security and stability in accordance with the Libyan geography and in coordination with all Libyan factions,” al-Soul manifested.

This development follows the weekend announcement by the Eastern Libyan military commander, Khalifa Haftar, that he ‘would listen to the will of the free Libyan people’, interpreted as an indication that he might run in next year’s elections. The United Nations backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) has indicated that elections may be held in mid-2018. “We believe that presidential elections will be held in the middle of 2018,” Mohamed Siala, GNA foreign minister, speaking to foreign reporters at the Valdai Panel Discussion in Russia. Saif Al-Islam was released in June this year after six years of captivity by a militia group in the Libyan town of Zintan. He had been captured in November 2011 after the fall of his father’s regime, and he was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Tripoli. Following his release, the International Criminal Court ordered for his arrest and surrender, which was backed by the GNA. He is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity during his father’s unsuccessful attempts to put down the rebellion that eventually led to the fall of his regime. The United Nations is supporting the voter registration process as it seeks to reconcile rival factions and relaunch a political transition that would lead to new polls. The UN Libya mission has previously said it hopes elections can be held by the end of next year, but has also acknowledged complex security, political and legislative challenges to organising a vote.

Weah on focus as Liberia holds presidential rerun in spite of court challenge ÏÏÏ

George Weah

Against all odds, Liberia’s presidential election re-run which has been on the hold would hold on December 26th 2017 as scheduled. Agency report said that, Liberia will hold a delayed presidential runoff vote on Dec. 26, the electoral commission chief said on Tuesday, despite a court challenge filed by the ruling party. The Supreme Court last week dismissed a complaint from third-place finisher Charles Brumskine’s Liberty Party, which had said fraud had undermined the first round in October. Electoral Commission chairman Jerome Korkoya said campaigning could start immediately but must end by December 24.

Zimbabwe leads Africa in Google’s list of top searches for 2017 ÏÏÏDevelopments

Zimbabwe’s Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa

in Zimbabwe in 2017 which saw to the outstaring of its erstwhile president, Robert Mugabe aby the military and the swearing in of the former vice president, placed the country to top Goggle search. Agency report said that, Online search engine giant Google has revealed that the term ‘*what is happening in Zimbabwe ‘was one of the top searches in many African countries in

2017.* The latter part of this year saw quite a number of political developments in Zimbabwe involving former president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe, and his then deputy president Emmerson Mnangagwa that ultimately led to the installation of a new president. The surge in online traffic within and outside Zimbabwe was enough to make the country qualify to be on Google’s Zeitgeist list or Year in Search for

the first time. Google Year in Search is a compilation of the top searches, personalities, events and search queries that had a spike in traffic over the last 12 months. Zimbabwe, politicians and political events dominated the list. President Mnangagwa, army commander Constantino Chiwenga, Robert and Grace Mugabe were the top four searched personalities followed by popular socialite Zodwa Wabantu.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

LASEMA boss tasks residents on safety, rolls out response plans for yuletide Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏFollowing

the sudden change of weather and preparations towards the Yuletide, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has advised Lagosians to be cautious in all dealings to avoid any form of emergency/disasters as well as to demystify the thinking that most emergencies and disasters are attributed to the ‘ember months’. Speaking in his office at Alausa Secretariat, the General Manager, LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, said that between the end of November and middle of March every year, humidity drops as low as 15 percent with residents experiencing cold especially in the morning in Lagos state and other parts of the country, while visibility is also affected because of the early morning haze.

He further stressed that the pervading adverse weather condition, increase in vehicular activities as a result of people travelling in and out of the state, urge for many trips by transporters for more income, overloading, over speeding, use of bad tires, non adherence to traffic rules and other related issues are potential catalyst for road crashes and other forms of emergencies. Tiamiyu, therefore advised motorists to be conscious of the foggy weather condition, early morning and late evening mist which are usually associated with the harmattan season and also reminded motorists of the need to continuously embark on routine check of their vehicles. Wipers, brakes, windscreen and functional head lights should also be properly checked before plying the

road, he said. Speaking on the incessant fire outbreak during this dry season, the LASEMA boss posited that it is needful for Lagosians to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid fire outbreak and other emergencies. Measures to be taken, according to him, include: avoidance of naked light such as the use of candles, ensuring switching off electrical appliances when not in use and desisting from storage of inflammable materials such as petroleum product. Others are stopping of bush burning and unnecessary use of fireworks, which are highly explosive. These, he said, are precautionary steps to prevent disastrous consequences. While assuring Lagosian that the government is alive to its responsibilities in entrenching safety of lives and properties

at all times, he however advised Lagosians to be vigilant, especially when in large gatherings such as religious programmes, carnivals, clubs, event centres and restaurants by monitoring all activities around them and to report suspicious and unusual activities to security agencies through the emergency numbers, 112/767 which is toll free and open to all distress calls from any telecommunication network. He said there will be continuous routine day and night patrol with the Agency’s tow trucks around the 3rd Mainland Bridge to Berger end of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Western Avenue to Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and the heavy duty trucks, Super Metro - to be stationed at Anthony, to cover Ikorodu Axis and Lekki-Epe Expressway.

21News

Alleged assault: Women ,CSO want Innoson’s wife to seek legal action against EFCC Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏWomen’s

Situation Room Nigeria have called on the wife of Chief Innocent Chukwuma to seek legal redress in court over alleged assault on her by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The call followed the alleged assault on Mrs Chukwuma by EFCC in a bid to arrest her husband the Chairman/Managing Director of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) last Tuesday in Enugu. Reacting to the action of the EFCC from a gender perspective, the National Coordinator of Women’s Situation Room Nigeria, Joy Ada Onyesoh said the wife of Chukwuma noted with concern the situation of harassment and intimidation by law enforcement agencies and called for collective actions. Onyesoh stated that her group will reach out to Mrs. Chukwuma to encourage her to seek legal action to serve as a deterrent. He said, “People are already looking up to her to take action against EFCC”, she said. She expressed regrets that the alleged assault on Mrs Chukwuma was downplayed

but said they were happy that she has already made a public outcry on how she was humiliated and slapped by the security operatives. “We note with great concern the impunity with which law enforcement and security agencies harass, intimidate and assault citizens of Nigeria all in the name of carrying out their “duties”. We make specific reference to the recent activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the harassment of Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Assault on Mrs Chukwuma. “It is alarming that the representatives of the EFCC could slap the wife who in no way posed any threat to their illegal activity in her family home. Aside the physical assault, the physiological trauma that the couple were subjected to cannot be overemphasized. “It is therefore critical that at this point, we rise up to condemn the actions of the EFCC and to demand that they be held accountable for their actions. A crime against one in Nigeria is a crime against all. We cannot continue to condone the indiscriminate abuse of our fundamental human rights. We commit to ensure that we would continue this public outcry against the EFCC until justice is done”, she stated.

1, 250 inmates get free treatment in Warri, Kwale prisons Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏNo fewer than one thou-

Attorney General /Commissioner for Justice, Edo State and Chairman, Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe (right), presenting a N20,000 cheque to a Libya returnee, Rosemary Ubogu (2nd left), during the payment of the monthly stipend promised by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at Idia College, Benin City… on Friday. With them is Senior Special Assistant on Human Trafficking, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa (left).

FRSC caution motorists against route violation

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Road Safety Commission Ogun State Command has reiterated it’s earlier warning to motorists, including convoy vehicles against route violation (driving against traffic). The Sector Commander FRSC Ogun State Command Corps, Commander Clement Oladele, on Friday said

the Corps has invoked the rule of ‘get your vehicle seized if caught driving against traffic ‘ as this violates the right to life on the highway, which is in line with the FRSC 2017 Ember Month theme of ‘Right to life on the highway, not negotiable. ‘ Accordingly the Corps has arrested some vehicles caught driving against traffic along the Sagamu- IJe-

bu Ode Expressway and those vehicles would not be released till end of the festivities by end of January 2018. In a similar vein some convoy vehicles that attempted to drive against traffic ended up crashing into each other. The vehicle’s involved are: Land Rover SUV MUS201DU; Toyota Hilux Van KTU638ER; Prado Landcruiser GGE941CP; Toyo-

ta Tacoma pick up GGE152DS and a Toyota Sienna LSR664EU. The Sector Commander admonished passengers to caution their drivers to avoid dangerous driving or driving against traffic as some of the vehicles arrested complained that some of their passengers apparently in haste urged them to drive against traffic.

sand inmates at the Warri Federal Prison received free treatment and medication courtesy of the partnership between the 05 Initiative, Dr. Isioma Okobah Foundation and medical students from the Georgia State University, Atlanta Georgia USA. At the ceremony, the inmates were examined, treated and presented with free medication for common ailments like cold, HBP Screening, arthritis pains, pneumonia and blood sugar level screening, among others while those with visual impairment were provided with medicated glasses. Addressing the inmates before the commencement of the Free Medical Programme wife of Delta State Governor and founder of 05 Initiative Dame Edith Okowa represented by the D.G. Mrs. Kewve Agas re-affirmed the commitment of Delta State government to meet the health needs of the populace. She charged the inmates to take advantage of the medicare to tackle their health con-

cerns just as the founder of Dr. Isioma Foundation Dr. Isioma Okobah said the programme was packaged through a partnership arrangement to give succour to the inmates. Dr. Okobah said the free medical outreach would address health challenges facing the prisoners assuring that the policy objectives of the Delta Government to provide efficient, quality and affordable health delivery for the people was irreversible. She called on Deltans to embrace the Health Care Programmes of government and patronize public health facilities across the state to address their health concerns. The Deputy controller of prison in charge of Warri Prison Sir Solomon Airiohuodion expressed appreciation to the partners for their kind gesture saying that they have not had it so good. During a similar visit to the Kwale Prison over 250 inmates were treated by the medical team. The deputy controller of prisons in charge of Kwale Mr. Ogude Ikem Charles thanked the team for the visit.

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

CSOs charge Senate not to renege on promises to NDLEA Yakubu Salisu, Kano

ÏÏÏA coalition of civil so-

Head of Regional Co-operation, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Stefania Marrone (middle) and other participants, at a workshop of the Regional Policy Dialogue Process for the Development of ECOWAS Fisheries and Aquaculture, in Abuja.

DSO: Content production will bolster our economy – FG Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the Digital Switch Over (DSO) television roll out in the country will help to bolster the nation’s economy. He also said with the train on cruise control, we are turning our focus to the crux of the matter which is content production. Alhaji Mohammed speaking at the launch of the DSO in Kaduna on Friday said: “With the DSO train now on cruise control, we are turning our focus to the crux of the matter, which is content production that will help to bolster our economy. By content here I refer to TV shows, sitcoms, documentaries, music videos, drama series, talent and reality shows. The challenge before us is to ensure that this becomes a profitable industry for our creative talent, entrepreneurs, advertis-

ing agencies, TV channels and Digital distributors”. The Minister who was in Kaduna 48 hours after the switch over launch in Iliorin Kwara state on Wednesday reiterated the readiness of the Federal Government to embark on rapid rollout of digital Television across the country. “In Ilorin on Wednesday, I did say that we are now back on track and that we will henceforth embark on a rapid rollout of digital television across the country. The fact that we are here today confirms the veracity of that statement. “Let me sincerely commend all the stakeholders who are working round the clock to ensure the success of the transition from analogue to digital television across the country. Starting in Jos, Plateau State, in April 2016, the DSO train has now transverse Abuja, Ilorin and now Kaduna, its latest stop.

“The National Broadcasting Commission, the Signal Distributors, the Set Top Box manufacturers, the Digitalteam and indeed all stakeholders are pulling all the stops to ensure that the DSO train continues unimpeded on its journey across the country. Last Wednesday, it was the Integrated Television Services (ITS) to bring to reality the launch of the DSO in Ilorin; today, it is the turn of Pinnacle Communications in Kaduna, therefore, I congratulate Pinnacle Communications and its Chairman, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, on another significant milestone in the rebuilding of our television story”. According to the Minister, “Within the next few weeks, we will be rolling out in many more states as we seek to take the digital television experience to all the six geo-political zones. We now have our two Signal Distributors in full

operation mode, our aggregation platform for channels, Free TV, is fast becoming a household name, our Set-TopBox suppliers have started local production and we now have almost a million boxes supplied into the value chain. “I have always said that we have so many untold stories and it is evident from the demographics of our population that we have large young workforce, who happen to be those with the highest propensity to work and consume content”, he said. The Minister pointed that with the Digital Switch Over, there will be over 200 channels and probably over a thousand organized production outfits looking to feed them with content saying; “All these will require infrastructure investment in production destinations, with studios, graphic and sound hubs at the end of it all, we would have created millions of jobs.

