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SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 735

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Court convicts 36 errant motorists over 96 offences FRSC offers free eye tests to motorists at motor parks

Mattew Dadiya with agency report A mobile court on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, Anambra State, has convicted about 36 motorists, following their involvement in 96 traffic offences.

The mobile court session was the second since the commencement of the Special Sallah Patrol in the state.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Anambra State, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, disclosed this in Awka on Friday.

He added that the 36 motorists were tried and all were found guilty.

Ajayi further stated that the prevalent offences as shown in the report of the operation were non installation of Speed Limiter, non-possession of Driver’s Licence and dangerous driving.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Troops arrest 50 bandits, arms suppliers, recover 1,000 cows in Zamfara g 5

l’ll restore good governance in Imo – Ikedi Ohakim g 5

2019 polls: APC berates INEC over leaked primaries timetable g8

DSTV shuns court injunction, retains new rates g3

How I manage my g 11 marriage and career

-Dakore Egbuson-Akande

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Traffic madness! Court convicts 36 errant motorists over 96 offences Continued from page 1 The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also quoted Ajayi as saying that, “A total of 36 motorists were tried and all were convicted. They were all found guilty of 69 offences.”

Ajayi said the command, in collaboration with the Nigeria Optometrists Association, also rendered free eye tests to motorists at various motor parks in the state.

He said the services were to raise awareness on visual alertness of drivers and advise those with cases on what to do and how to go about their treatment.

The FRSC official said good eye sight was important to safe driving and should not be compromised.

“The command collaborated with the Nigeria Optometrists Association to offer free eye checks at various parks in the state.

“These parks include those in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Nteje, Ihiala, Ekwulobia, Igboukwu and Oraifite,’’ he said.

In a related development, the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), on Friday in Lagos, urged drivers to go for regular eye checks, to minimise road accidents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two bodies took a campaign on good eye sight for drivers to Ojota Motor Park as part of efforts to reduce road accidents ahead of

the Ember months.

The Chairman of NOA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. John Samssedi, said they decided to collaborate with the FRSC in the campaign as part of their social responsibility to the society, so as save more lives.

Samssedi said that many claimed to be seeing clearly, but unknown to them, were having lots of eye diseases, stressing that only such campaign would help to discover such problems.

“There are lots of conditions that affect a driver’s view; there are many of them that are preventable and many not preventable. For those preventable ones, we call them preventable blindness.

“We want to raise awareness amongst the drivers; we want to do screening and give free drugs. We are not just talking alone. We create the awareness in drivers and motor parks generally.

“They should know there is a need for them to visit their eye care provider, at least once or twice a year.

“Some people believe they can see, therefore, no need for eye check; that is dangerous, that is the essence of this campaign,” he said.

Samssedi warned the drivers against alcohol and hard drugs, stressing that such substances destroy one’s vision.

“If you must drink, don’t drive. Don’t do drugs, it destroys the eye and other organs of the body.

“There is a need to carry out the kind of test done on drivers in developed world in Nigeria; it

will reduce accidents. If you are underage, don’t drive,” he said.

Samssedi said the campaign would also help to collect data of drivers with eye diseases, stressing that the association would advise the government on their findings and the possible way to check road accidents.

He said those with serious problems would be referred for proper screening, with a view to knowing the best glasses for them.

The Transport Organisation Officer of FRSC, Lagos State command, Mr. Godwin Umweni, said the campaign was part of the Corps’ efforts to reduce road carnage.

Umweni said a driver’s view was very important in transport business, and anyone with eye deficiency would not be issued driver’s licence.

He also called on motorists to always go for eye check.

“It is our responsibility to ensure drivers take passengers to their destinations safely, that is the essence of this campaign with Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos Chapter,” Umweni said.

An official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), New Garage Ojota, who did not want his name in print, described the campaign as laudable and praised the organisers.

Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 100 persons were screened, while free drugs were given to some drivers and market women trading at New Garage Motor Park at Ojota.

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

L-R: Imo State Governor Rochas Okorochas; President Muhammadu Buhari; Katsina State Governor Bello Masari and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu during the governors’ visit to Buhari in Daura, Katsina State...on Thursday.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Shehu Sani during the latter’s visit to the President in Daura, Katsina State...on Thursday.

Price hike: DSTV shuns court injunction, retains new rates Satellite service provider, DSTV has continued to implement its new bouquet rates despite a court order restraining the action.

An official of DSTV, who declined to give his name because they had been asked by the company not to speak on the issue, confirmed on Friday that subscribers still pay the increased rates.

“The case is being reviewed at the moment and there are some information that I cannot disclose. But as it is, for all of the DSTV subscriptions, the price still remains at its increased rate.

“I do not have any information as to how long it will take to review the prices but the case is being reviewed in the court with the business and legal experts,” he said.

In July, MultiChoice raised the subscription rate for the DSTV Premium package from N14,700 to N15,800; Compact Plus from N9,900 to N10,650; Compact from N6,300 to N6,800.

The Family package went from N3,800 to N4,000, and Access from N1,900 to N2,000 which was

implemented from August 1.

But Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an injunction restraining the video entertainment and Internet company from implementing the new rates.

The court also restrained MultiChoice from any conduct capable of interfering with the regulatory process of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

The restraining order was issued in respect of the suit filed by the CPC following public outcry.

In March 2015, DSTV announced a 20 per cent increase for all its satellite pay TV bouquets in Nigeria, which took effect from April 1, 2015.

It would be recalled that an order of interim injunction restraining Multichoice from enforcing the increase was granted by Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

In spite of the ruling, DSTV went on to implement the increased prices with the defence that the court order was granted

on April 2 after the price increase had taken effect on April 1, 2015.

Meanwhile, the DirectorGeneral of the CPC, Babatunde Irukera in a statement on Friday unveiled a special channel for receiving complaints for customers who could not renew their subscriptions at the old prices.

“The council is setting up a special channel for receiving complaints for this purpose.

This is in view of the continuing and increasing complaints that consumers are unsuccessful in renewing subscription in compliance with the order of the court, even after service of the order upon Multichoice.

“As such, any consumer who has, or is experiencing this challenge should please send an email to multichoicecompliance@ cpc.gov.ng, stating relevant information. The information should include smart card number, name, telephone number, date and time of failed attempt to pay, supporting same with relevant evidence such as a screenshot or document (where necessary),” Irukera said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (middle) and others during a townhall meeting in Lagos.

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (left) shaking hand with one of the participants during the flag off of the 2nd Edition of the Ondo State Summer Tennis Clinic for children between ages 4-13 at the State Sport Complex, Akure.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Gov Ortom raises the alarm over alleged assassination plot ‘Alleged plot mischievous, false’

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by Fulani herdsmen to kidnap and assassinate him.

Ortom, who made the allegation during an interactive session with church, traditional institution and some stakeholders in Makurdi on Friday, claimed that he received intelligence report that herdsmen, who are currently occupying parts of Guma Local Government Area, were already hatching plans to attack him along the Abuja-Lafia Road.

He said, “The armed herdsmen, according to the intelligence report, would ensure that all my security aides were killed, after which they would kidnap and torture me before killing me.

“Already, I have reported the matter to the police and other security agencies and they are aware of this.

“Therefore, anytime my spirit doesn’t allow me to travel by road, I would call flight operators. But, just a few days ago, the federal government issued a circular directing that no flight should land in Makurdi Airport again.”

The governor, who also alleged that some Benue indigenes were conniving with other forces in Abuja to kill him, stressed the need for the federal government to urgently address killings across Nigeria by herdsmen militia to pave way for peaceful elections in 2019.

He maintained that most of the polling units in the crisis-affected areas in the state have been destroyed and taken over by the Fulani herdsmen as their grazing fields.

He said, “The killing across Nigeria is a deliberate attempt by some people, either Boko Haram, armed bandits or herdsmen working for the same purpose to disenfranchise large proportion of Nigerians from voting for the leaders of their choice.

“Amnesty International had come out to disclose that over 19, 000 people have lost their lives in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau states to herdsmen attacks and this does not speak well of Nigeria, especially as we are heading towards 2019.”

While lamenting that Benue indigenes have become destitute and homeless in their fathers land, Governor Ortom further disclosed that pockets of killings were still going on in Makurdi, Guma, Logo and Katsina Ala Local Government Areas of the state.

He explained further that most of the farmlands along the borderlines of Taraba and Nasarawa states have been taken over by herdsmen militia who currently occupy the areas to the detriment of the indigenes.

“Even though, a goat doesn’t bite, but when you continue to provoke the goat, the goat will turn back and bite you,” the governor stated.

He attributed the success of his administration’s amnesty programme to the support given to him by the leadership of the

Catholic Church in the state.

Calling on international community to beam their searchlights on states affected by herdsmen crisis in the country, the governor urged traditional rulers to go back and enlighten their subjects on the need to register with INEC and obtain their PVCs so as to vote out leaders with questionable characters in next year’s general elections.

But the National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Galolo, has faulted the claims Governor Ortom about the alleged plot by the group to kill him.

Galolo further described the allegations as not only false but mischievous.

Ortom

Troops arrest 50 bandits, arms suppliers, recover 1, 000 cows in Zamfara Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Defence Headquarters has assured that Zamfara State will be freed from banditry following the campaign mounted by “Operation Sharan Daji” that has resulted in the arrest of over 50 notorious armed bandits in the last one month.

Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, who disclosed this on Friday at a press conference in Gusau, Zamfara State, said that over 20 sophisticated arms, assorted ammunition and some dangerous locally made weapons were recovered from the bandits.

Agim said that other exploits recorded by the military operation, include the arrest of Amos Ugwuozor, Nura Mukhtari and Sani Yaro, identified as the chief logistics and arms suppliers to the bandits.

The military, he added had also recovered two cars and 36 motorcycles, just as some cattle

rustlers, including two female bandits were arrested.

Agim said, “Sharan Daji operation has also led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims with over N500, 000 recovered from the kidnappers.

“Robust patrols and armed escorts around vulnerable villages and weekly local markets have built confidence in the community, so that bandits no longer have freedom of action, where they impose levies and harass traders.

“It is on record that activities of our troops had led to the recovery of over 1, 000 rustled cows which were returned to the owners,” he added.

The defence spokesman also cited the return of peace and security in Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi council areas, which he said, has led to the massive return of more than 6, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes where economic and farming activities had commenced in earnest.

“The Air Task Force (ATF) in

support of OPSD recently launched series of air strikes against the bandits’ hideouts and camps in Sububu and Rugu forests. The attacks successfully neutralized large number of armed bandits and destroyed their camps,” the spokesman stated.

Agim said that the thick forests and other ungoverned areas serve “as sanctuary and safe haven for the bandits, from where they planned and launch attacks on innocent people.

“The troops make use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms to gain real time information on the movements and locations of the bandits thereby denying them freedom of action”.

The Daily Times reports that the security situation in Zamfara State was characterized by wanton killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and armed robbery before the deployment of army, air force, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

5 News

2019: l’ll restore good governance in Imo – Ohakim Bonaventure Melah, Abuja Former Imo State Governor and an aspirant for the same office in 2019, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has disclosed the reasons why he deposed to an affidavit on his first four years in office as well as on what he plans to do from 2019 if he wins the state governorship election next year.

Ohakim recently deposed to a 35-paragraph affidavit at an Owerri High Court in which he among other things vehemently denied allegations of corrupt enrichment and diversion of state funds, challenging any concerned citizen to take him to court to prove him otherwise.

The affidavit, which generated public curiosity especially in Imo State, also stated what the former governor intends to achieve and how to go about them from 2019 going forward, if elected.

In an exclusive interview on Friday, The Daily Times asked Ohakim why he chose to swear affidavit on his past tenure and his future plans, something that has not been heard of in Nigeria in the past.

His response: “I went to Owerri High Court to swear affidavit so that whatever I say to the people of Imo State henceforth will be legally binding between us; and that I can be held responsible for my words. I did that, knowing that no one has taken such step in Nigeria before.

If you check, more than 99 percent of politicians in the country just make promises merely to deceive the people and take their votes without making efforts to fulfil those promises.

“In the past, many prominent personalities in this country have made promises to do only one term as presidents and on grounds of which they were handed over party nominations but at the end of their tenure, they reneged and went ahead to re-contest.

Look at the case of current Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who signed agreement to do one term even in the presence of some church leaders as witnesses, yet he failed to keep to the terms of the agreement and now even wants to do a third term through a crony.

“If you recall, somebody wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that I diverted N9billion meant for the dredging of Nworie River, which was actually an NNDC project and therefore had nothing to do with me as Imo State governor. When the late President Umaru Yar’Adua heard of the petition, he called me and said, ‘Your people must be very wicked for linking you with this matter.’ Yar’Adua was very angry with our people for that.

Allegations against me were baseless, frivolous and unsubstantiated with most of them bandied by Rochas and his cohorts, including the lies that I slapped a Reverend father which never happened.

That is why I went to court and swore the affidavit so that if anybody can prove that I took Imo State’s money, I should go in for that.”

According to him, there was no promise he made during his campaigns for the 2007 governorship election that he did not fulfil, adding that he left N26billion in Imo treasury before leaving office.

In the 35-parapgraph affidavit by Ohakim which was titled ‘My Covenant with Ndi Imo,’ the former governor stated that he shall seek the votes of the good people of Imo State for one term in the 2019 and that in cognition of his privilege and informed knowledge of the affairs of Imo State, he has the burden

“moral, political, economic, social and spiritual responsibilities to the people of Imo State of Nigeria and humanity at large, to challenge and address the wasteful, treacherous, deceitful, capricious, autocratic, totalitarian and perceivably draconian malady that has entangled Imo State of Nigeria between 29/05/2011 and the time of this Oath.”

He said that his current mission include to address the urgent issues of Economic Revival; Loot Recovery; Reconciliation and Return of Imo State back to the hands of God; liberate Imo State from the rapacious and capricious mismanagement of the affairs as well as the callous and mindless misappropriation of the resources of the state; re-erect all good governance structures deliberately and ignorantly demolished by Governor Rochas Okorocha; purify the system; restore our Christian and Traditional values, seek adequate closure on a discredited era and to prepare the next generation of leaders and return our state to a more civilized brand of politics devoid of thuggery, gangsterism and brigandage within 4 years, even as he said that he was ‘constitutionally qualified, mentally matured, physically sound, competent, experienced and that I understand completely the “NUTS and BOLTS” of Imo State government.”

