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MPC to FG: reduce spending, save for rainy day Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised the Federal

Government to take advantage of the increasing oil price at the international market to cut its excessive spending and save more to build ‘fiscal buffer’ against any

Continued on page 4

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018

VOL. 3

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One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than $16bn on power in Nigeria. Where is the power? – Buhari

To inform the uninformed, the so-called $16bn power expenditure was an allegation against Obasanjo’s administration and not his claim – Obasanjo

Catholic Bishops, priests and other faithful during a peaceful protest against killings nationwide in Abuja... on Tuesday (See stories on pages 8 and 9)

Reps propose N2m fine, jail-term for Tramadol, Codeine abuse g7

Sen Remi Tinubu supports Gov Ugwuanyi’s re-election bid 6 g

Senate invasion probe: Police recover Kogi Govt House Staff ID card from vehicle. g7

Photo: Temitope Balogun

Gunmen abduct Zamfara Commissioner’s wife, 3 children, relatives g6

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 11, 2018 Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

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Ho t els - L e i s u r e - Tours - R e s t a u r a n t s Grand Cubana Hotel No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Grand Cubana Hotel offers a budget friendly accommodation in a very scenic environment at No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. It is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers.

O’neal Centre (1.1km) Rock of Ages Mall (2.6km)

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 3:00 PM Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to Interesting Places To Visit Near stay for free.

Grand Cubana Hotel Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Utako Motor Park (0.7km) Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard Patsy Plaza (0.35km) are accepted here.

Grand Cubana Hotel is a budget hotel in Jabi, Abuja

Kapino Suite

128 Aminu Kano Cres, Wuse, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Kapino Suites is a hotel brand created with the client in mind. Our aim is to provide the most comfortable, memorable and delightful stay for our customers. Kapino Suites was established in 2014 and is located in the heart of Nigeria

O’neal Centre (1.1km) Rock of Ages Mall (2.6km)

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 3:00 PM Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to Interesting Places To Visit Near stay for free.

Grand Cubana Hotel Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Utako Motor Park (0.7km) Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard Patsy Plaza (0.35km) are accepted here.

Kapino Suite is a budget hotel in Wuse, Abuja

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja 23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II

HOTEL INFORMATION Barcelona Hotels, Abuja is a 4-Star hotel located at No 23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. It is situated in the heart of town and enjoys proximity to a number of public and private owned institutions.

Places Of Interest Near Barcelona Hotels Abuja Berger flyover Federal Ministry of Finance

GSM village NAFDAC Wuse market Terms and Conditions Check in: from 12:00pm (Identification required) Check out: from 12:00pm Pets: not allowed Payment: Cash, Cards Smoking: In designated areas.

Barcelona Hotels is a budget hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja

House 14

14 Kudang Street, Off Moronvia Street, Wuse 2, Abuja

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Kryxtal Suites

120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2

HOTEL INFORMATION HOTEL INFORMATION House 14 has a total of 27 uniquely well-furnished and comfortable rooms which are of different categories.

Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 1:00 PM (ID Required) Check-Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Children: All children are allowed House 14 (Max. Age: 18).

JD Leisure park (900m) Pets: Pets are not allowed with Federal High Court (1.6km) exception of service dogs.

4U Supermarket (3.6km) Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, IBB Golf Club (9.1km) and AMEX accepted here.

House 14 is a budget hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja

Caledonian Suites, Abuja 21 Usuma Street, off Gana Street, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Hotel size: This hotel has 34 rooms Arriving/leaving: Check-out time is noon Required at check in: Credit card or cash deposit required Government-issued photo ID required Minimum check-in age is 18 Travelling with others Children: No cribs (infant beds) Internet Free WiFi in public areas Free WiFi in rooms Transport

Parking Free self parking What’s around Caledonian Suites Landmarks Federal Secretariat Millennium Park Nigerian National Mosque National Assembly Aso Villa Ecowas Secretariat World Bank National Hospital Abuja

Caledonian Suites is a budget hotel in Maitama, Abuja

Cubana Suites 20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Cubana Suites offers rooms with modern interior decor. The rooms are equipped with tile flooring, an air conditioner, work desk, telephone, flat screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, armchairs, balcony with a view of the pool and an en-suite bathroom with toilet paper, towels and linen provided free.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Cubana Suites Millennium Park (4.5 km)

Silverbird Cinemas (5.5 km) National Mosque Abuja (5.0 km) IBB Golf Course (7.5 km) Aso Rock (7.6 km) Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 09:00 am Check-Out: Until 12:00 pm Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: Children are permitted to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, and Cash Payments only.

Cubana Suites is a budget hotel in Jabi, Abuja

3

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2, is an exclusive boutique hotel located opposite GLOBACOM Headquarters in Abuja and a few seconds from KFC. This hotel is very well appointed and its one of the reference points in the Wuse area of Abuja for visitors and Abuja residents. It is situated at 120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Opposite Glo Office, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.

Ecowas Court (0.7 km) City Park (0.6 km) Globacom Office KFC

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children not older than 12 are allowed to stay for free.

Interesting Places near Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Cameroon Embassy (2 km) Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are Afro-Asia Garden (0.4 km) accepted here.

Kryxtal Suites is a budget hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja

Kryxtal Lounge, Apo

Beside AP Filling Station, Near Apo Legislative Quarters Apo.

HOTEL INFORMATION Kryxtal Suites and Lounge Apo is an exclusive hotel located near the popular Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja. The hotel is tastefully finished to create a home away from home for visitors and Abuja residents.

At Kryxtal Suites Apo we have 26 exclusive room types on 2 floors to cater for our guests.

Facilities Spacious suites and rooms

Uninterrupted power supply Banquet hall 24 hours internet service Numerous satellite TV channels Standby car hire service Laundry service Restaurant and bush bar, niteclub, sharwarma, barbeque and conference hall.

CHECK – IN is at Anytime CHECK – OUT is from 12.00 Noon.

Kryxtal Lounge is a budget hotel in Apo, Garki District, Abuja

TREASURES SUITES Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opp Federal High Court, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION

With facilities uniquely designed to cater to guests comfort at every level, Treasure Suites is located at Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opposite Federal High Court, Abuja, Nigeria. It boasts business related amenities such as a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.

Turf Arena (1.5 km) Durban Neighbourhood Park (0.95 km) Silverbird Cinemas (2.0 km) DHL Express (1.8 km)

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to Interesting Places to Visit near stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Treasure Suites Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard Federal High Court (1.1 km) are accepted here.

Harrow Park (1.8 km)

TREASURES SUITES is a budget hotel in CBD, Abuja

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Reduce spending, save for rainy day Continued from page 1 economic crisis that could arise in the future.

This is even as the MPC on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to retain the current lending rate – Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14% for the 11th consecutive time to retain key policies indices, adding that the decision would sustain gradual improvement in the economy.

Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, while briefing Finance Correspondents at the end of the meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, said eight out of nine members in attendance voted in favour of holding Monetary Policy Rate( MPR) at 14%, Cash Reserves Ratio ( CRR) 22.5% ; Liquidity at 30% and Asymmetric +200-500 basis points around the MPR. Emefiele said that decision of the Committee was geared towards shielding the economy from the danger of expansionary spending ahead of the forthcoming general election in 2019, and sustain the current growth.

He explained that a contrary decision to effect cut in lending rate as largely envisaged by analysts could erode modest gains recorded in economy.

Justifying MPC decision, Emefiele said: “In the course of this presentation, we explained that a couple of expansion of fiscal activities that we foresee beginning from around May or June this year informed our decision.

“The committee further noted that loosening could worsen the current account balance through increase in importation, margin lending, lowering of risk evaluation in accessing loans which will drive up loans and likely increase the non-performing loans with potential negative consequences on the stability of the banking industry”.

Emefiele said that there was need to see how all the component of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would evolve in the second quarter of 2018 in order to gain greater clarity on the direction of monetary policy.

“The fact that we are still on the 2017 budget, 2018 budget will eventually kick around June or July and there will be acceleration in the rate of spending; and we also expect a lot of election spending. These indications expectedly, are meant to expand the economy and spur growth which I will say it’s commendable

but we also know that those expansionary fiscal measures will gradually lead to inflationary increase and if that happened, it will reverse the gains we have recorded overtime,” he stated.

The MPC also urged government to promptly settle outstanding contractor arrears as earlier promised, noting the improved performance of Deposit Money Bank and observed that the relatively high nonperforming loans in the industry was moderating.

The committee considered the forecast of high liquidity injection in the second half of 2018, upward pressure of prices driven largely by substantial expansion of fiscal policy which will arise from the late passage of the 2018 budget, outstanding balance from the 2017 budget and the pre-election expenditure.

Accordingly, the MPC said tightening would ensure the mop up of excess liquidity, mindful that despite the moderation in inflation, the current inflation rate is still above targeted single digit and that real interest rate only turned positive in the review period.

The objective of the policy stand therefore would be to accelerate the reduction in the rate of inflation to single digit, to promote economic stability, boost investor confidence and promote foreign capital flows with complimentary impact on exchange rate stability.

Conversely, the committee believes that raising the interest rate would however depress consumption and increase the cost of borrowing to the real sector.

It advised the CBN to sustain its monitoring apparatus over the money deposit banks to ensure compliance with existing prudential measures and early detection and management of vulnerabilities in the banking sector while ensuring steady flow of liquidity from the Banks to the real sector to further strengthen economic recovery and employment generation.

While admitting that he had previously promised that the lending rate will be reviewed downward as inflation trend downward, Emefiele said reality on ground suggests a hold.

The CBN Governor said, “It is very true that we say until inflation drops to single digit before we take decision on reducing the interest rate, but you will also observe, in the course of this presentation we explained a couple of

expansion of fiscal activities that we foresee.

Emefiele said the apex bank will come up with a framework that would be tailored to encourage Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to lend credit facility to real sector of economy.

“One of the innovative ways the apex bank is going to adopt is to encourage Money Deposit Banks to accelerate credit growth to the real sector of the economy.

“In as much as possible we do not want to go back to the era of process sector lending and sectoral allocation, we would not because that is not supposed to be the intention, but we will try as much as possible to come up with some decisions that will rate deposit ratio with a level of cash reserves that a bank holds so as to direct a bank or compensate a bank that has done a lot of work in boosting its own deposit ratio through compensating them with CRR and penalise those who prefer to keep liquidity and trade on government security , or direct to those to the exchange market rather than granting loan to the real sector.

“That framework will certainly come up and we will task the relevant authority to work on it and I am optimistic the Monetary Policy Committee will take that decision in the right time”, said CBN governor.

On the currency swap, Emefiele said: “I must say congratulations to Nigeria. After a rigorous almost two and a half years of negotiation with the People’s Bank of China that we eventually struck the deal for a currency swap between Nigeria and China with the intention to boost trade relations between both countries”.

Speaking on the modus operandi of the currency swap, Emefiele said, “It will just operate the way normal Letter of Credit (LC) transaction happened. For instance, there are some importers from England that will give invoice in Pounds Sterling. If you want to import goods from England or in Europe, they will issue you invoices in Euro as against the dollars if the choices are theirs.”

According to the apex bank boss, under the China -Nigeria deal, “foremen or whatever name to be called by the time the framework is released, we would begging to see based on negotiation with Nigerian suppliers, that Chinese suppliers would begin to issue invoices in

Continued on page 5

PHOTO TIMES

President Buhari receives in audience Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari in State House... on Tuesday

President Buhari receives in audience Leadership of the Senate in State House

INEC..C. Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (middle), in a group photograph with ECOWAS network of Women in Parliament Association, during their visit to INEC headquarters, in Abuja, yesterday... Photo: Temitope Balogun

From left, Wife of Governor of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, Wife of Borno State Deputy Governor, Hajia Hansatu Zana who represented Hajia Aisha, wife of President Buhari, North West Zonal Coordinator for Hajia Alisha Foundation, Mrs. Bamigbose and a beneficiary, during the distribution of Mama kits to beneficiaries, at the Flagg off ceremony of 2018 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week, held at Isale Agbara Osogbo,State of Osun on Tuesday

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

5 News

Reduce spending, save for rainy day Continued from page 4 local currency. By the time we conclude the framework, we should see to it that more invoices would be issued on the local currency against the traditional dollar. I can tell you, it’s going to be positive and I repeat, it’s going to be strongly positive for Nigeria, for Nigerian

imports and also for Nigerians, that is what we expect and we would ensure that we achieve that.

“This was a negotiation that was painstakingly done and I am optimistic that Nigerians will reap the positive impact from this and we do expect that by the time the framework is released, and Nigeria will

end up being the remedy trade hub in the West African sub region because there are currently only three countries in Africa that enjoy the currency swap deal between China and themselves: South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

“So there are a lot of scopes to growth rate, there are a lot of Nigerians to benefit

from this arrangement and particularly, not just in Nigeria but also in the West African sub region. We plan to release the framework by next week and the settlement banks have been chosen.

The settlement banks will be Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank that is an affiliation of the Bank of China, which will be the

correspondent banks at the Chinese ends. I repeat, the negotiation that has been reached will be positive to Nigeria and whatever comes out from this can never ever be negative to Nigeria.

“The outcome would most likely exacerbate inflationary pressures, cost higher pressure on the exchange rate and as demand for

foreign exchange increases and return real rate into negative territory, as nominal interest rate could be less than inflation.

“The reduction in the MPR may not necessarily transmit to lowering market lending rate, on account of high cost of doing business”, the CBN governor explained.

Performance: Buhari, Obasanjo in war-of-words President: Obasanjo squandered $16bn on power with nothing to show for it You are ignorant, lack essential qualities to remain in power, Obasanjo tells Buhari

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja, Patrick Okohue and Esther Taiwo, Lagos In what can be described as the first direct response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ceaseless attacks on his performance in government, President Muhammadu Buhari has lashed out at his former boss, saying that it is regrettable that Obasanjo squandered $16billion on power with nothing to show for it.

The President added that those who mismanaged Nigeria’s economy in the past, through fraudulent electricity projects and misuse of revenue earnings from oil, had no love for the country.

The development came just as Obasanjo, for the third time, attacked Buhari, claiming that the President was ignorant of the facts and lacked essential four qualities to remain in power, adding that since Buhari lacked the qualities, he should quickly get out of Aso Rock and allow a dynamic leader to rule the country in 2019, According to Obasanjo, the four qualities are leadership, governance, development and values within our culture.

Buhari spoke on Tuesday while receiving Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) led by the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Taking up issues with Obasanjo for the first time, Buhari said: ‘‘One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than $16 billion on power in Nigeria. Where is the power?’’

On the mismanagement of the economy by previous administrations, Buhari noted that the perpetrators lacked imagination and plans for the development of the nation.

He said: ‘‘Sometimes, I wonder about those who can afford to send their children abroad for studies and yet

continue to sabotage the economy. I wonder what kind of Nigeria they want their children to return to and work. There is a lot of lack of imagination. ‘‘If you are working for the country, then you shouldn’t be misappropriating and misapplying public funds the way people did’’.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and ensure that only ‘‘people of conscience are in-charge of governance at all levels’’, as the nation prepares for general elections in 2019. ‘‘I challenge anybody to check from Europe, America and Asia; between 1999-2014, Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day at an average cost of 100 USD per barrel and it went up to 143 USD. ‘‘When we came it collapsed to 37 – 38 USD and later was oscillating between 40 and 50 USD. ‘‘I went to the CBN

had only debts, no savings.

Some of the roads were not repaired since the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days. ‘‘I don’t care the opinion you have about Abacha but I agreed to work with him and we constructed roads from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Onitsha and so on. We also touched education and health institutions,” he added.

The President noted that under his watch, the 2016 and 2017 budgets recorded the highest appropriation and releases in capital projects, with over N2.8 trillion disbursements in two years.

The President urged Nigerians to reject those bent on dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines, warning that they do not mean well for the country.

Buhari said, ‘‘I have said severally that we do not have any other country than Nigeria and we will remain here and salvage it together. ‘‘We have nothing to regret.

material resources. Let us keep on praying to God to put people of conscience incharge at all levels.”

On the activities of the support group, Buhari apologised for not rallying them before announcing his intention to seek reelection in 2019 during a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress on April 9, 2018.

He thanked members of the group for their resolute support to him as a Presidential candidate in 2015 and all through his term in office, adding that their voluntary sacrifices were an indication of their trust and belief in the great future of the country.

In his remarks, Ali said the group and majority of Nigerians are passionate about a second-term for Buhari because of his integrity, honesty, love and patriotism.

of resources, improved the nation’s security and delivered on his promise to revamp agriculture, as a major revenue earner for the country.

But Obasanjo has accused Buhari of acting out of ignorance when he suggested that $16 billion was wasted on power projects by “a former President”, an allegation which Obasanjo believes to be referring to him.

Obasanjo said that he believes that Buhari was referring to him because the allegation was just a reecho of an unsubstantiated allegation against him, earlier made by his own predecessor but one.

According to the former President, Buhari apparently was speaking without correct information and based on ignorance, to suggest that $16 billion was wasted on power projects by “a former President”.

Governor, cap inLaw,Absolutely nothing. has He noted that Buhari Obasanjo a statement L-R: Chair NBAwith Sectionmy on Business Mr. Olumide Akpata 2ndGod Vice President Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)has Mr. Monday Ubani, Ag. in Director General my Ms. hand, if weCommissioner given Nigeria everything. entrenched discipline signed onand hisEnforcement behalf by Mr SEC, Maryand Uduk,asked Ag. Executive Corporate Services SEC, Mr. Henry Rowlandsfiscal Ag. Executive Commissioner Legal Securities and Exchange Commission, Reginald Karawusa, during aand meetingand in Abuja…recently had savings.

He told me we Mr. We are rich in human prudent management Kunle Somorin, a Media

Consultant, noted that “While it is doubtful that a President with proper understanding of the issue would utter such, it should be pointed out that records from the National Assembly had exculpated President Obasanjo of any wrongdoing concerning the power sector and has proved the allegations as false.

“For the records, Chief Obasanjo has addressed the issues of the power sector and the allegations against him on many occasions and platforms, including in his widely publicised book, My Watch, in which he exhaustively stated the facts and reproduced various reports by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which conducted a clinical investigation into the allegations against Chief Obasanjo, and the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Recommendations in the Report of the Committee on Power on the Investigation into how the huge sums of money was spent on Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution between June 1999 and May 2007 without Commensurate Result.”

He pointed Buhari to some pages of the ex-President’s book to be better educated on the matter.

“We recommend that the President and his co-travelers should read Chapters 41, 42, 43 and 47 of My Watch for Chief Obasanjo’s insights and perspectives on the power sector and indeed what transpired when the allegation of $16 billion on power projects was previously made. If he cannot read the three-volume book, he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand.

“In the same statement credited to the President, it was alleged that there was some bragging by Chief Obasanjo over $16 billion spent on power. To inform the uninformed, the socalled $16 billion power

Continued on page 6

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Buhari, Obasanjo in war-of-words Continued from page 5 expenditure was an allegation against Chief Obasanjo’s administration and not his claim.

“The President also queried where the power generated is. The answer is simple: The power is in the seven National Integrated Power Projects and 18 gas turbines that Chief Obasanjo’s successor who originally made the allegation of $16 billion did not clear from the ports for over a year and the civil works done on the sites.

“Chief Obasanjo challenges, and in fact encourages, anybody to set up another enquiry if in doubt and unsatisfied with the EFCC report and that of the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal-led ad-hoc committee,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo has that said higher education is expected to produce leaders that will lead Nigeria towards the attainment of its manifest destiny, saying if Nigeria continues with business as usual, the chance of being regarded in the comity of nations will be difficult and the world will leave the country behind.

Obasanjo, who was the Chairman of the 22nd convocation lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU) with a theme titled ‘Role of Tertiary Education in Promoting Social Cohesion and Peace: Opportunities and Challenges for Nigeria, stated this on Tuesday at the Main Auditorium of LASU in Ojo, Lagos.

He said there are four essential ways which a leader must posses in order to solve Nigeria’s problems, saying the qualities are leadership, governance, development and values within our culture.

Apparently referring to President Buhari, Obasanjo said: “If as a leader you cannot give these four, then no matter the level you have attained, you should get out”, The former President also reminded higher institutions in Nigeria that the purpose for their establishment was not only for education but for social, economic and political purposes, adding that that is why the idea of cohesion, unity and coming together comes in.

He said Nigeria currently has 164 universities, stressing that How, When, Why and what has been done to make the universities serve the purpose for which they were created.

“If anybody tells you that you can have peace without justice, he/she is telling a lie.

Our universities have also stood for justice, that is what led to the establishment of one Federal and State universities par state and I charge them to make their purpose straight

forward”, he said.

The former President also said diversity is the order of the day, adding that the problem Nigerians have about diversity is the management caused by nepotism, favouritism, dominated by tribalism and marginalisation.

“Why do we have disparity within communities and among communities, it is part of mismanagement of diversity”, he said.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said one of the most important roles a university is expected to play is to provide solutions to problems confronting the society.

Ambode said the daily happenings in the country make the topic of the convocation lecture very apt at this crucial time, adding that there can be no development without peace.

He said peace is both at the individual and collective levels.

The convocation lecturer, Prof. Adamu Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), said for Nigeria to unlock its potential and take its rightful place in the comity of nations, the country must rise above all the parochial, sectional and retrogressive forces that have worked against its unity and nationhood.

The lecturer suggested that there is need for increased strategic Government funding of tertiary education institutions to support long term investment in research and development.

“Our tertiary education system has failed woefully in two out of the three great missions identified in Ashby Report. No doubt, remarkable success has been achieved in the area of creating the manpower needed for development but the system has failed to give birth to a national elite or serve as an instrument of unity and peace”, he said.

He said ethnicity and religious intolerance reign supreme almost 58 years after independence and after the Ashby Report, “today our disunity has become more pronounced and rather than the language of peace and progress, our so-called educated elite is spewing out noises of hate, secession and war.

“The challenge for the immediate future and it is an urgent one, is to get our tertiary institutions back to do what they can do best, create a national elite that would facilitate the emergence of a truly united nation”, he added.

L-R: Brand Manager (Juice Nectar and Still Drinks), Chi Limited, Ademola Mafikuyomi; Head, Research and Development, Chi Limited, Ernest Ighravwe; National Publicity Secretary, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Olusola Malomo; and Assistant Brand Manager (Juice, Nectar and Still Drinks), Chi Limited, Olarenwaju Dapo, at the unveiling of the Chivita ‘no-added sugar’ campaign in Lagos…recently

Gunmen abduct Zamfara Commissioner’s wife, 3 children, relatives The wife of Zamfara State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Skills Acquisition, Abdullahi Gurbin Bore, three children and three other relatives have

been abducted by gunmen at about 1:30am on Tuesday, at Gurbin Bore village, Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner, who

confirmed the attack to journalists in Gusau, the state capital as at press time was quoted by NAN as saying that “They (abductors) have not yet demanded for any

ransom from us. ‘‘In fact, we have not discussed anything with them, but we have reported the matter to security agencies,” he said.

Senator Tinubu supports Gov Ugwuanyi’s re-election bid Seeks new Practice Directions to deal with delays Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos) has extolled the leadership virtues of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, describing him as “a very good and humble man” who she would wish to see return to office in 2019.

Senator Tinubu, who is former first lady of Lagos State and wife of national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, spoke in Enugu, when she represented President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the gully erosion control and road improvement works executed by the federal government at Awlaw, Orji River Local Government Area.

She expressed delight at the peaceful atmosphere in the

state and the warm hospitality accorded members of the committee by Gov. Ugwuanyi, saying that: “The people of Enugu State are very lucky to have you as their governor”. The senator, who told Ugwuanyi that God has already ordained his re-election, added: “I wish to see you back on the seat in 2019”.

Senator Tinubu while inaugurating the project disclosed that it was “one of the 18 ecological intervention projects approved by Mr. President for the first quarter of 2017”, stressing that the intervention has brought a huge relief to the sufferings of the people of the community.

While appreciating the federal government for the project, Senator Tinubu also commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; Gov. Ugwuanyi; the Ecological Fund Office; the Project Contractor and Consultant as

well as the Traditional Ruler of Awlaw community, Igwe Samuel Uka and his people for the “timely and speedy completion of the project”.

In his address, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to President Buhari “for approving this very important project”, which he said “has not only brought succor to our people but will significantly reduce the threat posed by gully erosion and other ecological issues in this area”.

The governor also thanked Senator Tinubu and other members of her committee, including other relevant committees of the National Assembly as well as the Federal Ministry of Environment, the contractor and others who contributed to the success of the project.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment

to continue to “support and collaborate with the federal government and donor agencies to combat the menace of gully erosion and other ecological threats in Enugu State effectively and satisfactory”.

The permanent secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr. Mrs. Habiba Lawal, added that the project was initiated through “a request for urgent intervention forwarded from the Awlaw Community to the Ecological Fund Office in order to arrest the gully erosion and flooding that had been threatening lives and property in the community”.

The community while thanking the federal government for the project also appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for his commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Enugu State, saying that they were touched that he is the first governor of the state to visit the community.

Daily Times Nigeria Wenesday, May 23, 2018

7 News

Senate invasion probe: Police recover Kogi Govt House Staff ID card from vehicle Panel faults police over slow pace investigation Ndume says incident unfortunate, gives security tips

Olufemi Samuel and Tunde Opalana, Abuja Members of the National Assembly ad-hoc committee on Tuesday faulted the Nigeria Police for its poor handling of the investigation of the April 18, 2018 invasion of the Senate Chambers and forceful retrieval of the mace.

The members of the NASS ad-hoc committee probing the incident at its sitting on Tuesday said the police has not treated the matter with the seriousness it deserves as a matter of national embarrassment.

But police investigation revealed that an identity card belonging to a staff of Kogi State Government House was found in one of the vehicles used by the intruders.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi) had charged the police as an institution of government to give the unravelling of the issue the seriousness it deserves, considering the enormity of the crime and its implication as national embarrassment to the President and the nation at large.

He said every institution of government concern should be upright in discharging its duty in helping the government unravel the case.

Senator Na’Allah said, “If you like the President and want him to succeed, you should do what will give credibility to the administration of Mr. President.

The President openly condemned the invasion of the Senate and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and I think the police should give it the seriousness and expediency it deserves”.

He said evidence from the comments made by police representatives clearly indicated that there is complicity in the whole invasion saga, stating that there is an allegation of internal conspiracy with security agencies to embarrass the institution of the National Assembly and that police is not doing enough to wriggle out of the allegation.

He said , “We are finding it difficult to appreciate the slow pace of the investigation of a matter as serious as threat to security of the National Assembly which has caused the nation big embarrassment”.

Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna) said it is a pity that the Nigeria Police has always being at the receiving end of political crisis but was always timid to defend itself when given the opportunity to do so.

He said, “Part of your problem is that when opportunity come, you fail to put people in position of authority on their

Omo-Agege declines comment

toes. You allow yourself to be used by those in position. Government come and go, they will use you and go away.

“There is limit to what you know and what you do. Politicians use thugs to foment trouble and disrupt peace while police look helplessly because you have been incorporated”.

The vice chairman of the committee, Hon. Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) had picked up the police representative when he said the case could drag on for 10 years by saying ‘that means the case could remain inconclusive in 30 years”, to which the policeman answered in the affirmative.

Representative of the police, Habu Sani, a Commissioner of Police from the Force Headquarters, had during interrogation, gave a brief account of the report of the National Assembly Division of the Nigeria Police which included the arrest of some suspects who are currently helping police in its investigation.

He however provoked the members of the panel when he said the investigation initiated at the Force Headquarters is inconclusive because the police has to follow procedures of investigations that may take some time.

Sani said the investigation of the arrested suspects is under the

supervision of the FCT Command and that the Force has to wait for the completion of the investigation by the Command without any interference.

Also in his submission, the police officer said the suspect that ferried the mace out of the hallowed chamber is still at large and police need to arrest him, and link him with the established facts from the already interrogated suspects.

The committee, therefore, mandated the police officer in charge of the investigation at the FCT Command to appear before it on Wednesday (today). But the Police Commissioner Dani requested that a letter of invitation be written to the officer, to which the committee chairman agreed.

Earlier on, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central), declined to testify on the grounds that he has filed a legal action against the the committee from interrogating him.

The senator said he has taken a legal step on May 21, 2018 challenging the senate president, deputy senate president, deputy senate leader and members of the ad-hoc committee, the clerk of the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of hrs Federation and Inspector General of Police and that all parties have been duly served wit the court processes. But Senator Na’Allah said neither himself nor any member of the committee were served.

After an exhausting interpretation of extant laws from the constitution and the Senate standing order, the committee told Omo-Agege that his legal action cannot restrain the proceedings of the committee and that he has the option to respond to allegations against him or decline and take his leave.

Prior to Omo-Agege’s exit, his colleague, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) asked for a closed door session which was granted while Omo-Agege was in attendance.

But Senator Ndume gladly responded to questions put to him and expressed dismay at the ugly incident, describing the development as unfortunate.

He said he was constrained to testify and advised the National Assembly on to improve on the security architecture of the premises.

On the allegation that he directed the mace bearer not to carry the symbol of authority to safety during the invasion, Ndume said, “It is totally out of place for me to ask the mace bearer not to do his job. I cannot do that, I did not do that and I should not do that”.

Ndume ,however, promised to submit a private submission to the committee on things to be done to further improve on the security of the National Assembly.

Reps propose N2m fine, jail-term for Tramadol, Codeine abuse Henry Omunu, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari in a group photo with recipients of the 2018 National Productivity Order of Merit Awards shortly after delivering the keynote address at the 17th National Productivity Day at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja...on Tuesday

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, passed for second reading an amendment bill proposing a N2million fine and a two -year jail term for offenders of the ban on Tramadol and Codeine.

The bill which seeks to amend the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc) Act, 2004, seeks to review the penalties that can imposed on offenders and confer jurisdiction on state high courts to try offences under the Act. Sponsor of the amendment, Hon Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) in her lead debate, said that between January and December 2015, an estimated 1, 044 patients were admitted for treatment in the 11 treatment centers that currently form part of the e -Nigeria Epidemiological Network of Drug

35 parties to participate in Ekiti governorship election – INEC boss Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.Yakubu Mahmud, on Tuesday in Abuja disclosed that 35 out of the 68 registered political parties will participate in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to him, only 35 political parties submitted the names of governorship candidates before the closure of the deadline set by the commission. .

Yakubu said that the details of the parties would be published on Tuesday in Ekiti as required by law.

He said, “The nomination has closed and 35 political parties are fielding candidates for governorship election in July”.

He added that though the timeline for submission of candidates’ names has elapsed, there is stll room for any of the 35 political parties to substitute candidates if need be.

The chairman stated this while speaking with newsmen after meeting with the team of ECOWAS female parliamentarians at the Commission’s secretariat in Abuja.

Reiterating the commitment of the Commission to work with political parties in achieving increased women representation in politics, Yakubu pledged that all registered voters in Ekiti and Osun would get their Permanent Voter Cards before the election days.

“In the cases of Ekiti and Osun, remember INEC conducted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) not only in 2017, but also in 2018 and at ward level.

“We have assured citizens in Ekiti and Osun that all those who registered will get their PVCs ahead of the elections.

“We have already delivered PVCs for 2017 in the two states for 2017 and 2018. We are mopping up for those who registered at ward level during the devolved CVR.’’ Yakubu also denied the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP) that

the accredited observer groups by INEC for Ekiti election were sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) He said, “As far as Ekiti election is concerned, we have not accredited observers for the Ekiti election. There is a procedure and it is known. It is even on our website, the guidelines for elections observation.

“We have received quite a number of applications, even yesterday the applications kept coming in, but we have not accredited any group for election observation in Ekiti and Osun.

“Very soon we will do this and as usual we will make it known to public.’’

Earlier addressing the ECOFEPA delegation, Yakubu pledged to use his position as the President of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) to advocate for more women participation in politics.

He explained that INEC was a gender friendly commission, saying out of 11 national commissioners in the

commission, three were women.

The INEC boss said, “INEC has a workforce of 16,000 staff and women constituted over 32 per cent of it.’’

Yakubu added that the commission already had its Gender Policy and was working with political parties to ensure more women’s participation in politics.

The 1st Vice President of the ECOWAS Female Parliament Association (ECOFEPA), Hon. Aissata Daffe, from Conakry, decried the low level of women participation in politics and their number in elective positions in the sub-region.

Daffe, said that women constituted over 52 per cent of the Nigeria’s population but only had six per cent representation in decision making levels, while Senegal had 42 per cent.