Libya returnees: Obaseki commences payment of stipends

Titus Aikhigbe

ÏÏÏ The Edo State Gov-

ernment, on Friday, commenced the payment of N20, 000 monthly stipends to four sets of Libya returnees in the state. Speaking at Idia College, in Benin City, where the returnees converged to receive the stipends, Chairman, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the stipend would be paid for three months. Prof. Omorogbe said

“When the first set of returnees arrived in the state, the Governor promised to pay them monthly stipend. This is the first of the payment and it will be for three months.” She added that the payment commenced after the state government completed the processing of the data of those captured in the first phase. Some of the returnees expressed their appreciation to the government for the gesture, noting that the move to rescue

and reintegrate them into society was laudable as it afforded them another chance at life. Other recipients of the stipend appealed to the state government to increase the amount, noting that they were ready to participate in the vocational training programme. Recall that the state government swiftly swung into action to reintegrate its indigenes in the wake of global outrage against the alarming trend of hu-

man trafficking, after a CNN report revealed that Black Africans were being sold into slavery in Libya for $400. The state had earlier set up the Taskforce Against Human Trafficking to fast-track action against the ugly trend. The taskforce has tendered a bill for passage at the State House of Assembly to give bite to the campaign and set effective punitive measures against those fuelling the illegal trade in the state.

ciety organizations in Kano has charged the Senate to keep to promises made in Kano during a two- day round table discussion in Kano on drug related matters to accord the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA support in its fight against drug abuse cases which has become a menace in the country. Speaking at a media conference organized by the civil societies in collaboration with the NDLEA Kano command to mark the end of the 2017, Secretary NDLEA/ CSOs Kano Steering Committee Comrade Ibrahim A Waiya, stated that the group deems it necessary to remind the Senate that it is important to keep to all its promises to support the drug and Law enforcement agency by ensuring that special amount is set aside for the agency in the 2018 budget and the money released to the appropriate body. “We are meeting today to deliberate on how to follow up on all the promises being made to provide and equip NDLEA with the necessary tools needed for operation. The Senate has promised to as matter of urgency, address problems that has bedevilled the Agency for long, we want to appreciate their concern

and remind them that the people of Kano are looking up to them to keep to their words” In his remarks, the agency’s state commander Hamza Umar(MNI), stated that 2017 could be referred to as a successful year considering the number of seizures made as well as the successful number of convictions the command has secured. He gave the break down as: cannabis arrested5,525.577kg, Psychotic substances11,587.454kg, cocaine-344.922grams, Heroine-88.2grams. Total weight= 17,113.464KG. Total number of suspects arrested= 619, total number of suspects convicted =165. Hamza further revealed that the command has also arrested 25 impersonators who are currently facing the law, who go around the state with fake NDLEA ID cards parading themselves as agents of the command, deceiving and extorting unsuspicious members of the public. The coalition called on well to do individuals, business communities, state governments to join hands together to assist the agency to improve its services. Also, he said that there is the need to have a standard rehabilitation centre where those suffering from use of drugs can have better counselling.

Oba Aromolaran hails Ambode, Obasa on leadership experience Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏThe Paramount Ruler

of Ijeshaland and the Owa Obokun of Ilesha, His Royal Majesty Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has thumbed up for the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for enduring infrastructure development in the state. The royal father also hailed the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for providing the necessary enabling legislative environment for the Governor to operate as well as enacting laws which have contributed to the development and growth of Lagos State and its people. The monarch who spoke during the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Obasa also commended the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his contributions to the growth of democracy in the country and for being the architect of modern Lagos. “There’s no doubt that Lagos has witnessed monumental development and growth under Ambode. I’m very impressed with the Governor’s performance. Equally commendable is the perfor-

mance of the state House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Obasa. The House has not only provided the needed enabling legislative environment for the Governor to operate, it has also enacted people-oriented laws which have contributed to the development and growth of Lagos and its people,” the monarch said. “Asiwaju Tinubu has contributed and still contributing immensely to democracy in Nigeria as well as the enthronement of Rule of Law in the country,” Oba Aromolaran stated. The traditional ruler praised the Lagos Assembly, under Obasa for its effort at preserving the Yoruba culture and values. “It is an open secret, therefore, that the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of Obasa has continued to attain greater heights,” HRM Aromolaran said. Responding, Obasa assured the monarch that the Ambode administration will not relent in working for the enhancement and progress of Lagosians while the House of Assembly will not relent in providing the enabling legislative environment for the Governor.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

23 News

Abia NULGE condemns el–Rufai’s sack of 4, 000 LG workers Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

ÏÏÏNigeria

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, during the Jumat Service Prayer, in Osogbo, Osun State… on Friday.

Bayelsa: Monach’s wife, principal’s abductors demand N100m ransom Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏThe

Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro. A member of the monarch’s family, Mr. Majesty Inegbagha told our correspondent in Yenagoa on Friday that the abductors have contacted the family with the demand. He said, “The paramount ruler, who is my elder brother confirmed to me this morning that the kidnappers have called him and demanded for the sum of N100 million and it was a re-

lief to the tension that has built up since all these days. “Although the family is pleased to know that the woman is alive, the thought of raising that sum of money has created additional challenge to the family and we appeal to them to free her on humanitarian grounds as we lack the means to pay”. Majesty expressed optimism that the abducted paramount ruler’s wife and the school principal would regain their free-

dom following fervent prayers by family members and well meaning members of the public as well as efforts of the security agencies. Crime wave in Bayelsa has risen sharply in recent time. The incident had prompted the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, to send a special squad to complement the efforts of the Bayelsa Police Command in combating crime especially this yuletide season.

Abia CJ swears in 3 Notary Public, 17 Environmental Magistrates, charges Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe Chief

Judge of Abia state, Hon Theresa Uwakwe Friday swore in three members of Notary Public with a charge to them to exhibit high level of responsibility, demonstrate utmost integrity and adhere strictly to the tenets of the oath they took. Hon. Justice Uwakwe handed down this charge in her office in Umuahia while swearing in the Notary Publics, reminding them to “act uprightly and just in dealing with parties in contracts or instruments so as not to add or diminish anything without the knowledge and consent of such party or parties that may alter the substance of the

fact”. She further charged, “Shun sharp practices since the office is sensitive and is held in high esteem, pointing out that documents should be signed in their presence and not by proxy to avoid unnecessary denials. They were further reminded to avoid practices which may bring the office to disrepute. Responding on behalf of the other two, Francis Nnamdi Amajuoyi and Anayo Stanley Nwakodo, Ifeanyi Afam Nnajiofor pledged to uphold the law and ensure due process in the discharge of their duties to the best of their skill and ability. Meanwhile, Hon Theresa Uwakwe has enjoined 17 presiding Magistrates for Environmental sani-

tation Courts she swore in yesterday to ensure strict compliance to due process and all laws guiding environmental sanitation in the state. She charged them to see their function as a call to duty and to contribute to the internally generated revenue of the government, advising them to be guided by extant laws on environment in the state. The sanitation court, she said shall be fixed or be mobile as expedient, while authorized prosecutors posted by Abia State Environmental sanitation authority, or the local government council concerned as well as the duty Registrar “should include preparation of notices, be in custody of all record of the court,

issue official receipt for monies or fines collected and should pay such monies into the designated revenue accounts of Abia state Government”. Hon Uwakwe also advised them to be civil in their approach to offenders as cases arising from there are civil offences, warning that she would not want any petition to be brought against any of them as was the case with previous sanitation magistrates in the state. Responding on behalf of others, Chief Magistrate Joy Ibeanu pledged that they would carry out their functions within the ambit of the law, while ensuring that the state judiciary would not be brought to disrepute.

Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Abia state chapter, Friday condemned the sack of over 4,000 workers of the unified local government service of Kaduna State by Governor Nasir El Rufai. Rising from its State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, the Abia State chapter of NULGE, among other resolutions read by its President, Comrade Ijoma Onyenaucheya, condemned in its entirety, the monstrous and arbitrary dismissal of more than 4, 000 workers of the unified local government service of Kaduna State without recourse to due process or laid down civil service rules of disengagement”, stating further, “We view with utter dismay the high handedness of Governor Nasiru El Rufai and the military dispatch with which he wantonly dismissed innocent workers on grounds of structural redundancy created by the system which he is managing.” The union which also frowned at the tacit approval of the action by President Muhammadu Buhari “contrary to the publicized APC agenda”, also called on Governor El Rufai to rescind the dismissal order in the interest of peace and industrial harmony. The NULGE leader said the action has cast doubt on the sincerity of President Buhari and APC government promises to revamp the economy by creating and sustaining jobs, but also gave reasons for the agitation of local government autonomy saying that the fear expressed in some

quarters that if the autonomy is granted the local governments would not be able to pay teachers is baseless. He explained that the issue of payment of teachers’ salaries should be removed from the council’s allocation and given to the agencies like SUBEB, responsible for it. “The call for local government autonomy is much more than teachers’ salaries; it’s about development of the grassroots. It’s about empowering the local governments to touch the lives of the people. “Local government chairmen used to grade rural roads before now, but what do we have today. Nothing is happening at that level of government. But if we have autonomy, any local government chairman who fails to perform would be voted out. “Now that the teachers are under the state governments are they better off? They are in several months arrears of salary,” he said. According to him, “If Nigerians are really desirous and concerned about infrastructural development, security, job creation and overall wellbeing of the Nigerian state, then the autonomy of the local government would certainly be a guarantee for these.” He therefore called on the Abia State House of Assembly to expedite action on the local government autonomy, to assuage the worry and concern of the people. Onyenaucheya also called on all Nigerians to support the agitation even as he commended the Adamawa, Benue and Kwara state houses of Assembly for the speedy passage of the local government autonomy bill.

Polio eradication: Germany 29.9m Euro agreement with Nigeria Doosuur Iwambe - Abuja

ÏÏÏGermany has signed a

29,900,000.00 Euros agreement with Nigeria in support for polio eradication in the country. Signing the agreement on Friday in Abuja on behalf of Germany government, Deputy Head of mission for Germany in Nigeria, Regine Hess said that this will be the 9th of such financial agreement and support for polio eradication in Nigeria by the Federal Republic of Germany. Hess expressed joy over her country’s sustained support for polio eradication in Nigeria adding that she is optimistic that Nigeria would soon join the rest of the world as a polio free Nation. On his part, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama noted with delight the age-long warm relationship between the two countries and their leaders in particular. He commended the Ger-

man Government for its huge support to Nigeria, not only on polio eradication but also other equally important sectors of Nigeria. He recalled various concerted efforts by Nigeria Government to eradicate polio and expressed federal Government’s appreciation to WHO, UNICEF, Germany Government and others towards making Nigeria polio free. In His response, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib highlighted huge financial commitments of President Buhari’s administration to polio eradication in Nigeria. This Dr. Faisal disclosed include; N9.8billion Naira in 2016, N4.2billion Naira in 2017 and N4.1 billion Naira for 2018. The Executive Director therefore expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Republic of Germany and other Development Partners for their continued Support to Polio Eradication in Nigeria.

PUBLIC NOTICE 24 MRS. OYEYEMI OLUFUNMILAYO OLUKEMI

MRS. BALOGUN BOLANLE RAFIAT

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

OLATUNJI OMORINSOLA ARIYO

. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OYEFESO OLUFUNMILAYO OLUKEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OYEYEMI OLUFUNMILAYO OLUKEMI due to marital status. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BALGOUN BOLANLE RAFIAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. BALOGUN BOLANLE RAFIAT. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ON INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT

ZUBAIR ABDULLAHI SANNI

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That I was formerly known and addressed as AKODE AYODELE ALFRED on my International Passport with No. A1904294 as a family name. That henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as ODUTAYO AYODELE ISREAL as it is on my International Passport with No. A06502154 issued on 24th day of February, 2015. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ZUBAIR ABDULLAHI ALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as ZUBAIR ABDULLAHI SANNI. All former documents bearing my name remain valid. General public please take note

This is to certify and confirm that OKOUNYA AGNES UGOMMA and OKO AGNES UNYA refers as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

MRS. ELIZABETH OMOALUSE AIGBOJE

OKUNOWO OLUWATOBILOBA OLADIMEJI

JERRY KOSISOCHUKWU OGOKE

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

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AJAYI AUGUSTINA

MIKE UDO USORO

I formerly known and addressed as ONYEMA PEACE ANULIKA now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN PEACE ANULIKA,all former documents remains valid,general public take note

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OLAKUNLE AYENOGUN

ADELANA ADESHINA FATAI

OLUSEGUN J. AKINTIMEHIN

I formerly known and addressed as ADELANA J. A. FATAI that J stands for JIMOH and A. stands for ADESHINA now I wish to be known and addressed as ADELANA ADESHINA FATAI .All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public to please take note.

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TAWAKALITU ABIOLA OSENI-ALAUSA

VICTOR AKEEM

OYINLOYE PAUL ROTIMI

Former name is Tawakalitu Abiola Danmola now which to be known as Tawakalitu Abiola Oseni-Alausa.all former documents remain valid general public take note.

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GODWIN PEACE ANULIKA,

THIS IS TO CONFIRM THAT AYENOGUN ADURABIYI 0LAKUNLE AND OLAKUNLE AYENOGUN REFERS AS ONE AND SAME PERSON NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS OLAKUNLE AYENOGUN. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

TEMITAYO JANE WELLS SOTUMINU

VIVIAN CHIAWUOLU.

OZOUGWU HILLARY

MICAH EZEKIEL ABAKUM

MUNONYE KINDNESS

ONWUEGBULE BLESSING DANIELLA

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OKEBULU MICHAEL OKORIE

EKEOBA-ADEPEGBA EFUNLOLA.

MRS UGWOKE CHRISTIANA IFEOMA.