He went on to say that ‘having acquitted myself in my first term as Governor who handed over to Governor Rochas Okorocha, I enjoy a unique governance experience and institutional memory to hit the ground running at the blast of the whistle, to rekindle hope for a future anchored on democratic rights, due process, economic growth and job creation; that I wish to state categorically: that in my first term as governor, I conducted the day to day running and management of the affairs of Imo State with utmost probity, sterling integrity, transparency and due process. That I obeyed all court judgments and orders and respected rules of engagement in the contract system, without exposing the state to any commercial risks; that consulted extensively and worked harmoniously with all stakeholders in the state; that as a result, there was no judgment debts against my administration, no contract failed and no contractor made away with tax payers money in spite of the fact that we deliberately stimulated the economy and created wealth in the state by deploying over 2000 local small-scale contractors for projects,” among many other averments in the affidavit.

Ohakim

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

My wife was raped but I still love her, man tells court

Mr. Yinka Alabi, 35, on Friday pleaded with an IdiOgungun Customary Court, Agodi, Ibadan, not to dissolve his marriage in spite of his wife admitting to being raped by another man.

In his defense to a divorce suit filed by his wife, Funmilola, he told the court that the woman claimed to have been raped in her office, but that he still loved her. ”My wife’s adulterous ways are terrible. She was in the habit of receiving her boyfriends’ calls in my presence, but my illhealth made me to accept all her

shortcomings. ”My lord, I urinate through the use of catheter and my wife knows what am passing through. I pay her upfront before allowing me to have sex with her, but I am not bothered because I love her and do not agree with the dissolution of our 10-yearold marriage,” Yinka said.

Earlier, Funmilola, 31, had urged the court to grant her divorce request, alleging constant brutality by her husband.

According to her, Yinka is always suspicious that I engage in extramarital affairs.

”He has no regard for my parents, so I can no longer endure his nagging and brutality,” she stated.

In his ruling, President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, urged the parties to resolve the issue for the sake of the only child of the marriage.

Balogun advised the respondent to find means of reconciling with his wife since he does not want the marriage to end.

He adjourned the case until August 31 for report of settlement or continuation of hearing.

Short News Obaseki presents N6m to families of slain police officers *Awards scholarship to children Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state on Friday presented N6 million cheques to families of the three police officers killed by kidnappers who abducted Andy Ehanire, brother to the Minister of state for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, at the Ogba Zoological Garden, Benin City on September 21, 2017.

Receiving the families of the dead police officers in Government House, Obaseki praised the gallantry of the slain police officers, adding that they died in active service, protecting the state and as such would not be forgotten.

“We are not here today to celebrate but remember our fallen heroes, specifically Inspector Henry Eguoba, Sergeant Christopher Omoregie and Sergeant Stephen Igbinoba, who lost their lives in a very sad incident,” he said.

Killing: Irate youths burn police area command office in Osun Irate youths on Friday set ablaze the Osun Police Area Command Office in Iwo in protest against the alleged killing of a resident by policemen suspected to be members of the disbanded Special AntiRobbery Squad.

An eyewitness said the victim, Nafiu Ayodele, who was a student of Osun Polytechnic, Iree, was allegedly hit by a stray-bullet on Thursday at Oluponna, Iwo. The eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, said the angry youths from Ile-Ogbo stormed the command on Friday morning, dislodged the policemen from their offices and set the premises on fire.

According to the eyewitness, who lives close to the scene, the youths arrived at the Area Commander’s Office around 7 a.m. and engaged the police officers in a gun battle.

Sokoto flood victims protest alleged diversion of govt’s support

L-R: CEO, Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, Hon. Boyelayefa Debekeme and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, during a condolence visit to the governor over the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson, at Toru-Orua on Thursday.

Experts meet in Accra on improved road safety, urban mobility Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja Over 100 participants representing 20 African countries have converged in Accra, Ghana to share experiences on improving road safety and reducing road accidents across Africa, at a 2- day workshop on Road Safety and Urban Mobility.

The workshop was inspired by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, and former UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, who had intended to participate in the meeting before his sudden illness caused him to cancel his trip to Ghana.

The meeting on Monday began with a moment of silence in respect for Mr. Annan and in sympathy with his family at his recent passing.

The workshop underscored the linkages between growing urbanisation

and expected rise in the number of road traffic fatalities in the region.

Participants at the workshop are assessing how to better integrate safe urban mobility within existing road safety frameworks and discussing how to incorporate road safety into urban planning and infrastructure development process.

Of the 1.3 million road traffic fatalities every year globally, more than half are accounted for in urban areas.

Road traffic fatalities are estimated to be the fourth leading cause of death globally of persons aged 5 through 44 years.

Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ms. Vera Songwe, highlighted that safety needs to be “built into” infrastructure investment, as this is far less costly than retrofitting roads afterwards to be safer.

In addition to physical infrastructure, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana,

Ms. Christine Evans-Klock, emphasized the need to improve coordination among government agencies, to reduce corruption, and to enforce existing safety regulations and traffic laws.

She also suggested that the most significant sign of respect from the regional workshop to the former UN Secretary-General would be “the seriousness with which we take up this life-and-death topic and the commitments we follow through to improve road safety and urban development.”

The regional workshop, hosted by the Government of Ghana in partnership with the United Nations is designed to support Governments in meeting their commitments to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

Reducing road fatalities is specific target under Goal 3 to improve health and well-being, and improving access to safe transport systems is specific target under Goal 11 to ensure inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.

Victims of the 2010 flood disaster in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto state on Friday protested the alleged diversion of government’s assistance and package intended for them.

The victims in their hundreds comprising women, men and children marched into the 400 housing units initiated by the immediate past administration of Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.

The project had been inaugurated by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on May 28, 2015 with about 200 houses completed and the remaining 200 others uncompleted as some were at foundation level.

Speaking to newsmen, the Coordinator of the demonstrators, Malam Aliyu Bako, said the aim was to call on the government to come to their aid as many of the victims remained homeless.

Activist threatens to sue PDP over Bindow defection rumour Tom Garba,Yola An activist in Adamawa state, Alhaji Musa Usman Shuwa has threatened to take legal action against the state chapter of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) over claims that Governor Jibrilla Bindow is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP. Musa is therefore, seeking an apology from the PDP within two weeks for banding such falsehood or he will head to court to seek redress.

He said the PDP should make a public declaration to debunk claims that the governor made overtures to them to enable him defect from the APC, adding that the state chapter of the PDP must clarify the misconception that the governor has been holding secret meetings with the party.

According to him, the PDP should apologize to the governor, his cabinet and the entire people of the state for such false impression and assure the people of the state that such cheap gimmick will not be repeated.

“The claim by the PDP in the media insinuating that the number one citizen of Adamawa state is defecting to the opposition is a baseless allegation and is highly condemnable.

“Such cheap political gimmick to mislead the public and create false impression before the people of the state is highly uncalled for. Such campaign of calumny and distortion of political realities will no longer be condoned.

“For the chief security officer of the state, who is in charge of the ruling party structure to have a second thought of exiting the party for political refugees is unthinkable. ‘’In the past, probably it worked, but for now it is pertinent to note that the PDP is a sinking ship and is desperate to woo the governor to its fold and should not twist the story the other way round,’’ Musa added.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Gov Emmanuel declares for 2nd term, chides Sen Akpabio Isaac Job, Uyo Governor Udom Emmanuel has assured Akwa Idom people that the former senate minority leader and his predecessor senator Godswill Akpabio cannot deliver the state to All Progressive Congress (APC).

Emmanuel, who said this yesterday during his declaration for second term at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo dismissed Akpabio’s declaration of war on the state as unrealistic.

He said the senator’s analogy of using Hitler-styled invasion of Poland during the World war to depict how the APC intends to capture Akwa Ibom State would be stoutly resisted by the people.

He assured that the migration of his former boss, Senator Akpabio, to the ruling APC, at the centre, would not stop his re-election, saying he would work with the people to continue with his superior performance during his second term.

“No man is God”, he stressed, adding: “I submit myself for consideration to continue

with the good works that I have done and I seek your support for my candidature as governor for second term”.

The governor said he was banking on his superior performance to return to the Government House, Uyo, in 2019, adding that he has worked hard and honestly to deliver on his 2015 campaign promises.

He mentioned industrialization as the major plank of his achievements in the last three years, pointing out that the conglomeration of industrial clusters including toothpick, pencil, syringe, electric metres, coconut factory, peacock paint, fertilizer firms and several kilometres of roads, would recommend him for re-election.

The Akpabio administration, he noted, had left behind some uncompleted projects including the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel at Ikot Ekpene and the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road, saying his administration has been working hard to ensure the completion of those legacy projects of the immediate past era.

“Who said they had completed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel?” He asked, adding that “it is only today that we are

negotiating with Starwood Group for the retainer-ship of the name, which some surreptitiously put up on a building, is building a hotel?”

He, therefore, enjoined the people to rally round him in his quest to sustain the tempo of good governance he enunciated in his first term in 2015.

In the same vein, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, the former Military Governor of the State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, who chairs the governor’s re-election committee and the State PDP chair, Obong Paul Ekpo, charged supporters and stakeholders of the PDP to work towards ensuring the PDP retain Akwa Ibom with Udom Emmanuel, in 2019.

Solidarity messages from neighbouring governors of River State, Nysom Wike and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, assured Governor Emmanuel that he would be returned based on track-record of quality works in the last three years and enjoined the people not to allow external influence to alter the already political arrangement ably directed by the PDP since 1999 in Akwa Ibom.

7 News

Short News ‘Proficiency in indigenous languages vital in civil-military relations’ The Director- General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Retired Maj.-Gen. Johnny Hamakim, said personnel’s proficiency in indigenous languages would be an indispensable tool in civil-military relations.

Hamakin stated this at the graduation ceremony in indigenous languages proficiency courses in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba for 66 officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army on Friday in Abuja.

The indigenous language courses were organised by the NARC in collaboration with LACLIC Services Ltd., a leading language school and cultural institution in Nigeria.

The director-general who represented by Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, Executive Director, Army Resource Center, said the acquisition of indigenous languages was also critical for the attainment of good operational outcomes.

ASUU urges Osun, Oyo govts to bailout LAUTECH The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has urged Osun and Oyo state governments to hasten measures that would bail out Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho from its deplorable condition.

The ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Mr Jamilu Shehu, who made the call on Friday at a news conference in Katsina, said the call became imperative because condition was affecting academic activities. “’LAUTECH is an institution jointly owned by Osun and Oyo state governments.

“Since 2013, the university has been grossly underfunded due to non-release of funds by the two state governments.

“Consequently, staff of the university are owed 10 months’ salary arrears and are currently being paid net salary, while their promotion arrears from 2013 to 2017 have yet to be paid,” he said.

Imo govt announces councillorship elections

Children playing local tennis in Abuja... on Friday

Photo: Temitope Balongun

FSARS personnel must wear police uniform - Lagos CP warns Joy Anyim, Lagos

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Imohimi Edgal has warned personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), to always operate wearing full police uniform.

This warning comes on the heels of the restructuring of the SARS to FSARS by the Inspector General of Police as directed by the Presidency.

Speaking at a meeting organised to educate personnel of FSARS on the new and acceptable code of conduct, Edgal said personnel of the unit must dress in police uniform while carrying out their functions and not mufti as was the case.

At the event, which held at POWA Secretariat,

Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja, Edgal said the lecture was to ensure adherence and compliance with the IGP directive.

He said “FSARS personnel must restrict their role to the handling of violent crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping. They must dress in police uniform while carrying out their functions and not mufti as was the case”.

While speaking at the lecture which also had officers and men of the Anti-Cultism and Anti Kidnapping units in attendance, the CP also warned personnel never to operate in commercial vehicles.

The State Police Boss said, “I urge members of the public to alert the police leadership anytime they see people in mufti or inside a commercial vehicle operating or claiming to be FSARS operatives.

“It is no longer acceptable for FSARS personnel to operate in any other type of clothes except the

full police uniform.”

Similarly, Edgal called on residents of Agungi, in the Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos, to be on the lookout for a wine colour bus with registration number EKY 841.

The vehicle it was gathered is used by some men parading themselves as FSARS officials.

The CP said, “We have sufficient grounds to believe that they are imposters.”

Meanwhile, the CP said he had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations to inspect the FSARS cells.

“Those detained for non-violent crimes, have their cases reassigned to other investigation units at the SCIID. I directed that one other person allegedly involved in kidnapping be charged to court immediately.” Edgal stated.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo says the councillorship elections in all 645 autonomous communities in the state will take place simultaneously with the local government election on August 25.

Okorocha announced this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, on Friday in Owerri.

The governor said this was in line with his vision of ensuring swift development at the grassroots level.

“The elections are scheduled to hold alongside the local government elections on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

“In line with the vision of Governor Rochas Okorocha and policy of the Rescue Mission Government in the state to take government to the grassroots and ensure swift development, the government decided to allow the autonomous communities to elect one councillor each,” he said.

Police kill 4 suspected robbers in A’Ibom The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said its officers had killed four of the five suspected armed robbers who robbed a fuel station in Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom on August 21.

The Commissioner of Police in the state,Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, made the disclosure at a news conference in Uyo on Friday.

He said that the four suspects were gunned down in a gun battle with police while one of them was arrested after sustaining injuries due to gunshot.

Ogunjemilusi said that the masked gunmen were killed during an operation in a bank at Ikot Ekpene after robbing ATM users and shop owners at gunpoint in a broad daylight.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

2019: APC berates INEC over leaked primaries timetable Tom Okpe, Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tackled the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for what it describes as leak of sensitive confidential correspondence.

The Daily Times and other Social Media had earlier reported that the party released

its primaries election timetables for the 2019 election with the State House of Assembly primaries holding on September 15, while the Federal House of Representatives Primaries holds on September 19 and the Senate primaries fixed for September 23 and September 28 for the Governorship.

This revelation led to the party denying the release of the timetables on Thursday.

However, the party in a statement on Friday signed by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said that the letter written by the party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole ahead of the 2019 general elections to INEC was leaked from the election umpire’s office.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a leaked letter the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wrote to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu informing the Commission of the schedule of the Congresses and Primaries to elect Party candidates for the 2019 General Elections.

“This leak of our sensitive and confidential correspondence to INEC is becoming commonplace and totally unacceptable. We strongly request that INEC looks into its internal handling of official correspondence and put a stop to these leaks.

“While the leaked formal notification to INEC has been done by the APC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), we advise the general public particularly the media to wait for an official announcement from the Party as the leaked dates are subject to changes, if necessary”.

A wheelbarrow pusher talking a nap after a long day on the central area of Abuja .. Photo : Temitpe Balogun

2018 New Yam festival: Ibeku royal father pleads with FG over rural roads Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia A plea has gone to the federal government to ensure that rural roads in the south east are repaired for easy access to farm products.

This call came yesterday during the occasion of Afaraukwu Ibeku 2018 new yam festival from the traditional ruler of the community and Enyi I of Enyi Ukwu Autonomous Commuity, HRH Eze Sir Philip Kachi Ukaegbu, urging the federal government to “encourage farming in the south east by opening access roads to enable evacuation of farm products by the farmers.

