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THE

DAILY

TIMES

NIGERIA INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER. EST. 1926 WWW.DAILYTIMES.NG https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

dailytimesng

FOI: CBN replies Daily Times over $1.2bn Etisalat’s loans

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) has replied The Daily Times over its request for detailed information on Etisalat’s loans, which led to the pulling out of the telecommunication company from Nigeria.

However, after a series of crises, including resignation of its erstwhile chairman, Mr. Hakeem Bello Osagie, members

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

of board and key management staff of the telecom firm, the company has since changed its name to 9mobile.

The Daily Times had, on July 4, 2017, invoked the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, seeking information on the alleged crisis in Etisalat Nigeria, following a huge debt of about $1.2billion (N541billion) it had incurred from 13 Nigerian lender banks.

Continued on page 6

MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 415

N150

GLOBAL FINANCIAL/COMMODITY MARKETS

CURRENCIES/CBN: CBN: MƢƠǀêƤƠ ^&` #RGG `è Parallel Market: USD MƢÕÕ POUND MƿƣƠ EURO MƿƾƠ NSE: d9 Ƣƿè ƠƾƠêƢƣ MARKET CAP ơơêƣƢƐƏ 0L#_ RƃM ơƿêÖƾ R ơƿêƠƠ COMMODITIES: Wheat nd ƿÖÖêƾƠƃLj Rice nd ơơêÖÖƃLj Cocoa nd ơèÖÕƤêƠƠƃ Coffee nd ơƢÕêǀǀƃdƅ ƍ Cotton nd ÕÖêơƿƃn ƈƐ Sugar nd ơƿêƿƠƃRƑ ƅƆ METALS: 1 ƋƗ nd ơƾǀƿêÖƠƃRƑ ƅƆ dƈƋƒƆƏ nd ơÕêƿơƃRƑ ƅƆ ƍƍƆƏ nd ƾêƣƾƃRƑ ƅƆ ENERGY: Brent nd ƿƤêƠÕƃ^ è N/Gas nd ƢêƠƠƃ

How Osinbajo’s loyalty saves Nigeria in Buhari’s absence

Ï 6ƈ ƐƕƋƆ Ƈ ƒƆƏ ƅƆ ƍƏƆƒƆ Ɛ Əƅ ƕ –Presidential aide Ï d ƕ ƅƐƈ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ Ɛ ƌƄƈƐƈ Ƒ è ƐƆƅ ƅƏ Ɛè Ɛ ƍ ƋƈƐƈƅƈ Ï ó6Ɔ ƅ ƑƋƐ ƏƆ ƑƋ ƏƋƕ ƓƈƐ Ƒ Əƈ ƄƆƇ ƏƆ ƌ Ɗƈ ƍƍ ƈ ƐƌƆ Ɛ ô Ï ó`ƆƋƑƅƐ Ɛ Ɛ ƓƆ Ə ƈ ƾ ƌƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ ƈ ƒƈƆƓ Ƈ ƍƆ Ɨƈ ƅ Ƅƈ ƆƐ ƏƆ ƑƇƇƋƆô

Francesca IwambeAbuja

ÏÏÏ Amidst growing concerns over the capacity of the Federal Government to run the affairs of govern-

ment in view of the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, indications have emerged that the cordial relationship between Buhari and his Vice, Professor Continued on page 12

RƗƈ ƈƆéRƕƆ Ƒ è RƊ Ə ƅ ƋƆ Ɨ ^ 1 ƒ è ƋƆ ƗƆƏ Ɛ ƆƆ Ƒ Əƈ ƈ 28 G Ɨ ƍƈƐ Ƌ We will be out of recession before 12 December é&ƌƆƇƈƆƋƆ

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OPEC: L ƏƆ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ô è GƈƄƕ ô ƈƋ ƆƆƗƆƗ ƗƆƌ Ɨ Əƈ Ɔ B1

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday July 24, 2017

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FEDERAL AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR AUTOMATION OF FAAN-CONTROLLED AIRPORTS CAR PARKS I. INTRODUCTION In compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby invites competent, reputable and suitably qualified Firms/Agencies to submit bid documents for the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the “Automation of FAAN-Controlled Airports Car parks” under its 2017 financial year (IGR) budget.

II. SCOPE OF WORK The scope of “Automation of FAAN-Controlled Airports Car parks” shall include effective and efficient automation of car park(s) in each Airport.

III. THE LOTS: Lot 1

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 2

Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja

Five (5) Car Parks

Lot 3

Port-Harcourt International Airport, Port-Harcourt

One (1) Car Park

Lot 4

Mallam Aminu-Kano International Airport, Kano

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 5

Ilorin Airport, Ilorin,

One (1) Car Park

Lot 6

Benin Airport, Benin

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 7

Ibadan Airport, Ibadan

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 8

Sultan Saddik Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto

One (1) Car Park

Lot 9

Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 10

Minna Airport, Minna

One (1) Car Park

Lot 11

Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar

One (1) Car Park

Lot 12

Yola Airport, Yola

One (1) Car Park

Lot 13

Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri

Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 14

Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna

One (1) Car Park

Lot 15

Umaru Musa-Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina

One (1) Car Park

Lot 16

Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos

One (1) Car Park

Lot 17

Makurdi Airport, Makurdi

One (1) Car Park

Lot 18

Maiduguri Airport, Maiduguri

One (1) Car Park

IV. Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï V. Ï Ï Ï Ï VI.

VII. Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï Ï

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIREMENTS

&ƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƅ ƌƍ ƕ ƏƆ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ ÚƅƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆ Ƈ ƈ ƅ Əƍ Ə Ɛƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ ƌƍ ƕÜ ƆƏƐƈƇƈƆƗ ƐƏƑƆ ƅ ƍƕ Ƈ ƌƆƌ Ə ƗƑƌ Ɨ ƏƐƈƅƋƆ Ƈ ƅƈ Ɛƈ ƓƈƐ Ƈ Əƌ Ơƾ ÷ Ơƣ ƈ ƅƋƑ ƈƒƆ æƓ ƆƏƆ ƍƍƋƈƅ ƄƋƆç &ƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɣ ƍ ƕƌƆ Ɛ æƅƑƏƏƆ Ɛ Ɛ Ɣ ƅƋƆ Ə ƅƆ ƅƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆç Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ Ƌ Ɛ Ɛ ƏƆƆ ƕƆ Ə æƾƠơƿè ƾƠơǀ ÷ ƾƠơÕçê y j ƏƆ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ Ɨ ƆƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƏƆƌƈƐƐ ƅƆê &ƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ 0ƈ ƅƈ Ƌ ƅ ƍ ƄƈƋƈƐƕ Ɛ ƆƔƆƅƑƐƆ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƏ ƉƆƅƐ æ Ɗ ƏƆƇƆƏƆ ƅƆ ƋƆƐƐƆƏƃƄ Ɗ Ƒ Ə ƐƆƆ ƓƈƋƋ Ƈ Əƌ ƍ ƏƐ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɔƒ ƋƑ Ɛƈ ƅƏƈƐƆƏƈ çê ƍƈƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƑƗƈƐƆƗ ƅƅ Ƒ Ɛ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƌƍ ƕ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ Ƌ Ɛ Ɛ ƏƆƆ ƕƆ Ə æƾƠơƿè ƾƠơǀ ÷ ƾƠơÕçê Əƍ Ə ƐƆ ƍƏ ƇƈƋƆ ƓƈƐ ƅƑƏƏƈƅƑƋƑƌ ƒƈƐ Ɔ Ɠƈ ƆƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƍƏ ƇƆ ƈ Ƌ ƎƑ ƋƈƇƈƅ Ɛƈ Ƈ ƊƆƕ ƍƆƏ ƆƋê yƆƏƈƇƈ ƄƋƆ ƆƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƈƌƈƋ Ə Ɠ ƏƊ ƑƅƅƆ ƇƑƋƋƕ ƅ ƌƍƋƆƐƆƗ ƃ é ƈ æƆê ê ƋƆƐƐƆƏ Ƈ Ɠ ƏƗè ƅƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆ Ƈ ƅ ƌƍƋƆƐƈ è ƅ ƐƏ ƅƐ ƏƆƆƌƆ Ɛ Ɨ ƅƆƏƐƈƇƈƆƗ ƍ ƕƌƆ Ɛçê ƑƏƏƆ Ɛ ƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆ Ƈ ƌƍƋƈ ƅƆ ƈ ƑƆƗ Ƅƕ Ɛ Ɔ M Ɛƈ Ƌ ^Ɔ ƈ ƌƌƈ ƈ ƆƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƅ ƌƍƋƈ ƅƆ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ ^Ɔ ƈ `ƆƇ Əƌ ƅƐ ƾƠƠƿê ƑƏƏƆ Ɛ ƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆ Ƈ ƌƍƋƈ ƅƆ ƈ ƑƆƗ Ƅƕ 9 ƗƑ ƐƏƈ Ƌ jƏ ƈ ƈ 0Ƒ Ɨ æ9j0çè ƈ ƅ ƌƍƋƈ ƅƆ ƓƈƐ dƆƅƐƈ Õæƾç Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ 9j0 ƌƆ ƗƌƆ Ɛ ƅƐ ƾƠơơê &ƒƈƗƆ ƅƆ Ƈ ƅƑƏƏƆ Ɛ ƏƆ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ Ɛ Ɔ M Ɛƈ Ƌ # Ɛ Ƅ Ɔ Ƈ ƐƏ ƅƐ Ə è ƑƋƐ Ɛ Ɨ dƆƏƒƈƅƆ ^Ə ƒƈƗƆƏ ÿ Ƅƕ ƑƄƌƈ ƈ Ƈ Ò ƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆÿ Ə Ò9 ƐƆƏƈƌ `Ɔ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ `Ɔƍ ƏƐÿ issued by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). dƓ Ə ƇƇƈƗ ƒƈƐ Ɨƈ ƅƋ ƈ Ƈ ƋƋ Ɠ ë j Ɛ ƋƋ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƑƄƌƈƐƐƆƗ ƏƆ Ɛ Ƌƕ ƅ ƏƏƆƅƐ ƄƑƐ Ɔ Ƒƈ Ɔê j Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əæ ç ƃ ƒƆ ƆƒƆƏ ƄƆƆ ƅ ƒƈƅƐƆƗ Ƅƕ ƕ ƅ ƑƏƐ Ƈ Ƌ Ɠê j Ɛ Ɔ Ƈ ƇƈƏƌô #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əæ ç Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƌƍ ƕ ƈ Ƅ ƊƏƑƍƐê z ƆƐ ƆƏ Ə Ɛ ƕ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƇƇƈƅƆƏ Ƈ 0 M Ə ^^ ƈ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ə ƍƏƆ Ɔ Ɛ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Ə Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ ƌƍ ƕê

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS

j Ɔ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆ Ɛ ƄƆ ƑƄƌƈƐƐƆƗ ƈ Ƈ ƑƏ æƿç ƅ ƍƈƆ ƈ ƿ ƍ ƍƆƏ ƈƖƆ Ɨ Ɔ ƐƋƕ Ƅ Ƒ ƗƆƗê j Ɔ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƑƋƗ ƄƆ ƏƏ ƆƗ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƏƗƆƏ Ƌƈ ƐƆƗ Ƒ ƗƆƏ ƆƔƍƏƆ ƈ Ƈ ƈ ƐƆƏƆ Ɛ requirements above and clearly separated by dividers. j Ɔ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƌƑ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɔ ƋƆƗ ƈ Ɔ ƒƆƋ ƍƆè Ɛ Ɔ ^Ə ƉƆƅƐ M ƌƆ ƅƋƆ ƏƋƕ ƓƏƈƐƐƆ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ Ɛ ƍ ƋƆƇƐ ƅ Ə ƆƏ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɔ ƒƆƋ ƍƆ Ɨ Ɛ Ɔ ƌƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƄƈƗƗƈ ƅ ƌƍ ƕ Ƅ ƋƗƋƕ ƓƏƈƐƐƆ Ɛ the back. ƋƋ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƌƑ Ɛ ƄƆ ƑƄƌƈƐƐƆƗ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƇƇƈƅƆ Ƈ Òj Ɔ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ L ƆƏ æ^Ə ƅƑƏƆƌƆ Ɛçÿè 0 M 6Ɔ ƗƎƑ ƏƐƆƏ è 9ƊƆƉ G ê Ɛ ƅƐ ë é ^ Ɔ M ê ƠơéƾƤƠƠƠƤƿƠì ƠơéƾƤƠƠƤƢƢè ƠơéƾƤƠƠƤƿƿ &ƔƐê Ƣơơơì ƠƤƠǀǀƢǀƾƿÖƾì &éƌ ƈƋ ƗƗƏƆ ë ƍƏ ƅƑƏƆƌƆ Ɛ Ƈ ƈ ƆƏƈ ê Ə

CLOSING AND OPENING OF SUBMISSIONS

Submission of tender document shall close at exactly 11.30 am on “Thursday, 7th of September 2017”. All submissions will be opened on the same day immediately after closing at the Procurement Conference Room, Maintenance Yard, FAAN Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

M ƌƍ ƕ ƈ ƋƋ ƓƆƗ Ɛ ƑƄƌƈƐ ƄƈƗ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ Ƈ Ə ƌ ƏƆ j6 M RM& ðơñ GRjê 0 M ƏƆ ƆƏƒƆ Ɛ Ɔ Əƈ Ɛ Ɛ ƒƆƏƈƇƕ Ɛ Ɔ ƑƐ Ɔ ƐƈƅƈƐƕ Ƈ ƕ ƅƋ ƈƌ ƌ ƗƆ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƆ ƗƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƑƄƌƈƐƐƆƗ Ƅƕ ƌƍ ƈƆ ê 0 M ƏƆ ƆƏƒƆ Ɛ Ɔ Əƈ Ɛ Ɛ ƏƆƉƆƅƐ ƕ Ə ƋƋ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƆ ƗƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ê RƏƈ ƈ Ƌ Ƈ ƋƋ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ Ƅ ƒƆ ƌƑ Ɛ ƄƆ ƍƏ ƗƑƅƆƗ Ƈ Ə ƈ Ɛƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƆ ƈ Ɨ ƕ Ɛ ƆƏ ƐƈƌƆ ƏƆƎƑƆ ƐƆƗê jƆ ƗƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƑƄƌƈƐƐƆƗ Ƌ ƐƆ ƋƋ Ɛ ƄƆ ƍƆ ƆƗ ƈ Ƌƈ Ɔ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ dƆƅƐƈ ƾƣ æǀç Ƈ ^ƑƄƋƈƅ ^Ə ƅƑƏƆƌƆ Ɛ ƅƐ ƾƠƠƣê ƋƋ ƑƄƌƈ ƈ ƌƑ Ɛ ƄƆ ƈ & Ƌƈ Ƌ Ƒ Ɔê 0 ƈƋƑƏƆ Ɛ ƅ ƌƍƋƕ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ ƈ ƐƏƑƅƐƈ æ ç Ɨ ƍƏ ƒƈƗƆ ƕ ƏƆƎƑƈƏƆƗ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛæ ç ƌ ƕ ƑƐ ƌ Ɛƈƅ ƋƋƕ ƏƆ ƑƋƐ ƈ Ɨƈ ƎƑ ƋƈƇƈƅ Ɛƈ ê j ƈ ƗƒƆƏƐ ƋƋ Ɛ ƄƆ ƅ ƐƏƑƆƗ Ɛ ƄƆ ƅ ƌƌƈƐƌƆ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƍ ƏƐ Ƈ 0 Mè Ə ƋƋ ƈƐ Ɔ Ɛ ƈƋ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƍƋƈƅ Ɛ Ɛ ƌ ƊƆ ƕ ƅƋ ƈƌæ ç Ɠ Ɛ ƆƒƆƏ Ɨƃ Ə ƆƆƊ ƕ ƈ ƗƆƌ ƈƐƕ ƇƏ ƌ FAAN, by virtue of such applicant having responded to this publication.

Signed MANAGEMENT

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

FOI: CBN replies Daily Times over $1.2bn Etisalat’s loans Continued from page 1 The Daily Times has also sought full information on what transpired in Etisalat and the propriety of CBN’s action on depositors’ funds involved in the loans; as well as, information on the motives behind the new appointments in Etisalat and the alleged plans of a business mogul to take over the telecoms’ firm at the end of the transitory sixmonth period.

Responding to The Daily Times enquiry, the CBN had, in a letter

signed by O.N. Onyeoziri, for the Director of Corporate Secretariat, assured the newspaper that it would provide the information in a short while.

The apex bank, in the letter dated, July 11, 2017, with reference No: CSD/FOI/GEN/REQ/04/084, titled: ‘Re: FOI: Request for Information on Etisalat Loans,’ said, “We refer to your letter dated July 4, 2017, on the above matter and wish to inform you that the request is being processed and we will revert to you as soon as possible.”

The Daily Times had exclusively reported on how high wire politics and horse trading played active role over the loans crisis.

The newspaper also raided issues on why the committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives on Banking and Telecommunications did not intervene on the matter since the depositors’ funds were involved in the loans crisis that engulfed the then Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile operator, Etisalat Nigeria .

This newspaper had also re-

page 12

ported that the appointments of Mr. Boye Olusanya as the new CEO and Funke Ighodaro as the new CFO were at the instance of a business mogul (names withheld) who is using his financial clout to take over Etisalat.

Olusanya and Ighodaro are said to have a strong link to the businessman.

It was further alleged that the game plan was to assist their benefactor in acquiring the telecom firms at the end of six-month’ transitory period, as directed by the CBN and the National Communications Commission (NCC).

The development, Daily Times gathered, is being viewed with mixed feelings in certain quarters as to whether the action is fair or in public interest as the loans in question are depositors’ funds in the said 13 banks.

Although the new interim management of the telecom firm has changed the name from Eti-

salat to 9mobile following the pulling out of its shareholders, there remained many unsettled issues that may prove intractable in the nearest future and impact the company negatively.

Close observers of the latest development in the telecommunications outfit say that, the bubble might soon bust, following the fledging move to save the company from its sinking boat.

They contend that with massive reduction its subscriber base, following mass migration of millions of its customers and scorning by potential ones, there might yet not be a smooth sail for the embattled company.

It was learnt that apart from operating on a tough business terrain, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing recession in the country, 9mobile, whose new name has been described as mere ‘cosmetic business approach,’ may, after all, not be persuasive for many Nigerians to invest in.

Boko Haram: Police arrest suspected members, kill two in Kano Ï Army foils bomb attack, killed 3 insurgents in Konduga, Borno Yakubu Salisu, Kano President Muhammadu Buhari (centre) and delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the party Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, during their meeting with Buhari in London on Friday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

APC sweeps Lagos LG polls, clinches all chairmanship, councillorship seats ÏÏÏ The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the council election held in all the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas last Saturday.

Results released on Monday showed that the APC took several LGAs and LCDAs including Ojokoro, Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Badagry Central, Onigbongbo, Odiolowo/Ojuwoye, Ikorodu West, Ejigbo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos Island East, Badagry West, Surulere, Ikorodu Central, Ikoyi/ Obalende, Agboyi-Ketu, Eredo and others.

In Lagos Island LG, APC won with 14,692 votes while PDP got 925 votes, with the Labour Party taking third place with 1211 votes. APC also won in IkoyiObalende LCDA with 7112 votes, PDP got 756 votes while LP got 542 votes. In Eredo LCDA, APC received 10910 votes while PDP got 737 votes. The victory continued for the ruling party in Epe LG with the APC getting 21401 votes and LP getting 948 votes.

APC emerged victorious in Lagos Island East LCDA with 9060 votes while PDP got 1128 votes.

In Badagry West, APC swept the LCDA with 5300 votes leaving PDP with 935 votes. Similarly,

in Ejigbo LCDA, APC won 4876 votes while PDP won 1079 votes.

In Ikeja LG, APC got 6191 votes while PDP won 990 votes. APC won Ikorodu West LCDA with 3068 votes while PDP got 555 votes.

In Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, APC got 10,701 votes, while PDP got 1,759 votes. Other results were being awaited as of the time the paper went to bed.

The APC had earlier won both the chairmanship and councillorship elections in Ward A6, Polling Unit 033 located in Ogunmodede College, Papa Epe, where the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode voted.

At the end of counting of the votes cast, the results showed that the APC polled a total of 299 votes for the chairmanship election as against one polled by the Labour Party and zero vote polled respectively by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party.

For the councillorship election in the unit, the APC polled a total of 293 votes as against one polled

by Labour Party and zero polled

by PDP. In the second polling unit in the ward, APC polled 298 votes for the chairmanship election as against zero vote polled by the PDP and Labour Party.

On Saturday Ambode, said local government elections would

engender participatory governance and revive belief in the electoral process at the third tier of government.

Ambode noted that the election in Lagos State came six years after the last one was conducted.

“I am happy that this election is coming at my own time. The whole idea is for us to evolve a process where the citizens come out and believe in a process that is credible. When the people see credible election at the local government level, they will be excited to participate because they know that it is credible, peaceful and without violence. That is what we have been preaching. Lagos is too cosmopolitan for us not to have a credible election.

“We need to enhance democracy in the country and we can only do it by what we are doing today.”

He said adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure that voters cast their votes in a peaceful atmosphere and forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“So far, so good, from the reports I have received from all the other parts of Lagos State, we are pleased with what is going on.

I believe strongly that it will be peaceful throughout,” Ambode added.

ÏÏÏ The Kano State Police Command, on Sunday morning, engaged in a gun duel with gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect at Gayawa town in the state.

This is coming on the heels of the military operations of by the Nigerian Army, which on Sunday also, foiled a bomb attack and killed three female suicide bombers in Konduga local government council of Borno state.

According to police information, the command received a tip off that some members of Boko Haram are occupying a building at Gayawa in Nasarawa local government area after they left Sambisa Forest.

Hence, personnel of a special task force set up by the Inspector General of Police moved into action and on reaching the location, the suspects opened fire on the police men.

At the end of the gun duel, two gun men lost their lives while three of the suspects were arrested, as well as two women suspected to be wives of the suspects.

During the operation, explosions believed to be from explosive devices erupted in the building.

Confirming the story, the command public relation officer, stated that the command’s two gallant officers who participated in the operation sustained injuries with one in a critical condition but are currently being taken care of at an undisclosed hospital.

He urged members of the public not to hesitate to report to the police or any security agency activities of suspected persons within their communities as the police is always ready to defend the states from activities of bad elements.

In the operation by the army, a statement signed by its Public Relations Director, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, and made available in Maiduguri on Saturday night, said the incident occurred at Kawuri village of the council.

Usman said that the female suicide bombers were killed when they tried to attack a military formation in the area.

“Troops of 103 Battalion, Operation Lafiya Dole, on Saturday morning, neutralized three female suicide bombers trying to infiltrate their location at Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

“The female suicide bombers, who were on obvious mission of committing mayhem, were spotted by a vigilant sentry while trying to access the military location.

“However, they continued advancing toward the troop’s location despite several warnings to stop. Consequently, the troops neutralized them.

“The remains of the suicide bombers have since been evacuated from the scene.”

Usman called on the people to support the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and report any suspicious movements of persons to the military and security agencies.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

7

News

Computer Based Test: UNIBEN deploys indigenous software Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏAs

part of efforts geared towards providing unlimited access to learning, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has deployed the first indigenous software for the conduct of Computer Based Test (CBT) of internal and external examinations.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Osasere Faraday Orumwense, made the revelation during the institution’s 2017 Information Communication Technology (ICT) Day. Orumwense also said that plans were underway to launch the Uniben Open Course wave which according to him, will make the University top the rankings in Webometrics.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the University’s spokesman, Mr. Michael Osasuyi.

According to Osasuyi, the Director of Nigeria Research and Education Network (NREN), Abuja, Dr. Joshua Atah, made presentation at the event through live streaming to audience.

He said the live streaming titled: ‘Unlimited Access to Learning for Everyone, Everywhere: ICT the Rostrum’ was aimed at buttressing the efficiency of ICT in the 21st century .

In his lecture, Dr. Atah posited that learning has gone beyond gathering in a classroom as it can be deployed from different locations to a large group of persons.

The University’s spokesman further quoted the lecturer as saying, “I-LABS, E-Libraries, E-books, E-Resources, Repositories, Eduroam and video-driven lectures like Youtube are some of the huge benefits of ICT which saves cost, as well as human and non human resources”.

More than 100m Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation facilities - Minister Ebelechukwu Ibeneme, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Minister of

Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, has bewailed the rising statistics of Nigerians without potable water whilst also noting that more than 100 million people are without access to basic sanitation facilities in Nigeria.

The minster made this known over the weekend during a one day interactive meeting with the private sector on Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) held in Lagos.

According to him, the depreciation of Water Supply and Sanitation sub-sector caused by open defecation practice is worrisome lamenting that countries where open defecation is practiced are the countries with highest level of poverty, wealth disparity and under five child mortalities”, he explained.

He reiterated government’s efforts through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene under a broader and a more refined monitoring framework which is what PEWASH is all about. “ It is was in realization of this pathetic situation of water supply and sanitation in the country that the government through the ministry came up with the

PEWASH initiative to help solve the situation”..

PEWASH is designed to be a national collaboration instrument for all stakeholders ranging from governments at all levels with development partners, the private sector and communities.

He also assured the participants from the private sector of government’s readiness to continuously collaborate with them in the running of their intervention projects and will also build on all ongoing efforts as well as complement existing water and sanitation strategies for sustainable development.

He called on them to sign the PEWASH Protocol as about 13 States and some international development partners have subscribed to supporting the initiative.

Earlier, the President of the Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) Mr. Micheal Ale also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s water and sanitation subsector.

On the partnerships with Federal Government on PEWASH, he said the private sector should key into the PEWASH initiative with more commitment because safe water, sanitation and hygiene are some of the most basic requirements for human health.

L-R: AFP Public Liaison Officer, Alhaji Ahmed Kaita; SA (Tech) to the Chairman, Presidential Committee North East Initiative, David Garnvwa; General Manager, Julius Berger AFP, Markus Reiff; Former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Bala Bala Ka’oje; Julius Berger, AFP Architect, Oliver Cohnen and Head of Media Relations Julius Berger Nig. group, Prince Moses Duku, during the 2017 Julius Berger AFP Product Exhibition in Abuja… at the weekend. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Mop-up of illicit arms: STF nabs 19-year-old, as Plateau youths go on rampage Kingsley Chukwuka,

Jos

ÏÏÏThe Special Task Force

(STF) in Plateau state, has arrested a 19 year old teenager, Master Eric Labari, an indigene of Mangu, who allegedly specialized in the manufacture locally made arms.

The events that led to his arrest is as a result of several arrests of armed bandits who confessed to the STF that the arms used in their operation were purchased from the said Eric Labari. This was disclosed by the Special Task Force Commander, Major General Rogers Ibe Nicholas in Jos the state capital at the weekend.

The confessional statements by the suspects prompted the Nigerian Army to began a house-tohouse search for arms in the hands of irate youths as well as stop-and-search of tricircle riders (popularly called Okada), an action which did not go down well with the youths as they al-

legedly accused soldiers of intimidation and unnecessary harassment by the soldiers.

The action led to protest by the youths of Mangu community, demanding that the army must halt the stop-and-search exercise as well as have their check point removed.

The protest according to the STF Commander, led to physical confrontation on his men, leading to the destruction of the check point, vandalising of one army vehicle (hilux) and leaving some soldiers wounded.

He said soldiers were constrained to respond to the attack as he had warned his men to always stick to the rules of engagement.

Arriving the scene in Mangu, General Nicholas ordered the arrest of the irate youths, ordered the Local Government Council to fix the vandalised vehicle and the rebuilding of the check point within six hours, he said.

As at the time of addressing newsmen, the Army boss said that the check

point has been reconstructed by the youths and the vehicle fixed while the wondered soldiers are responding to treatment at the Military clinic in Ryiom LGA. However, Gen. Nicholas said that Normalcy has returned to the troubled area, according to him, “the good thing is that calm has returned to Panyam and the people have apologised to us over the attitude and behaviour of the irate youths.