MRS IDRIS OLUWAYEMISI OLUSHOLA.

MR ADEWALE JOEL ALABI

OKHADE LYNDA FLORA

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ONYIGBUO NNEKA ANGELA.

AMISU AMISU IDENYI

IWUH ESTHER KASARACHI .

I, formerly known and addressed as ALIOZO NNEKA ANGELA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYIGBUO NNEKA ANGELA. My correct date of birth 5/12/1982. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

MRS AKINSHIKU FUNMILOLA OYEYEMI 1. I formerly known and addressed as MISS OYEDUN FUNMILOLA OYEYEMI now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKINSHIKU FUNMILOLA OYEYEMI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as USMAN AMISU now I wish to be known and addressed as AMISU AMISU IDENYI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IWUCHUKWU ESTHER KASARACHI now I wish to be known and addressed as IWUH ESTHER KASARACHI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS IGWEBUIKE JULIET OGOCHUKWU. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UZOH JULIET OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IGWEBUIKE JULIET OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS NWACHUKWU GLORY AMARACHI . I formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBONNA GLORY AMARACHI now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWACHUKWU GLORY AMARACHI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OJO OLUWATOMISIN OMOWUNMI

CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

MRS OKOYE-CHIGOZIE RUTH CHERRY.

MRS ABIOLA ABOSEDE CHRISTIANAH

That I was formerly known and addressed as OKEBULU OKORIE KALU. That henceforth, I now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKEBULU MICHAEL OKORIE. That my correct date of birth is 29/11/1995 and not 29/11/1991. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ONIKOYI OKONJI OLAMIDE

I, formerly known as Adepegba Adejumoke Efunlola now wish to be known as Ekeoba-Adepegba Efunlola. General public take note.

CHANGE AND CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

I, formerly known and addressed as TAOFIKAT ANUOLUWAPO ONIKOYI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONIKOYI OKONJI OLAMIDE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Ota Ogbu Mba is the same person bearing Enyinnaya Mba Isaac and now wish to known and addressed as Ota Agbu Mba . The general public should take note.

EFFIONG MATHEW UWAKMFON

ODELE RASHEEDAT ATUNRASE.

I, formerly known and addressed as GRACE EFFIONG MATHEW, Now wish to be known and addressed as EFFIONG MATHEW UWAKMFON. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note.

I, formerly known as Odele Olamiji Rasheedat now wish to be known as Odele Rasheedat Atunrase. General public note.

OCHAYI EMMAUEL.

I, formerly known and addressed as OCHAYI ODAH EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as OCHAYI EMMAUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AREGBESOLA ARAMIDE YETUNDE. I, formerly known and addressed as SALAMI ARAMIDE YETUNDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AREGBESOLA ARAMIDE YETUNDE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

JOSEPH TAIWO JEGEDE.

I, formerly known as Peter Taiwo Akanle now wish to be known as Joseph Taiwo Jegede. General public note. OLASENI OLABISI MARY.

I, formerly known as Adedini Adenike Olabisi now wish to be known as Olaseni Olabisi Mary. General public note.

OGUNJOBI KAFILAT ABIODUN (MRS.)

WILFRED CHIZURUOK UZOMA C.

. I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM KAFILAT ABIODUN (MISS), now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGUNJOBI KAFILAT ABIODUN (MRS.). All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IHEANACHO CHIZURUOKE CHARLES now wish to be known and addressed as WILFRED CHIZURUOKE UZOMA C. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

. I formerly known and addressed as ADEOYE OLUWATOSIN OMOWUNMI and ADEOYE OLUWATOMISIN OMOWUNMI now I wish to be known and addressed as OJO OLUWATOMISIN OMOWUNMI .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

HAMMED GANIYU AYO

PUBLIC NOTICE:

I formerly known and addressed as HAMMED GODTIME now I wish to be known and addressed as HAMMED GANIYU AYO .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

This is to inform the General public that MR JOSEPH EFFIONG ETIM who died interstate on 26/08/17 that MR JOHN EFFIONG ETIM and SIMEON EFFIONG ETIM have applied for letter of Administration of the said deceased any objection to this should be refer to Probate Registry, Ikeja , Lagos.

AMUSU OLUWASHOLA.

ONYEJEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEJEKWE CHERRY RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOYE-CHIGOZIE RUTH CHERRY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

. I formerly known and addressed as COKER ABOSEDE CHRISTIANAH now I wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABIOLA ABOSEDE CHRISTIANAH . I was born on 23/06/1985.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ORJI MARCELLINUS CHIADIKAOBI

MIRACLE NEHEMIAH PETERS

CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

I, formerly known and addressed as ORJI AUSTIN, now wish to be known and addressed as ORJI MARCELLINUS CHIADIKAOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as HELEN EDEM ELIZABETH now I wish to be known and addressed as MIRACLE NEHEMIAH PETERS . All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

In some of my documents including my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth certificate my name appears as RHIMA PATIENCE While in some other ones it appears as OKOTIE-RHIMA PATIENCE and RHIMA-OKOTIE PATIENCE.The names refer to the same person. All documents bearing all the names remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS. IKEMEFULA JUDITH AMAKA.

OLUDAYO IFEDOLAPO FOLAKEMI I formerly known and addressed as FASUYI DOLAPO FOLAKEMI now I wish to be known and addressed as OLUDAYO IFEDOLAPO FOLAKEMI . .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS NNAMANI JUDITA AMAKA. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IKEMEFULA JUDITH AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

In some of my documents my name appears as ONOJEIDE LYDIA EJEHI While in some other ones it appears as ONOJEIDE JOY.The names refer to the same person. All documents bearing all the names remain valid. General public to please take note.

AYOOLA OLUMIDE OYINDAMOLA

. I formerly known and addressed as STEVEN OLUMIDE OYINDAMOLA now I wish to be known and addressed as AYOOLA OLUMIDE OYINDAMOLA . .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known as EKULU OLUWASHOLA AMUSU wish to be known and addressed as AMUSU OLUWASHOLA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note. MRS NGOZI CHIBUIHE IHEJIRIKA. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEJI UGOAGHA NGOZI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NGOZI CHIBUIHE IHEJIRIKA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Umuahia, NRCRI, Umudike, BVN operators, IMT Enugu, UNN, Nsukka, WAEC and the general public should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

25News

EFCC arrests fake investigator over attempt to defraud Gov Al-Makura Tunde Opalana, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday arrested a farmer, Mohammed Momoh, for attempting to defraud Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al- Makura. The suspect, while posing as a “Private investigator from the Villa“ was said to have approached the wife of the governor with a

proposition to help stop a purported investigation of two accounts belonging to the governor by the EFCC. He reportedly claimed that he came across information regarding the two accounts that had been under investigation since 2011 and also intercepted mails and gotten wind of investigation report purportedly sent to First Bank by the EFCC.

The suspect had requested for N8million but was offered N6million. Suspicious about the proposal, the governor’s family contacted the Commission and were asked to play along with the suspect. He was arrested in a sting operation after he collected marked N2million. and he is presently in custody and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is

Fire guts NAFDAC Hqrts in Abuja Doosuur Iwambe - Abuja

concluded. In a related development, a serving Police Officer, Mohammed Nuhu Maina, has been arrested for impersonation. The suspect who claimed to be Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, attached to the Commission, had approached his victim with offer to help him recover his N21million, which is subject of investigation by the EFCC.

Maina allegedly collected several sums of money from his victim before he became suspicious. The suspect called the victim on December 21, 2017 and demanded for more money. The victim immediately contacted the EFCC and he was accompanied by operatives of the Commission who tracked Maina and arrested him opposite Rockview Hotel, close to the EFCC head office in Wuse 2,

Abuja. In the course of arrest, Maina was found with EFCC Vehicle Auction Certificates, EFCC Stickers, EFCC writing pads, amongst others. Maina is currently in custody, assisting the investigation. The EFCC has consistently warned members of the public to be wary of impostors who go about extorting unsuspecting members of the public.

Fuel Scarcity: Edo, DPR begin monitoring of petrol stations, to prosecute marketers hoarding products

sound from the back and before you know it, we saw fire in the building. We had to shout for other cleaners on the last floor to quickly rush out of the building. We thank God for our lives,” she said. Another witness however said the fire may have been triggered by an electrical surge. The Director General of the Agency, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, at the time of filing report however said the cause of the fire was still unknown. She said, “The major cause of the fire is still unknown but we are currently investigating it

and we hope to know the source of it very soon. “The fire majorly affected the administration floor but like I said, we are still investigating the source.” Mrs. Adeyeye resumed duty earlier this month, after the approval of her appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari. NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacturing, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water.

UTUEDOR THERESA OJUZOR

OMOGBETHAI DAVID MICHAEL.

RAJI ALIU MOHAMMED.

JOY NKECHI CLEMENT

ISMAIL AFUSAT OYINDAMOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as OPENE THERESA OJUZOR now wish to be known and addressed as UTUEDOR THERESA OJUZOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Omogbethai Oseikhena Michael now wish to be known and addressed as Omogbethai David Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ALIU TUNDE AJANI now wish to be known and address as RAJI ALIU MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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

Formerly known and addressed as OLASUNKANMI OMOWUNMI ADUNNI now wish to be known and address as ISMAIL AFUSAT OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBEZIAKO THELMA OBIANUJU

IKEOZALA JOSEPHINE UCHENNA

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

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

KENECHUKWU ROMANUS UTULO

Formerly known and addressed as KENECHUKWU ROMANUS now wish to be known and address as KENECHUKWU ROMANUS UTULO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OZENEDEN FANEN BENJAMIN now wish to be known and address as DZENDAUN FANEN BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKECHUKWU JOHN CHUKWUDI.

MRS OKPALA SYLVIA ODINAKA

JOY OGECHUKWU EZEKWEM

MRS ONUORAH OLUEBUBE STELLA

Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUDI CHUKWUDI EKWEALOR now wish to be known and address as OKECHUKWU JOHN CHUKWUDI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

. Formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEONWUMELU SYLVIA ODINAKA now wish to be known and address as MRS OKPALA SYLVIA ODINAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JOY OGECHUKWU IKEBAKU now wish to be known and address as JOY OGECHUKWU EZEKWEM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

. Formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUNGENE OLUEBUBE STELLA now wish to be known and address as MRS ONUORAH OLUEBUBE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ÏÏÏThe

administrative block of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abuja was on Friday engulfed by fire. Although the cause of the fire is unknown, eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fire, which started at about 6:20 a.m, emanated from the back of the building. “The fire started while myself and my colleagues were cleaning the building. I don’t really know the cause of the fire but we just heard a loud

LOSS OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE This is to inform the general public of the Loss of Deed of Conveyance belonging to LATE JOHN BANKOLE COKER dated 5 March 1934 and registered as No. 16 Page 16 Volume 380 of the Register of Deed kept at the Lagos State Land Registry, Lagos. I, MOSES OLUSOJI COKER grandson of LATE JOHN BANKOLE COKER of 24 Berkley Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State lost the landed documents on 5 October 2015. All efforts made to recover the said documents have been abortive. This is for record purposes. SIGNED: MOSES OLUSOJI BANKOLE

LOST OF DOCUMENT

I LEKAN AROLAMBO of no.2 plateau road, apapa lagos state. Hereby declare the loss of the original copy of my bill of lading with number GOSULOS17011603, container number ZIMU29330930 while i was on transit. All efforts to trace it proved abortive. If found, contact the nearest police station. the general public should take note.

ÏÏÏ To ensure a hasslefree Yuletide celebration and discourage hoarding of petroleum products this season, the Edo State Government in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has commenced monitoring of petrol stations in the state and has vowed to prosecute marketers found to be hoarding the products. In a statement signed by Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG),

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME: I formerly known and addressed as IMADU FOLASHADE ROSELINE now I wish to be known and addressed as KENNETH FOLASHADE ROSELINE . I am the biological mother of the under mentioned and I wish to change their names from 1. IMADU PECULIAR OLUWATOFUNMI 2. IMADU FLOURISH OLUWATIMISIRE Now they are to be known and addressed as 1. KENNETH PECULIAR OLUWATOFUNMI 2. KENNETH FLOURISH OLUWATIMISIRE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Osarodion Ogie Esq., the state explained that the exercise is to ensure that the products allocated to Edo State are dispensed to buyers at the official pump prices and save the people the hardship they suffer in the hands of shylock marketers. According to the statement, “Edo State has been sufficiently supplied with petroleum products and received a fresh 465,000 litres this weekend, in addition to the 296,000 litres loaded to the state on

Tuesday this week.” “Motorists and other users of petroleum products should refrain from panic buying that causes unnecessary queues at petrol stations and traffic congestion on major roads in the state. “Marketers are hereby warned to ensure judicious dispensing of al-

located products as government will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute any erring marketer,” the statement said. MRS MARGERY NNENNA ONYEJURUWA. Formerly known and addressed as MISS MARGERY NNENNA ELEHUANYA now wish to be known and address as MRS MARGERY NNENNA ONYEJURUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DZENDAUN FANEN BENJAMIN.