Eze Ukaegbu who regretted that the nation abandoned farming to

face oil, expressed delight that the government is talking about getting back to farming, and said it should ensure that in addition to road infrastructure, equip the rural farmers with the new farming technology, including modern agricultural inputs.

This he said, will make more Nigerians have more interest in farming adding that the government can also assist the farmers through loans and advances.

The real farmers, the royal father said should be identified and given the loans, not to portfolio farmers, stating that it was in 1962 that the former Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara constructed the last rural roads in

the south east.

The royal father used the opportunity to explain that Ndigbo lay emphasis on yam production as it is the chief of all farm products in the area and therefore are celebrated, regretting that urbanization has taken over the Afaraukwu farm lands, while noting that other communities in Ibeku land still cultivate yam and other products.

He also disclosed the significance of the new ceremony, called iri ji in the south east as symbolising respect to yam, and giving it its rightful stand, explaining that in the traditional Igbo setting, yam is used to measure a farmer’s richness.

Short News 2019: Nasarawa commissioner, others urge prayers for peace, tolerance The Nasarawa State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Abdulkarim Kana, has sued for peace and tolerance among Nigerians, as the country prepares for 2019 general elections.

Kana made the call on Friday in an interview with the newsmen in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

He said that prayers and hard work were the only key to success, hence the need for people to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.

The commissioner also urged Nigerians to always be thankful to God, given both human and natural resources of the country which he said were capable of sustaining the populace, compared to other countries.

Onyeama denies attacking Enugu govt The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has distanced himself from a report that he condemned Enugu State Government over non-performance.

He explained in a statement by his media aide, Ms Sarah Sanda, on Friday in Abuja that his message was directed at politicians seeking positions in the state and not the state government.

Specifically, Onyeama stated that his statement was directed at persons seeking elective positions on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recalling the statement, he said “it was not enough in seeking office to build houses and enrich yourselves; you have to create jobs.

“Some of the irregular migrants leaving this country are from Enugu State, so, you have to do more to create jobs for the youth.”

Sallah: Katsina govt gives 300 Saudi Riyals to each state pilgrim The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the payment of 300 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim from the state as Special Sallah gift from Governor Aminu Bello Masari The Executive Director of the Board, Alhaji Muhammad Rimi, gave directives on Friday for the payment of the amount to the pilgrims currently performing Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Rimi said the cash gift was a welfare package to the 2018 pilgrims from the state by the government.

He urged the pilgrims to spend the governor’s gift and their Basic Travelling Allowances (BTAs) judiciously, and avoid reckless spending that might hinder their return journey to the country after the exercise.

FCT traders bemoan high cost of commodities Some traders and shop owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday decried high cost of foodstuffs and other essential commodities in the markets.

The traders, who spoke in separate interviews in Abuja, said that the current prices of commodities were affecting their businesses negatively in the market.

Mrs Rosemary Akoh, a beverage store owner, Garki Market, attributed the high cost of commodities to high exchange rate in the country and high cost of transportation of goods.

“The high cost of commodities is affecting the business operators in the market, especially wholesale dealers.

“Let’s assume you bought your goods at the market exchange rate of N500 per dollar, you don’t expect to sell at the same rate.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Killings: US urges social media to end crisis, promote peace Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos The United States of America Embassy in Abuja has tasked social media expert in Plateau State to explore the multiple advantage of the new media to end crisis and promote peace especially among youths who are used as foot soldiers to perpetrate heinous crime.

The US Embassy stated this yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital at a social media gathering of young Nigerians, championed by an ICT company known as Tomruk iHub. Speaking at the event, the United States official, David Young, said the social media space in Nigeria should be

used to mobilize grassroots awareness, inter-communities peace-building and sustainability of communal security, charging youths to be more positively engaged in the use of the new media.

On his part, the ICT expert and founder, Tomruk iHub, Mr Job Ayuba highlighted the work of Tomruk at using social media for mass awareness, stressing the need for collaboration between community based organisations like Tomruk and the US embassy on fostering peace and democracy through social media.

Ayuba said with a robust collaboration, the ICT firm leveraging on the new media would however promote sustainable goals such as

Voters education, specifically targeting the youths and urging new voters not to sell their votes.

He said: “We shall intervene in the scourge of out of school children and youth, by exposing the education opportunities available to them as well as training of NGOs, CSOs and FBOs. “Tracking of IDPs and engaging them in productive, gainful activities: sustained advocacy for government agencies and those coming into governance to attend to the problem of public education in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part: sustained pressure on the government to stop the killing of innocent farmers in Nigeria focusing on the Middle Belt”.

9 News

Short News Captain Mshelia bags NAAPE Excellence award Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has given an Award of Excellence to Chief Executive Officer of West Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of aviation in Nigeria.

The award was given at the aircraft pilots and engineer body Compendium of 50 outstanding pilots and aircraft engineers which held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, August 4th with the theme: Promoting Professional Excellence (Pilots and Aircraft Engineers in Focus) which attracted top professionals, both serving and veterans.

Mshelia, currently in the gubernatorial race for the Borno State under the Labour Party, established the first ever privately owned and funded pilot training school in the Sub Saharan Africa in Ghana.

Adamawa govt sensitises residents on flooding as Lagdo Dam opens Tom Garba, Yola Gov. Muhammad Bindow of Adamawa has urged residents to prepare for flooding following the release of water from Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian authorities.

Bindow gave the warning recently during an emergency meeting with key stakeholders in Yola.

In 2012, the state experienced catastrophic flood following the release of water from Lagdo dam.

The flood resulted in the death of many, destruction of hundreds of farms while many families were rendered homeless.

The governor told the audience that the state government has received report that the Cameroonian authorities had released high volume of water from Lagdo Dam.

Ondo First Lady flags off 2018 summer tennis clinic

A scavenger at one of the refuse dumps in Abuja.

Photo: Temitope Balongun

Biafra: Release Onwuka’s corpse, Zionists tell FG Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki Members of the Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF), have again made claims that its leader, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka is dead.

It could be recalled that Onwuka was arrested alongside his members on Monday, August 20 as they attempted to enter the Enugu Government House to inaugurate Biafra.

However, while his followers were freed same evening, Onwuka has neither been heard nor seen.

In a press statement on Friday, the Deputy Leader of the group, Mazi Ambrose Ugwu said every effort they had made to ascertain the whereabouts of their leader had been unfruitful.

Ugwu said “from all indications, our leader, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka has

been killed by security forces.

“We have been to the DSS Enugu office severally, but they are silent on the matter. The very first day others were released, they even told us that Onwuka too was released. But it turned out to be a hoax.

“For the past four days, we had gone there, to at least give him food, but they refused us entry. So, based on the above situations, we have no further doubt that he has been killed.

“We are now urging the international community, especially the United States and Israel to prevail on the Nigerian Government to release his corpse to us for a decent burial. He deserves to be accorded such burial in the light of his struggle for the people.

“The Buhari’s government should direct whoever is holding the corpse to release it to the Zionists’ family to enable us pay our last respect to him.

“However, we must also decry a

situation where the Nigerian security forces are turning their arms against harmless freedom fighters whereas armed herdsmen are walking the streets unhindered. Nobody has ever seen any Zionist with a machete, let alone a gun.

“It is, therefore, the apex of oppression that we are being subjected to this level of intimidation because we are asking for freedom, which we are doing in line with all international laws and conventions.

“No form of intimidation will, however, make us to drop our right for self-determination. We can’t be forced to remain in a country where there is no justice and equity.

“The disparity in handling killer herdsmen and Biafra agitators is a case in point. While the former is receiving kingly treatment, despite killing thousands of Nigerians, the latter are being subjected to all manner of torture for being civil in their approach”.

The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Chief Mrs. Betty Anyanwu -Akeredolu has kicked off the 2nd edition of the State Summer Tennis Clinic for children between ages 4-13 at the State Sport Complex, Akure.

Mrs. Akeredolu who used the opportunity to charge parents on the need to give their children necessary support to excel, urged the young trainees to take advantage of the opportunity to attain their dreams as known world champions of today also started out when they were young.

While expressing delight that some Ondo State citizens have keyed into the vision of doing things on their own instead of waiting for government’s assistance, Mrs. Akeredolu called on the parents to give rackets to the children as a way of encouraging them to excel.

YPP presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, visits Wole Soyinka, tours Awo’s Mausoleum The presidential aspirant of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, visited Nigeria’s literary giant, Wole Soyinka in Lagos on Monday, and took the opportunity to share his dreams for the country.

Supported by his campaign spokesman, Jide Akintunde, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, discussed the purpose of his candidacy with the activist and author.

Professor Kingsley Moghalu also toured Awo’s Mausoleum in Ikenne, Ogun, as he was received by the former diplomat and youngest daughter of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

‘Show interest in reading, culture’ Short News Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt A Professor in the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, has stressed the need to revive the dwindling interest in books and the culture of reading in Nigeria.

The author of the ground-breaking

book, Trends in Nollywood, spoke on the theme: “The Power in the Book; The Power of the Book,” at the second edition of The Sit Out With Literary Minds, organised by the 1402 Book Lounge, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Prof Ayakoroma regretted that the reading culture in Nigeria was in decline, stating that the situation was worrisome because the world was now being ruled by

A corn seller hailing smoke for survival in Abuja... on Friday

Photo: Temitope Balongun

information. He said that it was unfortunate that the young ones in this generation were not interested in reading books.

According to him, “most of the answers to the challenges in life can be found in books.” He, therefore, urged the youths to make it a habit to read a book everyday even with the lure of the social media.

The Executive Director and Founder of 1402 Book Lounge, Mrs Annette David-West, observed that the power in the book always had a transformational effect on the society. She said that growth and development come with the appreciation of the power in the book which was why all great countries were populated by knowledgeable citizenry.

She remarked that there was need to return to the habit of reading books, especially the printed copies to help bring back the reading culture in our society. “We are set to spread the word in the book,” she declared.

The high point of The Sit Out With Literary Minds came with the performance of the awardwinning Poet and Resident Poet of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, who thrilled the audience with a dance presentation of the poem Kambasa; The Warrior Queen.

Speaking after the presentation, Amu-Nnadi, the author of several collections of poems, including A River’s Journey, said it was important to sustain the essence and value of poetry in the society, noting that it would capture the situation in the Niger Delta region in proper perspective.

He said: “The Niger Delta is a beautiful place with very talented people. We are helping to tell a better story of our environment. It is a region of great history and great promise, whose best narratives can only be told by its bards, with words, in dance and music.”

Bayelsa crisis: LG boss raises the alarm over atempt on his life Akam James, Yenagoa The Care-taker Chairman of Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa state, Victor Isaiah, said the crisis that occurred in the area that left three persons dead was an attempt to take his life by some thugs sponsored by chieftains of a political party in the state.

He stated this in a statement issued in Yenagoa after inspecting some of the properties destroyed during the clash that reportedly claimed three lives and several injured.

The chairman who disassociated his party, the People Democratic Party (PDP) from the violence said the youths who made the attempt on his life by attacking his personal lodge with guns and other dangerous weapon were known political thugs used by a political party leader and a member of the Bayelsa State House of

Assembly.

The statement said attempts by the thugs to gain entrance to his official lodge was met with resistance from the Local Government security volunteers group, saying that the PDP has nothing do with the violence.

“Few days ago, some suspected armed youths attacked the local government council Aide and PDP youths. Now, they attempted to assassinate me but met my absence and were resisted by our security volunteers,” said the statement.

He said, “One of the dead thugs, the mastermind and leader of the Monday, August 20th, failed assassination attempt on my life is a member of a political party in Brass and a known hardened criminal and cultist who escaped from police (SARS) custody in Yenagoa last year.

“Before his death, he was under police wanted list for breaking out of police (SARS) custody. After the

successful cell break, he ran to Brass and was provided refuge by a political party chieftain.

“The reports of his misdemeanours are notoriously known in Brass as he is daily fingered for armed robbery, snatching of phones, harassment of indigenes, etc.

“He was empowered and given a matching order by Leaders of a party in Brass to harass and intimate members of the PDP.” He called on the Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant security agencies to investigate without bias, the alleged activities of the political party chieftain and ensure security in the community especially as election draws nearer.

Meanwhile the APC in the state, through the leadership of the party has sent a protest letter to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the Monday violent attack and killing of two members of the party.

PDP stalwart empowers members with cash in Omu-Aran, Kwara Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Omu-Aran Ward 2 of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, Mr Bayo Sanni, has empowered members of the ward with N500, 000 to boost their financial capability.

Sanni, while presenting a cheque for the amount to the ward executives on Friday, said it was meant to assist them to improve on their business activities in the form of revolving loan.

Mr. Sanni had earlier donated some bags of rice and a cow to members of the ward for the Muslim Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Sanni said that numerous applications for financial assistance were being put forward by members, hence the need to put in place the revolving loan scheme to cater for such finances.

FOCAC summit: Nigeria-China relations to explore new opportunities - Envoy The Chinese Government has said that the forthcoming Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit would bring new opportunities to strengthen ties between Nigeria and China.

The summit will hold from Sept. 3 to Sept. 4 in Beijing.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian said that the Nigerian Government had long confirmed its participation in the summit.

Zhou said that the Nigerian delegation, drawn from various sectors, showed the commitment of the government to the relationship shared by both countries.

“After the summit, on September 5, there is going to be very important bilateral meetings; the Chinese President and the Chinese Premier will meet with President Buhari on separate occasions,” he said.

Edo: MAN attributes investor confidence to friendly economic reforms The Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), on Friday, said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s economic reforms had created the enabling environment for business growth in the state.

The chairman of MAN, Edo/ Delta, Dr Alofoje Unuigboje, made this remark while speaking at the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Benin.

The theme of the AGM is: “The Nexus of Science, Technology and Industry”.

The association, which decried the challenges its members were facing in Delta, noted the positive disposition of Obaseki-led administration towards a private sector-led economy.

Unuigboje said the governor’s elimination of barriers to business through reforms, had attracted more businesses from the neighbouring states.

Trader remanded for allegedly robbing man of valuables worth N5. 55m at gunpoint A trader, Emeka Nzube, 34, who allegedly stole items worth N5.55million at gun point was on Friday remanded in prison by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs T.O. Ojo, said the accused should be kept behind bars, pending an advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).

The defendant, a resident of Jakande, Lekki in Lagos, is facing a two-count charge bordering on robbery.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Nomayo Kenrich, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large on June 18, at about 7.35 p. m. in Ojo area of Lagos.