“As for the youths arrested, we have only 4 of them in our custody and not 8 as alleged, described the incident as “very sad’’ and “unfortunate’’ and appealed to the youths to resist the temptation to take the law into their hands any longer.

“Whatever may be your grievances, you endeavour to report it to the constituted authorities and not to take the law into your hands.

“I wish to assure that we shall look into your complaints and address them appropriately; any of my officers found liable will be dealt with, to serve as deter-

rent to others,’’ he said.

Daily Times reports that some youths, suspected to be commercial motorcyclists protested against an alleged extortion and maltreatment by the security operatives deployed at the Panyam Check Point in the early hours of the day.

Our correspondent also reports that nearly eight youths were arrested by the security operatives in the village but the army boss denied the report, adding, “no civilian was shot or wounded; the only people wounded are my men.”

Reacting to the incident, the Vilage Head of Panyam, Chief Aminu Derwam, expressed shock at the behaviour of the youths, whom he said never complained to him about the soldiers deployed in the area.

“This incident is very saddening and shocking because it is very wrong for the youth to take the law into their hands by attempting to sack the soldiers, who are in our community to help keep the peace”. Derwam said.

newsmen in Calabar at the weekend.

According to the Head of Service, “our governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, is desirous of paying all outstanding arrears owed civil servants by the previous administrations because he has their interest at heart.

“He is ready to do anything within his power to ensure their salaries and other lawful entitlements are paid as and when due.” Conse-

quently, Henshaw said “the governor has directed the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant General to immediately commence processes for the payment of gratuity to 2014 retirees as we round up payment to 2013 retirees.”

On the fate of those who are yet to receive their entitlement particularly workers at the local government service, The Head of Service assured that everyone

is being carried along saying that “all duly earned gratuities, salaries and pensions by civil servant would be paid subsequently.”

He urged workers not to relent in contributing their quota to the development of the state now that the government is more than ever ready to enthrone the needed reform agenda that will promote efficiency to enhance good governance.

Ayade orders payment of gratuities, salaries with Paris Club refund Edem Edem, Calabar

ÏÏÏThe

Cross River state government says the N6.8 billion of the Paris Club Refund recently released to the state by the federal government would be used for the payment of gratuity and salaries of public and civil servants in the state.

The state’s Head of service, Mr. Ekpenyong Henshaw disclosed this while briefing

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Flooding: Lagos gives quit notice to owners of properties blocking drainage channels Ïj ƍƄƄ Ǝ ƂƉƆ ƕƍ Ɔ Ƅ ƍƆ Ǝ ƅ Ƒ Ɠ Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ In a bid to mitigate the in-

cidents of flooding, the Lagos state government on Sunday ordered owners of properties erected on drainage channels impeding the free-flow of water to immediately vacate or risk being removed.

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, expressed dismay that the lawless activities of some people was constantly putting the lives and property of residents at risk.

He listed some of the areas

where properties were erected on drainage channels to include Illubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota, Ogombo, Lekki, among others; noting that the massive investment of public funds into drainage clearing and de-silting had been compromised by structures hindering the freeflow of water.

The commissioner said the State government was seriously concerned that manmade causes, particularly impediment of free-flow of storm water through indiscriminate erection of buildings on drain-

age alignments/ right of way and water courses, had played a major role in the recent experience of flooding in the State.

“Therefore, it is now of paramount importance that owners of buildings or structures impeding the free-flow of storm water, wherever they exist in the State, are advised to voluntarily quit forthwith in the overriding public interest or risk being removed by the State government as no responsible government will allow the interest of a few to jeopardise the wellness and wellbeing of the generality of its people.

“In view of the grievous

consequences of compromising drainage right of way and alignment, Lagosians are hereby warned to henceforth refrain from this illegal act, report perpetrators and cooperate with the Lagos State government in its bid to achieve a flood-free, clean and livable State,” Adejare said. The commissioner also disclosed that the State Government had resolved to reestablish the right of way of drainage infrastructure across the state also to stem the tide of flooding.

He said the decision became necessary to enhance the ability of the drainage channels to effectively discharge storm water into the rivers, lagoon and other water bodies and relieve Lagosians of the incidence of

flood.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Lagosians are once again reminded that the right of way for primary unlined (without concrete) channel is 25 meters and 15 meters for primary lined (with concrete) channel, while the right of way for secondary/ connector channel is seven meters. The right of way for tertiary channel is three meters from the fence of the house.

“Primary channels such as canals are those emptying directly into the river, lagoons and other water bodies, while secondary/connector channels connect water from channels in the frontage of the house (tertiary channels) to the primary channel,” the Commissioner said.

Customs: 95 suspects arrested, over N2 billion generated as revenue

Gender inclusiveness: Group advocates review of electoral processes Joy Ekeke

Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏIn a bid to promote gender inclusiveness in politics at all levels, a nongovernmental organisation, Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN), has called for a review of the various electoral processes to accommodate more women participation in voting and being voted for.

Speaking during the WSRN Stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos, its National Coordinator, Joy Onyesoh, said: “It entails observing the different processes from voters registration ,PVC validation, gender composition of electoral officials deployed to polling units, to accessibility of the polling booths for all including pregnant women, elderly and women with disabilities.”

Onyesoh noted that election observation from a gender perspective creates visibility for largely ignored gendered issues like long waiting times and its impact on men and women. She said: “It brings to the fore voting patterns, gender bias and stereotype within specific context.”

ÏÏÏ The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, said it arrested 95 suspects between January and July for various smuggling activities and generated over N2 billion as revenue within the given period.

The Controller of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, who disclosed this via a press statement issued on Sunday stated that the intensified effort of men from the unit led to the interception of various contrabands and revenue generation.

According to him, “following the intensified effort, the unit through its interventions intercepted contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.3billion. The unit also recovered another N1.3billion from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative of N2.6billion “475 different seizures were recorded comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical/medicaments and various general merchandise. 95 suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizures.”

Comptroller Uba commended the commitment and diligence of the Officers and Men of the FOU ‘A’ for thwarting the antics of some dare devil smugglers who used different methods for concealment. He charged all his officers to be professional and diligent in performing their statutory responsibilities.

President, Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Adedoyin (r), receiving an award of Excellence from the President, Nigerian Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative, Mr. Alabi Abiodun in Abuja… on Sunday.

Kogi police command arrests 2 kidnappers, victim rescued Idrls Ahmed, Lokoja.

ÏÏÏKogi state police command last week arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued a victim identified as Sunday Amupitan.

The victim was said to have been abducted from his Surulere, Kabas residence on July 19, tied up and dumped in the booth of a Honda car.

A statement from the Kogi state Police public relations officer, William Aya, said that on the day at about 10.23pm, acting on a distress call that one Sunday Amupitan has

been abducted at the Surulere quarters in Kabba, operatives from Kabba division led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) promptly moved to the scene and pursued the suspects who were already racing away from the scene in a Honda Accord vehicle with Reg. No. APP 444 DA. William Aya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said that in a bid to escape arrest, the hoodlums’ get away car hit three motorcyclists; they then abandoned the vehicle and fled.

According to him, the Area Commander of Kabba led a team of personnel to comb the

scene with a view to identifying the suspects at large, and a GSM handset, suspected to belong to one of the kidnappers, was recovered.

He said that quick analysis of the phone led to the arrest of one of the suspects named Ayodele, aged 30 years of Garupa street Kabba, and on interrogation, confessed to been a member of the kidnap gang and also revealed the names of the fleeing members of the syndicate.

According to the police spokesman, further investigation led to the arrest of one of the suspects named Tunde

Emmanuel alias Eleje of OdoOfin Kabba.

He said that the victim, Amupitan, was rescued from the booth of the vehicle where he was bound and dumped.

“Effort is on going to track and arrest the fleeing kidnap suspects and will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation,” he said.

ASP Aya said that the Kogi State Police Command will not relent in its determined efforts to rid the state of crime and criminality through a proactive crime preventing strategies adopted in ensuring that citizens are safe.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Politics

s

PDP crisis: Our doors are open to Sheriff’s faction in Lagos, says Bode George –P10

9

‘Kwankwaso’s associate replies Tinubu: Ganduje will lose in 2019’, but power belongs to God–P11

Monarch seeks implementation of 2014 Confab report, restructuring His Royal Highness Eze Hyacinth Ohazulike has lent his voice to the call for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report which addressed most of the contentious issues including restructuring of the country.

Fielding questions from newsmen recently in his palace, Ohazulike who is also the Eze Ndigbo, Lagos State noted that implementing the confab report would resolve most of the contentious issues resulting in agitations from different parts of the country and promote unity, justice, fairness and peace.

His words, “My opinion concerning these agitations is that the Federal Government should go back to the 2014 confab report and that is where I stand.

If the Federal Government can go back to that report and implement it, they would have addressed most of the reasons for the various agitations because that Jonathan’s confab addressed these issues.

“Without going to that report, it will be difficult to sustain the unity of Nigeria. So, I am lending my voice to those of other well-meaning Nigerians to call for a re-visit to the 2014 Jonathan’s confab report and then restructure this country. After living for many years together, we should look at where things are not working well and restructure the country.

“Biafra agitation did not start today. The youths who are now leading the campaign for Biafra are only re-echoing what their fathers did before. If the elders are 40million now, the youths are 100million, it is therefore necessary for the elders to listen to them.

“For instance, other geopolitical zones have six states and one even has seven states, but the South East has only five states and this is cheating. This sort of imbalance should be addressed. You cannot talk about peace without justice, equity and fairness.”

On whether the country should go back to regionalism, the royal father stated that going back to regionalism would help the country and discourage over dependence on oil.

He argued that the discovery of oil had become a disease which made the leaders lazy and only run to Abuja for allo-

NWABUEZE

cation every month; a development he said would not help the economy and create jobs for the teaming population of youths in the country.

He further said, “Well, those who are championing the agitation probably know more than you and I know. But I believe that going back to the regional system of government will help this country because when we

practiced regionalism back in the 60s, this country was productive.

“In the East, there was palm oil, coal which was used to generate electricity, rice, yam and other agricultural produce, so also in the West which had cocoa and the North which had groundnut and other things.

Each of the regions did well until oil was discovered. In fact,

the discovery of oil has become a disease.

“Instead of doing us good, the discovery of oil has become a disease in this country. Before the discovery of oil, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy and children were encouraged to be productive. Again, what stops our legislators in Abuja, every one of them from establishing factories within their constituencies thereby creating employment opportunities for their constituents? This will obviously create jobs and reduce unemployment in the country.”

Reacting to the question of whether the clamour for restructuring of the country from the South East has the backing of the political class especially those at the National Assembly, the Monarch expressed hope that at the appropriate time every one of them would identify with the course.

“Right now, even some prominent people from the North including former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and others have all joined the call for the restructuring of the country. This shows that nothing lasts forever” On the quit notice handed to the Igbo resident in the North, the royal father who was sur-

prised at the development opined that Ndigbo travel everywhere and take wherever they live as their own and develop the place, wondering why such sanction should come from any part of the country.

“I’m sure those who said that did not know what they are doing. The chairman of Eze Ndigbo has gone to see the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El’ Rufai to discuss the issue and the governor has promised to handle it and I believe it is coming under control,” he added.

On whether the IPOB leader, Nnamdi kanu was speaking for Ndigbo, he said, “Well, Nnamdi Kanu is a Nigerian from the South East and as such has the right to express his opinion on any national issue. He has done that and incidentally others who share his view, belief and sentiment have identified with him. He has his agenda which he is pursuing.”

Eze Ohazulike commended the leadership of Ohanaeze under Chief John Nwodo for taking steps to unite Ndigbo both at home and in the Diaspora to form a formidable force. “Before now, Ohanaeze was like a ship without a captain, but now we have a captain in Ohanaeze which can speak for Ndigbo,” he stated.

PDP Chairmanship: Why I’m supporting George — Babatope A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on Sunday gave credence to the chairmanship ambition of the former deputy chairman of the party, Chief Bode George.

Babatope, a former Director of Organisation in the defunct Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was fully in supports of George’s ambition.

He described the former chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as the best man for the vacant chairmanship slot of the PDP based on his fatherly figure.

“We will struggle hard to produce a strong, effective and result-oriented party chairman, in fact, the Supreme Court’s verdict has affirmed Ahmed Markarfi as the real power

house of PDP. “We are now expecting another chairman and we are going to get that. I am giving my full support for the chairmanship ambition to George because he is the most experienced.

“George being my choice does not, however, have overriding opinion over other members of the party, everybody is welcome to support the candidates of their choice.

“I am picking George because of his experience as a party faithful who will ensure reconciliation of all aggrieved members of the party. Experience is the best teacher,’’ Babatope said.

Babatope, also a former Minister of Transport and Aviation during the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, advised that whoever emerged as the PDP chairman should

ensure full reconciliation of all the members.

“Whoever emerges as the chairman of PDP must ensure the full reconciliation of all the members. We need a full house now to fulfill the yearnings of the party.

“The chairman should be a rallying point who will be father to all and I know George very well, he is up to the task.

“What is important now is to have full reconciliation in PDP, everybody is welcome to the party and we want to make our party great again.

“Nobody will be left behind in our reconciliation efforts, even Ali Modu Sheriff is also free to contest for the chairmanship,’’ he said.

Babatope told NAN that the PDP’s door was open to all members irrespective of their affiliation, adding that the party

BABATOPE

would strive to provide a strong opposition to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

“As far as we are concerned, the door of the party is open to all members irrespective of their alliances; even Sheriff himself is free to contest.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

PDP crisis: Our doors are open to Sheriff’s faction in Lagos, says Bode George Iniobong Iwok A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George has said that the state chapter of the party was ready to welcome the Ali modu Sheriff faction in the state headed

by Segun Adewale back into it fold, if it was ready to respect the constitution of the party and maintain peace.

George, who is a former deputy national chairman of the party , stated this in a chat with newsmen, noting that the recent judgement of the Supreme Court had affirmed the supremacy of the party’s Constitution over any individual or committee, stressing that Moshood Savaldor is the legally recognised chairman of the party in Lagos State, based on the judgement.

He added that the PDP was in a rebuilding process after the long protracted leadership crisis, adding that machinery have been put in place to meet aggrieved members.

He said “Since the Supreme Court rule against them, I want to appeal to the Sheriff faction to come and join the party, we have extended a hand of fellowship to you, the court have decided that the party constitution is sacrosanct, but you must be ready to obey the Constitution we would hand it over to you.

“The party have decided that anything beyond Salvodor is not PDP in Lagos State, the people have the experience to take the party back to the top, we have learnt our lessons from this crisis and we are not ready to allow anything pull us back,” Georg said.

On the refusal of the Sheriff faction to vacate the party Secretariat in Lagos State after the judgement, the party leader disclosed that they had informed the police to effect

GEORGE

the eviction after the latest Supreme Court judgement, adding that the party decided to take such step as it did not want the issue to degenerate into a fracas.

He said that the faction had no choice but to vacate the Secretariat, adding that he rented the complex with his money and had shown the receipt to the police.

He said “They broke into the party Secretariat, when the SSS brought people there I showed them the receipt of the rent, but our

boys that are more would have confronted them but we said let’s wait for the judgement.

“But we have now gotten back to the police, that we want our Secretariat back since the judgement is in our favour. The police commissioner would invite the two chairmen and they would be told to vacate the place. We decided to approach the issue in a civilised manner because we don’t want crisis in Lagos.”

Our views on Lagos LG polls, by Ikorodu monarch, Dabiri-Erewa, others The Oba of Ikorodu in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, on Saturday urged the youths to support democracy with participation and peaceful conduct in elections.

The royal father made the appeal after voting in the local government elections in Lagos State.

Shotobi cast his vote in Ward B in Ikorodu Central LCDA. He said that youths would be leaders in the future and should participate actively in elections.

Shotobi described the council elections as free and fair.

The royal father hailed the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for efforts in conducting the polls.

He also hailed the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for the laudable achievements in the last two years, particularly with community development, while also thanking the governor for outlawing land grabbing.

Also speaking, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, described the election as free and fair.

Dabiri, who cast her vote in Ikorodu, told journalists that local government elections were critical to grassroots development.

Hon Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, hailed voters for coming out in spite of early morning heavy rain.

Agunbiade also appealed to the youth to participate in elections and vote for credible candidates for good governance.

The lawmaker cast his vote at Ward F in Ikorodu Central LCDA. The Deputy Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, who cast his vote at Ward E, Polling Unit 031, Ojodu LCDA, said that the elections would be successful.

“Since 1999, l have never lost an election in my polling booth,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria at his polling booth.

South-East leaders, Senator Kanti Bello, others differ on Oyegun, APC government Patrick Okohue

Stakeholders in the politics of the South-East geo-political zone on Friday were full of praises for the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. They described the APC national chairman as a man of character, competence and credibility.

The leaders, who met in Awka, Anambra State, lauded Oyegun’s role in the fight for true federalism, ideals of democracy and enthronement of the rule of law in Nigeria.

They also commended him for protecting the integrity of the party, enhancing the cause of democracy and consolidating the strength and mass appeal of the ruling party in the country.

In a release signed by the Chairman of South-East Unity and Advancement Forum (SEUAM), Chief Maxwell Okoye, the group said, “APC is enjoying a sense of unanimity.”

The leaders while distancing themselves from the calls on Oyegun to resign and secession in the name of restructuring, not only lashed at former Senate Majority Whip, Senator Kanti Bello, Imo

State Politician, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu and Suspended Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Timi Frank over the statements credited to them, but said critics of Oyegun and the APC-led Federal Government were wrong in their assessment of the achievements of the national chairman and the activities of the government.

They urged Bello, Izuogu and Frank not to obfuscate issues, polarise the party and drag the name of the national chairman and other prominent leaders through the mud.

Meeting under the auspices of the South-East Unity and Advancement Forum (SEUAM) to articulate the position of the zone in the politics of Nigeria, the leaders said Oyegun deserved commendation for advancing the course of the party.

They stated that the Federal Government has succeeded in all ramifications, particularly in ensuring an indivisible entity and enhancing the peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups in the country.

“The anti-corruption war has reached new heights with high profile prosecu-

tions and unprecedented awareness.”

In a statement entitled, “South-East has spoken”, the leaders praised President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for rising to the great possibilities of Nigeria, empowering the people, satisfying the economic and political yearnings of Nigerians, sorting out certain fundamental issues germane to the existence of the country and deepening good governance, accountability and transparency.

The leaders commended Buhari and Osinbajo for contributing immensely to sustenance of unity, stability, security and development at all levels of governance in Nigeria.

The leaders, who urged political office holders in the country to focus on the people and development of the economy, said it was high time Anambra State joined the mainstream of the nation’s politics.

They advised the Founder and General of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Ayodele and other religious leaders to lend support to government in its efforts to develop the country.

DABIRI-EREWA

Buhari’s health: Nigerians are too sympathetic, Fasehun The Founder of the Pan - Yoruba organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and National Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Frederick Fasehun has said that Nigerians are too sympathetic to President Muhammadu Buhari on his health situation at the expense of the country.

Speaking at Dr Fredrick Fasehun’s Media Roundtable in Lagos at the weekend, Fasehun said the National Assembly has also lost its focus saying it is not doing what it should be doing to set the country on the right path.

He said what is happening in the country where the President has been away for more than one month on medical leave and the whole thing is shrouded in secrecy could only happen in Nigeria.

“Nigerians have been too sympathetic on Mr. President’s health. It is just that Nigeria will not crumble easily, it would have crumble,” Fasehun said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

11 Politics

‘Kwankwaso’s associate replies Tinubu: Ganduje will lose in 2019’, but power belongs to God Malam Muhammad Garba On Sunday, 16 July, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu visited Kano. His primary mission was to commiserate with the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the death of elder statesman, Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule (Dan Massanin Kano) and also on the death of the governor’s younger sister.

The former governor of Lagos State also visited elder statesman and respected politician, Malam Yusuf Ali who recently lost his son.

In his remarks at the residence of Malam Yusuf Ali, Tinubu who has been following the landmark achievements of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, spoke glowingly on the governor’s performance, and at the end, endorsed him for a second term in 2019.

In the words of Tinubu, “Our brother, Ganduje, Your Excellency, you are staying eight years, some people are saying twelve years; but if you put coma in any line of the constitution, that is an amendment. So, I endorse eight years.

We will work for it with all our body and soul. You are a great man--and you are a very very loyal man.

“One thing that we must note in His Excellency, Governor Ganduje, is this-he is one of the most straightforward, dependable individual. When you agree on something, or in the words of Donald Trump, ‘do a deal with him,’ you can go to sleep because you will be the one to break that accord, not him.

“Ganduje, I want to say thank you. You are so humble, so dependable. You are a friend that is completely flexible. You have the understanding of family and friendship. So, if you say eight years, yes; before you add the other four years, I say watch--that other four years, maybe, as a governor, maybe, as a president. So, we will wait; let us amortize the eight years first.”

Tinubu’s comments about Ganduje came straight from his heart. He spoke very frankly and he relayed to his audience that he was not pretending at all.

Tinubu is a respected politician who is known for his frankness on issues. He is not someone that could be bought over.

He is a man of integrity who addresses issues with maturity. He has a good sense of judgment. So, one cannot say that Tinubu spoke from both sides of his mouth.

Tinubu’s comment on Ganduje’s sterling leadership qualities, immediately spread like wild fire. It was all over the social media. Millions of Ganduje supporters in Kano, and across the country showed their happiness that their able and dependable governor got such accolades from one of the most respected politicians in Africa—Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

However, it is not a surprise that some few disgruntled elements would get ruffled by Tinubu’s compliments and endorsement of Governor Ganduje’s second term bid, of which the Kano electorate have already assured him, going by the way and manner he is handling the affairs of the state. We were, indeed, waiting for reactions and it came in a story published in online portal, Premium Times on Tuesday, July 18, titled ‘Kwankwaso’s associate replies Tinubu: Ganduje will lose in 2019.’

In that story, Comrade Abdulsalam

TINUBU

Aminu, former Commissioner for State Affairs in the last administration of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, did what he knows how to do best—spreading lies.

He could not hide his emotions and he showcased to his readers how much he hated Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He presented how bad the Kwankwassiyya people are feeling over the way Ganduje has been giving democracy dividends to the people. He also told the world how jittery they are, particularly, on the praises showered on Ganduje by Tinubu who is one of the pillars of our great party, the APC. According to Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu, Ganduje cannot go for second term in 2019 because the Kwankwassiyya people have decided otherwise. Ganduje cannot make it in 2019 because he failed to carry on with the Kwankwassiyya ideology; an ideology of debt and deception.

We are not blind followers, Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu believes Ganduje cannot make it in 2019 because he refused to become a victim of godfatherism at the detriment of the good people of Kano State---this is laughable because Governor Ganduje remains an astute administrator and patriotic leader who will not compromise the people’s mandate.

Again, I want to remind Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu that power belongs to Almighty God and He gives it to whoever he wishes. I personally don’t believe any mortal has the authority to give power; it is the exclusive right of God to hand over power to whoever he wishes. In 1999, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso became the Governor of Kano State through the will of God.

GANDUJE

He tried the second term in 2003, but could not make it, because it was not the will of God that he continued. In 2011, Senator Kwankwaso tried again and was lucky because God made it so. Today, he is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the will of God. So, in this light, Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu does not have the right to determine whether Governor Ganduje will return to power in 2019 or not. What God has written, He has written, Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu cannot rewrite it.

For discernable minds, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been doing a great job even in the face of harsh economic situation created by the immediate past administration of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who left over N300 billion debts, with various abandoned projects of which over 90 percent has already been completed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration.

Just recently, the Ganduje administration paid over N4 billion of backlog of debts of scholarships awarded by Kwankwaso’s administration in private schools at both local and foreign institutions. Kwankwaso failed to settle those bills, not because the money was not there but because he decided to use public funds to execute his failed presidential ambition in 2015.

Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu also raised the issue of tuition fees and free feeding. I want to remind him that the free feeding programme failed towards the end of Kwankwaso’s administration when he collected local government funds to build five kilometer roads in each of the 44 local government areas, a project that was marred by fraud. More

I want to remind Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu that power belongs to Almighty God and He gives it to whoever he wishes.

I personally don’t believe any mortal has the authority to give power; it is the exclusive right of God to hand over power to whoever he wishes. In 1999, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso became the Governor of Kano State through the will of God. He tried the second term in 2003, but could not make it, because it was not the will of God that he continued

so, Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu spends most of his time in Abuja serving the needs of his master. I wonder how an Abuja resident can evaluate water situation in Kano. Residents of Kano have not complained of shortage of water supply because there is portable water in Kano and the people are happy for it.

Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu also made his readers to believe that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is unpopular in Kano. This is the latest joke of the year. He asked his readers to go to Sabon Gari, Singer and Kantin Kwari markets to test Ganduje’s popularity. And these are markets which are currently going through serious reforms by the Ganduje administration, particularly, the Kwari Textile Market where multi-billion Naira structures and infrastructure are currently being constructed. However, we can leave the test of Ganduje’s popularity to working journalists and editors of various media organisation who recently visited Kano and moved round with His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

They can attest how people trooped out in their thousands to hail Governor Ganduje. They can attest the numerous projects they visited in all sectors, including provision of infrastructure and social amenities, massive construction of roads, revolution in agriculture, women and youth empowerment, reforms in the health sector, commerce and industry, as well as general overhaul of the economy and attraction of both local and foreign investors. Kano residents would always raise their two hands indicating four plus four, a sign of Ganduje’s second term endorsement by the people who have not failed in appreciating his good work in Kano.

So, we advise Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu to spend his time and energy on serious issues. It is not honourable for him to dwell on spreading lies and falsehood on the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who is performing creditably in Kano. He is the people’s governor, he has won the heart of the people and there is nothing detractors like Comrade Abdulsalam Aminu and his pay master can do about it. They can only rant!

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

How Osinbajo’s loyalty saves Nigeria Continued from page 1 Yemi Osibanjo (SAN) has continued to wax stronger, following the implicit confidence between the duo.

One of the presidential aides also confided in The Daily Times that the development has neutralised the claims of some sooth sayers who predicted problems for Nigeria over the running of the country without the president.

The presidential aide, who spoke in confidence because of the sensitivity of the matter, also disclosed that the loyalty of Osinbajo to Buhari saved the country from anarchy that would have ensued if the acting president had acted otherwise.

The Daily Times recalls that when Buhari left Nigeria for the

United Kingdom about 60 days ago to attend to his ill health, most Nigerians predicated a big vacuum in the Presidential Villa.

While some were of the view that Osinbajo lacked the political sagacity to carry on with the affairs of the government, some claimed that a certain group of cabal had hijacked Buhari-led government.

But contrary to all the insinuations, the presidential aide on Sunday revealed how Osibanjo’s absolute loyalty to Buhari has saved Nigeria from economic crisis and political impasse.

He also disclosed that contrary to certain misgivings in some quarters over appointments, he stated that Osinbajo usually consults with Buhari before making any appointment, insisting that

the mutual confidence between the two of them is solid.

He said: “Unlike previous governments where the Vice presidents were seemingly over ambitious and could not be trusted about power and control, Osibanjo has remained calm and focused on what is good for Nigeria in due consultation with his boss.

“Please note that Osibanjo has been in constant consultations with President Buhari and that he has never made any appointment without his consent.

“He usually reminds us that the president remains the president while the acting president is holding forth for him.

“I can tell you authoritatively that the man (Osinbajo) is not ambitious. He is a technocrat in government. This is because if he

Nigerian entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, (left), and others, during a peaceful protest tagged: Our Mumu Don Do, in Owerri… at the weekend.

is ambitious and a typical Nigerian politician, the country would have been in turmoil by now.

“Don’t forget that every power is now concentrated in his hands.

But he has been cautious and circumspect in using the powers.

But he could have acted otherwise and the result would have been catastrophic.

“You will recall that one of the former presidents openly disclosed that he could not trust his vice because he was too ambitious. He even vowed that his deputy would never succeed him, saying that, “If you turn your eyes or close your eyes in his presence, some documents in sensitive files would get missing.

“Now imagine when the whole files and the running of the country are now thrusted on Osinbajo.

And the man did not disappoint his boss who is thousands of kilometers away from Nigeria. That is unusual loyalty and you cannot take it away from the acting president as he is humble and acts with dignity. The country is lucky to have him in charge in this turbulent period while the president is recuperating in London.”