Dr Sintiki Ugbe, of ECOWAS Commission Abuja, presented the ECOFEPA’s ECOWAS Gender Election and Startegic Framework document to Yakubu and said they were on advocacy visit to INEC.

Use ( NENDU) reporting system.

She stated that “28.3 per cent of the patients had an opiate addiction and the opiates were mainly prescription medicines.

She said, “Tramadol represented 71 per cent as first most frequently used substance, Codeine (15.1 per cent) and Pentazocine (9.9 per cent), while heroin and morphine represented only 3.3 per cent of opiates.

“Since 2015, Codeine has nearly overtaken Tramadol as the most abused opiate in Nigeria. Thousands of young people in Nigeria are addicted to Codeine cough syrup, a medicine that has become a street drug. Three million bottles are are drunk everyday in Nigeria’s North alone, according to a recent government report..”

She also stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in 2011, that 64 per cent of anti -malarial drugs in the country were found to be counterfeit, adding that “it is assessed that counterfeit drugs provided approximately $75 billion in revenue annually to illegal operators and have caused more than 150,000 deaths worldwide.

“We legislators must also do our part in this war against commercialisation of illegal unregistered food and drugs.”

According to the lawmaker, Sections 6, 7, 9 and 13 of the Principal Act were amended in the new bill, declaring that the extant law enacted 25 years ago and had never been amended.

The amendments to the bill stipulates penalties for individuals up to the tune of N500,000 or a prison term of two years or both; and in the case of a corporate body, all the directors, managers. partners, trustees, would be guilty of an offence and would be punished as it they had committed the offence themselves.

The amendment bill was thereafter referred to the House committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Catholic protest nationwide

Catholic faithful protest nationwide, wants Buhari to stop killings Idu Jude and Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Freddie Adamgbe, Makurdi Idris Ahmed-Lokoja Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Catholic Faithfuls in Nigeria on Tuesday held a nationwide prayer and peaceful demonstrations against incessant killings and violent attacks in some parts of the country.

The protest which was design to coincide with the burial of the two priests and 17 worshippers who were killed by suspected herdsmen at a Catholic church in Benue State on April 24, also called on President Muhamadu Buhari to put an end to the killings.

According to the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins the protest was in line with the directive from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria which directed members to partake in the exercise in supplication to God and in solidarity with those killed in Benue State.

Benue Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, assured the people of Benue State that the Federal Government will revamp the security system in the country to address the menace of senseless killings

Catholic priests and others during a peaceful protest against nationwide killings in Abuja... on Tuesday.

and provide justice for the victims of incessant attacks.

Osibanjo, who stated this at Se Sugh Maria, Mbalom, Gwer local government of Benue State during the funeral mass for the two priests and seventeen parishioners who were murdered on the April 24, 2018 during a morning mass.

While conveying the condolence message of President Mohammadu

Buhari to the government and people of the state and the Catholic Church, the Vice President cautioned against retaliation and urged the families of the deceased to forgive the perpetrators of sad incident since vengeance is of God. In his address Governor Samuel Ortom emphasised that no matter the damage cause by the fulani herdsmen who vowed to resist the Anti Open

Grazing Establishment Law the people and state government is not deterred but determined to stand on the part of truth and justice.

Governor Ortom wondered why the innocent priests who owned no farm lands were killed in the Church of God adding that ranching remains the best international practice and called on the Federal Government to assist its implementation for stop

further killings in the state.

Also speaking the Tor Tiv and Chairman Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, Prof James Ayatse appealed to the people to restrain from retaliation saying though it is easy to forgive but difficult to forget, God alone can provide justice and console them.

The Tor-Tiv sued for unity and peace among the Church, the political class and traditional rulers to speak with one voice to stop further attack on the innocent citizens in the country.

Abuja The catholic Arch Diocese of Abuja also joined its members across the country in condemning the spate of killings across the country, stating that enough is enough.

The Cardinal of the Abuja Catholic Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, called on Nigerians to rise above religious, political and ethnic divides to save the country from drifting into anarchy.

Onaiyekan stated that Nigeria is in a state of emergency, noting that saving the country from anarchy required the cooperation of all citizens

Photos: Temitope Balogun

irrespective of their religious and political affiliation.

He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a mass at the National Ecumenical Centre shortly before a procession by Catholic faithful in protest against the killings across the country.

The mass was held in honour of two Catholic priests, Rev Frs. Felix Tyolaha and Joseph Gor, and others who were murdered at Ayati in Gwer East Local Government Council of Benue State by unknown gunmen.

The Cardinal said the killings across the country must stop and called on well meaning Nigerians to unite in fighting “the great evil that had befallen the country.”

He added, “This must not be politicised. The nation is in a state of emergency. We demand synergy; division, especially on tribal lines will only throw our nation into anarchy.”

He called on the federal government to act decisively to end the spate of killings across the country, warning that if murderers were Contd on Pg 9

Catholic protest nationwide

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

9 News

Catholic faithful protest nationwide, wants Buhari to stop killings Contd from Pg 8 allowed to continue killing, it would come to a time when people will begin to use other means of self-defence.

While stressing that the security of citizens should be considered paramount, the he revealed that the prayer procession held in Abuja on Tuesday was intended to send a message to the master minders of the loss of lives across Nigeria more especially killers of two priests and worshippers in Benue State.

The cleric further admonished the people to be vigilant and be their brother’s keeper.

Onaiyekan called for forgiveness and warned against reprisals, adding that the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God. He appealed for calm and advised the Christian faithful to show appreciation to God in all situations.

The procession which attracted a huge number of participants took off from the National Ecumenical Centre, Central Business District, terminated at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria ProCathedral, Garki.

Osun In Osun State, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salam, condemned the killing of two Catholic priests and other innocent Nigerians in Benue and other troubled parts of the country.

Speaking while receiving protesters from the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, who stormed the State Assembly complex in their numbers to protest the killings of Christians in Nigeria, described the act as inhuman.

He said that the assembly sympathized with the Christians over the killing of two Catholic Priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor and Fr. Felix Tyolaha as well as seventeen others at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, UkporMbalom, Benue state last month by suspected herdsmen promising that their requests would be

adequately looked into.

The protesters had in a two-page statement signed by Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ajayi, Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, registered their displeasure on what they described as an unending killings in the country and requested an end to it.

The statement reads, “What is happening in Nigeria of our time with regards to the value placed on human life is against the will of God, and the Holy Catholic Church in her teaching condemns such in its entirety and those who have the responsibility to safeguard life but are indifferent or incapable are culpable.”

“Security officers who have been found wanting in the performance of their official duties, either by way of compromise or culpable negligence and indifference should be called to account for such a professional misconduct. Those who have demonstrated their incompetence in protecting human lives should be relieved of their duties before more serious havoc is caused by their negligence.”

“While we thank the government of Osun State for the pro-active steps already taken to keep the state safe and peaceful, we ask for more efforts in the same direction, especially as several other challenges are manifesting” The speaker who received the statement in the presence of other lawmakers promised the protesters that the House will urgently look into their requests and communicate it to the state Governor.

Kogi The Catholic community in Kogi state on Tuesday despite the heavy rain filed out to join other members across the country to protest the killings of the two priests and 17 other worshippers recently.

As early 8.00am on Tuesday, the adherents gathered at the Bishop’s Court near Government House, Lokoja, from where the procession went through major

streets in the state capital.

The Catholics, though drenched with rains continued the protest as they clinched their Rosary in their hands praying.

Earlier before they filed out for the rosary procession,the Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, Bishop Martins Olorunmolu while addressing the adherents said there was too much bloodshed in the nation and called on the Federal government to do something urgently to address the situation.

He said “a country where Christians can no longer worship their God freely for fear of attacks and killings was a serious threat to the peaceful coexistence of such nation” and therefore called on politicians to avoid playing politics with human lives The protesters later ended their procession at the Immaculate Catholic Cathedral, Lokoja with prayers and Thanksgiving.

CAN For its part Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told President Muhammadu Buhari to put his 2019 presidential bid on hold and attend to the security problems occasioned by the criminal activities of the terrorists, herdsmen and bandits.

Speaking while commiserating with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) during the conduct of the mass burial for its two priests and parishioners killed by the Fulani herdsmen in Benue State, the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle said, ‘’Buhari’s ongoing campaign for re-election without plans to stop the state of anomie in Nigeria is scary, making Nigerians to believe that Nigeria had more than before become unsafe, more for Christians and ethnic groups marked for genocide’’.

In a statement by its Special Assistant (Media & Communications) Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Ayokunle charged the president not to fold his arms and watch misguided Nigerians,

mostly Boko Haram and herdsmen promote killing in the name of politics and ethnics while solution appears very elusive.

CAN said, “It is disheartening to note that criminal Fulani herdsmen, bandits, kidnappers and other hoodlums have reduced Nigeria to a banana republic.

“This development is unacceptable and we call on all well meaning people anywhere in the world to join hands in praying for the deliverance, freedom and liberty from this self inflicted bondage. ‘’While CAN is not opposed to the President’s exercise of his civic right by seeking reelection to the office for

the second time, we urge him to halt it meanwhile and attend to the security problems occasioned by the criminal activities of the terrorists, herdsmen and bandits. ‘’We asks you to suspend your re-election bid until sanity is restored to the country while ensuring the release of Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok girls and other abductees from the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists’’.

Describing the present moment in Nigeria as a trying time for the church, the Christian body also urged all Christians to identify with the Catholic Church in its nationwide peaceful protest against senseless killings in Nigeria.

CAN asked the Nigerian security agencies to rise up to the security challenges in the country adding that the security operatives have no excuse, while no one should be blamed for the failure to stop the unending senseless killings in Nigeria.

The body expressed dismay that killing of innocent is assuming global embarrassment with mass burial being carried out at all times without a country like Nigeria fighting a war and further prayed for comfort to the bereaved, accelerated recovery to those who are recuperating from the wounds and multiple injuries sustained from terror attacks in the past years and few months.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Why I was disengaged –Uwajeh Tom Okpe, Abuja The disengaged special investigator to the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Evangelist Victor Uwajeh, has alleged that his recent removal was because he refused to investigate former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, some serving Senators, including Senate President Bukola Saraki and other opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts.

Uwajeh also revealed that Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Jonah Jang, Patience Jonathan, Femi FaniKayode were also on the list given to him to investigate.

Recall that Uwajeh, a private investigator and former consultant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was recently employed

by Okoi Obono Obla led presidential panel but was disengaged about a month later.

While giving the reasons for his disengagement in a statement he signed on Tuesday, the London based private investigator alleged that his refusal to act on the courier document sent to him from Nigeria by the government which comprises of some names perceived to be enemies of the current administration responsible for his disengagement.

According to the statement: “It was the procedure of the Panel to courier documents to me from Nigeria for dispatch to various Agencies in the United Kingdom and worldwide.

Documents sent to me from Abuja to dispatch to the Serious Fraud Office and Home Office, Metropolitan Police, FBI and EUROPOL had the names of the following senators: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Sen. Albert Bassey Akpan and Sen. Stella Adaese Oduah.”

Uwajeh stated that he had suggested some names of APC members who are high looters, recommended for proper investigation but was turned down.

“This raised a red flag and as a professional, I made my complaint immediately and

made my position known to Okoi Obono Obla to transmit to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. I told him that I will not be a party to one sided investigation to muscle in the opposition and persecute them. I made my position known that I am ready to expose corruption and recover stolen assets as a professional but will not be involved in the politics of ‘pull them down in Nigeria’.

“My refusal to dance to the tune of the Government and SIPP led to my disengagement; after meeting in London on 18th April, 2018 with some officials during the CHOGM, it was evident that I will not

bulge in my position not to go against the ethics of my profession by investigating only the opposition. As soon as they arrived Nigeria on the 23rd April, 2018 they drafted a letter to disengage me. They kept the letter and wanted me to change my mind but I refused. On the 27th April, 2018, they sent me a backdated letter of disengagement dated 23rd April 2018. In the said letter it was alleged that I had a criminal allegation against me pending in court as the reason for my disengagement which is laughable”.

Uwajeh said any rightthinking person should question why it took the

Government of President Buhari a full month to know that he had a case in court saying; “My refusal has led to sustained assault on my person by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami. Abubakar Malami, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris and Mohammed Etsu should note that they cannot continue to be in this position forever and remember that power is transient. I will continue to maintain my dignity even in the face of a gang up against me. Nigeria can only move forward when the fight against corruption is not selective but holistic no matter whose ox is gored”, he said.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (2nd left); Deputy Governor/ Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for July 14 election in Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola (right); Deputy governorship candidate, Hon Deji Ogunsakin (2nd right) and other PDP leaders at a familiarisation tour of Ido/Osi Local Government... on Monday.

Treasury looters have no love for Nigeria -Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has said those who mismanaged Nigeria’s resources in the past, through fraudulent electricity projects and misuse of revenue earnings from oil, had no love for the country.

The President said this on Tuesday while receiving Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) led by the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and ensure that only ‘‘people of conscience are in-charge of governance at all levels’’, as the nation prepares for general elections in 2019. ‘‘I challenge anybody to check from Europe, America and Asia; between 1999-2014, Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day at an average cost of 100

USD per barrel and it went up to 143 USD. ‘‘When we came it collapsed to 37 – 38 USD and later was oscillating between 40 and 50 USD. ‘‘I went to the CBN Governor, with my cap in my hand, and asked if we had savings. He told me we had only debts, no savings. Some of the roads were not repaired since the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days. ‘‘I don’t care the opinion you have about Abacha but I agreed to work with him and we constructed roads from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Onitsha and so on. We also touched education and health institutions. ‘‘One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than 15 billion USD on power in Nigeria.

Where is the power?’’ the President said.

On the mismanagement of the economy by previous administrations, President Buhari noted that the perpetrators lacked imagination and plans for the development of the nation. ‘‘Sometimes, I wonder about those who can afford to send their children abroad for studies and yet continue to sabotage the economy, I wonder what kind of Nigeria they want their children to return to and work. There is a lot of lack of imagination. ‘‘If you are working for the country, then you shouldn’t be misappropriating and misapplying public funds the way people did,’’ he said.

The President noted that under his watch, the 2016 and 2017 budgets recorded the highest appropriation and releases in capital projects, with over N2.8 trillion disbursements in two years.

The President urged Nigerians to reject those bent on dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines, warning that they do not mean well for the country. ‘‘I have said severally that we do not have any other country than Nigeria and we will remain here and salvage it together. ‘‘We have nothing to regret.

Absolutely nothing. God has given Nigeria everything.

We are rich in human and material resources. Let us keep on praying to God to put people of conscience incharge at all levels,’’ he said.

On the activities of the support group, President Buhari apologised for not rallying them before announcing his intention to seek re-election in 2019 during a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress on

April 9, 2018.

He thanked members of the group for their resolute support to him as a Presidential candidate in 2015 and all through his term in office, adding that their voluntary sacrifices were an indication of their trust and belief in the great future of the country.

In his remarks, Ali said the group and majority of Nigerians are passionate about a second-term for President Buhari because of his integrity, honesty, love and patriotism.

He noted that President Buhari has entrenched fiscal discipline and prudent management of resources, improved the nation’s security and delivered on his promise to revamp agriculture, as a major revenue earner for the country.

Ambode approves construction of Fagba Flyover Bridge Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday approved the construction of a flyover bridge at the Fagba intersection to ease the perennial traffic gridlock and reduce travel time within the axis.

The approval followed an inspection of the ongoing construction of Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge, where Ambode observed the need to holistically address the traffic gridlock around Agege-Iju axis to make Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge more effective.

According to him, the development is in response to the various yearnings of the community in Fagba and several road users plying the Iju-Fagba axis and also in furtherance of his administration’s commitment in ensuring free flow of traffic and reducing man-hour loss across the State.

The Governor said, “Iju Road which is one of the major roads in Lagos State has over the years served as a strategic growth pole in the socio- economic landscape of the State has overgrown its present traffic carrying capacity resulting in the traffic challenges being experienced presently.

“The proposed flyover bridge at Fagba will be constructed concurrently with the ongoing Pen Cinema flyover and accelerated to minimize the inconvenience of the motoring and commuting public during the period of construction.

“The bridge which will have a dual carriageway separated by concrete median barrier will allow seamless flow of traffic into Jonathan Coker for vehicular movement from College Road/Pen Cinema and vice versa for traffic from Jonathan Coker Road that are Iju or College Road bound.”

Besides, Governor Ambode said the Fagba flyover bridge, on completion, would go a long way to improve socioeconomic activities, enhance development and safety of the road users in the axis with consequent improve standard of living.

It will be recalled that while the present administration has completed several road projects totaling 130km recently including the network of 21 boundary roads in Alimosho Local Government, it also has other major road projects cumulating in 120km that are currently ongoing across the State.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday May 23, 2018

Politics

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3 years down the line, Umahi gives Ebonyi people reason to smile again Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki Come May 29th, 2018 Mr. David Nweze Umahi’s administration in Ebonyi State will mark three years of remarkable achievements in office.

Within the period, any visitor to Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State would marvel at the level of road networks put in place by Governor Umahi to transform the metropolis.

Some of the infrastructural development could also be seen in other major towns like Afikpo, Ikwo, Ezzamgbo, Ngalagu and Ohaozara including hospitals, electricity and schools. With all these giant strides will it be enough to guarantee him a return ticket in 2019?

In a bid to keep its road network at par with what obtains in other parts of the globe, Ebonyi State government has committed over N690million on road infrastructure maintenance across the state, in the last three years under review.

This is even as it has been said that it would be disappointing and laughable for people to say that the state government, led by Engr.

Dave Umahi was ‘vindictive’ with its infrastructural development, adding that the various projects so far executed by the state government cut across different religious, ethnic and political leanings and were evenly spread in all the 13 local government areas of the state.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Infrastructural Maintenance, Chief Ali Odefa made this disclosure in Abakaliki during an exclusive chat with The Daily Times.

Odefa, who also superintends and supervises the Ebonyi State Roads Maintenance Agency (EBROMA) said prior to the advent of the current administration, most roads in the state were impassable and in dilapidated state, adding the state government had embarked on massive infrastructural projects, notwithstanding its meager resources.

On why the Ebonyi State government has embraced concrete road technology instead of asphalted road considering its high capital cost, he noted that although it was more expensive to do concrete road than asphalted that, “The truth of the matter is that the soil texture of Ebonyi is so bad that you can’t put the guarantee on asphalted roads, even if they are done by a multinational construction company.

“But concrete roads give you a lifetime guarantee. They last longer.

So that’s why the state government has deemed it necessary to consider concrete roads, as against asphalted roads. We want to do something that will last for our children, and the generation after them long after we are gone. The state government wants to do something that is sustainable.”

Describing Governor Umahi as a practical man, Odefa said part of

Gov Umahi the reasons why the governor was always on sites to inspect projects, was to ensure that international best practices were followed and to enhance strict adherence to quality, pointing out that why jobs are not properly done in this part of the world was because of lack of proper supervision. “There is no local government area in this state, where a multi-billion-naira project, especially road has not been executed or is ongoing. So it feels disappointing and laughable for people to come up and say the governor has been vindictive with his infrastructural development.

It’s not strange; it’s the man who has the ball that’s being tackled.

“The governor’s projects in this state are being spread and done in such a way, that no matter where you are, you will feel the impact.

Dividends of democracy are going round judiciously in Ebonyi State, under Dave Umahi’s administration unlike what we had before now here.

And the man is a highly detribalised person. Therefore, his programmes and projects cut across every nook and crannies of this state,” Odefa said.

The present administration under review, has constructed roads,

“

bridges across different communities in the state in lines with its campaign promises to better the lot of the people of the state.

What is striking about the construction of the these projects in the state was Governor David Umahi’s large heartedness towards constructing all roads, both urban and rural, irrespective of whether they are state or Federal Government owned.

One of such gestures was extended to the people of Isinkwo community in Onicha Local Government Area of state who were thrilled and stunned by the development as they sang and danced joyfully before Governor Umahi and his entourage including the former governor, Dr Sam Egwu, National Assembly members and elders of the state at the site of the project.

The road which traverses Abomege, Isinkwo, Ukawu, Ugwulangwu and Okposi communities of both Onicha and Ohaozara Local Government Areas of the state had been abandoned by successive governments of both federal and state before the coming on board of the present administration which took the bull by the horn to ensure its construction and

It is no secret that Governor David Umahi inherited a very fragmented and highly indebted stateonMay29th,2015attheAbakalikiTownship stadium when he took over as governor of Ebonyi State. Umahi took over the reign of power with a lot of goodwill and very high expectation from millions of Ebonyians who saw his emergence as the much needed tranquilizer to a very fatigue populace who were yearning for change.

”

completion.

Not minding the meager federal allocation to the state on monthly basis, the governor has given a facelift to the state capital, Abakaliki to the admiration of both citizens and foreigners in the state.

As the state capital is gradually undergoing intensive transformation in terms of outlook and aesthetic value, the state government under Umahi through the ministry of youth development and sports has completed the Abakaliki Township stadium which has currently become a tourist centre in the state.

The development was because of the innovation, nature of work, aesthetic choice and amazing display of creativity injected into such project for the first time since the creation of the state on October 1, 1996 by the then late former military Head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The 10,000 capacity size stadium, following its former state was no longer attracting the attention of event planning, celebrities among Ebonyi people to the environment, but the diverse innovation of Governor David Umahi, had reawakened a new zeal and passion from the members of the public to the area.

The place also had surprisingly become a tourist attraction for many people both in the state and outside as the government under Umahi has given an international outlook to the stadium as it had indeed become a cynosure of all eyes in the state.

The number of people trooping into the stadium have every reason to evoke a line of thought that the present administration was determined not only to set a pace in development strides but also set a precedence of ingenuity that democracy dividend

was possible even in the face of obvious economic challenges.

With the completion of the work at the stadium, Ebonyi state will now join the league of states with the capacity to host both local and international events of any standard in future.

The state government within three years, launched the state’s policy of one man, one hectare ; a programme designed to boost food production across the state, where in government functionaries including both state House of Assembly members are encouraged to go into agriculture.

Launching the one man, one hectare agricultural police of the state government and commissioning of mechinaries and equipment at the Abakaliki Township stadium, minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh assured that more federal government programs and policy in Agriculture would be implemented in the state.

Ogbeh who was impressed with the state government policies in agricultural assured more agricultural seedlings to the state to boost the present administration’s impact in the area. The state government also flagged-off the distribution of 250,000 each to 3,000 unemployed Ebonyi youths for human capital development in the area of agriculture.

It also laid to rest, the long feud existing between Ezza/Ezillo communities by proclaiming that 500 hectares of land be used to settle all the people concerned within the two warring communities.

It is no secret that Governor David Umahi inherited a very fragmented and highly indebted state on May 29th, 2015 at the Abakaliki Township stadium when he took over as governor of Ebonyi State. Umahi took over the reign of power with a lot of goodwill and very high expectation from millions of Ebonyians who saw his emergence as the much needed tranquilizer to a very fatigue populace who were yearning for change.

The expectation of Ebonyians was further fired to high heavens because the new state Executive is known to have done well. Therefore, he was seen as the kind of leader that would take the state to the next level, hence his support base cut across the three senatorial zones during the gubernatorial election.

Governor Umahi in his first 100days in office displayed some flashes of performance that included operation zero tolerance to potholes along major roads and rehabilitation and reconstruction of some major roads in Abakaliki, the state capital.

To –x-ray more on his achievements, the state government under Umahi has built three flyovers within Abakaliki state capital with modern street light all over the metropolis and also the construction of the police Headquarters and renovation to an international standard.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Ashafa, Fashola assures of completion of N20.8bn 2019: Don’t vote people Ikorodu- Shagamu Expressway in 36months who will AS FG flags off reconstruction of ‘Legacy Road’ project

Patrick Okohue The Federal Government has said that the ongoing reconstruction of the N20.8Billion Ikorodu - Shagamu Express Way project will be ready within 36 months for commissioning.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, who led other personalities at the flag off gave the assurance in their separate address at the epoch making groundbreaking of the reconstruction road project, which is a link road between Lagos and Ogun State, held at Ikorodu, Lagos end.

The event was also witnessed

by Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ikorodu council of Obas, residents, among others.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had earlier approved N20.8 billion for the rehabilitation of the Shagamu-Ikorodu Express Road project.

The rehabilitation of the road it was said will reduce the operating costs and movement of petroleum products and agricultural products between Lagos and Ogun states.

In his address, Ashafa said,”I recall that while campaigning for the opportunity to represent the people of Ikorodu at the Senate, the rehabilitation of this stretch of road was their paramount request.

“At the time, I and other candidates committed ourselves to ensuring that this road was prioritised and rehabilitated. On my own, I had to become an “alarm clock” in the ears of the Minister, who assured me severally that the project would be commenced before the end of the first tenure of this administration.”

While commending the minister for keeping his promise and also allowing him to keep the promise

Ashafa to the people of Ikorodu, Ashafa noted that the effect of this road construction would be immense and the benefits immeasurable.

“Certainly, the effect of the entire process beginning from the construction phase to the completion and use of this critical infrastructure would be of direct benefit to all.

“I am aware that this project would in addition to the ultimate ease and comfort expected on completion, would also create thousands of direct jobs in the areas of skilled and unskilled labour throughout the period of construction.

“Further to the above, the reconstruction of this road would create a viable alternative to the Lagos – Ibadan expressway as a means of connecting Ogun State from Lagos.

“We also expect it to facilitate more trade opportunities in the area of exchange of goods and services between both states and improvement of access for our rural dwellers.”

Fashola Ashafa therefore, called on the people of Ikorodu and indeed all stakeholders to cooperate with the Federal Government and the contractor handling the project in order to expedite its completion.

“Through these 36 months, we are likely to experience inconveniences in the form of road closures, lane alternation or delays due to presence of equipment on the road. I urge you to consider these inconveniences minor sacrifice for our greater good and comfort.”

He also called on the contractors whose track records of quality precede them, to ensure that local participation is paramount throughout the construction of the project.”Also, local content must be the watch word in sourcing for materials to be used where such is available within this jurisdiction.”

Ashafa expressed confidence that in 36 months everyone would again gather by the grace of God, to witness the commissioning of the “legacy project.”

Fashola, in his address, however,

directed the contractor handling the project to give priority for the engagement of residents who are willing to offer services in the construction process.

He said, “The Federal Government at the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, 28 March, 2018, awarded the contract for the full rehabilitation of the Lagos – Shagamu Express road which passes through Odogunyan, Ogijo, Likosi, Mosimi Sotubo before terminating at Shagamu in Ogun State at the cost of N20,845,338,248 to contractor with a contract period of 36 months.

“It should be emphasised that the scope of works involves the full reconstruction of the road which hitherto has been in a very poor condition and requires urgent intervention.

“The reconstruction of the Ikorodu- Shagamu road will serve as an alternative route to the LagosShagamu Expressway during traffic congestion period an also relieve the ever busy Lagos-Shagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

Group, Obanikoro hail APC national committee over seamless congress in Lagos Benjamin Omoike A group in Lagos State, operating under the aegis of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, has lauded the National Congress Committees of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for organising a successful Congress in Lagos.

Commenting on the development, the Coordinator of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, commended the Chairman of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), National Congress Committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, for conducting a peaceful, free and fair Congress in the state.

Bamigbade, who spoke in his capacity as an observer at the wellattended congress of the party held at the party’s Secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, lauded the seamless political transition and the peaceful

conduct of members of the party during the congress.

According to him, for the congress to be devoid of rancour showed that Lagos State APC members were politically informed and intelligent.

Bamigbade said Lagos State has continually demonstrated its ability to transfer baton of leadership, be it at the party level or state level, saying such feats were not common in the country. ”We thank the members of the All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, from Wards level, Local Governments level to the state level, for their loyalty to the party,” he said.

He also congratulated the newlyelected state executive, led by Hon. Tunde Balogun, urging them to continue to perform their duty distinctively and move the party to

the next level.

Speaking at the Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, Ikorodu Division Public Enlightenment Campaign on PVC collection and endorsement of Akinwunmi Ambode’s continuity in office beyond 2019, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, Chairman Local Government Service Commission, said the performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had endeared him to Lagosians and that they resolved to give him the targeted five million votes in the coming election.

For Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who was the guest speaker at the Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, Ndi Igbo United Forum, in Oshodi, Lagos; he said it was gratifying to witness Ndi Igbo groups in Lagos uniting for the first time to support the common course of re-electing the governor.

Obanikoro He said, “I am ready to join Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard to mobilise the targeted five million votes for the governor because of all his visible projects all over the state.”

attack, persecute the church – Cleric

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) on Tuesday called on it’s members not to vote people who will attack and persecute the church.

The call was made by the COCIN president, Rev. Dachollom Datiri, while speaking at the 94th General Church Council meeting ongoing at the church’s headquarters in Jos. Datiri said, “Hitherto, the church had stood aloof in the selection process of leaders in the country. Now we can no longer afford to do so.

“We call on our members to not only register as card carrying members of political parties, but to be intimately involved in the selection process so as to present credible flag bearers for various offices.

“Also we can no longer afford to vote people who will attack and persecute the church. Those vying for political offices must tell us clearly what they will do for us if we give them our votes.”

On the Federal Government’s fight against corruption, the COCIN President said, “We heralded the fight on corruption of the Buhari government when he started, but now we are being forced to distance ourselves from it.

“As a church, we cannot associate ourselves with any fight against corruption that is bias and gives a semblance of targeting the opposition.

“We call on Buhari to regain the confidence of Nigerians by being fair and just in this fight.”

Speaking on insurgency, the clergyman said, “This government promised Nigerians to stamp out insurgency in a matter of months. Now three years into this administration, there appears to be no end in sight.

“Instead, what we see is an increase in it, as well as indications of the security playing double standards.

“Government must rise up to her responsibility. It was the late General Sani Abatcha who said, ‘if insurgency lasts more than 24 hours, the government has a hand in it.”

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

13

Editorial Commentary OUR POSITION

Hate speech and national interest

A

week before the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari from his 103 days medical vacation, the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had sent a draft bill to National Assembly which, when passed into law, will criminalise or outlaw hate speeches in the media-print, broadcast or social media. This was in reaction to an alarming attack on people on the basis of their tribes, religion and gender.

He had remembered that Rwanda’s genocide started from vulgar vituperation against one another on the basis of the aforementioned natural attributes.

He even equated hate speech with terrorism.

But how did we get here?

We arrived at this port because of politics of hatred, antagonism and bitterness that have become the stock– in–trade of Nigeria’s politics.

These had reached a crescendo towards 2015 general elections. Issues and parties’ manifestoes were relegated to the background while tribal and religious matters were kicked to the front burner.

Certain sections of the country would not bear sight of power being retained in a certain part of the country, while certain parts of the country would not accept power being taken from where it then resided. And so the foot soldiers of both camps went into the trenches and there they have been, ever since.

There is a Yoruba adage that a King is not abused in his presence. But today, our Kings are being abused right in their presence, calling to question our agelong cultural values and orientation. I remember the then spokesman of APC who incidentally is the spokesman of this government, threatening to form a parallel government if APC failed to win 2015 election.

There were threat and counter threats from both sides of the divides. But as the then President Goodluck Jonathan promptly conceded defeat even before the last count of the 2015 Presidential election results and congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) as he then was. It was like cold water had been poured on a raging fire or so we thought.

Shortly after President Buhari mounted the saddle, he embarked on foreign tours in his effort to market Nigeria of his dream. It was in one of such trips that he was quoted to have said that those who gave him 5% votes should not expect to be favoured in equal measure with those who gave him 97%, whatever that would sum up. That assertion must be admitted to have given rise to this round of tirade exchanges in conventional and social media.

To mark the beginning of the end of hate speeches, there is no need of law or enactment from the National Assembly.

There is no need to unleash the police or military on the citizens. What is required and urgently too,

Historical Times in Pictures

is the soothing words of our President to the ‘5%’ voters who have felt alienated and ostracised by no less a person than the President.

No President / Prime Minister in this country or any other country for that matter, ever won election squarely and evenly, Balewa did not, ditto Shagari, Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan.

But once an election is won, the winner becomes a President of all and the father of the whole country. He becomes the President of those who voted and those that did not vote for him. That is the way to unite Nigerians. The Acting President who has reverted to his post as Vice President must prevail on his boss to be more conciliatory and sensitive in his approach to issues of National importance. He must be manifestly seen to live to his inaugural statement of “I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody”. He must not take governmental criticisms to mean “hate speech”, for most of the positive adjustments this government has done so far could be attributed to those criticisms than praises. Nnamdi Kanu, militants in the Niger Delta, Arewa Youth etc could be reined in through kind words and egalitarian assurances by the President.