PUBLIC NOTICE WORLD REFORMERS EMBASSY This is to inform the general public that the above named has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration Under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Ama Abraham 2 Ndukwe Ndukwe 3 Ezeagu Benjamin

(Chairman)

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1 To give the world a light band and salt effect 2 To raise purpose driven minds for global reformation. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Kingsley Kalu

PUBLIC NOTICE 26 TERFA EMILY ALERO

SALU BOSEDE ABIGAEL

I formerly known and addressed as ALAO-SENYO HELEN now wish to be known called and addressed as TERFA EMILY ALERO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I formerly known and addressed as AKINTAYO BOSEDE ABIGAEL now wish to be known called and addressed as SALU BOSEDE ABIGAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEAGU PETER CHINONSO

MRS CHINEKE-AKIN CHINELO

ormerly known and addressed as OZENEDEN FANEN BENJAM 13. Formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR PETER CHINONSO now wish to be known and address as OKEAGU PETER CHINONSO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINEKE CHINELO BIBIAN now wish to be known and address as MRS CHINEKEAKIN CHINELO BIBIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

UDEORJI CHIOMA LUCY

CHINEDU DANIEL IFEBIGHO

, formerly known and addressed as IKEBUDU CHIOMA LUCY, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEORJI CHIOMA LUCY. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

, formerly known and addressed as CHINEDU DANIEL IFEBIGHI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINEDU DANIEL IFEBIGHO. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

AGUSTINE LAWSON AKAJIAKA.

MENDIE KOKOETE PETER,

I, formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINE LAWSON, now wish to be known and addressed as AGUSTINE LAWSON AKAJIAKA. All former documents still remain valid. Banks and General public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL LAND TITLE DOCUMENTS ( CONVEYANCE OF APPROVAL AND A TITLE OF DEED PLAN) OF PLOT NUMBER 120 AND 121 MEASURING ABOUT 530SQM EACH LOCATED OFF GADO NASKO ROAD, KUBWA GRANTED BY ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL DATED 16/8/96 IN FAVOUR OF FAZE T. T. (ORIGINAL ALLOTTEE) BELONGING TO NKEMDIRIM ONYEKAWA ALSO KNOWN AS NKEM ONYEKAWA ARE MISSING. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACED THE MISSING DOCUMENTS PROOF ABORTIVE. AMAC, AGIS, ALL AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. IF FOUND PLEASE RETURNED TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

Formerly known and addressed as mendie Peter umoh now which to be known and addressed as mendie kokoete peter,All former documents remain valid,General public note

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR IN RESPECT TO CLX NETWORKS NIGERIA LMITED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 464 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT,CAP C24, LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 2004

NAME OF COMPANY: PRESENTED BY:

CLX NETWORKS NIGERIA LIMITED BJOR HENRIK JOHANNES ZETHRAEUS JOHAN CHRISTER HEDBERG

TO:

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA, NIGERIA.

CREST JOURNALISM ENHANCEMENT FOUNDATION TRUSTEES: 1. OSHUNKEYE JOHNSON OBASHOLA, 2. OLAYIWOLA ADEYEMO, 3. ADEMOLA ADEGBAMIGBE, 4. BOLAJI TUNJI ISAAC, 5 BENSON MEMULETIWON. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: I. TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND RETRAINING OF PRACTITIONERS IN THE APPRECIATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND SOLUTION JOURNALISM. 2. TO PROMOTE INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH TOWARDS THE ENHANCEMENT OF PROFESSIONALISM AND IMPROVEMENT OF WELFARE AND DIGNITY OF MEDIA PRACTITIONERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: IFEANYI ONWUZURIKE CEDARWOOD SOLICITORS ABUJA O8O5O6O5543

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATIONS AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RITA IORBO 2. JOY ACHELE OSIAGWU 3. ABRAHAM TERNGU ACHIRGA 4. EVELYN WUESE KPURKPUR 5. PROF. EMMANUEL DANDAURA 6. TSEMBELEE DANIEL SORKAA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO HELP COMMUNITIES IN PEACE TIME AND POST CONFLICT/DISASTER TIMES TO GAIN STABILITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: AMI SESOO ESQ. OAKFIELD CONSULTING CHAMBERS 72, AHMADU BELLO WAY, CBD, ABUJA-FCT 08039167996

AFRICAN SMART CITIES INNOVATION FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATIONS AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO 1 OF1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DAVID ELISHA OLATUNJI 2. NWAUBANI PRINCE ODDY 3. JAMES CHIJIOKE KENNETH 4. DAVID OLANIKE LYDIA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF PEOPLE ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

Formerly known and addressed as ADEBIYI SAIDAT ABIOLA now wish to be known and address as PARAMOLE SAMIAT ABIOLA. That my date of birth is 30 October 1966 and not 30 October 1963. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUWAFUNMIKE MONSURAT MUSA-ELAKAMA

Old name: Oluwafunmike monsurat Atanda. New name: Oluwafunmike monsurat musa-elakama

GOLDEN OIL OF LIFE MINISTRY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. JUDE HARRIS AMONIA ..............GENERAL OVERSEER. 2. OTUBO DAPPA MIRIAN .......................SECRETARY. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO EVANGELISE, PROMOTE, PREACH AND TAKE THE GOSPEL LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

PASCAL RUFI SPORTS FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999. TRUSTEES: 1. PASCAL ANTOINE RUFI 2. MARA GIOVANNA SIMONI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO USE THE INSTRUMENT OF SPORTS FOR THE EDUCATION OF INDIGENT CHILDREN 2. TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE GROWTH OF SPORTS IN NIGERIA ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

MRS ADEWOYE FAIDAT AYOBOLA.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS HAMMED FAIDAT AYOBOLA now wish to be known and address as MRS ADEWOYE FAIDAT AYOBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. MRS UBA - ODU OWUMI MONICA.

Formally address as miss ODU Owumi Monica now wish to be address as MRS UBA - ODU Owumi Monica.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, KNOWN AS CHARLES CHUKWUNENYE WHICH MY NAME WRONGLY SPELT AS CHARLES CHUKWUNONYE EHIRIM WISH TO BE ADDRESSED AND KNOWN AS CHARLES CHUKWUNENYE EHIRIM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT EZIKE CHIMEZIE WISDOM AND EZIKE CHIMEZIE REFER TO ONE AND SAME PERSON NOW WISHES TO BE ADDRESSED AND KNOWN EZIKE CHIMEZIE WISDOM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE

HAMEED MUDAYAT I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMOWUNMI AMEDI, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS HAMEED MUDAYAT, MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 13TH JULY 1975. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SIGNED: NKEMDIRIM ONYEKAWA 08037882878

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

CHANGE OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF BIRTH DATE

AZEEZ AFEEZ OLATUNBOSUN I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LADI AFEEZ OLATUNBOSUN, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS AZEEZ AFEEZ OLATUNBOSUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME (FAMILY)

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE FAMILY OF ODINAKACHUKWU INNOCENT NNOPUEHI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS; 1. ODINAKACHUKWU INNOCENT NNOPUEHI NOW ODINAKACHUKWU INNOCENT CHUKWUDUM 2. CHIOMA JENNIFER EZEJIDEAKU NOW CHIOMA JENNIFER CHUKWUDUM ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CENTRE FOR YOUTH MENTAL, HEALTH AND DRUGS ABUSE PREVENTION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. AKINYEMI ABIMBOLA 2. SALAM, SANDRA KABIRAT 3. ALABI OLORUNTOBA OLATUNDE 4. AFE DUKE 5. GRACE IMUDIA OBEAHON 6. ADEWALE FLORENCE OMOYEMI. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. FOR THE ERADICATION OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE SOCIETY. 2 TO HELP THE YOUTHS MAINTAIN A STABLE MENTAL HEATH THROUGH SENSITIZATION & ENLIGHTENMENT PROGRAMMES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: CHINENYE IBENEME

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

NICHOLAS OKOH FOUNDATION

FOCUS GIRLS MORAL REGENERATION SUPPORT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED, HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MOST REVD. NICHOLAS OKOH 2. OKOH NKASIOBI 3. EMMANUEL IKECHUKWU OKOH 4. CHARITY CHIDIMMA OKOH 5. BARRISTER ABRAHAM YISA 6. RT. REVD. ALEXANDER IBEZIM 7. REVD. DUKE AKAMISOKO 8. REVD. JAMES ODEDEJI 9. REVD. DAVID ONUOHA 10. RT. REVD. JOHNSON EKWE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999. TRUSTEES: 1.MRS GBELEYI AJOKE OLANREWAJU ( CHAIRMAN) 2. MRS GBELEYI OLUWAFUNMILAYO ABISOYE ( SECRETARY) 3. MRS EROGBOGBO RUKAYAT ABISOLA. 4. GBELEYI OLUWATOMILAYO..

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: I. TO PROMOTE GOOD LEADERSHIP AND FOSTER RESPONSIVE AND ETHICAL GOVERNANCE. II. TO LIAISE WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BODIES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND THE STUDY OF RELEVANT SOCIAL, MORAL, RELIGIOUS AND ECONOMIC SUBJECTS. III. TO ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIPS, READERSHIPS, AWARDS OR SUCH OTHER GRANTS AND TO ESTABLISH CLOSE COOPERATION WITH UNIVERSITIES, INSTITUTES AND RESEARCH CENTRES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. CAPACITY BUILDING OF PEOPLE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH ADOLESCENTS AND INVARIABLY INCULCATE MORAL VALUES AND IDEALS IN THE MINDS OF THE FUTURE GENERATION.. 2.TO CO- OPERATE WITH EXISTING NGO’S, NATIONAL, INSTITUTIONS, CORPORATE BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS ON THE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION FOR THE INDIGENT FOCUSED GIRLS THROUGH THEIR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED MRS. GBELEYI OLUWAFUNMILAYO ABISOYE (SECRETARY) 08100277942

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

EXTRATIME

he Director of Korean Cultural Centre, Mr. Han Sungrae, said about 35 Nigerians have designed the mascots for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, in South Korea, next year. Sungrae, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on

35 Nigerians design mascots for 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Friday in Abuja said that the two mascots are ‘Soohorang’ for the Olympics and ‘Bandabi’ for the Paralympics. He explained that the event was part of the centre’s monthly activities to showcase some aspect of Korean cultures adding that the theme of the drawing was cen-

Amaju

tered on the mascots of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. He said that the designs would be displayed at the Korean Cultural Centre exhibition hall and the Library, as part of the Pyeongchang promotion activities. “Next year, South Korea will be hosting the Winter Olympics in

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has lashed out at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after Nigerian international, Victor Moses, failed to make it into the top three of CAF’s Player of the Year nominees. The Chelsea ace enjoyed an outstanding 2016-17 season with the English Premier League club, and has continued to catch the eye both for the Blues and the Super Eagles. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and PierreEmerick Aubameyang were included in CAF’s top three, and although the trio enjoyed fruitful season’s of their own, many were surprised by Moses’s exclusion. Pinnick told Citi Sports: “I’m not happy because I feel that Moses should be part

pics with a Women bobsled team,” Sungrae stressed. NAN reports that Nigeria’s bobsled women including team — driver Seun Adigun and brakewomen Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, are the first from Africa to qualify for Winter Olympics.

Nigeria are difficult opponents but we have Messi, says Argentina defender

NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick angered at Victor Moses’ CAF snub Stories by Frank Jumbo

February and March. According to him, this winter is very special to Korea because it will be hosting the winter Olympics, “so we decided to use this medium to promote that”. “It is also important because Nigeria will make history by participating for the first time in the Winter Olym-

of the last three. The only reason [Riyad] Mahrez won in 2016 was because of what he did with Leicester City. “Moses helped Chelsea to win the league; played in the FA Cup final; and helped Nigeria qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. So I wonder why. “I’m surprised. Maybe we should look at other criteria either than coaches who already have their mindset about who they want to vote for. Pinnick was especially surprised by Aubameyang’s inclusion ahead of Moses despite the speedster having scored goals for fun at Borussia Dortmund. “Tell me what Aubameyang did last year to deserve a place ahead of Moses. He shouldn’t be on that list. He’s struggling with Dortmund. “I am going to send a proposal to CAF for a new idea of selecting the players because certainly I’m not happy,” Pinnick concluded.

rgentina central defender, Emanuel Mammana, on Friday, spoke about his country’s group opponents at the 2018 World Cup and is wary of the Super Eagles. The 21-year-old was on the bench in Krasnodar as Nigeria came back from two goals down to overcome the two-time world champions 4-2 on November 14. ‘’All the groups are difficult, Argentina has three very complicated rivals, with Nigeria we played recently, Iceland had a very good European Championship and Croatia is a country that always fights,’’ Mammana told TyC Sports. ‘’We know that we have the best of the world on our team and that gives you peace of mind. ‘’We all want Argentina to be a champion and that Leo can win a World Cup, that is the only thing he lacks.’’ Emanuel Mammana has earned three caps for the Argentinian national team since his first appearance against Slovenia in 2014. Nigeria and Argentina face off for the fifth time in the group stage of the World Cup at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26.