The presidential aide further disclosed that, “As you can see, he is reluctant to swear in ministers in view of the pending cabinet reshuffle. Nigerians may not understand this; but I can tell you with high sense of responsibility that Osinbajo’s conduct in the absence of his boss has saved the country from anarchy.

The Daily Times recalls that there was crisis of confidence between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar. The crisis was so serious to the extent that Atiku had to defect to another party, the Action Congress (AC) before he could realise his presidential ambition in 2007.

The development distracted the

leadership from its real leadership mandate of service, as the focus was shifted on who won the big fight.

The newspaper further recalls that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua never carried his then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan along. It is worthy of note that Jonathan was never visible at the helm of affairs.

The sickness of the late President Yar’Adua was so serious as he did not transmit any letter to the National Assembly that he would be going for medical treatment. The situation was further compounded by the activities of alleged cabal at the Villa who prevented Jonathan from acting in view of his boss’ absence.

It took the invocation of doctrine of necessity by the National Assembly before Jonathan could become acting president. It was only after Yar’Adua’s death that most Nigerians even knew that there was an agile Vice President.

The ugly incident prompted the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution whereby any ailing President is mandated in section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to transmit a letter to the National Assembly, informing the lawmakers about his traveling abroad for medical treatment while his deputy will be the acting president until he returns and inform the lawmakers accordingly.

“When the President transmit to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such functions shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President”.

We will be out of recession before December -Emefiele

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ The Central Bank Governor

of Nigerian (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has declared that barring any other circumstances, Nigeria would be out of recession before the end of 2017.

Emefiele, while delivering a lecture ‘The Dilemma of Monetary Policy and Exchange Rate Management in a Recession: Potential Options for Nigeria,’ at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka at the weekend said that with all the interventions the federal government, the CBN and other authorities are putting together, the country would be out of recession before the end of 2017.

He said: “In January 2017, inflation was 18.8 percent, it is now down to 16.24percent. Last quarter, which was fourth quarter of

2016, growth was negative 1.72 percent. First quarter of 2017, growth had improved to negative 1.52 percent.

“What that means is that we see an improvement in growth by about 1.2 percent. If we see another 1.2 growth in the second quarter we are out of recession,” he said.

He noted that with the federal government support for local farmers and private sector investments in agriculture, “I believe that barring any other shock the prices of foodstuff in the markets will come down.”

Emefiele expressed regret that the country missed the opportunity of being a great economy when it abandoned agriculture which was the backbone of the nation’s economy in the 1960s and 1970s for oil.

“In those good days the South

East and South South were known for palm oil, the South West for cocoa and the North for groundnut; but with the advent of oil, we abandoned agriculture.

“Countries like Netherland is oil producing country but also produces agricultural products in large quantities. Majority of fish we consume in this country is from the Netherland,” he said.

He noted that the idea of importing all that the country consumes landed the Nigeria into recession.

“How do we justify the importation of items like apple, cucumber and eggs from South Africa, beef from Zambia and toothpicks from China?

“These are items we can locally produce and used money in importing these items to beef up local industries that will in

turn create employments for our youths.

“We must take cognizance of the fact that imports are leakages to every economy,” he said.

The CBN governor said the apex bank was aware of the pains Nigerians are going through as a result of the economic recession and said this is the opportunity needed to look inward to diversify the economy and come of the recession stronger.

“This recession provide opportunity for us to look inward, diversify the economy, produce locally and create employments for our youths.

“We must diversify our economy; go back to agriculture as we cannot survive as a people by importing everything.

“We must export more and import few items in other to make our economy strong and increase

our foreign exchange earnings,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigerian, Nsukka, Prof.

Benjamin Ozumba, expressed appreciation for the governor of the apex bank for accepting the invitation to deliver the lecture and described him as one of the best alumni of the university.

Ozumba said the importance of economics in any county could not be over-emphasis since the decision of economists determines the progress or failure of any country.

“Economists play vital roles in any country as they determine what the economy of any country will look like.

“I commend the Department of Economics for organizing this home coming which attracted the CBN governor who is an alumnus of the department,” he said.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

s

Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

Pneumonia and Nigeria’s children

S

ometime ago, the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Agency (BSPHA), Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa, disclosed that more than 177,000 Nigeria children under five years die from pneumonia and other diseases every year. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Bauchi, Gamawa said investigation shows that Nigeria is among 10 countries whose children not more than five years old are at a great risk of dying from Pneumonococcal diseases. Buttressing this scary statistics is the fact that Nigeria has the second highest burden of childhood mortality from pneumonia, after India.

It is estimated that pneumonia causes 17 per cent (127,000) of child deaths annually in Nigeria. From the year 2000 to 2013, the number of under-five children dying annually from pneumonia has remained practically unchanged. In contrast, child deaths from malaria and measles declined by 34 per cent and 97 per cent respectively. Severe pneumonia in childhood is associated with increased long-term respiratory morbidity and disease burden and is more fatal than non-severe disease. Furthermore, it is estimated that 56 million episodes of lung infections occur among Nigerian children every year.

According to health experts, pneumonia is the inflammation of lung parenchyma due to pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is also a condition typically associated with fever and other respiratory symptoms. There is no denying the fact that pneumonia is an economic burden for families and communities, contributing to the cycle of poverty.

Incidentally, many pneumoniacausing pathogens, particularly those found in hospital settings, are resistant to all but the strongest forms of antibiotics. Understanding the epidemiology of pneumonia has been identified as a pressing priority for public health research. However, medical

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authorities insist that immunisation with Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) remains a safe and effective means of protecting children against pneumonia diseases.

In Nigeria, the fight against the disease has met with varying degrees of success. For example, the Federal Government in 2012 launched the Saving One Million Lives Initiative (SOML), aimed at increasing access to proven interventions across six maternal newborn and child health programme areas. The core strategy is to employ performance management to drive accountability and action to reach specific targets on coverage of interventions and number of lives saved.

While we applaud the continuing initiatives by both the Federal and state governments at combating this child killer disease, it is imperative that they come up with effective case management strategies to ensure that children receive the right treatment for pneumonia quickly. Moreover, there should be concerted sensitisation of Nigerians, especially the low-income groups on the need to adopt improved hygienic lifestyles and increase vaccine intake for their children.

In addition, women must be encouraged and supported to feed their children only breast milk for the first six months of life and give appropriate complementary feeding when they are older. The good news is that that pneumonia is preventable. A crucial part of the solution is to recognise the danger and take adequate preventive measures. By focusing on children in the poorest households, many more lives can be saved.

It is also important to increase family awareness of the dangers of pneumonia and the critical importance of seeking care quickly and exploring new models of service delivery that better integrate pneumonia diagnosis treatment with the delivery of vaccines. Until this happens, pneumonia will remain Nigeria’s biggest and most silent killer of infants and little children.

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Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel (middle); Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Clifford Ordia (left) and former PDP Chairman, Senator Barnabas Gamade, during their courtesy visit to the Governor in Uyo… at the weekend.

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Words On Marble :

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (2nd right), presenting keys to vehicles procured for judges in Abia State to the State’s Chief Judge, Theresa Uzokwe (2nd left) in Umuahia… at the weekend.

With them are Deputy Governor, Sir Udeh Okochukwu (left) and others.

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Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

“Behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, tear the mask!

“There is plenty of room at the top because very few people care to travel beyond the average route”.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

14 News

Okowa demands total loyalty from aides

Exam Malpractice: Obaseki orders arrest of 2 teachers in Edo, assures of quality basic education

Warri

Titus Akhigbe,

Isaac Olamikan,

ÏÏÏDelta

State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has given marching orders that his aides who are not interested in supporting the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state would be penalised.

He made the pronouncement last weekend on the occasion of the expanded meeting of the party held at the Event Centre, Asaba.

The governor said before going on vacation recently, he asked all the party’s local government chairmen to give him a report card of political appointees from the different council areas.

Governor Okowa was reacting to hints made by his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, that such political appointees were showing carefree altitude to the affairs of the party.

“If you cannot work with the party (PDP), you should not hold political office,” he said.

He called on the party leaders in the local government areas to compile a list of such recalcitrant political appointees and pass it to him by Tuesday, July 25th for him to take disciplinary action against them “as they have shown by their attitude that they’re not faithful to the party.”

On the recent victory of the Ahmed Markarfi faction at the Supreme Court, Governor Okowa said that it was made possible by God. He stressed that in victory members should show magnanimity, adding that in every ward and local government area “we must call back our brothers who were going wayward.

“This is the time to call our brothers who were in the other faction of the party.”

He admonished the party leaders not to stop people from joining the party.

On the forthcoming local government councils election, the governor advised all intending contenders to go back to the party members in their areas and solicit for their support instead of coming to the par-

ty headquarters in Asaba to seek for endorsement as there would be no room for imposition of candidates.

“We’ll not allow our people to be bought during the primaries.”

He charged political appointees who are desirous of contesting for councils positions to step down from their present position.

“If we notice that your political aspirations is affecting your performance in office we’ll tell you to go.”

Earlier, the chairman of the PDP in the state, Kingsley Esiso, thanked the members for their steadfastness.

He said that the loyal members have cause to celebrate and thank God for the victory at the Supreme Court.

“Because we believe in God we waited patiently moving from one court to the other. Because we believe in justice God in His infinite mercies acted through the Supreme Court to deliver judgment in our favour.

“That victory was a victory for democracy; a victory for Nigeria. During the time of the challenges the people of the state stood by us. The support was massive,” he submitted.

In his submission the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, admonished political appointees to reach out to other members of the party in their localities.

“When you’re holding a position it’s not for you alone. The only way we can build our party is to encourage others who are not as privileged as us.

“You’re the image of the party and the government,” he advised political appointees.

He praised Governor Okowa for his visible achievements in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.

Dr. Uduaghan dropped a broadside to Professor Pat Utomi for making promises he has never kept, adding that the economist was not the right person to accuse his administration of over borrowing.

“Everybody has a right to aspire to be governor but you must not feed people with lies,” he concluded.

Benin

ÏÏÏGovernor

Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has assured the people of the state of his determination to improve the quality of basic education in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this to newsmen during an onthe-spot inspection of the Primary VI school leaving examination which took place across the state at the weekend.

The governor who was

accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) also ordered the immediate arrest to two teachers who were engaged in an exams malpractice at Ologbosere Primary School in Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state.

He said the two teachers will be prosecuted according to the laws of the land just as he expressed dismay over corruption in examination process.

He said: “As a policy, we

started by ensuring that the exams are organized better and professionally.

We have private and public schools been tested and because of the key motivation we have, private schools are trying to come and influence the exams to claim that children from private schools are better in standard exams.

“We are also bothered about the corruption in the exams process. So, all parents were kept outside because there was confusion in one of the schools.

However, our officials ensured that the process was not undermined.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Osayuware Idahosa, who was in the governor’s entourage, thanked the governor for taking time to see things for himself.

Schools inspected were Ebenezer Primary Schools, Ivbyenova Primary School, St Saviour, George Idah Primary School and Ologbosere Primary School, Benin.

President, Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Adedoyin (r), receiving an award of Excellence from the President, Nigerian Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative, Mr. Alabi Abiodun in Abuja… on Sunday.

Onagoruwa was a man of courage, knowlegde, – Osinbajo ÏÏÏActing President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has expressed sadness over the news of the passing away of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, and extends his heartfelt condolences to the Onagoruwa family, his friends and associates on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria.

Prof. Osinbajo also condoled with the government and people of Ogun

state, the Nigeria Bar Association as well as the human rights community.

According to the Acting President, the life and times of Dr. Onagoruwa, an ardent advocate of the rule of law and constitutionalism, “reflected a combination of profound scholarship, courage in the face of tyranny and admirable grace in conduct and manner, even in grave travails and trials.”

The Acting President stated that as a lawyer,

Onagoruwa served the oppressed and gave voice to the voiceless, fearlessly and selflessly.

“He was a tireless proponent of the freedom of the press and a champion of fundamental human rights in Nigeria. He proved to be principled and forthright both in private practice and as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,” Osinbajo noted.

The Acting President

notes that the nation today mourns a true patriot who served his nation and its people with singular zeal and dedication.

Prof Osinbajo believes that his legacy as a scholar, writer, human rights activist, and strong voice for the less-privileged in the Nigerian society will long be remembered.

He prayed that the Almighty God will comfort his family, friends and associates and bless the memory of the deceased.

Inaugurate NHIS governing council to check corruption, HMCAN tells FG Angela onwuzoo ÏÏÏTo check corruption at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and abuse of office by its Executive Secretary, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), a

body of accredited Health Management Organisations (HMO) in the country, has asked the federal government as a matter of urgency to inaugurate the Governing Council of the scheme.

The association said hav-

ing a governing council in place was not only critical to tackling corruption which it said led to the recent suspension of the Executive Secretary of the scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, but would significantly help in proper policy for-

mulation implementation and checks and balances and to ensure that the scheme worked within the dictate of the law.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had three weeks ago suspended Yusuf and set up a panel

to probe allegations of corruption against him.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos recently,Chairman of HMCAN, Dr Tunde Ladele, who made the appeal, said inuagurating a governing council of NHIS which he described as a

short term solution was among the six fundamental solutions that HMCAN had proffered which the Federal Government required for the growth of health insurance and the attainment of universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

15 Opinion

Hate speech, disinformation, fake news, political tools to discredit govt. –Information Minister

T Lai Mohammed

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the growing cases of hate speech, disinformation and fake news in the country are being orchestrated by naysayers and their sponsors to discredit the government, destabilize the polity and make the country ungovernable The Minister made the statement at the Extra-ordinary Meeting of the National Council on Information (NCI), which has the theme ‘’Hate Speeches, Disinformation, Fake News and National Unity’’, in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday. ‘’The campaign (to discredit the government) is a multi-million naira project and the people behind this string of hate speech, disinformation and fake news are not about to stop. In fact, they will become more vicious in the days, weeks and months ahead,’’ he said.

Alhaji Mohammed blamed the resurgent push for separatism as well as the rising cases of ethnic and religious disharmony on the ‘’growing phenomenon of hate speech, as well as the disinformation and fake news campaign’’, and warned that hate speeches and incitement to violence set the stage for the genocide that left at least 800,000 people dead in Rwanda in 1994.

He traced the worsening cases

of hate speech in the country to the period leading to the last general elections, when the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, was the target of a vicious campaign. ‘’Never in the history of electioneering campaign in Nigeria has such a quantum of hate speech been directed at any candidate. This did not stop even when he won the election and became President. For instance, the President had hardly left Nigeria for his vacation in London on 19 January 2017, during which he said he would have routine medical check-up, when these hate and fake news campaigners circulated the news that he has died. Between then and now, they have repeated similar fakes news times without number,’’ the Minister said.

He cited three instances of disinformation and fake news targeted at him, including when he was quoted as saying the government does not know who will sign the 2017 budget, when what he said was that when the budget is transmitted to the presidency, a decision will be taken.

Citing other instances, Alhaji Mohammed said: ‘’On Wednesday, 26 April 2017, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, I briefed State House Correspondents on what transpired at the meeting. I said, among others, that President Muhammadu Buhari did not preside over the day’s meeting because he decided to work from home that

day. In reporting my briefing, one of the correspondents quoted me as saying the President would work from home henceforth, rather than on that day only. ‘’Also in May 2017, I travelled to China on official assignment. I had just arrived in that country, after a long flight, when I started receiving calls from Nigeria, seeking my reaction to a story making the rounds in the Social Media, quoting me as saying that though President Muhammadu Buhari is in a London hospital, he is using Made-in-Nigeria drugs. I purportedly made the comment in an interview with Channels Television, after the Federal Government’s launch of the Made-in-Nigeria campaign in Abuja a few days earlier. ‘’At first, I chose to ignore the story, saying Nigerians would easily see the folly of it. But the phone calls from Nigeria became more frequent and more intense, to such an extent that they could no longer be ignored.

I had to put a call through to Mr. John Momoh, and Channels Television promptly issued a rebuttal, saying it neither interviewed me nor carried any such story.’’

On the way forward, he said Nigerians must say NO to hate speech and boycott any medium that is used to spew hate or that engages in disinformation and fake news, adding that if left unchecked, the canker-worm of hate speech, disinformation and fake news is capable of undermining national unity and pushing the nation to the precipice.

The Minister also told the delegates to the meeting, which included government information managers from all the states of the federation, that every state must emulate what the Federal Government has done, through acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who held a series of engagements with key stakeholders to calm frayed nerves in the aftermath of the quit notice recently issued to section of the country by northern youths ‘’We must be resolute in tackling the canker-worm of hate speech, disinformation and fake news. We as government information managers must embark on a relentless campaign against these evil tendencies at our various levels, whether federal or state,’’ he said, adding that the regulators must also be alive to their responsibility by sanctioning erring media outlets ‘’Yes, our constitution allows freedom of speech and this government believes in it, but freedom of speech must not be allowed to become freedom of irresponsibility,’’ Alhaji Mohammed While appealing to the media, especially the traditional media, to repudiate the purveyors of hate speech, disinformation and fake news, he announced that the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture will soon launch a series of engagements with the media to sensitize them to the dangers posed by the phenomenon.

Lai Mohammed is the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture

Better deal for Ogun State workers

A Rotimi Durojaiye

nother tranche of N243 billion Paris Club Refunds was recently released to states of the federation, majorly for the payment of salaries and pension.

The funds were released to state governments as part of the wider efforts to stimulate the economy and were specifically designed to support states in meeting salary and other obligations, thereby alleviating the challenges faced by workers.

The release was conditional upon a minimum of 75 percent being applied to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions for states that owe salaries and pension.

Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Wale Oshinowo, said Governor Ibikunle Amosun had approved that N4.5 billion of the N5.7billion received should be spent on cooperative deduction arrears to all categories of workers.

Oshinowo said N3.4 billion had been disbursed for the payment of six months’ arrears of outstanding cooperative deductions to all categories of the workforce at the state level; N1.1 billion was disbursed for the payment of three months of outstanding cooperative deductions to workers at the local government level.

The balance of N1.2 billion would go into state expenditure.

He said whereas the Federal Government had advised state governments to use at least 50 per cent

for payment of workers’ emolument, Amosun had apportioned 79 per cent to the workforce.

“Ogun State is apportioning 79 per cent to staff welfare and only 21 per cent on state expenditure, aside the fact that the state government, in its usual practice, has paid June 2017 salary to all categories of workers at both the state and local government levels.

“The state government is ready to offset all outstanding staff related expenses, as soon as more funds are available,” Osinowo said.

In December 2016, Governor Amosun had also approved the total sum of N12.5 billion for the payment of gratuities, cooperative deductions arrears and severance allowance of former political office holders in the state.

In the earlier transaction, the sum of N5.5billion was disbursed for the payment of six months arrears of outstanding cooperative deductions to all categories of the workforce.

Another N6 billion was disbursed for the payment of gratuities to pensioners covering the period between November 2012 and January 2014. Not less than 2,429 retirees benefitted from the gratuity payment.

The Governor Amosun-led administration on assumption of office in 2011 started clearing the backlog of gratuity payments from 2007.

It should also be noted that in December 2016, the Governor had approved the payment of N1 billion to clear the balance of

severance allowance due to political office holders who served the immediate past administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel between 2007 and 2011 as well as those who served between 2011 and 2015.

The payment in 2016 came from the N10.6 billion Ogun State government received from the Paris Club refund, which the Federal government shared to different states of the Federation.

Whereas the federal Government had advised state governments to use only 50 per cent of the fund for payment of workers’ emolument, the Ogun State governor decided to spend it all on the workforce because of the love he has for the workers.

“Ogun State is not only using the entire fund it received but has also added N1.9 billion,” the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa had said.

He added then that this was aside the fact that the state government had paid December 2016 salary plus 13th month salary to all categories of workers at both state and local government levels.

The Civil Service remains the engine room of every successful administration and a vital instrument for the formulation and execution of all government policies in Nigeria. It is the organ of government established by the Constitution to ensure continuity through the provision of records and procedures guiding the activities of the successive administra-

tion. They also often use historical precedents for reference and guidance, and ensure that similar cases or problems are treated according to the extant laws, rules and regulations.

Governor Amosun has consistently reaffirmed the important roles that civil servants have played in the execution of major well-thought programmes embarked upon by his administration.

In his words, “the Ogun State Civil Service has remained as an indispensable partner to the current administration in the state resulting in the monumental success so far recorded in the area of socio-economic development.”

The governor is of the opinion that the success or failure of any government largely depended on its relationship with the workforce, admitting that though the economy of the nation was not buoyant; his government would not relent in providing better welfare package for the workers.

His administration has always viewed Ogun State Civil Servants as the bedrock of any meaningful development in the state.

The Governor considers that any government that desires to have unassailable achievements must not down-play the all-embracing roles of the civil servants as a needed catalyst for the positive and rapid transformation of the society.

Durojaiye is the Special Adviser, Information & Strategy to Governor Amosun.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè CƑƋƕ ƾƿè ƾƠơƣ

N40bn life pensions: SERAP replies Fayemi, says ‘threat of legal action unjustified’ Ï Ï Ï Socio-Economic

yƈƅƆé ƅƆƋƋ Əè n ƈƒƆƏ ƈƐƕ Ƈ Ɔ ƈ è ^Ə Ƈê 0 Ə Ɨ ƕ RƏƑƌƓƆ Ɔ æƌƈƗƗƋƆçè ƓƈƐ ^Əƈ ƅƈƍ Ƌ ƇƇƈƅƆƏ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ n ƈƒƆƏ ƈƐƕè ƗƑƏƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƇƋ é ƇƇ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƏƆƆ ƍƋ Ɛé ƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ 0 ƅƑƋƐƕ Ƈ &ƗƑƅ Ɛƈ è n Ƅ Ɠ è ƈ Ɔ ƈ Č Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƓƆƆƊƆ Ɨê

How Buhari, APC begged me to stop opposing Saraki - Marafa

Ïd ƕ ƅ ƈƏƌ ƈƍ Ƈ ^ƆƐƏ ƋƆƑƌ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ Ɛ ƏƆ Ɔ Ɖ ƈ ƆƗ d Ə Ɗƈô ƅ ƌƍ Olufemi Samuel, Abuja ÏÏÏOne time fiery critic of the Senate leadership, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), has said President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were the reason he backed down on opposition to Bukola Saraki as Senate President.

Marafa said the appointment he got as Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downsteam), considered as one of the juiciest, was indeed, not the reason he dumped his principle to stop opposing the Senate President and others in the leadership cadre.

Marafa, a known supporter of President Buhari in the Senate, became a thorn in the flesh of the Saraki leadership almost immediately after the

inauguration of the 8th Senate, faulting every move and plans by the leadership to consolidate.

Marafa and other aggrieved Senators had dragged Saraki and other top member of the Senate leadership to court, accusing them among others of forging the Senate documents to get elected.

Senator Marafa stated this in an interview with newsmen while reacting to an allegation by a Coalition of Northern Youths that he has become a turn-coat by ending up in Saraki’s camp after dumping his principle.

Marafa, according to initial reports resolved to dump the opposition camp in the Senate on July 21, 2016 after he was named the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) by the

Senate President as against that of National Identity and National Population earlier assigned him in November 2015.

He told newsmen that both the beginning and the end of the fight between his group then, the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) and the Like Minds supporting the Saraki-led Senate leadership were determined by the stance of the party at every given time.

He said: “I did not fight Bukola Saraki because he is Saraki, I fought because my party said I should fight and when my party said I should stop, I stopped. The decision to end all these hostilities and bring the two sides together was taken by the APC and President Buhari himself. It was not me or anybody.

“The party said ‘my chil-

dren come together, this one has won the Senate President, you this side give them the Senate Leader and Deputy Senate Leader,’ and it was done. Was that not what happened? ‘Now you have formed committees, give them some committees,’ was that not what happened, I don’t know why Nigerians forget things easily. It was the party and President Buhari that intervened.

“So the assertion that I was given a juicy committee to stop fighting the Senate President is rubbish, am I not entitled to committee?, I am even more qualified to head committees by our rules, I am a ranking senator, I was the vice chairman of the Petroleum Upstream Committee in the 7th Senate for four years, it is my turn to become the chairman now.

_ƑƈƐ M ƐƈƅƆë M ƏƐ ƆƏ &ƋƗƆƏ ƗƆƅƋ ƏƆ ƆƅƆ ƈ ƈ Ɛ è Ɔ Ɛ Ƈ Ɨƈ Ƒ ƈƐƕ Myke Uzendu, Abuja

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has described those agitating for the exodus Ndigbo from the north, secessionist or those plotting for the disintegration of the country as agents of disunity whose aim is to cause disaffection and chaos among the various sections of the country.

According to a statement on Sunday signed

by Mohammed Isa, the newly elected convener of the forum, Mr. Paul Iyorpuu Unongo, made the remark in Kano when he led

the executive members of NEF to condole with the state governor, Dr. Umar Ganduje, over the death of late Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano.

Unongo maintained that those seeking to balkanize the country, especially those of them from the Northern part of the country had lost touch with the prevailing realities on ground, adding that they were not acting on behalf of the forum and lacked the legitimacy to be recognised.

He recalled the bitter lessons of Nigeria’s civil

war insisting that “every responsible and patriotic Nigerian should oppose any move aimed at putting Nigeria asunder.”

Unongo added that the forum was “no safe haven for those whose penchant for disunity is on a crude pedestal, regardless of the consequences of their campaign of attrition.”

According to him, “An evidence of our commitment as one Northern entity and to sustain the legacy left behind by Dan Masani is the decision of my colleagues in the forum to trust me with its leadership.”

While berating some elders in the North for making remarks detrimental to the unity of the region, Unongo said, “It is unfortunate that at this moment, such unguarded remarks are coming out from supposed elders of the region.”

Responding, Ganduje commended members of the forum for the visit and urged them to continue with their efforts at keeping Nigeria one.

You may recall that untill his death, Amb. Maitama Sule was the convener of the Northern Elders Forum.

Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, “to join us in promoting and supporting legislative measures to redirect public funds spent to provide life pensions to former governors for the benefit of the most marginalized and disadvantaged Nigerians, rather than issuing threat of legal action against us for exposing the existence of unfair and discriminatory life pensions states’ laws.”

The organization said, “Dr. Fayemi’s dramatic accusation regarding the content of our letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami SAN is unjustified, especially given that the law allowing pensions for governors in Ekiti was passed and/or facilitated and retained during his tenure as governor of the State. The Minister’s threat can only serve to undermine legitimate efforts to promote transparency, accountability and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

SERAP’s statement came after Dr. Fayemi last week in a statement accused SERAP of embarrassing him by adding his name to the list of governors receiving double

pay and life pensions while also receiving salaries and other emoluments as either senators or ministers. The Minister also gave SERAP 7 days to retract the statement or face legal action.

But SERAP in a statement on Sunday by its executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said, “As a former pro-democracy activist, Dr Fayemi is well-known to us but we do not agree with the accusation that our letter targets the minister or intends to embarrass him in any way shape or form. Our objectives remain to promote the abolition of those obnoxious states’ laws, which seek to allow former governors to receive life pensions either now or in the future when friendly governments are in place in their states, and to secure full recovery of public funds.”

The letter read in part: “The problems of former governors receiving double pay and life pensions are real governance issues and deserve serious attention.

These have to be put in the context of the allegation that state governors have over the years stolen in excess of N1 trillion including bailout funds meant for the payment of workers and pensioners in their states.

`Ɔƍ Ɛ Ɗ ƓƆ ƋƐ ƕ Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ɖ Ƅ ƅƏƆ Ɛƈ è Ɔ ƐƏƆƍƏƆ ƆƑƏ ƈƍ Henry Omunu, Abuja Worried by the high rate of unemployment in the country, a member of the House of Representatives member, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, has called on wealthy Nigerians and philanthropists to create enabling platforms for the youths to be gainfully employed as well as assisting them to acquire skills that will make them self reliant.

Speaking when he received executive members of the Evergreen Peace Initiative, a non-governmental organisation in his office, the lawmaker stated that the unemployment rate in the country will continue to be on the increase if job creation is left for the government alone.

Rep. Fulata, who represents Birniwa/Guri/Kirikasama Federal Constituency of Jigawa state said that the time has come for well to do individuals and organizations to encourage the youths to acquire skills that would be a source of sustainable income for them instead of waiting

for government to provide white collar jobs for them.