All policies in education and employments which seek to favour a particular section or sections of the country must be discontinued. If these are done, it will surely mark the beginnings of the end of “hate speech” in our country.

Welcome back once again Mr. President.

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S I G N AT U R E Publisher

Folio Communications Plc

0 197 Photo of some of the Asije family (Old Warri family) taken in the 1970

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors.

Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Ideal qualities and contestants for 2019 polls

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Gbemiga Olakunle

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee, and shall possess it, and shall dwell therin, and shalt say, ‘I will set a king over me, like as other nations that are above me. Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy GOD shall chose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses. Forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, ‘Ye shall henceforth return no more that way’. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself that his heart turn not away, neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold…..”Deuteronomy 17: 14 – 20, KJV .

Politics is an activity for promoting the public interest, according to Greeko- Romanian conception of politics. People go into politics for three reasons: 1. To serve selfish interests, 2.

To serve communal or tribal interests and 3. To promote public interests.

According to the above quoted Biblical injunctions, GOD changed the Israelites about the qualities of characters to look out for whenever they wanted to move out from Theocracy to Monarchical form of government or Democracy.

God sternly frowns against characters who might want to vie or go into public office mainly to pursue or promote their selfish interests at the expense of pursuing or promoting public interests.

God specifically warned against voting for people or choosing characters who may go into public office to amass wealth for themselves at the

expense of the masses. This group of people got into public offices through deceits, manipulations and giving of empty promises to the Electorate. And sometimes they perpetuate themselves or elongate their tenures in office through the use of coercive force of the State machinery to subvert the collective will/choice of the people.

Unfortunately, there is the preponderance of this group of politicians in the Developing World of most African and Asian countries.

Some of these rulers/public office holders sometimes looted their nation’s treasuries into economic recession as it happened in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, and several other developing countries where the political elites are richer than their States.

This is the category of people in any given society that the Ancient Greek Philosophers called the Idiots. The Greeks called them Idiots not because they are mentally deficient or retarded, but because they are totally self – centered and totally selfish persons They are always out for their personal gains or their personal interests.

They have no public philosophy, no knowledge, no skill, no character and no virtues to be able to live and contribute in a flourishing society and community.

They are all out for their personal interests and their personal pleasures.

According to the Greek Philosophers, the Idiot is just an upgraded barbarian.

Still quoting the ancient Greek Philosophers, Dr. Kethoser Kerichusa in a recent public lecture called the second group of people in any given society the Tribes people who go into politics to pursue and promote the interests of their communities, tribes or religions against the public interest. These are people who have tribalistic mentality.

They are not able to think beyond their small tribes or small groups. Their only and ultimate allegiance is to their tribes.

Their tribe is their god and their religion is tribalism. The Tribe people, according to the Greeks, are always afraid of things that are different to them. They are always suspicious and fearful. They always dealt with different people at difficult times with intimidation, with force and with finance. The ideal person for the tribe people is the “Warrior”, because tribes people are war – making people. This particular second class of people also typifies the kind of political elites that abounds in most African and Asian societies.

Lastly, the third category of people who go into politics in any given society are those who seek public office to pursue and promote public interests. And this is the group of people called the Ideal – class whom the Greeks termed as the Citizens. They are not called Citizens in a legal or a political status. The Citizen, according to the Greeks is someone who has the skills and the knowledge to live a public life- someone who is able to live a life of simplicity. The Citizen recognizes that he or she is a member of the commonwealth that strives for the common good. The Citizen knows his or her rights in a society and at the same time he/she knows his/her responsibilities to the society. The Citizen can fight for his/her rights but always with an awareness of and with the respect of the rights and interests of others, of their neighbours and of the smallness of the minorities. It is the Citizens, according to the Greeks that made and make-up of civilized societies because the Citizens settle their differences with civility and so they produce a civilized society- a society

that truly lives up to the true meaning of the name Society. Society, according to Dr. Kethoser Kerichusa, literally means friendship and friendliness.

And so as we approach the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states later this year and the general elections in the first quarter of 2019, the choices enumerated above are open for the Nigerian electorate to make. If we continue to do our business as usual, we will continue to get the same results. But if we choose to break out from our idiotic and tribalistic cocoons and choose to be the ideal persons called the Citizens in a civilized society, we shall begin to get better results and commensurate dividends of good governance. This is the holistic way to put an end to frequent cases of inter – ethnic rivalries, betrayal of public trusts, looting/mismanagement of public funds and corruption in every facet or form. As for me, I choose to be a Citizen and wish to vote for fellow Citizens with a hope to make up a Civilised society called Nigeria. How about you?

Joshua, the good successor of Prophet Moses who led the Israelites to their Land of Promise in his valedictory words charged the children of Israel to make their own choice between good or evil. “…but as for me, and my house, we will serve the LORD”, declared Joshua to the Israelites (Joshua 24:13-17, KJV). We sincerely hope that the ongoing political process and realignment of forces will throw up the Ideal persons the Citizens so that the Nigerian electorate can have an option of voting them into power for our society to accelerate its pace/ strides as we march in the direction of our own Canaan land. May GOD help us in JESUS Name.

Parliamentry bills and court verdicts

A Ali Ahmad

s far as one knows, no court in the United States of America has ever issued an injunction against the Congress, restraining it from summoning any person or preventing it from concluding any proceedings before it. In the United Kingdom, this phenomenon is even unthinkable. Emeritus Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN has also cited numerous African and Commonwealth countries where this practice of stopping parliament through court injunctions is also unheard of.

What Justice Ahmed Mohammed did on March 14 was to allow his court to be used to scrutinize constitutionality, not of a law but, of a pending bill on election.

If you are not alarmed by the peculiar pronouncement of Justice Mohammed purporting to restrain the Senate from proceeding on passing of the bill, then you have overlooked a dangerous precedent and a big threat to our democracy. We would all soon be alarmed when in the near future, I bet, a judge would try to stop the parliament from e.g. passing the budget, or from screening ministerial nominees, or from considering committee reports. Apart from being the first judge to allow interpretation of provisions of a bill in a court of law, Justice Mohammed scored another first by restraining Mr. President from assenting to the bill.

Judiciary has been restraining parliament but it has never restrained the executive in the exercise of its constitutional powers.

Undoubtedly, this would have opened doors for anybody to seek to restrain a President from convening a Federal Executive Council meeting. Perhaps again after unexpected leaders would have emerged during the Ninth Assembly in 2019, a judge would issue an injunction stopping a Mr. President or Governor from exercising their powers under S. 64 or S.105 of the Constitution to inaugurate a new parliament!

But consider a few more examples of where judiciary has unconstitutionally and undemocratically interfered with the exercise of legislative powers. Last February, Justice Anwuli Chikere held that the House of Representatives could not continue with an investigative hearing on the Law School hijab controversy with Miss Firdaus. Also, the court in Adeola Vs. HOR (2015) prevented legislators from casting votes to change their Majority Leader during the dying days of the Jonathan Administration. Again, Mr. Justice Gabriel Kolawole (now of Court of Appeal) stopped the Senate from inviting the former EFCC Chairman to disclose the whereabouts of recovered looted assets and whether some of the assets have not been illegally converted to personal use.

The billions of Naira at stake are forever hanging: Ibrahim Lamorde V. The Senate (2015). So many more instances abound.

Indeed, an undemocratic precedent is gradually being established in Nigeria whereby when a public official is invited on investigative hearing that is of national interest, he rushes to court and a judge will readily stop the parliament in what

is couched as interim order, but in effect a permanent one.

Many Nigerian lawyers, and judges, do not believe there is a matter on the face of the earth which the court system cannot or should not entertain. And it is only in Nigeria. But I dare say this Nigerian belief is erroneous. They cite copiously from the Constitution as if we are the only one in the world that operates a written Constitution, or that the provisions of our Constitution originate from such locations as Daura, Ile Ife, or Benin, or are inspired by philosophies that are exclusively Nigerian. As with the other two arms of government, judicial power is limited by the principle of separation of power. I am sure many lawyers may not like it, but reality is that judicial activism stops where legislative powers begin. Judicial power in any system of government, democracy or autocracy, is not infinite and Nigerian courts should embrace their limit and not arrogate to themselves the power to tell the legislature how to exercise its own power.

Let me have the answer when you ask a typical judge, “what is the adjudicatory limit of Nigerian courts?”

The fact is Nigeria operates a ​ presidential system of government, and it is the Constitution that has allocated governmental powers between the three arms. The Constitution can only codify so much of hundreds of years of democratic practice of the West, especially the USA. As a code our Constitution, however long winded, can only capture salient features of this

system of government, leaving the dayto-day detailed practice to treatises, publications and exchange of ideas and visits which legislators do undertake.

Separation of Powers is an established tenet of this system. The Court of Appeal has since held Separation of Powers to mean, among others, that one branch of government should not exert control on another in Hon. Abdullahi Ahmed V. SOHA. Yet, the statement of Justice ​ Mohammed is symptomatic of a wider trend of judiciary-induced roadblock against the parliament. I am one of those who share the notion that the tendency is extremely high for a negative judicial pronouncement on any parliamentary process and procedure. Whenever it has to exercise discretion in determining propriety of exercise of legislative power, it is unlikely the judiciary will not pothole exercise of that power, even if that decision is incongruous with established global legislative practice.

One further example will suffice. ​For centuries, courts in all democratic countries across the world have been barred from reaching out against legislators regarding whatever they say or do during legislative or committee proceedings. This is called freedom of debate or legislative immunity.

Trust Nigerian courts, they nullified the privilege in Hon. Mike Balonwu V. Obi (2007). Of course, this decision has been jettisoned when President Buhari recently signed the newly-passed bill reauthorizing legislative immunity.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

15 Column

The impending implosion of APC Times Columnist reuben abati

‘

As things stand, the APC appears as desperate for power today as it was in 2014, and those who have sworn that the Buhari government cannot be replaced would do as much as they did last Saturday, to impose their will on the Nigerian people

,

J

ust take the phrase: “impending” in the title above with a pinch of salt. I use the word because in politics as in life, things happen - as seemingly absolute situations become redeemable and what originally appears impossible could be the catalyst for fresh opportunities.

Otherwise, the truth is that the ruling Nigerian political party, the All Progressives Congress is already imploding, it has in fact imploded; the party is in the throes of a debilitating illness. The implosion began almost as soon as the party assumed power in 2015. The APC emerged as a special purpose vehicle – composed almost entirely from second hand, used groups from the CPC, the ACN, APGA, ANPP, and a break away faction of the PDP, known as new PDP (nPDP) – even if there was nothing new about it, with the sole objective of taking power from the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Pro-APC persons described the APC as a child of necessity. They were convinced that 16 years of being in power had made the PDP complacent, arrogant and that its members had lost focus. They also argued that the Jonathan government needed to be changed by all means possible. Political coalitions often work when for one reason or the other, the ruling party loses either credibility or legitimacy, and the coalition gains the support of the people but the extent of the coalition’s success depends on its level of preparedness for office, and the quality of consensus among the partners. The APC coalition is not the first in the history of Nigerian politics, but it is perhaps the most impactful- even if driven by hate speech, populist propaganda and mass hysteria and hypnotism. It was a question of politics meeting with the public mood, and an unstoppable moment anchored on the symbolism of a strong man coming to “rescue” Nigeria. The electorate that bought into this narrative and turned it into votes is today full of regrets.

The APC began to unravel from day one, particularly at the centre. It took the government that emerged about six months to put a cabinet together, and almost two years to make some other critical appointments.

Members of the coalition struggled for space, influence and power among themselves, and almost immediately, there were issues over the choice of the leaders of the National Assembly. The drama of the choice of the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives left many power brokers out in the cold. If there was any power sharing formula among the partners, somehow this was ignored by the CPC arm of the coalition led by the President, all made worse by the domination of the levers of government

by CPC and Buhari loyalists. Non-Fulani members of the APC soon began to sound as if they had been attacked by a band of imported herdsmen. Party members including Governors and Senators, and party officials expressed frustration openly.

In less than three years, some of the bitterest criticisms of the party have come not from the opposition but from within the party itself: Timi Frank perpetually complaining about party processes, Shehu Sani and other

Senators from Kaduna State at loggerheads with their State Governor, personality conflicts in virtually every state, most notably in Adamawa, Imo, Kano, Rivers and Lagos state, Governor Ortom of Benue openly accusing the Federal Government of negligence, Governor El-Rufai, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Shehu Sani at various times sounding notes of warning, Senator Dino Melaye assuming the role of an in-house critic, and members of the ACN and the nPDP alleging that they have been used and dumped. The APC wing of the National Assembly is divided among its ranks, and has posed more threat to the Executive arm of government than the opposition. The APC is also the biggest challenge to its own promise. In 2015, the party promised to tackle three main issues: security, the economy and corruption. It has since found itself in the uncomfortable situation of disowning some other promises it made. It even took more than two years to launch an economic blueprint.

The party over-promised and under-delivered.

It is possible to argue that differences and contestations are part of the democratic process and that this is the only way political parties can grow. Except that in this case, the conflicts are not ideas-based, even members of the APC themselves have no idea what the party really stands for, but they all seem

so sure of their personal ambitions, hence the obvious lack of order and coherence. Knowing this to be so, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the leader of the party, had set in motion a reconciliation process, and appointed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to lead it. This has not worked as Tinubu soon found himself in the heat of acrimony with the party Chairman, Chief John Oyegun and some of his own former protégés.

The extent of this implosion became more evident during the party’s recent state congresses. Parallel congresses were held in more than 10 states, there were reports of boycotts, violence and general confusion.

Given the tone and nature of the conflict, it seems obvious that the APC is a victim of its own lack of three things - internal democracy, originality and sincerity of purpose.

It is a familiar scenario. The APC leadership should learn from the example of the PDP and how that party lost the 2015 general election.

The first major crisis faced by the PDP was the failure to manage the exit of the five Governors in 2013, and the subsequent mischief over the 2015 campaign process. Powerful forces within the party for their own selfish reasons caused disaffection among members particularly at the grassroots level. Internal democracy was frustrated at all levels by those who regarded

themselves as powerful Abuja forces, the same drama that is now being played out in the APC. The PDP went into the 2015 elections, as a divided party, with fifth columnists among its ranks. The APC now faces the same challenge. The nPDP wing of the APC has already served what looks like a quit notice.

There are cases in court. The usual attitude is for those who emerged triumphant in the state congresses to insist that whoever wants to leave the party should do so. It was this same attitude that messed up the PDP. Failure has taught the PDP a bitter lesson: the party is only now just in the process of reinventing itself. It is ironic for example that the same PDP in the face of likely crisis in Ekiti state recently ended up having a peaceful party primary, with the defeated congratulating the winner and promising to work for the good of the party. In Kaduna state, the PDP also put up an impressive performance in the recent local government elections. It is important however that the PDP does not begin to see the crisis within the APC as its own gain. It still has a lot to do to convince the electorate that it can be taken serious again. In 2014, PDP strategists worked on the permutation that the APC, being a community of strange bedfellows would soon fall apart to the advantage of the PDP. It was a bad strategy which did not work then and which is also not likely to work in 2019. As things stand, the APC appears as desperate for power today as it was in 2014, and those who have sworn that the Buhari government cannot be replaced would do as much as they did last Saturday, to impose their will on the Nigerian people. Politics remains warfare in Nigeria because it is the surest ticket to power, cheap money and easy life. For the Nigerian politician, winning is therefore everything.

If anyone thought 2015 was a major turning point in Nigerian politics, the 2019 general elections may even prove to be more eventful, and while the PDP may not fully resurrect, the APC may suffer worse fate, paving the way for Nigeria’s new beginning…

Lessons from the Royal Wedding I could not resist the temptation to watch the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The symbolism of the event was too compelling to be ignored – a Windsor marrying a bi-racial lady, a divorcee, an American and an actress, from an obviously dysfunctional background. When King Edward VIII chose to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson in 1936 – the British royalty kicked, the government and the Church demurred. the public was scandalized. Edward VIII followed his heart. He abdicated. The British monarchy has been much transformed since then. Queen Elizabeth II presides over a modern, if not post-modernist monarchy; by granting the enabling order for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markel, the Queen dug a hole through the walls of race and prejudice and offered hope. A future English prince or princess would end up having black cousins, aunties and uncles!

This symbolism was most felt at the wedding ceremony- with an all black cast of the Kingdom choir, wearing natural hair, buns and African hairstyles singing “Stand

by Me”, Sheku Kanneh-Mason on the cello, and an impassioned sermon delivered by Bishop Michael Curry of the US Episcopal Church. Curry practically took Chicago to London, as he sermonized about the power of life, the fire of love, slavery…. Martin Luther King. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had asked the congregation to stand and sing a chorus or if he asked whoever wanted to give his or her life to Jesus Christ to step forward and be blessed…Bishop Curry’s performance will be long remembered.

The wedding was orderly, simple, classy and elegant. The bride carried herself with

grace and dignity – not even a trace could be seen of the pressure that had been piled on her, a few days earlier, by her father who was not too sure if he would attend or not, and her uncouth half-brother and half-sister who chose her moment of glory to bring out dirty family linens. She had to walk alone half the way, before Prince Charles took her arm and walked her down the aisle – without giving her away, though.

The guests arrived according to schedule, and every one knew where to sit. I did not see anyone running up and down trying to greet people, and generally seeking attention. The Queen and Prince Phillip did not come late, not even for a second. The Queen carried her own bag and she didn’t have a retinue of noisy courtiers attending to her. In Nigeria, “big men and women” routinely arrive late to their own events, usually so noisily. All the celebrities at the royal wedding did not have barrel-chested bodyguards. I was at a wedding event in Lagos recently, the comperes - Ali Baba and IK Osakioduwa – spent so much time begging uniformed bodyguards to allow their bosses to be human for once. Nobody listened. At another event, Bisi Olatilo kept assuring every one that no VIP at the event will come to any harm. He was ignored. Six gun-wielding policemen accompanied one state Governor into the hall and they stood behind him throughout! When he was invited to the stage to make a speech – they followed him!

Social events are thus, indeed, iconic. They reflect a people’s level of socio-economic and cultural development. The church service in London was solemn. There was nobody shouting “Amen” and “Halleluyah

somebody” on top of their voices. The church did not solicit for offerings or donations.

There were no politicians hugging the limelight. Heads of State were not invited.

Some of the richest persons in the world would have been glad to be in attendance, but only a few were called. Ha, I forgot: there were no photographers running up and down, sweating and disrupting proceedings, pushing their cameras in people’s faces, with flashy, blinding lights - photographers can be such a nuisance at Nigerian events!

When you attend most weddings in Nigeria, so much flesh is also often on display: from the bride to her bridesmaids, there is usually a nudity competition – bare legs, bare boobs, with some of the latter even threatening to break loose. This at a point became such a serious problem that some churches now inspect wedding gowns or offer specifications. No wedding is complete these days around here without heavy make-up either. You could run into a lady whose wedding you once attended and not recognize she was the one. In an attempt to be beautiful by force, every Nigerian bride engages the services of a make-up artist, and when the make-up is done, you’d think the bride is taking a role in a movie.

Nigerian weddings provide an opportunity for the guests to show-off and steal the show. Some people even go to weddings, to as they say, network, or advertise their new wardrobe, or dance crazily, some even end up dressing better than the groom and the bride. The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex provided good lessons in taste, etiquette, elegance and the triumph of love. I enjoyed the wedding very much – on television of course.

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

FG seeks better productivity consciousness in all sectors Idu Jude, Abuja Federal Government on Tuesday has called for the re-awakening of productivity consciousness in all sector of the economy in the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the call during the Observance of the 17th National Productivity Day Celebration and Conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award, in Abuja.

According to Ngige, ‘‘our developmental experience has so far proven that without higher level of productivity, the standard of living of our people will remain abysmally low.

“The importance of productivity is further underscored by the fact that the world is now a global village

where goods and services of other nations that of higher quality and price can easily be accessed by others.

“We therefore have no option but to key into the productivity movement and ensure that we remain productive in all our endeavours,’’ he said.

Ngige noted that over the years, successive administrations in Nigeria have attached great importance to improving the quantity and quality of goods and services available for consumption as a means of increasing total wealth.

Consequently, he said, there was need for an institutional framework that would constantly stimulate and promote productivity consciousness in all the sectors of the economy.

He added that this is what informed the establishment

of the National Productivity Centre as the apex government agency charged with the mandate of facilitating socio-economic growth and development through productivity improvement.

“Today’s ceremony is in furtherance of this goal. The National Productivity Day is set aside by the government to sensitse the citizenry to the strategic relevance of productivity to the national development.

“It is therefore a day to celebrate the productivity movement in Nigeria and to demonstrate that high productivity is the cornerstone of every economy.

“So, today’s award is to honour some deserving individuals and organisation, who stand out in creativity, innovation, high performance, efficiency, discipline,

patriotism, humanity and have contributed to our national growth and development,‘’ he said.

The minister, however, said since the inception of the award in 1991, a total of 327 individuals and 80 organizations have been given award.

He further added that today, 15 individuals and five organizations have proved themselves worthy of the award.

Also, Mr Kashim Akor, Director-General, National Productivity Centre (NPC), commended the Federal Government for its support in the achievement of the programme.

Akor said that productivity consciousness was important for the development and growth of the economy.

He, however, said the programme was a huge success

as President Muhammadu Buhari for the first time in the history of the award was present to confer the award on the recipients.

“Because we have being having series of award and this is the highest so far as we have had the Vice president, minister of Labour, directors among other.

“So, we are grateful and we want to commend him,‘’ he added DAILY TIMES, some of the recipients are Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation was award for her exemplary service, dedication to duty, productivity and enormous contribution to the public service.

Also, Mr Joseph Anebi, Controller-General, Federal Fire Service, was awarded for his superlative performance

and contributions to the development of fire fighting, dedication to duty and selfless service, among others.

Another awardees, Dr Jones Stow was nominated for his demonstration of professionalism in public health management such as containment of monkey pox outbreak in Bayelsa, HIV prevalence reduction from 9.1 per cent in 2010 to 3,8 per cent in 2014 in the state, among others.

Stow told NAN that the award meant a lot to him as it would boost his confidence and commitment to the service to humanity.

NAN also spoke with some of the awardees, who commended the Federal Government for the initiative as the award would stimulate greater productivity consciousness.

Other awardees are May and Baker Nigeria Plc., Sevenup Bottle Company, Alo Aluminum Manufacturing Limited amongst others.

Ambode’s wife raises the alarm over impersonation by cyber fraudster Benjamin Omoike

A Catholic Priest and other faithful during a peaceful protest against the killings of the herdsmen in Benue State, recently

Osinbajo to attend African food and product exhibition in Lagos Friday Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is to attend the African Food and Product Exhibition (AFPE) on Friday in Lagos, as part of efforts to promote growth of the non-oil sector.

This was contained in a statement signed

by Ebuka Ugochukwu,

Communications Executive, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to Ugochuku, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, CEOs of multinational firms and government agencies

will also be in attendance to chart a course for the nonoil sector.

The AFPE themed: ‘NonOil Exports: Scaling up Productivity to Meet Global Demand’ is scheduled to hold on May 25 and 26.

Ugochukwu said the exhibition was

aimed at promoting the development of trade, commerce, investment and industrial technological relationships between Nigeria and the U.S. He said it also seeks to expose opportunities that would increase export sales by maximising the benefits

of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

More than 2,500 attendees are expected to attend the two-day programme.

The AFPE is organised by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC).

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, on Tuesday distanced herself from the criminal activities of a certain individual posing as her representative to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.

Mrs. Ambode, in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, said the unknown individual has been utilising social media platforms to disguise as her representative to defraud people; alerting Nigerians to be wary of such entreaties from any person.

The statement read, “The attention of Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the governor of Lagos state, has been drawn to the criminal activities of a certain individual, masquerading as her representative, for the purpose of extorting money from unsuspecting persons, using the social media platform.

“Her Excellency wishes to state very emphatically, that she has no links whatsoever with such fraudulent element, neither has she authorised anyone to act on her behalf in questionable circumstances.”

She also urged members of the public to be vigilant and avoid dealings with shadowy figures, purporting to be representing her, for motives that are self-serving and clearly dubious, while calling on them to report to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the unscrupulous individual behind such nefarious act could be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

17 News

I will make APC people-oriented, true progressives party - Oshiomhole Tunde Opalana, Abuja Former governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, has pledged to fragment the All Progressives Congress (APC), make it people oriented and a true progressive party if elected its National Chairman at the June 2 national convention.

Oshiomhole who intensified his campaign said this when he led a delegation on a visit to the APC Senate Caucus on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said it is evident that organs of the party have been operating individually, stressing the need to bring cohesion and make the party people oriented.

He said “I think to call our party All Progressives

Congress with emphasis on progressing, we seek to make a difference that our party is pro- people, people centered , it should be people driven, it is owned by its members and it is driven by its members and the basis of our contract is the constitution of the party which we voluntarily formulate and adopted at the previous convention.

Without those organs functioning we are just a collection of individuals”.

He said differences within the party are normal features of political parties but blamed the ineptitude of the party’s leadership to settle differences.

“I believe that the very fact of being in democratic, voluntary association which a political represents means

that the basis for coexistence has to be mutual respect and that the nature of democracy necessarily require that we debate and we contest issues even when we are clear of the goal and the goal is not in dispute, it is still a viable debate as to what is the best way to accomplish that goal not because we disagree on the ultimate objective but because there is always more than one way to get something done, that for me is at the heart of democracy.

“People celebrate democracy not because dictatorship cant deliver but because dictatorship is not participatory and for affairs of men and women who are of age, they don’t just want to be fed, thy want to participate and governance is not just about delivery,

it is about participation.

Where people are not just the object of development, they are also the means and the drivers of the process of development”..

Intimating the senators with his aspiration for the chairmanship position, he said he came to formally solicit their support for his candidature. “ I believe that the Senate is not only a very critical arm of government along with the House of Representatives but in the context of the forth coming convention of our great party, every senator according to our constitution are automatic delegates in their own right, they have the right to vote and even be voted for.

“I believe as delegates, as voters in that convention,

that your support is very critical to my success and ambition for the chairmanship of our great party.

“Today I have come not only to solicit your support but to share with you my own thoughts as to what I think are the challenges and what I hope to be able to do different in order to have a political party that every member of the party will have a sense of pride and even a sense of ownership”, he said.

In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki said with his capacity and ability, Oshiomhole will be able to do the things he said he will do and be able to take on the challenges that are necessary in the party.

L-R: Ewi Of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); founder, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola(SAN); former President Olusegun Obasaanjo; wife of founder (ABUAD),Yeye Modupe Babalola and former Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore at the commissioning of four ultra-modern projects at ABUAD, Ado Ekiti Ekiti State...on Monday.

Metuh deliberately fell down, says Judge Andrew Orolua, Abuja Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday said that former National Publicity Secretary to the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, who collapsed in court on Monday deliberately fell down as his trial was about to commence.

Justice Abang stated this while trying to correct an impression created in the

submissions of a defence lawyer in the case, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), who was urging the court to adjourn the matter due to Metuh’s absence on Tuesday.

The judge also reiterated that “the first defendant fell down on his own” when the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, made a submission similar to Onwugbufor’s.

Metuh, who collapsed in court on Monday was absent on Tuesday when his case was

called.

Surprisingly, his lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), who announced his withdrawal from the trial on Monday amidst confusion that trail Muteh collapse, yesterday appeared in court. He urged the court to grant a short adjournment in view of Metuh’s absence on Tuesday.

Metuh, the former spokesman of PDP and his company, Destra Investment Limited are facing seven

count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged N400m fraud. He was alleged to have received in a fraudulently manner from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014, the sum of N400m.

Onwugbufor, who represents Destra Investment Limited in the case, had supported Etiaba’s application, especially on the grounds that it was the court’s doctor that

recommended that Metuh be taken to the hospital on Monday.

Interrupting Onwugbufor’s submission, the judge said he did not direct any doctor to see Metuh after he fell on Monday.

The judge said Metuh fell on his own because he decided to defy the court’s directive that he should remain where he was seated. The judge however reversed the ruling on their request for adjournment till today.

AfDB, Unido sign MoU to boost industrialisation in Africa

African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to step up collaboration that will boost Africa’s industrialisation.

The AfDB in 2016 launched its Industrialisation Strategy for Africa2016 to 2025, which was the outcome of collaborative work with Unido and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

The signing of the MoU is key to the implementation of the strategy.

“The bank already benefits enormously from Unido’s expertise in developing policies, programmes and knowledge tools which supports our member countries to industrialise,” said AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina.

In 2017, the bank allocated $1.2-billion to industrialise Africa – one of its top five development priorities – mostly for projects for financial sector operations.

The new agreement facilitates AfDB and Unido’s cooperation on joint activities in areas of shared interest in areas for example agroindustry development, circular economy, ecoindustrialparks, investment in innovation and technology, enterprise development, trade and capacity-building, and access to finance.

The two entities have already initiated working level collaboration including within the framework of Unido’s flagship Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) model, which helps synchronise development efforts and mobilise resources to support countries in accelerating industrialisation.

The bank and Unido recently undertook a joint mission to Morocco as part of the initial development of the PCP and will continue exploring cooperation opportunities in the ongoing PCPs in Senegal and Ethiopia.

Collaboration has also been initiated for the establishment of staple crop processing zones in a select number of African countries.

The MoU was signed by Adesina and Unido MD PhilippeScholtès in Busan, Republic of Korea, on the sidelines of the yearly meeting of the boards of governors of the AfDB group, held under the theme of “accelerating Africa’s industrialisation”.

The signing ceremony was attended by African industry ministers, representatives of regional member States, development partners and private sector executives.

News 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Ethics award recipient wants politicians to shun votes buying

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

Senator-elect for the Akwa Ibom NorthEast Senatorial District, Bassey Etim, has charged politicians in Nigeria to desist from the habit of giving money to the electorates in order to secure their votes.

Etim, who also threw his weight behind president Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, insisted that it is not selective, contrary to the claims by some Nigerians.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving the award of “Ethic Ambassador for Anti-Corruption Advocacy” in recognition of his contributions in the fight against corruption, Etim

said that corruption is a mountainous hill of looting that the country need to tackle radically.

The award was conferred on him by a nongovernmental organisation, Center for Ethical Conduct Orientation and Empowerment, (CECOE).

While calling on Nigerians to join hands with the president to rid the country of corruption he said “there is hope if all hands are put on deck to fight this societal problem frontally.

According to him “we have to rally round President Buhari to fight corruption frontally, otherwise it will destroy so many things in Nigeria, including the 2019 general elections. ‘‘Contrary to the opinion

of some persons trying to politicize the anti graft war by labelling the corruption fight as selective, Etim argued that the “fight must definitely have a starting point.

“Whether the fight against corruption starts from the north or south, PDP or APC, the fact is that the fight to rid Nigeria of the hydra-headed canker worm has started” the senator-elect declared.

“The question to ask is whether or not those people or group being prosecuted are criminally liable and had indulged in corrupt acts. If the answer is yes, then one does not need to complain” he submitted.

He maintained that the most important thing is for Nigerians and the

international community to know that corruption is being fought decisively in Nigeria.

“For those who believe that the administration of Buhari is one-sided in the corruption fight, I must say that it is not true. It has nothing to do with ethnicity, political party or perceived political enemies.

So, Nigerians should not colourise or tribalise it” Etim posited.

He insisted that those accusing Buhari of being biased and selective in his administration’s anti graft war are just trying to politicize it.

Etim cited an instance with Senator Albert Akpan, whom he said did admit before the EFCC that he

received vehicles for his governorship project in Akwa Ibom in 2014.

What does one explain of a situation where a politician admitted on oath that he had taken delivery of cars, which were proceeds of crime, from someone indicted by a US court, yet the person is saying he is being witch hunted.

“The question is, how did Akpan who said he collected cars to run for governorship seat of Akwa Ibom in 2014, now finds himself in the Senate.

“Is he a spirit that he could contest two positions at the same time?

“It is embarrassing and laughable to see my “senator” admitting that he collected car gifts amounting

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Founder and Executive Director, 4 Breath 4 Life, Canada, Dr. Olumide Oyefeso; Board Member, 4 Breath 4 Life, Mr. Donald Osarumwense; Consultants, 4 Breath 4 Life, Dr. Rajvinder Pabia; and Aminda Khronol, during the group’s courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, in Benin City.

to billions of Naira to execute his governorship election in Akwa Ibom, while at the same time running for senate.

“Stealing another person’s mandate is another form of corruption, he stated.

“You must be consistent.

You cannot run for governorship and at the same time lay claim to the senatorial position. You are not a spirit.