Kenrich said the accused robbed one Joseph Nnamani of his Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. KJA963EZ, valued at N2.3 million.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 25, 2018

11

How I manage my marriage and career – Dakore Egbuson-Akande

Hailed and regarded for her craft, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, an actress of vast and quality credit did justice to new Ebonylife TV new series Castle and Castle. In this Interview with MUTIAT ALLI, Dakore, who always act with unerring skill and has a way of throwing her whole being into every role she portrays, shares her challenges managing her home, children and career.

Seems it’s your first time playing the role of a lawyer?

Actually, it is. I have never really played the role of a lawyer. I mean not as extensively as what i did in Castle and Castle. Going to court and all that. It really opened my eyes to more about the legal profession. I give it to them. I now do appreciate them the more.

The lots of cases they have in their heads, the court sessions. It’s not easy at all. Much respect to the lawyers.

Can you take us into insight of the role you play in the series?

My name is Dakore Akande; I played Remi Castle in the new TV series, Castle and Castle.

How were you able to fit into that character?

Remi is a woman who is dealing with a lot of things; she is joggling a lot as most women do. She has a successful law firm, which runs with her husband. So, you can imagine the dynamics of that relationship.

Then she is been pitched against her dad, who she loves dearly, but because the dad doesn’t like her husband. She is thus, placed in between. The work force too, comes in and all that. She had to try to maintain her sanity while running all of these. Remix character stressed me, yet, it was fun.

You mentioned you were on set for three months, as married actress with kids, how

Egbuson-Akande

did you find the balance?

It wasn’t easy, I must confess. Taking the kids to school, trying so hard to get to location on time, sometimes I don’t even see my kids. I get home late and they had slept off, by the time I get up early in the morning to leave, I don’t see them, it was really tough. That’s why I tend to take time off whenever I finish a production, so I can spend quality time with my family. I need to be at home, be a mother and also a wife to my husband. This is the joggling we are talking about. This is what most women do, especially if it’s a career you love, like I do.

But we make it work, in every way we can.

You seem selective in the kind script you

work with, why?

Well, that’s true. Some people had said I do only Ebony Life Movies, but that’s not totally true. I was part of New Money, which is already in the cinema. That wasn’t Ebonylife. I did Isoken too.

Obviously, it looks like I work more with Ebonylife, but I have always been very selective with the kind of scripts I accept and who I work with. That’s because it’s also part of having the spirit of excellence, I don’t want to see a film that I have been in and cringe. Maybe because I was hungry at a time and I just took a script to survive. I’m not knocking anybody off, but I know films are forever, once it’s on celluloid, it’s there to stay. So, I’d be in the movie, I have to make sure it’s something that intrigues me as well.

I want to have fun doing it and mostly like it something that I’d be very proud of when it comes out.

Ebony Life has the spirit of excellence in bringing that quality and projecting Africa positively.

Did you give the part of kissing RMD deeply a second thought, when you saw it on the script?

I did. I won’t lie, I thought about it. Then I said to myself, well do you want to do this?

Do you love the script? And my response was yes. I went ahead. When I spoke with RMD, he said he is fine with it too, and then we came on board. We have a connection.

RMD and I, we have been close friends. Our first film together, caught In the Middle; it was a very successful one. So, we are always cool together.

Do you have a new project at hand?

Yes, I’m working on my own project at the moment. It is going to be something big.

Mind blowing. I obviously took a long time to get to that point. You know I like doing my things perfectly.

Egbuson-Akande

What are plans for the rest part of the year?

Well, I’m looking forward to the movie that I’m working on. Staying open for more opportunities. I’m excited and hopeful.

12

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Gist AFRIMA 2018: Organisers unveil nomination list ….as Davido, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Wizkid top West Africa nomination list Stories by Mutiat Alli

After several days of rigorous evaluation of the 2018 entries of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA); organisers alongside jury members have revealed that out of the over 8,000 entries recorded this year, a fest no other award platforms have recorded, a total of 79 songs made it to the regional nominees list.

Top Nigerian acts with the likes of Davido, Olamide, Wizkid, Simi and Tiwa Savage amongst others, have been nominated for the All African Music Awards.

Public voting is expected to commence from August 27 ahead of the event, which

holds in November.

However, organisers also announced the nominees comprising top acts across the continent at the event.

The list covers five regional categories for both male and female.

Cameroon takes up four of the eight spots in the category for Best Female Artiste in Central Africa, followed by DRC (2), and Angola (2). In the category for Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) takes the lead with five spots followed by Cameroon (2) and Chad (1). From Eastern Africa, the female category Kenya holds three spots while Uganda takes two with Ethiopia, Rwanda and

Tanzania occupying one spot respectively. In the male category, Kenya and Tanzania maintain three nominations each, with Ethiopia and Uganda registering one nomination apiece amongst others.

At the press briefing, AFRIMA president, Mike Dada, said the awards existed to celebrate African music and to portray the continent as having other things besides poverty and violence.

He noted, “We are using AFRIMA to communicate ourselves to the rest of the world unapologetically.

AFRIMA awards as a body also aims to reward our established superstars”.

“I played A Catholic Nun in TATU despite my Muslim background” - Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi reveals Seasoned Nollywood actress Funlola Aofiyebi has revealed the reasons she took the role she played in the drama blockbuster ‘Tatu’ - a role which landed her a nomination at the upcoming 2018 AMVCA, scheduled to hold on the 1st of September, 2018.

Nominated in the ‘Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Series’ category, the actress took to social media (Twitter) to express her utmost joy over the

nomination, thank her fans for their unyielding support over the years and reflect on more serious issues plaguing the country, such as religion.

Speaking on why she took the role of Mother Superior; a Catholic nun in ‘Tatu’, Funlola wrote; “Playing a Nun in Tatu appealed to me from the get go. I’m born and raised a Muslim yet I was ready to sink my teeth into it. In research, I went down memory lane - I attended a catholic primary school, and also grew up watching Sound Of Music. I had to make

her believable Moving on to reflect on religion through the role she portrayed, Funlola further wrote “When AMVCA2018 Nominations were announced, I was like woah!!! I’ve played other roles in my 22 yr old career but I’m nominated for my role in Tatu! God did that for a reason.....born a Muslim yet I played a Nun to the extent of getting an award nomination The actress went on to reveal how she handled the perceptible portrayal of the character in a movie that co-stars other Nollywood big shots; including Segun Arinze, Rahma Saudu, Don Mope and other well-revered Nollywood stars.

Shot in some areas of Ibadan and Lagos, ‘Tatu’ has been well-received and highly praised by critics and fans alike; with many declaring it the best Nollywood film of 2017.

Reminisce, FunnyBone, Buchi others for Senator Most Distinguished ‘The UK Tour’ Known for showcasing outstanding performances, Bethel Njoku better known as Senator is one of Nigeria’s finest comedian whose craft speaks volume, ahead of his coming show tagged ‘ Senator Most Distinguished ‘ The UK Tour’, the ace comedian has hinted that the coming event will be held in five different locations namely Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester .

Expected to perform at all the five locations includes indigenous rapper, Reminisce, Klint Da Drunk, FunnyBone,

Osama and Buchi amongst others.

On why he is taking the show outside Nigeria, Senator disclosed that Nigerians in the UK have been part of his success story. UK was my first international trip then under the umbrella of Crack ya ribs, the Julius Agwu brand in 2008. So Nigerians in the UK have always encouraged us with good positive vibes. They actually made request for the brand to come to the UK ... So I gave it a thought and then reached out to my promoter friends in the UK Akinlolu Jekins

of Slimz promotions and Efosa of Efoski entertainment who saw a need to put up the show.

They are basically my partners in the show.

Expected to be hosted by OAP Yaw, Senator further noted that aside from the fact that the Senator Most Distinguished brand is a unique one; this automatically indicates that going to the UK will further expose the brand and one of the unique expectations for the event is that a lot of political information will be exposed and the state of Nigeria will be reviewed. It’s classy humour.

Kizz Daniel signs new act to FlyBoy Inc

Fly Boy Inc Imprint CEO, Kizz Daniel weeks after announcing that he will be dropping his first album via his self owned record label has signed two new artistes to his new imprint; this announcement is equally coming two days after he shared the official artwork and track list for his sophomore album titled ‘ No Bad Songz’.

Excited about the new development, Kizz Daniel took to his Instagram account to share the news with the caption “Welcome to FLYBOY INC @ demmie_v and @philkeyz.”

The new signees are singer, Demmie V, and record producer, Philkeyz, who has been the brain behind some nice song enjoying massive airplay. Demmie V has

however worked The with the likes of 2face Idibia on the fairly received single, Awesome God in 2016, 9ice on his song ‘Love Me Tender’, and released the single ‘Tiff’ earlier in the year while Philkeyz came to the limelight working with Omawumi on ‘Somori’ and is the brains behind Kiss Daniel’s 2017 single, ‘No Do’ and also For You featuring Wizkid.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Beauty Tips

Steps for a healthy and glowing skin this rainy season Mutiat Alli, Lagos The rainy season seems to bring a sense of relief to us - the lush green trees, enjoying a cup of hot tea, the coolness of the breeze and more.

Although refreshing, rainy season is not a time to expose your skin to the environment. This is because pollutants get washed away spreading contaminations that could lead to build-up of

skin impurities thereby causing unwanted skin conditions.

Here are some tips to help you maintain that glow this rainy season.

•Exfoliate – Exfoliating is necessary for maintaining the skin and removing the dead cells on your skin. As rainy season has higher chances of skin infections and bacterial build up on skin, use Murad’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 2 or 3 times a week to polish away

13 Mixed Grill

dullness and locked-in impurities to reveal fresh and healthy skin.

• Cleanse – Never skip cleansing! Not cleansing allows for bacterial invasion which leads to breakouts. Your normal routine of splashing water and soap on your face won’t cut it so invest in a cleanser. Use Murad’s Essential-C Cleanser to remove impurities and prevent bacterial growth.

• Toner – Many people skip using toners mainly because they do not know what it does. Toners are different from cleansers. Your skin has a pH level of 5.5 which makes it slightly acidic and toners not only help eliminate excess acidity, they also return the skin to its normal pH. • Moisturise – Maintaining your skin’s moisture level is very important during the rainy season. Although there is an abundance of moisture in the air, evaporation will occur and suck the life out of your skin. Murad’s Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum with SPF 30 keeps the skin moist, healthy and safe from UV rays.

Ja Solar names Annjay ambassador Nigerian singer, model and entrepreneur, Angela Chioma John, has been named ambassador for Chinese tech company, Ja Solar.

Making the announcement on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, the Nigeria Manager of the Shangai based company, Mr Daniel Mgbada said that the decision to choose the entertainer comes as a result of shared values the outfit holds with her.

“Jar Solar is pleased to announce actress, singer, model and entrepreneur, John Angela Chioma, popularly known as Annjay as its brand ambassador. Our choice of her personality is not farfetched as we share the same values of entrepreneurship, quality and

Honour for US-based filmmaker, Steve Egboro from US US-based Nigerian filmmaker, Steve Egboro was among eminent personalities drawn from different countries across multiple disciplines and bestowed with Honorary Doctorate Degree by Trinity International University of Ambassadors, Atlanta.

The conferment ceremony held recently with millionaire blogger, Linda Ikeji also among the honourees.

Speaking on the criteria for the selection, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair Founder & Chancellor, said, “The Doctor of Humane Letters is offered to persons who have made numerous contributions to society through philanthropic or civic work.” Past honourees include renowned leaders

and business owners such as Dr. Rita Samuels (Dr. Martin Luther King Secretary), Dr. Sonnie Badu of Sonnie Badu Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega fire Ministries and Dr. Debra Winans (BeBe Winans).

While thanking the University, Egboro said, “This is really humbling for me considering where I am coming from. I consider this honour recognition not only for me but for every Nigerian filmmaker and entertainer out there.” It would be recalled that recently, Egboro was honoured with a Certificate of Honors by organizers of the Nollywood Travel Film Festival in North America.

The latest recognition came for the showbiz mogul who through his

Antilia Heights Production has been pushing African talents in North America. Also among those honoured was millionaire blogger, Linda Ikeji.

Egboro has been responsible for the success of concerts headlined by popular Nigerian talents, Davido and Bovi.

The showbiz promoter who recently launched Antilia Heights TV has concluded filming of a feature length Nollywood flick entitled The Heir Apparent.’ Directed by veteran filmmaker, Robert Peters, the movie is stars Nollywood hunks, Richard MofeDamijo (RMD) and Joseph Benjamin in leading roles among an array of tested thespians.

service to humanity. These are principles we believe and we trust that our partnership will further boost our services to the Nigerian people,” he said.

Reacting to the news, the ‘Man No Be God’ crooner said that she is excited about the new appointment and looks forward to doing a lot with the outfit.

“Entrepreneurship is one thing I am excited about and I’m thrilled to know that Ja Solar holds the same value. Also, the company’s CSR is something to be proud of. I also look forward to working with them in that regard. As a youth-centric company, we will be relating with the youths of Nigeria to see how we can use technology to move the country forward,” she said.

Founded in 2005, JA Solar Holdings is a solar development company based in Shanghai.

They design, develop, manufacture and sell solar cell and solar module products and are based in the People’s Republic of China. The Company is also engaged in the manufacturing and sales of monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cells.

It also manufactures a variety of standard and specialty solar modules. sShe also took her entrepreneurial drive a notch higher when she launched her Annjay Hair, a product which she says caters for all females, irrespective of class, promising that she will be releasing more in the months to come.

Society Gist 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

London top solicitor’s Seyi Clement big dream Stories by Isaac Oguntoye Just as he is still navigating the political terrain of his Surulere Federal Constituency to make good his aspiration to clinch a Reps seat in the next dispensation, deeply grassrooted politician and youthful Seyi Clement is gradually

inching up in other spheres that will further advance his ambition. He has an extensive national and international experience in the area of law, healthcare and infrastructural development. As a first-time candidate for elected office, he believes that his constituency needs a fresh impetus. It is not uncommon to have representatives who have been in office for many years and his constituency is no different. As a lawyer and public officeholder in the UK, he understands the importance of transparency and accountability. He has served in a public office in the UK for eight years, with a glowing record of delivering on promises and projects. He also chaired a public committee for two years, giving him the understanding of the importance of carrying people along with him and managing complex issues. All these issues are close to his heart, regarding his constituency which Seyi is angling to project with transparency, accountability and effective representation. The financially-endowed formidable aspirant, with the passing days and feelers being gotten from hindsight, respectful and humble Seyi may clinch the ticket if the playing field is level, even as he is believed to be the most-favored among his co-aspirants and this is no grand-standing. The UK-trained lawyer has since been notching up his potential as a federal legislator to be, and all the math point in his direction, even outside his party affiliation. Seyi Clement is already on a roller-coaster to the Abuja Green Chamber, all things being equal.