Messi

Saturday, December 23, 2017

EXTRATIME

CAF U-20 Women’s Championship:

Falconets begin training for S’Africa showdown T he Nigeria U-20 women team has commenced training for the crucial final FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying round clash with South Africa. The Falconets had resumed camp on Monday and held their first full training session with a full squad on Wednesday afternoon at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja. Captain Kemi Famuditi, Charity Rueben and team’s top scorer Rasheedat Ajibade were part of the training session as they gear up for the double-legged encounter with Basetsana. With this development, Christopher Danjuma’s side will certainly be spending their Christmas at the Serob Hotel to continue their one-session daily training until January. Earlier in November, the Falconets had advanced having defeated Morocco 6-2 on aggregate after overpowering the North Africans to a 5-1 victory at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. While the South African side progressed after they overcame a 2-0 first leg deficit over Burundi to secure a 5-0 second leg victory at the Dobsonville Stadium. Danjuma will be hoping to maintain Nigeria’s winning streak against the southern Africans when both sides meet for the sixth time at this stage. The West African giants will travel to Johannesburg for the first leg clash at the Dobsonville Stadium before the return leg at the in Benin City two weeks later.

Winner of the double-header will qualify as one of the African representatives at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in France next year from August 5-24.

Isaac

Isaac Success in contention for first EPL appearance of the season

igeria striker Isaac Success is reportedly in contention to make his first Premier League appearance of the season when Watford face Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow afternoon. According to Allnigeriasoccer.com, the 21-year-old Super Eagles attacker had been suffering from illness but has given the green light by Hornets medics and is available for the match at the American Express Community Stadium. Success has not featured for Watford for four months, with his last appearance a

45-minute role in their 3-2 loss to Bristol City in the League Cup on August 22. He was left out of last weekend’s matchday squad for the clash with Huddersfield Town, sparking speculation that the player had suffered a relapse of the knee injury which has kept him sidelined. Success will either need to earn more playing time with Watford or move out on loan as he looks to work his way into contention for Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup squad.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

EXTRATIME

PREMIER LEAGUE...................PREMIER LEAGUE....................PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton star Ross Barkley resumes training after hamstring surgery R oss Barkley has ramped-up his recovery after making a welcome return to first team training at Everton. The 24-year-old was given a round of applause by team-mates and coaches at the Blues training base at Finch Farm. Highly-rated midfielder Barkley ruptured his hamstring back in August during a training session, a month after a groin operation and is raring to go. With his last match for the Toffees came at the Emirates against Arsenal on the final day of last season - a full seven months ago - he is raring to go again as he nears a return to Premier League action. However, he will find much has changed at Goodison Park since his last outing as he was on the verge of departing Merseyside after a fallout with Ronald Koeman, even turning down a transfer deadline day move to Chelsea in order to focus on his rehabilitation. But a terrrible start to the season saw the Dutchman sacked and replaced by Allardyce, offering

Ronaldo, Bale 100% ready to play in El Clasico - Zidane

eal Madrid forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are both “100%” ready to play in El Clasico against Barcelona after fitness problems, says boss Zin-

A lot has changed at Everton since Barkley made his last appearance Barkley the chance for a fresh start at his boyhood club. Former England boss Allardyce could be set to offer Barkley a reprieve but the player still has to decide on his future as his contract enters its final six months. Gylfi Sigurdsson was signed as a replacement for the England international and the presence of Wayne Rooney may also limit Barkley’s playing opportunities. Barkley had posted a photo of his scar along with the words ‘not long now’ earlier this month as he revealed the huge 10-inch scar on the underside of his left thigh following surgery on his ruptured hamstring. With a busy festive programme opportunities to play will surely arise although it is expected Saturday’s clash with Chelsea at Goodison is too early for a return.

Ronaldo Zidane

edine Zidane. Fourth-placed Real are 11 points behind unbeaten league leaders Barcelona. Ronaldo worked alone earlier this week, with a calf knock, but trained properly on Friday - while Bale is recovering from a calf problem. “He’s OK. He’s 100%. He’s trained today,” Zidane said of Ronaldo. Bale has not played in La Liga since September, but featured twice off the bench in the recent Club World Cup, which Real won. “I’ll not choose a player because I want him to play in a Clasico,” said Zidane. “I trust my players and they can get injured, but the important thing is that I think he is 100% to play. We’ll see if he plays or not tomorrow.” Barca have not lost a league game this season under Coach Ernesto Valverde, who said: “I don’t think we are favourites, the league table has no influence on games like this because of the tension there always is. “Madrid are such a powerful team that they can strike you down even when you’re in your best moment of form. Also, they will be at home.” Zidane does not think a defeat ends his side’s hopes of defending their title: “We have to not think about the difference in points. I don’t think it’s a decisive match in terms of the league.

“You have to think positively. We’re very good and better in each area of the field. Even if we lose, the league will not be over.” Zidane’s Real Madrid were favourites to win La Liga this season, having won last season’s Spanish title - as well as two Champions Leagues in a row. But they have struggled this season - arguably after losing some of their squad members in the summer like Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez, Danilo and Pepe. They have won the Spanish Super Cup (against Barca), the Uefa Super Cup (against Manchester United) and the World Club Cup final (against Gremio). They are still in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, where they finished second to Tottenham in Group H. Barcelona, on the other hand, have enjoyed a great season since Valverde replaced Luis Enrique in the summer. They are yet to lose a La Liga game since his appointment, winning 13 and drawing three to sit six points above second-placed Atletico Madrid going into the weekend’s games. Their only two defeats were the first two games of the season, against Real in the Spanish Super Cup. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League, finishing top of Group D above Juventus, and are still in the Copa del Rey.

Russian doping: IOC bans 11 Winter Olympic athletes E

leven Russian athletes have been banned from the Olympics for life after committing doping offences at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Silver medal-winning lugers Tatyana Ivanova and Albert Demchenko are among those to have been disqualified. The others include bobsledders, speed skaters and ice hockey players. The bans come as a result of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) investigations into the country’s doping scandal. The IOC announced the first Russian bans, based on the findings of the 2016 McLaren report, on 1 November. “To date, the number of cases opened by the [IOC] disciplinary commission [for Sochi 2014]

has reached 46 after additional findings from the re-analyses,” the IOC said. “All 46 of them have been handled, of which three have been filed. As some investigations are still ongoing [notably the forensic analysis of the bottles], it cannot be excluded that there might be new elements that would justify opening further new cases and holding more hearings.” The 11 athletes banned on December 22 are Tatyana Ivanova and Albert Demchenko, lugers; Ivan Skobrev and Artyom Kuznetsov, speed skaters; Nikita Kryukov, Alexander Bessmertnykh and Natalia Matveeva, cross-country skiers; Liudmila Udobkina and Maxim Belugin, bobsledders; Tatiana Burina and Anna Shchukina, ice hockey players.

Sevilla sack head coach, Eduardo Berizzo Coutinho Eduardo

evilla have sacked head coach Eduardo Berizzo a week after he returned from cancer sur-

gery. The Argentine, 48, took charge of the 0-0 draw with Levante on 15 December following a success-

ful prostate operation in November. Sevilla, who lost 3-1 at Real Sociedad on Wednesday, have taken only one point from their past three La Liga games and are fifth in the table, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona. Berizzo joined from Celta Vigo in May. His condition was made public after Sevilla came from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Liverpool in the Champions League group stage on 21 November. In a statement, Sevilla said the process to find a new head coach had started. Their next match is at home to rivals Real Betis on 6 January. Sevilla face Manchester United in the Champions League last 16, with the first leg in Seville on 21 February.

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Business & Economy

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

NEMSA commissions power testing equipment, to evaluate power lines nationwide Sunday Nwakanma - Umuahia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Friday presented to the state House of Assembly the state’s 2018 Budget. Christened “Budget of Partnerships and Opportunities”, the 2018 Budget has an estimated outlay of N140,939,691,765 (One Hundred and Forty Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-nine Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-five Naira). Showing a 28.15% increase over the 2017 outlay of N111,728,162,580. According to Ikpeazu, the revenue projection for the year 2018 from internal sources is N29,177,140,960.00 (Twenty-nine Billion, One Hundred and Seventyseven Million, One Hundred and

Nigeria’s economy recovery remains challenging - IMF Page B2

Page

Guiding your wealth, protecting your life in festive seasons Page B8

Abia presents N140,940bn budget for 2018 fiscal year Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Naira) only while the expected external sources of revenue projection was N50,921,036,894 (Fifty Billion and Nine Hundred and twenty-one Million Thirty-six Thousand Eight Hundred Ninetyfour Naira) only will accruable to the State from Statutory Allocations of the Federation Account. “The 2018 Budget proposal for Recurrent Expenditure is N68,479,191,765 (Sixty-eight Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy- nine Million, One Hundred and Ninety-

one Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-five Naira) only as against N62,442,783,580 (Sixty-two Billion, Four Hundred and Forty-two Million, Seven Hundred and Eightythree Thousand and Five Hundred Eighty Naira) only for the previous year, which indicates an increase of 9.77%. ”The details of the total recurrent expenditure reveal that the Personnel Cost amounts to N32,377,433,770 (Thirty-two Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-seven Million, Four Hundred thirty-three Thou-

sand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Naira) only while the Overhead Cost is N17,605,857,995.00 (Seventeen Billion, Six Hundred and Five Million, Eight Hundred and Fiftyseven Thousand and Nine Hundred and Ninety-five Naira) only. Also the sum of N7,175,300,000.00 (Seven Billion, One Hundred and Seventyfive Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only is for Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges” the governor said. The budget projected the sum of N72,460,500,000.00 (Seventy-two Bil-

NSE CEO, Oscar Onyema (R), being congratulated by dealing memberss of the Nigerian Stock exchange (NSE), shortly after his induction as associate member of the Chartered institute of Stock Brolers (CIS), recently at the NSE evewnt centre Lagos.

lion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only as Capital Expenditure in 2018, stipulating the summary of the Capital Expenditure is as follows: Administration Sector N5,909,450,000, Economic Sector - N51,263,850,000, Law and Justice Sector - N379,000,000, and Social Sector - N14,908,200,000. Ikpeazu disclosed, “We marginally increased the total outlay being mindful of the realities of the economy of Nigeria this time. The ratio between our projected Capital Expenditure and Recurrent Expenditure is 51:49 (i.e Capital Expenditure 54.41% and Recurrent Expenditure 48.59% of the total budget outlay). According to Ikpeazu, the Budget is packaged to follow the Medium Term Expenditure Framework which looks at projections for 3-year plan period, stating “This budget therefore has projections for years 2018 to 2020, and is compliant with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The State, he said is committed to fiscal management process in line with international best practices, making the State investment-friendly to foreign investors, adding “this budget is therefore packaged with the right policy formulation, fiscal planning, budget analysis, accountability and routine financial management”. He said that much as the economy of Nigeria is said to be out of recession, “economic indicators (i.e. rises in the rate of inflation, interest rate, decrease in Foreign

Continues On Page B2

NNPC attains 98 per cent automation of crude oil marketing operations By Idu Jude Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has achieved 98 per cent automation of all transactions involv-

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu

Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi Money Market Correspondent Motolani Oseni

…. Says It can account for every barrel of oil sold in Nigeria ing the supply, marketing and sale of the various grades and blends of Nigeria’s crude oil across the world. Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the Corporation, Malam Mele Kyari, stated yesterday in an interview with Oil & Gas Forum, NNPC Weekly TV show that the automation exercise which would be concluded in 2018 had enabled the corporation to achieve an end-to-end

monitoring of every barrel of crude oil sold in the country. ``Today at a click of a button we can tell you how much crude oil is sold, at what price, who bought it and where it has gone to etc,’’ he said. He said that the projection was to operate a complete paperless crude oil data management regime in line with the ongoing transformation of the processes which has witnessed sweeping reforms since 2015.

He listed the reforms to include; the open bid process of customer selection for lifting and purchase of Nigeria’s crude oil grades, emplacement of efficient crude for product import processes, leading to savings of $1 billion in one year as well as the introduction of improved pricing system, which has evolved into a robust and auditable pricing mechanism. The GGM also explained that the reform had led to the har-

monization of Nigeria’s crude oil data and lifting information, providing access to major internationally recognized reporting agencies like Plat and Argus Media to achieve real time reporting of Nigeria’s crude oil transactions. He said this development had enabled the country to eliminate the perennial disagreement with its major stakeholder, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on actual production and lifting figures.