“Albert Akpan has been exposed and I believe Nigeria will rise up against this aspect of corruption” Etim said.

“This is not just corruption but criminality.

You cannot sit in the exalted office like the Senate, yet nobody can vouch or believe in you as a honest person. It is despicable and embarrassing”, Etim pointed out.

In view of the resistance to the fight against corruption and the deliberate attempt by some politically exposed persons to rubbish it, Etim has called on President Buhari to assemble persons of like minds in the fight.

“President Buhari is spearheading the fight against corruption, however, he should search for people who will stand by him to bring down the cartel of corruption in Nigeria.

Earlier, CECOE chairman, Mr. Owah David said that the choice of Etim for the award of Ethic Ambassador was informed by his firm stance in the fight against corruption.

He said, “We have monitored his good works right from when he was in the House of Representatives and how he stood for the people of his constituents.

“Ethic is something you don’t buy in the market but rather, an adopted lifestyle.

We call on Nigerians to emulate people like Etim”.

Bayelsa Govt condemns attack on N’Delta Varsity Government of Bayelsa State, has condemned the violence and attack on the state-owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, by some hoodlums on Tuesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, blamed opposition political leaders for the mobilization of the hoodlums who barricaded the gate and disrupted academic activities in the institution last week

to protest the retirement of some over-aged and redundant personnel.

Soriwei said that the unscrupulous politicians were taking advantage of the ignorance of young people and hoodlums to sustain a protest against the decision of the Governing Council and management of the NDU. The Governor’s Aide accused the opposition politicians of mobilizing and arming the hoodlums to disrupt academic activities of the institution by forcibly

disrupting the university activities for close to two weeks.

He said that it was rather unfortunate that unpatriotic elements would launch sustained attacks on the university even when negotiations on the retired over-aged and redundant personnel had been concluded and agreement reached with the host communities on the matter.

Soriwei said that the government had been patient on the activities of the hoodlums who blocked

and mounted canopies on major roads in and outside Amassoma.

The Governor’s Aide noted further that the hoodlums attacked a detachment of policemen who were deployed to the NDU and injured some of them on Tuesday. The hoodlums also attacked and ransacked the Amassoma Police Station.

He said, “The Bayelsa State Government has condemned in strong terms the violence unleashed on the Niger Delta University

and its environs by some hoodlums who are funded, mobilized and armed by unscrupulous opposition political leaders.

“These mischief makers have mobilized, funded and armed hoodlums to disrupt academic activities in the school, and forcibly closed it down even when negotiations on the recent retirement of over aged personnel of the institution have been concluded and agreements reached.

“These hoodlums have for the past one week stopped

free movement of vehicles and persons on public roads.

They disrupted conduct of businesses in and around Amassoma by putting canopies on major roads to pander to political interests who are desperate to tarnish the good image of the government.”

Soriwei called on parents to prevail on their wards against being used by politicians to tarnish the good image of the government to create a non-existent atmosphere of insecurity in the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

19 News

Trailer park: 5 Abia communities smile as FG okays payment of N133m compensation Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia It was all smiles, jubilation and excitement as the Federal Government gave approval for the payment of N133 million compensation to five Umunneochi communities over land it acquired for the construction of a trailer park at Lokpanta.

Lokpanta is in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State and houses the state cattle market along the Enugu-PH expressway where heavy duty trucks, trailers and the cattle market had spilled into the dual carriageway, hampering smooth traffic flow.

The Federal Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Chukwudike Nwankwo,

disclosed this in an interview with journalists last Friday during the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Okigwe end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Nwankwo disclosed that the ministry would commence the disbursement of the fund to the five communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia, where the land for the project is located.

“The minister has given approval for the payment of compensation of about N133 million. It is a very large parcel of land, involving about five

communities “We will commence the disbursement soon and once we are through, the construction of the park will start.”

The Federal Controller further said the minister had directed the immediate evacuation of the trailers out of the two sides of the dual carriageway in Lokpanta in order to allow for free-flow of traffic, pointing out that the ministry would also erect a block wall to fence off the cattle market from the expressway.

According to him, all the rehabilitation on federal roads in the country is undergoing serious scrutiny and supervision by the ministry

to ensure standard and commended the minister for being able to attract additional budgetary allocation which, he said, made progress possible on the entire projects across the country.

Earlier, the Area Manager, SETRACO Nig. Ltd., Mr Fouad Sarraf had complained to the minister that work got stalled at Lokpanta due to the overflow of the cattle market into the road and the presence of heavy duty truck.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen at the end of the inscription, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) had expressed his delight that the

intervention from Islamic Bank known as SUKUK had brought tremendous progress on the project.

He said that the ministry would apply for another intervention from SUKUK so that more money would be made available to the contractors to ensure the completion of the project before the next rainy season.

The minister affirmed that more than 40 per cent of the job had been done by SETRACO and hoped that one side of the dual carriageway would be completed and opened for traffic before December this year.

Scientists identifies how

breast cancer lie dormant, makes deadly re-emergence Scientists have identified the mechanism that allows breast cancer cells to lie dormant in other parts of the human body and make deadly reemerge years later.

The brake through reported in the journal Nature Communications, according to scientists provide a promising target for the development of breast cancer therapies.

In experiments with human cells and live mice, researchers showed that disabling the mechanism — with drugs or gene manipulation — crippled the cancer cells and inhibited their capacity to spread.

An egg a day may keep heart disease away -Study

Eating an egg each day appears to be linked to a lower risk of heart disease among middle-aged Chinese, according to a study published online in the British journal Heart.

The study, authored by a group of Chinese scientists, analyzed data from over half a million Chinese aged 30 to 79 from 10 diverse survey sites in China during the period from 2004 to 2008, and have since been followed up upon to determine their morbidity and mortality rates.

“Our findings contribute scientific evidence to the dietary guidelines with regard to egg consumption for the healthy Chinese adult,” said the scientists.

The study linked eating an egg a day with lowering the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) by 11 per cent, ischemic heart disease by 12 per cent, major coronary events by 14 per cent, hemorrhagic stroke by 26 per cent as well as ischemic stroke by 10 per cent.

Daily consumers of eggs also have an 18 percent lower risk of CVD death and a 28 per cent lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke death compared to nonconsumers, it showed.

Eggs are a prominent source of dietary cholesterol, causing the concern that eating too many may be unhealthy.

But they also contain highquality protein, many vitamins and bioactive components. In recent years, more scientific evidence has emerged for the positive impact eggs have on human health.

Previous studies focusing on a link between eating eggs and heart disease mostly had smaller sample sizes, fewer CVD events and were unable to obtain accurate estimates on stroke subtypes, said the Chinese scientists. (Xinhua/ NAN)

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); Hon minister of information culture and tourism, Alh. Lai Mohammed; (meddle); Deputy Governor of Osun, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (left); and Others, during the Commissioning and Handing Over of the Completed Erosion Control Ecology Projects in Osogbo, Channelization & Desilting of Ogbagba and Okoko Rivers, Phase 1, Flood Control & desilting of Ogbagba, Phase II and Erosion Control & Channelization of Okoko River II by Minister of Information & Culture to the State Government, at Oke Abesu, Ita-Olokan Area, Osogbo . . . on Monday

Ebola preparedness much better now than for 2014 outbreak – WHO The spread of Ebola to a major city in Democratic Republic of Congo is worrying but the outlook is much more optimistic than when a major outbreak was reported in West Africain 2014, the head of the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) said on Monday.

Cases of the deadly virus have been confirmed in Mbandaka, a port city on the Congo river, raising concerns that Ebola could spread downstream to the capital Kinshasa, which has a population of 10-million.

“It’s concerning that we now have cases of Ebola in an urban centre, but we are much better placed to deal with this outbreak than we were in 2014,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom told health ministers at the start of the WHO’s annual assembly.

The WHO’s previous leadership was heavily criticised for its slow response to the outbreak that was declared in March 2014 and continued until January 2016, killing over 11 300 people. It was later found to have begun

in late 2013, but WHO did not call an emergency meeting until August 2014.

This time the WHO has moved rapidly to mobilise the response, convening an Emergency Committee and sending a vaccine to ringfence the outbreak and stop it spreading further.

“I’m pleased to say that vaccination is starting as we speak today,” Tedros said.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the vaccination of health workers would start on Monday, and people who

had contact with Ebola victims would come later.

The latest outbreak is Congo’s ninth since the disease made its first known appearance near the vast central African country’s northern Ebola river in the 1970s.

Tedros said WHO staff and health workers were working around the clock to stop the outbreak, and said he had been impressed by seeing health workers “risking their own lives” in the remote town of Bikoro a week ago, just after the outbreak was declared.

“The outbreak in Bikoro illustrates again that health security and universal health coverage are two sides of the same coin. The best thing we can do to prevent future outbreaks is to strengthen health systems everywhere,” Tedros said.

The outbreak has so far killed 26 of the 46 people thought to have been infected, Jasarevic said. Of that caseload, 21 have been confirmed in a laboratory, 21 are regarded as probable Ebola cases, and four patients are suspected of having Ebola.

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

No going back on endorsement of Umahi for 2nd term - Non-indigenes Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

Non indigenes residing in Ebonyi State have said that no amount of propaganda will deter them from their endorsement of Governor David Umahi for reelection in 2019.

The non indigenes,

under the umbrella of Urban Forum, which had earlier endorsed the incumbent Governor, David Umahi as their sole candidate in the 2019 election, said that the security and accommodation they currently enjoy could not be risked.

Leader of the forum, Chief Charles Akpu-Enika, in a press conference in Abakaliki, on Tuesday said that since the emergence of the current administration, incidents of land grabbing and intimidation has stopped because of the disposition of the Governor.

“Anybody coming to deceive us will be resisted.

We won’t allow those who call themselves opposition deceive us. They are those who are against us” “What we have in Ebonyi is minor opposition. It is a collection of those opposed to interest of none indigenes, those

Wike assures Rivers civil servants of promotion arrears payment Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday assured civil servants of his government’s readiness to pay their promotion areas.

Speaking at an interactive forum with journalists in Port Harcourt, Wike said the government had not paid arrears due funds constraints.

The state government has

not promoted workers or paid annual increments for the past three years.

The state government has also not paid the promotion arrears of workers promoted by the former administration.

The government has been criticized for announcing openings for employment into the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme while it

claims it lacks funds for workers’ welfare.

Although, the governor did not categorically promise conducting promotion or pay incremental, he promised to pay those already promoted. ‘’We couldn’t pay because we had no money, but let me promise that something will be done.

‘’My stand is that promotions must be properly done, and the financial implications considered,’’ he said.

Wike said that it was wrong for government autonomous institutions such as universities to promote workers without consultations while someone else paid the salaries.

even against development of the state, imagine the opposition against construction of the Ring Road”.

“We cannot be deceived by those who parade as opposition, the APCs and their co-travellers. Most of them are those who wanted the non indigenes sacked from this state.

They are those who prosecuted demolition of house of the non indigenes. We now feel at home, with conducive environment for business and socialization, We are now proud to tell anybody that we are living in Ebonyi state. See how he has re-constructed the state capital”, he stated.

Akpu-Enika, an Anambra-state-born Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development explained that about seven Hausas, and six Yourba people were appointed as Technical Assistants to the Governor, a thing he said had never been done

before now.

“By the grace of God, all the non indigenes in Ebonyi state had on 1, April 2017 endorse Governor as their sole candidate, even unopposed.

The immediate past governor said he won’t develop capital because it is habituated by non indigenes. We target to give governor Umahi, at least one hundred thousand votes under the platform of Urban Forum, and we have other associations under the forum”.

“We have witnessed empowerment of widows, empowerment of youth and these are done without segregation as to where you come from. We have witnessed restoration of peace Ezillo and Ezza/ Ezillo,now tell me why or what any person can advance as reason why we should not even beg Umahi to continue the good works”.

Gov Ugwuanyi nominates two-time council boss for commissioner Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has sent the name of a two-time Chairman of UzoUwani Local Government Area, Cornell Onwubuya, to the State Assembly for confirmation as a commissioner.

Deputy Speaker, Donatus

Executive Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government Area, Prince Tijani Adetoyese Olusi (3rd right), during the presentation of cash and food items to aged residents at the Council premises, Lagos..on Monday. With them are (from right) Head of Administration, Mr. Hakeem Disu; Vice Chairman, Hon. Wadood Bashorun and Commissioner, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Rasheed Giwa and others.

Police arrest MASSOB members in Ebonyi

Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

Scores of members of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), have been arrested by the Ebonyi State police command with assistance by other security agencies for observing Biafra independence day celebration.

The MASSOB group, had earlier announced the event through a news conference

and social media platforms.

It was gathered that the day is to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.

DAILY TIMES learnt that the security agencies in the state accosted them along Nkaliki road, Abakaliki, the state capital as they started the peaceful march, sprayed teargas on them and arrested some of them in the process.

The Army, Department

of State Security, DSS and the Police carried out the joint operation.

When contacted, Commander of Nigerian Military Cantonment in Nkwegu, Col S. O. Sadiq confirmed the participation of the Army in the incident and arrests, adding that all the arrested persons were handed over to the police.

According to Sadiq, the MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing

which necessitated the action to stop them by security agencies.

Also, the Police Public Relations officer(PPRO) in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident to our Correspondent but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.

“I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now, when I get the full details I will let you know” she said.

Uzogbado, read the governor’s letter during the house sitting on Tuesday.

Uzogbado, who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk of the house to request the nominee to furnish the house with 25 copies of his resume on or before May 28.

Kaduna lawmaker tasks new LG boss on responsible leadership Member Kaduna State House of Assembly, Honourable Labari Tella, has tasked the newly elected Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area, Mr Peter Averik to be prudent and equitable the discharge of his responsibilities to the people.

Averik of the PDP won the local council chairmanship seat in the election conducted on May 12.

Mr Tella who spoke on Monday during an interview with NAN in Kafanchan urged the elected chairman not to betray the confidence reposed on him by the electorate.

He advised him to run an all inclusive local government administration that would give everyone, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation

a sense of belonging.

“I must commend the relentless efforts of all party players who stood their grounds to ensure that the people’s mandate prevailed.

“The result is a clear demonstration of the power of the electorate who believe in the ideology of the credible candidature and defied all odds to ensure victory was attained,” he said.

He commended his constituents for demonstrating maturity during the exercise and urged them to maintain the tempo so that same victory would play out in subsequent elections.

“Jema’a local government did not record any form of misconduct and we must give credit to the people for respecting electoral guidelines,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

POGET CARE HOMES FOUNDATION

21 Companies Registration

BY THY WORD INT’L MINISTRIES

FAITH NETWORKING DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

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

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

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

TRUSTEES 1) ALAFIA ADELAJA AFOLABI (2)AROWOLO EBENZER OLUSEGUN (3) AROWOLO TOSIN DORCAS (4) AROWOLO SAMUEL OLUFEMI

TRUSTEES ARE 1.OTOP UDOFIA ISREAL 2.OTOP LORDY ISREAL 3.OTOP JANET ISREAL 4.OKOME BEAUTY ELO 5.OGBO SABASTINE O.

TRUSTEES ARE 1.MADUEGBUNA OKECHUKWU NNAEMEKA STAN - PRESIDENT 2.MADUBUKO BLESSING NWADOBI 3.JONES DORIS

IM AND OBJECTIVES TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.PREACHING AND TEACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2.TO WIN SOULS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

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IBEJU LEKKI SUPREME CLUB

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TRUSTEES ARE 1. OLADIPUPO ERIC ISMAILA 2 ALABI ANFANA IDOWU. AIM: TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGE ONES IN THE SOCIETY. 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

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TITILOYE OLUWASEUN I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AROYEWUN OLUWASEUN ABIDEMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TITILOYE OLUWASEUN ABIDEMI ,ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,PMB.198,GARKI,ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

EMILOJU GLOBAL INITIATIVE

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 ACTS OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ADESINA OLUDARE ADIGUN - PRESIDENT 2. FASASI LATEEF AKANDE - MEMBER 3. FADIPE MICHAEL OLUSEGUN - MEMBER 4. OBI NGOZI STEFFI - MEMBER 5. AMOS AKIN KINGSLEY 6. SOBOWALE SARAH ABIOLA - SECRETARY. AIMS: TO PROVIDE HEALTH/HUMANITARIAN SERVICES AND RESOURCE AID FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAIMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY TRANSFORMATION

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

PEACE ARENA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: REV. DADA YINKA OLANREWAJU - PRESIDENT DEACON AWOGBAMI KAYODE EBENEZER - SECRETARY ELDER(MRS) AJAYI TAIWO FUNMILAYO - TREASURER PASTOR (MRS) DADA ADEPEJU MAGARET - MEMBER MISS DADA IFEOLUWA ESTHER - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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THE TRUSTEES ARE – DR IYABO MASHA DR TUNDE FAHN

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 ADEBOBOYE ‘BOLA (PRESIDENT) 2.

OMOSOWON ADEDAYO PIUS 3.

DR. OMOTOWO BABATUNDE 4.

T. ADEWUYI OYEWANDE 5.

BOLA GBADE HAMZA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH ON ISSUES RELATING TO FISCAL, MONETARY, FINANCIAL, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, INDUSTRIALIZATION AND TRADE, URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES. ENGAGE IN POLICY DIALOGUE, AND PROMOTE EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY MAKING BY DISSEMINATING RESEARCH, AND STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT FEDERAL, STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LEGISLATURES, PRIVATE SECTOR, GENERAL PUBLIC, DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS. DISSEMINATE RESULTS THROUGH SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS. ASSIST GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO BOOST CAPACITY FOR THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY SOLUTIONS AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF RESULTS ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. J N ENAJEDU ESQ J N ENAJEDU & CO LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, TEL 08023132360

AIMS & OBJECTIVE 1) TO FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF FELLOWSHIP, BROTHERHOOD AND ONENESS AMONG MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR AND THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA IN GENERAL. 2) TO PROVIDE A COMMON PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. 3) TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS WHEN NECESSARY. 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: ADEBOBOYE ‘BOLA ESQ (PRESIDENT)

EZE FAVOUR CHINWE

TRANSFER OF TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP

KASALI OYINDAMOLA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EZE THERESA CHINWE, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS EZE FAVOUR CHINWE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THERE IS TRANSFER OF TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP FROM E. U OTON SERVICES TO E. U OTON & CO LIMITED. NAFDAC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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BOLADALE, HELEN ORE

CORRECTION OF NAME

DANIEL -OKONKWO

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME WAS MISTAKENLY WRITTEN AS AFINJUOMO ELIJAH SEGUN ON MY BVN ,INSTEAD OF AFINJUOMO ELIJAH MICHAEL THAT IS MY NAME. AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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EMPOWERING NEXT-GENERATION CITIZENS FOUNDATION

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

TRUSTEES: 1. MR. AFELUMO OLUTAYO SAMUEL 2. MR. AFELUMO OLUDAYO 3 MRS. AFELUMO ADEOLA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROVIDING READILY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN EDUCATION FOR NIGERIA CITIZENS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2.WINING SOULS IN OUR LORD KINGDOM

NEW ORDER CHRISTIAN OUTREACH MINISTRIES

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

TRUSTEES 1. EVANG. BONAVENTURE ADEBESHIN - CHAIRMAN 2. BRO. BABAJIDE OLUWO - SECRETARY 3. BRO. GABRIEL OGUNDIPE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH EVANGELISM AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION; 2. TO UNDERTAKE CHARITABLE WORKS IN GENERAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH; 3. TO ASSIST IN THE CARE AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE POOR, THE AGED, THE CHILD, AND THE NEEDY; 4. TO TRAIN, LICENSE AND ORDAIN MINISTERS FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE WORK OF THIS MINISTRY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

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Companies Registration 22 THE EIGHT DEGREE INITIATIVE

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JESUS FRIENDS CAMPUS YOUTH FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL 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 THE TRUSTEES ARE :1. PASTOR, IHUOMA FINNIAN UCHENNA 2. EVANGELIST, MRS FINNIAN ACQUINE CHIOMA 3. BROTHER, CHILAKA KINGSON EZEUKWU AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ALL NATIONS, IN SCHOOLS AND IN ALL UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES WORD WIDE 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: PASTOR, IHUOMA FINNIAN UCHENNA. LLB

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PROPHET CHIKE UCHENDU - PRESIDENT 2.

EKENE HYCINTH - SECRETARY 3.

CHIBUIKE OGUGUO 4.

ONYEBUCHI EZEDINACHI 5.

PASTORESS GRACE NWEKE 6.

EVANGELIST DAVID FRANCIS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

WINING SOULS FOR GOD AND PREACHING THE WORLD OF GOD TO THE WORLD 2.

GIVING SPIRITUAL DELIVERANCE AND HEALING TO THE SICK AND MENTALLY INSANE PERSON(S) ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

OGONIFUN JESU CHURCH OF GOD

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) MEDUOYE SUNNY EGBANTOLORUN (2) EGBANTOLORUN MORENIKEJI JOY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. PREACH THE WORD OF GOD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

SAFECOURT APARTMENT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. CAC/IT/73462 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999 THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE 1. OLUFOLAKE OGUNNAIKE-REMOVED 2. MR. DELE FAROTIMI-REMOVED 3. MR. AKINTAYO OLOKO-RETAINED 4. MR. TONY IGBAROOLA-REMOVED 5. MRS ADEOLA OKI-RETAINED 6. MR. GBOYEGA ODUNIYI-RETAINED 7. MRS. OLUBUNMI ADEMOSU- REMOVED THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ADETOLA TAIWO 2. MR. OSARUMWENSE AGBONILE 3.ABIMBOLA FAKEHINDE 4. DAVID OGUNNAIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME THE CONSTITUTION SHALL BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES 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

IDDO-OKPELLA DEVELOPMENT UNION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. GODWIN LUKE UMORU ESQ. (CHAIRMAN) 2. SULEIMAN JIBRIL (SECRETARY) 3. MATTHEW UDUAFI SULE ESQ. 4. ABAS JEGA ESQ. 5. AYUBA ACHEKU OGENE 6. SAMANU BRAI 7. ZUWEDU OSENI SANNI 8. MAMUDU AROMOKHAL THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS 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

WORDPOWER DELIVERANCE & HEALING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY CAC/IT/NO:8002O

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

BELOVED SOCIAL CLUB OF LAGOS THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EDEH OGBONNA UCHENNA - CHAIRMAN 2. EZIGI IFEANYICHUKWU PETER - SECRETARY 3. OMELUONYE SAMUEL - MEMBER 4. ODENIGBO ONYEBUCHI - TREASURER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CREATE, NURTURE AND PROMOTE LOVE, PEACE AND BROTHERLINESS AMONG THE MEMBERS. 2. TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN LIFE AND HARDWORKING IN BUSINESS. 3. TO EXTEND WELFARE SERVICES TO THE MEMBERS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SYLVESTER I. ONYEAMA, ESQ. LEGAL ADVISER (08180872254)

WHYTE SPRINGBOARD INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FORM WORDPOWER DELIVERANCE & HEALING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY TO WORDPOWER TRIUMPHANT ENTRY CHURCH AND TO AMEND IT’S CONSTITUTION TO REFLECT THE NEW NAME UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES REMAINS THE SAME AS FOLLOWS : 1. OTUNG ABIJAH SUNDAY 2. OTUNG EKEMUDEME SUNDAY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: ROSY CHAMBERS 08036192114

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) MORDI SYLVIA OBIAJULU (PRESIDENT) 2) ORDUMAH CONSTANCE CHISA (SECRETARY) 3) OGHOJAFOR CHRISTIANA OMONEIGHO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS 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: UCHOHWO O. SHADRACH PRINCIPAL PARTNER SHUDY ADVOCATE

BOUNDLESS HEARTS INITIATIVE

ST. AUGUSTINE’S SEMINARY EZZAMGBO YEAR 2000 SET ASSOCIATION

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

NDUBUISI LEO CHIKEZIE CHAIRMAN 2.

NZOPUTACHI FRANCISCA ORJI SECRETARY 3.

CHINYERE ASSUMPTA CHIKEZIE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED INDIGENT MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 2. FOR PHILANTHROPIST ACTIVITIES 3.TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY. 4.

TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES FOR LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND HELP THEM DISCOVER THEIR FUTURE POTENTIALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

WALK TALL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC),ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1. JUSTINA GABRIEL ETIM - CHAIRMAN. 2. GERSHON OGBULUIJAH. 3. MAJOR GENERAL JOHNNY GODWIN OLUSEGUN HAMAKIM. 4. EMMANUEL GABRIEL ETIM - SECRETARY. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO ASSIST THE INDIGENT MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 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

THE CAPITAL CITY OF GOD CHRISTIAN CENTRE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR DANIEL IME ARCHIBONG - PRESIDENT / GENERAL OVERSEER 2. BRO. ASUQUO ANIEKAN EFFIONG - SECRETARY 3. BRO. DOUGLA ONYEBUCHI AJAH. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS COMMANDED IN GREAT COMMISSION IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. 2. TO PROCLAIM LOUD AND CLEAR THE IMPENDING RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OLUBUNMI OJO ESQ.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: I).

MR. IGBOKWE CHRISTOPHER ONOCHIE CHAIRMAN II). REVEREND FATHER OKWUEGBU BARTHLOMEW CHIDI - SECRETARY III). MR. ENEKWECHI JOSEPH NONSO MEMBER IV). MR. EZE MATTHEW ONYE DIORA MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: • TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE WELFARE OF HER MEMBERS • TO ENHANCE AND ADVANCE THE INTEREST OF ST. AUGUSTINES SEMINARY, EZZAMGBO • TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN PEACE, UNITY, MUTUAL LOVE AND COMMON UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OKOLIE ESTHER UCHECHUKWU ESQ, (07032489659)

SAVE & ASSISTAID INITIATIVE

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

TRUSTEES: 1. MICHAEL BLESSING EKPENDU. CHAIRMAN 2. UGOKWE MICHAEL CHUKWUDI. SECRETARY AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGEPRIVILEGED ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE OBINNA NWOSU FOUNDATION

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

TRUSTEES: 1. OBINNA DAVID NWOSU 2. CHIJIOKE GAVIN NWOSU 3. THIERRY NDUBUISI NZENWEOFOR 4. GLORIA BASSEY ABUGO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE SOCIAL WELFARE BY CATERING FOR THE NEED OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY SUCH AS WIDOWS ORPHANS MOTHERLESS BABIES, THE POOR AND THE NEEDY THROUGH THE PROVISION OF FOOD, POTABLE WATER, SHELTER, CLOTHING AND HEALTH CARE SIGNED BY: THE SECRETARY MRS GLORIA BASSEY ABUGO

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

GLOBAL FUTURE SUCCESS FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFY THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION, UNDER THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990..

THE TRUSTIES ARE:, 1) PETER. ORANU 2.DANIEL NNANYEREUGO CHUKWUDUBEM. 3, CHIDINMA ORANU. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. (A) TO ERADICATE POVERTY. (B) TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGES. (C) TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF IT’S MEMBERS..

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, MAITAMA ABUJA. SIGNED: SECRETARY. .

AINA ADEOLA

OLUTOLA OLASENI

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLABODE SEKINAT OLUWAKEMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AINA ADEOLA SEKINAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSANYINTOLA OLASENI EBENEZER NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUTOLA OLASENI JOSEPH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

23 Companies Registration RUTH OBI

OYINLUSI ADEYINKA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OBELE ADEYINKA MOJIBADE , NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OYINLUSI ADEYINKA MOJIBADE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EVELYN EBELE OKOLO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS RUTH OBI. AND THAT MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 11TH APRIL 1982.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

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

TRUSTEES: 1. ALOIYE ALOY ATSENOKHAI (CHAIRMAN) 2. OMOH ATSENOKHAI ( SECRETARY) 3. CLEMENTINA ATSENOKHAI 4. OSIANOR PAUL ATSENOKHAI 5. SHARON ITUABHO ATSENOKHAI AIMS: (1) TO ENCOURAGE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AMONG STUDENTS. (2) TO PROMOTE HEALTHY ACADEMIC COMPETITION. (3) TO RENDER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO INDIGENT STUDENTS. (4) TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC MATERIALS TO INDIGENT STUDENTS. (5) TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND RELIEF MATERIALS TO VICTIMS OF ALL MANNER OF DISASTER. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,PMB.198,GARKI,ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

THAT ON SOME OF MY DOCUMENTS, MY NAME APPEARS AS ODIHI OWOICHO JEREMIAH, WHILE ON OTHERS, IT APPEARS AS ODIHI OWOICHO IKPEGWA. THAT I AM THE SAME PERSON BEARING BOTH NAMES. THAT HENCEFORTH, I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ODIHI OWOICHO IKPEGWA. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING BOTH NAMES ARE MINE AND REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THAT ON SOME OF MY DOCUMENTS, MY NAME APPEARS AS ARAMIDE FAUSAT OKUNOLA, WHILE ON OTHERS, IT APPEARS AS ARAMIDE FAUSIAT RAJI. THAT I AM THE SAME PERSON BEARING BOTH NAMES. THAT HENCEFORTH, I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ARAMIDE FAUSIAT RAJI. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING BOTH NAMES ARE MINE AND REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK PLC AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OSARENREN INFLUENCE

BALOGUN SEUN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSARENREN INFLUENCE ISAIHO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSARENREN INFLUENCE OSAETIN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC/ AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CYPRIAN ISRAEL MURHI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BALOGUN SEUN MURHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC/AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

ADEMIKU OLUWASEUN

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADENEKAN OLUWASEUN TEMITOPE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEMIKU OLUWASEUN TEMITOPE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC/AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

DURING BVN REGISTRATION, MY NAME WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN AS ODUWUSI FLORENCE TITILOLA. MY CORRECT AND FULL NAME IS ODUWUSI FLORENCE TITILOLAOLUWA. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

OKPOGODE ABRAHAM

CORRECTION OF NAME

ABDULKABIR RUKAYAT

OMENAI OLUWAPELUMI

ODUNNAIKE ABISOLA

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKPOGODE TOSIN ABRAHAM NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKPOGODE ABRAHAM ESSIEN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

MY NAME WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN AS OLAYINKA BUKKY OLUMIDE INSTEAD OF MY CORRECT NAME WHICH IS OLAYINKA BUKOLA OLUMIDE. FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AHMAD OLATEJU RUKAYAT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ABDULKABIR RUKAYAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADE-VINCENT OLUWAPELUMI ADEDOYIN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMENAI OLUWAPELUMI ADEDOYIN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS BENJAMIN ABISOLA BILIKISU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ODUNNAIKE ABISOLA BILIKISU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

FUNMILAYO MERCY I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FUNMILAYO MERCY ODESANMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FUNMILAYO MERCY OGINNI . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

UGOCHUKWU CALISTUS I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NZENAGU CALISTUS UGOCHUKWU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS GABRIEL UGOCHUKWU CALISTUS . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ISAAC OSARIEMEN

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHINONSO FLORENCE OSARIEMEN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ISAAC OSARIEMEN FLORENCE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OWHIN DANIEL

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LOCKEOGBE DANIEL UWALE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OWHIN DANIEL UWALE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BALARABE JAMILU

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MOHOMOOD JAMILU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BALARABE JAMILU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ISAIAH DAVID

ADENIYI-ODUMADE

TANIMOLA ESTHER

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UDOH DAVID AKPAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ISAIAH DAVID AKPAN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS KELANI MONSURAT INUMIDUN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ADENIYI-ODUMADE INUMIDUN EMMANUELLAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS BANKOLE ESTHER OLUWAYEMISI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS TANIMOLA ESTHER OLUWAYEMISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEYEGA WALE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMIDIYA MONSURU OLAWALE ,ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, F C M B, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

SULAIMON MARIAM

ONAGHINOR UVWI-JESUS

ADEGOKE ADETOMIWA

UWAZIE ONYINYECHI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMARETSEYE UVWI-JESU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONAGHINOR UVWI-JESUS. THIS IS DUE TO CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS. I WAS BORN ON 10/11/1984. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADESINA ADETOMIWA JOSEPHINE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEGOKE ADETOMIWA JOSEPHINE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UWAZIE ONYINYECHI MARY NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UWAZIE ONYINYECHI GIFT . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OMIDIYA MONSURU

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AZEEZ MARIAM IDUNNU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS SULAIMON MARIAM HAPPINESS .