The unknown co-brain behind AFMA, P Tee Money The African Film & Music Award (AFMA), has no doubt become an epoch event in the city of London and its environs since its debut three years ago. The unprecedented event comes in form of a film and music award festival, primarily to celebrate the musical and film achievements of both past and present African stars, and since that maiden edition, the event has remained in the consciousness of entertainment buffs and aficionados. But it will interest you to know that not many know the brains behind this all-embracing and well-thought-out fiesta. Basically, the beautiful brains behind AFMA are industrious and upwardly mobile showbiz enthusiasts, the pioneer of which is P Tee Money, real names, Prince Thompson Iyamu, an English DJ/EDM, Electronic Artiste, and a royal descendant of Nigeria bloodline of Benin, Edo State.

Born in London, England, well over two decades ago, P Tee Money studied Aeronautical Engineering in the military academy, but that was where that ended, as he has discovered his undying passion for music at a very young age, drawing influence from a variety of genres and especially from frontline performing artistes of yore like George Duke and Earth Wind & Fire. From his love of music, he eventually settled down in Progressive House, the genre that he connected with most. His productions cut across a wide range of electronic music styles, from House, Deep House, Indie-dance, Progressive, Future, Afro-pop and Chill out, just to mention a few. Aside being a prolific musical artiste, P Tee Money is also a published author, an exfashion model, who also made some rounds in the acting world, playing sensitive roles in popular motion pictures like the popular block buster, “The Mummy 1&2 “, among others.

P Tee Money began his career as a Dee Jay in the early 90s, performing dexterously on the wheels-of-steel

in nightclubs and other small gigs, from where he later squared up with Nigeria’s female rap artiste, Weird MC, popularly known as ‘The Rappatainer’’, and were both making waves all over the UK and Europe for a couple of years, as a dynamic and very superlative duo. In the late 90s and early 2000s, P Tee Money, for one reason or the other, put his DJ/ Music career on hold and went into acting. He juggled between acting and modeling for a number of years and in 2015, he launched his first book, titled ‘The Players Code’, which was a huge success. Since then P Tee Money has written multiple books and still counting. Aside writing, multi-talented P Tee Money swiftly and simultaneously went back to his passion, music, where he has to his credit three musical albums and over 60 singles. He is a filial brother to popular soul singer and artiste, Queen Rosemary A Omeda, a co-

founder/CEO of the African Film & Music Award and lives in the UK. Reiterating the need for AFMA and its attendant aims, P Tee Money said, ‘Our mission is to appreciate the efforts that have been made by past film and music practitioners and to inspire upcoming actors, actresses, musicians and film practitioners who are thriving in the African film and music industry, with the AFM Award, with the sole and primary objectives of pro-actively ensuring that film and music practitioners such as film actors, actresses, musicians in the African film and music industry are given the accolades they richly and meritoriously deserve; and by so doing we intend to portray to the world the beauty of African film and music. We intend to make the AFM Awards one of a kind; an award that everyone in the African film and music industry will be craving to have.’

Otunba David Adeniyi Kasunmu a.k.a Aleshiloye joins octogenarian club, set for elaborate celebration It is not a child s play to get to the class of 80 , the octogenarian club, and so come next weekend in Ilisan Ogun state, drums and instruments will roll on when Otunba David Adeniyi Kasunmu will drag who is who in society at large to the sleepy town to celebrate his life at 80 with his children, grandchildren and great grand children “To be 80years is a by the grace of God, some of my colleagues and childhood friends have all gone I can always thank God. I want t to celebrate my birthday elaborately as against the wish of my children who are not in support of me celebrating it big. I told them 80 years is a milestone is someone s life It is time to thank God and I want to celebrate it to the fullest, because I don t know what tomorrow has in stock for

me Speaking further on the forthcoming birthday that is stated for septmber1st, 2018, the poultry farmer of more than 40 years, whose children and grandchildren are all doing very well in their respective fields of profession hint that it will be nothing less than carnival “It will be great on that day; I can just wait for the day” He however did not fail to revealed the secret of his long life, he said he doesn’t believe in eating something or not eating something “all I know is eat moderately and eat more of vitamins and drink much water” he stated even as he claimed he had no regret at 80 “I am always focus, I don’t look back though one is bond to have challenges ahead but I remain focus”

Miss Hotlegs Nigeria set to hold grand finale It’s that time of the year again when Finishing Touch Events is set to hold the grand finale of the Miss Hotlegs Nigeria competition. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Lekki Astoria Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos. It is expected to kick off with a red carpet session at 5pm with the main event following immediately after.

The application for the niche beauty pageant in Nigeria, which started in March and ended on May 30, 2018 has since culminated in the September event which is where the winner of this year’s competition would be announced.

Director of the Miss Hotlegs pageant, Mosy O’Ginni, among other A-listers

from diverse industries, would be on hand to usher in the reign of the new queen.

O’Ginni has revealed that this year’s event is poised to be the biggest ever since the history of the pageant and the winner will walk away with cash prizes sponsored by Finishing Touch Events UK and the chance to represent Nigeria at the Miss Hotlegs Africa Pageant among other mouth-watering prizes. She promised other mouth-watering prizes for the runners-up.

“This year’s will be the biggest ever.

Everything is ready to host the event. We are waiting for more sponsors to come on board at this moment,” O’Ginni said.

BUSINESS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Nigeria gets $26.5m additional assistance from USAID Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced additional support for Nigeria in achieving the development goals outlined in the bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement signed in 2015, between the U.S. and Nigerian governments.

The Acting Mission Director, Erin Holleran, in a statement on Friday, said

that a new funding of $26.5 million would be given to support health care and good governance in the country.

Holleran also said that the USAID will partner with federal and state ministries of health to build stronger health systems with the aim of guaranteeing equitable access to quality healthcare services nationwide. “$25 million will strengthen good governance by supporting state governments’ efforts to bolster

Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership commitments to improve transparency and fight corruption.

“An additional $1.5 million will support a healthier, more educated population in targeted states through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), for a total of $26.5 million in additional assistance,” the statement read.

The additional new funding brings the total

U.S. government assistance provided under the five-year Development Objectives agreement to $1.1 billion.

According to Holleran, the USAID is committed to assisting Nigeria because of the huge influence the nation has on the future of Africa.

“The United States believes that as the most populous country in Africa, with the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria holds tremendous influence over the future of Africa.

“USAID is committed to partnering with the government and the people of Nigeria to address its development challenges,” Holleran said.

USAID collaborated with Nigeria’s ministries of Budget and National Planning, Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education, as well as state-level government counterparts to structure the bilateral assistance agreement, which runs through 2020.

Africa: Lagos bus interchanges to NSE indices process 1m passengers daily appreciate by 0.63%, as Dangote Cement gains Motolani Oseni Trading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) sustained a postive growth on Friday, as market indices appreciated further with 0.63 per cent growth, following gains by some blue chips, with Dangote Cement leading the gainers’ table for the second consecutive day. .Specifically, the market capitalisation inched N81 billion or 0.63 per cent to close at N12.933 trillion against N12.852 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index rose by 220.05 points or 0.63 per cent to close at 35,426.21 compared to 35,206.16 posted on Friday.

Dangote Cement led the gainers’ table during the day, gaining N5 to close at N235 per share.

Flour Mills followed with a gain of N1 to close at N21.50, while Ecobank Transnational added 60k to close at N20 per share.

Air Service improved by 46k to close at N5.30, while NEM Insurance appreciated by 15k to close at N3 per share.

On the other hand, International Breweries topped the losers’ chart, shedding N2 to close at

N32 per share.

Afri Prudential Registrar trailed with a loss of 35k to close at N37.50, while Guaranty Trust Bank declined by 30k to close at N37.50 per share.

UPL was down by 23k to close at N2.07, while NASCON lost 10k to close at N19.90 per share.

Similarly, the volume of shares traded rose by 139.11 per cent, while value of shares transacted increased by 79.05 per cent.

NAN reports that investors traded a total of 527.74 million shares valued at N4.53 billion in 3,313 deals.

This was against the 220.71 million shares worth N2.53 billion exchanged in 3,287 deals on Thursday.

United Bank for Africa was the most active stock, exchanging 235.66 million shares worth N1.89 billion.

NEM Insurance followed with an account of 93.09 million shares valued at N279.19 million, while ETI traded 21.91 million shares worth N438.03 million.

Regence Insurance sold 18.812 million shares valued at N4.19 million, while FBN Holdings exchanged 17.94 million shares worth N172.67 million.

The Oshodi Bus Interchange in Lagos State will process up to one million passengers daily, when completed.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson, said in Lagos that what is happening in Oshodi is the first of its kind.

Lawanson said that the state government had secured a commitment from contractors handling the project on its completion time.

According to him, it is taking us a bit of time to put together because of the large size.

“The timeline given for the completion is December, and we are optimistic that the terminal will be ready by then. If that is the

case, we expect that by the first quarter 2019, we will start some activities there”, Lawanson said.

He told NAN that the government was set to roll out buses to service routes on the OshodiAbule Egba axis, with the arrival of 250 buses.

“In the last couple of months, we did the commissioning of the Ikeja Terminal which was meant to be the flagship.

“The Ikeja Terminal was signaling the beginning of what was going to be the entire project, consisting of 13 terminals including Oyingbo, Yaba. “The first set of buses have come and we are using the Ikeja axis as a laboratory where we are going to roll out from,” he said.

He told NAN that the

routes for deployment of the buses had been procured. ”LAMATA – the technical arm of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation – is involved in that. “All the studies have been done and consultants engaged.

“By October/November, we expect the first set to roll out along that axis, but over 250 buses have arrived in Lagos,” the official told NAN. Lawanson said that drivers of the buses had been employed and trained. “Work is ongoing to make sure there are smooth operations. “We are going to start seeing activities; we are going to start from Ikeja area and gradually move to the rest of the metropolis,” he said.

Mrs. Henry Eguoba, wife of one of the police officers killed receiving a N2 million cheque from Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki during last year’s kidnap of Mr Andy Ehanire, Manager of Edo Zoological Garden, at the Government House, in Benin City...on Friday.

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Okowa signs bill prohibiting extortion on land Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday assented to a bill to outlaw illegal and forceful entry into development sites in the state popularly known as “deve” in local parlance.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, accompanied by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs Lyna Ocholor and other principal officers presented the bill known as, “Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Bill 2018 to the Governor for assent at Government House, Asaba.

The governor also, assented to a bill to amend the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC) law.

The Governor at the occasion, promised to assent to other bills that have been passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.

Governor Okowa who disclosed that harassment of property developers in the name of “deve” had chased away a lot of developers, expressed confidence that with the signing into law of the bill prohibiting illegal and forceful entry into development sites, the state will witness speedy development. “we will collaborate with the Delta State House of Assembly to ensure that laws are passed to impact positively on the lives of our people, I am glad that this bill to prohibit the forcefully entry into public and private properties has been passed into law as it will stop youths from trespassing into property development sites in the state and make investment to thrive”, Governor Okowa said, adding that “this prohibition will impact on the lives of our people and bring investment sanity into the state”.

On the DESOPADEC amendment bill, the governor explained that the amendment was meant to ensure that no vacuum was created in the leadership of the Commission as government can now extend the tenure of the Board under given circumstances.

He commended the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly for their cordial relationship with the Executive arm in bringing development to the people and impacting on the lives of Deltans.

Earlier, Rt. Hon, Oborevwori had while presenting the bills for assent, told the Governor that the bills passed through all the processes required for them to be passed, stating that the bills were meant to impact on Deltans, create peace, boost the economy and bring development to the state.

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Sterling Bank gets commendation over sustainable environmental practices in Rivers Motolani Oseni

L-R: Mr. Banks Anthony; HOD, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Amowo Odofin Local Government, Mrs. Dabiri-Raji Temitayo; Knorr brand Consultants, Mr. Abiola Operinde; Head Brand Management and Sustainability, Corporate Communication, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Ozena Utulu and President/Founder Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON), Mrs. Kemi Olofinkua, during the PWOBFON Festac 2018 Empowerment on the Recovery your Choice in Lagos.

CBN injects $543m, CNY 63m into forex market Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in another major round of interventions has injected a total sum of $543.22 million and CNY 63.21 million into the inter-bank foreign exchange market.

At the Thursday’s trading, the Bank offered the sum of $100,000,000 as wholesale interventions and allocated the sum of $55,000,000 to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) forex window.

Also, the invisibles window, which caters for customers requiring forex for Business and Personal Travel Allowances, tuition and medical fees, among others, received $55 million.

Similarly, on Friday, the bank injected the sum of $323.22 million into the interbank retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales and sold a total of CNY 63.21 million in the spot and short-tenored forwards, arising from bids received from authorized dealers The CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, who confirmed the figures, said the Bank remained committed to maintaining the country’s external reserves to safeguard the international value of the Naira in line with the Bank’s mandate.

According to him, the Bank’s management of the forex market had entrenched transparency in the market and continued to strengthen the value of the naira against other major currencies of the world.

On the sale of Chinese Yuan (Renminbi), Mr. Okorafor disclosed that it was in line with the CBN guidelines, which stipulate that it would be for the payment of Renminbi denominated Letters of Credit for agriculture as well as raw materials.

While also noting that availability of the Chinese currency would ease

pressure on the Nigerian foreign exchange market, he attributed the relative stability in the foreign exchange market to the intervention of the CBN as well as the sustained increase in crude oil prices in the

international market.

He further pledged that the Bank would ensure that the requirements of customers in all sectors of the foreign exchange market are guaranteed access to required

foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N360 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY 1 exchanged for N53.17.

Nigerian Content Devt Board to create 300,000 jobs in oil, gas sector The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Friday said it had commenced a 10-year development plan aimed at creating 300,000 jobs in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Mr Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, said this during a capacity building workshop for Energy and Business Correspondents on Friday in Yenagoa.

He said that the board commenced the plan in 2017, adding that its plan was to retain 70 per cent of the $20 billion annually spent in the sector.

Represented by Mr Isaac Yalah, NCDMB Director of Finance and Personnel Management,Wabote added that only five per cent of the $20 billion spent annually was retained prior to establishment of the board in 2010.

He said that the development plan was borne out of the need to increase local participation in the oil and gas industry, boost indigenous businesses as well improve the nation’s economy.

The Executive Secretary explained that a critical aspect of the 10-year development plan was the $200 million of the Nigerian Content Investment Fund (NCIF), which was being managed by Bank of Industry (BoI) to meet the funding needs of indigenous players in the oil and gas industry.

Shedding more lights on the fund, the General Manager, NCIF, Mr Obinna Ofili, said that only 11 firms had accessed the fund since it was established.