Continues On Page B2

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Fuel Scarcity: Motorists commend DPR order on stations to dispense fuel Stories By Simon Ugwu Motorists in Lagos on Thursday expressed joy over the rescued mission embarked on by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) who compelled filling stations hoarding petrol to dispense product. They expressed their feelings during the inspection tour of the DPR official led by Mr Musa Tambawal, the Head of Operations, Lagos Zonal Office, DPR to filling stations in Lagos. It was alleged that petrol stations are Mobil and MRS filling stations in Victoria Island and MRS, Ascon, Oando, Conoil in Muritala Muhammed Way in Ebute Meta Lagos. NAN reports that over 30,000 litres of petrol were discovered to be hoarding product under the pretense of low dead stock to dispense by the stations. Some of the motorist who spoke to the media expressed their gratitude to the management of DPR for compeling the stations to dispense the product as against their wish. Mr. Wale Adeyemi, a commercial bus driver said “the filling stations across this area had refused to sell their product for the past three days. “However, these stations are opened to buyers at evening hours to jerry cans who pay extra money to get the product. “The presence of DPR has changed things for us otherwise I can bet that the stations would not sell, as we are forced to journey to Apapa to get the product,” he said

Another motorist, Mrs. Chiyere Okoro, told newsmen that she had a whisper from a friend on the presence of DPR which forced her out from home to the station and leverage on their presence to get the product. “I charge the regulators to constantly be on guard against nefarious and fraudulent acts from these marketers who often time hoard the product and rip Nigerians a whole fortune. “It is without doubt that these stations would shut their gate after the inspection of DPR, which is not fair to the masses who are desperately in need of petrol for their everyday activities.” Reacting to these situation, Head of Operations, Lagos Zonal Office, DPR, Musa Tambuwa, called on marketers to shun these illicit act of hoarding else would face fine for its operations. According to him,there are lots of insinuations that filling stations are refusing to sell petrol to motorist and other users of these product. “As you can see some stations are storing more than the minimum dead stock level. Dead stock are level that product cannot dispense anymore. “We are going to ensure that Nigerians are not been defrauded. It is also important for us to manage the supply to ensure that it gets to our consumers. “If we find any station engaging in sharp practice, be sure that the arm of the law would not hold back at such defaulters.”

Abia presents N140,940bn budget for 2018 fiscal year Continued from Page B1 Direct Investment, etc) show that we are still not near getting out of the woods. This has greatly determined the direction of our projection and informed the theme of the budget. “The 2018 Budget is christened “Budget of Partnerships and Opportunities”. This clearly shows government’s direction and the need for all to tag along. In the present economic uncertainties fac-

ing Nigeria as a country (which Abia State is part of), we need to look beyond our borders in search of partnerships and endeavour to take full advantage of the opportunities such partnerships present to keep the State going. “We must also take steps to show tenacity, frugality and transparency in our financial management style as partnerships can only be attracted in such financial management climate.

L-R ; Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko, Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange; Ms. Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office of Nigeria (DMO); and Mr. Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Executive Director & Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd.; during the presentation to the DMO of the Listing Certificates for the Inaugural $300mm Diaspora Bond and $3bn Eurobond issues on FMDQ, in Lagos,

NEMSA commissions power testing equipment, to evaluate power lines nationwide The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has commissioned power testing equipment worth N35 million at its headquarters in Abuja. The Managing Director, Engr. Peter Ewesor, who commissioned the equipment, said they would be distributed across the 18

field offices to enhance field inspections of all electrical installations before they would be certified safe for use. Ewesor noted that the equipment included power generators for field testing, cable height meters, pressure testing equipment as well as earthing level testing tools. He also added that NEMSA was working

to procure more of the equipment as the agency expanded its operations. NEMSA also announced the commencement of a nationwide technical monitoring and evaluation of power lines and sub-stations exercise. It stated that this was for the primary 33KV feeder lines and associated 33/11KV injection sub-sta-

Companies lift 8.8m barrels of crude oil The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been drawn to a story in a national weekly alleging that the following Companies: AMG Petroenergy Limited, BrittaniaU, Cassiva Energy, Hyde Energy, Masters Energy, Bono Energy Ltd and Sahara are Ghost Companies and have lifted a

S/NO NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

total of about 67.2Million Barrels of Nigerian crude oil valued at about $3.5 billion between January-October 2017 from NNPC. Contrary to the assertions, NNPC duly entered into the 2017/2018 crude oil term contracts with the Companies in their appropriate registered corporate names as follows:

COMPANY NAME AS PER CONTRACT CAC REG AMG Petroenergy Limited Brittania-U Nigeria Ltd Cassiva Ltd Hyde Energy Ltd Masters Energy Oil& Gas Ltd Bono Energy Ltd Sahara Energy Resources Ltd

Furthermore, the Companies collectively lifted a total of 8.8 Million Bar-

191430 284481 1091598 1051332 616872 609822 318527

rels of crude oil valued at $436.35 Million as at 30th October 2017 contrary to

the claim that 67.2Million Barrels were lifted. The above clarifications demonstrate that the allegations are not only baseless but intended to mislead the public while disparaging the Corporation. The Corporation wishes to place on record that all crude oil lifting transactions are backed by irrevocable letters of credit issued by investment grade banks and, therefore, all payments are presecured. The lifting by the Seven (7) companies and all other off-takers are bound by these requirements. NNPC remains open to media that wish to crosscheck their facts to avoid misrepresentation as in the case being referenced.

tions with supply source from 330/132/33KV transmission sub-stations. The agency said the evaluation would enable the agency to find out the reasons for load rejection by power distribution companies and allow it to make recommendations for dealing with identified issues and challenges.

NNPC attains 98 per cent automation of crude oil marketing operations Continued from Page B1 On the recent Policy Dialogue on crude oil sales and reserve Management in Nigeria organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Malam Kyari said the forum provided the corporation an avenue to clarify some misinformation on the operations of crude oil marketing. He said NNPC would continue to engage members of the public and other critical stakeholders to keep them abreast of innovations in the supply, marketing and sale of the various grades and blends of Nigeria’s crude oil across the world.

Tours&Travels

Economy

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Nigeria’s economy recovery remains challenging - IMF Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The International Mometary Fund (IMF) has said though Nigeria exited the recession but the economy remains vulnerable, necessitating the need to get the economy back on track. Macroeconomic and structural reforms remain urgent to contain vulnerability and support sustainable private sector led growth, the IMF said. The IMF, in a statement on Friday by the Communication Officer, Laraba Bonet, said that an IMF staff team led by Amine Mati disclosed during a visit to Nigeria December 6-20, 2017 to conduct the 2018 Article IV consultation. Following the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Mati, Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief for Nigeria at the IMF, issued the following statement: “Overall growth is slowly picking up but recovery remains challenging. Economic activity expanded by 1.4 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017—the second consecutive quarter of positive growth after five quarters of recession—driven by recovering oil production and agriculture. But the Fund said it welcomed actions to improve the power sector and business environment under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. However, growth in the non-oil-non-agricultural sector (representing about 65 percent of the economy), contracted in the first three quarters of 2017 relative to the same period last year. Difficulties in accessing financing and high inflation continued to weigh on companies’ performance and consumer de-

Emefiele mand. Headline inflation declined to 15.9 percent by end-November, from 18½ percent at end-2016, but remains sticky despite tight liquidity conditions. “High fiscal deficits— driven by weak revenue mobilization—generated large financing needs, which, when combined with tight monetary policy necessary to reduce inflationary pressures, increased pressure on bond yields and crowded out private sector credit. These factors contributed to raising the ratio of interest payments to federal government revenue to unsustainable levels. Reflecting the low growth environment and exposure to the oil and gas sector, the banking industry’s solvency ratios have declined from almost 15 to 10½ percent between December 2016 and October 2017, and non-performing loans have increased from 5 percent in June 2015 to 15 percent as of October

Adeosun 2017, although with provisioning coverage of about 82 percent. “The authorities have begun addressing macroeconomic imbalances and structural impediments through the implementation of policies underpinning the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Supported by recovering oil prices, the new Investor and Exporter foreign exchange window has increased investor confidence and provided impetus to portfolio inflows, which have helped to increase external buffers to a four-year high, and contributed to reducing the parallel market premium. Important actions under the Power Sector Recovery Program increased power supply generation and ensured government agencies pay their electricity bills. Welcome steps were also taken to improve the business environment and to address longstanding cor-

ruption issues, including through the adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in August 2017. “However, in the absence of new policies, the near-term outlook remains challenging. Growth is expected to continue to pick up in 2018 to 2.1 percent, helped by the full year impact of greater availability of foreign exchange and higher oil production, but to stay relatively flat in the medium term. Risks to the outlook include lower oil prices, tighter external market conditions, heightened security issues, and delayed policy responses. “Containing vulnerabilities and achieving growth rates that can make a significant dent in reducing poverty and unemployment requires a comprehensive set of policy measures. “On the fiscal front, the mission welcomes the recent tax reforms

aimed at improving tax administration, planned increases in excises, and latest steps taken to lower debt servicing costs and lengthen maturities. However, with oil prices expected to remain lower than in the past, upfront actions to mobilize nonoil revenues, including through reforming the VAT and removing exemptions, are needed while safeguarding priority expenditures, including scaling up social safety nets and infrastructure investment. “Fiscal consolidation should be accompanied by a monetary policy stance that remains tight to further reduce inflation and anchor inflation expectations. Moving toward a unified and market-based exchange rate as soon as possible while continuing to strengthen external buffers would be necessary to increase confidence and reduce potential risks from capital flow reversals. “Such a policy pack-

age—along with structural reform implementation, including by building on recent successes to improve the business environment, closing infrastructure gaps, and implementing the power sector reform plan——would lay the foundation for a diversified private-sector led economy. Strengthening governance and transparency initiatives, and lowering gender inequality and fostering financial inclusion would also be important.” The team held productive discussions with senior government and central bank officials. It also met with members of parliament, representatives of the banking system, private sector, civil society, and international development partners. The team thanks the authorities and those with whom it met for the open and productive discussions, excellent cooperation, and warm hospitality.

Tours & Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, December 23, 2017

12 things you probably didn’t know about Enugu Simon Ugwu

1. The Meaning of Enugu The name Enugu is derived from two igbo words, “Énú which mean “top of the hill or

Nike-

2. How did Enugu Become “The Coal City” The Europeans commissioned Albert Ernest Kitson to lead an ex-

was discovered in Enugu at the Udi Hills and this led to the construction coal to the port at Port Harcourt the Europeans to become one of the few West African cities with a Eu-

9. Things To Do In Enugu city The top activities recommended clude the various festivals held in

the capital of the Eastern Region

the administrative capital of the same region from 1938 till inde-

tal City of A Country ran capital was moved to Umuahia after the Nigerian Armed forces

Eat out to have a feel of the rich Igbo food culture Enugu is the headquarters of popular Nigerian delicacies like

Anambra state was divided into two to create Enugu and Anambra

Other foods like African salad, akpu, banga soup, oha soup, nkwobi and ukwa are also served in

The New Yam festival

4. The Best Time to Visit Enugu Enugu city has a population of of the lesser populated metropolis-

land at Akanu Ibiam International

two distinct seasons: the recurring

ing it one of the most habitable citare advised to visit this “British Deital of Nollywood Movies The Urban market and bottling industries are some of the industries ing location for the Nigerian movie

al dance, Igba-Eze dance, cultural dance, masquerade parade & dance ganizes the annual Mmanwu (masquerade) festival at the Nnamdi

6. It is a City of Festivals The New Yam Festival which

7. How To Get To Enugu

New Yam festival has become a major tourist attraction because of -

port Plc, port Ltd, Peace Mass Transit, co Transport Ltd and are some of the road transportation companies

The major motor parks include Old motor park at Ogbete market,

Airport include Medview Airlines, Arik Air and Air Peace 8. Getting Around In Enugu The road network has federal roads connecting Enugu to other states of Nigeria while the state roads connect various local gov-

Held between August and October, the New Yam Festival is the single most important traditional in Enugu can celebrate the new fes-

several other festivals accompanied Enugu

residents

respond

with

and bikes (okada) making moveold coal mines to see explore the

various parts of Nigeria to Enugu drop which is more comfortable but

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, December 23 , 2017

Tours & Travels

Top 8 facts about Badagry that will amaze you

Badagry, a coastal town in the suburb of Lagos plays a major role in the history of the contact between Nigeria, Europe and the Americas, It was a major slave outpost and market during the centuries of slave trade. Now Badagry is a thriving tourism site that attracts people of African descent from all over the world who want to experience the history of the slave trade. Badagry, a coastal town by the Lagoon, was established in 15th Century. The name Badagry was said to have

been evolved from the dual corruption of Agbedegreme (which means Agbedeh’s farm in “Ogu” language) to Agbedagari and Agbedagari to Badagry by Yoruba settlers and European slave traders respectively. Agbedeh was the famous farmer who founded the town. Badagry is a few kilometers from Seme, a border town to Republic of Benin, and officially generates the highest Nigeria Customs duties income till date. This official estimate, of course, notably excludes car and frozen food smuggling. But

before the slave trade era, it was a place of subsistence farming and fishing, due to its proximity to the ocean. If fishing and accessibility to the ocean was a blessing, it was also a curse. Badagry was the key port for export of African slaves to the Americas. Till date, there is a small museum in the building of the first Christian mission that showcases the manacles and other relics of the hugely lucrative and barbaric trade in humans. 4. Badagry has a place as one of the “firsts” in Nigeria’s colonial

history. The first primary school—St Thomas Primary School—was established in 1845. The town was annexed by the United Kingdom and incorporated into the Lagos colony in 1863. It became one with Nigeria in 1901. . The Agia Tree was the first place Christianity was preached by Rev. Birch Freeman of Methodist Church. The local myth is that it is a place for saying answered prayers. 6. Badagry locals, comprising of the Aworis, Egun, Yoruba and Ogu people, are known for their hospitable disposition and their

famous snack, Ajogun, made from cassava, best The title of Badagry’s royal father is Oba Akran, a kingship so influential that one of longest commercial avenues (a 14kilometere stretch) in Ikeja, Oba Akran Avenue, was named after it. Reverend Henry Townsend erected Nigerian’s first storey building in Badagry in 1845. The building was also occupied by the returnee slave, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African C.M.S Bishop who translated the Holy Bible to Yoruba.