THIS IS DUE TO CHANGE IN MARITAL STATUS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

EGWENU AUGUSTINE

AYANJINRIN EBUN

AWAOGBEMI ARIKE

SIMISOLA ADEFIKEJI

ADDITION OF NAME

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHUKWUWIKE MICHAEL NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EGWENU AUGUSTINE CHUKWUWINKE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSOBU EBUN OLUDAMILOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AYANJINRIN EBUN OLUDAMILOLA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNDIMU ARIKE ABIOLA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AWOGBEMI ARIKE ABIOLA. THIS IS DUE TO MARITAL STATUS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SIMISOLA ADEFIKEJI ADEROUNMU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SIMISOLA ADEFIKEJI OYEWUMI .

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR BABATUNDE LAGUNJU NOW WISH TO ADD SAFIUDEEN TO MY NAME NOW I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR BABATUNDE SAFIUDEEN LAGUNJU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE TITLE DOCUMENTS IN RESPECT OF LANDED PROPERTY AT NO 5 UDOMAH STREET, ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE, WHICH BELONG TO LATE JOHN OPEH EKOH ARE MISSING IF FIND PLEASE CONTACT US ON PHONE NO.09031280459. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OBASUYI PATIENCE

ADISA MULIKATU

OKOYE VINCENT

MONSURAT OYINDA

AGBAKU MARIAM

BOLAJI ALMORUF

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OBASUYI PATIENCE SHARON NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OBASUYI PATIENCE OKUNA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS YUSUF MULIKATU ABIODUN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADISA MULIKATU ABIODUN . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS VINCENT OKOYE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKOYE VINCENT UDOKA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MONSURAT OYINDA BANKOLE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MONSURAT OYINDA BELLO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNSANYA MARIAM FUNMILAYO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AGBAKU MARIAM FUNMILAYO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AYOADE KING BISIOLU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BOLAJI ALMORUF BISIOLU . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MESSIANIC VICTORIOUS FAITH ASSEMBLY

THRESHOLD EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

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

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

TRUSTEES ARE: 1.REV.DR.ONYEGBULE MATTHEW JUDAH - PRESIDENT 2.FAITH EUNICE JUDAH 3.SUNDAY ANTHONY OKWUDIRI 4.ANTHONY AKPAN 5.PAUL ONYEKACHI ONYENEGECHA

TRUSTEES 1 DR PETER WOBIHIELE GEORGEWILL 2 UCHE OSINACHI ONYEMA 3 IHEANYI IKECHUKWU ONYEMAH 4 KELECHI OMUMUAWUIKE AMAECHI 5 JUSTIN IKECHUKWU KEMDIRIM

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT 2,SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,PMB.198,GARKI,ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,PMB.198,GARKI,ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

SIGN JOHN KPAKU O8O345LL8O2

OKORO PAULINE I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NDUBUISI PAULINE AMARACHI , NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OKORO PAULINE AMARACHI . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NGOZI NJOKU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NKECHINYERE NGOZI AKONYE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NKECHINYERE NGOZI NJOKU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ADOTE KNONVI I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADOTEKPONUI TOUNOU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TOUNOUAKUE ADOTE KPONVI . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OGBONNA RUBY

I FORMERLY KNOWN CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS OGBONNA ROSERUBY EBERE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS OGBONNA RUBY EBERE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Change of Names 24

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

solomon ZabadI

correctIon of name

aleX uZoma

nZurumIke IfeanyI

babatope JulIus

murphy felIX

I, formerly known and addressed as, solomon amos now wIsh to be known and addressed as, solomon ZabadI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note

thIs Is to Inform the General publIc that my name was wronGly wrItten as murIlaba alI Instead of yusuf modInatu omorIyeba. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note

formerly known and addressed as aleX eZekwe, now wIsh to be known and addressed as aleX uZoma eJekwe. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take.

formerly known and addressed as GabrIel IfeanyI andrew, now wIsh to be known and addressed as nZurumIke IfeanyI andrew. all former documents remaIn valId.

I, formerly known and addressed as tope ashaJu now wIsh to be known and addressed as babatope JulIus ashaJu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as okorokporo endurance now wIsh to be known called and addressed as murphy felIX. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

correctIon of date of bIrth

okeke nkechInyere

uchenna favour

reemson latIfat

adeoye racheal

akInola akInbayo

I, soloye sImbIat tItIlayo wIsh to Inform the General publIc that my date of bIrth Is 04 may 1992 and not 05 aprIl 1992. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as eGwIm nkechInyere anGela now wIsh to be known called and addressed as okeke nkechInyere .that my date of bIrth Is 26 september 1978. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as uZoechI eden favour rachel now wIsh to be known called and addressed as uchenna favour rachel. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as amoda latIfat now wIsh to be known called and addressed as reemson latIfat abeJe. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as sImpa racheal onyenchI now wIsh to be known called and addressed as adeoye racheal onyenchI .all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JeGede akInbayo ayorInde now wIsh to be known called and addressed as akInola akInbayo ayorInde. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

salamI hammed

mrs charIty nkIruka

veronIca omeGhIe

oyeledun–abayomI allen

racheal bassey

akInlola abIdemI

I, formerly known and addressed as abdulsalam hamed JImoh now wIsh to be known called and addressed as salamI hammed JImoh. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss charIty nkIruka abafor now wIsh to be known called and addressed as mrs charIty nkIruka chIbuZor. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as veronIca mary okotIe now wIsh to be known called and addressed as veronIca omeGhIe okotIe. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I formerly known and addressed as allen oluJImI oyeledun now wIsh to be known called and addressed as oyeledun –abayomI allen oluJImI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as nkoyo edem James now wIsh to be known called and addressed as racheal bassey Imoh. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as abIdemI IbrahIm akInlola oGundeJI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as akInlola abIdemI IbrahIm. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

abdullahI olanrewaJu

adIGhIbe oseGhe

emeka uGadu

mrs nandlonGo patrIcIa

mrs aroGundade aderIke

mrs. olumayowa ayoola

formerly known and addressed as abdullahI abdulateef habeeb, now wIsh to be known and addressed as abdullahI olanrewaJu lateef. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as oseGhe alero sandra, now wIsh to be known and addressed as adIGhIbe oseGhe alero sandra. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note

I formerly known and addressed as nkem odaGIa now wIsh to be known called and addressed as emeka uGadu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss eGbIremonlen patrIcIa now wIsh to be known called and addressed as mrs nandlonGo patrIcIa. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss deJI-yoosuf aderIke rukayat now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs aroGundade aderIke rukayat. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss. dIekololaoluwa ayoola fashola now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs. olumayowa ayoola olaItan . all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

mrs nwaeZe lInda

afolaranmI adesewa

oluseun damIlola

leonard ayodele

edIth oZoemena

uchendIdI ndIdI

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss lalnuntluanGI lInda now wIsh to be known called and addressed as mrs nwaeZe lInda. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as okanlawon adesewa sekInat now wIsh to be known called and addressed as afolaranmI adesewa sekInat. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mosurd damIlola tawa now wIsh to be known called and addressed as oluseun damIlola tawa. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as suru dJotchou now wIsh to be known called and addressed as leonard ayodele. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as edIth oZoemena eZImuo now wIsh to be known called and addressed as edIth oZoemena enonuJu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as nwachukwu ndIdI now wIsh to be known called and addressed as uchendIdI ndIdI nneka. that my date of bIrth Is 30/05/1992. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

oyedIran olaoluwa

odofa yetunde

aGbasI IfeyInwa

obIomah patIence

mrs IwuJI queeneth

onyewuenyI emeka

I, formerly known and addressed as oyedIran olaoluwa Ibukun, now wIsh to be known and addressed as oyedIran olaoluwa phIlIp. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as adewumI yetunde esther now wIsh to be known and addressed as odofa yetunde esther. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as obIukwu stella IfeyInwa now wIsh to be known and addressed as aGbasI IfeyInwa stella. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as o. patIence nGoZI now wIsh to be known and addressed as obIomah patIence nGoZI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss eke queeneth chIdImma now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs IwuJI queeneth chIdImma. former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as onyewuenyI nnaemeka sIXtus now wIsh to be known and addressed as onyewuenyI emeka sIXtus and my date of bIrth wronGly wrItten as 19/09/1983 Instead 22/09/1983. former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

destIny ndIdIamaka

aklassou kokou

adeGbenJo bukola

rasaq shehu

mrs. Iyabode GbolarumI

nGoZI JulIet

I, formerly known and addressed as destIny ndIdIamaka kenneth nwosu, now wIsh to be known and addressed as destIny ndIdIamaka nwosu. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

new name:- aklassou kokou oldname:- I, formerly known and addressed as aklassou samson, now wIsh to be known and addressed as aklassou kokou. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly know and addressed as adekunle bukola florence, now wIsh to be known and addressed as adeGbenJo bukola florence. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

chanGe of name and chanGe of date of bIrth : I, formerly known and addressed as rasaq shehu tIJanI wIth wronG date of bIrth 19\3\ 1985 . now wIsh to be known and addressed as rasaq shehu tIJanI sunkanmI wIth correct date of bIrth 3\3\1985. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss. Iyabode amuwo, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs.

Iyabode GbolarumI. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, JulIet nGoZI eZe, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, nGoZI JulIet udora. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

IbekIlo amaka

mrs. nwachukwu yvonne

mrs. Ifeoma nkemdIrIm

lucky oGhenevwarhe

John cecIlIa

mrs. aIkhIobrare oJo

I, formerly known and addressed as, patrIcIa amaka ekesIobI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, IbekIlo amaka. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, mIss. nyamse yvonne okon, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, mrs. nwachukwu yvonne IheanyI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, mIss. Ifeoma nkemdIrIm dorIn GeorGe, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, mrs. Ifeoma nkemdIrIm dorIn nwokoma. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ohre lucky oGhenevwarhe JulIus, , now wIsh to be known and addressed as, lucky oGhenevwarhe JulIus. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, bassey cecIlIa John, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, John cecIlIa frIday . all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as,mIss. Ikekhua edIth odIon, now wIsh to be known and addressed as, mrs. aIkhIobrare oJo edIth odIon. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should take note.

oluwarotImI blessInG

addItIon of name

correctIon of name

aGu vIctorIa

formerly eneJI amInat ololade now added , adetutu now to be addressed as eneJI amInat ololade adetutu. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

oGunsIle folasade I was formerly known as adesemowo folasade IbIdunnI now wIsh to be known as oGunsIle folasade IbIdunnI. General publIc should take note.

esther abosede

I formerly known, called and addressed as oJo blessInG adeola now wIsh to be known, called and addressed as oluwarotImI blessInG adeola. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc please take note

formerly estIr mathew now esther abosede musa. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

IZem oGuerI adson Is the same as IZem anderson oGuerI adson. General publIc should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as effIonG vIctorIa now wIsh to be known and addressed as aGu vIctorIa. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

obasI nnamdI

esan deborah

omobamIdele marIa

InclutIon of name

addItIon of name

confIrmatIon of name

I formerly known and addressed as obasI chIbIke nnamdI now wIsh to be known and addressed as obasI nnamdI mIchael. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as maGbaGbeoladeborah bIsI now wIsh to be known and addressed as esan deborah adeola olabIsI. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as yewhenu marIa sesI now wIsh to be known and addressed as omobamIdele marIa sesI. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

that my bvn number and name reflects as Ikenna shedrack but now I wIsh to Include my fIrst name “shedrack” now wIsh to be known and addressed as shedrack Ikenna shedrack. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as danIel sunday now wIsh to add omachoko to my name. henceforth I wIsh to be known and addressed as danIel omachoko sunday. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

In some of my documents my name was wrItten as Idowu oluwole tIbetan whIle In some other documents It was wrItten as Idowu oluwole omosehInde. am the one bearInG all the names. now wIsh to be known and addressed as Idowu oluwole omosehInde. all documents bearInG the names are valId, General publIc to please take note.

confIrmatIon of name / declaratIon of aGe In some of my documents my name was wrItten as aruwayo omotola pIus whIle In some other documents It was wrItten as Аruwayo olamIposI kola. I am the one bearInG all the names. that my correct date of bIrth Is 3rd of may,1993. all documents bearInG the names are valId, General publIc to please take note.

mrs oGbodo rIta

mrs nwaIGwe IJeoma

mrs Inya eberechukwu

onu monday

mrs abana oGechukwu

I, formerly known and addressed as onovo rIta ukamaka, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs oGbodo rIta ukamaka. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss nwosu IJeoma ebere, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs nwaIGwe IJeoma ebere. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss ovu ebere JacInta, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs Inya eberechukwu oGbonnaya. all former documents remaIn valId. nysc and General publIc should

I, formerly known and addressed as onu collIns, now wIsh to be known and addressed as onu monday collIns. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mrs abana oGechukwu nelly, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs abana oGechukwu adaobI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

25 Change of Names

eJImUene THomas

CHInawaeZe IfebUCHe

onyema anTHony

okeH Helen

epUCHIem–moses eZInne

onUoHa loUIsa

I, formerly known and addressed as eJImene THomas CHUkwUdIke, now wIsH To be known and addressed as eJImUene THomas sUnday. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. banks and General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHInawaeZe IfeCHUkwU wIsdom .s., now wIsH To be known and addressed as CHInawaeZe IfebUCHe sTella. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as onyemaeCHI anTHony ToCHUkwU, now wIsH To be known and addressed as onyema anTHony ToCHUkwU. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. banks and General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as UGwUoke Helen nonyelUm, now wIsH To be known and addressed as okeH Helen nonyelUm. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. fed ColleGe of edU eHa –amUfU, ppsmb enUGU and General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as epUCHIem eZInne ImmaCUlaTa, now wIsH To be known and addressed as epUCHIem – moses eZInne ImmaCUlaTa (nee epUCHIem). all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as okafor loUIsa nneZe, now wIsH To be known and addressed as onUoHa loUIsa nneZe. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

ndUbUIsI anTHony

omodUnbI–oGedenGbe

UGwU JosHUa

IkeCHI IJeoma

UrakU olUCHI

I, formerly known and addressed as ndUbUIsI anTHony, now wIsH To be known and addressed as ndUbUIsI anTHony .o. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUkwU esTHer CHIebonam, now wIsH To be known and addressed as omodUnbI–oGedenGbe esTHer. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as UGwU JosHUa Ik, now wIsH To be known and addressed as UGwU JosHUa IkeCHUkwU. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as IkeoGU TreasUre IJeoma delGHT, now wIsH To be known and addressed as IkeCHI IJeoma TreasUre. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

I, formerly known and addressed as okoro olUCHI Helen, now wIsH To be known and addressed as UrakU olUCHI Helen. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. banks and General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

make Good ConfIrmaTIon of name THIs Is To CerTIfy and ConfIrm THaT Ifeoma veronICa UdeZe, Ifeoma v.

UdeZe and Ifeoma .v. nnol-UdeZe refers as one and THe same person now wIsH To be known and addressed as Ifeoma veronICa UdeZe. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

make Good ConfIrmaTIon of name THIs Is To CerTIfy and ConfIrm THaT mmadUka maTHew CHInaZa, madUka bIsHop maTHew CHInaZa and madUka bIsHop maTHew refers as one and THe same person now wIsH To be known and addressed as madUka bIsHop maTHew. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC sHoUld please Take noTe.

oGUnseye olUwaseGUn

JaIyeola omoseke

I, formerly known and addressed as oGUnseye JoHn GbenGa olUwaseGUn now wIsH To be known and addressed as oGUnseye olUwaseGUn. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId, General pUblIC Take noTe.

formerly known as awonIyI olUwaTosIn now wIsH To be known and addressed as JaIyeola omoseke olUwaTosIn.all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC Take noTe.

samUel elI I, formerly known as samUel elI qwalaH now wHICH To be addressed and known as samUel elI. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId.General pUblIC Take noTe.

Reps direct FG to declare states emergency on child abuse Henry Omunu, Abuja House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the rising spate of child labour, molestation and assaults on minors, just as it resolved to investigate the phenomenon and their patterns.

Three standing committees of the House, namely, Women Affairs and Social Development, Human Rights, Labour, Employment and Productivity are to carry out the investigation and report back to the House for further legislative action.

They are also henceforth expected to report all cases of child abuses to the relevant authorities while the ministries of women affairs, labour and productivity have been asked to put in place modalities to checkmate the spate of child abuse in the country.

Passing a resolution after debating a motion on the need to stop the increasing rate of child labour, molestation and abuse in the country sponsored by Rep. Omosede Igbinedion (PDP/Edo), lawmakers expressed anger at

the disturbing rate of child abuse in Nigeria, warning that children were gifts from God who should be loved, protected and be catered for, instead of subjecting them to all manner of assaults and molestation.

The House said that in restating its commitment to protecting the Nigerian child, the National Assembly passed the Child’s Right Act in consonance with provisions of international statutes and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to combat the menace in the country.

According to the lawmakers, a recent data published by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that 50.8 per cent of Nigerian children between the ages of five and 17 years engage in child labor, a development the lawmakers described as psychologically harmful which ultimately deprives them the opportunity to good and qualitative education.

Rep Igbinedion in her lead debate alluded to a survey carried out by the National Population Commission (NPC) in 2014, that indicated that out of every 10

children, six have experienced one form of violence or the other with another data showing that 50 per cent of Nigerian children have experienced physical violence and that in the last four years the phenomenon has been on the rise.

She gave instances, where in Lagos, a woman threw her 15 year-old maid from a two -storey building on the allegation that she stole her jewelries and how in the same Lagos, another woman locked her 11 ear-old maid a in poorly ventilated storeroom without food and travelled for Christmas.

In addition, she mentioned a case of sexual assault in which a school supervisor allegedly molested a two - year- old child sexually.

She warned government authorities to take cognizance of the provisions of Section 14,(l) (b) of the constitution as amended, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” adding that there was no better time to declare a state of emergency against all forms of child abuse in the country.

Gov Ahmed appoints new aides Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has approved the appointments of 10 new Special Advisers four Senior Special Assistants (SSA) and eight Special Assistants.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, who made this known in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday, said that the appointments were part Ahmed’s efforts to strengthen governance and promote inclusiveness.

The newly appointed Special Advisers according to the statement include Alhaji Olokoba Sulyman, Hon. Emmanuel Bello and Mr Rasaq Jimoh.

Others are Alhaji Aliyu Salihu, Mr Tunji Moronfoye, Alhaji Ibrahim Abiodun, Chief Moses Adekanye and Mr Amusa Bello.

The new Senior Special Assistants are Mr Salihu Yahaya, Mrs Monsurat Omotosho and Hajia Aishat Sulu-Gambari .

The SSG also listed the new

Special Assistants to include Halidu Danbaba, Tsado Manman, Mr Ige Olayiwola, Mr Sunday Ogunniyi, Mr Abdulkadir Aluko, Mr Lawal Olalekan, Mr Manzuma Kawu and Mr Issa Abdulrahman.

Gold congratulated the new appointees and charged them to see their appointments as a call to service. The newly appointed commissioners would be swornin on today at the Government House, Ilorin.

loss of doCUmenT THIs Is To Inform THe General pUblIC of loss of some of THe land doCUmenTs belonGInG To arC. nweke Jerry Ike of ploT 1025 adeTokUmbo ademola CresCenT wUse II abUJa, land sITUaTe aT ploT 991 IndependenCe layoUT, enUGU. THe losT doCUmenTs InClUde bUIldInG CerTIfICaTe of oCCUpanCy (b.C.o) wITH reG. no. 6/6/99; deed of assIGnmenT wITH reG. no. 1/1/111 and IrrevoCable power of aTTorney wITH reG. no.

10/10/85.

mrs onasanya mofopefolUwa

I, formerly known as mIss ayodele mofopefolUwa ayokUnnU now. mrs onasanya mofopefolUwa ayokUnnU. all former doCUmenTs remaIn valId. General pUblIC Take noTe.

Obaseki to sign human trafficking Bill into law today Following the timely passage of the bill for the prohibition of trafficking in persons into law by the Edo State House of Assembly, Governor Godwin Obaseki, is set to sign the document and set the stage for a legal onslaught on perpetrators of the illicit trade in the state.

The signing ceremony will take place in Abuja today, on the sidelines of the international donor conference organised

by Edo State Government in partnership with the United Nations and other international development partners.

The law, which is a product of series of consultations by the Obaseki administration, following observed gaps in the existing legal frameworks on human trafficking, also provides for the establishment of the Edo State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons.

The document with federal government laws, adapted to deal with the state’s peculiar challenges, is made up of 80 sections. It will send offenders to a period of not less than five years imprisonment, amongst other provisions.

Explaining the sudden drop in the numbers of victims of human trafficking, Obaseki said: “We have been very honest about this fight from the onset. We admitted that we have a problem that is claiming a frightening proportion of our youth population and as responsible leaders and parents, we cannot fold our arms and watch it continue.”

He added: “Our engagements with the international community, the traditional institution, the clergy, parents and guardians, trade and

professional groups and the law makers, are paying off.

According to the governor, Edo State has taken up the fight head on, with several of the state’s youth population lured into slavery in Libya, while thousands died either in the Sahara Desert or in the Mediterranean as they attempt to cross the sea to Europe.

“Less than six months of our honest and strategic engagement of critical stakeholders like the traditional institution, the clergy, market men and women, students and youth, the figures of victims of human trafficking have ebbed and the incidence is losing popularity daily.”

He further said that while the Task Force on Human Trafficking is combing the state for members of the ring perpetuating the illicit trade to arrest and prosecute them, the traditional institution headed by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has since placed a weighty curse on anyone that engages in the inhuman activity.

According to the Governor, the clergy community is leading the battle from the pulpit,sensitising members of their respective congregations about the dangers associated with human trafficking.

For the returnees from Libya and elsewhere, most of whom were evacuated by the federal government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, the Edo State government has in place a rehabilitation programme that includes a monthly stipend of N20,000 for each returnee, an empowerment package that has a training component, after which they are given starter packs.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wenesday, May 23, 2018

Education Ex-VCs task women to break the glass ceiling Stories: Esther Taiwo Former Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota in Ogun State, Prof Aize Obayan, has called on women to go beyond where they are and break new heights.

Obayan made the call at the Career and Professional Women conference titled “Beyond the Glass Ceiling” organised by the Africa Leadership Development Centre of the Covenant University in Ota. According to her, women must

put their skills and strategies together to break the glass ceiling and go beyond cultural, social and religious issues imposed on them to keep them down.

“There is something beyond the glass ceiling that we can begin to access. As women we need to focus on how to harness our strengths and enhance them instead of concentrating on our challenges, let us try to find out what makes the other gender thrive”, she said.

Buttressing her points, former Vice Chancellor of University of

Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, said it has been predicted that the disparities between male and female will take 40 years to close.

She also urged women to break through the barriers that keep them from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder regardless of their qualifications and achievements.

In her own submission, Chairperson Women in Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ), Mrs. Olubunmi Abiderin-Talabi, highlighted some factors responsible for

gender disparity such as progeny, public policies, choice of partner, patriarchy among others.

She however called on women to break the barriers by speaking up on policy formation, support other women, stop underrating themselves, get a mentor and mentor others and network.

She also warned women to always leave their crowns at the door which means no matter their achievements, they should always remember they are wives to their husbands and accord him due respect.

L-R: Group Head, Client Service, EDUMARK, Mrs. Fisayo Balogun; CEO, EDUMARK, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde and CEO, IBM Computers, Atul Kshetry, at a press conference in Lagos recently to announce TOSSE 2018.

LASU VC harps on importance on peace to development Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof.

Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has called on stakeholders within the University community to allow peace and tranquility to reign on campus for development to take place.

The VC made this call while addressing members of the University community at the coconut breaking ceremony as part of activities marking the 2017 convocation.

According to him, the development being witnessed in LASU presnetly is

as a result of the ongoing peace being currently enjoyed on campus, saying that LASU is striving to become one of the best universities in Africa.

“My appeal to everyone is that we should not look back despite the challenges we are facing and we should not expect the University management to meet all our demands; even in our respect homes, we cannot expect to get all that we want”, he said.

Prof. Fagbohun however assured them that what LASU will ensure to do is to be transparent, accountable and be fair to all as he urged the

students not to allow anyone to use them to disrupt the ongoing peace on campus by causing crisis which will only prolong the academic calendar and deprive them from graduating at the right time.

President of the Lagos State University Alumni Association, Major General (rtd) Cecil Ezekaete, described the annual coconut breaking event as significant because it signifies the end of a session and ushering in new one.

He said the event also signifies peace, unity and development on campus as he thanked the Vice

Chancellor for rebranding LASU and given it a new name. “ In those days employers of labour used to push aside certificates of LASU graduates and consider other graduates for employment but today the image of LASU has changed and gone are the days when the university was synonymous to crisis’, he said.

He also urged staff unions to cooperate with the University management, saying it is about give and take, thus they should give room to constructive engagement, spirit of togetherness and unity.

EDUMARK urges corporate organisations to support education

Foremost education consulting firm, EDUMARK, has called on corporate organisations to lend more support to the education sector by going beyond donating blocks of classrooms and libraries to schools and get more involved in the sector.

Addressing journalists recently in Lagos in preparation for the 10th annual Total School Support Seminar/Exhibition (TOSSE) slated for June 7 & 8, 2018, Chief Executive of EDUMARK, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, said there are various problems plaguing the education sector on a daily basis.

“We see the range of challenges that confronts both public and private schools. We also come across numerous organisations and individuals with creative ideas that have the capacity to transform the sector, so we decided to create a platform that will bring together all key stakeholders in the education community”, she said.

Ogunde said such stakeholders include school owners for them to acquire better entrepreneurship/ leadership skills, principals and school administrators to become better managers of human and material resources as well as teachers to take them through various sessions that will inspire and encourage them to become exceptional teachers.

Also parents and school support staff to provide them a unique learning experience, stressing that TOSSE has continued to add value to a sector that holds the key to the development of the nation.

The CEO added that some of the topics that would be examined at the seminar include Wealth Building and Management for Education Entrepreneurs, Developing a Positive School Climate, Create an Ownership Mindset in your Team, Teaching with Joy: A Personal Experience and Rich Teacher, Poor Teacher: What Exceptional Educators Know but do not Tell among others.

She said educators are expected from various parts of the world such as UK, Togo, South Africa and Finland.

Some of the speakers at the event include Bisi Soji-Oyawoye; Executive Director, John Maxwell Team; Taiwo Akinlami, Child Right advocate; Funmi Tells, Educational Consultant; Funke Fowler-Amba, Director, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls and Joachim Atunwa, Rector, Advertising Academy of Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

27 Education

Day ABUAD took giant strides with legacy projects

L-R: Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) at the commissioning of four ultra -modern projects at ABUAD in Ekiti State …on Monaday.

Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti The torrential rain of new things took place at fastest growing private university in Africa, Afe Babalola University, with the commissioning of four projects, on Monday, May 21, 2018, two of which are the first in Africa.

First in the list of the projects is the university’s 18m fix Dome planetarium, which incidentally the only one in Africa with Astronomical Observatory and one of the largest fixed plantations in the world.

Also, the Telemedicine Equipment, and the multibillion Naira Ultra-modern postgraduate building and halls of residence as well as the multi-billion state-of-art Social & Management Science Building projects, facilities and equipment combined without mincing word will not only constitute a convincing boost the university’s drive to institutionalise quality and functional education in Nigeria with the ultimate aim of ensuring that the nation recovers its lost glory in education.

It will also properly place the university in forefront in boosting Nigeria’s Academic ranking in Africa as the university has been noted for.

Former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd),

the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission NUC, Prof.

Abubakar Rasheed, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe and the highly respected retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Alfa Belgore, who were physically present among other important dignitaries at the commissioning, described the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) as a citadel of learning that has brought respect to the academic image of the country at the global scene.

They said with the establishment of ABUAD by its founder, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), eight years ago, that the country was gradually regaining its pride of place at the international level in the area of improved scholarship.

Particularly, Ewi of Ado Ekiti said he was very happy of Aare Afe Babalola for not only doing him proud but Ado Ekiti, Yoruba race, Nigeria, and entire African race.

“

Speaking after commissioning some projects in the university on Monday, the elder statesmen added that ABUAD would be one of the 100 best universities on webometric ranking before it clocks 10 years of operation.

The projects commissioned were the newly built 18 metres Dome Planetarium for Exploratory Trip for Space, Tele-medicine equipment at the Teaching Hospital that would facilitate free interaction of Aster doctors in Dubai with their patients in Ado Ekiti, the multibillion naira Postgraduate Hall and the state-of-the-art Social and Management Science building.

Also speaking, former President Obasanjo said with the existence of the 400-bed Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, every Nigerian, including the rich class has no reason traveling abroad for medical treatments.

He said: “ABUAD is gradually transforming Nigeria. When I reappointed Chief Afe Babalola the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, he was

I want to thank God today that Aare Babalola has started translating those dreams to reality. So, with the aesthetic structures I am seeing, I can say that ABUAD has become a huge blessing to Nigeria”.

”

determined to turn things around but that environment did not permit him.

“I want to thank God today that Aare Babalola has started translating those dreams to reality. So, with the aesthetic structures I am seeing, I can say that ABUAD has become a huge blessing to Nigeria”.

Former Head of State, Gen, Yakubu Gowon (rtd), described ABUAD as really a 21st century university with the culture of learning and morality, saying the university has become not only a cynosure of all eyes but investment that was fast radicalising the country’s education system.

The former Head of State said with the speed ABUAD was going that the country has a lot to benefit from the university.

“This university is becoming a trail blazer in all aspects. The development is attracting global body to invest and the product was what you are seeing in the memoranda it was signing with big educational and health institutions across the globe.

“ABUAD is doing well in academics, morality and in agriculture. Look at the farm set up by the founder, Chief Babalola.

It has offered employments and increasing food production in Nigeria.

“The benefit of this institution will be exceptionally tremendous.

“The founder has done well

for himself in life by setting up an institution that has widening Nigeria’s recognition and contributions to scholarship across the globe”.

In his remarks, ABUAD founder, Chief Afe Babalola, said with the establishment of Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, it would be of no need for Nigerians to travel abroad for medical treatments, saying the university was set up to correct perceived imbalances in the education sector.

“This university was set up to be a real example of 21st century University. A modern university that can compete with any university in advanced nations.

“This university was established eight years ago and it was ranked to be between one and four in Nigeria. By the time we will be ten, it will be number one in Nigeria and this will make it a formidable force in the global scene “, he said.

On the new university teaching hospital, Babalola said the expatriates brought in from Aster Hospital in Dubai have been exposing experts in the university to various fields that can make treatment of any ailment easy in the university.

“The projects have greatly enhanced the status and standard of the university as it maintains its status as the fastest growing private university in Africa”, Babalola added.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Foreign Affairs UN appoints Gambari member of experts on Durban Declaration Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The United Nations (UN) has appointed the Founder/Chairman of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, as one of five members of the Independent Eminent Experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

Among those who have been appointed by the UN Secretary-General and previously served as independent eminent experts were; HR Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan, Mr Martti Ahtisaari former President of Finland, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim former Prime Minister of Tanzania; former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity and former President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Also appointed are Her Excellency Hanna Suchocka former Prime Minister of Poland and Mrs Santos Roland representing the Latin America and Caribbean States.

This appointment, which takes effect from May 21, 2018, is in reference to the UN General Assembly resolution 72/157 of 19 December 2017 in which the General Assembly requested the SecretaryGeneral to appoint the members of the ‘group of independent eminent experts on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 56/266 of 27 March 2002.

Executive Director, SCDDD, Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki announced Prof Gambari’s appointment in a statement to the DAILY TIMES on Tuesday, adding that the appointment mandates the Group to, among others to: follow the implementation of the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and assist the High Commissioner in preparing his annual progress report to the Commission and to the General Assembly based on information and views provided by States, relevant human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other mechanisms of the Commission, international, regional and non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions.

“To assist the High Commissioner in the assessment and evaluation of the existing international standards and instruments to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance with a view to preparing complementary standards.

Emphasize the central role to be played by the group of independent eminent experts in mobilizing the necessary political will required for the successful implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.”

This appointment, no doubt, is a recognition of Nigeria’s role in the fight against apartheid and

an acknowledgement of Professor Gambari’s passionate, dedicated and outstanding contributions in several international engagements in peace and conflict resolutions and the enthronement of democratic governance and values, especially his remarkable role in the fight against Apartheid in South Africa when, as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he chaired the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid.

He led several United Nations missions to South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda and Mozambique. He also chaired the UN Special Committee on Peace-Keeping Operations from 19901999.

As UN under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, he established a Mediation Support Unit in 2006. He also served as UN Special Representative in Angola and Myanmar as well as Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa, with special responsibilities for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Prior to his retirement in 2012, Professor Gambari had served as the Joint Special Representative of the UN/AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur, Sudan. He is currently the Special Adviser to the SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth on Political Dialogue for the Zambian Elections, as well as member of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the Africa Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism, a respected Advisory body charged with the responsibility to encourage the APRM to drive its mandate for the benefit the African people.