According to him, violent crimes such as cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping among others have been on a steady increase because most young men and women in the country are jobless and are therefore taking to crime as an alternative.

Rep. Fulata, who is the deputy chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions added that the country would be a better place if majority of youths roaming the streets were gainfully employment through skills they acquired either from government platforms or that of individuals and organizations such as the Evergreen Peace Initiative.

“We have brilliant and talented young people in this country; the problem is that most of them have no platforms to exhibit such talents and since the available institutions of government cannot accommodate all of them, time has come for individuals and organizations to create such platforms to showcase their talents.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

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I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AJAGBUSI OMOWUMI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OMOWUMI AJAGBUSI OMISORE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHILDREN OF DESTINY OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY 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 ARE: 1. REV. ISAAC CHIKEZIE IROLEWE (CHAIRMAN), 2. PASTOR (MRS), PATIENCE CHINTUO IROLEWE. 3. GODWILL UKACHUKWU IROLEWE. 4. PETER EDEKELE, 5. OTUSI JAMES CHUKWU 6. EBENEZAR MARCUS IHESIULO ESQ.(SECRETARY) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO COMMUNICATE ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN VALUES TO CHILDREN BY THE USE OF PICTORIALS, VISUAL AIDS, FILMS AND CARTOONS. 2. TO TRAIN PARENTS, GUARDIANS, TEACHERS, PASTORS AND CAREGIVERS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EYE-GATE MODULE IN CHILD TRAINING. 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

KADUNA RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

EXCELLENCE WOMEN OF GOLD CLUB 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. MRS AKWUOBI PATRICIA UKAMAKA 2. MRS CHINYERE EMENIKE 3. MRS IHENEME JANEMARY 3. MRS OGBONNA CHINEYE JOSPHINE 5. MRS UMEH EBERECHUKWU LUCIA

- PRESIDENT - SECRETARY - ME MBER - MEMBER - MEMBER

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROMOTE UNITY, PEACE AND PROGRESS OF ITS 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, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: LERE OYEDEPO, ESQ (SOLICITOR) 60, CHURCH STREET, OSHODI, LAGOS

MADUBUDE CHARITY FOUNDATION

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 GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ( C A C) FOR THE REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP R20 LPN 2004.

TRUSTEES: 1 MOHAMMED ISAIAH ABDULLAHI 2 DALHAT ABUBAKAR SADIQ 3 DEIRO ALFREDO

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1. OHAKWE ALEXIUS ONYENAUCHE 2. DURU ENDALINE EZINNE 3. MUOJIOKWU AUGUSTINA OGONNA 4. NWOSU ROSEMARY ANTHONY

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO SUPPORT THE GAME OF RUGBY FOOTBALL

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CATER FOR THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION 2. TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED PEOPLE IN THE SOCIETY

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

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

- PRESIDENT - TREASURE - SECRETARY - MEMBER

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28DAY OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OHAKWE ALEXIUS ONYENAUCHE

22

Public Notice

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

CORRECTION OF NAME

MISS OMOTAYO OLUYEMISI

IROKO ADESOLA AKOREDE

I AJIBOLA ALABI SAKA , HEREBY INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME WAS WRONGLY SPELT AS AJIBOLA ALABI ISIAKA , ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERN PLEASE TAKE NOTE .

I Formerly known and addressed as MRS. ADEBISI-OMOTAYO OLUYEMISI AND MISS ADERONKE ‘YEMISI OMOTAYO now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS OMOTAYO OLUYEMISI All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. Banks, Immigrations, Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as IROKO ADESHOLA GABRIEL now wish to be known, called and addressed as IROKO ADESOLA AKOREDE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. Banks, Immigrations, Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

OJOBOWALE TOYIN STELLA

SIKIRU MOJEED MUKALIA

MR. ROSEMARY IFY ANYANWU

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNDERU TOYIN STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OJOBOWALE TOYIN STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SIKIRU MOJIH, now wish to be known and addressed as SIKIRU MOJEED MUKALIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF SURNAME

We formerly known and addressed as (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

AGU CHARLES ANENECHUKWU AGU EUPHEMIA OGOCHUKWU AGU JOSEPH ONUWABUCHI AGU VIVIAN CHINENYE AGU CHRISTIANA KOSISOCHUKWU

now wish to be known and addressed as (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

ONYIA CHARLES ANENECHUKWU ONYIA EUPHEMIA OGOCHUKWU ONYIA JOSEPH ONUWA ONYIA VIVIAN CHINENYE ONYIA QUEEN KOSISOCHUKWU

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PRINCE NOSA OWEN AKENZUA

UKOHA VICTORIA CHINYERE

This is to confirm that I DAVID OLUMUYIWA AYODELE is one and the same person bearing (1) DAVID OLUMUYIWA AYODELE (2) SUNDAY OLUMUYIWA AYODELE (3) OLUMUYIWA AYODELE. I now wish to be known, called and addressed as SUNDAY OLUMUYIWA AYODELE. All documents and certificates bearing All above listed names remain valid. Banks, Immigrations, General public and Relevant Authorities Please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PRINCE KOLA OSAKHARE, EKE-OGIUGO, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE NOSA OWEN AKENZUA. All former documents remain valid. GTB Bank, general public and to whom it may concern to please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SHOGBETUN VICTORIA CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as UKOHA VICTORIA CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. ADENODI GBEMISOLA AMINAT

MODUPE ADETOLA ADEYOSOLA ADEMILOLAOLUWA

SUNDAY OLUMUYIWA AYODELE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ROSEMARY UDOH, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. ROSEMARY IFY ANYANWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SULAIMON GBEMISOLA AMINAT, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADENODI GBEMISOLA AMINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EGBERU DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AMBASSADOR DESMOND AKAWOR 2. SIR SUNNY NWANKWO 3. MR. EZIEFULE NWULU 4. MRS. CHINYERE EKEKENTAH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster a spirit of oneness among Egberu indigenes and non-indigenes living in and outside Egberu.

2. To promote growth and development of Egberu.

3. To promote the culture and heritage of our people.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 426 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within (28) twenty-eight days of this publication.

Signed: SIR SUNNY NWANKWO (For The Trustees)

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MODUPE AWOTOLA ADEYOSOLA FATOKI, now wish to be known and addressed as MODUPE ADETOLA ADEYOSOLA ADEMILOLAOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that OLUIGBO HELEN TELMA CHIBUIHE, OLUIGBO HELEN and OLUIGBO TELMA CHIBUIHE. refers to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUIGBO TELMA CHIBUIHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ZION EMPOWERMENT ARENA FOR THE NEEDY INITIATIVE This is to notify the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. NWAFOR IMMANUEL 2. JIDEFOR CHINEDU 3. NGELE CELESTINE 4. FOLAKEMI OLUYINKA - ADESINA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Sponsoring, training and catering for the needy by providing necessary information on recruitment and professional training.

2. Providing aids for Physically challenged people.

3. To reduce unemployment in Africa by empowering youths with skills needed to thrive and become their own boss in any economy.

4. By creating a community of inspired youths who are willing to learn relevant skills from experts willing to train for little or no fee.

5. Developing self-driven and independent youths Any objection to the above 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: NWAFOR IMMANUEL

INSPIRING WORKING WOMEN INITIATIVE

VOICE OF DELGA WOMEN INITIATIVE

THE General Public Is Hereby Notified That The Above Named Has Applied to Corporate Affairs Commission For Registration Under Part “C” Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE General Public Is Hereby Notified That The Above Named Has Applied to Corporate Affairs Commission For Registration Under Part “C” Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ISIGUZO MIKE ONYEDIKACHI 2. ABIAZIEM EMMACULATA CHIDINMA 3. ONYENZE ONUELUWA IHEANYI

TRUSTEES ARE 1 Dr Omon Imohi (Founder/ Chairwoman) 2 Bar Odion Ejere 3 Miss Idowu Okheren Ejere 4 Miss Uloma Iheoma Mella 5 Dr Ayede Ologun 6 Miss Lauretta A. Cookey

This is to inform the general public that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied matters Act 1990.

SINGLES AND COUPLES PARADISE INTERNATIONAL MISSION

- PRESIDENT - MEMBER - GENERAL SECRETARY.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Service to humanity.

2. Propagating christian religion.

3. Professing the resurrection and second coming of christ.

Any Objection to the Registration should be Forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AGUIYI Ironsi Street, MAITAMA, ABUJA Within 28 DAYS of This Publication.

Signed M. Ojinika & Associates (Barristers & Solicitors) 4B Aro-omoba crescent, Ikeja, Lagos.

08037607648

KINGDOM GLORY AND FAITH TABERNACLE 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 No 1. 1990.

Trustees are: 1. Rev. Samuel Abiodun Olu-George 2. Pastor Mrs Margaret Bolaji Olu-George 3. Rev victory Ajayi 4. Pastor Akingbade Francis Olalekan 5. Pastor bello Tom king 6. pastor Akande omoyemi Aims: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To heal the sick, set the captive free and deliver the oppressed.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Mataima Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 motivating, supporting women to achieve their personal,career and financial growth.

2 supporting, connecting and making provisions for the less priviledged 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

ASAPH PRAISE & AWARDS INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act Part C. No 1.

The Trustees are: 1. Prophetess Agnes Oluyinka Olushoto Aderanti - President General, 2. Sunday Kolawole Oladapo - General Secretary, 3. Taiwo Augustus Olushoto - Treasurer.

The aims and objectives are; 1. To enhance the quality of lives of true Ministers of God through provision of health care assistance; education assistance for their children below 18 years of age and life support assistance for the when they are getting old, 2. To organize annual award presentation for Ministers of God as a source of appreciation and encouragement for more impact in Kingdom assignment, 3. To organize annual Gospel Musical Concert among various Church Choirs and Gospel Musician to further enhance unity among body of Christ and Talent Hunts for young Gospel Musician for their discovery and assistance, 4. To collaborate with other religion based Non - Governmental Organizations having similar objects both at local and international level in ensuring an impactful event at all times.

Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Signed; Sunday Kolawole Oladapo, General Secretary

POST TO POST SPORTS INITIATIVE

EMUGORIADE DESCENDANTS ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990 THE TRUSTEE ARE:1. Aduwa Osazee Happiness 2. Sannoh Adesuwa Augusta 3. Torti Obasi Ukpai 4. Nzonzo Cyprian . F .

5. Chimezie Chinedum Chidi THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To promote competitive participation in sports at the grassroots.

2. To develop the skill level and mental awareness of young people interested in a career in sport.

3. To provide a robust recreational platform for adults and young people of different age categories and gender in Nigeria.

4. To build structures that will sustain the development of local content in sport administration.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication Signed by: Aduwa Victor Esq

This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) ODUSANYA OLATUNJI ( 2) AMOKUNMOSA JULIUS BAYOD (3) KASIMAWO KOLAWOLE ANDREW (4) ODUSANYA AFOLABI WAHAB ( 5) OGUNYEMI OLUSOLA JAMES THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES ARE:(1) TO PROMOTE UNITY AND GOOD FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS. (2) TO Help In DEVELOPMENT and MAINTENANCE of the FAMILY INHERITANCE ( 3) TO SHOW GOOD EXAMPLES IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND EMPOWER LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED BY: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Hon. Bridget Alalibo 2. Nimi Linda Pepple 3. Uwerem imoko

(President) (Secretary) (Treasurer)

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote and Protect the Rights of Delga Women.

2. To foster peace and fight for the Rights of Delga Women Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Richard Odudoh (Consultant)

PREPARING THE BRIDE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Acts, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) EVANGELIST SAMSON TAIWO AJADI (2) DR. THEOPHILUS ADEGBOYEGA AJADI ( 3) SOLOMON OGUNYOMI ( 4) DEACONESS ELIZABETH EBOADE AJADI ( 5) MICHAEL KOLAWOLE OLANREWAJU ( 6) REV. SULOLA OLAWALE ADEDOTUN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :(1) TO PREACH UNDILUTED WORD OF GOD AND PREPARE THE CHURCH FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST. (2) TO LIBERATE THOSE WHO ARE UNDER THE BONDAGE OF FALSE PROPHETS, TO OPEN THEIR EYES TO SEE AND KNOW GOD BY THEMSELVES. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY : SECRETARY

SANI SHEHU

AGBOR AMARACHI GRACE

I, formerly known and addressed as SANI ADAMS IKOJA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SANI SHEHU. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH NANCY AMARACHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGBOR AMARACHI GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

SEGILOGBON FOLASADE OLAJUMOKE I, formerly known and addressed as FATIREGUN FOLASADE OLAJUMOKE and AWOYEMI OLUWASEUN OLAJUMOKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SEGILOGBON FOLASADE OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank, general public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. NWACHUKWU GLORY CYNTHIA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EMEH GLORY CYNTHIA NNEOMA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. NWACHUKWU GLORY CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

RE-ARRANGEMENT OF NAME

That on my National Identity Management System, my name was wrongly re-arranged as SUNDAY CHUCKWU UWUZWOKE, while on my Bank Account, it was wrongly rearranged as SUNDAY CHUCKWU instead of CHUKWU SUNDAY UWUZWOKE. That my correct name is CHUKWU SUNDAY UWUZWOKE. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MUKORO WEMIMO BUNMI I, formerly known and addressed as ADEKOMAYA WEMIMO BUNMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MUKORO WEMIMO BUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

SHOJOJU ALAO EBENEZER

ADEUYA ADEBIMPE RISQUAT I, formerly known and addressed as AKINYEMI ADEBIMPE RISQUAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEUYA ADEBIMPE RISQUAT. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

AREMU IBRAHIM OLADAYO I, formerly known and addressed as AREMU IBRAIM OLAMIDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AREMU IBRAHIM OLADAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as SHOJOJU EBENEZER, that I want to add ‘ALAO’ to my existing name. That I now wish to be known, called and addressed as SHOJOJU ALAO EBENEZER. That I was born on the 1st day of November, 1964. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, AKANINYENE RAYMOND, the Manager of TLS WATER COMPANY ( a subsidiary of 3D Carmart International Ltd). That MR MONSURU YEKINI, a staff of the above named Company is no longer in the service of TSL WATER COMPANY. That his Company Identification Card has not been submitted after being relieved of his job.

That anyone who does business with him on behalf of the Company do so at his/her own risk. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OGBOLO IZIEGBE LOVETH

EMOKPAIRE NATIFATU

USMAN MARY MARTHA

I, formerly known and addressed as IZIEGBE PULLEN LOVETH MICHEAL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGBOLO IZIEGBE LOVETH. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS YAKUBU LATIFAT BLESSING NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED EMOKPAIRE NATIFATU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as MARTHA EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as USMAN MARY MARTHA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NWAFOR ONYINYECHI GIFT I, formerly known and addressed as NWAFOR ONYINYECHI SOPHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR ONYINYECHI GIFT. All former documents remain valid.

Eco Bank and General public should please take note.

CHIMA CHRISTIANA AGUSIEGBE

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIMA CHRISTIANA IBENEME, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIMA CHRISTIANA AGUSIEGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

JOHNSON GODWINGODWILL UCHENNA ROY

I, formerly known and addressed as OKOLIE GODWIN UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as JOHNSON GODWINGODWILL UCHENNA ROY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OZOR CHIAMAKA VERONICA

JANEMARY IFEBUDE

OKOKO OGECHUKWU EUPHEMIA

I, formerly known and addressed as JANEMARY INYIAMAKWORU, now wish to be known and addressed as JANEMARY IFEBUDE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEH OGECHUKWU LUCY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOKO OGECHUKWU EUPHEMIA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

NWITE SIMEON NWITE

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUEDOZIE DUBEM OLIVER, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEDOZIE CHUKWUDUBEM OLIVER. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NNONYELU JOHNSON CHIBUOGWU I, formerly known and addressed as NNONYELUM JOHNSON CHIBUOGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NNONYELU JOHNSON CHIBUOGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NWITE SIMEON and SIMEON SIMEON NWITE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWITE SIMEON NWITE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS. NDUESO ANIEKAN INYANG

CHUKU LIGHT CHIDINMA

ADAMU ISA

I, formerly known and addressed as OZOR JUSTINA now wish to be known and addressed as OZOR CHIAMAKA VERONICA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHUKWUEDOZIE CHUKWUDUBEM OLIVER

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That on my Eco Bank Account, my name appears as SUNDAY VICTOR, while on my First Bank Account, it appears as SUNDAY OKON. That I am the same person bearing both names mentioned above.

That all documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. OYENIRAN MUIBAT BELLO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ABDUL-AZEEZ MUIBAT A. ADENIYI. That I was born on Saturday, 2nd day of March, 1979. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS NNAMANI JULIET CHIAMAKA

I, formerly known and addressed as FRANCES NNEOMA NWAIWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NNEOMA FRANCES PHIL-EBOSIE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

ADEKUNLE TEMITOPE TEMITAYO OLUWAFUNKE

I, formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI, SULAIMAN ADEKUNLE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADENIYI, ALIMI SULAIMAN. That I was born on Monday, 14th day of May, 1973.

All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI TEMITOPE TEMITAYO OLUWAFUNKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEKUNLE TEMITOPE TEMITAYO OLUWAFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS AMALU CHIZOBA BENEDETH

AGBO JONATHAN OHA

ANIOGE AMARACHI FAVOUR

MRS IZUKANNE ODUAH LISA EKWUTOSI

ODOEMELAM VANESSA CHINEMEREM

I, formerly known and addressed as ANI AMARACHI FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIOGE AMARACHI FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUAH ROSEMARY LISA EKWUTOSI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IZUKANNE ODUAH LISA EKWUTOSI. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General Public should please take note.

MRS PIUS NKECHI ONYEADOR

NNANWUBA CHUKWUMA CHEKWUBE

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUMA VANESSA CHINEMEREM, now wish to be known and addressed as ODOEMELAM VANESSA CHINEMEREM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FELICIA NJIDEKA KORIE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MOGBO LORNENTIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PIUS NKECHI ONYEADOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NNANWUBA CHIGOZIE OBINNA, now wish to be known and addressed as NNANWUBA CHUKWUMA CHEKWUBE. My correct birth of birth 24th Feb. 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS AMUZIE RITA OBIAGELI

OZOEMELAM JAMES NKEONYE

I, formerly known and addressed as AKPA RITA OBIAGELI OGBENYEANU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMUZIE RITA OBIAGELI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

This is to certify and confirm that OZOEMELAM JAMES NKEONYE and OZOEMELAM JAMES NKEM refer as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as OZOEMELAM JAMES NKEONYE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that the Building Certificate of Occupancy belonging to VUDCUM NIG. LTD Reg. as 65/65/1225 of lands Registry Enugu is missing. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and urban Development.

MRS. ADAKU TINA HARRY REUBEN I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NWANKPA ADAKU TINA JAMES, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. ADAKU TINA HARRY REUBEN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PAUL EBUKA OKAFOR

MRS. ONOJETE ESEOGHENE

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as, ULEGEDE JOY EKO, now wish to be known and addressed as, OMINYI JOY EKO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MRS. IJEOMA GOODNESS JOHN OBINNA IHEANACHO I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. IJEOMA GOODNESS EKUWEME, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. IJEOMA GOODNESS JOHN OBINNA IHEANACHO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, AZUMAH EZEKIEL IFEANYI, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, HYACINTH EZEKIEL ZOE, instead of, AZUMAH EZEKIEL IFEANYI. I now wish to be known and addressed as, AZUMAH EZEKIEL IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

REMOVAL OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

OLUWATOYIN B. EMIOLA

JIMOH JACOB FRIDAY

YAHAYA “JANET” LUBARYU

I formerly known as OLUWATOYIN AKINFOLARIN B. wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOYIN B. EMIOLA .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as FRIDAY JACOB ADEREMI wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH JACOB FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ESTHER OLATUNDUN OLAOYE

OKOSUN ROSEMARY OFURE

I formerly known as FRIDAY ROSEMARY OFURE wish to be known and addressed as OKOSUN ROSEMARY OFURE .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

This is to confirm that I am the same person bearing ABESHIN AMINAT OLUWAFUNKE , ODUGUWA AMINAT OLUWAFUNKE and ABESHIN AMINAT AYOMIDE. That I now wish to be known and addressed as ABESHIN AMINAT OLUWAFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed OHA ONUKO JONATHAN OKONKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBO JONATHAN OHA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MUHAMMED ISA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ADAMU ISA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known as ADEGBOYEGA OLATUNDUN AZIZAT wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER OLATUNDUN OLAOYE .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

NNEOMA FRANCES PHIL-EBOSIE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEMACHI BENEDETH .C ., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMALU CHIZOBA BENEDETH. B means “BENEDETH”. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ONUIGBO LIGHT CHIDINMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHUKU LIGHT CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OMINYI JOY EKO

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ITEDJERE ESEOGHENE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. ONOJETE ESEOGHENE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ndueso Anietie Awak, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ndueso Aniekan Inyang. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

23

I, formerly known and addressed as FELICIA NJIDEKA OGBONNA, now wish to be known and addressed as FELICIA NJIDEKA KORIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, formerly known and addressed as, EBUKA ELOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as, PAUL EBUKA OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OLUSANYA REMILEKUN NIFEMI

I, UMAR MUHAMMED wish to remove, SABIU, from my name which was formerly, UMAR MOHAMMED SABIU. I now wish to be known and addressed as, UMAR MOHAMMED. My correct date of birth is 19th day of July, 1973.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, AGHAOGU RUTH EZE, and AGHAOGU HAPPINESS RUTH, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, AGHAOGU HAPPINESS RUTH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Oluwaremilekun Nifemi AND Oluwanifemi Enitan Familusi, Now wish to be known and addressed as OLUSANYA REMILEKUN NIFEMI. All former ddocuments remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHIGOZIE CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIAN

UMEAKUBIKE OSITA DONATUS

KOLAWOLE BALIKIS AYOBAMI

I formerly known as CHINDAJANET-LUBARYA wish to be known and addressed as YAHAYA “JANET” LUBARYU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as AGU CHRISTOPHER CHIGOZIE wish to be known and addressed as CHIGOZIE CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIAN .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Umeh Osita Donatus wish to be known and addressed as Umeakubike Osita Donatus.

All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Kolawole Bilikisu wish to be known and addressed as Kolawole Balikis Ayobami.

All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

AKINADE ABDULLAHI

OSAZEE CHARLES IRIA

UGBOJI-IBU BLESSING OGAKU

AKHIDENO OMOIZOHU

I formerly known as IBU BLESSING wish to be known and addressed as UGBOJI-IBU BLESSING OGAKU and corrected Date of Birth is 27/05/1998 . All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as EROMOSELE OMOIZOHU wish to be known and addressed as AKHIDENO OMOIZOHU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as AKINADE ABUDU wish to be known and addressed as AKINADE ABDULLAHI and Corrected Date of Birth is 25/12/1982.

All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as EHI ISA IMASUEN wish to be known and addressed as OSAZEE CHARLES IRIA .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

OGANIRU DEVELOPMENT 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) CHARLES ABIA 2) AFAMDI NDUKWE 3) JIMMY ABIA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) TO PROMOTE THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF CITIZENS 2) TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 3) TO PROMOTE THE IDEALS OF CREDIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS 4) TO ASSIST THE NEEDY 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.

ELISHAMA EMPOWERING LIFE INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. TESSY OLOHIGBE OCHIBA 2. THERESA ANYALOHI ELISHAMA OCHIBA 3. PETER ADAH OCHIBA 4. GIFT ONYECHI DAVIES 5. ESTHER OCHIBA ABRAHIMON 6. DANIEL OCHE OCHIBA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EKE SAMSON ADOKWU 2. ELLA INALEGWU 3. ALECHENU VICTOR EIMONYE 4. ZAKARI MOHAMMED

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

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1. OREDOPE ADEBOLA OMOLASO 2. IDOWU OLUMUYIWA ADETOLA 3. OSIGBOSIN GABRIEL ADEMUYIWA 4. BADARU ADEGBOYEGA GABRIEL

- CHAIRMAN - SECRATARY - MEMBER - MEMBER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT YOUTH CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL MUSICAL BAND ACTIVITIES. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OGUNNAIKE ADEBAYO STEPHEN

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BAMIDELE OLUWATOSIN DINAH - FOUNDER/ GENERAL OVERSEER 2. BAMIDELE PRECIOUS - SECRETARY 3. BAMIDELE TUNDE - P.R.O. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD 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: SECRETARY

ONE TREE AFRICA ORGANISATION

THIS IS TO INFORMATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ( CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. ARC IROH FAITHFUL UZOCHI 2. DR MRS UCHE NGOZIKA NKECHINYERE- SECRETARY 3. MR MAJOLAGBE ADEOLU ADENIRAN 4. UMEH STEPHEN CHUKWUEMEKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO INCREASE AND REPLENISH FOREST COVER BY PLANTING TREES 2. TO RAISE AWARENESS ON TREE PLANTING AND ITS IMPORTANCE. 3. TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR QUOTA IN SANITIZING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

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

SIGNED: ADAKOLI ANKELI DAVID, ESQ. (SOLICITOR)

SIGNED: ADAKOLI ANKELI DAVID, ESQ. (SOLICITOR)

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARINE SURVEYING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, NIGERIA BRANCH

FIRST HERITAGE GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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. ENGR. EMERAKU IJIOMA - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. MONDAY OGADINA 3. MR. PETER ENERICHEKOR - TREASURER 4. CAPT. TAJUDEEN OWOLABI ALAO - SECRETARY

5. MR. MICHAEL OMILANI 6. MR. EFE OLAIDE ASAGBA 7. CAPT. BENSON AJA-UKPABI

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO DEVELOP AND ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND TRAINING COURSES FOR CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ITS MEMBERS. 2. TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARINE SURVEYING, UNITED KINGDOM TO PROMOTE WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF MARINE SURVEYING IN NIGERIA. 3. TO DIRECT ITS AFFAIRS IN HARMONY WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARINE SURVEYING, UNITED KINGDOM UNLESS THEY ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE RELEVANT ACTS AND LAWS OF NIGERIA AND AT THOSE TIMES, THESE ACTS AND LAWS OF NIGERIA SHALL PREVAIL. 4. TO DO ANY OTHER LAWFUL ACTS OR THINGS AS MAY BE INCIDENTAL OR CONDUCIVE TO THE FURTHERANCE OR ATTAINMENT OF THE AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P. M. B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ENGR. EMERAKU IJIOMA - CHAIRMAN

BY HIS GLORY PRAYER & EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS: 1. TO INITIATE DEVELOPMENTAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL IDEA TO THE COMMUNITY.

1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY.

SIGNED: SOLICITOR

YOUTH CHRISTAN BAND ASSOCIATION

OTUKPO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

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

OFF IN BOAT CLUB THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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) ANOFI SAMUEL (2) IDOWU BABATUNDE (3) WALE SAUBAN (4) WALE ASIMI (5) MODUPE OTTI (6) OLOWOSOGA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION 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. AYODELE FESTUS IDOWU 2. AYODELE FUNKE OYINDAMOLA 3. OYEDIRAN ADESOLA GABRIEL 4. ADEPOJU PIUS OLUSAYO AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LESS PRIVILEGE PEOPLE. 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: LAWAL TAOFEEK BABATUNDE 08131313000

LION WASIU SHITTU DEAF ORGANIZATION 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. SHITTU WASIU BAMIDELE 2. TORIOLA ADEOLA AJIBADE 3. ABASS LATEEF SEYI 3. OGUNSEYE ANUOLUWAPO ANIK

- PRESIDENT - VICE - PRESIDENT - SECRETARY - ASST SECRETARY - SOS SEC - PRO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) TO PROMOTE CORDIAL, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AMONG MEMBERS (2) TO ENCOURAGE, HELP AND SUPPORT MEMBERS AT ALL TIMES (3) TO ORGANIZE ANNUAL SOCIAL GATHERING/END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES AMONG MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 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

OGBEMUDIA RURAL CARE FOUNDATION

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. EMPOWERING THE DEAF COMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO SUSTENACE OF LIVES 2. PROVISION OF ACCESS TO VOCATIONAL SKILLS FOR THE DEAF. 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. SIGN: SECRETARY

MOUNTAIN OF SOLUTION AND RECONCILIATION MINISTRY

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

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. OSEMWENGIE MOSES OGBEMUDIA. 2. CHARITY OMOFOMWAN. 3. OSEMWENGIE ESOSA GODIVA.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ODESHOLA BABATUNDE GABRIEL. 2. ODESHOLA BLESSING ADEKEMI

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF WELFARE AND SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY.