He said that the fund was available for contributors to Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) and community contractors in oil and gas bearing communities.

According to him, the loan types are manufacturing, asset acquisition, contract finance, community contractor finance scheme and loan refinancing.

Ofili added that the facility ranged from $10 million to $20 million for community contractor financed

scheme.

He disclosed that the tenor of all the loans was five years and that applicants could apply through the BOI/NCIF portal while loans could be accessed after 45 working days of meeting the fund criteria.

Tourism: Ita Giwa to open Jollofrice war at Akwaaba Godwin Anyebe One of Africa’s most Prominent Women Senator Florence Ita Giwa the Chairperson of The Carnival Calabar and a Promoter of African Cuisine will be the Special Guest at This year’s Jollof Rice Competition at Akwaaba African Travel market.

The Culinary Tourism Contest will involve The 3 West African Countries of Nigeria,Ghana and The Gambia. Last year 25 chefs from Ghana and Nigeria participated in the first #jollofricewar contest.

This year Gambia Tourism Board has nominated Mrs. Ida Cham of Yabouy Home cooking to represent the Gambia. The Nigerian Council of Arts and Culture will.be Presenting Nigeria good Culture at The Nigerian day at Akwaaba.

According to the DG Otunba Runsewe Nigerians need to project their Rich Culture in different manners. “Our very rich Cuisine is worthy of Global acclaim. what we did in Russia at The World Cup showcasing Nigerian culture to the

World is the Template we want to use to make the world fall in Love with Nigeria and its rich culture” The President of the World Craft Council wants Nigerians and Foreigners to visit the NCAC stand to learn more about NAFEST and other Cultural events happening in Nigeria. Nigeria day is on Sunday the 9th of September.

This comes after confirming 15 Travel Companies from Dubai to Showcase at Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos This comes as Gambia Tourism Board seeks to renew their presence in Nigeria. As part of latest efforts to increase awareness for The Gambia as an all year tourism destination for discerning Nigerian visitors and prospective investors, the Gambia Tourism Board has announced its participation at the 14th Akwaaba – African Travel Market holding in Lagos between Sunday 9th to Tuesday 11th September 2018. The Gambia has confirmed participation with a 20 man delegate for the event to include Top stakeholders in the industry to be led by the DG Gambia Tourism Board.

Sterling Bank Plc, has received commendation from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for its commitment to the promotion of sustainable environment practices in the state. The governor also urged other banks and corporate organizations doing business in Rivers State to emulate Sterling Bank.

Governor Wike, who made the appeal yesterday at the unveiling of the giant size public artwork, Soiled Soil, at Station Road Roundabout in the Town Area of Port Harcourt, said the artwork is Sterling Bank’s contribution to the restoration of Port Harcourt to its “Garden City” status.

The artwork created with used tin tomatoes cover, disposable nylon and used sack bags. It was one of the four winning entries from the RecyclArt Competition initiated

by Sterling Bank to inspire a new generation of Nigerian artists and art genre. A part of the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) programme, the initiative plays a significant part in the fulfillment of the bank’s brand purpose of enriching lives.

The governor, who was represented by Prof. Roseline Koinya, Commissioner for Environment, said the artwork installed in a beautified roundabout constructed by Sterling Bank, has showed that waste can be put into meaningful use.

He said, “Port Harcourt used to be the Garden City in Nigeria. We commend Sterling Bank for its role in the restoration of that status.

This project will help illuminate the surroundings.”

The governor noted that using waste for art and beautification would help reduce flooding, adding that “Flooding is caused by the activities of human beings. We all have a role to play. Banks and other organizations also have a role to play. Other banks and organizations should emulate Sterling Bank.”

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienem, an Executive Director at Sterling Bank, explained that the bank is committed to promoting good sanitation, hygiene and environmental sustainability across Nigeria through the STEM programme.

Emefienem said the RecyclArt competition was introduced to empower young artists and, at the same time, promote recycling of waste materials in the interest of the environment.

According to him, “The response to the initiative has been remarkable.

Young people from across Nigeria submitted 630 entries in the maiden edition held last year. At the end of a rigorous screening exercise, our esteemed panel of judges shortlisted 16 entries.

“The shortlisted entries were deemed to have fulfilled the requirement of transforming old, recycled and reused objects into amazing pieces of contemporary and relevant art for public spaces.

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

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If Saraki, Ekweremadu have cases to answer, there is need for them to answer - APC spokesman The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, recently spoke with The Daily Times’ TOM OKPE in his office at the party Secretariat in Abuja. Nabena talked about the defection of members to the major opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Saraki, Ekweremadu saga in the Senate.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that your party, the APC is plotting to use security agencies to arrest the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. What’s your take on this allegation?

I’ m happy you said security agencies. We are a political party, if Saraki and Ekweremadu have cases to answer, they should go and answer. This is not a matter that concerns the APC. It is only those who have something to hide that have a reason to fear, if they have nothing to fear, they should go and clear themselves.

For more than three years now, the party has not been able to have a grip of the National Assembly despite having clear majority. The opposition has cited this as the reason why your party has failed; could this be a correct assertion?

Just like I just told you; with people like Saraki as Senate President who is using his position to negotiate with government which is not possible with this government. This government is serious about the anti-corruption fight. How can we live with a situation which Saraki put the APC-led administration by having a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party as Deputy Senate President? And on top of that, he now wants to be president when we have a sitting president who has indicated interest in seeking for a second term. All that Saraki is doing is to pursue his selfish interest; he is not interested in the people.

With the gale of defections, some have argued that your party has become a minority in the National Assembly from your records, is this true?

How many Senators does the opposition have? We are not in the minority; we are still the majority party in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Let those in opposition go back and check their own records.

The President of the Senate had no choice because he wanted to play a double game and he was caught. He wanted to remain within the party in order to kill

it. From the beginning you will agree with me that he was never faithful to the party. The coup d’état he plotted with PDP senators to become

Senate President against the wishes of the party is there for everyone to see. That he has left o u r

What did he ask for?

He wants our Presidential ticket, also Kwankwaso and Tambuwal, so who else do you want to call? So, you can see that all of them have personal ambition which they b e l i e v e is best for them than the interest of the populace and the nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared his intention to seek re-election come 2019.

W h a t c a n y o u s a y h e has

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party is not a surprise to most of us, he was never present, he only used the party to achieve his personal agenda.

The only reason many people believe is responsible for the defection in APC is the party’s failure to deliver on the change it promised Nigerians…… …cuts in Which defection are you talking about?

Several of your party members including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and so many others.

All the people that left our party were those who left based on their personal interests; it has nothing to do with our performance or will affect our victory in the 2019 general election. Take Saraki for example, he left the party because we could not offer what he was asking for.

As far as I am concerned, the President has done more and my belief is that we need to re-elect the President so that the policies put in place can be stabilized, because if all our institutions begin to work, the presidency will have less to do, but if our institutions fail to work it will be a problem. These institutions must really work. Anybody that is complaining that the President is not doing anything must still be living in the past.

I don’t blame them it takes time for that PDP blood to be cleansed from the system

done to deserve a second term?

The President has done a lot but you see, the problem is that we need to do more to showcase the serious work and the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration. We need to embark on a lot of publicity for people to see what the President has been doing. People always think that it is only in the area of anti-corruption that the President is working. No. If you look back some years back when the PDP was in power, most of the contractors we had were portfolio contractors. Now, look at the agricultural sector, these are things that can speak for themselves, the major problem is that people are expecting that the flow of easy money like it use to happen during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but this time around, you must work for every kobo you get, no more free money anywhere.

The way they used to share the money is no longer there.

When you work and get paid, you will spend such money wisely, nobody will go out and spend the money he genuinely earns carelessly. Those days when you go to the airport you will see a lot of private jets, go to Maitama and Asokoro you will see a lot of houses and people are not living in them. As far as I am concerned, the President has done more and my belief is that we need to re-elect the President so that the policies put in place can be stabilized, because if all our institutions begin to work, the presidency will have less to do, but if our institutions fail to work it will be a problem. These institutions must really work.

Anybody that is complaining that the President is not doing anything must still be living in the past. I don’t blame them it takes time for that PDP blood to be cleansed from the system; it will take time for them to see the reality of life.

Some have argued that the rate of employment is worse under this government which earlier promised to boost employment.

Will this not impact negatively on the chances of the President come 2019?

How many people did the PDP administration employ?

Or has this government sacked the people employed under the PDP administration? I believe this government has created jobs.

There is a difference between the kind of jobs this administration

has created and the ones some people expect. If you ask a lot of people they are looking for white collar jobs, is it the rate of white collar jobs you are talking about or the people we have created opportunites to employ others, especially in the area of agriculture. Look at the power sector or are you still talking about the white collar jobs that people want to work in government ministries? Go and see what this government has done for small and medium scale industries, so, when people talk about growing unemployment, I don’t know where they are coming from.

It was thought that the change of leadership in the APC, that the party would usher in cohesion instead of the threat of disintegration like the PDP predicted. What is happening?

The PDP has no right to determine what is going to happen in the APC because I can assure you, their own earthquake is on the way and when it happens, everybody will see it. What happened in APC is because of the selfish interests of the last set of party leaders who were looking for an extension of their tenures because of their selfish interest and that was why they didn’t want the congresses that took place to take place.

Chief John Odigie- Oyegun was working with the likes of Saraki from the beginning which is why we lost the position of Deputy Senate President in the National Assembly. This is what led to them working against the congresses so that Saraki can have the ticket, it took God’s intervention for a Chairman in the person of our comrade Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole who has not minced words by saying it the way it is and how the party should make progress. And when you do things the way they should be done, you are going to offend a lot of people. You know that Nigerians don’t like it when you tell them the truth especially when you look at why they are complaining. Are they not the same people that have taken so much from the system? Those in the National Assembly how many years have many of them been there? They have been in government for years; they’ve seen what is in government that is why they don’t want to leave government, so when you talk of corruption, they are ready to use the money they have taken to fight you. They have been there, who do you want to talk about?

Look at it, Saraki has been there

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from governor, to Senator, now he wants to be president, look at them. Is it Kwankwaso? I think it is time we look beyond these people.

They are the kind of people that are complaining.

After defecting to the opposition, the Federal Government has allegedly sent the EFCC after the Benue State governor to hang corruption charges on him, is there a more vindictive measure than this?

We can’t behave like the PDP. We all know what the PDP did with the EFCC when they were in power; how the then President Obasanjo used the EFCC to chase almost everybody, but the APC as a party will not involve itself with the activities of the EFCC. Let the governor and government of Benue State sort themselves out.

We also have party members in Benue State we cannot be talking about only the governor; we have senators that are from that state. If there are cases of misappropriation of funds the governor should go and answer his case it is not an issue for the party.

The opposition has said the APC was only interested in winning the 2015 election without any clear idea of how to fix the economy, is this correct?

Those who were there for 16 years could not put things in proper place and the same people are accusing those of us who have spent only three years. Let’s look at it, look at how much we have spent, with the little we have; look at what we have been able to do for this country. Like our chairman said about former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is going about accusing people left and right. He spent $16 billion on power and yet we are not seeing light and so many things have been left undone. Look at the PDP, as I am talking to you is it not the same set of old criminals in this country that are coming together to fight? Who is that person in the PDP, who is that new person that can say we are working for the public? These are the same set of people that used their pen and paper to defraud the country.

There are insinuations that those who have corruption charges against them have found solace in the APC where they are treated as saints. What do you say about this?

That is where people are getting it all wrong. Nobody is going to remove any case from court because somebody or some people joined our party, if you have a case you go and answer, if you are found guilty, you go to jail.

Was Joshua Dariye not a Senator under this party? Where is he today? Is he not in jail? So, when these PDP people come with their propaganda ask them, were they able to jail any of their members when they were in government?

Dariye a serving Senator came into this party, but what happened? He is in jail. President Muhammadu Buhari will not compromise that, if you like run into his bedroom once you are found guilty, you are

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, August 25, 2018

on your own.

With the loss of a number of notable figures to the opposition, how do you think President Buhari, the APC, would fare in the 2019 election?

The APC will always win. You see, when you look at the results from the previous election, we didn’t have many votes from the South East and the South- South, but when you look at it now, you will see how we are building up in these areas. I don’t have a problem of APC wining the Presidential election, when they say that we’ve lost a number of people who defected from the APC into the PDP I don’t know what they mean by that. Some people have gone to other parties, like I have said before, this is the political transfer window, and we have a lot of injured political players so we sent them out of the team and got some new ones so it’s not a problem, The APC is telling Senator Saraki to relinquish the senate presidency following his defection, but in 2014 when Tambuwal crossed to APC as Speaker of the House, the same APC praised him to high heavens and never asked him to vacate his seat. How do you explain this?

Yes, we insist that Saraki should vacate his position because when you look at it, as a Senate President, you have a lot of allegations against you that is where I am coming from. As a Senate President, you are facing a lot of allegations, you are facing trial, yet you are going about calling yourself a distinguished Senator. If you are a man of integrity, you are supposed to step down and face these corruption charges against you instead of staying on that seat to fight the case. How can you be a Senate President and everything that is going wrong in the country your name is always mentioned?

Even a case of armed robbery what kind of Senate President are you? What we are saying is that the younger ones are coming, what kind of Senate president is that?

But one of the cases went up to the Supreme Court and he was vindicated…

(Cuts in) Yes, but he is still facing another case. Why will he not step aside and go and clear his name? This is a simple matter, step aside so that you don’t use that power you have to manipulate the system to your advantage.

Specifically, are there things the party is doing to stop the looming defection by some of your members?

As we speak, there is no member of this party that is defecting.

The rumour you are hearing is all part of the propaganda of the opposition PDP. As we speak, we are expecting more PDP senators to join the APC after Senator Godswill Akpabio. You heard Senator Shehu Sani when he said the PDP was promising people automatic tickets, APC did not

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With people like Saraki as Senate President who is using his position to negotiate with government which is not possible with this government.

This government is serious about the anti-corruption fight. How can we live with a situation which Saraki put the APC-led administration by having a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party as Deputy Senate President?

And on top of that, he now wants to be president when we have a sitting president who has indicated interest in seeking for a second term. All that Saraki is doing is to pursue his selfish interest; he is not interested in the people.

promise him automatic ticket but he is staying back in the party.

You and I know that the PDP has nothing to offer, they have nothing. This time around, it is time to bury the PDP once and for all so that new people can come into the political scene; let’s see, but not these old soldiers that have terrorised the country and still want to remain there.

What do you think a second term for President Muhammadu Buhari portends for Nigeria’s young people considering the fact that he was the one who signed the Not Too Young To Run Bill?

Buhari’s second term will stabilise the system and also provide a guide for the younger ones that will come after him.