The statement read: “We, at the Savannah Centre for Democracy, Diplomacy and Development, are proud of the huge contributions Professor Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, has made, and continues to make, both internationally and here in Nigeria, for mankind and humanity in general.

Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari is founder/Chairman of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD). He holds the National Honours of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of South Africa, respectively (CFR and OCORT).

Savannah Centre wishes him a successful tenure Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) is an authoritative Non-Governmental Organization founded by Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR. The Centre is committed to research, advocacy, training and policy analysis in the areas of conflict prevention, management, democracy and sustainable development in Nigeria and Africa.”

Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, OCORT, a scholar-diplomat, is the Founder/Chairman of the Board of Directors of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, a non-governmental

Gambari think-tank on research and policy studies on conflict prevention and resolution as well as democratization and development in Africa. SCDDD seeks to promote the evolution of Africa into a prosperous, politically stable and globally respected continent which is motivated by the culture of good governance.

Professor Gambari has had an illustrious career, spanning academia, government and international diplomacy, culminating with his appointment as the first United Nations Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa (1999-2005).

In that capacity, he worked closely with heads of government, key policymakers as well as institutions in the continent to develop the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

During this period, he was concurrently the Resident Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola (2002-2003).

He has been a delegate to the Assembly of the OAU/African Union as a national delegate (1984-1985) and as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s delegation (2000-2012).

He was the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid (1990-1994) during which he worked closely with African governments to coordinate UN policy to eradicate apartheid, thereby building trust and confidence with governments and policymakers in member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Ambassador Gambari was UnderSecretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (2005-2007).

In that period, he also operated as UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar.

On 22 May 2007, the Secretary-General entrusted him with the Good Offices

Mandate on Myanmar.

He was also appointed in 2007 by the Secretary-General as Under-SecretaryGeneral and Special Adviser on Iraq Compact and Other Issues, positions he held until 2009.

He served his country, Nigeria, as Director-General at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs; Minister of External Affairs (19841985) and subsequently Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (1990-1999).

He also served as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference on the restructuring and promotion of national unity in Nigeria. At international level, Professor Gambari held numerous United Nations positions, including Chairman of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the UNSG’s Special Adviser on Africa.

Professor Gambari also served as Joint AU/UN Special Representative in Darfur and Head of UNAMID, which was then the largest international peacekeeping operation in the world and the first hybrid Mission. He had in different capacities, worked with four successive United Nations SecretaryGeneral (Perez de Cuella, Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon).

He currently co-chairs the commission on Global Security, Justice and Governance at the Hague Institute for Global Justice and the Stimson Centre at Washington D.C. In January, 2017, he was appointed a member and is currently Deputy Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Persons of African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), a Specialized Agency of the African Union for the promotion of good governance at the political, economic and corporate levels.

In the same vein, he was appointed in 2016 by Patricia Scotland, QC, the Commonwealth Secretary General as the Special Envoy to Zambia on Elections and reappointed in 2017 as the Special Envoy for Democratic Stability and Elections 2020.

Egyptian military court hands 10 years jail to journalist An Egyptian military court has sentenced a freelance journalist who reported on the Sinai insurgency to 10 years in prison on terror-related charges.

The Cairo military court on Tuesday convicted Ismail Alexandrani of spreading false news and joining an outlawed group, without identifying it.

The verdict can be appealed.

Alexandrani was detained in 2015 upon his return to Egypt after delivering a presentation on Sinai militancy in Berlin. He worked for several news outlets in Egypt.

Egypt has heavily restricted media access to the northern Sinai, where it has struggled to combat a Daesh-led insurgency that has carried out attacks across the country.

Egyptian authorities have jailed several journalists as part of a wideranging crackdown on dissent, and have passed vague laws criminalizing the dissemination of “false news.”

Source: ARABNEWS

Europe, China, Russia discuss new deal for Iran Diplomats from Europe, China and Russia are discussing a new accord to offer Iran financial aid to curb its ballistic missile development and meddling in the region, in the hope of salvaging its 2015 nuclear deal, a German newspaper reported on Sunday.

The officials will meet in Vienna in the coming week under the leadership of senior European Union diplomat Helga Schmid to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by US President Donald Trump to pull out of a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper said, citing senior EU sources.

Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China would participate in the meeting, but the United States would not, it said. It was not immediately clear if Iran — which has resisted calls to curb its ballistic missile program in the past — would take part.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. One of the main complaints of the Trump administration was that the accord did not cover Iran’s missile program or its support for armed groups in the Middle East which the West considers terrorists.

Concluding a new agreement that would maintain the nuclear provisions and curb ballistic missile development efforts and Tehran’s activities in the region could help convince Trump to lift sanctions against Iran, the paper said.

Source: REUTERS

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

29 Photo Times

Scenes from the peaceful protest by Catholic faithful nationwide against killings of Catholic priests and other Christians in Benue... on Tuesday

TIMES SPORTS Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Emenike vows to bounce back from injury spells

Amaju Pinnick: No distractions for Super Eagles The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has assured that there will not be any form of distractions for the Super Eagles, as the team goes into the Russia 2018 World Cup with owed bonuses and promisory notes secured and ready to be paid.

It was learnt on authority that the early release of $2m from the world football governing body, FIFA has helped in a long way to making the NFF meet

all their financial obligations to the players ahead of time.

Pinnick, who confirmed the development on Sunday said the federation was excited that the effort they put in at ensuring a distraction-free campaign had been achieved.

He said: “We are glad that our efforts and relationship with FIFA has always paid off. We were also then able to raise $800, 000 in addition, which gave the federation the exact amount needed to

prosecute the World Cup and the remaining pre-World Cup games.

“We are confident now that without any distraction, the players can concentrate with Nigerians and fans of the Eagles see the most organised outing so far.”

The NFF signed an agreement with the players before their friendly match against Argentina played in Russia, which the Super Eagles won 4-2.

Mutiu Adepoju: Congo friendly do or die for Super Eagles Nigeria’s former international, Mutiu Adepoju, said the battle to make the Russia 2018 World Cup 23-man final list will propel the Super Eagles players to approach the friendly against Congo with the right mentality.

Speaking to newsmen on telephone yesterday, the former Eagles’ wing wizard argued that though every friendly is crucial to the players ahead of the soccer Mundial, it would be wrong to rate the Eagles’ preparedness with the Congo friendly.

Headmaster, as he is fondly called argued that there was no surprise inclusion in the 30-man provisional team-list apart from the domestic league players, challenging Junior Lokosa to put in his best and pick a shirt in the final team-list.

Asked the importance

Nigerians should attach to the Congo friendly, Adepoju said: “We all know how important any friendly means to the Super Eagles now that they are preparing for the World Cup. “I strongly believe that the friendly will go a long way in strengthening the team for the

task ahead in Russia.

“Ordinarily, we should not rate the Super Eagles preparedness for the Russia tournament with the outcome of the friendly game, but the fact is that it is a very important build up game for the World Cup,” he said.

On how much stake the match is to the players, Adepoju said: “The players should know that everything is at stake for, especially as the friendly would decide their fate for the final team list.

“They must go extra mile to impress Nigerians. I am sure that they are aware that everything is needed to justify their inclusion first in the 30man list. I have no doubt that they will deploy everything at their disposal to make the final 23-man World Cup list,” he said.

Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike has vowed to bounce back from a loan spell with Spanish club Las Palmas where injuries stopped him from playing a single minute of football.

The 31-year-old ex-Super Eagles international joined Las Palmas from Greek giants Olympiakos in January with high hopes, but it all ended in a heartbreak.

Speaking to the BBC website, Emenike said he is now ready to return to Greece to finish off his contract.

Despite not being able to try and help his loan club avoid relegation from the Spanish top flight, the forward remains upbeat about his future.

“It’s been a tough time for me injury wise but I hope to bounce back next season,” Emenike told BBC Sport.

“It has been a disappointing and heartbreaking five months. I arrived with the hope to fight for the shirt,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Unfortunately, the injury sustained while in Spain did not

a

give me chance

to demonstrate the fight for the course.

“I want to thank the people of the island. They were always welcoming and looked after me like family. In what has been a tough time; they always smiled and supported.

“I thank you. Their positivity was the comfort of a disastrous time. I Thank you for being my Spanish family.”

Emenike started all four of the Super Eagles’ matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but announced international retirement in October 2015.

Joshua: Wilder should fight me in the UK Anthony Joshua believes he owes it to his home fans to fight Deontay Wilder in the UK. Joshua added the WBO heavyweight belt to his existing WBA and IBF straps on March 31 with unanimous decision victory over Joseph Parker.

Now, all the Brit needs is Wilder’s WBC belt to hold all four titles and become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

“This is the situation I’m thinking,” Joshua said at a Lyons Den Q&A. “So with this Las Vegas talk, I owe it to everyone in Great Britain that has been supporting me to do my best to get this fight in the UK, in my opinion, that’s number one.

“He [Wilder] has kind of said,

‘alright, cool, come fight me in America’. But the thing is with that, I owe it to the fans and everyone supporting me to do it here.

“And number two, if I go there, there’s a lot of tricks that they play in terms of referees and judges and that’s why I want to be at home where I’m secure.

“Luckily, we’ve got enough time to make the fight happen and we’re working on it. We’ve just sent another draft email over to them.

It’s just the technical jargon that we’re going through right now.”

If Joshua’s team fail to make a fight with the American, he’s next likely to face WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin.

The last undisputed heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis between 1999 and 2000.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

31 Times Sports

ATP ranking: Rafael Nadal regains world’s number one

Serena

to miss out on seeding as French Open follows rankings

Former Tennis World number one, Serena Williams, will not be seeded at this year’s French Open, according to the organisers of the May 27-June 10 clay court grand slam.

Williams, a three-time champion at Roland Garros, discovered she was pregnant after winning the 2017 Australian Open and following her return from maternity leave in March, the American suffered early

defeats in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 36-year-old subsequently withdrew from Madrid and Rome clay court events and the 23-times grand slam champion has seen her world ranking tumble to number 453.

“This year again, tournament officials will establish the list and ranking of the women’s seeds based on the WTA ranking,” the

French Tennis Federation told The Associated Press.

“Consequently, (the seeds) will reflect this week’s world ranking,” the organisers added.

Williams, who gave birth to daughter Alexis last September, can compete at Roland Garros under the WTA’s special ranking rule.

The rule allows players returning from a long spell out to use their ranking at the start of their absence.

Spaniard Unai Emery set to be named new Arsenal manager Arsenal are set to appoint Unai Emery as their new manager.

Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta was strong favourite to succeed the outgoing Arsene Wenger.

But following a thorough recruitment process that involved all candidates being spoken to, Emery emerged as the

unanimous choice.

The 46-year-old Spaniard is available after leaving Paris StGermain where he won one Ligue 1 title and four domestic cups in two seasons in charge.

Previously he guided Sevilla to three Europa League triumphs.

Emery’s English is not completely fluent but the

language barrier is not expected to be a problem.

An announcement and news conference are expected later this week.

The recruitment process was led by Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.

Rafael Nadal regained the world number one ranking on Monday, a day after winning his eighth Italian Open title and making him the favourite for Roland Garros.

Nadal had his work cut out for him to beat defending champion Alexander Zverev, coming back after a rain delay to win 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

“It was an emotional final, a tough one,” Nadal said. “The rain delay at the end, I didn’t think would help me but of course later it helped.”

Zverev had been seeking a clay court hat-trick in Rome after winning in Munich and Madrid.

“Next time I have to find a way to come out better after rain and play better tennis,” Zverev conceded. “[Nadal] came out way faster and played much more aggressive than I

did … It took me a very long time to get activated again and to get going and obviously it wasn’t enough time.”

The win puts Nadal back on the top of ATP rankings after being relegated second to Roger Federer following his quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem in the Madrid Open.

“I’m having an amazing week,” he said. “It was tough losing quarter-finals [in Madrid], so to have this trophy with me again was unforgettable.

“It’s a moment to enjoy this day and then in a couple of days we are going to think about Roland Garros and be excited about it.”

Despite losing to Nadal, 21-year-old Zverev also considered himself wellpositioned for the Paris tournament.

“Of course Rafa [Nadal]

will be the favourite and there is no question about it,” Zverev said. “I’ll be in the other half the draw, so that’s a good thing but I’ll be match by match there and hopefully I’ll be able to play the same kind of tennis like I did in the last three weeks.”

FA to meet Moroccan and US bids as 2026 World Cup decision looms The two bids for the 2026 World Cup will try to win England’s vote on May 31 when they both make presentations to the Football Association board at its next meeting.

The contest between Morocco and the United bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States is now too close to call, providing the North African country’s bid passes the technical assessment and makes it onto the ballot for the vote in Moscow on June 13.

That decision is expected by the end of the month, and it is understood that Morocco has probably done enough to convince the bid evaluation task force it can host a 48-team event and deliver the once-every-fouryear windfall FIFA needs to finance its activities.

The United bid, on the other hand, has few headaches on the technical front and its projected revenues made it the obvious front-runner, as well as being FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s preferred option.

But the policies of the Trump administration and rhetoric of the president himself have impacted upon the United bid and raised questions about the type of governmental interference that FIFA forbids.

Meanwhile, Morocco has worked hard to accentuate the positives of its more compact offer, European-friendly time

zone and undisputed passion for the game.

As well as seeing the FA on May 31, the Moroccan bid is scheduled to meet eight other European federations in Hungary on May 29 -- their Hungarian hosts, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Lichtenstein, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland -- and the Football Association of Wales on June 4.

The Scottish FA has already met both bids and a spokesperson told Press Association Sport: “We listened to and were impressed by their proposals. It is now a matter for our board to consider.’’

In the past, the allocation of World Cups was in the gift of FIFA’s executive committee, a group of senior football officials from around the globe that

has now been replaced by the slightly larger FIFA Council.

But the controversy caused by the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively, and the corruption scandal that erupted in the years after that 2010 vote, forced FIFA to overhaul the bidding process.

Assuming Morocco passes the technical assessment, the two very different bids will be voted on by FIFA’s remaining 207 member associations, although that number may be reduced if Morocco is successful in a complaint about four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands -- having a conflict of interest.

Neither side wants to talk about guaranteed support at this stage, but Morocco appears to be leading in terms of declared backers, with the majority of the African confederation expected to vote for them, and several Francophone nations, Qatar, Russia and half of the Oceania confederation also believed to be in favour of their bid.

The United bid, as one would expect, is strong in its backyard, with most nations in North, Central and South America expected to back its pitch, as well as U.S. allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018

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Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

‘National carrier not Foreign exchange turnover feasible in 6 months’ declines by 11.80% in one month

NNPC, NPA team up to sustain products supply

Regional cooperation, structural reforms key to economic growth - Sanusi Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Emir of Kano and a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said Africa’s development agenda must focus on the socio-cultural and commercial interests of Africans and the upliftment of Africa’s trade and economic ecosystem to boost economic transformation in the continent.

Sanusi said this on Tuesday during his address at the 2018 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group in Busan, South Korea.

He explained that Africa’s economic transformation will be best achieved through fast-tracking regional cooperation and the execution of hardnosed structural reforms that focus on the development of the continent’s human capital and material resources.

The Emir shared insight about revamping African regional integration, trade and economic relations with Executive Directors and Governors of the Bank, comprising Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Ministers from member nations.

The monarch, an economist and financial risk expert, traced Africa’s post-colonial economic woes to the continent’s fiscal indiscipline and endemic disregard for its competitive advantages. For these reasons, he asserted, Africa’s development was stunted and its global trade ties lopsided in favour of offshore trading partners.

His words: “Nine out of every 10 countries in Africa have huge trade deficits with China, but Asia developed mostly on domestic investments and resources,” he noted, underscoring the need for African Governments to

invest in and promote creativity and indigenous enterprise.”

The Emir advocated a series of structural reforms, including strategic investments in key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, education, and small and medium enterprises.

He called for deliberate industrial diversification noting that China has begun to move its mega-sized manufacturing capabilities out of lowcost industries.

African Governments also need to eradicate constitutional provisions and structures that increase the cost

of governance at national and subnational levels, manage demographic growth, and revamp and harmonize moribund and ineffective customs and excise duties that promote crossborder smuggling and revenue losses to governments, he said.

Africa’s debt burden continues to inhibit capital investment in industrialization, he observed, lamenting the misallocation of resources: “We need to begin to ask ourselves, ‘what do we do with the available funds in our coffers?’”

“Perceptions matter. So there

is an urgent need for improved transparency, as this is clearly linked to good governance,” he said. “We need to accept that we have a perception problem that we must address. We need to tackle corruption, block leakages and create opportunities for new jobs.”

“Private sector capital is crucial for sustained economic growth but so is government’s intervention in guaranteeing business externalities like power, water and waste management, roads, housing and the legal and regulatory environment for innovation, commerce and industry.”

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru (right) presenting a plaque the to the visiting Nigerian Ports Authority MD, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman at NNPC Towers in Abuja…on Tuesday

NNPC, NAOC move to add 500mw to power grid Idu Jude, Abuja As part of efforts to ramp power supply in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its Joint Venture Partner, Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC), have pledged their commitment to implement the Okpai Phase 2 Project to shore up the current power generation with 500 megawatts of power.

In a press statement Tuesday issued

by Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the general manager public affairs, Dr. Maikanti Baru, made the disclosure when he received the new Vice Chairman and

Managing Director of NAOC, Fiorillo Lorenzo, in his office at the NNPC Towers on Tuesday.

According to the statement by Ughamadu, the GMD noted that the Okpai Phase 2 Project was being finetuned to expeditiously bring it on stream, adding that it would increase power generation by between 10 to 12 per cent.

“That is additional 500mw of power that is coming in, provided the transmission is up and going, then we should be able to boost the current power supply to the country by another 10 to 12 per cent of the current generation”, Dr. Baru noted.

The GMD informed that the project, when completed, would impact significantly on economic activities of the country, stressing that once power was available, there would be a lot of improvement in the standard of living of Nigerians.

Earlier, Lorenzo, said his company had a long-standing partnership with Nigeria and NNPC. “We want to grow and we want to build and develop new opportunities for the country and support the country in its energy journey. We want to try to change and improve the energy mix of the country and the Okpai Project is a testament of this commitment of our

company,’ Lorenzo affirmed.

On his part, the outgoing Vice Chairman of NAOC, Massimo Insulla, said the meeting with the GMD was fruitful with the discussion focusing on the opportunities in the Joint Venture (JV) and the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) and taking advantage of the oil price condition to bring additional value to the investment in the Nigeria.

‘We have been working for 15 years to implement the Okpai Phase 2 Project which is very important to the NNPC/ NAOC JV, and we have been able to find a way to achieve our target with this administration”, Insulla averred.

Court fixes June 7 to hear contempt proceedings against AMCON MD Peter Fowoyo

Hearing of an application seeking to commit the Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, for alleged contempt has been fixed by a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The court fixed June 7, 2018 to hear the application brought by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ajibola Aribisala.

Aribisala is alleging that Mr. Kuru tried to obstruct or pervert the proper course of Justice and interfering unduly with due administration of Justice.

In an affidavit in support of the application for an order of committal sworn to by the senior lawyer alleged that, In August, 2017,A Nigerian business man Chief Dr William O. Oki and his company Worksons International Limited retained the services of Chief Aribisala SAN and he has been filling process and representing the defendants in a debt recovery suit filed against them by AMCON especially in furtherance of his brief to redress the unlawful violation of the right of the defendants,particularly, Dr William Oki who was wrongfully evicted from his residence.

Chief Aribisala then on 13th of October, 2017 filed an application to set aside the wrongful execution carried out by AMCON on the 26th September, 2017.and the new application was duely served on AMCON. However unknown to Chief Aribisala prior to the filing of the reply affidavit and reply on point of law, but later revealed to him by Chief William Oki, AMCON and its Managing Director Ahmed Lawan Kuru in total disregard of Section 36(6)(c) constitution which allows the defendants to engage a counsel of their choice to defend them in this suit, have been putting undue pressure, intimidation, inducement, harassment, threats and victimisation on the defendants to disengage the legal services of Chief Aribisala.

Chief William Oki,who has been squatting, with friends and family members, following his eviction from his residential premises, by AMCON ,to the detriment of his health, comfort and human dignity, eventually bowed to the undue pressure, intimidation and victimisation by purportedly disengaging the services of Chief Aribisala via a letter dated 17th of October, 2017.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

NNPC, NPA team up to sustain products supply • Laud Escravos dredging project Idu Jude, Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have expressed readiness to ensure seamless reception of petroleum products into the various ports across the country.

This commitment was made during the visit of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, Tuesday in Abuja.

Dr. Baru said as part of efforts to introduce efficiency into the maritime operations of the corporation, the NNPC had proposed the establishment of a one-stop-shop at the ports with all agencies relevant to the clearing

of petroleum products vessels to reduce delay and demurrage that usually result in under-recovery for the corporation.

He said NNPC would relocate pipelines along the Escravos Channel to pave the way for the dredging aimed at easing the movement of ships to the Warri Port.

“Because of the sheer number of the pipelines and the criticality of some of the petroleum products they carry, we are looking at the timelines that would span 12 months to relocate some of the pipelines. In some of the critical areas, we have agreed that because of supply situations, they would do an initial dredging that would give us at least 10 metres, especially in the Escravos areas,” Dr. Baru stated.

He commended the NPA for securing the approval of the Federal Executive Council for the dredging

of the Escravos Channel, stressing that the feat would go a long way to buoying economic activities in the area.

The NNPC helmsman commended the MD of NPA for the support extended to the corporation during the last bout of fuel supply hiccups, saying that such interagency collaboration was needed for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“The test point for the support of the NPA to NNPC was between December 2017 and February this year because it was really a trying period during the fuel scarcity and the NPA supported us patriotically prompting our coming out of the crisis and it actually helped the nation as well. The MD of NPA was very patriotic, she prioritized ensuring the comfort of the people which, in turn, went a long way in enabling us touched the lives of

Nigerians in many positive ways,” Dr. Baru enthused.

In her response, NPA MD, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, said the interface with the NNPC was geared towards strengthening collaboration with the corporation, especially in the areas of relocation of pipelines at various locations across the operational areas of the Port Authority.

“We are here to strengthen synergy and collaboration between NPA and NNPC. We are about embarking on dredging activities at Escravos and Ejigbo and there are a lot of pipelines that are buried within that location and so we want to work with NNPC on relocating and burying those pipelines deeper so that NPA can dredge and have a deeper draft for bigger vessels to come to Warri and Lagos to enhance the supply of petroleum products and other larger vessels coming into the country,” Hajia Usman affirmed.

Transcorp Hotels MD bemoans neglect of tourism sector The Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has lamented the neglect of the Nigeria’s tourism sector by governments at all levels.

Ozigbo revealed that this was demonstrated by the abysmal marketing of the sector by relevant ministries and agencies of government.

Speaking at a national tourism transport summit and expo in Abuja, yesterday, he advised the relevant ministries and agencies of government at the federal and state levels to spearhead the marketing of the tourism sector in Nigeria, saying doing so would help in leapfrogging the sector into a major revenue earner.

He said: ‘‘If well harnessed, the tourism sector, with its vast potential, could displace oil as the nation’s highest revenue earner.’’

Ozigbo, who was a panel discussant in one of the sessions of the event on “Marketing Destinations in Nigeria: What Role for the Transportation and Tourism Sectors”, stated that everywhere in the world, governments play the critical role of enablers and marketers of the tourism sector while the private sector acts as the driver.

According to him, with the kind of symbiotic relationship between the government and the private sector in the tourism business, the former should spearhead the marketing role while the latter

drives the process.

He noted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for instance was expected to be the chief marketing officer of the tourism potential in the nation’s capital.

According to him, doing so would equipped the minister with the challenges in the sector and propel him to seek solutions with a view to

boosting it.

He also explained that with the absence of a potent marketing of the tourism potential in the FCT, Transcorp Hotels Plc had gone out of the way to market and ensure that its customers are availed of the pleasure of visiting some tourism sites in the FCT. “In Transcorp, we’re not only serving our customers, but selling

the city. We’ve been putting together tourism destinations. Our job will be made easier when the government plays their role,” he said.

He also recalled the strides of a former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke in marketing the tourism potential of that state, which eventually etched the Obudu Resort and other sites in the state on the global map.

FG calls for improved productivity to boost Nigeria’s economy Idu Jude, Abuja The Federal Government on Tuesday has called for the re-awaking of productivity consciousness in all sector of the economy in the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, made the call during the Observance of the 17th National Productivity Day Celebration and Conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award.

According to him, our developmental experience has so far proven that without higher level of productivity, the standard of living of our people will remain abysmally low.

“The importance of productivity is further underscored by the fact that the world is now a global village where goods and services of other nations that of higher quality and price can easily be accessed by others.

“We therefore have no option but to key into the productivity movement and ensure that we remain productive in all our endeavours, ‘’he said.

Ngige noted that over the years, successive administrations in Nigeria have attached great importance to improving the quantity and quality of goods and services available for consumption as a means of increasing total wealth.

Consequently, he said, there was need for an institutional framework that would constantly stimulate and promote productivity consciousness in all the sectors of the economy.

He added that this is what informed the establishment of the National Productivity Centre as the apex government agency charged with the mandate of facilitating socio-economic growth and development through productivity improvement.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, DrNsimaEkere, receiving a plaque from theGeneral Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Musa Yusufduring a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

B3 Business News NDPHC boosts power supply, commissions 2 injection substations

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); his deputy, Rt.Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd right); Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms Isoken Omo (second left); Managing Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun (3rd left); Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Daniel Font (left);Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq. (2nd right); and Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (right) after sealing the deal to construct 2000 housing units in Benin City, on Tuesday, at Government House.

Lagos civil servants get close to N100m housing subvention Benjamin Omoike Lagos state government on Tuesday said it has increased the budgetary provision for housing loans for its staff from N50 million to N100 million to improve the welfare of its workers.

The state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, who disclosed this at the on-going Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, said the Staff Housing Board has so far disbursed loans to about 280 public servants from various MDAs, saying a total of N95,

033, 564 has been disbursed to the staff.

She said, “I am extremely delighted to inform you that the budgetary provision for housing loan has increased from 50 million to N100 million; laying credence to government’s commitment to staff welfare.’’

The Head of Service, who pointed out that there were 40 buses currently in the fleet of the centralised staff buses, said plans were underway to add more state-of-the-art buses to the fleet this year. She stressed that more routes were equally being carved out

as the metropolis was opening up by the day. According to her, since this is captured in the 2018 budget, there was no way it wouldn’t be done.

She added that, ‘’However, owing to the increasing number of staff and the opening up of new residential areas, there is a conspicuous deficit in the number of buses. However, His Excellency, governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised to re-fleet the scheme with state-of-the-art buses.’’

Adesoye added that the welfare of staff and bus drivers was being improved upon with regular medical

check-ups and exposure to good healthcare facilities. ‘’In a bid to develop a world class public service where staff have the right attitude, government has initiated issuance of Letters of Commendation to officers identified to have consistently met or exceeded agreed set targets and exhibited exceptional work ethics and diligence in the discharge of their duties,’’ she said.

Adesoye noted that governance in Lagos has been characterised by promises fulfilled, anchored through vibrant and purposeful public service.

Edo targets World Bank’s special support window Following the visit to Edo State of eleven World Bank Executive Directors to inspect major World Bank projects in the state, Country Director of the Bretton Woods institution, Rachid Benmassoud, will arrive the state on a 2-day follow-up visit, this week.

He will be accompanied by senior specialists in various sector areas, such as institutional reforms, public works, gender, agriculture, water and sanitation.

Benmassoud’s visit is predicated on Edo State government’s impressive deployment of funding, technical and other assistance of the World Bank, which was attested to, less than two weeks ago, by 10 Executive Directors of the World Bank, who were in the state for on-the-spot assessment of the bank-sponsored developmental projects in the state.

Specifically, the bank’s country director will meet with heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Edo State government to clear the way and prepare the state for a Special Funding Window from the bank to Edo State.

According to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, “the visit of the World Bank Country Director, lends credence to our commitment to bringing development to our people in the state, with the support of our partners.”

He maintained that Edo State under his watch places high premium on the sanctity and the integrity of partnerships, contracts as well as an open and transparent process.

“Development partners like the World Bank, operate in an environment where stakeholders abide by rules governing the partnerships, and in which input, output and outcomes are measured from time to time. The World Bank will not take you seriously if all you do is to award ‘political contracts,’” he added.

The governor disclosed that during the World Bank Country Director’s visit, he would also tour the bank-sponsored projects such as erosion control projects under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), covering road projects; agriculture (FADAMMA);

water, sanitation and review policy reforms in the civil service and other sectors.

The bank’s executive directors endorsed Edo State as a model for development financing at the sub-national level in developing countries recently, following the successes recorded in executing major infrastructure and social development projects in Edo State, especially the EdoAzura Power Project.

Ms. Bongi Kunene, World Bank Executive Director, overseeing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, gave the verdict in Benin City, and assured that the World Bank was willing to “partner with the state on future projects, as long as the projects are in line with the bank’s focus.”

Kunene described Azura Power project as “transformational,” adding that the project “gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions. We would want to commit ourselves to projects that make sense and are in line with our focus.”

She emphasised that more of such projects could be executed if governments were willing to cooperate

with the bank in granting necessary approvals, allowing for thorough impact assessment and are open to multilateral financing arrangements.

Obaseki told his guests that with the 450MW Edo-Azura Power Project now on stream, “the state wants more investors for the Benin Industrial Park and technology innovation hubs.

According to him, the enabling environment to host diverse investors is now available, especially with the provision of power by companies like Edo-Azura Power.

“Power is the key to industrialisation and development. We need to extend the benefits of this investment. Now that we have power, what are we going to do with it? The next set of projects has to rely on this key infrastructure we have just created.

“So, we would be looking at the Benin Industrial Park, building infrastructure to encourage and support manufacturers to come in.

We are looking at innovation hubs; we want to use the factor and advantage of 24/7 electricity to encourage technology groups and companies to be located in Edo State,” he said.

The management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), owners of National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) has commissioned two injection substations of 30 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) capacities to boost electricity supply in Lagos and its environs.

Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director of NDPHC, who inaugurated the project on Tuesday in Lagos, said the two 15 MVA power injection substations would boost electricity supply to customers within Ikeja Disco and its environs.

Ugbo said that the company was not just concerned with increasing the quantum of power distributed, but also the quality of electricity is supplied.

The NDPHC boss said that one of the injection substations is a 15 MVA, a 33/11KV capacity which currently has a peak load of 7.7 megawatts, adding that it was a dream comes true for the people of Lagos.

He said the project was constructed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) of the Federal Government.

Ugbo said that the project would go a long way in boosting the economy of the state through the expansion and sustainability of small-scale businesses.

According to him, “as from today, the residents within the Ikeja Disco and its environs would start benefiting from the effective and efficient power supply.

Nutritionist commends Chivita’s ‘noadded sugar’ commitment Mutiat Alli The National Publicity Secretary of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Malomo, has hailed the juice making standards of Chivita100% fruit juice, the flagship brand of Chi Limited, and its commitment to ‘no-added sugar’ process, describing it as a healthy substitute for raw fruits.

He explained: “100% fruit juice is made from the flesh of fresh fruit or from whole fruit, depending on the type used. It is not permitted to add sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, flavouring or colourings to fruit juices.

Chivita 100% complies with these requirements as articulated by its production and packaging process.”

Malomo, who led discussion at a media session held in Lagos on Tuesday, said 100% fruit juice has same nutritional value with natural fruits and could help in detoxifying the body system while aiding weight loss when taken before breakfast.

He stated that regular consumption of 100% fruit juice could also address modern health challenges caused by fewer minerals/vitamins/antioxidants, processed foods, excess sugar, excess fat/cholesterol, improper chemical combination and excess animal fat.

Capital Market B 4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

NSE ASI declines to 4th consecutive session AIMAN Stories: Adesola Afolabi

Nigerian equities recorded a fourth consecutive downtrend, Tuesday as the All Share Index shed 0.43 percent to close at 40,249.29 points.

Market capitalisation fell N63.7 billion to close at N14.579 trillion, also declining by 0.43 percent as market breadth closed in negative with 19 gainers against 34 losers.

Leading the gainers chart, Ikeja Hotel sustained a second day rally following the lift of technical suspension placed

on it two years ago. The stock added 9.68 percent to close at N2.04 per share. It was followed by Cement of Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) which added 5 percent to close at N1.20 per share while Okomu Oil appreciated 4.97 percent to close at N82.30 per share.