- CHAIRMAN

AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION .

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

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

SIGNED.: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

BAYA DEVELOPMENT 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. HIS HOLINESS OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU 2. HIS GRACE ARCHBISHOP BIOBARAKUMA W. DEGI 3. HIS GRACE ARCHBISHOP UCHE RAYMONDS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE HOLINESS, SANCTITY, MORAL RECTITUDE AND UPRIGHTNESS AMONG THE YOUTHS. 2. TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE YOUTH LED EVANGELISM. 3. TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. 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. SIGEND: EBERE OKONKWO FCLS SOLICITOR - 0809I2I2O84

WHENU OLAMIDE OLAPO YEWANDE NEE OKUSANYA

CORRECTION OF NAME

NIKECHUKWU MARTINS

MARK-ALABI AVOVOME LYNN

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALIMI FOLASADE NOW WANT TO BE ADDRESSED AS ALIMI FOLASHADE OLUWATOSIN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DR. ADENIKE ALEXANDRA MARTINS NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DR ESTHER NIKECHUKWU MARTINS. MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEON , GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMALLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESS AS OBARO AVOVOME LYNN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MARK-ALABI AVOVOME LYNN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS WHENU OLAMIDE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS WHENU OLAMIDE OLAPO YEWANDE NEE OKUSANYA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SOGAOLU GANIYU AYINLA

CORRECTION OF NAME

NNAEMEKA EDMOND IYI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS JIMOH ADEYINKA AMIDU, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS SOGAOLU GANIYU AYINLA, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERN PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY CORRECT NAME IS EMMANUEL EZEKIEL AND NOT ZUMUNTA SABO EZEKIEL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID FCMB AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS EMEKA EDDY IYI , NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS NNAEMEKA EDMOND IYI, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OLOWOSELU ELIZABETH OLUREMI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FAJINMI ELIZABETH OLUREMI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLOWOSELU ELIZABETH OLUREMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Executive Order: ATSSSAN boss faults legal framework in aviation sector Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ

Except the federal government restructures existing laws guiding certain aspects of business operations in the country, particularly in the aviation sector; Executive Order issued recently by the Presidency to allow ease of doing business in the country may not be effectively achieved.

This observation was made by the President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Barrister Ahmed Illitrus at the 14th National Delegates Conference and Symposium organised recently in Port Harcourt by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

Illitrus said that although Nigeria encourages Foreign Direct Investment but unfortunately, the country has laws, processes that do not provide the necessary assistances, comfort, ease for people to come into Nigeria.

The renowned lawyer pointed out that it is difficult to register companies to do business in Nigeria while there are existing laws that are conflicting in nature.

Comrade Illitrus said “Like I said severally, Nigeria Investment and Pro-

motion Council (NIPC) Act allows for 100 per cent foreign ownership of business in Nigeria in all sectors of the economy. In the Civil Aviation Act, there is a provision for local content. And the local content says that you must have a majority stakeholding in the business by Nigerians.

You can see the conflict between the two laws.”

The ATSSSAN leader advised the federal government to learn what happens in other jurisdiction, noting that if we want to have foreign direct investment in Nigeria, we must create that enabling environment including rejuvenation of our laws to allow for ease of doing business in our industry.

“The ease of doing business goes beyond the airport as a structure. You know it is all encompassing. Ease of doing business has to do with facilitation of flights, facilitation of business registration into Nigeria. It has to do with infrastructure to support the activities in the airport,” Illitrus added.

Illitrus decried the present state of Port Harcourt International Airport, pointing out that the airport is in a very bad state, ddsdespite the fact that huge sums of money was budgeted towards renovation and remodeling of the airport.

News 25

12 dead, 2 injured in Osun auto crash Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

No fewer than 12 persons, including women and children, were burnt to death in a ghastly road accident that occurred at Ile-ife, Osun state on Sunday.

The accident occurred in front of a filling station, few metres away from the popular Mayfair roundabout, when an oncoming 18-seater commercial bus collided with an oil tanker.

The tanker, eyewitnesses said, was making a uturn.

Daily Times correspondent gathered that the accident occurred around 12:00 pm.

The 18-seater bus was a white Urvan bus with Lagos Registration Number: MUS 702 XH. It was gathered that the bus was coming from Ondo state.

When our correspondent got the scene of the incident, majority of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition.

At the scene of accident, people were using axes to remove the carcass of the deceased from the bus.

It was learnt that

18-seater commercial bus also carried some heavy metal objects which reportly compounded the injuries of the victims.

Eyewitnesses said three passengers were said tohave been rescued and taken alive to SeventhDay Adventist Private Hospital, but one of them was reported dead on arrival.

One of the eyewitnesses, Oladele Mutiu, blamed sppeding for the cause of the accident.

He explained that bus, which was heading to Ibadan, had wanted to

take over from the truck when the accident happened.

Mutiu said that the extent of the damage was due to lack of quick response from the fire fighter that allowed the vehicle explodes and the passengers burnt beyond recognition.

“The passengers tried all possible means to escape, but the flame of fire from the bus chocked them to death,” he added.

Neither rescue team, security personnel nor Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were met at the scene.

Fidson set to reward brilliant kids in 2017 Astymin competition Angela Onwuzoo Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, through its Astymin brand, is set to reward 200 best-performing kids from different public and private primary schools across the south-west and South-eastern zones in its 2017 edition of Astymin Brilliance Reward(ABR) aimed at promoting academic excellence among children.

This year’s edition of ABR competition which is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at a press briefing on the forthcoming programme in Lagos on Wednesday, General Manger of Fidson Healthcare Plc,Mr Friday Enaholo, said the primary six pupils that the programme is targeted at, will once again be rewarded for their academic excellence,

thereby enhancing their mental and academic performances.

According him, the kids will be recognized and rewarded with certificates of excellence and valuable prizes.

Giving insight into the programme, Enaholo said: “We believe it is better to catch them young and put them on the right path to success.

“Therefore, Astymin will continue to take the giant stride in rewarding brilliant primary school kids in a way that motivates them to stay focused on their studies, believing that merit and hard work can still be rewarded.”

Enaholo noted that in its resolve to build on the success of previous editions and its impact on children’s academic development and performance in the last seven years, this year’s edition will witness the use of a new and unique venue for converging the new set of best graduating pupils as well as parents, teachers and stakeholders in the Nigerian educational system.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, during the inauguration of the reconstruction of 175 Basic Schools by the Governor in Rebisi, Port Harcourt… recently.

Police to rehabilitate all its colleges in Nigeria – IGP Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has revealed that the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force had concluded plans to rehabilitate all police colleges in the country.

Idris said this while declaring open a three-day Nigerian Police Force Human Rights Training Programme for over 120 officers from police commands in the South-East at the Police College, Oji River in Enugu State at the weekend.

He noted that he was personally concerned about the decaying infrastructure in almost all the colleges; adding that the colleges would

soon have a turn-around and up-graded facilities that would aid modern police training.

“Already, there is a plan in the pipeline to rehabilitate police colleges’ infrastructure as well as up-grade learning facilities and aids in them all over the country,’’ Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Inyang, said.

The IGP expressed delight over a grant of N10 million from the Enugu State government for repair and putting in place minimal facilities for recruit trainees in Police College, Oji River.

“The IGP and police headquarters will thank the governor for this rare gesture,’’ he said.

On the programme, the IGP said that human rights had become integral part of police training as well as culture that guide modern policing in order to strengthen police bonding with members of the public.

“In this era of community policing, effective human rights observance by police officers and men will help to build the needed trust with members of the public to make us work effective in our quest to check crime and criminality,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Commandant of college, Mr. Anthony Ogboji, thanked the IGP for his support to the college.

Ogboji, however, requested for the rehabilitation of the road network, works department building, IGP

guest house and indoor game building in the college.

“Sir, may I at this juncture, inform you that officers in this college are hardworking and disciplined, and deserve to be motivated with the payment of College allowance which has not been paid sincethe first quarter of 2016,’’ he appealed.

Programme Co-ordinator of Support to Justice Sector in Nigeria funded by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Uju Agomoh, said that the programme had been designed as train-the-trainer for police officers and men.

Agomoh said that participants at the programme would be taught all human rights rudiments as it concerns police and justice service delivery in the country.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

FEATURES

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How much do we know of domestic staff, drivers? ÏdƐ ƊƆ ƋƗƆƏ ƏƆƒƆ Ƌ Ɠ Ɛ Ɛ Ƈ ƋƋ ƒƈƅƐƈƌ

Franca Sulem-Yong A middle class family in good old Lagos back in the ‘70s, could engage househelps, drivers, cooks, even livein gardeners - through the pages of The Daily Times newspapers. Until the Lagos State Government established an employment agency called “Labour Office” somewhere along Awolowo Road, Ikeja, househelps and cooks came mainly from Akwa Ibom state; not so many from the Eastern states, as well as some Ghanaians (when their land threw them out for a season): but all were later overtaken

by Togolese househelps everywhere.

Then entered the “Abokis” (Hausas) as security guards; they were later joined by some Niger Republic citizens who had strayed across the Nigerian border.

It would be recalled that the Labour Office established at the time by Lagos State Government was ostensibly targeted at creating government records for every applicant. All unemployed people of working age seeking any manner of employment – including clerks, secretaries, short-hand typists or stenographers and audio-typists (as they were known) were required to register at no cost and a file bearing important details of their nationality, tribe, state, residence, qualification (if any) and passport photograph, etc was opened for each applicant.

But over time when servants’ eyes became “open”, not a few unsuspecting families have been devastated and thrown into trauma by domestic staff they had brought into their homes.

Trail of domestic tragediesOne of the most painful domestic crimes on Nigeria police record is that of the murder of a top female commercial flight pilot of the former Nigeria Airways in 1988.

Until the gruesome incident on the 8th of February of that year, Captain Hadiza Lantana Oboh was the Senior

First Female Officer (S/FO) of the defunct Nigeria Airways. She was murdered by her domestic staff for things as vain as foreign currency and jewels.

Single and living alone in her 43A, Bourdillion Road home in Ikoyi, the captain’s only companions were her domestic helps, one Abdullahi, Peter Echie and some others. Hadiza enjoyed every available luxury and was hardly visited by friends, relations or associates.

Abdullahi, according police account, worked as the gate-man, security watch and gardener in addition to handling some other household chores and had access to all parts of the house.

Abound 8pm that February, Hadiza Oboh drove from the airport to her home and it was Abdullahi who opened the gate for her as she arrived from work and headed for her bedroom while one of the domestic workers helped her with the flight bag.

There he was said to have noticed a lot more foreign currencies than usual in the bedroom along with a lot of designer wears, jewel-studded bracelets, gold chains and many others.

Hadiza was in her kitchen preparing a meal when Abdullahi sneaked behind her and pounced on her with a rope he had and despite Hadiza shouts, pleas and struggles, she was overpowered. As the pilot gave her last kick in a desperate struggle to live, the very person she hired to protect her, Abdullahi, increased the grip and tightened the noose around her neck and strangled her to death.

The assailants did not stop there.

They took her corpse to the septic tank (‘soak away’), where they dumped it and cemented the tank cover back.

The confident killers then embarked on a proper looting of her house, carting away every valuable, from gold jewels to her expensive wears and hard currencies. Her car was turned it into a taxi and even Pe-

Funmilayo Adeyemi, the house-help who kidnapped three children from the Orekoya family in Lagos state

ter abandoned the boys’ quarters and started living in the main building.

Whenever a visitor or friend came to check on Hadiza, Peter and the rest would say, “Madam don travel and we no know when she go return.”

It took a suspicious police officer on duty that night next compound who noticed unusual movements in and out the premises of the late captain to invite security agents and Peter and others were arrested and bundled to the Ikoyi Police Station.

It took many months of heat for the police to locate the badly decomposed body of the flight captain and sadly, on June 1, 1998, the four suspects were arraigned at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.

Late Captain Hadiza Lantana Oboh

Quite recently in Lagos, one Miss Mabel Okafor Mang, a 60-year-old bureau de change operator was murdered in her posh house at Banana Island on August 19th, 2016 by a security man she had employed only 10 days back.

Operatives of the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, traced the suspect and arrested him at his country home in Taraba State. He confessed to the crime and was subsequently charged to court and has since been remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison.

Besides housemaids “occupying” the master’s bed in madam’s absence and getting pregnant in the process, househelps have been in the news for all criminal reasons, ranging from kidnapping children of their employers to aiding robbers to invade their homes.

A well versed recruiter who preferred to be anonymous, told The Daily Times that, hiring a domestic staff in Nigeria now requires a great deal of rigour and pro-activity, whether the staff be a housemaid, driver or any other staff working and living in your house.

The recruiter said she quit being the “nice American” and became more realistic in her hiring of house helps and drivers. Below are ten points she advanced to be considered if you must employ a live-in domestic staff: 1) Take keen interest in the prospective staff and pay attention to every detail. Rather than do a formal interview, entertain a free conversation; make him or her feel at home.

This gives the prospective staff the leeway to reveal even some important information he or she would have

otherwise, withheld.

2) Set up a file for every staff.

3) Make sure every staff has a bank account. This enables the employer to trace the staff if necessary, as the creation of account requires them to submit true copies of their identity cards in addition to a BVN number.

4) Pay every money into their account and keep track of payment.

This would prevent them from denying that they received money as they often do.

5) Try to know any close relative to the staff. Probe into the bank details of the staff’s relatives. Family ties are strong in Africa and this would enable a tracking of the staff if need arises.

6) Make sure monies paid is signed for and help the staff to get a National Identity card from the National Identity Management Commission.

7) Take pictures of the help whenever possible, during events at home or office. This would be useful he or she bolts away and the employer is required to provide images of the staff.

8) About a week after they have resumed work, register the domestic staff at Force HQ or at any Divisional Officer’s Office nearest to your residence. This would certainly put the fear of the Lord in them.

9) Request and keep pictures of the staff’s family members.

With the growing rate of kidnapping and armed robbery in Nigeria today, it is imperative that we take our personal safety and security into our hands by being vigilant towards the people we work closely with and those who work are live-in workers. These staff work closely with us, know our weak points and can be tempted to use it against us.

So be wise. Be warned. Don’t fall a victim.

27 Features

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Controversy trails insurance cover for kidnap victims Ladesope Ladelokun and Franca Sulem-Yong Confirming the Youruba adage that says, omo eni ku san ju omo eni sonu lo (It’s better for someone’s child to die than to be missing), parents of kidnapped students of Igbonla College, Epe area of Lagos State have been locked in the chasm of agony.

The students - Peter Jonah; Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbaosi, Pelumi Philip and Farouq Yusuf, were whisked away on May 25, 2017, leaving sorrow and tears in its wake, seven months after dare devil kidnappers invaded the school and kidnapped two staff and four students of the school.

Just before the kidnap of Igbonla students, it would be recalled that three students were also abducted at Babington Macaulay secondary school, Ikorodu. Beside children though, other stratum of the Nigerian society have sad tales to tell.

Like a tumour that has metamophosed into a monstrous malignancy, kidnappers, observers say, have spread their tentacles to every part of Nigeria. According to NYA international, a crisis management and response consultancy firm that assists clients with kidnap cases, Nigeria ranks number one in the world when it comes to kidnap-for-ransom cases.

The report was based on Open Source news report covering the first half of 2014.

Worried by this development, some governors in Nigeria have hastened to sign the antikidnapping law which specifies death sentence for kidnappers.

Lately, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode also joined the long list of governors that opted to use the instrumentality of the law to fight kidnappers.

In Lagos, the law recom-

Ï9 ƑƏƆƏ ƗƈƇƇƆƏ ƅ ƍƆè Ɨ ƍƏƆƌƈƑƌ Ƈ Ə ƐƑƗƆ Ɛ è Ɛ ƆƏ mends death sentence for kidnappers in whose custody a victim dies and life jail for those who kidnap for ransom.

Expressing confidence that this new law will check the activities of kidnappers, Governor Abode stated that security is of utmost importance to his administration. “We are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in kidnapping within the boundaries of Lagos,” he said. But, had anti-kidnapping laws been able to tame the menace of kidnapping?

According to former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, failure on the part of governors to enforce the law on kidnapping has dealt a big blow to the fight against the menace.

Piqued by the rising wave of kidnapping across the nation and pressure being mounted by some quarters calling for insurance cover for kidnap victims, the Nigeria Insurance Association has charged the insurance industry to formulate policies that will cover kidnap and ransom cases since the risks which were not pronounced are now widespread.

Stakeholders across board have stated that the spate of kidnapping in the Nigerian society makes a strong case for the implementation of policies that would protect the victims; they argue that the institution of an insurance cover for kidnapped victims is long overdue.

However, the call by Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA) has generated divergent views from insurers.

An underwriter with Sovereign Trust Insurance, Mr. Taiwo Keji, said there must be a need for a product for it to work.

Explaining why an insurance cover for kidnapped victims has not been instituted despite the

jƏ Ƒƌ Ɛƈ ƆƗ ƍ ƏƆ Ɛ é ƇéƐ ƆéƊƈƗ ƍƍƆƗéƅ ƈƋƋƗƏƆ éƈ é9 Ƅ Ƌ

growing rate of the social malaise, Keji said the risk is real now and if insurance companies get their acts together, they could succeed.

Keji explained that the Nigerian environment is ever changing, thus, “We are compelled to experience certain ills which are not entrenched in our culture due to some socio-political factors.

“When I watched someone being kidnapped in movies in my young days, I would say this is alien and cannot happen in Nigeria, but now it is happening everywhere.”

Pointing to a visible “lack of customer-base” on the proposed insurance package, Keji further said that for any insurance product to work, there must be a required number of customers; but so far, the level of patronage for this product is very low.

Viability On the general viability prospect of the product, Keji agrees that it would be viable if insurance companies do their research and work hard to raise awareness on the product so as to increase the patronage.

Premium In his assessment of the cover, a Manager with Mutual Benefit Insurance policy, Mr. Henry Ohioma, advanced that the ratio of premium to be paid would be determined by the personality of the insured.

“Such policy can only work if the National Insurance Commission takes the lead, by enjoining every insurance company to adhere and also mount some pressure for government involvement.”

On the contrary, Mr. Jude Olaniyonu of Law Union and Rock Insurance, says the cover may not be feasible because, unlike cars or health, the practice of kidnapping is intangible, unstable and cannot be predeter-

EƈƗ ƍƍƆƏ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƏ ƓƋ

mined.

“How can we tell how much the kidnappers would demand or how can we estimate the repercussions? This is unlike for health insurance where it is easy to know the cost of medical bills,” he explained and added that one aspect which even makes the insurance more indefinable is the fact that “Some people make fake their own kidnap and request exorbitant sums of money from their insurance company.”

In his reaction, Taiwo Keji of Sovereign Trust Insurance reassured that steps would be taken to track the fake kidnappers as the police would be actively involved and insurance companies always do a thorough investigation before any money is paid out.

On the scope of the cover, insurers agree it should cover the children kidnapped and the institutions from which they were kidnapped. “The premium should be more expensive than contemporary insurance and would vary based on the location and personality involved,” Keji said.

Recommending the package should cover every stratum of our society, including children who do not go to school, Mr. Ohioma said the premium should be affordable for everybody and that the company would not lose if many people are involved.”

School authorities

Reflecting on the volatile state - especially of private educational institutions, Principal of Flourish College, Babajide Ajulo in Mowe, Ogun State, expressed mixed feelings on the proposal.

“It’s a complex situation. Kidnapping is now a big security issue that affects everyone. Not that it is new though, but it had never been this bad - especially when school children are the targets; this puts a heavy burden on us as administrators,” he said.

Agreeing nonetheless that the current situation necessitates having a policy for kidnap victims, the educationist revealed his reservation: “I am not saying an insurance cover is not good, but I think it will give some level of legitimacy to the crime! When people know they can always kidnap and get money, this will make them to kidnap the more and this would make a bad situation worse: we need to focus more on security of lives.

“Look at the situation in Epe; I learnt that the kidnappers wrote to the school that they were going to strike - and they struck the same school the second time, and nothing happened. It’s frightening,” he lamented.

The discussion continues in every quarter. However, whether insurers, educational institutions and families can reach a consensus remains to be seen.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Army redeploys 52 generals, 597 other officers

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Army has embarked on another major reshuffle of its top commanders few months after a major redeployment was carried out.

Though, no reasons were readily cited for the new postings and cancellations and amendments of previous postings, but military sources told The Daily Times at the weekend that the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, approved the exercise on July 18.

The Daily Times further gathered that a renew bombing in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital, the need to end the insurgency and a

thorough probe of rumour of officers involved in politics may have necessitated the recurrent shakeup as well.

There also pressures on the military to end the nine years insurgency which last week necessitated the Chief if Staff LT. General Turuk Buratia giving the new Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East , Major General Ibrahim Attahiru a 40 days ultimatum to produce to produce Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, dead or alive.

The current Army officers redeployment cancelled or amended postings of seven major generals, 45 brigadier generals and 597 other officers last week, is considered to

be one of the most far-reaching shake-up exercise in recent years.

Amongst the seven major generals affected, the Army cancelled the redeployment of Adeniyi Oyebade, two months after he was transferred from being General Officer Commanding of Nigerian Army 1 Division, Kaduna, to Army Headquarters in Abuja as chief of logistics. But no new posting was assigned to Mr. Oyebade, who was indicted last year in the December 2015 massacre of Shiites in Zaria.

The shake-up was announced in a memo with reference number MS/G1/3OO/2O7 and signed by I.O. Rabiu, a major general and Military Secretary, military sources said.

About 100 Nigerian Army formations, units and departments within and outside the country were copied in the memo.

Redeployment has become a frequent feature in the Nigerian Army since Mr. Buratai assumed office two years ago, but none of them was as sweeping as the recent exercise.

Three major shake-ups had been recorded within the last seven months, with the most recent affecting 147 officers in May. A total of 227 officers were affected in a similar exercise last December.

A breakdown of the remaining 597 affected officers shows that they included 197 colonels, 50

lieutenant colonels, 99 majors, 138 captains, 111 lieutenants and two second lieutenants.

Thirty-eight out of the total 649 officers had their postings cancelled or deleted. That included two major generals, one brigadier general, seven colonels, five lieutenant colonels, 10 majors, eight captains and five lieutenants.

While eight of the officers had their postings deleted, the redeployment of 30 others were amended by the Army.

“It is the responsibility of all formation/unit commanders whose officers are affected by this posting to implement accordingly.

“Officers must take over on the effective dates indicated. Formation/unit commanders will be held responsible for lapses in the implementation of the directives contained therein,” the memo stated.

PAMDI: Adamu, Falana, others, task Nigerians on restructuring

Osibanjo advise parents of 6 kidnapped Lagos school not to lose hope

Andrew Ekejiuba

ÏÏÏFormer

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Secretary to the Taraba state government, Senator Abdulahi Bala Adamu, has called on Nigerians to brace up in their quest for addressing the socio-political and economic problems affecting the country.

Adamu was reacting to recent calls for the restructuring of country at the 2017 National Conference of the Public Administration and Management Development Institute (PAMDI) held recently in Lagos.

The conference which with the theme ‘Re-engineering the Nigeria state: Challenges and prospects,’ saw participants discuss the way forward for Nigeria’s problems.

On restructuring, he observed that since individuals and groups had different views on the issue, thus there is an urgent need to reach a consensus in this regard.

“The idea of existing federal structure and the clamour for restructuring of the country cannot be wished away with a mere wave of hand. “I think that the perception of domination or injustice is based on a false premise.

The former gubernatorial candidate in Taraba State however urged Nigerians to unite and forge a consensus on how to make the country better.

Human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) who was represented by a human rights activist Stanley Imhanruor, backed the call for restructuring if it involved true federalism and justifiability of Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

ÏÏÏActing President Yemi Osinbajo has assured parents and guardians of six kidnapped Lagos School students not to lose hope on the return of their wards saying, they will soon return home to them.

The Acting President who made the statement during a chat with newsmen on the sideline of the birthday thanksgiving service of Pastor Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, during the inauguration of the reconstruction of 175 Basic Schools Salami Ololade in Lagos on Sunday by the Governor in Rebisi, Port Harcourt… recently. also said that he wished he learnt carpentry while he was growing up.

Osinbajo, who was advising school children on how to conduct themselves during holidays, advised them to endeavour to, at least, learn a skill because it will help them much later in life. The Daily Times recalls that on May 25, six secondary school boys spent more than an hour with sent his best wishes to Nigerians. ÏÏÏAn APC delegation led by its gation were abducted by unknown gunmen, According to the governor, NigeriPresident Buhari over lunch, and it chairman, Chief John Oyegun visitthis is even as four students and six ans don’t have to worry at all, adding was very clear from the discussions staff of the same school were also ed London on Friday evening to meet that he followed developments at that President Buhari will be back President Muhammadu Buhari who kidnapped in October 2016. as soon as the doctors give him the home very closely.

But speaking on the need to learn has been receiving medical treatHe said the President was de- green light. ment for almost 3 months now.

The S a skill during holiday, Osinbajo said: “By our visit to London today, the The Special Adviser to President lighted to receive the delegation and “Because it is a long holiday, it is asked each governor about the af- merchants of lies have been put out Muhammadu Buhari on media, a great time to do something new. fairs in his state. He also asked the of business and Nigerians will not Those who like to learn a skill, what- Femi Adesina confirmed the visit, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi buy the garbage they have been sellIn a telephone conversation folever skill that may be, I wish that Amaechi, about the state of the rail- ing. All those who look up to fake when I was growing up, I learned lowing the meeting of All Progresnews can find better use for their ways. sives Congress (APC) governors and even carpentry.’’ time,” Governor Okorocha noted.

When asked to react to all the negHe said school children on holiday leaders with President Muhammadu Governors Umaru Tanko Alative things being said about him, Buhari in London Sunday, Governor can learn something new that would Makura of Nasarawa; Nasir El-Rufai the President just laughed, describimpact their lives and those of their Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said ing such negative reports as lies. of Kaduna; Yahaya Bello of Kogi; the President was very cheerful and communities in new fields of technolhas not lost any bit of his sense of Governor Okorocha said President and APC National Chairman, Chief ogy.

Buhari was completely unperturbed John Oyegun, were also in the delStating that Federal Government’s humour.

The governor said the party dele- by the cocktail of lies. He, instead, egation. resolve to seeing that the kidnapped school children are freed, Osinbajo said, “it is a very AJAYI MARIAM OLUWATOSIN CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE MUSA RISIKAT OMOLARA CORRECTION OF NAME OF BIRTH traumatic experience for the 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ j Ɛ 9 ERG zRG& 1` 9Rnd 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ j6 j 9 ndn0 E&L9 jR 9M L parents, there should be no G j9d6& L `9 L C&dnjRL9 ƌƕ ƌƆ Ɠ ƓƏ Ƌƕ M L& z d &``RM&RndG 1 &G&E G& `9d9_Rj doubt at all about the comRGnz jRd9M Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ ƓƏƈƐƐƆ ERG zRG& ^`& 9Rnd z`9jj&M d ndn0 E&L9 9Mdj& # RLRG ` Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ E9MRG Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ mitment of government.’’ He Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ R0 ndn0 E&L9 jR 9M j6 j Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ Lnd Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ ERG zRG& L R``& j # j& R0 9`j6 9d C 9 L `9 L RGnz jRd9Mê urged parents and guardians `9d9E j RLRG ` ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ 1` 9Rnd C&dnjRL9 ê ƋƋ ơơj6 # R0 R jR &`èơÖƤƿê ƋƋ ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ of the kidnapped Lagos School # ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƃ ƏƆƗƆ Ɛƈ Ƌ ƄƆ Əƈ documents remain valid, # ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƃ ƏƆƗƆ Ɛƈ Ƌ ƄƆ Əƈ ƒ ƋƈƗè Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ these names remain valid, general boys not to lose hope on the re Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ these names remain valid, general Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê turn of their wards. ƐƆê

Odigie-Oyegun, Okorocha lead APC governors, leaders to see Buhari in London hospital

ADENIJI MICHAEL OLUWASEGUN

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ ndn0 L9 6 &G d&1nM Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #&M9C9 L9 6 &G RGnz d&1nM ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ documents remain valid, Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

29 News

Ghanaian lynched soldier’s Mom receives his posthumous award from UK varsity Bonny Amadi with agency reports

ÏÏÏGhanaian

soldier lynched by mob in the country while jogging in a neighbourhood, has been given posthumous award, his mother received the awards recently from a university in the United Kingdom (U.K).

Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was killed in late May when he went out jogging, he was mistaken by people for an armed robber because he was carrying a gun, some local media reports have suggested.

His mother was present at the University of Leicester, in

the United Kingdom, where her 32-year-old son had taken a course in security management.

The graduation announcer read, “For the posthumous award of master of science in security and risk management, Maxwell Mahama received by his mother,” the hall went up in applause as she walked to take her handshake.

He was given a national burial in June this year. He died a captain but the government posthumously promoted Maxwell Adam Mahama to the rank of major before the state burial in the capital Accra.

He was on duty in Denkyira Obuasi located in the country’s

Central region when he was attacked by a mob over allegations that he was an armed robber. He was detailed by the army to the area to protect a local mine.

There was widespread outrage across the country when news of his death broke. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday (June 5) announced that beside the full state burial, a befitting monument be put up in his honour. ‘‘The President also directed the setting up of a Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama Memorial Trust Fund, with a seed money of GH¢500,000 purposely to cater for his wife and

Mother of Ghana’s lynched soldier children. The President has personally donated GH¢50,000 to the Fund,’‘ a statement from the presidency read.

Meanwhile over a dozen people are currently before the

courts for complicity in the murder of Major Mahama.

President Akufo-Addo in a series of tweets gave assurances that the death will not go unpunished.

Egypt sentences 28 to death over prosecutor murder in 2015 ÏÏÏEgypt’s

Cairo criminal court has sentenced 28 people to death over the 2015 killing of Egypt’s top prosecutor. 15 others were however handed jail sentences of 25 years each.

Hisham Barakat, Public prosecutor was killed in a car bomb attack on his convoy in the capital in 2015.

Egypt blamed the Muslim Brotherhood and Gaza-based Hamas militants for the operation. Both groups have denied having a role.

In June 2017, the court recommended death penalty for 30 people in the case. It referred the recommendation to the country’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, for a non-binding legally-required opinion.

The sentences, confirmed by the court last Saturday’s hearing after the Grand Mufti’s approval, can be appealed.

Alibaba founder in Rwanda

Ivory Coast Gendarmes repel raid as international event opens ÏÏÏGendarmes in Ivory Coast

fought off an overnight attack on their base north of the main city of Abidjan, a security spokesman said on Saturday as thousands of people arrived in the country for an international sports and cultural event.

The attack in the town of Azaguie came days after gunmen struck the base of an elite security unit in Abidjan, some 40 km (25 miles) to the south, stealing weapons and killing one person.

“The brigade was attacked during the night and this morning in Azaguie,” a gendarmerie spokesman said. “There were no victims, only an exchange of gunfire and after the assailants left again.”

He said the aim appeared to be to steal weapons, as it was in

the earlier attack in Abidjan, but the raiders had been unsuccessful: “We’ve taken steps in the past few days and therefore there are no weapons stocks in our brigades.”

The raids follow months of uprisings by members of the security forces demanding bonus payments, prompting President Alassane Ouattara to reshuffle top security posts in his government earlier this week.

Ouattara, who was sworn in following a 2011 civil war, is eager to put a stop to the mutinies that have tarnished Ivory Coast’s image as a post-conflict success story.

In Abidjan, the gunmen, some wearing military uniforms, succeeded in seizing rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and communications

equipment as well as crates of ammunition, at least some of which was later recovered.

A senior army officer, who asked not to be named, said orders had been given to all the security services to relocate weapons stores to make them less vulnerable to such raids.

The Jeux de la Francophonie, a 10-day event expected to involve the participation of some 3,000 athletes and artists from around the French-speaking world, opened in Abidjan on Friday night.

Ouattara’s government is hoping the games, which are held every four years, will provide an international showcase for Ivory Coast’s revival following more than a decade of political turmoil and war.

Ahmed Saad, one of the the defense lawyers. said “The verdicts were shocking today. They were more shocking than last time when the court recommended death penalty for 30 people to the Grand Mufti Egypt’s Interior Ministry released a video last year showing several young men confessing and admitting going to Gaza for training from Hamas, but some later denied the charges in court.

The defendants said they were forced to confess under torture and their lawyers asked that they be medically examined.

Egypt faces an Islamist insurgency led by Islamic State in North Sinai, where hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed.

The group has stepped up attacks on Egypt’s Christians with church bombings and shooting.

Alibaba founder in Rwanda promises partnership with African varsities ÏÏÏChinese

Billionaire Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group on Friday attended a YouthConnect Africa 2017 summit in Kigali, Rwanda, where he promised to set up a project working with the universities in the continent on e-commerce.

“By the way the first project we will work with UNCTAD. The second project we will work with universities in Africa and governments to work with universities to teach students here that e-commerce, the internet, artifice intelligence, big data, cloud computing, so teach and train and educate as many young people here as possible,” Ma said. Ma, who founded the Hangzhou-based e-commerce firm, urged the youth to treat their customers as their number one marketer.

He also urged them not to

worry about what the competitors were doing saying if the customer is happy, he will let others know about your product. Ma visited Kigali to attend a youth summit organized by the Rwandan government, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “Don’t spend too much time on your competitors, spend enough time, 90% of the time on your customers, it’s the customer who is the best marketer for you,” Ma added.

“To me Jack Ma represents the same thing that Rwanda represents, it represents growth, he represents opportunity because, seeing that he came from a poor background and was able to the things that he has done,” said a Rwandan University Student, Jeanne Muguni.

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Monday, July 24, 2017

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Nigeria finishes fifth in Davis Cup tourney

eam Nigeria, at the weekend, defeated Algeria 2-0, to place fifth at the 2017 Davis Cup Africa Zone Group 3 held at Solaimaniyah Club, Cairo, Egypt.

Having lost 3-0 and 2-1 to Zimbabwe in Pool A, Nigeria, which paraded Abdulmumuni Babalola, Sylvester

Emmanuel, Clifford Enosoregbe, Joseph Ubon and Benson Isichelli (nonplaying Captain), vent their anger on Rwanda with a 3-0 win to place third thus setting up a classification tie with Algeria who placed third in Pool B which also has Benin, Kenya, Botswana and Libya. Ubon set Nigeria on a victory ride with a 6-3, 6-3 win over

30

EXTRATIME

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Hichem Yasri after which Emmanuel sealed victory for Nigeria by beating Youcef Ghezal 6-3, 6-4.

Spain-based Emmanuel, who is ranked 1171 in the world, was Nigeria’s star performer as he bagged one of the eye-catching results of the week-long tournament. The Rainoilsponsored player brushed aside US-

based Takanyi Garaganga of Zimbabwe, the world number 447, 6-3, 7-5 in a crucial duel before the Southern African nation eventually triumphed in the exhilarating match with a decisive 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 win in the doubles, thus pipping Nigeria to the promotion match playoff with its western neighbour, Benin.

Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Dayo Akindoju, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance pledging the federation will ensure Nigeria gets a better outing in the tournament next year.

He said, “The two teams that got promoted are from our group which translates to the fact that we competed in a tough group. We are now committed to better preparation and hopefully we will get a promotion ticket next time around.”

FOSLA Academy,still work in progress—Lulu ANDREW EKEJIUBA

F

Lulu

ormer NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has insisted that the project of FOSLA Academy is still a work in progress despite the modest achievements the school has recorded in the past six years it was established.

Speaking to Extra Time in Abuja at the weekend during the maiden joint graduation ceremony of the Academy held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Academy in Karshi, Abuja, Lulu said that what they have been able to achieve in the lives of the players is just the first phase of their developmental process, and that the second phase would be more tasking. “It’s on record that we identified these students from the primary schools six years ago. We nurtured them to effectively combine their education with football. Today, we can proudly say that we have succeeded in laying a good foundation for them, that we would build upon to make them very useful citizens of this great country, Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking further, the former FCT Director of Sports said “within this period, the boys won various laurels in sports. Winning the FCT Principal Cup back to back; playing up to the NNPC/Shell Cup; playing the finals of the Etisalat and Copa Coca-Cola U15 and many others. To crown it all, seventy percent

Dalung inaugurates 29 sports federation boards Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja

D

espite series of crisis that bedeviled the conduct of sports federations elections right from the candidate’s eligibility and guidelines for the elections amongst others, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, went ahead to inaugurate 29 Sports Federations presidents and their boards over the weekend.

But the inauguration of boards into Gymnastics and Taekwondo federations was put on hold pending the time a proper election will be conducted.

The inauguration which was held under a watertight security that led to the locking up of all but one gate of Abuja National Stadium to prevent aggrieved persons from protesting at the venue turned around to receive more criticism than praises.

Dalung, during the inauguration in Abuja charged the various

federations’ presidents, vice presidents and the boards’ members to do everything within their power to develop their various sports in the country.

He claimed that he started the process of democratization and made a promise to Nigerians to have a better election into the boards of federations.

He noted that arising from the acceptance of this recommendation he put machineries in motion in conjunction with Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to actualize the recommendations.

The minister maintained that after the ministry has sought redress in all grey areas, the election of 29 board members of federations has been concluded with that of Taekwondo and Gymnastics remaining and date to be fixed.

He charged the presidents of various boards that with the leadership mantle given to them, they therefore have the opportunity to write their names in gold by lifting their various

sports to enviable heights.

“You are to ensure that you make ready a copy of your constitution within three months; this year’s election into federation will be the last elections that will be prosecuted by the guidelines. The next elections into federations’ boards will be prosecuted by various federations’ constitution. So, every federations must make available a copy of their constitution to the ministry,” Dalung said.

Responding on behalf of various federation boards, the former Minister of Transportation, now Rowing and Yatching president, Porbeni Festus, thanked all stakeholders for the opportunity given to them while he promised not to leave any stone unturned to ensure growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, former Olympian and representative of National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) on the AFN Board, Rosa Collins described the inauguration of AFN board with Ibrahim Gusau as president as the worst disservice done to

of our students made over 200 mark points at the 2017 edition of the University Matriculation Examination (UME) and all the students we presented for the Senior Secondary Schools Examination made over five credits with English and Mathematics”.

Lulu said that the next stage is to support the boys to move to the University, while playing for the various professional league clubs in the country. He said that the boys will embark on playing tour of FCT and Osun State before decamping.

26 students graduated from the Senior Secondary school class, while 10 students graduated from the Junior Secondary School class. Individual awards were won by the students with the School’s former Head Boy, Solomon Abraham, invested as the Ambassador of the School.

Abraham was the Head Boy of the School from inception to graduation.

He emerged the highest goalscorer of FCT Principal Cup in 2015, highest goal scorer of the 2016 Shell Cup competition, had 210 points from the 2017 UME and over 8 credits including English and Mathematics in 2017 SSCE.

Dalung the sport by the minister.

Collins claimed that the minister lacked what it takes to sit on that exalted seat because he never honoured his word.

The inaugurated federation boards include: Aquatic, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Rugby, Wrestling, Handball, Rowing and Yatching, Fives and Hockey amongst others.

Tikon

Tikon vows to revive table tennis

N

ANDREW EKEJIUBA ewly elected president of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Engineer Ishaku Tikon, has vowed to revive table tennis in the country. He assured Extra Time that producing more players who would later emerge as world champions for Nigeria is the cardinal focus of the new board of NTTF under his leadership.

He further revealed that members of the new board are determined achieve this and have resolved to hit the ground running by putting in place strategies that would further entrench Nigeria as one of the top table tennis nations in the world.

According to the Taraba State-born sports administrator, working towards producing players that would replace the big ones currently on the scene was paramount.

“In line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Sports, we intend to hit the ground running immediately by going down to the grassroots to bridge the gap and discover more talents. This is because that is where the hidden talents are and we need to start bringing them up and prepare them to take over from the ageing players who no doubt have done this great nation well.

“Our target is to work hard in that direction. Our players have really done well over the world and we intend to work closely with them to improve their performances.

“We want to produce champions that will challenge world beaters like Ma Long.

We are not just looking forward to dominate Africa, but we are looking beyond the continent and aim to produce Nigerian version of Ma Long,” he enthused.

Tikon also added that his board is committed to building and consolidating the already good and vibrant table tennis culture in the country by improving on capacity building for coaches and welfare of players.

On the biggest challenge for the federation, Tikon said funding remains the major and immediate headache confronting the development of the sport. He however revealed that the board will partner private organizations in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to overcome the challenge.

Monday, July 24, 2017

EXTRATIME

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EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…

Lahm named German Footballer of theYear Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Reports

F

ormer Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has been named the German Footballer of the Year for 2017.

Lahm retired in May after winning eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal crowns, one Champions League and the 2014 World Cup in an extraordinarily distinguished career.

The defender’s roll of honour includes being added to Bayern’s Hall of Fame, while he was voted Footballer of the Year after leading the club to another league title last season.

German sport journalists voted Lahm the clear winner of the award, with Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in second and Borussia Dortmund’s 31-goal Bundes-

Lahm

Neymar will stay at Barca, insists Marlon

Man City signs Danilo from Real

B

M

anchester City have signed defender Danilo from Spanish champions Real Madrid on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

The 26-year-old joined Madrid in 2015 and played 24 matches for Zinedine Zidane’s side last season as they won the Spanish league title, sealed their second consecutive Champions League trophy and won the Club World Cup. “I am very, very happy to be joining Manchester City,” Danilo said.

“There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola. As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player.

“I can’t wait to get started and I’m looking forward to getting to know my new teammates over the coming weeks.”

British media reports claimed the Brazilian joined City for a fee of around 26 million pounds ($33.78 million), making him manager Guardiola’s second major defensive signing in the current window following Kyle Walker’s arrival earlier this month.

Danilo, who previously won two league titles in four years at Portuguese club FC Porto, will join his new teammates in their pre-season US tour and could face his former club when City play Madrid on Wednesday.

liga top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finishing third.

Lahm succeeds his Bayern colleague Jerome Boateng in taking his first German Footballer of the Year award, having previously finished second and third in the voting.

“It’s a real honour and I’m truly pleased with it. I think the journalists in the vote have watched me for my entire career,” said Lahm.

“History shows that it is incredibly tough for a defender to be named Footballer of the Year because over the course of a year there is normally always a forward who steals the headlines up front.”

Julian Nagelsmann was awarded the German Manager of the Year prize after the 30-year-old led Hoffenheim to Champions League qualification for the first time in the club’s history.

Defrel

Neymar

arcelona defender Marlon Santos has no doubt Neymar will stay at the club, despite reports he wants to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ligue 1 club are said to be prepared to activate the Brazil star’s release clause of €222million after being told by the player he wants to move to Parc des Princes.

Despite the speculation, Neymar started Barca’s International Champions Cup match against Juventus on Saturday and scored two exceptional goals in the 2-1 victory.

Speaking afterwards, Marlon voiced his confidence that his compatriot will stay at Camp Nou. “For me, Neymar is one of the best players in the world. I haven’t spoken with him but I hope he stays,” he said.

“He’s our team-mate and one of the best.

We want him to stay with us.

“We don’t need to convince Neymar to stay.

He’s here with us and he’s going to stay.”

Midfielder Sergi Samper says Neymar has offered no indication that he wants to leave, despite some reports in Spain suggesting he has already informed his team-mates of the move.

Neymar’s father and agent is said to have met with PSG officials on Sunday in the United States to discuss the terms of the player’s potential deal.

BRIEFS

NSF: CRS cries out to FG for help

FRANK JUMBO The Cross River State government has cried out to the federal government to assist it with intervention funds to host the National Sports Festival (NSF) which has suffered several postponements.

The Deputy Governor of the state Prof Ivara Esu made the plea when he visited the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung in his office in Abuja at the weekend.

Prof Esu noted that the previous state government had set up a team of consultants to market the festival which they did. He added that so much money had been sunk into the renovation and building of new infrastructure which are between 60% and 85% complete. In his response, Barrister Dalung promised to discuss the issue with the President and thanked the Deputy governor for his visit which was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to rescue the protracted hosting rights for the National Sports Festival.

Excel Stars donate items to orphanage home

Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin Excel Stars Football Club of Ilorin, on Saturday visited and donated items to the Kwara Motherless and Orphanage home at Pipeline, Ilorin.

The President of the Club, Engr. Dare Benjamin, while speaking at the home, said the visit and donation was part of the social responsibilities of the football club.

Benjamin explained that, the club is owned by young Nigerians who are excelling in their various field of endeavours with the aim of taking young boys off the street in the future.

The President promised that he will arrange a meeting with members that are medical practitioners to come and do medical check-up for the children to know if any is in need of any urgent medical attention.

Responding on behalf of the home, Mrs. Olufunke Ajayi, thanked members of the club for the gesture.

Items donated include, noodles, teddy bears, snacks, clothing, bedding, beverages among others.

Spain’s Ferrer wins Swedish Open final

David Ferrer beat Alexandr Dolgopolov to become the Swedish Open champion.

It was the Spaniard’s first ATP Tour title since winning the Vienna Open almost two years ago.

The 35-year-old - who needed seven match points to get over the line in the end - came through 6-4 6-4 in Bastad to seal his 27th career title.

Ferrer, who is now ranked 46th in the world, had a comfortable lead of 5-1 over his Ukrainian opponent in the second set.

Cahill named new Chelsea captain G ary Cahill has been named as the new Chelsea captain by head coach Antonio Conte.

The centre-back skippered the side for much of last season, with John Terry restricted largely to a back-up role, and he has now been given the armband on a fulltime basis.

Cahill has enjoyed a highly successful spell at Stamford Bridge since signing from Bolton Wanderers in 2012 and Conte believes he has shown himself to be captain material.

“I think that it’s right to continue with Cahill, if he plays, it’s right he’s the captain,” said Conte.

However, Conte urged Chelsea’s other

senior players to take on greater leadership roles during his second season at the club.

“I think also we can have other captains in our team, it could be Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, and also, in the future, it could be Thibaut Courtois, Cesc Fabregas,” he said.

“I think every single player must improve in this being personalities in the dressing room and take more responsibility because we lost big players and we need now to find these new players to create this fundamental for Chelsea. It is very important for our future success to create this base.”

Terry ended his 22-year association with Chelsea when his contract expired at

the end of last season, going on to join Aston Villa this month.

Conte admits he would have been happy for the defender to stay at the club but accepted his desire was to play regular firstteam football.

Terry has confessed to a long-term ambition to return to Chelsea as manager and Conte believes he would thrive in the dugout.

“I think he could have the right characteristics to become a great manager,” he added. “He worked with great managers in his career and I think he learned a lot about football. He could be a great manager in the future.”

Cahill

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The Anambra Times

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

APGA without Obiano is finished, says Anigbata AT2

Traders flee as flood dumps corpse, submerges shops at Onitsha Electronics market AT 3 ONICCIMA honours Shippers’ Council chief, others ÏÏÏThe

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and wife (middle in white) flanked by Bishops from Catholic, Anglican and other denominations during the burial of his mother...on Thursday.

Nov. guber poll: No force can stop Obiano’s second term –Oye

Stories by Alphonsus Nweze Onitsha

ÏÏÏThe

Anambra

T E A M

embattled National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, has declared that no force can stop Governor Willie Obiano from winning the November 18, 2017 Governorship election to complete his eight-year tenure.

Oye stated this in Awka, the Anambra State capital recently, saying, “I can bet with you, no force can stop Obiano from winning second term bid. Anybody working against APGA will meet disastrous end”.

He also said that anybody working against the party ruling Anambra State is an enemy of Ndigbo and should be treated as such.

The Governor said APGA has worked hard for the people of Anambra State, starting from the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi,

who has now decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that Obiano has been working in supersonic speed.

Oye said APGA believes in the unity of Nigeria as Nigeria cannot be divided on the basis of rhetoric but purely on the basis of dialogue.

“I saw Biafra war. No city in Igboland suffered like Umuahia where I was a young boy as a member of Biafra Army. Over 500,000 people were killed through air raid. Our division must be through dialogue not internal rebellion. We must follow due process. I am not against Biafra because I am a Biafran but what we want is unity of Nigeria on the basis of equity and justice,” said Oye. He then called for unity among Ndigbo, loin forces in APGA to be able to achieve that, stating that if Ndigbo backs APGA, no party can

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondents: Alphonsus Nweze Philip Balepo John Chinenye

beat them in 2017.

Oye said people of Obiano’s ilk come once in 100 years and if Anambra State misses him now, his likes may not come again for a long time and for that reason he should be supported.

He dismissed the Enugu High Court order of Mandamus, which purportedly removed him as the National Chairman of APGA because he was not a party to the suit and therefore the order was not binding on him.

“APGA has a constitution. The National chairman can only be removed through two third majority votes of the National Convention of the party, which the removal of the chairman must be the only agenda. The order is not served on me “because I can’t suffer what I did not know,” he said.

Oye said Chief Martin Agbaso, who was purportedly parading himself as APGA National Chairman was not a member of the party, since his name was not in the register of the party either in his ward or elsewhere.

He wondered how Agbaso who had declared the party as a “ve-

hicle without an engine” and allegedly betrayed the party in 2007, 2011 and 2015 in Imo State would now come to lay claim to the chairmanship of the party, alleging that he wants to sell off Anambra 2017 to the enemies.

On alleged visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to submit document that will authenticate his chairmanship, Oye said “No other document is admissible in INEC except our own document”.

The APGA National Chairman said those using Biafra to malign and undermine Obiano were uncharitable and real enemies of Ndigbo because he was the first who had the courage to conduct the reburial of the dead Biafra heroes.

“UPP, PPA, we are all brothers but, if anybody should be supported on basis of Biafra, it should be Obiano. He was the first to rebury the dead Biafran heroes which has calmed wondering spirits, reduced crime in the state, but as earlier said, I believe in unity and justice. Let’s come together and be united,” Oye said.

Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines Agriculture (ONICCIMA), penultimate week, as part of its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM), honoured a number of esteemed members in recognition of their contribution to the development of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the commercial nerve centre of the state.

Prominent recipients were Prof. P.J.C Nwosu, former President of the Chamber, Sir S.O.P Okeke, Legal adviser of the chamber, Sir Nathan Ofoma and B.C Eze who received long service award for meritorious service to the chamber.

But outstanding among the awardees was the rather young Assistant Director of the Shipper’s Council, Christian Osita Chimezie, who has been in the service of OPS for the past 20 years or there about.

Chimezie, who at various times had been a member of the Chamber movement in Onitsha, where he was a council member, Aba, Nnewi, Owerri, and Enugu has equally been involved in Ports development in the country as a member Port Working Committee of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in 1991-1993. He was secretary, Abia State Implementation Committee for Ntiga Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port, 2015-2016.

The Director General of ONICCIMA, Dominic Ajibo, in his citation, described Chimezie as “an experienced and sound administrator, researcher and pastor” whose “meritorious service to the nation, through the several challenging responsibilities you have held and will continue to hold in Chamber Movement and Shippers” Council for the past 20 years have not gone unnoticed.

“Hence, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been keenly watching and recording your outstanding successes over these years. And today, we have decided to give hionour to whom it, actually, is due by this esteemed award”.

Chimezie in an interview with newsmen shortly after being conferred with the award expressed elation that his small contributions were being taken into cognizance by the Onitsha Chamber.

The Anambra Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè CƑƋƕ ƾƿè ƾƠơƣ

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APGA without Obiano is finished, says Anigbata Stories by Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ Former Governorship aspi-

rant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ikechukwu Victor Anigbata, has warned stakeholders within the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State that the survival of the party is dependent on their support for Governor Willie Obiano in the forthcoming November 18 election.

Anigbata, a chieftain of PDP, said that APGA will die a natural death if some hawks in the party who because of pecuniary interest would want to stop Governor Obiano from flying APGA’ s ticket in November 18 Governorship election.

He contended it is only Obiano as the incumbent Governor, who has done well within the limited resources available to him, that can stop the menacingly forces of All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP. He said people should not be deceived by the recent court cases in APGA because the party has been known to thrive in the midst of myriads of cases.

“Igbos want a party of their own, where they can express themselves, where an Igbo man or woman can join if they so wish to realise their political ambition.

APGA is that Igbo party. If they succeed in removing Obiano as their flag bearer, that is the end of the party. Unless they would want to kill the party. If APGA loses

Obiano, the party has finished,” Anigbata said.

The PDP chieftain lauded the Supreme Court for restoring democracy in Nigeria by upholding Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party as the authentic faction.

He said “the judgment will bring balance in our polity because Makarfi has majority of PDP members and followers. It will stabilise our polity. It will make APC to wake up from slumber. They are sleeping”.

He lauded Makarfi leadership for fixing the non-elective convention of the party on August 12, 2017, saying this has shown that he has no hidden agenda, rather the overall interest of the party is at the back if his mind.

Anti-cultists squad commander blames parents for rise in cultism ÏÏÏThe

Commander, Special Anti-cultists Squad, Anambra State Police Command, Mr. Christopher Bassey, has blamed the growing attraction of cultism among teenagers and youths on the failure of parents to perform their divinely ordained role.

Bassey, who is a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said parents these days abandoned their children in chase of money and power.

He said every society is a reflection of the family, stressing when the family units loses values, the society will correspondingly lose direction.

The commander lamented the high rate of cultism, stressing that they arrest average of 10 cultists every day and that showed that “we must all do something drastic to arrest the

ugly situation”.

He said Obosi Awada, Nkpor and Ogidi in Idemili Local Government Area and Inland Town in Onitsha North Local Government Area are the places where cultists operate in good measure in the state.

Bassey said that he employs two strategies to deal with the cultists, stating the teenage cultists were counselled and asked to go with police surveillance, while the adult ones they regard as “soldiers” were taken to court.

“We combine two things here; God and police work. You make them to know that God is not happy with what they are doing, they would feel remorse.

“And this has worked. A lot of them even want to come and live with me. I personally screen these cultists when we arrest

them. I don’t mix the hardened ones with the teenagers they lure them into cultism,” he said.

The commander said they have arranged a programme to pull out these teenagers from cultism in his office from Monday to Friday involving all officers to talk to them in a relaxed mood and loosen them”.

“Even when we counsel them, we don’t just abandon and release them, we don’t abandon them. We follow them up. We don’t live them alone. We still put them under police supervision. We make them to come back to assess them,” he said.

Bassey said for the squad to achieve its objective, they need more vehicles for logistics, offices and facilities to accommodate suspects and enable them categorise them.

least one person was said to have been missing and three houses caved in Odume, Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State following erosion menace in the area.

The erosion site situated along the MINAJ television has caused deep gulley after the last torrential rainfalls.

The state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who visited the site directed a construction firm, IDC Limited, to immediately commence work on the site that has cut the road into two.

The Governor lamented that erosion menace has consistently posed a great problem to the state and urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on erosion sites in the state.

He said “there are 782 erosion sites in the state and each is causing serious problem to the community it is located”.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Idemili Local Government Area, Barrister Ralph Nnabuife Asha, commended the Governor for his concern for the people, which prompted him to come to the rescue of the residents of Odume layout.

He urged the people to vote for the Governor’s second tenure bid, adding that he has been able to better their lot.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Hon. Emmanuel Ike Nwobosi, expressed satisfaction that the Governor rushed to the site despite the fact that it was just a day to the burial of his mother, adding, “Willie is really working, this shows he has the interest of the people at heart to have rushed to the site and ordered that work on it starts immediately.

The Coordinator of Obiano Youth Movement in Idemili, Chief Omezie Chukwurah, commended the Governor for his prompt intervention.

He said: “This is why he is the people’s Governor, see how he rushed to the site on being told of the erosion menace”.

The Presidents General of Odume Obosi Central Landlords Association and Obosi Urban Landlords Association, Chief Chudi Nwokediuko, and Emeka Asimonye, respectively, described Obiano as “a really working Governor”.

They said the Governor has continued to touch on so many souls and urged the people to vote for him.