Unemplyment worsened at 18.8 percent - NBS Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Nigeria’s unemployment rate has reached its worst peak from 16.2 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to 18.8 percent in the third quarter of the year. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, indicated that the number of people within the labour force who were unemployed increased from 13.6 million in the second quarter of the year to 15.9 million in

the third quarter of same year, with more than two million people unemployed within the period. The number of underemployed increased from 17.7 million in the second quarter to 18.0 million in Q3 2017. According to the NBS, the rise in the rate was occasioned by the economic recession that saw the nation’s growth decelerate until September 2017 when Nigeria finally exited recession. “An economic recession is

consistent with an increase in unemployment as jobs are lost and new jobs creation is stalled,” the report said. “A return to economic growth provides an impetus to employment. However, employment growth may lag, and unemployment rates worsen especially at the end of a recession and for many months after.” The report stated that economically active or working age population (15 – 64 years of age) increased from 110.3 mil-

lion in Q2 to 111.1 million in Q3 2017, while the labour force population increased from 83.9 million in second quarter to 85.1 million in Q3 2017. The total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) declined from 52.7 million in Q2 2017 to 51.1 million in Q3 2017, it said, adding that total unemployment and underemployment combined increased from 37.2 percent in the previous quarter to 40.0 percent in Q3 2017. During the quarter Q3 2017,

21.2 percent of women within the labour force (aged 15-64 and willing, able, and actively seeking work) were unemployed, compared to 16.5 percent of men within the same period. The report also pointed out that underemployment was predominant in the rural areas as 26.9 percent of rural residents within the labour force in were underemployed compared to 9 percent of urban residents within the same period.

Busines Review

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Our minimum target for 2018 is to deliver all available 7, 000 MW to Nigerians – NDPHC Simon Ugwu The Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr Chiedu Ugbo has stated that the agency is working in collaboration with other stakeholders in the power sector to ensure that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has a distribution system capable of taking all the over 7, 000 MegaWatts of electricity currently being generated to consumers in 2018. The NDPHC boss who was speaking to journalists at the end of the 22nd meeting of the power sector stakeholders hosted by Geregu Power Plant in Kogi State and chaired by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, said the greatest challenge of the industry at present is how to ensure that the distribution sub-sector becomes infrastructurally upgraded and capable of clearing virtually all that is generated, thus collaborating the minister’s earlier remark that the major problem now is the capacity to locate and deliver all generated power to consumers in need. Engr Ugbo hinted that Geregu power plant is made up of three units with an installed generation capacity of 450MW, of which two are currently running as permitted due to gas and distribution constraints, adding that what can be fire at any time depends on the demand or load from the DisCos. “You can’t fire the units at full capacity if they are not picking load. You have to either ramp down or shut down some unit to ensure equilibrium. So the problem is not with TCN or GenCos; it is the under-demand for what is generated for distribution. “The quantity of gas one gets determines how much you can fire. So we now do between 170 to 200mw depending on whether it is a peak or off-peak period. “And that is the focus of the meeting here today. NDPHC as an intervention agency of the government and the other stakeholders are focusing on the DisCos’ ability to take the load. As I speak we have seven distribution projects in Kogi State here which we hope will be completed and commissioned latest by the end of the first quarter of next year. This

Fashola is aimed at helping the DisCos to get the generated power to consumers, and that is what is important’, Ugbo explained. The communique issued at the end of the meeting identified projects which Kogi State is directly benefitting from NDPHC’s drive to improve distribution infrastructure in Okene, Idah, Confluence Beach, Ankpa, Felele, Ohunene, and Ayingba areas of the state. It also reiterated the minister’s statement in his opening remark that efforts are on to add a total of 1, 129mw of power to the grid in 2018 from the following plants: Azura (450MW), Katsina Wind Farm (10MW), Gbarain (115MW), Gurara (30 MW), Dadin-Kowa (29MW), Kaduna (215MW), and Kashimbilla (40MW) which will require significant upgrades in distribution to reach customers, excluding the mini-grids and solar home systems , all off-grid, that will come onstream.

In that communique, NDPHC noted that construction on Okija and Omotosho community connection project is complete and is awaiting energization by December 31, 2017. Speaking further, Engr Ugbo said, ” In 2018 we are looking at a Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) that can deliver to Nigerians the over 7, 000MW being generated currently. “So we are looking at helping to bridge the 2, 000MW gap and course expand, and If possible, we should clear demand for the installed capacity of over 13, 000MW. So we very ambitious and working with the DisCos to ensure that distribution no longer constitutes a bane to the efficient and improved supply of electricity in the coming year.” In a related development the federal government said it opted to take off 37 of its universities and teaching hospitals from power supplies from the national grid and make them

to self-generate the electricity they need because it discovered that supplies to them had continued to remain erratic and subsequently impede their operations and offerings. The government said through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja, that allegations that its Energising Education Programme (EEP) was irrelevant and unproductive, were untrue, adding that the EEP was a key component of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP) and Power Sector Reform Programme (PSRP). According to the government in a note the REA which manages the EEP, the government has divided its implementation of the EEP into two phases, of which the first phase would be implemented in nine universities and one teaching hospital. It said an energy audit done by the REA indicated that about 224,800 people would also benefit from the electricity that

these nine universities and one teaching hospital will generate in the first phase. “Access to the uninterrupted power supply in federal universities and university teaching hospitals in Nigeria has been cited as a major challenge and barrier to effective learning, institutional operations, and student residency. “Considering the role of education in economic growth and socio-economic development in Nigeria, the ministry of power, works and housing resolved to embark on viable projects that will ensure the availability of reliable, sustainable and affordable power to our tertiary institutions. This led to the conception of the Energising Education Programme,” it said in the note. According to it: “The EEP is one of the programmes designed to implement the energy access and sufficiency action point of the EGRP and it is also incorporated into the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved PSRP, as a vital component of the PSRP. “The decision to seek a sustainable solution to this problem was also informed by the need to alleviate the burden of enormous costs borne by the federal universities in self-power generation which includes but is not limited to the high capital expenditure on dieselrun generators.” It explained that: “Due to cost implications and time constraints, the projects under the EEP cannot be implemented at the same time, therefore, the EEP has been divided into phases. Phase one was designed for the generation of 28.56 megawatts (MW) covering nine federal universities and one university teaching hospital across the six geopolitical zones.” The beneficiary institutions in the first phase it stated included, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University – Bauchi, Bayero University – Kano, Usumanu Danfodiyo University – Sokoto, Federal University of Agriculture – Makurdi, Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Nnamdi Azikwe University-Awka, Federal University of Petroleum – Delta, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University – Osun, and its teaching hospital.

Business Features

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

NARTO, PTD warn on products diversion Ï 6 Ə Ƅ ƅ `ƄƋ ƋƆƎ ƅƆƍƄ ƃƎƆƐƆƎƆƄ ƅ ƅƏƄƉ Ƃ ƎƄƏƍ Simon Ugwu

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have expressed the commitment to throw their weight behind NNPC in the efforts to rid the hiccups being experienced in the supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, in parts of the country. The pledge was made in Abuja by NARTO National President, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya and the PTD National Chairman, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, during a meeting of stakeholders on the challenges of products supply and distribution led by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, Honourable Joseph Akinlaja. The duo said their focus was to put an end to the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians at fuel stations across the country in the best interest of the nation. “We are transporters and we know how many litres we have been moving across the country. If anybody is found guilty of moving products out of this country or to any unauthorized locations within, even if they are our members, we would not only disown them, but also exposed them,” Alh. Bataiya declared. While commending the efforts of the NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD) in making products available to Nigerians, the NARTO National President gave the assurance that its union members would make available trucks to deliver products to any designations at any given time. He stated: “We are here to express our solidarity with the NNPC and to also pledge our continuous support to the GMD for working hard to restore normalcy to the supply of products across the country. We have alluded to the fact that the NNPC under Dr. Baru has been doing very well in discharging its fiduciary responsibilities. The NARTO National President frowned at a situation whereby only the NNPC was importing petroleum products and called on Government to encourage marketers to complement the Corporation’s efforts. On his part, PTD National Chairman, Comrade Salimon

Ibe Kachikwu Oladiti, condemned the activities of some unpatriotic citizens who are involved in smuggling products out of the country thus subjecting Nigerians to the current hardship being experienced nationwide. He called on all stakeholders to join hands in addressing the issues of tanker hijacking, vandalism and smuggling, amongst others. Comrade Oladiti, gave the assurance that tanker drivers would work round the clock amidst the upcoming Christmas holiday to ensure that the problem of products scarcity was fully addressed. “We will give this government total support, especially the GMD of NNPC who took the pain of reviving the NNPC’s depots across the country. In fact, our members are happy with him and have declared their total support for him on all his positive initiatives,” Oladiti averred. On his part, Honourable Joseph Akinlaja, Chairman,

House of Representatives Committee, Downstream, who led the unions to the NNPC Towers, expressed confidence with the outcome of the meeting, adding that with the commitment of critical stakeholders like NARTO and PTD, the end to the problem being experience in products distribution is very much on sight. “In the supply and distribution of petroleum products, NARTO and PTD are very critical stakeholders and they have declared their commitment to work with the NNPC. They pledged to mobilise to the field and by this, within the next few days, this problem will fizzle out,” Akinlaja said. On the allegation of products diversion, he stated that the House of Representatives would investigate the issue and come up with workable solutions In his remarks, the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, commended the support of critical stakeholders like the House of Repsentatives,

NARTO and PTD in addressing the challenges of products supply nationwide. He stated that the NNPC would partner with relevant stakeholders to address the issues raised at the meeting, including collaboration with security agencies as well as state governments to secure befitting parking spaces for tankers at designated places. Dr. Baru noted that because of NNPC’s avowed commitment to transparency, the Corporation has commenced the automation of loading pumps in all its depots nationwide. He said that the Corporation was increasing the volume of products distribution to the market and would not relent until the problem is over, adding that NNPC would import at least 1billion litres of petrol by the end of December. He condemned the action of some unscrupulous elements involved in products diversion, stating that sometimes in October this year, there was an incident of products diversion

of 145 million litres of petrol in which the depot owner claimed to have loaded the product on a day that there was no loading schedule. The Chairman of NNPC War Room on Products supply and Distribution, Dr. Babatunde Adeniran, who is the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Ventures, stated that products diversion was a major challenge that must be fought by all and sundry, lamenting a situation where eight trucks were sent to Bauchi State and none of them delivered products at the location. He said that the situation required the support of all stakeholders, adding that there was the need to checkmate some excesses within the country and at the nation’s borders. NNPC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Downstream, Mr. Henry Ikem Obi, said his Directorate would always cooperate with NARTO and PTD to ensure free flow of products in the Country.

Personal Finance B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 23, 2017

Guiding your wealth, protecting your life in festive seasons Bonny Amadi

The essence of creating wealth is for future progressive use, but what would be the use for such wealth creation when through a misdeed or carelessness, one endangers self to the point fighting to save life. The festive seasons of Christmas and New Year provides great earning opportunities for civil servants most of which earn bonuses or even the 13th month salary. Others collect mouthwatering gifts which cut across liquor, electronics, households and even automobile, while some others in business devise all forms of trade tricks to make additional wealth during the season most of which is also spent during the season. Excessive alcohol intake Alcoholic drinks are sold openly and copiously in the motor parks, and that many of the commercial drivers spend their time while waiting for passengers in the various bars that dot these motor parks. Above all, private drivers or vehicle owners in celebration mood abuse alcohol and risk their family members and loved one when driving them from one location to the other. In some cases, passengers in the desperation to get to their destination on time, coerce the driver to speed by putting their lives at risk by either ignoring the state of the driver, or making ineffectual pleas for the driver “to take it easy” Similarly, the average Nigerian non-commercial driver thinks nothing of taking to the road after downing several bottles of beer or stout or whatever the favored alcoholic beverage is. Think of how many accidents occur in the night on the way back from parties and other social gatherings. Drug abuse During festive seasons like Christmas, New Year and other festivities, people tend to experiment with different forms of drugs to either prove to their peer that they belong or to put themselves in the mood to overcome certain obstacles and in the process inflict high degree of harm on themselves. Drugs disguised as sweets This could happen at any time but it’s important to be even more aware during the festive season

with the rise of drug use. There are many rumors that drugs are often disguised as sweets or candy and whether or not this is true, you’d rather not take any chances. Be suspicious if someone offers you sweets, drinks and other treats out of the blue at a party - without you being able to see where it There’s also the drug ‘flakka’, which seems to be hitting South Africa and spreading across other parts of the continent including Nigeria, A quite hard this festive season, which you might need to watch out for. Flakka is highly addictive and highly dangerous. It’s a pink/ white crystal that resembles bath salts and it can be eaten, snorted or injected. Most of the time though, it’s smoked through an ecigarette. So if someone offers you sugarlike crystals to eat - don’t touch it. Stay away from any e-cigarette someone offers you to smoke from, even if they tell you it’s harmless. At the end of the day you don’t know what that could contain and it’s much better to be safe rather than sorry. Pressure to Experiment Some of your friends or the people you will be surrounded by this holiday season might start experimenting with all types of drugs. They might pressure you to do it, and it might be tempting at first, but avoid using or trying any of them. if you fall to the temptation, you wouldn’t know, the consequences may be disastrous and your personal financial pursuit