Eterna Plc led the day’s laggards with a decline of 8.55 percent to close at N6.20 per share, while Honeywell flourmills and Initiates Plc emerged next on the losers chart with a 5 percent decline each to close at N2.47 and 76 kobo per share respectively.

Meanwhile, three major sectoral indicators closed lower. The NSE Oil and Gas index recorded the highest loss of 0.79 percent as Mobil and Oando fell 4.70 and 1.25 percent respectively, the NSE Consumer goods was next with a depreciation of 0.47 percent (due to a share price decline in honey well flour mills, dangote sugar and flour mills of Nigeria) while the NSE Banking Index fell 0.39 percent following a 1.40 and 0.36 percent dip in FBN holdings and Zenith bank share prices.

On the other hand the

Insurance and Industrial index grew 1.26 and 0.03 percent respectively following growth recorded in AIICO insurance.

At the end of the day’s trading, investors had exchanged a total of 281.3 million shares in 4,304 deals.

The shares were valued at N4.1 billion. Top traded stocks for the day include Ikeja Hotel, Fidson and Zenith Bank. These stocks moved 34.6 million units, 32.4 million units and 26.5 million units at N70.5 million, N180.2 million and N740.9 million respectively.

L-R: Ndidi Nwuneli, Gbenga Oyebode, Mauricio Alarcon Nestle MD, David Ifezulike- Chairman, Bode Ayeku- Secretary Jagdish Kumar Singla-Finance and control director and Ricardo Chavez – Finance head and control, all of Nestle Nigeria Plc- Board of Directors at the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos…on Monday

elects new officers Members of the Aeronautical Information Service Association of Nigeria, (AIMAN) has elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the Association for the next three years.

At a keenly contested election during the World AIS Day 2018 at the Premier Hotel Ibadan, Mr. Ngerem William George emerged the President while Ibrahim Audu clinched the Vice-president position.

Other elected executives are Olufunmilayo Adeyemi as General Secretary, Almakura Ishaq, Assistant General Secretary, John Oluson, Public Relations Officer, Financial Secretary, Dike John c, Umweni Aminat A. Treasurer and Nwogu Chika J as Auditor General.

After the swearing ceremony of the new executives, the new AIMAN president, Ngerem Williams pledged to carry every members along in the activities of the Association while also assuring that he would work assiduously to take the AIS to an enviable height in the industry.

He pledged to consolidate on the achievements by the past administration which he was a part of.

The one – day event had the theme: The Role of AIS/AIM in the Cockpit and it was climax with a book launch written by the immediate past president, Mr. Babatunde Shittu entitled: ” Aeronautical Information Management: the pivot of safety in aviation ( Nigeria in perspective).

NBA seeks collaboration with SEC The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is seeking collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Commission’s efforts to deepen the capital market.

Chair NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) Mr. Olumide Akpata, made the call when members of the NBA-SBL visited the SEC office in Abuja While assuring the Ag. DG of the support of his members, Akpata said the members will work with the SEC to ensure that the capital market is free, fair and

transparent for all to operate.

He disclosed that on its part, the NBA-SBL has embarked on a number of initiatives like its annual conference and the setting up of various committees to build capacity in business law.

He said, “We are building capacity among our members to assist in capital market operations and we hope to partner with the SEC to deepen this understanding.

Our members also go to the Nigeria Law School to mentor the students on the operations of the capital

market and we are working with the Nigeria Stock Exchange to get a proper framework.

“We are also contemplating a collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) to commence a diploma in advanced commercial law so that our people can better understand the workings of the capital market”.

In pledging their support to the SEC management, the lawyers also commended the management on their efforts in ensuring that

lawyers are carried along on issues relating to rules and regulations in the capital market.

In her remarks, Acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, appealed to the lawyers to support the SEC in its regulatory roles, support the market and also be more involved in activities in the capital market.

She appealed to them to be more involved in the structuring of transactions, in the structuring and drafting of legal documents adding that in other jurisdictions, lawyers are at the forefront of

capital market transactions, and Nigeria’s case should not be different.

“Lawyers are key players in the transaction processes which permeate the world of capital markets. They advise debt and equity issuers and the investment banks which structure and sell the financial instruments.”

She therefore solicited the support of the lawyers and encouraged them to impart the knowledge gained from conferences abroad for easy operations of the market adding that the SEC is ready to support actions that will

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

B5 Money Market NDIC becomes first public agency to be awarded 3 ISO certifications Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

L-R: Global Head, Trade Finance Financial Institutions, Deutsche Bank, Ulf-Peter Noetzel; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni; Deputy Head, Representative Office Lagos, Deutsche Bank, Adeola Azeez; and Head of Deutsche Bank’s Representative Office in Nigeria, Andreas Voss; during the presentation of the 2017 USD Straight Through Processing Excellence Award to Stanbic IBTC Bank by Deutsche Bank in Lagos...on Tuesday.

Foreign exchange turnover declines by 11.80% in one month Stories: Motolani Oseni Transactions in the Foreign Exchange market settled at $16.47 billion (N5.47trn) in April, represented a decrease of 11.80 per cent ($2.20bn) when compared with the value recorded in March ($18.67bn).

For instance, the total value traded at the Investors and Exporters (I&E FX) Window in April settled at $4.74billion, a decrease of 21.78 per cent ($1.32bn) relative to the value recorded in March ($6.06bn). This brings the total value traded yearto-date at the I&E FX Window to $19.95billion.

However, inter-Member trades recorded $1.82 billion in April, which indicated a decrease of 8.71 per cent ($0.17bn) relative to the value recorded in March ($2.00bn), and

a 224.16 per cent ($1.26bn) increase YoY ($0.56bn). Member-Client trades stood at $10.82 billion, a decrease of 1.44 per cent ($0.16bn) from the previous month ($10.98bn) and a 126.83 per cent ($6.05bn) increase YoY ($4.77bn).

While the member-CBN trades recorded $3.83billion in April, representing a decrease of 32.83 per cent ($1.87bn) from the previous month ($5.70bn) and a 60.02 per cent ($1.44bn) increase YoY ($2.39bn) as the effect of the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) continued to boost activity in the FX Market.

The 22nd Naira-settled OTC FX Futures contract, NGUS APR 25, 2018, worth $660.49mm, matured and settled in April, whilst a new 12-month contract – NGUS APR 24, 2019 – for $1.00bn, was introduced by the CBN at $/N362.44.

Turnover in the Fixed Income market for the month under review settled at N7.77trillion, a 15.20 per cent (N1.02trn) increase MoM. Transactions in the T.bills market accounted for 88.18 per cent of the overall Fixed Income Market, an increase from the 82.88 per cent recorded in March.

Outstanding T.bills at the end of the month under review stood at N13.60 trillion, an increase of 3.10 per cent (N0.41trn) from the previous month (N13.19trn). FGN bonds outstanding value also increased marginally to close at N8.03trn, from N7.89trillion in March.

But trading intensity in the Fixed Income market for the month under review settled at 0.51 and 0.12 for T.bills and FGN bonds, respectively, from 0.42 and 0.15 recorded the previous month respectively. YTD

Trading intensity was 1.79 and 0.45 for T.bills and FGN bonds respectively. T.bills within the six (6) to twelve (12) month maturity bucket became the most actively traded, accounting for a turnover of N1.87trn in April.

Hoawever, yields on the short, medium and long-term spectrum of the sovereign yield curve decreased by an average of 360 basis points (bps), 62bps and 55bps respectively.

But the spread between 10-year and 3-month benchmark yields closed positive at 214bps for April 2018 (-122bps in March) indicating an upward sloping yield curve.

Meanwhile, activities in the secured Money Market (i.e. Repos/ Buy-Backs) settled at ₦1.60trn in April, which was 38.81 per cent (N1.02trn) lower than the value recorded in March (₦2.62trn). YoY,

ICAN, CIMA partner to establish world class research centre The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with diverse provisions to improve the accounting profession in Nigeria and the continent.

They also have agreed to build a research Centre in Nigeria to ensure that accountants in Nigeria and around the world are well equipped to deliver quality work and to contribute to the economies of the continent.

Speaking at the event in Abuja on Monday, President of ICAN, Ismail Zakari, said both bodies had been discussing areas of cooperation which also include collaboration in terms of reciprocity, which would allow CIMA members to become ICAN members and vice versa.

He disclosed that the outcome of the discussions is the MoU agreement which would greatly promote the practice of public accounting as well as help Nigeria and Africa in general to have a stronger economy.

“This MoU between ICAN and CIMA will last for five years, and it is a collaboration between ICAN and the Association, who is also representing the Institute of Management Accountants UK to collaborate in terms of sharing ideas professionally and the reciprocity with regards to our members who want to become members of CIMA and also CIMA members who want to become member of ICAN. So, we have in this agreement spelt out the terms and arrangement whereby our members will become members of CIMA and CIMA members will become members of ICAN

in addition to other projects and collaboration to improve the practice”, Zakari stated.

The ICAN President also revealed that the partnership would see both bodies looking into having a centre of excellence for research in Nigeria, where CIMA and ICAN would work together to do a lot of research in emerging areas to aid contribution to public finance and accounting which is CIMA’s area of specialization.

In his address, CIMA’s Regional Vice President, Africa, Mr. BadibangaPormesse, described the MoU as a winning formula for the Accounting profession in Nigeria and Africa.

According to him, “the agreement means everything. We care about the profession of Accountancy;we care about African economies; we care about Nigeria. So, for us coming

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has become the first organization in the public sector in Nigeria to be awarded three International Standards Organization (ISO) certifications by the British Standards Institute (BSI) simultaneously.

At an elaborate ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Corporation was presented with the three certificates by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria who was represented by the Lead Trade Adviser for Education Sector Opportunities, Ms. Natasha Anjekwu.

The three certifications achieved by NDIC are on Information Security Management System ISO/IEC 27001:2013, IT Service Management System ISO/IEC 200001:2011 and Business Continuity Management System ISO22301:2012.

Expressing delight at the development, the National Coordinator/CEO SERVICOM Office in the Presidency Mrs.NnennaAkajameli, described the certifications as a positive development for the public sector in the country.

The SERVICOM boss, lauded the NDIC for attaining such feat, urging the Corporation to view the certifications as its most valuable assets that should spur it to greater performance.

She concluded by stating that the SERVICOM Office intended to project the NDIC as a model to other public institutions in its efforts to optimise service delivery among public institutions in Nigeria.

Earlier, in her own remarks, Ms. Natasha Anjekwu described the feat as a great achievement. She said NDIC’s fulfilment of the requirement for the certification bore eloquent testimony to its adherence to international best practice in its operations.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Home Finance in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs.Olubunmi Siyanbola, who represented the Minister, also lauded the Corporation and urged it to view the development as a spur towards achieving greater heights.

In his remarks, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of the NDIC Umaru Ibrahim reiterated the commitment of the Corporation to lead in addressing the challenges of the financial services industry in Nigeria with a view to engendering professionalism and accountability.

While expressing his delight at the emergence of the Corporation as the first public institution in the country to be certified with the three standards at once, the NDIC Boss added that the feat was consistent with the implementation of its renewable 5-year strategic plan, and its desire to be the best deposit insurer in the world by 2020.

He promised that the Corporation would not rest on its oars in maintaining the standard it has set for itself.

Aviation B 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

National carrier not feasible in 6 months Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The general secretary of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu has doubted the feasibility of the proposed national carrier commencing operation in December this year The Minister of State Aviation, Hadi Sirika has last week innuagurated a 9 man task force to midwife the national carrier saying it will commence operation in December 2018.

But Comrade Saidu has kicked against the formation of the committee saying it was an exercise in futility as the government has failed in explaining to Nigerians what happened to the proceeds of the sale of Nigeria Airways and the government’s inability to settle workers of the liquidated airline.

“They are playing politics, to form a national carrier is not one day. You need technical partner, are they going to take over Arik. They cheaply sold Nigeria Airways which we don’t know how much it was sold for and you want to float a national carrier.

The airline was wrongly liquidated “ He said it will be difficult to float a national carrier without settling the workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways lamenting that most of them have died.”

National Carrier can not be ready in December and I challenge them. Nothing is working in the aviation industry today” He blamed politicians for killing the aviation industry in the country through their unfavorable

policies adding that Nigeria Airways was wrongly liquidated after being indebted to it by the government.

Saidu blamed the two aviation Committees of the National Assembly for not asking questions on the liquidation of the airline. “I challenge them to come out with the airline and let us see how they will run it. They are chasing shadow without paying Nigeria Airways workers. First, they can’t succeed without telling us how Nigeria Airways was sold” Saidu urged President Buhari to beam searchlights on the aviation sector saying that most of the people in charge of the agencies have turned contractors.

Also the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) FAAN branch has dismissed the proposed take off of the National carrier in December saying there was nothing on ground to show the seriousness of the minister in floating an airline The Chairman and secretary of NUP FAAN branch respectively, comrades Rasaki Ope and Emeka Njoku said that it was a welcome development when it was announced sometime ago that a national carrier will be lunched but note it was coming late.

The duo noted that that there was no sign to show that an airline will be established “ National carrier is not a motor park issue, it’s not something you just bring an aircraft and start flying, they need personnel to be trained. December is at hand but there is nothing on ground to suggest that national carrier is coming up” They argued that the issue of the ex Nigeria

Airways staff must be settled before floating another airline.

They called on unions in the aviation industry to wake up to their responsibility by asking questions on the structure of the airline to come on board whether it will be run on government, private sector driven or to be enlisted in stock market It will be recalled that at the end of the meeting, “the aviation minister inaugurated a 9-man fast track task force to ensure the sacrosanct of the take-off set date,” said one of the sources.

“The committee will be chaired by Captain Fola Akinkuotu, the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. Other members are: Capt. Muhtar Usman, Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; Capt. Abdulsalami Mohammed, Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology; Engr. Akin Olateru, Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau; Capt. Tilmann Gabriel ( a representative of National Carrier Transaction Adviser); Layi Are (a representative of Transaction Adviser for MRO & Aviation Leasing Company); Engr. Chidi Izuwah, the Acting Director General for Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC); Engr. Ben Tukur, Technical Assistant to the Minister of State for Aviation, will serve as the secretary and another industry stakeholder,” he explained. “The minister, after the inauguration of the committee gave a charge that they should do everything that has to be done legally and procedurally to make the project a success”.

Turkish Airlines releases 2018 April passenger, cargo traffic results Turkish Airlines, says its growth momentum which was significant in 2017, continues in 2018. The national flag carrier has put its signature under the thriving results recorded in April, after announcing its successful first quarter with 83.2 per cent LF in April.

According to the April 2018 Traffic Results; Upon the double-digit passenger increases in the first quarter of 2018, total number of passengers carried went up by 15 per cent reaching 6.4 million passengers, in April. This passenger increase enabled the highest April load factor in Turkish Airlines history with 83.2 per cent load factor.

Also, the Total Load Factor improved by 4.1 points, with an increase of 6.1 per cent in capacity (Available Seat Kilometer), while international LF increased by 4.2 points to 82.6 per cent and domestic Load Factor to 87.1 per cent in April.

Furthermore, Double digit growth in demand (revenue per kilometer) that commenced in July 2017, kept on with 12 per cent demand growth in April 2018. Excluding internationalto-international transfer passengers (transit passengers), number of international passengers went up by 30 per cent.This has been an important indicator of the continued growing interest in Turkey.

In April, cargo/mail volume increased by 18 per cent, compared to April 2017. Main contributors to the growth in cargo/mail volume are N. America with 27 per cent increase, Middle East, Africa and domestic lines with 26 per cent increase, and Europe with 19 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, according to the January-April 2018 Traffic Results; between January-April, there was an increase in demand and total number of passengers was 21% and 24 per cent, respectively. Total number of passengers reached 23 million. Total Load Factor also improved by 5.8 points up to 81.2 per cent, While International Load Factor increased by 6 points up to 81 per cent,Domestic Load Factor went up by approximately 4 points to 86 per cent.

Cargo/mail carried increased by 32 per cent and reached 425 thousand tons, thanks to strong pick up in cargo/mail volume in April of 2018.

AIMAN elects new officers Presentation of Business Case Compliance Certificates for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and the Aviation Leasing Company, by the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, Engr Chidi Izuwah to the Hon. Minister of State for Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika.

Afrexim Bank to provide leasing platform for aircraft in Nigeria The Africa Import Export Bank (Afreximbank) has entered into partnership with Russian Export Center (REC).

The details of the deal is to acquire more of Russian aircraft and helicopters in African countries including Nigeria.

This is just as the Bank said it will provide leasing platform for aircraft business in Nigeria.

At a recent roadshow in Lagos, Africa Import Export Bank featured presentations to showcase the cutting edge features of Russian aircraft and helicopters with demonstration of flights for five days.

The flights commenced from Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala, in Uganda, Lagos, Abuja and Bamako in Mali.

The roadshows,Africa Import Export Bank said are part of effort to improve the air transport infrastructure across Africa.

Improvement in Africa’s air transport, the Bank said becomes imperative, because of poor

road and rail infrastructure, which suffers from significant limitations.

Africa Import Export Bank said aviation sector is considered critical in achieving the continent’s trade, growth and development objectives.

The Bank said It is estimated that a 10 per cent reduction in transport costs would increase trade by 25 per cent.

Speaking at the event, Rene Awambeng, Afreximbank’s global head for client relations said : “our partnership with the Russian Export Centre fives key players in Africa’s aviation industry tremendous opportunities. This upgrade is a key element in boosting economies and many industry sectors. We look forward to conversations with authorities and the aviation industry to discuss their development plans and identify areas where they require funding and technical assistance “.

As part of its contributions in financing,

Awambeng said Afreximbank will be providing a leasing platform for aircraft business in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Anna Belyaeva, Managing director for international development at the Russian Export Centre said “African governments generally are aware of the need to develop their aviation infrastructure and we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help domestic and international airlines meet the challenges and opportunities that face them” She also explained that there are experts from airline manufacturers and trade financiers at the roadshow who will be able to provide specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of aviation.

“REC offers a wide range of support tools for Russian exporters and already has success stories of supporting export of civil aircraft’s and helicopters. We see a considerable potential for Russian aviation industry products in Africa and are ready to together with Russian exporters and Afreximbank on this market”. She said.

Members of the Aeronautical Information Service Association of Nigeria, (AIMAN) has elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the Association for the next three years.

At a keenly contested election during the World AIS Day 2018 at the Premier Hotel Ibadan, Mr. Ngerem William George emerged the President while Ibrahim Audu clinched the Vice-president position.

Other elected executives are Olufunmilayo Adeyemi as General Secretary, Almakura Ishaq, Assistant General Secretary, John Oluson, Public Relations Officer, Financial Secretary, Dike John c, Umweni Aminat A. Treasurer and Nwogu Chika J as Auditor General.

After the swearing ceremony of the new executives, the new AIMAN president, Ngerem Williams pledged to carry every members along in the activities of the Association while also assuring that he would work assiduously to take the AIS to an enviable height in the industry.

He pledged to consolidate on the achievements by the past administration which he was a part of.

The one – day event had the theme: The Role of AIS/AIM in the Cockpit and it was climax with a book launch written by the immediate past president, Mr. Babatunde Shittu entitled: ” Aeronautical Information Management: the pivot of safety in aviation ( Nigeria in perspective).

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

B 7 ICT

ITU Telecom World 2018: Raising 22% broadband penetration our focus – NCC Stories: Ladesope Ladelokun Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said attracting new investors to the much sought broadband to boost the nation’s broadband penetration will it focus at this year’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom world 2018 billed to hold in Durban, South Africa, September, 2018.

This was made known in a statement signed by the NCC Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, saying that the commission is attracting investments to the broadband

segment, which will deepen Nigeria’s quest for pervasive broadband whose penetration level which currently stands at 22 per cent.

Riding on the crest of the successes the country recorded in the South Korea-hosted ITU Telecom World 2017, Nigeria’s planning committee for the 2018 edition of ITU Telecom World has been inaugurated.

The Nigerian delegation will be led by Communications Minister, Chief Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu; the Chairman of NCC Board, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; Nigeria’s Chief Telecoms Regulator and Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta; Industry Stakeholders; Operators; Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) other players will be part of the high level delegation to this year’s event.

It will be recalled that in 2017, NCC won the Most Valuable Partner for its commitment and participation at ITU Telecom World events over the years, while Nigeria got a Certification of Appreciation for the ITU Telecom World 2017 National and Thematic Pavilion as well as loyal participation and supporters of the yearly ITU Telecom World events over the years.

Also, Nigeria won government award for being the government with the most innovative Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) included as part of the nation’s pavilion.

No fewer than five SMEs/Innovators made the final ITU Global list for SMEs/Innovators awards. Three, however, made the honours list.

ITU Telecom World 2018 is an election year of the annual event. Nigeria will vie for two positions: the ITU Administrative Council and the Director, in charge of the Bureau for Telecommunications Development (BDT).

In April, Prof. Danbatta presented Nigeria’s position at a dinner for ITU Secretary General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, Officials of the Global Regulatory Bodies, Ministers, Regulators and Global dignitaries in Geneva Switzerland.

Prof. Danbatta had told the high profile audience that Nigeria was one of the highest financial contributors to ITU in the African region, adding that Nigeria needed to be supported towards its aspirations.

Facebook set to unveil new ad rules Facebook is due to begin rolling out new efforts to increase transparency about political advertising on the platform in the coming weeks. The move comes after it emerged that a group tied to the Russian government had bought ads on the platform ahead of the 2016 US presidential election.

Facebook says it will require political ad buyers to verify they are a citizen or permanent resident in the US. In addition, political ads will have a label showing who paid for them and all applicable ads will be available to view in a searchable archive.

The company’s new policy doesn’t only apply to ads advocating for or against a particular candidate, however. Any ads that mention a candidate will be subject to the policy.

In addition, the company recently published a list of twenty “top-level issues” it said would be “considered to require advertiser authorization and labeling for ads targeting the US.” The list includes a broad swath of issues including, abortion, civil rights, crime, economy, education, environment, foreign policy, guns, health, immigration, military, poverty, taxes, terrorism, and “values.”

Facebook said ads about civil rights will be subject to its stricter rules but the company told CNN, this particular ad “would not be deemed political or issue content as it focuses on the journey of an individual rather than a civil rights discussion.”

Facebook’s new ad rules not only apply to political campaigns and news publishers, but to anyone who wants to place an ad on the platform the company deems political.

Meaning, ads by popular brands that touch on political issues could also be

subject to the new rules.

Facebook has not suggested any pages will be exempt from its new rules. Exempting certain news outlets could put the company in a difficult position determining what does and does not constitute a “news outlet.”

In its letter to the social media company on Friday, the News Media Alliance, a trade group representing more than 2,000 news organizations in the US, including The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal,

suggested that Facebook could “exempt news in the ad archive and labelling process for political content.”

“Newsgathering and reporting about politics is not the same thing as advocacy or politics,” the letter read.

In response to the letter, Campbell Brown, Facebook’s Head of News Partnerships, said in a statement that preventing misinformation and election interference was one of the company’s top priorities.

Cambridge Analytica reveals finances after filing for bankruptcy Cambridge Analytica, the UK business at the centre of an international privacy scandal, has revealed information about its financial condition for the first time after it and a related company, SCL USA, filed for bankruptcy in the US. The documents show that a web of companies related to the now-defunct Cambridge Analytica — including its parent SCL Group — have filed for bankruptcy or “similar proceedings” after they were engulfed in controversy over the use of Facebook user information in political campaigns.

SCL USA had assets worth up to $50,000 but liabilities of $1m to $10m, owed to creditors including Facebook, which allowed the data of up to 87m users to be leaked to Cambridge Analytica through an app four years ago.

Cambridge Analytica said it had assets worth between $100,000 and $500,000 and liabilities of $1m to $10m in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in New York. Under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a company’s assets are liquidated under the oversight of a trustee to pay back creditors.

The documents revealed that other linked businesses — including SCL Analytics, SCL Commercial, SCL Social and SCL Elections — have “a bankruptcy case or similar proceeding” filed at the High Court in London.

SCL Group, which was founded in 2005 to use data for defence and political consulting, was also listed as having a bankruptcy case in London after filing for insolvency earlier this month.

Emerdata, an entity set up last year to acquire SCL Elections and Cambridge Analytica, was not listed as having initiated bankruptcy proceedings.

However, Emerdata was named as a source to pay legal fees for the two companies and the majority owner of Cambridge Analytica.

B8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

ABUJA

THE HEART OF NIGERIA

The Abuja Times Daily Times Nigeria

SDS conducts medical outreach, empowers 50 physically challenged persons AT 3

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Abuja natives recant, hail FCT minister over new developmental strides

AT 4

Abuja residents enjoy free tests for kidney

President Buhari with Head of Service of Federation Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita as she receives the 2018 National Productivity Order of Merit Awards at the 17th National Productivity Day at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja. . . on Tuesday

FCT to begin automation of trycycles, Okada to increase IGR Stories by Idu Jude, Abuja

The FCT Directorate of Traffic Services says it will soon embark on automation of tricycles (keke) and Okada, as a measure to curb crimes being committed by unregulated operators within the society.

According to the media officer to the traffic management, Mr. Kalu Emetu, in a press statement, says plans have reached advanced stage for trycycle operators and Bicycle riders in the nation’s capital to be reorganised purposefully.

This, he said, was as the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) is finalising plans with a nongovernmental organisation that will make them not only operators but also fabricators of the machines.

According to the statement, this new innovation was revealed during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Directorate by the President and Founder of Keke Operators Positive Initiative (KOPI), Alhaji Shetima Ibrahim.

Shetima said the group’s plan is to make tricycle and motorbikes not only

to be revenue generators but also to touch lives.

Ibrahim informed his hosts that his organisation had gone far in training some of the operators on how to repair and assemble the motorbikes and tricycles which the NGO is doing in partnership with a Chinese firm who are their technical partners.

The KOPI president, however, expressed disappointment at what he described as security operatives’ brutality on the operators, noting that they are humans and need better treatment.

The human right activist noted that most of the operators, oftentimes, are under the influence of drugs and can afford to behave funny.

The qualifications for selection, according to Alhaji Ibrahim, are those who are not known to disobey constituted authorities, the operators who are not known to break traffic laws or those who do not use the tricycle for what they are not meant for.

The Directorate, he acknowledged, is the regulatory body and should be part of this laudable plan, believing that through the Directorate, the NGO

will be able to get those who have been law abiding and can make the relationship to succeed.

Speaking on Keke and motorbike registration, Alhaji Ibrahim said it would be proper if the NGO is allowed to register the operators, get their data in their bank before they proceed to register with DRTS. He explained that they are coming out with a technological device that will locate the whereabout of any operator who commits any form of crime or traffic offence.

The non-governmental organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim said had been liaising with some business organisations in providing Keke and motorbikes for different services like school runs for those who would not want to use their vehicles for such services.

While responding, the Assistant Director Operations, Mr. Dele Yaro, who stood in for the Director, commended the efforts of the group especially at a time when the country is facing very difficult security challenge and noted that these modes of transport are being used outside what they are meant to

be used for.

He specifically mentioned how tricycles and motorbikes are being used for armed robbery and drug courier.

The Assistant Director informed the guests to the Directorate that public transportation in FCT was planned in a manner that each mode has to complement with others and not to compete, which makes the roads look disorderly.

He explained that it is a must for operators to do data capturing, obtain riders permits during registration, and further assured the President of Keke Operators Positive Initiative and his team that the Directorate will like to partner with the NGO for the realisation of their good objectives to the residents of FCT. The Head of Operations, Mr. Dele Yaro, gave his words that brutality in operations and other activities of the Directorate were already being discussed and will soon be a thing of the past in the Directorate.

He, however, warned that operating in the restricted areas and overloading remain serious offences and will not be condoned.

As the World marks yet another international Kidney Day, residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been asked to drink more water to help fight kidney diseases.

This was revealed by the Omotayo Kidney Care Foundation, which held a medical outreach on Saturday at Aleyita, Airport Road, Abuja.

The charity outreach in commemoration of the World Kidney Day, availed the residents the opportunity to be sensitised on chronic kidney disease, a public health problem which reportedly affects about 15 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

The founder, Omotayo Akinremi, a Nephrology nurse, in an interview, said chronic kidney disease has now become a public health challenge, which she added, incurs high financial burden on individual sufferer and the society in general.

Ms Akinremi further revealed that persons who are hypertensive or diabetic have high risk of kidney failure. Hence, she advised hypertensive and diabetic patient to check their kidneys at least twice a year.

Medical personnel with the team, Akins Gbenga, declared that once someone has kidney failure, the person has to undergo the renal replacement therapy which includes haemo-dialysis and kidney transplant to be able to live again.

“And these treatments are of great financial burden. For dialysis, which is to be done three days in a week, the price for each is about N25, 000 and some cases higher,” he said.

The residents were advised on the best ways to prevent kidney problems and the means of attaining entire well being. They were told to avoid being addicted to analgesic and to stop taking unprescribed medicines as some are harmful.

Those that were obese were advised to shed some weight.

“Drinking of water, engaging in exercise, reducing the intake of junks and avoiding addiction to painkillers are the best ways to care for the kidneys,” the founder said.

A beneficiary, Goni Joshua, said the outreach was a sensitisation programme which the community benefited from.

“We have been advised on what to eat and not to eat. I was able to test my sugar level, blood pressure, weight and urine for protein, glucose, ketone and bilirubin among others;” Gideon Jacob, another beneficiary”, he said.

The Abuja Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Ensuring road-worthiness of vehicles in FCT, reason for guidelines -Opeifa Stories by Idu Jude, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Transportation Secretary, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, has thrown more light on the additional guidelines recently released by the Transportation secretariat for passenger service vehicles operation in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisting that the guidelines were vital because all vehicles plying the Territory’s roads must be roadworthy.

Reacting to misunderstanding of some aspects of the guidelines by a section of the media which includes that all passenger

service vehicles such as high capacity buses, mini/mid buses, taxis, tricycles and motorcycles must carry red number plates; all passenger service vehicles must be registered in Abuja and must carry FCT number plate with effect from 1 October, 2018; and all taxis operating in FCT must be air-conditioned on or before 1 October, 2018, among others, the Secretary explained that the thrust of the campaign is centred on public safety, security and service delivery to FCT residents.

He wondered why special emphasis is being placed on the requirement that mandates taxi operators to update their vehicles’ air conditioning

system, stressing that air conditioner is for the comfort of the passenger.

Reiterating that passengers are at the discretion to ask the driver to either switch on the air conditioner or not, the Secretary stated that all taxis plying the Territory’s roads must have the capacity to carry air conditioner.

“If your vehicle is not roadworthy, it cannot carry air conditioner,” he stated.

Opeifa asked: “Why do car manufacturers install air conditioners? Is it not for your comfort? Is there any vehicle manufactured in the last 15 years that does not come with air conditioner? It is either the

drivers don’t want to use them or that they’ve gone bad. So, if they’ve gone bad, they should be fixed. If they are completely bad, fix another one. These are investments you must make if you want to stay in the business.’’

The Secretary noted that more than 48,000 taxis, mainly unregistered, are operating in the roads, adding that the Territory does not need more than 15,000 taxis.

He regretted that more than 55 per cent of vehicles that were subjected to computerized testing failed and that majority of those that failed are the ones used illegally for taxi business. ‘’They failed because they have

failing brake system, lights, head lamps, etc. These are littlelittle things that contribute to safety of public road users,’’ he explained.

Opeifa stated that the recently introduced ‘Operations Crocodile and Giraffe’ were to sanitise the Territory’s public transport system and ensure the security and safety of motorists.

While ‘Operation Crocodile’ will take care of un-roadworthy vehicles, ‘Operation Giraffe’ will tackle those operating with vehicle plate numbers of other states in the Territory who have refused to revalidate their vehicle particulars on expiry.

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle); Members, Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) and Top Government functionaries, during a courtesy visit of BSO to the President in Abuja...on Tuesday.

Journalist, others robbed at Nyanya Gwandara

Dare devil armed robbers raided the home of a veteran broadcaster, Festus Fifen Ejiroghene of Ben Television, London and five of his neighbours, successfully making away with his Toyota car and numerous other items worth millions of naira.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the robbers, numbering five, brandished big guns and machetes, as they broke into the neighbourhood, at Power House, Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday, May 15, 2018, before 2 am and operated till about 2:40am.

The same sources disclosed that the robbers, who did not seem to be in a hurry came back, after taking everything and demanded for the car key, threatening to take the wife’s life if there was no positive and prompt handover of the key.

Having snatched the car key, the robbers loaded it with all the items and zoomed off, only to stop on the way out of the close to rob

another victim, this time a hotel, few meters away.