“We have put in about N2 million earlier and this erosion menace that has caved in three buildings and a child missing. It is not up to three months it started and has gone beyond our control now,” they said.

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Anambra State Coordinator, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mrs. Rosemary Otikpa, on Friday, disclosed that the council had registered no fewer than 29, 000 teachers in the state.

Otikpa made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka.

The TRCN official said that those of them, who missed the registration exercise would have to sit for an examination.

“So far, we have registered more than 29,000 teachers in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state and their certificates are ready for collection.

“Others, who failed to register will sit for a test and only those who pass the test will receive our certificate, unlike those who complied with the regulation by registering and getting the certif-

icate without any examination,” she said.

According to Otikpa, teachers stand to gain a lot by having their names in our register and having a certificate that is internationally recognised to show for the profession.

“Only the duly registered teachers can benefit from the council in terms of receiving a professional letter, which foreign schools recognise.

“Registered teachers benefit from Teachers Salary Structure (TSS), which we enforce on some private schools, and we are packaging a workshop for teachers with TRCN number and we will give them incentives,” she said.

It would be recalled that after the expiration of the deadline for teachers to register with the council, presently there are more than 250 teachers, who have not registered and will have to sit for the examination.

Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè CƑƋƕ ƾƿè ƾƠơƣ

APDA to participate in Anambra guber poll –Chairman ÏÏÏThe

Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), one of the new political parties in Nigeria, will field a credible candidate for the Anambra governorship election in November, an official has said.

The National Chairman, Malam Mohammed Shitu, announced the decision in a communiqué in Abuja on Friday.

Shitu said the party took the decision at its first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the NEC resolved to sponsor a credible candidate who could win the election.

He said that the party would be involved in all subsequent elections and urged Nigerians

to trust APDA as the best alternative party in the country.

Shitu added that the NEC also resolved to start harmonisation of its state chapter structures to get every stakeholder to be fully involved in the party’s activities and take ownership of it.

On the issue of restructuring, Shitu said one of the party’s manifesto items was the restructuring of the county.

“APDA believes in restructuring for development and not for division of Nigeria. ” We believe in restructuring where various state resources will be used to the advantage of such states in terms of its development.”

He said the NEC meeting was attended by 31 state chairmen of the party and National Working Committee members.

The Anambra Times 3

Nov guber poll: APGA chieftain warns IPOB against chaos Stories by Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ A chieftain of the All Progres-

sive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Onwuka Ukwa, has advised the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop the no-election-in-Anambra threat and avoid plunging the state into chaos.

Ukwa, who claimed to be one of the foundation members of APGA, made the call at a stakeholders’ forum organised by Ogilisi Foundation, a socio-cultural organisation, in Oba, near Onitsha, on Friday.

It would be recalled that IPOB, the group agitating for independence of Biafra, had threatened that it would ensure that the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State did not held.

Ukwa said that such threat was “expensive’’ and could deny the people of the state democracy, which other states were enjoying and return it to the dark days of military

administration.

He cautioned that such situation must be avoided and urged the proBiafra group to allow the Anambra State governorship election to progress unhindered.

According to him, the ugly experience of last census in 2006 was still being suffered by the people of the South-East when there was such call

by MASSOB. “`We should preach against anything that will stop election holding in Anambra on Nov. 18.

“We should not allow the Federal Government to impose a military administrator on Anambra when other states in the country are enjoying democratically-elected government.

“I know we are annoyed about the happenings in Igboland, but I beg you to allow the Nov. 18 election in Anambra as well as work together for a better region.

“If there is no election in Anambra, who is at a loss – the Igbos or Yorubas or Hausas? We should be wise,”

he said.

Ukwa urged APGA to make itself more formidable and become more entrenched by winning more states in the Eastern region and other parts of the country to enhance the political participation of Igbos in Nigeria’s democracy.

“APGA should win the five eastern states; that is practical Biafra. APGA is the only party that will make Igbo’s voice to be heard in Nigeria, support and embrace it,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the founder of the organisation, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, said that there was need for elders to guide the youth constructively and ensure that they did not derail or jeopardise their future.

Ezeonwuka, who is also the “spiritual leader’’ of APGA, said Ogilisi Foundation would continue to provide the platform to discuss issues of common interest with a view to proffering a win-win solution.

He solicited support for APGA in the gubernatorial poll.

Priesthood not avenue for self-aggrandisement, Archbishop Okeke tells new priests ÏÏÏThe

Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Valerian Okeke, has told the newly ordained priests in the Archdiocese that priesthood is neither a lifetime investment nor an avenue for selfaggrandisement.

Archbishop Okeke, who made the assertion during in his homily during the ordination of priests in Archdiocese, said priesthood was purely sacrifice to God. He then charged the new priests not to be carried away by pride and worldliness, rather should be humble and shun mad quest for crass materialism.

The Archbishop said “a priest must accept without any condition that he will sacrifice his life for the proclamation of the good news of the salvation wrought for humanity through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, which is the basis of the Christian faith”.

Archbishop Okeke mentioned some of the attributes of a good priests to include humility, gentility, genuine love for God and men, obedience among others, saying “as Christ obeyed his father unto death, so a priest should obey God who directs his vocation through his leader’s directive”.

He said every good priest must keep to the canonical obe-

dience he has sworn to as the cardinal principle of his priesthood as well as being poor in the spirit and in practice.

He charged “you should be mindful of poor and the less privileged in the society where you work, to take care of them in the way you can”.

He pleaded with the family members of the priests to stop seeing the priests as a source of investments since priesthood is not money making venture, instead they should continue to pray for them.

He described a priest as one chosen by God for special service to him and humanity, stressing that if one was chosen and accepts the calling, he would then offer himself as a living sacrifice.

After consecration, the Archbishop said a priest ceased to live for himself but for God who has called him as he began to reflect the image of Christ in him.

The newly ordained priests were Rev. Frs Jude Onyeyola from Umoji, Paul Ikwuneme Obunikechukwu, Ojoto, Sylvanus Chukwuebuka Eruchalu, Nnobi, Solomon Okafor, Igboukwu, Romanus Egenu, Okohia in Imo State, Emmanuel Tochukwu Uyamafu, Umumbo in Ayamelum, Chukwunonso Paul Onuegbu, Nanka, from Orumba North LGA.

ƅƏ é ƆƅƐƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ƌƈƅ ƍƏƈƆ Ɛ ƗƑƏƈ Ɛ ƆƈƏ ƏƗƈ Ɛƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƈƋƈƅ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ L Ɛ 6 Ƌƕ jƏƈ ƈƐƕè R ƈƐ êêê ƏƆƅƆ ƐƋƕê

jƏ ƗƆƏ ƇƋƆƆ ƇƋ Ɨ ƗƑƌƍ ƅ Əƍ Ɔè ƑƄƌƆƏ Ɔ ƍ Ɛ R ƈƐ &ƋƆƅƐƏ ƈƅ ƌ ƏƊƆƐ ÏÏÏThe recent ceaseless downpour

has taken its toll on Anambra markets with the Electronics International market Onitsha suffering most as flood submerged the market and left in its trail a decomposing corpse.

The copse believed to have been collected from an unknown place and dumped inside the market compounded the problem of the market which has complained bitterly that drainage system evacuating flood from the market has been blocked by a neighbouring industry.

Sources said that while the traders were crying over the great loss incurred due to the devastating effect of the flood, they never knew of the corpse’s presence until they started perceiving offensive odour which a search party immediately found out by the side of a shop in a shallow gut-

ter inside the market.

Reacting over the ugly development, the Financial Secretary of the market, Hon. Onyeka Azubike, who was flanked by the Vice President General, Mr. Nwabufor Okoye and Public Relations Officer, (PRO), Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuama, said: “The flood that came from the “sacramori” along the Onitsha/ Asaba Expressway dumped the corpse inside the market because the drainage system that passes through the market was blocked at the entrance gate behind by a company adjacent to the market.

“Because of the blockage, the flood couldn’t pass through and then submerged the market and mostly affected were those at the A-line and adjoining ones.

“We have alerted the Okpoko Police station and the health officials of

the Ogbaru Local Government Area so that they will help us by removing the corpse to enable us remove the debris and flood that has turned the market to a mini lake which has made most of us to abandon our shops”.

The PRO in his contribution said they “have petitioned the State Government and it ordered for the opening of the blocked drainage system but the order is yet to be executed”.

Also the former PRO, Innocent Emenari, said that “since 2013, this Illegal blockage structure has been here and we also wrote to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to our rescue but to no avail. We have lost over N500 million worth of goods here to flood since 2013”.

The Anambra Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Features

ASA-SA: Striving to bring investments, dev’t to Anambra Recently, the Anambra State Association South Africa (ASA-SA) stormed their state with a plan for a 10-day road show. At the end of the show, the association was able to unveil the Anambra brand in South Africa, showcase the performance of Governor Willie Obiano and the need for Anambrarians to stop migrating to overseas unequipped. EBERE CHIBUZOR writes on the activities marking the 10-Day show in the state.

If there is one thing ASA-SA achieved in the recent roadshow organised in the state, it must have to do with enlightenment of the youths on the need to travel abroad reasonably.

Over the years, most youths from Anambra State and even other parts of the country tend to travel abroad wrongly thinking that it is much easier to make it over there, but with the recent roadshow, many have been informed that it is not all that glitters are gold.

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano reechoed this in his speech during the 10-day roadshow in the state.

Obiano, who met with a delegation from the ASA-SA at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, confirmed that he was going to partner with ASA-SA, adding the state will help discourage Anambra people from traveling abroad unequipped, believing that the pasture is greener there.

Governor Obiano said what is important for his administration is to make the state viable for its inhabitants to ensure that Ndi Anambra have less need to seek opportunities elsewhere, especially in view of the increasing hostilities meted out to Ndigbo everywhere.

Condemning the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Governor Obiano urged the Anambra community in that country to think home, assuring them that with the Anambra Investment Promotion and Protec-

Governor Obiano (4th right) with the Anambra State Association South Africa (ASA-SA) delegates at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Awka, during their 10-day roadshow...recently. tion Agency (ANSIPPA) in place, their investments will be fully protected.

He further called on Anambra people living in South Africa to shun drug trafficking and cultism, saying his government will support the association in its efforts to provide empowerment for Anambra youths.

“We are to ensure that we create a conducive environment, job and security. We are concentrating these four major sectors including agriculture, trade and commerce, oil and gas and industrialisation. We welcome investment from South Africa people despite the fact that Nigeria helped South Africans during apartheid. Unfortunately, they are paying Nigeria with the opposite which comes from envy”, Obiano said.

He advised successful Anambrarians to

700 suspected cultists, 38 armed bandits arrested in 3 weeks in Anambra, says CP ÏÏÏNo fewer than 700 suspected cultists

and 38 suspected armed robbers were arrested in different parts of Anambra State in the last three weeks, Mr. Garba Umar, the state Commissioner of Police, has said.

Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Awka that the arrests were clear signal that Anambra was no longer a safe haven for criminals.

“This number of arrests within three weeks to me was unprecedented and we will sustain the tempo until we flush out all the bad eggs in the state,’’ he said.

He said that the police recovered several types of arms and ammunition from the suspects.

The commissioner said that some of the suspects had been arraigned, while the command was still investigating cases levelled against others.

He said that additional personnel had been deployed in Anambra by the Inspector-General (IGP) to beef up the existing security in the state.

Umar said that the command had created 20 new units and deployed its per-

sonnel to various flash points across the state.

“I personally patrol some of these locations to ensure efficient operations. I am not an arm chair police commissioner.

“I move round myself to make sure that things are done the right way for security of lives and property of residents,” Umar said.

Umar warned those who were in the habit of operating in offices and residential houses, especially around the Government House, Awka axis, to desist.

He said that the command had set its dragnet in every location in the state; especially Awka, the capital, and that any person or group caught would be severely dealt with.

On extortion of money and other corrupt conducts by police officers, Umar warned them to shun such negative conduct, adding that corruption was viewed as a serious offence.

“I have read my riot acts to officers and men in Anambra State Police Command that under this administration of the present IG, there is zero tolerance to corruption.

better come home and invest in Anambra, advising them not to get involved in drug dealings as Nigeria has zero tolerance for drug.

“ANSIPPA is a one shop investment which one will like to do business with. We are interested in business such as commerce and industries. We also have philanthropists who are ready to invest in sporting activities.

However, it is nice ASA-SA awards scholarship and promises to help them do it better.

I will be looking forward to more businesses with the association,” Obiano added.

In his response, President-General of ASASA, Chief Onyekachukwu Onyeka, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Nkosiwe Travels and Tours, said that due to the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, they want to partner with the state government to enlighten Ndi Anambra travelling to the country on how to be able to integrate so as to minimize the population of people coming to South Africa for the wrong reasons.

Chief Onyeka applauded the efforts of the governor, saying that Anambra State indigenes are excelling in South Africa despite xenophobic attacks which came as a result of illiteracy among the blacks.

According to Onyeka, Anambra State has recorded over 10 medical doctors in South Africa. He however appealed to the governor to give attention to security challenges, just as noted that God has used the governor as a blessing to Anambra State.

Rating Governor Obiano, Onyeka said “rating the governor is an easy one. Governor Obiano inherited a good administration from the previous administration and he has continued on that track and he has not done badly from our assessment and we urge Anambra people to support him on the 8-year quest in the office”.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Stella Onuorah, noted that the state is in dire need of investments from its diaspora community, revealing that the meeting is in line with the efforts of the present administration through her Ministry, to mobilise Anambra people to support the ongoing transformation in their state.

“Anambra is need of diaspora investment

Governor Obiano inherited a good administration from the previous administration and he has continued on that track and he has not done badly from our assessment and we urge Anambra people to support him on the 8-year quest in the office and it is better they do it at home to avoid unnecessary threat”, Onuorah said.

Mr. Jason Osuafor, one of the Board of Trustees of the association, said the meeting was interesting but that funding has become a problem.

“We are looking forward to partnering with whatever capacity you are ready. There are lots of capacity in Anambra. The relationship will yield a success prosperity for all that are here,” he said.

Contributing, a member of the Association’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Jason Osuafor, applauded the efforts of the Governor on behalf of the Association for the way he has so far steered the affairs of the state, adding that the association wants to partner with Obiano’s administration and other key stakeholders, to achieve a lot in the areas of human capital, business development, among others.

The association also requested on a piece of land to build Anambra Liaison office.

The ASA-SA members used the occasion to visit Anambra State stakeholders ranging from the business community, industrialists and the State House of Assembly during the 10-day roadshow. They also visited the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige; National Vice President, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Chief John Udeagbala; Oscar Udoji and Senator Tony Nwonye amongst others.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Britain to invest in Nigeria’s pipeline, gas Page B2

CBN has capacity to sustain forex intervention – Expert Azubike Nnadozie, with Agency Report Chief Consultant at Biodun Adedipe Associates, Dr Biodun Adedipe, has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has the capacity to sustain ongoing interventions in the foreign exchange.

Adedipe advised that the CBN should continue to intervene in the foreign exchange market in spite of the pressure on the external reserves.

Speaking at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Half-Year Economic Review in Lagos on Thursday, he said that with the 30-day moving average, the reserves rose from 29.07billion dollars at end of 2015 to 30.36 billion dollars in July 11.

Adedipe said the liquid portion of the reserves stood at 29.62billion dollars which translated to 12.31 months of imports coverage.

He said the exchange rate steadily depreciated to N168 to dollar at the end of 2014 toN197 to dollar at end of 2015, N305 to dollar at the end of 2016 and N305.85 to dollar as at July 19, 2017.

Adedipe said the required international benchmark was for external reserves to be able to sustain at least six months of the import bill.

He said that Nigeria was still doing great with its reserves covering over 12 months of imports.

The economist said Nigeria’s total import bill in the first half of this year was N2.2 trillion ($7.218 billion) on the average of monthly figure of 2.406 billion dollars.

He said that due to recession, the current import figure was on decline from 14.171 billion dollars or monthly average of 4.724 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2015.

Adedipe said that Nigeria’s external trade had picked up since the first quarter of last year with imports declining.

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Naira sustains trading week gains at forex segments

Page B3

Employers must follow due process before sacking workers - Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanoye

OPEC: More Nigerian, Libyan oil needed as demand rises Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency report The oil market will need more crude from Nigeria and Libya, as it re-balances at a faster rate in the second half after a slow start, Organisation Of Petroleum Exporting Country’s Secretary-General, Mohammad Barkindo has said.

He told told reporters in St. Petersburg, Russia, that, compliance with production cuts by members of the OPEC is “excellent,” adding that, Libya and Nigeria were exempt from the cuts; and have been boosting production, leading to speculation about whether OPEC will seek to cap their output to help reduce a global glut.

“The re-balancing process may be going on at a slower pace than we earlier projected, but it

is on course, and it’s bound to accelerate in the second half,” Barkindo said on Sunday.

Demand is expected to grow by 2 million barrels a day in the second half, he said, without specifying if he was comparing that with the same period of 2016 or the first half of this year.

Brent crude prices have declined by fifteen per cent this year on concerns that growing output in Libya and Nigeria, as well as the U.S., is more than making up for production cuts

by OPEC members and other oil producers, including Russia.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih and Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak are scheduled to attend a meeting in St. Petersburg on today, to discuss the progress of

Monday, July 24 , 2017

their agreement to trim output.

Nigeria, until now, Africa’s crude oil producer and member of the global oil cartel,OPEC, has been given exempt by OPEC because of the security challenges it faced, following, especially, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and militancy in the country’s Niger Delta region,. which had disrupted production, output, over the last few years, leaving a strain on the economy.

More than 90 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange comes from crude oil export, but due to the ongoing effort by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, there is a renewed effort at diversifying the economy, with a view to reducing the country’s over dependence on the product.

Page B8

NIMASA commences 24-hour operation on Debit Note, others Babajide Okeowo In compliance with the Presidential directive on the resumption of 24- hour port operations in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has commenced a 24- hour turnaround time for analysing cargo manifests and issuing Debit Notes to Shipping Agents.

This has been achieved by extending work hours for some workers of the Agency in the Shipping Development Department. The Agency’s offices are also open on weekends in order to accommodate shipping Agents willing to do business.

According to a statement by NIMASA, “Shipping Agents can therefore access the Agency at CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

L-R: Isaac Mwige, CEO UBA Kenya; Bola Atta, CEO UBA Foundation and Mrs. Angwenyi, Principal of Our Lady of our Mercy with students of the school.

Visa, banks bring mobile payments to Nigeria

By Tony Nwakaegho Nigerian consumers will enjoy easy and secure payments and merchants will benefit from the innovative mobile QR technology that reduces cost and friction for accepting electronic payments, as Global payments’ leader’ Visa’ has inaugurated mVisa, its innovative mobile payment service, in Nigeria. The so-

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lution is being rolled out across Africa.

With this, consumers from Visa’s Nigerian partner banks can pay with any mobile phone wherever mVisa is accepted. mVisa transactions are processed via Visa’s global network, VisaNet, applying the same scale, security and reliability as any other Visa transaction.

Therefore,, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank and First Bank will offer their customers the convenience of mVisa, through their mobile banking apps. Access Bank, Ecobank, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank will go live with mVisa in the coming weeks.

Nigeria, The Daily Times gathered, is the first market to provide

customers the convenience of making cross-border payments using mVisa.

Speaking at the launch event, Andrew Torre, President for Visa Sub-Saharan Africa said, “Small and medium merchants in particular, no longer have to invest in expensive point of sale infrastructure, as mVisa gives them the freedom to accept payments in

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

NIMASA commences 24-hour operation on Debit Note, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

these times with their manifests for further necessary action after which a Debit Note will be issued to them not later than 24 hours after submission.

These changes have impacted the overall performance of ports operations by reducing the dwell time of vessels calling the Lagos ports while increasing efficiency of the entire system.

Emphasising the significance of the presidential directive, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said that the long dwell time of vessels calling Lagos Ports was stifling trade instead of facilitating it.

He said, “The Executive Order signed by the Acting President for resumption of 24 hour port operations is aimed at improving efficiency and facilitating trade in Lagos Ports.”

The DG stated that the new approach to analysing manifests

and issuing Debit Notes will be constantly monitored and evaluated to ensure its effectiveness, while automation of the entire process is receiving priority attention.

According to the Agency, “dwell time of vessels at the ports, which were previously attributed to delays in issuing Debit Notes and Sailing Clearance has reduced considerably”.

The Agency said it was also expediting action on automating its processes to allow for electronic submission of manifests, issuing of debit Notes and Sailing Clearances to improve efficiency.

It will be recalled that the Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had in May this year, signed three Executive Orders, as part of the Federal Government’s initiative under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to ensure ease of doing business in the country.

NNPC: Gas supply to power plants increases by 64%

By Idu Jude Abuja

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left) and UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, during the former’s courtesy visit call to Mohammed in her office in New York... recently.

Britain to invest in Nigeria’s pipeline, gas Idu Jude, Abuja

The British Government has expressed its readiness to invest in pipeline infrastructure, renewable energy, gas and power of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

British High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr. Paul Arkwright, made this disclosure when the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr.Ndu Ughamadu, paid a courtesy visit to the Chan-

cery of British High Commission in Abuja.

Mr. Arkwright noted that the British Government had genuine investment interest in the Downstream, Midstream and Upstream sectors, stressing that the British Department for International Trade was ready to liaise with the Federal Government to invest in the country.

The High Commissioner also urged the Federal Government and the NNPC to organize a road show in London to create aware-

ness on the possible investment opportunities available in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector.

Mr. Arkwright disclosed that so many British investors had funds which they were willing to invest in Nigeria, stressing, however, that the process of obtaining Nigerian visa in United Kingdom was cumbersome with three different levels of visa procurement fees as well as Nigeria’s postal order system.

In his response, NNPC’s spokesman,Mr.Ughamadu, on

behalf of the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr.MaikantiBaru, condoled with the British Government over the recent terror attacks in the United Kingdom.

Ughamadu, who lead the NNPC delegation, commended the High Commissioner for the Commission’s promptness in issuing visas to officials of the Corporation.

He assured that NNPC would sustain the cordial relations.

LCCI, TBY sign MoU for publication on economy Leading international publisher of economic annuals, The Business Year (TBY) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have signeda Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)which will facilitate the research toward the publication ofThe Business Year: Nigeria 2018. Thepartnership was signed in Lagos by Cristiana Di Filippo, Country Manager at TBY, and Muda Yusuf, Director General of LCCI. LCCI is a non-profit organization that provides support to promote and protect the interests of Nigeria’s business community through schemes, facilitation, and policy advocacy. Given the nature of the Chamber’s activities, which-

deal with all businesses operating in Nigeria across all sectors, the partnership provides TBY with access to information and leaders ofNigeria’sprivate sector in order to better analyse the dynamics of the country’s business scene and take a closer look at the challenges and opportunities faced by the leaders shaping the economy.

Ms Di Filippo noted: “The Business Year is committed to reporting to the international community the status of Nigeria’s economy through the words of its main players, and to showcasing the myriad of opportunities existing in the country for both local and international investors. We have a very clear mission to help

place Nigeria on the international map as an investment destination. For this reason, we truly value a partnership with such prominent organization representing the country’s private sector, which will leverage TBY’s leading position in the country.”

Mr Yusuf stated: “We are pleased to partner withsuch major company as The BusinessYear that reaches both the local and the international government and investor community. Weare confident that our collaboration and sharing of knowledge will lead to the very successful launch of the most comprehensive publication on Nigeria’s economy, The Business Year: Nigeria 2018.”

The Business Year: Nigeria 2018 will be published in 1Q2018 and will feature the views and insights of around 120 senior executives and government officials across all sectors, obtained through face-to-face interviews in the country. Besides such interviews, TBY will feature sector analyses, focus articles and contributions from foreign Guest Speakers discussing their country’s bilateral relations with Nigeria. The publication will be widely distributed both locally and internationally at major economic forums, investment forums, and conferences all over the world, therefore greatly promoting the country’s image.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, has announced that the average national daily gas supply to the nation’s power plants has risen by 64 per cent, This, NNPC stated in a press release by the General Manager Corporate Affairs Mr. Ndu Ughammadu that the daily increase reflects Financial and Operations Report for May, 2017.

The average Natural Gas supply to power plants of 729 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) in May, 2017, was 63.74 per cent higher than the daily gas supply to the plants, of 446mmscfd, during the same month in 2016.

The report said the average national daily gas production for May, 2017, stood at 242.70billion cubic feet (BCF); or an average of 7,829.11mmscfd, representing a slight increase, compared with April gas production of 672mmscfd.

It also stated that NNPC, within the period under review, activated plans to build 500million standard cubic feet of gas-per-day metering plant to serve the planned capacity expansion of Egbin Power Plant.

The report, the 22nd edition, like the previous ones, is designed to promote and sustain effective communication with stakeholders.

According to the report, the three refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna were operational in May 2017, with a minimum of 6m litres of PMS, otherwise called petrol, and a similar quantity of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, loaded out from the refineries daily.

Visa, banks bring mobile payments to Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

a convenient, secure and affordable manner that their customers trust.”

Diamond Bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, stated that the launch of mVisa is timely and aligns with the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the digital growth strategy of the bank.

Fidelity Bank CIO, Gbolahan Joshua, said: “mVisa is an innovative service that merges the everyday mobile phone to a payment solutions plan that is easy for our customers to use. Our account holders will appreciate the convenience mVisa offers.”

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

B3

Money Market

Naira sustains trading week gains at forex segments ... closed at $366 Stories by Motolani Oseni

The Nigerian currency, Naira, over the weekend, sustained gained strength against the US Dollar at all the foreign exchange markets, including the official and the parallel market.

The local currency closed at N366 per dollar, the same rate it traded on Thursday, which was a better rate compared to 367 sold on Wednesday at the parallel market.

Naira also remained unchanged at N470 against Pound Sterling and N420 against Euro at the unofficial market.

At the official segment of the market, Naira steadied at 305.80 to a dollar, on Friday, when it closed for the trading week. Although, unchanged, while compared to the closing rate a day before but represented a decline of 0.15 per cent against rebounded rate of 305.35 traded within the

week under review.

The local currency, which had depreciated to 367.60 earlier in the week at the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) window, otherwise known as the Investors and Exporters FX window, extended its gains by 0.08 per cent at the close of trading on Friday.

The Investors and Exporters FX window, opened at depreciated rate of 365.43, against 365.13 opened to a dollar on Thursday, but closed at 366.37 compared to 366.67 it did in the previous day, representing an increase of 0.08 per cent.

The local currency, at NAFEX, had traded at N362.21 per dollar a week ago, but declined to N363.57 per dollar during the week, which indicated a depreciation of N1.63, in contrast to the 50 kobo appreciation recorded last Monday. It further depreciated to 367.60 on Wednesday before closing the week at 365.37.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had intervened in the market on Monday with the supply of 195 million dollars, in an ongoing effort to stabilise the forex market.

100 million dollars was offered through the wholesale segment, while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received 50 million dollars, tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, got 45 million dollars.

However, the apex bank, over the time, has reiterated its determination to sustain the gains, which saw the naira making some gains against the dollar.

The CBN recently noted that it was determined to sustain the provision of foreign exchange with a view to ensuring liquidity in the market and enhancing accessibility and affordability for genuine end users.

The bank had warned commercial banks and

other dealers to desist from sabotaging the efforts aimed at making life easier for foreign exchange end users.

In view of this, Chief Consultant of Biodun Adedipe Associates Limited, ‘Biodun Adedipe has said the apex bank has the capacity to sustain ongoing foreign exchange (forex) interventions. .Adedipe, pointed out that the required international benchmark was for external reserves to be able to sustain at least, six months of the import bill adding that Nigeria is still doing great with its reserves covering over 12 months import cover.

He explained that due to recession, the current import figure was a decline from $14.171 billion or monthly average of $4.724 billion in the first quarter of 2015. He said that foreign trade had picked up since the first quarter of last year, with imports declining.

Hon. Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right), Minister of State, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri (2nd left) and Chairman, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria(CORBON),Prof. Kabir Bala (2nd right) and others shortly after the inauguration of CORBON at the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja, recently.

Ecobank has extended the capabilities of its Rapid Transfer product enabling all bank account holders in Nigeria receive money via the Rapid Transfer instantly from 33 African countries where Ecobank operates.