If our system was working very well the presidency will concentrate on strengthening the economy, but if you look at it all that is not happening because the National Assembly is fighting the executive and all of that. If our institutions were working, if you commit a crime there will be nothing like plea bargain, when you get to court and you are found guilty, you will go to jail. President Buhari’s second term will stabilise a lot of things so that when the younger generation takes over they will have a proper guide to follow.

There appears to be a pattern of infighting among and within agencies of the government your party is running. You have the DSS fighting the EFCC, a minister suspends the head of an agency under his supervision the presidency over rules him, what is the problem?

All the agencies of this administration especially the security agencies know their functions and they know what

they need to do, it is not a matter for the party.

What is your response to the claims by R-APC that your recent victories in the byeelections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi were bought?

First, to the best of my knowledge the R-APC is not a political party known to our laws. I ordinarily would not respond to them, but just to put the records straight, the victory of our candidates in the elections you have just mentioned has proven to all that Nigerians still have confidence in our party and the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has provided within the last three years. It is a fact that we won all these elections with a clear margin, those who lost know they lost because the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission has left nobody in doubt that the APC is still the party Nigerians are comfortable with and that they will re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari when we present him as our Presidential candidate for the 2019 election.

The gang up by the PDP and all other portfolio political parties will fail, the APC is preparing for the election, we advise them to also go out and prepare because the crisis that is about to hit their party is one that can only be compared to an earthquake.

What is your take on the accusation by the Senate President that a cabal is running a government within a government in this administration?

It depends on what he means by that. Our function as a party is very clear so that is not an issue for us.

ARTS & CULTURE TIMES g19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Tolulope Okunlola in audacious exploit Chris Onuoha To achieve something remarkable and attain greater height in life, a man needs to work extra miles and risk taking cannot be avoided. This gave me the conviction that to get rich, you have to do something that you were not taught in school…. Or else everybody who graduated would have been rich.

Thus, are the sayings of a visual artist, Tolulope Michael Okunlola who dared into the unknown in a bid to create a spectacular art piece called wire works.

‘Audacious’ is an exhibition of wire paintings that unveiled on Saturday, August 18, to run till 24th in National Museum Onikan, Lagos. Special guests that declared it open were Shola Olamakinde, Director, De-Arts Place, Time Emmanuel, Dotun Alabi, former SNA chairman, Lagos State as chief host while special gust of honour is Richard Bello.

Okunlola who unveiled his exhibition titled ‘wire works’ to pressmen recently said, “I discovered my artistic potential when I was seven (7) years old. Although my mother tried to discourage me from this vocation but all to no avail. She wanted me to become a magistrate. I used to be punished for creating drawings in my exercise books when I was in primary school. It was my aunt’s husband that advised my mother to desist from such when I got to secondary school.

“My ambition to become a prolific artist developed when I became a student at the Oyo state College of Education (now Emmanuel Alayande college of Education), and progressed to Obafemi Awolowo university (OAU) to develop myself further which introduced me to various media like oil color, sand of different colors, Acrylic, beads, tiles, pastel, etc for painting and it really helped in developing and influencing my thematic subjects.

Okunlola described his new discovery as a daring risk that turned to an excitement. He achieved an unknown task by exploring materials that ordinarily wouldn’t cross the mind of an artist unless a creative hands that wants to be different.

“My desire for a different media of expression from the conventional ones mentioned above drove me to explore various materials both locally made and imported.

I stumbled on a beautiful effect while using carpets to carry out a mixed media which eventually influenced my final year project when I used the same carpet to form a mosaic painting titled “ Ode a fi file P’erin” (Hunters that kills an elephant with a cap). Meaning: the hunter that kills an elephant in a day but is filled with pride, will not be

hailed for too long.

“After graduation, I attended various workshops, some devoted to craft making. It was during one of such workshops that I observed Mr. Ojeniran Michael using wire to create jewelries of various colors. This implanted an idea of using various wires of different colors to create my art.

Undunted to achieve uniqueness with materials, Okunlola did not mind how much it could cost him to produce a desired piece of art in his mind. He however, resulted in saving every penny he got from teaching job, using

it to acquire copper wires and working tools which he revealed were expensive.

“The high cost of the copper wires were a major set back for me but with the determination over the years, I have been able to sustain it as a medium of expression, hence the title of my show “Audacious”, because it took all I had to be where I am today despite all odds.

“My first painting “ the birth of wire”, was deeply personal in several ways as I imagined how the start of this adventure would be. A typical mother and child painting, I saw myself as a child in a new world with so much possibilities

and seize the moment to create other works.

Today, Tolulope has set a new record in materia usage in art, using copper wires of different sizes and colours to render in hues artworks that will staff the test of time. Perhaps, one major area of exploration for him is converting the success of copper wire materials into suggestive themes.

The exhibition still ongoing has been declared a huge success by the event promoter, Dotun Alabi who said, the outcome marks a new discovery and beginning for wire painting exploits.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

Why I trekked over 800 metres on Sallah Day –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his long distance trekking on Sallah day was not about testing his physical fitness but to show respect to thousands of people who wanted to greet him on the fateful day.

The President stated this when he received some socio-political groups from Daura Emirate Council, who paid him Sallah homage at his private residence in Daura, Katsina state, on Friday.

Buhari said the trekking had nothing to do with his bid to seek reelection in 2019, adding that he had since made his intention known to Nigerians about his political ambition.

The President, who spoke in Hausa, said: “Let me react to some media reports about my trekking on Sallah day insinuating that I trekked to demonstrate my fitness for 2019

presidential election. ‘‘They were not seeing me so I came down so they could see me. “I didn’t need to convince anyone about my health and the decision to contest for a second term- a decision that I made public in April this year.

“After the prayer, I noticed that many people wanted to see and I was in a black vehicle and security men were blocking them from seeing me.

“So, I opted to trek in spite of the security implications because I knew nothing would happen to me by the grace of Allah,’’ he said.

The President used the opportunity of his meeting with his kinsmen to inform them that he has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the CBN to review the processes on the issuance of loans to smallholder farmers. He said: ‘‘We want to make it easier for

UMUERI OKEBO SOCIAL CLUB

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

them to assess the loans, particularly Mai’adua, applauded the President on the underprivileged people in the his numerous achievements. ‘‘You have society. “It has become necessary for made us proud, the economy is back the government to do this because banks will insist on collaterals which majority of farmers do not have. “For our agriculture policy to succeed, we must be able to reach smallholders farmers with loans without Mathew Dadiya, Abuja collaterals. Collaterals are always a problem with smallholder farmers.’’

President Buhari also highlighted the President Muhammadu Buhari has sent achievements of the administration warm greetings to the matriarch of the on local rice productions, which had expectedly led to the reduction Elumelu family, Mrs Suzanne Elumelu, of imports by over 90 per cent. The on her 90th birthday.

President Buhari joined family and President expressed delight that young people were returning to the farms and friends of the “kind-hearted and loving reaffirmed the Federal government’s mother of five, including Chairman of commitment to implement policies The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony to promote agriculture. Earlier, the Elumelu, in celebrating the milestone, spokesman of the group, Malam Yusuf which is an evidence of God’s favour and grace.”

The Special Adviser to GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION & ENLIGHTENMENT the President on Media and INITIATIVE AGAINST CORRUPTION

...congratulates Elumelus’ matriarch, Mama Suzanne @ 90

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on the path of growth and you have laid a solid foundation for the development of the country,’’

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Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, stated this on Friday.

He added that Buhari believed Mama’s life story of succeeding against the odds of early widowhood serves as an inspiration to many, while her virtues of the fear of God, discipline, integrity, dedication and hard work will continue to resonate among the communities of the less privileged that she supports and regularly encourages.

The President also commended Mrs Elumelu, who is fondly called Mama, for her strength of character and entrepreneurial spirit in raising a strong and healthy family, and her advocacy for good education and investment skills for children and women particularly in the country.

The President prayed that God will grant Mama Elumelu, the Adadioranma of Onicha Ugbo, Delta State, longer life, filled with joy and good health.

Komolafe Jelilat

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MRS. UCHE IDOWU

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS IDOWU DANIEL. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. UCHE IDOWU MARY.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ASEMOTA FRIDAY

I formerly known and addressed as ASEMOTA BOBBY OSAS now wish to be known and addressed as ASEMOTA FRIDAY OSATARE all former document remain valid general public should please take note

UGWU JOSEPH

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU JOSEPH AGU, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU JOSEPH AGUBUCHIE. My correct date of birth is 28/08/1968. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS PETRONILA UKAMAKA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWANI PETRONILA UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PETRONILA UKAMAKA NWANI NWAUBANI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify and confirm that DR. MIKE CHIKE MADU and DR. MICHAEL CHUKWUKELUE MADU refers as one and the same person.

All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

Abdulfatai SANNI Abdulateef AZEEZ

This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly written as Fatai Ajao instead of Abdulfatai Abdulateef. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Abdulfatai Abdulateef. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

MRS SOBOOLU SUSAN

Formerly known and addressed as OLAOTAN SUSAN OLUBUNMI Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SOBOOLU SUSAN OLUBUNMI All Former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note

ADEYEM SIKIRATU

MY NAME WAS ENTERED AS ADEYEMI IYABO INSTEAD OF ADEYEMI SIKIRATU ORISUNMIBARE. HENCEFORTH I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADEYEM SIKIRATU ORISUNMIBARE.MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 15TH FEBRUARY,1953.

FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC NOTE

PASTOR TOLUWALADE I formerly known and addressed as OJELADE MATTHEW KASHI Now wish to be known and addressed as PASTOR TOLUWALADE KASHI. All Former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note

JOHN KINDNESS EDET I formerly known and addressed as PRIEST KINDNESS BELOVED now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN KINDNESS EDET all former document remain valid general public should please take note MRS NJOKU MERCY

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IBOKO MERCY NGOZI, wish to be now known and addressed as MRS NJOKU MERCY NGOZI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ANIEKWE FDELIS I, formerly known and addressed as ANIEKWE PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEKWE FDELIS. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to certify and confirm that JOHNSON CHARITY LINDA, CHARITY UDUOKA, CHARITY NDUKA AND NDUKA CHARITY LINDA, refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as NDUKA CHARITY LINDA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

OCHAI VICTORIA LOSS OF DOCUMENT Loss of document of house receipt of a landed property belong to Eng. Mostopher Ogbum of 4 Ibukun Omoseyin Str., along Elabo st, Alimosho.

All effort to trace brove abortive. if found call 09058288989.

FOREIGN TIMES

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

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Trump Organization finance chief ‘gets immunity’ in Cohen probe

Zimbabwe court rejects opposition bid to annul election results Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed a bid by the largest opposition coalition to annul the results of last month’s presidential election, which gave a victory to incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba said on Friday that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) alliance, led by 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, had failed to prove fraud accusations during the vote.

“The application is dismissed with costs ... Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is duly declared the winner of the presidential elections held on the 30th of July 2018,” Malaba said in his ruling.

Mnangagwa, 75, said he was “not surprised by the court’s decision” and called for unity and peace.

“Nelson Chamisa, my door is open and my arms are outstretched, we are one nation, and we must put our nation first.

Let us all now put our differences behind us. It is time to move forward together,” Mnangagwa wrote on Twitter shortly after the court announced its ruling.

The MDC had filed a legal challenge, citing a catalogue of alleged discrepancies, including incorrect counting and fake polling stations, as well as instances at voting centres where there were more ballots cast than registered voters.

“There has been a massive doctoring of evidence,” Thabani Mpofu, a lawyer representing the MDC, told the top court when it started sitting on Wednesday.

Mnangagwa, of the ruling ZANU-PF party, won the election with 50.8 percent of the vote - just enough to pass the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff against Chamisa, who finished second with 44.3 percent.

European Union observers said that the ZANU-PF candidate had benefitted from an “un-level playing field” and some voter intimidation, though international monitors largely praised the conduct of the election.

The legal challenge delayed Mnangagwa’s planned inauguration for August 12. According to the Constitution, the inauguration should take place within 48 hours of the court’s ruling.

Mnangagwa took over after a military intervention in November 2017 resulted in the resignation of 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.

Mnangagwa, who has promised to revive the country’s ruined economy, had vowed that the vote would be free and fair amid hopes that it would open up a stream of foreign investment and aid.

Wilf Mbanga, political commentator and editor of The Zimbabwean, said the court challenge would put in question ZANU-PF’s election victory.

“Global acceptance will be difficult.

Investors may be difficult to attract,” Mbanga told Al Jazeera.

Campaigning was more open than previous votes, but the election was marred by violence and a crackdown on opposition activists.

On August 1, clashes broke out in central Harare between security forces and opposition supporters. Six protesters died after soldiers opened fire, in a response that the opposition alliance called “disproportionate and unjustified”.

“Praetorian politics will continue to define the political landscape and this is unsettling not only because the presence of the military on the foreground of our politics is likely to result in repression

and plunder as evidenced by the killing of unarmed civilians,” Michael Choto, a political analyst, told Al Jazeera.

He called for the disbanding of “the patronage and corruption network that has characterised our country’s politics for the last 38 years”.

In the parliamentary elections, also held on July 30, ZANU-PF secured a clear majority by winning 145 seats in the 210-strong parliament. The MDC came second with 63.

The ruling party, which has been in power since independence in 1980, has ruled out any form of political alliance with the opposition.

But some analysts said a coalition would ease political tensions in the country.

“This would be first prize and would solve a lot of problems but is highly unlikely given the extreme polarisation which has actually been worsened by the court case and the post-election killings,” Mbanga said.

“The winner-takes-all attitude will be disastrous but I fear that is what will happen. Although I hope Mnangagwa is pragmatic enough to see that would be counterproductive,” he added.

Choto said the MDC, which has historically been ZANU-PF’s biggest challenger, “should regroup, reevaluate ... and reshape” its strategy with a focus on ensuring victory in the 2023 elections.

“Nelson Chamisa has time on his hands,” he said.

“He has the changing demography of Zimbabwe on his side, he should not allow himself and the alliance to be swallowed, to legitimise a military government that has come to power not through the ballot but by the barrel of a gun.”

Appeals court gives ex-Korean President Park 25-year sentence A South Korean appeals court has increased the prison sentence for former President Park Geun-hyeto 25 years in a case stemming from a far-reaching corruption scandal that ended her rule in 2017.

Park became South Korea’s first democratically elected leader to be forced from office when the Constitutional Court removed her over a scandal that landed the heads of two conglomerates in jail.

The 66-year-old was sentenced to 24 years in prison and an 18 billion won ($16m) fine by a lower court in April in a ruling that the prosecution appealed.