During a chat with newsmen when they visited the scene shortly after the incident, Ejiroghene revealed that other items stolen from him and about five of his neighbours include electronics such as flat screen TVs, home theatre, jewelleries, large sums of money and clothing, among others.

Almost in tears, his wife said: “They have taken away everything we have worked for -television, money, cloths, jewelleries, phones and home theatre. They left our compound briefly and came back demanding for our car key and when I hesitated a bit, they threatened to cut me into two, so I hurriedly looked for it and gave it to them”.

Another victim of the serial robbery attack, who did not want her name mentioned, explained that five of them in the same house were forced into a toilet by the robbers and locked up after

collecting all their monies, phones, plasma TV and all they could lay their hands on.

She, however, expressed displeasure over lack of response from neighbours, saying she expected all of them in the neighbourhood to come out simultaneously and challenge the ‘small boy criminals’.

Our correspondent also gathered that in an adjacent compound, an occupant, a middle-aged man had more than he bargained for, as unlike Ejiroghene and others who were slapped with a machete, he was seriously wounded on his head and hands when he came out following the noise generated from destruction of burglary proofs and cutting of padlocks with tools, including a saw.

Further investigations revealed that when the matter was reported to the Masaka Police station, before rushing the badly wounded unsuspecting man to the hospital, no prompt action was

made, as the affected neighbours were asked to return to the station at 12 noon before any action could be taken.

However, when they appealed to the police to consider the urgency and sensitivity of the matter, the police station reduced

the time by two hours, asking them to return at 10am, instead of 12 noon for action to be taken.

Many of those affected decried the slow response by the police station, adding that it made it easy for the robbers to make away with the stolen items.

FCTA to close down unauthorised car marts -Bodinga The FCT Directorate of Roads Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly called Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), is to intensify efforts to ensure that unauthorised car marts in the Federal Capital Territory are closed down to pave way for organised system where only genuine registered operators will be in the business.

Addressing the task team, the Director, Alhaji Wadata Bodinga, said the directive of the Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, must be fully implemented as it is aimed at bringing sanity to the sector which he described as a critical area as far as transportation service is concerned in every city.

Bodinga said the management of DRTS will not fold its arms while some people take over every space in the city displaying vehicles thereby, creating unnecessary traffic in the name of business without considering the plight of other road users.

He further explained that there is no reason why some people will go into any business of this nature without collaborating with those who have been into it as it is always easy for governments to relate to an organized group than different individuals among other gains of working as a team.

He insisted that those who are not registered with the Directorate has no business displaying their wares in any part of the Federal Capital City as it is the responsibility of the Directorate to register or give permission for any automobile business within FCT and warned that anybody who does that is doing so at his or her own risk.

While responding, the head of the task team, Mr. Kenneth Iloduba assured the Director that they will not disappoint the directorate saying that they needed a little push for them to swing into action, especially as the logistics for the operation had been made available.

It would be recalled that the FCT Secretary Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, had earlier directed those involved in the practice to remove their vehicles from all unauthorised places on before March 5, 2018, as officials of the directorate and other relevant task forces were directed to mobilise to ensure compliance.

FCT security cracks down on crime kingpins

Hard times await evildoers in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the FCT Security Committee last week rose from its quarterly meeting with a resolution to stem the rising tide of kidnappings in the outskirts of the territory.

Other decisions taken include heightened surveillance against insurgency and determination to fight minor crimes.

Briefing newsmen at the conclusion of the meeting which took place at the conference chambers of the FCT Minister’s residence, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa

Bello, disclosed that security agencies have been mandated to strengthen joint patrols and to undertake other measures designed to curb these negative developments. The Minister assured that all areas identified to be harbouring criminal elements especially around the Mogadishu Cantonment in Asokoro, Kugbo and other flash points in the Territory, would be evacuated.

He, however, promised that the Administration would precede all evacuation efforts with enough notices, publicity and stakeholder engagements as well as adopt the multi-stakeholder approach

to checking these menaces. The Committee noted that even though FCT has remained largely peaceful, the increase in small crimes has remained a source of worry. The Minister, however, assured that the Administration is working hard to eliminate them.

Bello expressed the gratitude of the Administration to all security agencies as well as FCT residents for their support and contributions to the maintenance of peace in the Territory and urged residents to cooperate with the Administration in its efforts to ensure the security of life and property.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Abuja Times 3

Abuja triplets stranded after mum’s death as family seeks help A new set of triplets have been left stranded after their mum died shortly after their birth in an Abuja hospital, and the family is asking for help to raise them.

Relatives and friends are now struggling to care for the three boys and their older siblings - a boy and a girl - and are calling for help from the government and Nigerians.

Before her death, Nkechi Okonya, 32, was the family’s bread-winner, raising her two children and supporting her husband with the proceeds of her petty trade, neighbours said.

Jersey and Kimberly — seven and five years old — have now dropped out of school with no one to take care of their education.

Their mum bled to death shortly after birth at Bwari General Hospital, leaving behind the five children.

Mrs. Okonya was due for delivery on April 20 and was rushed to a primary health centre in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja.

She was delivered of one of the children there prematurely at about 9:30 a.m.

“For hours they kept telling her to push thinking the baby left inside her was just one but nothing came out, so they now referred her to Bwari General Hospital,” her cousin, Chinwendu Ekwunife, told The Abuja Times last Friday.

When she arrived the Bwari General Hospital, the health workers there further delayed the delivery process, thereby worsening her situation. She held on until 5 pm.

“I don’t know what happened but the doctors and nurses there still held on until about 5 p.m. before they wheeled her into the theatre.

“She delivered the remaining two children but was now bleeding heavily. She took four pints of blood in less than 15 minutes.

“At a point, they (doctors) said she was stable and after a while, she died. It was around 12 midnight,” Mrs. Ekwunife,

who was with her cousin at the moment of death, explained.

She said one of the triplets was placed on oxygen throughout the night because he was very weak.

She described the services rendered by the hospital as “careless and inhuman”.

“Why would a general hospital keep a woman who already delivered a baby elsewhere from 12pm to 5pm without conducting an operation?, she questioned.

“Even when she finally delivered and died, they did not even weigh the kids. They just asked us to leave the hospital immediately that night. They don’t even have an ambulance,” she added.

The triplets were released from the hospital later, and Mrs. Ekwunife, still mourning her cousin, has relied on help from her husband and friends as she juggles taking care of the kids and holding down her job as a lawyer.

Emeka Okonya, the father of the triplets, is an unemployed

Catholic priests and others during a peaceful protest against nationwide killings in Abuja... on Tuesday.

graduate, and is “financially unstable”, her sister said.

Okonya’s younger sister, Mary, visibly troubled, told our correspondent, during a visit to the family in Kubwa, that “this is a very big challenge because my brother does not have anything doing at the moment, he is financially unstable.”

“The responsibility of taking care of the triplets and the two other children has become a burden for relatives and friends,” she added.

Mrs. Ekwunife said so far her husband and some generous individuals had been the ones footing all the bills as regards taking care of the five children.

“We raised some funds via online advert in a group I belong to called Abuja mums.

It is from there that we got the fund to take care of them so far. They assist with clothings, diapers and all.

“The late mother’s elder sister, Ogonnaya Obasi, is the one carrying and nurturing the little infants.

Photo: Temitope Balogun

FCT Health authority commissions emergency operation centre Stories by Idu Jude, Abuja The Public Health Department of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat in conjunction with the National Centre for Disease Control has commissioned the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to enhance capacity for disease surveillance.

Commissioning the centre, Secretary, FCT Health Human Services Secretariat, Barrister Amanda Pam, said the centre will facilitate real time live reporting during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies, which will translate to prompt response.

The Secretary, who was represented by the General Manager, FCT Hospital

Management Board, Dr. Aminu Muhammed Mai, added that twenty-two participants drawn from the Department of Public Health, Primary Health Care Board and World Health Organisation are already undergoing five days training as directed by the National Centre for Disease Control.

Pam commended the good working relationship between FCT and NCDC which as the result of these meetings held recently, the two agencies come up with the idea of establishing the Isolation Centres in FCT. The technical working group has already been formed with the involvement of all stakeholders, she added.

Speaking earlier, Chief Executive Officer, National Centre for Disease Control, Dr.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, said that the Federal Capital Territory Administration and National Centre for Disease Control strengthened their relationship in four different areas namely Surveillance, Emergency Operation Centre, Treatment and Health care as well as Laboratory Services.

He added that the FCT Administration and his organisation are working seriously to ensure that the provision of state-of-Art facilities are provided for the benefit of FCT residents and Nigerians at large.

Dr. Chikwe further added that FCT is very strategic because it is the entry point and the seat of government “which is why NCDC decided to consider the project among

the priority states just to be sure that we have the capacity here to protect the people residing and those coming into the country”.

In his remarks, the Director, Public Health Department, Dr. Humphrey Okoroukwu, said Public Health Emergency Operation Centre was a huge success to the FCT, adding that it will facilitate real time live reporting of health emergencies all over the FCT, leading to prompt response and minimal casualty, and that digital cameras to facilitate the process are already installed.

He thanked the FCT Administration under the Minister and the National Center for Disease Control for ensuring that the project came to reality for the benefit of FCT residents.

“However, the burden has even become heavier for the relatives,” she said.

Mrs. Obasi said she was planning to take the five children down to Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, to know how she could handle the situation from there.

“I want to take them to Abakiliki. I don’t have any plan but I pray God will help us. I beg the government to come to our aid and give the children scholarships. I also beg civil societies and well-meaning Nigerians to assist in training thee triplets,” Ms Obasi said amidst tears.

While also calling for assistance for the family, Joseph Osuigwe, executive director of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, warned that such situation breeds human

trafficking.

The organisation is a youthled non-profit group focused on combating human trafficking, gender-based violence, child abuse, and providing educational materials and welfare for vulnerable children.

“I am particularly bothered about the welfare of these children, because they should not in any way be made to suffer or bear the consequences of irresponsibility of the hospital to attend to their mother with sense of urgency and emergency; and of the father to ensure their welfare.

“It is such situation that breeds human trafficking.

When children are subjected to such conditions, they are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation,” Osuigwe said.

FCTA bemoans loss of assets worth N5bn to vandals The FCT Administration has lamented the huge burden posed by the vandalism of public assets and critical infrastructure, which it has estimated to run into billions of Naira.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this revelation during a paper presentation recently on the Protection, Preservation and Community Ownership of Public Assets and Critical Infrastructure, organised by the National Orientation Agency.

Malam Bello, who was represented at the occasion by the Director of Engineering, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi, lamented that preliminary assessment of losses put the cost of replacement of vandalised, stolen or damaged facilities in the four major roads of FCT alone at over N5 billion.

This, he noted, is money which could have been spent on executing new infrastructure or providing utilities in new districts.

These include; the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) as well as the Circular Road among others.

Concerned over the spate of sabotage and pillage therefore, Bello disclosed that FCT Administration has set up a Committee for the replacement, reconstruction and restoration of vandalised public assets and infrastructure in the Territory.

The Committee, which is headed by the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, is also to ascertain the scope of the challenge and to proffer long-lasting solutions to stem the negative development.

Bello said: “It is always saddening to witness incidents of pillage of major components of public infrastructure such as railway lines and cables, bridge railings, manhole covers and communication ducts to mention but a few.

These hoodlums sometimes dig deep into the ground to unearth armoured cables and puncture water pipelines to

irrigate their farms or set up car wash centres.”

He disclosed that in the short run, security and surveillance have been beefed up around public assets and critical infrastructure in the FCT to apprehend and prosecute these hoodlums. In addition, the Administration is replacing some of these facilities with configurations that could not easily yield to hit and run theft among others.

While appealing for to residents to support the Administration’s efforts to combat this scourge, the Minister stated that a more permanent solution to the problem both in FCT and in the country in general would include working to inculcate the spirit of community and people’s ownership of public assets and critical infrastructure in Nigerian citizens.

His words: “This could be achieved through strategic partnership between relevant government agencies, the security and intelligent agencies, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), traditional institutions, religious and community organizations to mention but a few.”

Speaking earlier, The DirectorGeneral, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, stated that the wide-spread nature of the incidence of vandalism of national assets like oil pipelines, railway tracks, electricity poles and components has made it necessary to assemble stakeholders in the search for solutions to the menace.

He expressed optimism that the conference would come up with workable measures to stem the ugly trend.

In his keynote paper presentation, former Director-General of NOA, Chief Tonnie Iredia, stressed the need to take the people into confidence in the conception, planning and location of public assets and infrastructure. He noted that the bane of the fortunes of these infrastructures has more to do with the alienation of the communities where these facilities were located.

He further noted that the people’s felt needs and priorities should always be taken into consideration in sitting public assets and projects.

The Abuja Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Abuja natives recant, hail FCT minister over new developmental strides Stories by Idu Jude, Abuja A Coalition of FCT Indigenous Associations, the umbrella body of all the indigenous organisations in the nation’s capital territory, has commend the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, over what the group described as “impactful leadership” exemplified by the minister.

The group had before now mounted myriads of criticisms on social media platforms to showcase the poor performance of the FCT Administration under the leadership of Malam Muhammad Bello.

However, the group in a press statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, stated that “this commendation by the indigenous people’s mouthpiece is not a backslide or twist of action against the usual criticisms often raised by the

umbrella body when the need arises”.

The statement reads in part: “The criticism is an affirmation of our democratic position of being the dispenser of unbiased checks between the government and the governed as allowed by the constitution of Nigeria.

However, driven on the heels of this reality, the Coalition body will not fail to recognize and rain accolades in the midst of criticisms on the Honourable Minister of the FCT in certain areas of excellence achieved by his administration since assuming office.

“We applaud the current leadership of Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello. No doubt, it has displayed some high level of administrative astuteness and sense of responsibility using tact and wisdom in tackling a myriad of prevailing challenges faced by the natives”.

While citing some of the achievements recorded by the Bello-led FCT Administration, Yusuf noted that the Gosa market dispute resolution, prompt intervention by nominating an indigene to a supervisory role and recruitment of indigenes into various government agencies are worthy of commendations.

The statement further stated: “The Minister on assumption of duty in 2015, immediately took up the responsibility of ensuring that personnel welfare issues became a priority, as he believed this would enhance productivity and smooth efficient delivery of duties among workers. Workers salaries are now timely paid when due.

“Most commendable of all is that, he has piloted the smooth functioning of the FCTA by ensuring consideration based on seniority in line with extant civil service rules during

appointments and promotions of key management staff. This, in every sense and honesty, has increased personnel confidence as they are assured of progression to the top echelon of their chosen careers in the FCTA, irrespective of their ethno-religious disposition.

“The foregoing, has positively affected indigenes who have enjoyed these progressions and have made it to the top management level based on merit and seniority as made possible by the Minister”.

The group called on the minister to sustain this policy of appointments and promotions based on merit and seniority especially as it pertains the indigenes that are duly qualified for these positions, just as they tasked the minister to address the issue of unemployment of suitably qualified indigenous youths in various agencies of the administration.

FCT Micro Finance Bank repositions for better service The FCT Micro Finance Bank has been repositioned for better service with the introduction of mobile banking services for easy transaction by its customers.

The Manager, Business Development, Faith Abraham, revealed this to The Abuja Times recently in Abuja and added that this move was necessary for an effective and efficient services and also to reduce the incidence of Portfolio at Risks-PAR, associated with banking and financial services.

She also stated that the bank offered encompassing services in different categories of savings and credit aimed at promoting a saving culture, for economic empowerment and to suit the needs of its clients.

She further explained that the need to empower rural enterprises as well as rural development necessitated the establishment of the bank by the FCT Administration which currently has branches in the six area councils of the territory.

Abraham highlighted that among other reasons, FCT MFB was basically introduced to provide non-financial services such as free financial training and advisory services to its customers and to provide financial services to individuals below the income pyramid.

She also disclosed that the FCTA has continued to support the bank to ensure that the change agenda of the government can be achieved through financial inclusion for the majority of the populace.

Generally, she asserted that the relevance of micro finance banks could not be over-emphasised. Statistics, she said had shown that about forty to fifty percent of Nigerians were yet to be banked, therefore she posited that micro finance banks were vital to eradicating low financial inclusion presently prevalent in the country and to achieve government’s target of financial inclusion of all Nigerians.

The Manager further said that because deposit money banks do not put the grassroots into consideration in their operations, micro finance banks had become the way out since their services covered rural communities, a situation she opined had boosted grassroots economies as citizens’ lives had been improved through various support services in education, health and other essential aspects of the citizens’ lives.

The easy access to micro credits had also boosted investments in microenterprises, which had reduced women and youth unemployment in both rural and urban areas, particularly in the FCT, she concluded.

FCDA commissions police post in Galuwyi Shere FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello (right) with the FCT Perm Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, inspecting agro-chemicals on exhibition at the pavilion during the flag-off of Rain-fed farming season in the territory...recently

FCTA fetes farmers with N250m subsidised implements The Federal Capital Territory Administration has distributed two hundred and fifty million naira subsidised farm implements to ensure adequate food production for the teeming population of the FCT. The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, stated this during the flag off ceremony recently, adding that the FCT Administration has keyed into President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) through agriculture.

Bello stated, however, said that ‘’the Administration is working to improve agricultural practices in the FCT with a view to guaranteeing food security, creating jobs and helping the government save on the foreign exchange that was hitherto expended on food imports’’.

He also indicated that the Administration is working towards the provision of tractors

for improved farming activities in the Territory.

The Minister further disclosed that the Administration has strengthened the framework for timely distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs such as improved seeds and herbicides adding that the sales of these inputs would continue on a regular basis at the agro-service centres in various parts of FCT, namely; Karshi, Gwagwa, Abaji, and Gwagwalada among others.

His words: “Our presence here today, certainly, bears eloquent testimony of the Administration’s commitment, not only to ensure adequate food production, but also creation of other products in the agricultural value chain.

“We believe this is possible because FCT is endowed with a vast tract of agricultural lands, abundant human resources and large market for goods and services. These also offer great potentials for value

addition for FCT farm products and development of the rural economy.”

Among the high points of the day’s event was also the distribution of motorcycles to FCT Extension staff for the purpose of strengthening the extension delivery system.

The Minister, however, solicited the cooperation of traditional rulers and the entire residents to strengthen agriculture as the foundation for a strong industrial base and economic prosperity, noting that the FCTA cannot do this alone.

The Secretary, FCT Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, Hon. Nzekwe Stanley, while buttressing the FCT Minister’s remarks, said the FCT Agric Secretariat has procured fertilizers to be distributed at subsidized rate to genuine farmers. He said 20,000 farmers have also been targeted for the Accelerated Agric Development

Scheme (AADS) which is a presidential initiative being executed through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Agriculture.

Nzekwe also disclosed that the Agric AADS will provide soft loans in this farming season to over 5,000 young men and women who are genuine farmers and are identifiable through the Chiefdom and Area Councils.

The Secretary further noted that the FCT Administration is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the IITA, Leventis Foundation, JICA and other international organizations to ensure the youths of the FCT and women are trained on modern skills of agriculture.

He urged the Area Councils and Chiefdom to encourage the youths, women and farmers to come into Agriculture and avail themselves of these developmental packages.

In an effort to battle crimes to save lives and properties at a new resettlement area of Galuwyi Shere of Mpape district, the Federal Capital Development Authority has commissioned a befitting police post to boost security in the area.

The security facility, which is one of the four police posts being constructed in the resettlement area, was officially handed over to the police authorities.

Speaking at a brief handover ceremony at the site, FCDA Executive Secretary, Umar Gambo Jibril, noted that the completion and unveiling of the police post signifies the resolve of the FCTA to quickly move in seven indigenous communities in the first phase of the resettlement scheme.

He said the issue of security is critical, as it gives assurance to the communities expected to be moved into the area.

According to Mr. Jibril, henceforth all efforts will be done swiftly to complete the resettlement scheme, in order to ameliorate the plight of

affected indigenous people, who are chocking in the city.

Similarly, Director, Resettlement and Compensation Department, Alh Baba Kura Umar, described the development as a milestone in the quest to resettle indigenous people of Abuja.

He said in line with the commitment to securing lives and property in the FCT, it was apt to include a police post among amenities in the new site.

According to him, “seven native villages are expected to be resettled in the place, with proposed 2, 276 houses in new site, adding that the completion and handover to the police would boost the development of the area”.

He disclosed that the government plans to provide a total of eight police posts and stations in the new settlement.

On her part, the Mpape Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Davies Olabisi, who received police post on behalf of the FCT Police Command, promised to ensure the effective utilization of the security facility.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Daniel Lloyd: From managing artistes to acting

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Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Life & Times Acting has changed my perception about life -Daniel Lloyd Daniel Lloyd is a handsome young man, whose face is seen in most Nollywood movies and TV commercials lately. From Bayelsa State, Daniel Lloyd is not just one of those Nollywood actors but one of the adored and finest in the industry. He started his acting career in the university in 2006 with the movie, Tempted To Touch. He holds a Civil Engineering degree. The chocolate skinned actor has acted in over 50 Nollywood movies amongst which is the first Nollywood-Bollywood movie shot in Nigeria and India, entitled J.U.D.E. Not so many will know that Daniel was once Timaya’s manager for several years until few years ago when he returned to the industry full time again.

In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Daniel talks more about his career, the industry amongst others.

Enjoy…

So, how has it been with you?

Oh, I’m doing great. Am alive and talking to you right now. Work will be better. God has been so faithful. I tell you this for a fact, I’ve exceeded my expectations so far. Some of the big projects I have this year are coming through. This year has been so great with me.

What other projects besides this one are you working on?

I’ve been working on a whole lot of projects. I mean, week in week out, projects coming out. Most of my movies came out in cinemas and they are doing pretty well I have been on lots of projects and some are yet to come out.

Before acting you were managing music act, Timaya. As his manager, was there the need to take into acting?

Yes! I was his manager. I’m a graduate, so I had my first movie in my final year in school in ESUTH. So, I’ve always wanted to be an actor and I was in stray to start a project in Port Harcourt with Timaya. He was in singing category why I was in acting category. I came in second. So we just bonded. We became like brothers and doing everything together. I mean I’ve been around the world with Timaya in different shows at different places but in all these while, I’ve always wanted to

still act movies. It’s that thing that gets me up in the morning and takes me back home at night. Not my alarm clock this time. My passion for this wakes me up in the morning.

When we came back from a US tour, I and Timaya, I decided to be me, be my own boss.

You know, I decided to take the bull by its horn and that’s what I did.

Differences aside, was he a difficult person to work with?

Timaya is one of the best guys to work with. I tell you this for free. One of the attitude he gives is to build a wall that is like “am from Bayelsa State, I can be a militant if I want to be, don’t mess with me”, but deep inside, he is a soft guy. All the stuff you see around him is just a wall, like a shield not to be taken for granted. I’ve formed for him. In his first album, he was looking very hard in the face, it was just a stunt he pulled off and it worked for him.

What has acting changed about you?

It has changed my perception about life.

Because in these past years, I have had to interpret characters that are not necessarily my character. I have had to imbibe a certain spirit into myself to make them believe. I try to see life from different perspectives - How you see life from being a poor guy and from being a rich guy or girl. I mean it’s a lot. So I’m more patient with people now. I am more matured and I’ve been able to see life in different ways.

So what is the most challenging role you have played so far?

(Sighs)…. Every story comes with its own challenging roles. There was this time I was in India to shoot a movie. It was challenging because I had to dance like an Indian guy. I had to grow my beards, I was looking very rough. I was there for a month for the movie.

Like I said, any character you interpret which is not your character is challenging.

That is not you as a person. You have to go on research. Like this one now, I had to go on little research on how people from there behave and how they talk and everything.

Every script and every story comes with its own challenges.

Tell us about you… Your name, growing up and all.

My name is Daniel Ineye Lloyd. Ineye is my native name. I’m a graduate, Civil engineering, ESUTH. My parents are my greatest inspiration in life. My dad is an exshell staff, my mom is a middle wife/nurse.

I have siblings scattered around, I’m from a polygamous home. I have step brothers and sisters. Like I said, I’m from Bayelsa State, I don’t allow where I’m from determine my future. I’ve been to Bayelsa a couple of times but I grew up in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri. My dad worked with Shell, so we always got transferred everywhere.

Growing up has been amazing. Maybe not the best a kid will have but shipping me to where I am today.

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

L3 Fashion & Beauty

Lookbook:

Amnas presents new edit for Ramadan For Ramadan 2018, emerging modest women’s wear brand, Amnas, presents its latest edit. The Creative Director, Fatima Gidado, derived excitement from being able to create an edit around a special event such as Ramadan; the significance of spirituality and celebration, and how this can be embodied in clothes.

She drew inspiration from the simplicity, fluidity and elegance of Middle-Eastern

fashion, while staying true to the brand’s ethos of designing evolving clothes for today’s stylish and modest woman.

The collection edit features influencer, Hanifa Abubakar.

The collection is anchored on a rich palette of neutral hues while paying attention to minimal and intricate beading on the reimagined traditional kaftan, boubous and kimono fit for the ‘Amnas woman’.

Experience the

BLACK SOAP

WONDER

African Black soap commonly refer to as Ose Dudu by the Yoruba has a unique, natural, healthful properties that could enriches the soap in so many ways the natural soap contains cocoa pod ash, plantain peel ash, palm oil, shea butter, certified organic, extra virgin olive oil, spring water the natural product decreases aging of the skin . This ancient formula gives you firm blemish free skin that looks fresher and younger it also gives you a toned glowing skin.

Black soap has been used to produced different kind of beauty

soap it has a long history from the Yoruba tribe down to the Ghanaian native the soap contains Vitamin A & E, and iron. Because the soap has the highest Shea butter content of any soap, it also offers UV protection. The soap is also good for sensitive skin, meaning it’s a good option for babies or the elderly ones. One unique advantage is that is very affordable and effective.

Benefit you derive from using black soap

·Black soap is 100% natural it is not made with different chemical that

would damage the beauty of the skin. ·It can also as micro-dermabrasion benefits that’s it to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger, healthierlooking skin with no side effect attach to it. ·Black soap gives you an oily skin, clear blemishes, eczema, body odor and soothe skin ·Neat and beautiful skin scarps can been achieved by using black soap to wash hair ·Black soap as an ancient herbal formula that’s can work for any skin type

Yves Rocher, No. 1 Cosmetic Brand in France launches new boutique at Palms Mall, Lekki

L-R Ifeoluwa Odebiyi, Beauty Advisor; Ego Akoma, Beauty Advisor; Alali Hart, Managing Director, Parfums Estate Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Montaigne Limited; Busola Shakiru, Beauty Advisor; John Monday, Outlet Manager; and Virginia Odeh, Beauty Advisor

Yves Rocher opened another boutique in grand style recently at the Palms Mall, Lekki with XXIV Karat as the official champagne sponsor.

As a brand based on the philosophy of Botanical Beauty, Yves Rocher offers a range of skincare and fragrances composed of natural and botanical ingredients for both men and women. Since its foray into the Nigerian market 2 years ago first at Jabi lake mall Abuja and later at Novare Mall Lekki, Yves Rocher has gained wide acceptance because of its efficacy. Little wonder Yves Rocher is present in over 90 countries and enjoyed by millions globally.

As the world shifts to healthier lifestyle ranging from food and fitness, there is also increased demand for botanical cosmetics that are less harsh. The Yves Rocher range of

products includes: Face Care, Body Care, Bath and Shower, Fragrances, Hair Care and Make Up. All the active ingredients Yves Rocher develops are extracted from plants; they are GMO, paraben, silicon and mineral oil free.

“Having always been passionate about the botanical world, our ambition of Yves Rocher is to act in harmony with the environment as does each plant and tree naturally” - Bris Rocher; CEO, Yves Rocher In line with this vision, Yves Rocher has over 250 botanical sources globally for its products while the plants are grown and harvested in the best condition.

Committed to safeguarding the botanical world and biodiversity, the Yves Rocher foundation has planted over 50million trees globally with an objective to plant 100million trees by 2020.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Spotlight Not born with a silverspoon, Micheal Imonikhe Edorhe, better known as Imo Mike, sure had a rough beginning starting up but his activeness and belief for growth has made him grow to the level he is now. A man of many parts, Imo Mike, as he is popularly known, is a successful business owner, a Philanthropist and the founder of popular record label, Imo Entertainment.

In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Imo Mike, who equally doubles as the founder of Sol TV, spoke about his humble beginning, passion to help young people grow amongst others. Enjoy…

You seem to have achieved a lot for yourself at your age, what’s the secret of your success story?

What’s “the secret”? Well, there isn’t just one. But think about this: To me Success is the uncommon application of common knowledge. Over my years in many businesses such as real estate and Business development services, I have created a habit of finding solutions to a lot of people’s problems.

I try to always have a vision and the capacity to translate my visions into reality.

Having graduated from University of Tech, how was life in school?

Life in University wasn’t 100% for me. I wasn’t the kind of person that concentrated so much in school studies. The education system in Nigeria is outdated and I couldn’t rely on it. We now live in the information age. The world is evolving so fast that something you learnt in the beginning of your university might be obsolete by the time you graduate. I knew what I wanted in life and focused more on skill acquisition outside the university environment and kept updating my knowledge when necessary.

What were the things you did to survive in school?

I did not come from a rich background. So many times I had to do jobs while in school to add up to what my parents could afford at the time. I remember when I was in 100 and 200 level; I did several hard labor jobs in building constructions just so I could feed. It was terrible: the way I lived in school at some point. But when I think about it now, I just give thanks.

Despite my rough journey, determination brought me here – Imo Mike At what point in your life did you conceive the idea of having a music company?

The idea of the music company came at about the last quarter of 2016.

You have your hand in different pies aside from the music business and you seem to be getting things sorted out well, how would you describe the journey so far?

The journey so far has been fantastic.

I love growth. I love growing both personally and professionally. I love seeing growth in people. I love seeing growth in organizations. In fact, growth is one of my values as well as one of the values in Imo group. My growth goal is 1 percent daily improvement. I know if I can improve just a little bit every day, that over time my growth will be exponential.

Although through my journey over the years there have been good times and bad times but all were part of the learning and training process to achieve my visions. I keep telling people, if you can dream it, you can achieve it. All you need is the focus and determination to get what you want. And with time all you see is success around you.

It is strange to know that you are the owner of the popular Instant Pick Up and Instant Apartment, how did you achieve these great feats?

Where did you hear that from? That’s not entirely accurate. Instant Apartment and Instant Pickup is a partnership

business between Ubi Franklin and I. Ubi proposed the Instant pickup idea to me back in mid 2017 and I liked it. I love investing in anything that provides convenience to people or anything that has to do with providing good service through the internet. These days people want to get things done faster, delivered faster without stress. To cut the story short, let’s just say as an Investor, I made Ubi’s idea of Instant Pickup come to reality. Same goes for Instant Apartment.

How did you come up with such businesses and how have Nigerians welcomed the idea?

Instant Apartment and Instant pickup are doing great. We have been able to make a lot of Nigerians aware of the services and products we provide and a lot of people like it. Consumers in Nigeria are somewhat getting comfortable buying or ordering services online. You can see that with lots of e-Commerce platforms online now. So the idea of ordering pickup online to clean your laundry or searching and booking an apartment online to stay while you travelling or on holidays appeals to this growing community of users in the e-Commerce world. And when you have an e-Commerce business, your ideal customer is someone with a pulse and a credit card.

You are also a philanthropist, what part of your growing up formed what you are doing today?

I believe that there is room for all human beings to succeed if we commit to giving others a chance. I am a philanthropist at heart and genuinely feel like my purpose is being fulfilled when I show loving kindness to others. Like I said before, I did not come from a rich background so I know what it’s like to be poor. Now that there is wealth around me, I feel sad whenever I see people go through poverty like I did. And what else can I do than to help people in such situation. My heart bleeds when I see that others around me are suffering or lack opportunities. I do seek charities and programs that are designed to help others in need. I focus my philanthropy on anybody who is less fortunate, whether they are children who need love or adults who are unemployed and homeless.

You also have Sol TV and Sunset Park, tell us about your vision for this?

Sol TV is a Channel from the stables of Imo Entertainment. It’s going to be a 24 hour urban and lifestyle channel that will promote Nigerian and African entertainment culture in music, drama, sports, fashion and tourism. Sol TV basically will inspire people’s passion towards entertainment while Sunset Park is a recreational resort in Minna that will provide maximum satisfaction in leisure activity, sports, entertainment and lots of fun events for both adults and children.

These kinds of activities are lacking in the City and everyone in the area will love to have it around.