With this development a bank account holder in any bank in Nigeria, who is privileged to receive transfer of funds from within Africa can now

$793.2m TSA repayment: UBA, Sterling, Skye banks, react Following the court order by Justice Chuka Obiozor of a Federal High court in Lagos over remittance of the sum of $793.2 million to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), United Bank for Africa Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Skye Bank, Keystone Bank and Fidelity Bank Plc have all debunked the claim connecting them to the unremitted fund.

This development, indicated that only Diamond Bank Plc and First Bank Ltd left from the seven banks that are involved in the case who are yet to denied the allegation made by the government.

In separate reactions to this order, the above listed five commercial banks have therefore denied owing the government.

UBA, in a statement by Mr. Ramon Nasir of the External Relations Department, stated that it has remitted all the monies to the government coffers.

According to Nasir, “In August 23, 2016, UBA and other eight banks were suspended from the forex market by the CBN for non-remittance of NNPC/NLNG foreign currency in their books.

“On August 24, 2016, CBN re-admitted UBA into the forex market as the bank remitted all NNPC/NLNG foreign currency in its books.

This was published by CBN on its own website.

“The bank is not holding on to any funds in the accounts as the balances in them are nil.”

Divisional Head, Brand and Communications of Fidelity Bank,Charles Aigbe, denied that the bank concealed any money belonging to the government in any account.

The bank declared that it

has remitted all monies belonging to the government.

He said: “At the commencement of the TSA policy, all TSA-related accounts held by the bank were fully disclosed to the authorities.

We do not have any TSA-related account with a balance of $24.5million in Fidelity Bank, which has not been remitted to the authorities.

“This matter is coming to us as a surprise.

We are, therefore, reaching out to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to ascertain which account or parastatal they are referring to with a view to carrying out a detailed reconciliation.”

Also, Sterling Bank, in a statement by Chief Marketing Officer, Brand Management & Communications Group,Henry Bassey, said there was no hidden NAPIMS and NNPC funds in its account.

“The $46.5 million in question supposedly represents undisclosed qualifying funds under the Federal Government’s TSA policy illegally kept by NAPIMS and NPDC. “We wish to state unequivocally that Sterling Bank does not hold any sum in any currency as a deposit from either of these entities.

Similarly, management of Skye Bank has denied being on that list, stating that it neither colluded nor unilaterally hid any other funds in its custody.

A statement by the Head, Strategic Brand Management & Communications, Nduneche Ezurike, revealed that the said funds are held with the full knowledge of the relevant Agencies of the government including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the DSS, the National Assembly.

Ecobank extends rapid transfer services to account holders

benefit from the Ecobank Rapid Transfer product.

Rapid Transfer is an Ecobank proprietary send and receive money transfer product available in all Ecobank location across Africa.

This unique product facilitates easy transfer and access to funds across Ni-

geria and in all countries where Ecobank is present.

Announcing this new development in Lagos, Head Remittance, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Esther Obot, said this is a strategic initiative that expands the reach of the product and allows non customers of Eco-

bank access the enormous benefits offered by this product.

According to her, this is a more convenient way we believe bank customers in Nigeria can be served better.

She explained that the Rapid Transfer service was conceived by Ecobank

out of the need to provide convenient, accessible, and reliable money transfer service for its retail and wholesale customers and non-customers alike.

The uniqueness of this product is its swiftness in delivery and accessibility as transactions are consummated instantly at the

receiving end.

“No matter the bank you have your account, you can receive money through Rapid Transfer” she reiterated.

Rapid Transfer into other banks is the first of its kind in Nigeria; and it is designed to save the customers from the risk of

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Equities: Q2/H1 results to dictate market trend Ï# ƐƆè 0 L è 09ƗƆƋƈƐƕè Ɛ ƆƏ ƆƔƍƆƅƐƆƗ

Unity Bank prunes Board members Afolabi Adesola

Afolabi Adesola

With the consistent gains recorded recently in Nigeria’s capital market recently, analyst expect profit taking to commence, except companies release a “better-than-last year’s declarations” in an outbreak of results expected this week.

Some of the results expected this week are, Nigerian Breweries, Nestle, Dangote Cement, CCNN, Diamond Bank, Sterling Bank, FCMB, FO, Dangote Sugar, Axamansard, Fidelity, Total and Continsure.

However, equities trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a total growth of N261billion or 2.28 per cent in the week ended 21st July, 2017,

as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization closed the week at 34,020.37 points and N11.725 trillion respectively.

Trading activities were broadly bullish during the week, as the market closed positive on all the trading sessions, driven by investors’ bargain hunting in value stocks ahead of Q2/H1 earnings releases, further improving the MtD and YtD returns to 2.73% and 26.59%, respectively.

Last week ended with other sectoral indices finishing higher with the exception of the NSE’s Insurance Index that depreciated by 2.81% while the NSE ASeM index closed flat.

Spiked by investors’ interest,

following the release of impressive Q2 results by Unilever prior week and Lafarge, the Industrial Goods and Consumer Goods Indices recorded the biggest weekly gains with a growth of 6.97 per cent and 2.97 per cent.

Though the banking sector traded negative for the first two days of the week, interest was renewed on Wednesday till the end of the week, as the news of board meetings for interim dividends and consequent approval of half year results have begun to filter in.

The total volume of stocks moved during the week was also on the upside, with a growth of 185%.

Investors moved 3.628 billion shares worth N34.886b in 19,834 deals in contrast to a total of 1.272 billion shares valued at N13.993 billion that exchanged hands previous week in 19,385 deals.

Stocks that spurred turnover were United Bank for Africa Plc (following the crossing of 2,080,104,955 shares to the bank from the Staff Share Investment Trust Scheme), Continental Reinsurance Plc and Niger Insurance Plc. Together, they accounted for 2.515 billion shares worth N20.825b in 1,191 deals, contributing 69.33% and 59.69% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

FTN Cocoa: Q2 result gives shareholders hope

L – R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf and Cristiana Di Filippo, Country Manager, The Business Year (TBY), during the signing of MoU between LCCI and TBY in Lagos, recently.

Bonny Amadi FTN Cocoa processing Company plc may have restored hope to for future good performances with timely delivery of its 2017 second quarter 2017 unaudited financial statement for the period ended 30TH June, 2017.

The company, Daily Times Nigeria gathered has been under reconstruction tag by the Nigerian Stock X-compliance report and Ftn Cocoa Processors Plc Statement of Financial Position for the Period Ended 30 June, 2017 RELEASED BY THE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) FTN Coca’s total liabilities in Q2 2017 increased to N4, 156,319 billion, from N4, 082,727b in the preceding period 2016.

Total liabilities and equity for the period rose to N5, 064,248, from N5, 276,690 in 2016 Q2.

The company’s revenue for the half year period of 2017 ended 30th, June, showed that revenue closed lower at N18,553 million from N662,964m in the preceding period of 2016 , representing 97.20 per cent drop.

Loss before and after taxation increased to N286, 034m, from N151, 144 in 2016 second quarter, indicating 89.25 per cent drop in loss position.

The company’s loss per share increased by 47.15 per cent to 13.00 kobo from N6.87k in the second quarter 2016.

The result further showed that, the company’s share capital stood at N1, 100,000b, as was recorded in 2016 second quarter. Revaluation reserve closed the period at N983,017 million, as posted in Q2 2016.

Lafarge: Q2 result shows 34% sales growth /78% opex rise Bonny Amadi Lafarge Africa Nigeria Plc may have sent signals of what its 2017 audited financial statement is likely to look like with the release of its second quarter 2017 results for the period ended 30 June, which showed improved performance.

The company’s Q2 result, was however lifted by tax credit and remarkable other comprehensive income (OCI), even as an upward review of consensus PBT of N30.8 billion is being worked out by analysts.

The result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday showed profit before tax grew to N8.7 billion, against a pretax loss of -N28.0bn in Q2 2016. The growth in PAT was buoyed by sales growth of 34 per cent year on year (y/y) and 1864bps y/y expansion in gross margin to 32.0 per cent.

The company’s remarkable performance in the second quarter, informed the commitment of FBNQuest research analysts for up-

ward revision of consensus 2017 PBT forecast.

Lafarge Africa’s Q2 result further showed that the key drivers of the PBT growth were sales growth of 34% y/y and a 1864bps expansion in gross margin to 32.0%.

The company posted 78 per cent rise in operating expenses, however, the positives, volume growth and PBT expansion completely offset a 78 per cent y/y rise in opex and a 138 per cent y/y spike in net interest expense.

Tax credit of N5.9bn and a positive result of N5.8bn on the other comprehensive income (OCI) line, PAT accelerated to N20.3bn.

Sequentially, sales and PBT were down by 10% q/q and 8% q/q respectively. However, PAT expanded by 44% q/q thanks to the positive results on the tax and OCI lines.

FbnQuest’s report on the result noted “Compared to our forecasts, sales missed by 11%. Although, PBT was in line with our N8.6bn forecast, PAT beat by 260% mainly due to the tax rebate of N5.9bn and

the positive result of N5.8bn on the OCI line.

In terms of the H1 performance, sales grew by 44% y/y to N154.8bn.

PBT and PAT also grew to N18.2bn and N34.5bn compared with the pretax and after tax losses of -N30.2bn and –N30.7bn that the company delivered in H1 2016.

Compared with our forecasts, although H1 sales missed by around 6%, the PBT was in line with our N18.1bn forecast. However, thanks to a positive result of N15.1bn on the OCI line and a tax credit of N1.6bn, PAT came in around 74% higher than our forecast.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS

34,020.37 4,516.00

VOLUME

378,187,544.00

VALUE

5,112,133,920.18

CAP

11,725,144,418,686.44

Unity Bank Plc has announced changes to its board, following an emergency meeting held on June 6, 2017.

According to the bank, the exit of five non-executive directors from the board were approved at the emergency meeting thereby reducing the size of the board from13 to 8 The Bank’s Company Secretary, Mohammed Shehu, however, said the remaining members as, Thomas Etuh- Chairman, and Aminu Babangida as Vice Chairman.

Oluwafunsho Obasanjo was named as a Non-Executive Director, Yabawa Lawan Wabi also a Non-Executive Director, and Sam N. Okagbue- Non-Executive Director.

Tomi Somefun remained the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, while Aisha A. Abraham and Temisan Tuedor remain as Executive Directors.

TransCorp Hotels records N6.2 billion revenue in Q2 Bonny Amadi Transcorp Hotels Plc Statement of comprehensive income for the period ended 30 June, 2017, showed that irrespective of the closure of Abuja Airport due to reconstruction work, and it’s reopening late April, the company performed well in 2017 second quarter.

The company’s second quarter result for the period recently released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that revenue closed at N6.2 billion, in spite of drop in foreign airline traffic to Abuja due to airport closure for repair works.

Transcorp Hotels Plc, it will be recalled embarked on renovation of its executive floors, which was concluded in the last month of the Q2.

Transcorp Hotels Plc on June 9th announced the reopening of the Executive Floors and Lounge of its flagship Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

The reopening marks a milestone in the ongoing $100 million renovation project of the historic and award winning five-star hotel, leading up to its 30th anniversary commemoration which was marked recently.

Valentine Ozigbo, Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, while speaking on the reopening, said, “our guests have grown to expect nothing less than the very best from us. That includes the pinnacle of customer service, overall comfort, and a level of aesthetic appeal rivalled by no other hotel in Nigeria.

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Monday July 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Company introduces “slurp it off” - healthy snack for consumers With consumers getting smarter and now opting for healthier beverage companions for their snacks, the Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off” 315ml pack has been introduced into the Nigerian market to address this need.

While the great taste of Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off” ensures that consumers are able to enjoy their snacks, it also provides an effective way for them to fit extra nutrients into their diets.

Speaking on this development recently in Lagos, Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy said, “We are satisfied with the positive feedback being received from consumers across the country.

Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off” has built an affinity with consumers who are health conscious, upwardly mobile and love to bring out the best in their snacks by savouring it with this great tasting yoghurt drink.”

Also speaking. Mrs. Cynthia Balogun, company secretary with Absolute Life Assurance said, “There is

no doubt about the fact that busy executives like myself enjoy snacking whether in the office or at home, and we are daily confronted with beverage options to enjoy our snacks. Since I was introduced to Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off” by a friend about a year ago, it has become my preferred snack companion because it is a healthy alternative and makes snacks more pleasurable with its rich taste and convenience.”

Kenneth Maduako, a brand executive with Brandplus Limited, said; it takes a lot of conviction for a brand to project itself as the ideal snack companion like Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off ’ has done.

His words; “From its great taste which complements various snacks to its innovative packaging which offers convenience, the brand has subtly positioned itself in the minds of the consumer such that whenever snacks are mentioned, Hollandia Yoghurt “Slurp it off” readily comes to mind as the preferred beverage companion.”

B6 CSR

Expert counsels on project execution, resource management Stories by Godwin Anyebe Corporate organisations, while trying to keep faith with Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, policies, must weigh the cost implications of such policies, especially their available resources before embarking on it.

In this regard, an expert, Jonathan Austin, CEO of Best Company has said that, CSR project doesn’t have to be a burden or a drain on resources.

Austine, who made this known in a chart with Daily Times recently in Lagos, said that, “Sometimes, it can actually aid productivity, by inspiring employee engagement.

Having a staff fun day every quarter, for example, not only gives employees something to look forward to, but allows you to raise regular sums of money for charity at the same time.”

According to him, “An unsuccessful CSR policy usually comes down to a business feeling disconnected from charitable or-

ganisations or lacking the time. By staying local and helping a charity or community project on your doorstep, you can easily see the difference your help is making. Put aside an hour on a Friday afternoon where you and your staff can make a mass trip to the local charity of your choice. If it’s only down the road, people are a lot more likely to get involved.”

He pointed out that, ” Many companies on the Best hundred List are ex-

perts in their field and have a lot of knowledge to share. One great example is a well-known phone service provider that runs “Techy Tea Parties” for Age UK and other local charities. At these events guests can spend around two hours having a oneon-one with a member of the company’s team, who helps them with their tech challenges. It’s really just about spending time with someone from their local community, over some tea and biscuits.”

UBA Foundation’s, ‘Read Africa’ hits East Africa The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, the UBA Foundation, continued on its quest to educate and empower African youths as it visited Our Lady of Mercy Girls Secondary School in Nairobi to donate over 500 copies of the book The Fishermen(by Chigozie Obioma), under the UBA Foundation’s Read Africa Initiative.

The initiative, which was inaugurated in 2011, with the aim of encouraging students to improve their vocabulary and communication skills through reading, has been changing the lives of African students across the continent for six years.

According to the bank, in a statement,”Through the initiative, the UBA Foundation is helping rekindle the dwindling reading culture among African youths, as they pursue their education. Over a hundred thousand books and educational materials have been donated to various schools across Africa, as UBA Foundation continues

to traverse the continent, contributing positively to the development of African youths.”

This week, the foundation visited Emma High School in Kampala, Uganda, with its Read Africa Initiative, before going to Kenya to read to the students at Our Lady of our Mercy School. The High school for girls, which was founded in 2008 by Mrs Angwenyi with just 32 girls, has grown into a student body of over 500 with donations from both private individuals and the Kenyan Ministry of Education.

According to the bank,the school started off with underprivileged girls.However, ess than a decade later, some of these students have gone on to universities to pursue their dreams.

Present at the drive were the CEO of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, UBA Kenya MD/CEO Isaac Mwige, the school principle Mrs. Angwenyi and the students who got an opportunity to interact and read with the UBA Executives, sharing their future aspirations and ambitions.

L-R: Alionye Emmanuel a.k.a MC Bonus, Ukeje Okechukwu a.k.a Nigga Raw, Honorable Charles Ndukwe, Commissioner for Youths &

Dufil donates 4,000 cartons of Indomie to NAF The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) humanitarian efforts in the North East recently received a boost when Dufil Prima Foods Plc., makers of indomie instant noodles; Indomie, donated 4,000 cartons of Indomie Noodles worth over ten million naira for onward transfer to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The donation was presented by the Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Deepak Singhal, while on a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar at The NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

The company noted with great interest, the remarkable support and intervention of the NAF to the IDPs, especially in the area of nutritional needs.

The Managing Director disclosed that the company, having recognized the efforts of the NAF in alleviating the plights of the IDPs in the North East, had decided to identify with the remarkable initiative.

According to Mr Singhal, businesses and other human activities could only thrive in a peaceful and secured environment. He therefore commended the efforts of the NAF in collabora-

tion with other security agencies in ensuring a safe and secured environment for all investors in the country. “The leadership of the Nigerian Air Force under the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar is doing a fantastic job.

It is therefore important for us as a company and beneficiary of the dividends of the security to proudly identify with the NAF by giving our support towards the success of its humanitarian objectives in the NorthEast,” he said.

Receiving the donated items on behalf of the NAF, the Chief of Policy

and Plans, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) James Gbum, who represented the CAS at the occasion, thanked the management of DUFIL Prima Foods Plc for identifying with the NAF humanitarian efforts at ameliorating the suffering of the IDPs. He assured the company that the items would be conveyed to the beneficiaries immediately.

AVM Gbum further stated that the NAF would continue to identify with the IDPs through its humanitarian intervention which he said was also instrumental to the successful prosecution of the war against insurgents.

Insurance B7 NCRIB trains experts to boost Nigeria’s export The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), has scheduled a two day professional training to boost the nation’s economy through increasing export opportunities and opportunities therein for the insurance sector.

The course scheduled for 9th and 10th August, according to the council centers on marine insurance, underwriting and claims administration.

NCRIB said in the published course documents that, the professional up course was fired by The desire and conscious effort by the federal government to rejuvenate the economy calls for requisite insurance inputs into the import and export business in the country.

NCRIB said that the recent executive order to port reform and the inroad into agricultural exports calls for increased marine activities.

“It is imperative that losses associated with import and export businesses need to be mitigated through thoughtful marine insurance for shipment of goods” According to the council, the course on marine insurance, underwriting and claims settlement, will equip participants with relevant skills that would enhance competence of individual professionals, raise earnings of their companies as well as enhance the overall growth of the insurance industry as a critical stakeholders in the overall nation’s economy.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Stories by Bonny Amadi The Lasaco’s 2017 second quarter result for the period ended 30th, June, showed remarkable decline in profit and loss (P/L) lines which declined, when compared with result of the preceding period of 2016.

Profit before tax (PBT) declined by 0.26 per cent, to close the quarter at N483, 502 million, against N651, 430m recorded in the same period of 2016.

The result further disclosed that profit before tax (PBT) followed the same trend, as it dropped by 0.21 per cent to N387,456m, while in

Lasaco Assurance PAT dips by 21% in Q2 2017

2016 Q2, PAT stood at N492,876m.

The company’s recent Q2 2017 financial highlights released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that total assets dropped by 0.07 per cent to N17, 970,900 from N19, 298,231 recorded in the preceding period of 2016. Total liabilities also inclined to N9, 712,981b, from N11, 446,289b in Q2 2016. the result showed that Shareholders’ funds increased by 0.05 per cent to N8,258,319, as at second quarter 2017, from N7,851,942 recorded in

2016 half year.

The company’s financial assets in Q2 2017 depreciated by 0.43 per cent, to N2, 813,575bb, while in Q2 2016. Financial assets of the company stood at N4, 935,914 billion.

According to the company’s Q2 result, gross premium written rose to N4, 751,513b, against N4, 009,917b recorded in the preceding period of the year, reflecting growth in gross premium by 0.19 per cent.

Net premium earned rose by 0.47 per cent, to N2, 062,342b in Q2 2017,

while in Q2 2016, it was N1, 401,314b, reflecting 0.47 per cent growth.

Underwritten profit grew by 5, 14 per cent, to close Q2 2017 at N577, 702m, against N139, 479 posted in the preceding period of 2016.

Investment income rose to N305, 772 in Q2 2017, from N159,442 posted in the preceding period of 2016, reflecting growth by 1.34 per cent.

Other incomes grew by 0.80 per cent to N305, 772 m, against N1.511b , 810 recorded in the preceding period of 2016.

Insurance Bits NEM insurance announces x-dividend date Closure of Register – Year Ended 31 December ,2016 – Proposed Dividend: 8 Kobo per share, Proposed Bonus: Nil, Closure Date: 7th - 11th August 2017, AGM Date: 24th August, 2017, Payment Date: 28th August, 2017, AGM Venue: To be advised.

L-R: Uttam Nayak, Head of Emerging Products Digital at Visa Inc, Andrew Torre, President Sub-Saharan Africa, Visa inc , Ifeoma Onibujie, Head, e-banking, Fidelity Bank, Robert Giles, Head Of Retail Banking at Diamond Bank Plc, Emezino Afiegbe, Acting Country Manager, Visa inc Nigeria at the launch in Lagos.

Continental-Re, Niger Insurance lift overall market turnover by 9.8% The Nigerian insurance sector for the week ended 21 July, 2017, maintained positive year- on- year growth, just as increased trading in the sector during the week lifted the overall volume of stocks traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Continental Reinsurance Plc which traded at N1.30 per share recorded the sectors, highest turnover with a turnover of 174,986,650 million shares worth N220, 512,843.81m and was transacted by investors in 52 deals.

Nigeria Insurance plc fol-

... As Insurance sector maintains positive 8% y/y ROI

lowed in the sector’s activity table for the week with a total turnover of 168,219,050 million shares worth N84, 109,525.00m, and transacted in 15 deals. The equity price stood at N0.50 per share.

Meanwhile, the combined turnover of the two insurance companies which stood at 343,205,700, lifted the overall equities market turnover for the week which closed the week at 3,627,509,700 shares by 9.8 per cent.

The insurance sector sus-

tained the year on year positive returns during the week with 8.20 per cent y/y. however the quarter to date (qtd) negative at -0.88 per cent, month to date and week to date also closed negative at -2.81 per cent and -3.95 per cent respectively.

The sector opened the week at 140.60 points and closed on Friday, July 21 at 136.65 points, indicating weekly change of -3.65 points. irrespective of the of challenges posed by harsh operating environment, the insur-

ance sector of the Nigerian economy, has maintained a positive 8 per cent returns on investment year on year, as at the close of trade on Friday 21 July, 2017.

Meanwhile during the week ended 21 July, 2017, three insurance companies in adherence to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) filed their audited and periodic results, the companies are , African Alliance Insurance Company plc which filed its full year audited result ended

31 December 2015 as well as its full year audited result for the year ended 31 December, 2016.

Guinea Insurance Plc during the same week delivered to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) its 1st quarter unaudited result for the period ended 31March 2017, as well as 2nd quarter unaudited accounts for period ended 30th June, 2017.

Also, for the week ended 21 July, 2017, Lasaco Assurance Plc filled with the Nigerian bourse, its 2nd quarter unaudited financial statements for the period ended 30th June, 2017.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

B8

Business Interview

Employers must follow due process before sacking workers - Olasanoye Comrade Olasanoye, National President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, (ASSBIFI) in this interview with GANIYU OBAARO, said due process must be followed before any worker is sacked by employee. Excepts Could you please tell us about yourself ?

I am a unionist to the core. I was born in the middle 60’s. I am from Owo, Ondo State. I am a mother and devoted Christian.

I went to Government Primary School, Owo, in 1971; St. Cathering Anglican Girls’ Grammar school, Owo; later, I proceed to the Federal Polytechnic, AdoEkiti; also, Lagos State University (LASU).

I have Masters in Financial Management; Industrial Relations and Labour Practice; and I have attended several training programmes, both within and outside the country.

I have been working with Royal Exchange since 1993. Royal Exchange came to Nigeria in 19921, the oldest insurance company in Nigeria. Before I came on board, which is where I am on sabbatical? I run one of the biggest branches, which is the Ikeja branch, as Senior Manager with Royal Exchange; I became the acting unit president of Royal Exchange in 2002, I became the authentic president in 2004.

I came on line to be an executive of ASIBIFFI from 2007; I have been the Deputy President since 2010.

Because we have succession plans in our constitution, I mean, we rotate the presidency between the insurance and the banking sectors that is how we have been rotating it after six years. I believe unionism is a spiritual assignment.

Coming from the insurance sector, how would you describe the mass sack and all other issues affecting the sector?

Talking about the Insurance sector, what I will talk about in the sector is the same I will equally talk about the banking sector. With the current situation of the country, you know, in every economy, the government is the highest spender; and in view of the situation we are in currently, the government is not spending much the way any it should be doing. Before now, the ministries, parastatals, organizations have their own budgets.

So, you will see parastatals like NNPC, Nigerian Army, Custom and others have their own resources, and they could

Olasanoye easily do insurance and do other spendings, but they could save money; and these were really helping the liquidity of the sectors.

But, now, with the Treasury Single Account, TSA, no big parastatal can really do insurance, save money. So, it is not about the insurance sector alone, but it is about the whole financial sector of the economy.

Inasmuch as, we have liquidity problem, the government is not spending, the parastatals’ allowance and money are being warehoused, and the recession is really affecting everybody.

How would you describe the ongoing mass sack in the financial sub-sector, particularly in banks and insurance companies?

Thank you very much. We have been having issues on improving collective bargaining.

The one we have using currently is outdated.

Ideally, we bargain on the agreement, which we review every two years, one of the things we are able to do because the employers’ secretariat cannot

be active, is that, we are ready to negotiate afresh. But employers no longer have functional and active secretariat there to work with.

So, what we have done so far is that we have started having negotiations on each bank and on each insurance company.

We now build individual agreement on it, until we are able to have the compressive one for the sectors. We are working on the Federal Ministry of Labour, we keep writing them.

If you want to give somebody target, let it be on their retail sales, but, unfortunately, in Nigeria, there is no middle again, either you are rich or poor, so, let it be to meet both the poor and the rich at least in savings, currents and in fixed deposit.

But because of the situation on the ground, they keep on giving targets.

The only thing we can do as an association is that, anybody that is being laid off that has not committed any offence, we will make sure that the retrenchment , re-engineering or whatever names is being called, followed due process; and that

that is what we have been doing.

Some foreign firms operate with impunity in terms of casualisation of workers in workplaces? What are you doing to eradicate it?

The difference between a casual staff and the full time staff with condition is that part of the conditions are salary, the remuneration, safety at workplace.

We have enough laws in Nigeria, safety at workplace, factory acts, employee compensation, we have so many of them; the Labour Act we are using as at today is outdated, we have tried sometimes to sponsor bill on upgrading of the Labour Acts, but as at now, nothing seriously have been done about it.

For me, I personally believe that, why we have not been able to achieve the achievement of this upgrading of our Act, is this: in every other country of the world, we have tripartite system, the employer, the employee and government, the government becomes the regulator, the supervising authority over the employment, but in Nigeria, we have a unilateral system, employer and the government

are fused together as one.

With due respect, there is no bank or any financial institution in Nigeria that you will trace the masquerade that you will not trace it to the Executive and the Legislative body of the country. So, it has been very difficult to get a new labour Law in place.

What is your relationship with the Ministry of Labour and Job Creation?

Now, coming back to casualisation, we have done something with the Ministry of Labour.

We insisted that every organization that is providing labour, outsourcing and casualisation should be registered, and that there should be a collective agreement, the collective bargain on how they implement the condition of service of these contract workers.

I know they have been registered, I know they have put the collective agreement in place, but because majority of these organizations do not want this contract workers to know their rights, they will refuse them from being unionized.

Life&

TIMES Monday, July 24, 2017

Darey Art Alade: As a trained actor, acting is not for me L4 P

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, July 24, 2017

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Interview L4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 24, 2017

Lewd music is not my thing –Darey Art-Alade the less attention his style gathers in the industry, Darey has continued to wax

What then do you want to achieve with music?

Are you considering going into gospel music seeing that you have the choirs behind you?

Your song Pray for me has gone far. How did you come up with the concept; was it spiritual, a dream; what exactly?

Actually, what can I say is that when you work in the

A lot of your colleagues have made appearances in movie; will you consider acting one of these days?

Your response was so absolute about the acting thing?

Despite less attention given to your kind music, more doing secular music?

We have seen shows come and go. What measures have you put in place to ensure the sustainability of Love like a Movie Concert?

Your father was a greater entertainer; would shoes?

What inspires your dress sense?

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Are you not aspiring to be greater than your father?