would be stalled. Experimenting on drugs can have really harmful effects on your body and can even be fatal if you overdose on them. Even if your friends look ‘fine’ after taking in drugs or alcohol, remember that everyone doesn’t react the same way to substances so you can’t predict your reaction to taking drugs. Any of the substances you try for the first time during the holiday season can also lead to addiction at a later stage. Be cautious and smart about the decisions you make. You don’t have to be a follower to have fun Choma. Storage of petrol in homes People keen to make the most of the low cost of petrol have been trying to fill up containers like soft drink bottles, causing Z Energy to issue a warning about the risks involved with storing fuel at home. If you do decide to store a container of fuel at home, for safety reasons we recommend you store only small quantities and make sure that you are using a purpose built, approved fuel storage container. If you choose to hold more than 50 litres, be aware there are additional legal requirements that you must meet,” said Julie. The Environmental Protection Authority states that fuel can only be stored and transported in approved fuel containers that have an appropriate sealing cap, are made of metal or a durable plastic that won’t react with the fuel and that are clearly labelled to identify the fuel and the potential hazards; and store no more

than 50 litres. “Worryingly, we’ve seen a few customers trying to fill fuel into containers such as soft drink bottles. But using an unapproved fuel container is not only illegal, it’s highly dangerous and can put your entire household at risk. “And given it’s an illegal activity, should something happen, you may not be covered by your insurance provider. “Fuel products such as petrol are highly flammable - if not stored and handled properly, these sorts of substances can seriously endanger people, property and the environment.” Turn off water when travelling If you are leaving your house for a holiday at the country home, the most important is WATER! If any pipe or water line bursts, your house will flood. To avoid this, you need to turn off the water supply to your home. Turning off the water to your whole house will make it impossible to have a flood caused by a broken pipe or taps that were turned on while you were away. A water flood will destroy your carpets, flooring, drywall, appliances and more and will eat deep into the savings you have made during the year. Your homes main water supply shut-off valve should be located in your garage, in the yard, or out near the street under a panel that has the label “water” on the top. If you are leaving for more than a few days, it is best to turn off the water to avoid a flooding problem. NOTE: Remember to turn off your automatic ice maker in your freezer so it does not constantly

attempt to pull in water. If you have a watering system in your yard, if you turn the water off to your home, your grass, garden, or flowers will not get water. Turn off electrical devices on when no one is in the house Air-conditioning: Your home doesn’t need to be a comfortable 75 degrees if you’re not going to be there. If you have pets that you’re worried about, or you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, just raise your thermostat temp to about 85 degrees so your A/C isn’t cranked on max the entire time you’re gone. Water heater: Your water heater uses a ton of energy to keep a lot of hot water shower-ready. If it’s gas, switch it to the “pilot” setting. If it’s electric, turn it off at the breaker switch. If you don’t want to do that, at least turn the temperature setting down. Make sure you turn it back on (or back up) at least an hour before you try to shower when you get back. Main water supply: This won’t save you money initially, but it could save you some if there’s a potential leak. You’ll also avoid a lot of grief. It doesn’t take long to turn off and then back on, so you might as well be better safe than sorry. Lights: Leaving the lights on the entire time you’re on vacation is a waste of energy. If you’re worried about security, put a couple lamps on a timer. Use of fire works Use of fireworks has caused the death , maiming and inferno across the country during festive seasons like Christmas and new year, so to be on the safer said , the best to do is to avoid the sue of any type of fireworks to either celebrate Christmas or usher in the new year. Though use of fireworks is banned in many states of Nigeria, yet the products keep flooding the nooks and crannies of the cities and the communities, especially during festive seasons and the temptation to use them keep soaring and many people get caught in the web to experiment use of fireworks and at the end have unpalatable and tales of regret. Unplug: Electronics with external power supplies or “power bricks”: Laptops, video game consoles, stereos, smartphone chargers, and other similar devices constantly draw power into their power supplies. Unplug all of your chargers, whether it’s for a tablet or a toothbrush.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, December 23, 2017

Meet Miss Nigeria 2017 queen:

Ehiguese Mildred Peace

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

I was my own greatest fear â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Miss Nigeria 2017 Ehiguese Mildred Peace 24-year-old Psychology graduate of Redeemers University, representing Adamawa State, Ehiguese Mildred Peace, on Thursday, emerged winner of the 41st edition of the prestigious Miss Nigeria Pageant held at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. In this exclusive chat with MUTIAT ALLI, she opens up on the journey to becoming the new queen, her plans, why the Miss Nigeria platform is credible amongst others. Enjoyâ&#x20AC;Ś Congratulation on your win, how are you feeling right now?

So did you see it coming? How then will you describe your journey to the Miss Nigeria platform?

While at the Miss Nigeria Mansion, did you see some of the girls as threat to your winning?

Now that you have emerged the winner, how do you intend to handle fame? As the new queen, what will you do differently? What were some of the challenges you encountered?

Despite some of the challenges and your eventual crowning as the new queen, will you say all the stress is worth the while?

For some the contestants who did not win, what word do you have for them?

The Miss Nigeria platform empowers women beyond beauty, do you think that assertion is right?

At 24, do you feel the responsibilities are too much for you?

Life&

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Meet final top 10 of the Miss Nigeria 2017 of the Miss Nigeria platform, only 10 made it to the top 10 list, taking them a step closer to the grand prize. Here are the top 10 beautiful

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miss Ekiti Bolarinde Damilola Rebecca, a 21-year-old fashion stylist, model and makeup artist wants people

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

hopes to pave the way for them.

Miss Delta

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

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

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Faces of dignitaries during Miss Nigeria beauty pageant at Eko Hotel, Lagos

L-R: Executive Director Heritage Bank, Mr. Jude Monye; Ag Chairman Heritage Bank, Alhaji Jani Ibrhim; Sen. Saminu Turaki and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

L-R: Mr. Lanre Olakunde; Mr. Ikem Chidolue and Mr. John Darlington.

L-R: BBC London, Ms. Mondeep; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu and Ms. Hilda Dokubo. Photos: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI, SUNDAY ELOMOH AND OLAWALE AKINOLA

New Miss Nigeria 2017, Ehiguese Mildred Peace (2nd right), with the judges

New Miss Nigeria 2017, Ehiguese Mildred Peace (middle), with the judges

R-L: Mrs. Chioma OkigboMr. Arinze Okafo and Mr. Farouq Mohammed.

a L-R: Mrs. Tejiro Otike; Mrs. Igho Oghenekaro and Ag Chairman Heritage Bank, Alhaji Jani Ibrhim.

L-R: Chairman of GAC Motors, Mrs. Diana Chen; New Miss Nigeria 2017, Ehiguese Mildred Peace and Publisher, The Daily Times Nigeria (DTN), Mr. Fidelis Anosike, during the presentation of car key to the winner.

Barrister Michael Agozie; Group Managing Director, (DTN), Noel Anosike and Chucks Ilobaba

Group Head Finance/Administration,(DTN), Mr. Tobi Oyeniyi (right) and wife, Tomisin

Daily Editor, The Daily Times Nigeria, Tony Amokeodo

L-R: Uche Nwandison; Uche Uzoebo and Fidelis Anosike

L-R: President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick and Chairman of GAC Motors, Mrs. Diana Chen

L-R: Mr. Ifeayi Adijeh; Chief Mascot Uzorkalu and Barr. Chijioke Isiolu.

Nigerian socialite, Terry Waya

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori

Business Manager, (DTN), Leke Adelere

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Some of the faces at Miss Nigeria pageant

Photos: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI, SUNDAY ELOMOH AND OLAWALE AKINOLA

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Some of the faces at Miss Nigeria pageant

Photos: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI, SUNDAY ELOMOH AND OLAWALE AKINOLA

Gist L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

Kayode Ajulo immortalises son with Safety NGO

Kayode Ajulo and Late Kayikunmi

Aside of brilliance and intelligence, his passion for any cause that will make life better for the people and make the society a better place cannot be undermined in factors that are responsible for his success as a dynamic lawyer of note. It is out of passion for justice and equity as well as concern for health of infants that the former National scribe of Labour Party founded and solely funded Egalitarian Mission for Africa and Sure Steps Africa, respectively from the proceeds of his law practice. The Ondo State born human right activist several weeks back lost his son, Kayikunmi, a seven year-old in a ghastly car crash in Abuja. However, rather than allow the tragic death of Master Kayikunmi hold him a prisoner and morn forever, Dr. Kayode Ajulo has brazen up to take the advantage of the situation to propagate safety of children by urging the appropriate authority to embark on a campaign that will sensitise the public of child safety in the vehicle and enforce provisions of the law stating full usage of all seatbelt and child safety seat.

Dr. Ajulo, who was among prominent Nigerians whose trade and passion caught the attention of the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps who inaugurated a new set of celebrity special marshals in Lagos, Memorial Foundation, a non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting child safety. It is in the same vein that Dr. Ajulo, a top of the range lawyer is urging groups and well-meaning individuals to lend their support to the initiative by buying child car seats for charity and more importantly spread the news of importance of child seats and seat belts. Stressing that Non-Governmental Organnancial or other gains induced, Ajulo, noted that Master Kayikunmi Kayode-Ajulo Memorial Foundation will be run solely by the fund in the account of the departed boy which was meant for his education and welfare before death came calling and his personal resources without any recourse to donations and grants.

x Every disease or infection has cure –Quincy Ayodele ish socialite has been making the country proud globally and is still working hard to make sure the country is free of all kinds of diseases or affection while living a healthy life. In a recent interview, she was asked if there is herbal cure for cancer. She said: it for some of our clients that are suffering from cancer but it is not something we advertise. They are personalized services because we believed that, to every disease there is a cure in nature. There is a cure for cancer. I particularly hate cancer, and

Quincy Ayodele It is no longer news that that the wholly Nigerian brand specialised in healthy living and natural beauty products brought into being by Dr. Mrs. Quincy Ayodele over two decades emerged as the only Nigerian brand and one

Awards. The news here is that the ever-radiant styl-

to cure cancer especially prostate cancer and some level of breast cancer. There is a cure for it but it is political. You may not be able to say you have a cure for it. At Quincy, Quincy Sumbo Ayodele, popularly known as Quincy, is a Nigerian herbal medicine practitioner, entrepreneur, herbal slimming and skin care expert and the Chief Execuleading herbal healthcare center. She is a World Health Organization expert committee member on the development of African traditional medicine and practices.

Slkay returns with new song, FABU He has a very good potential to reach the topmost rung of the success ladder in his career as a musician. Lawal Bolaji, artistically known as Slkay, is leaving his fans with no doubt that he will continue to give them the best of his ability as a singer as his latest work, FABU, has further proved his versatility in the entertainment industry. FABU, which was produced and mixed-mastered by Dre-sticks, is a representation and lyrical contents that have to do with normal, street story- puter Science from the Ajayi Crowther University. be a sharp departure He started his musical cafrom other un-researched reer professionally in 2007 songs that are replete in and later signed under a record label in 2011. He left the industry. He calls his genre of the label in 2014 for a somusic, Afrocentric hip-hop. journ in South Africa, where Slkay has managed the he signed on to another same stage with the likes before he came back to of Danny Young, Clever Nigeria in 2017, to resume Jay, Terry G, Konga, Sean fully his career as a signedTero, just to mention a few. on artiste under Sound So Of note are his inspira- Simple Entertainment. tions and role models, the His musical career has American R & B artistes, taken him to a few counBoyz 2 men, 2face and tries where he never exTiwa Savage, who he now pected to be, like South looks up to ape in his still Africa, Switzerland and - Ghana, which also served laji is a graduate of Com- as an opportunity for him

Slkay

to meet different kinds of managers and fellow musicians. Slkay has a deep knowledge of the music industry and does not hang any air around himself, and never proud of his modest achievements since he blew as a songwriter and singer. The sensational Slkay opined that he wants to ultimately serve as a role model for other upcoming artistes, through hard work, persistence and an eager determination to set up a music institution for upcoming artistes who have a genuine passion for music.

Nigerians need to be more security conscious –Security expert Hopeson Eiterebhe, the Chief Executive

consulting, and guard services, has advised Nigerians to be security conscious. In a recently-held interview, Eiterebhe security-wise as the yuletide period approaches. According to him, this is a period when at home and off home. Eiterebhe, who has been a security expert for over 30 years, however, gave some top security tips for holiday safety. His words: “If you have a tap in your compound at home, do not go out for any ning in the night. The hoodlums might use that as a tactic to lure you outside. “Always try to avoid constructive breaking into your house. At every time, ensure that the door is locked yourself regardless of the number of people working for you. This is because there is no successful rob“You have to be sensitive to things around you. Pay attention to everything that might be a security threat.

Hopeson Eiterebhe

“If you drive a car, stop displaying valuables in conspicuous places. Valuables placed in transparent areas in the car will entice criminals to trigger something unexpected. lums may walk up to you, asking you to roll hit the car in front of you slightly. Doing this will invite attention to you and that will scare