On Friday, the Seoul High Court found that Park colluded with her friend, Choi Soonsil, to receive tens of billions of won from major conglomerates to help Choi’s family

and fund non-profit foundations owned by her, according to the court documents.

The court also increased her fine by 2 billion won ($1.78m) to 20 billion won ($17.8m).

“Such unethical dealings between political power and financial power harms the essence of democracy and distorts order in the market economy, giving the people a grave sense of loss and deep distrust of our society,” presiding judge Kim Mun-suk said in the ruling.

“A strict penalty is unavoidable.”

In July, another South Korean court sentenced Park to eight years in prison in a separate case arising from the same scandal, finding her guilty on charges of causing the loss of government funds and interfering in a

2016 parliamentary election.

Park has been defended by state attorneys after her former defence team quit en masse last year in protest against a Seoul court’s handling of her case, including the extension of her detention.

Park has been in jail since March 31, 2017, but has denied wrongdoing and was not present in court.

She returned to South Korea’s presidential palace in 2012 as the country’s first woman leader more than three decades after she left it following the assassination of her father.

Her removal last year led to a presidential election won by the liberal Moon Jae-in, whose conciliatory stance on North Korea has led to a significant warming of ties with the North.

Donald Trump’s longtime financial gatekeeper has been granted immunity in a federal probe involving the US president’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, according to media reports in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal and NBC News cited anonymous sources on Friday claiming that Allen Weisselberg, Trump Organization finance chief, received immunity to speak to prosecutors in the investigation of hush money Cohen paid to two women, who claimed to have affairs with Trump.

Cohen had pleaded guilty to tax and campaign finance violations on Tuesday.

He said Trump directed him to arrange the payments. Such payments could be considered illegal campaign contributions under federal election law, according to experts.

Though not named in the Cohen case, Weisselberg is believed to be one of two Trump executives mentioned in the suit who reimbursed Cohen and then covered up the payments by saying they were legal expenses.

Weisselberg has been a Trump confidant who started working for his family in the early 1970s.

It is not clear whether Weisselberg

told government prosecutors that the president was aware of the payments.

Trump himself denied having knowledge of the payments at the time they were made.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bruce Fein, a former top US prosecutor, described the reports as significant amid questions over the culpability of Trump’s business in the payoff scheme, which Cohen had pleaded guilty to.

“First of all, it is an absolute crime for a corporation to make any contribution to a political campaign,” he said. “They can’t spend one cent providing that assistance directly to a candidate.”

It appears that “substantial sums were paid for the Trump corporation to pay off [the two women], or to reimburse Mr Cohen”, Fein said.

“So, that being a campaign contribution, and that is what basically Mr Cohen has already pleaded guilty to, the corporation is equally guilty, including those who operate the corporation,” he added.

Fein said that with Weisselberg being granted immunity, it is possible that the president himself could be incriminated “in an income tax crime”.

DRC: Doctor stricken with Ebola in rebel stronghold A doctor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been hospitalised with the deadly Ebola virus after coming into contact with nearly 100 people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday investigating the infection and its possible spread to 97 people in contact with the physician would be difficult because the area was entirely surrounded by rebels.

Since the outbreak erupted in DRC on August 1, 103 confirmed and probable cases of Ebola have been identified in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, including 63 deaths, the health ministry said.

“It is the first time we have a confirmed case and contacts in an area of high insecurity,” said Dr Peter Salama, WHO’s deputy director-general for emergency preparedness and response.

“It is really the problem we were anticipating and at same time dreading,” he told a news briefing.

Salama said the Ebola infection occurred in the eastern town of Oicha, 50km from DRC’s border with Uganda.

The area was surrounded by fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, who he said posed “extremely serious security concerns”.

WHO and health experts reached Oicha with an armed escort by MONUSCO troops this week, Salama said.

The DRC’s military launched an offensive against the armed group in January after an attack on Tanzanian UN peacekeepers that killed 15 soldiers.

“We are at quite a pivotal moment in this outbreak in terms of the evolution of the outbreak epidemiologically and in terms of the response,” said Salama.

Ebola is a virus-caused hemorrhagic fever that in extreme cases causes fatal bleeding from internal organs, the mouth, eyes or ears.

SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

AFCON: Coach Gernot Rohr names Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa, 22 others for Seychelles

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has released a list of 24 Nigeria senior players who will do battle for the three points in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles in Victoria on September 7.

At a world press conference in Lagos on Friday, Rohr, flanked by NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and Executive Board Member Aisha Falode, unveiled a list of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. He also put four other players, including former U17 World Cup-winning captain Musa Muhammed, on standby.

The three goalkeepers are those who made the final cut for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia in the summer, but the defence has two new boys

in England–based Semi Ajayi and Germany–based Jamilu Collins, while Olaoluwa Aina, overlooked for the World Cup, has been recalled.

Another former U17 World Cup– winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali, is the new face in the middle, just as France–based Samuel Kalu is the new man upfront. Henry Onyekuru, who got injured before the World Cup, is also recalled.

Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor told thenff .com on Friday that the invited players are expected to fly directly to Seychelles, arriving on Monday, 3rd September, while the one player (goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa) and team officials travelling from Nigeria will fly into Victoria on Sunday, September 2.

All three points in the Matchday 2 encounter are important for the Super Eagles, having lost their opener to the qualifying campaign at home to South Africa 14 months ago.

THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa) Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

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Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Kelechi Nwakali (FC Porto, Portugal); Joel Obi (AC Chievo Verona, Italy) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France) Standby: Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria); Musa Muhammed (HNK Gorica, Croatia); Blessing Eleke (FC Luzern, Switzerland)

Gernot Rohr: I rejected big offers to remain Super Eagles coach

Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has revealed that he rejected lucrative offers from some countries after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to stay put with the team.

The likes of Clemens Westerhof, Bora Mulitonovic and Lars Largerback all left unceremoniously after Super Eagles exit at the previous World Cups.

Rohr, who extended his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation before the World Cup in Russia guided the team through

a successful qualifying campaign but came under scrutiny after the team failed to progress beyond the group stage at the mundial after winning just one game.

There were calls for Rohr to be sacked, but the NFF decided to back the German.

“I got good offers from countries who were at the World Cup, but in the end I decided I want to continue working here in Nigeria,” Rohr stated during his interaction with the media in Lagos on Friday.

“I like the team we have here

and the NFF has made the environment very conducive for me, so I don’t see any reason why I should leave now.

“I hope this team will be better in future and it is important to continue the good work we started.”

Rohr will now hope to help the Super Eagles qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after the team missed out the last two editions.

The Super Eagles will face Seychelles in their game against on September 7 in Victoria.

Palestinian FA boss gets 12-month FIFA Arsene Wenger gets Liberia’s highest honour President and Footballer of the Year and won award on Friday. ban for hate speech against Lionel Messi former Liberian football star George the Ballon d’Or, still the only Thousands of spectators clapped and The Disciplinary Committee of FIFA on Friday sanctioned the President of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Jibril Rajoub, with a 12-month match suspension and a fine of CHF 20,000.

In a statement on FIFA.com, Rajoub for breached article 53 (Inciting hatred and violence) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, following media statements he gave calling on football fans to target the Argentinian Football Association and burn jerseys and pictures of Lionel Messi.

These statements were made ahead of a friendly match scheduled for 9 June 2018 in Jerusalem between Israel and Argentina. The match was later cancelled.

The Disciplinary Committee held that Mr Rajoub’s statements incited hatred and violence, and consequently imposed the above-mentioned sanctions.

The 12-month match suspension imposed on Mr Rajoub entails a ban on taking part in any future match or competition taking

place during the given period. Consequently, Mr Rajoub will not be able to attend football matches or competitions in any official capacity, which includes, among others, participating in media activities at stadiums or in their vicinity on matchdays.

The 12-month match suspension becomes effective on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris charged with drink-driving Tottenham

captain

Hugo Lloris has been charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police in west London.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper was stopped by a routine patrol in Gloucester Place in the early hours of Friday morning.

Lloris has been at Spurs since joining from Lyon in 2012, making 256 appearances for the Premier League club.

He captained France as they won the World Cup for the second time in Russia this summer.

A Metropolitan Police statement read: “Hugo Lloris, 31, of East Finchley, was charged with drink-driving on Friday, 24 August.

“He has been bailed to return to Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 September.”

Weah awarded ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with the country’s highest honour in a ceremony on Friday.

The award, it was disclosed, was for services to African football that included launching Weah’s own acclaimed career.

Wenger found Weah playing for Cameroon’s Tonnerre Yaounde and brought him to French side Monaco in 1988.

The move paved the way for the striker at some of Europe’s top clubs, including AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Chelsea.

In 1995 Weah was named World

African to win either award.

“You proved yourself as a teacher when you revolutionised forever the approach of scouting young talents all over the planet, particularly throughout Africa,” Weah said of Wenger during a ceremony in the capital Monrovia.

Wenger was named a Knight Grand High Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption, the highest rank in Liberia’s Order of Distinction.

Fellow coach Claude Le Roy, who first told Wenger about Weah’s talent, also received the

cheered as Wenger received his medal in a hall at the national stadium adorned with the national red, white and blue.

Thousands more listened to the ceremony on the radio in the stadium, once a shelter for people displaced by a civil war that ended fifteen years ago.

Weah’s footballing successes helped launch his political career back home.

His unlikely rise, from kicking a ball on the dusty streets of a Monrovia slum to world fame, won him support in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Development in the West African country has been hobbled by the 14-year civil war that ended in 2003 and an Ebola outbreak which killed thousands from 2013-16.

He succeeded Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president after a landslide election victory in December last year.

“I think Wenger deserves it. If he had not spotted ambassador Weah in those days, he would not have reached this level,” said university student Cynthia Kollie.

Some took issue with the awards, saying the president’s choice was based on personal ties rather than on what the recipients did for the countr “President Weah is bestowing our nation’s highest honour on his two former football coaches who have made no direct impact or contributed to Liberia’s collective interest,” said Martin Kolle, a student.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 25, 2018

23 Sports Times

Liverpool ‘not for sale’ after £2 billion bid Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group insisted Friday the Premier League club is not for sale after details emerged of a failed £2 billion ($2.6 billion) takeover bid from a cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour.

Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reported that Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan approached the club over several months in late 2017 and into early 2018.

He then made the £2 billion offer that would have been the most expensive takeover in the history of the game.

Liverpool — 18-times English

champions — said the club was still open to new outside investment but is not for sale.

Britain’s Press Association said it understood that the interest — one of a number of approaches FSG have received in recent years — did not get past the vetting stage because it was deemed neither credible nor worthy of being put to the ownership.

“FSG have been clear and consistent: the club is not for sale,” said a Liverpool statement.

“But what the ownership has said, again clearly and consistently, is that under the right terms and conditions

we would consider taking on a minority investor, if such a partnership was to further our commercial interests in specific market places and in line with the continued development and growth of the club and the team.”

Malcolm Glazer’s £790 million purchase of Premier League rivals Manchester United in 2005 remains the most expensive football takeover deal.

Liverpool, bought by their owners, then known as New England Sports Ventures, for £300 million in 2010, were valued at £1.42 billion by business services group KPMG in May.

Unai Emery vows to stick to his guns as Arsenal chase first win

Unai Emery insists Arsenal’s spluttering start to the season won’t stop him overhauling his team’s style of play.

Emery has been criticised for changing Arsenal’s tactics too quickly after the Gunners were beaten by Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games.

With Arsenal hosting West Ham on Saturday, the London derby against Manuel Pellegrini’s team — also losers in their opening games — offers Emery a chance to steady the ship.

The Spaniard is in his first season at the Emirates Stadium after replacing Arsene Wenger and has moved quickly to alter the game-plan preferred by his predecessor.

Where Wenger demanded Arsenal played an all-out attacking system that often left them vulnerable at the back, Emery favours a high-tempo pressing game.

The former Paris Saint Germain boss also likes his goalkeeper and defenders to start moves with passing from the back, even when under pressure from opponents.

This has led to Arsenal putting themselves in difficult positions at times, but Emery is adamant the issues are just teething problems that will soon resolve themselves.

“In our process, we are going 38 matches against all the teams — whether you are playing against Manchester

City, it’s the same as if you’re playing against West Ham on Saturday,” he said.

“There are three points on this game.

It’s clear that every game demands different things tactically.

“After the first two matches, we have two defeats and we need to win this match against West Ham.” West Ham’s visit gives Jack Wilshere a chance to prove Emery was wrong to let him leave.

Hammers midfielder Wilshere saw his 17-year stay with Arsenal come to an end in the close-season after Emery opted against giving the injury-prone England international a new contract.

“I spoke with him for 15 minutes here in Colney before he left,” Emery said.

“The first thing for me is I have respect for his career here. And then, he chooses what the best was for him in his future.

“On Saturday, I know that here, the supporters like him and have this respect also. I think there is a good reception for him here.

“Then we are going to play and we are going to think after that, for us to win. But I hope the best for his career.”

West Ham’s need for the points is just as great as Arsenal’s after defeats against Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Angry fans flooded out of the London Stadium well before the final whistle against Bournemouth, prompting Pellegrini to criticise the early leavers.

The former Manchester City boss,

aware that Hammers supporters spent much of last season protesting against their club’s owners, called on the fans to stand by the team.

“It is not about how much I criticised the fans – it is how much the team needs the fans,” Pellegrini said.

“I perfectly understand if you are losing 4-1 or 5-1 and you have got five minutes till the game finishes, maybe you leave early to your house. But losing 2-1?

“At this moment the players need everybody together, the fans, the team, the manager, the owners – everybody.

“Maybe the fans had a reason, but I just wanted to clarify how important the fans for the result of the games.”

Serena Williams handed tough path to US Open final Serena Williams was handed a difficult path to the final after being drawn on Thursday in the same quarter as older sister Venus and world number one Simona Halep.

The American is aiming for a recordequalling 24th Grand Slam title at this year’s U.S. Open.

Serena will start her campaign against Polish world number 60 Magda Linette and could face Venus in the third round before a possible fourthround showdown with Romanian top seed Halep.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner is seeking her sixth trophy in New York and is seeded 17th.

Holder Sloane Stephens meets Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina in the first round and could face former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the third.

She could also face Belgian 15th seed Elise Mertens in the fourth and seventhseeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the

quarter-finals.

Defending men’s champion and top seed Rafael Nadal, who last year won his third title at Flushing Meadows, will play fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the first round.

French Open champion Nadal could face South Africa’s Wimbledon runnerup Kevin Anderson, the fifth seed, in the last eight in what would be a rematch of the 2017 U.S. Open final.

Men’s second seed Roger Federer, who won the last of his five U.S. Open titles in 2008, is in the same quarter as twice champion and sixth-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic.

Federer will start against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka with Australian Nick Kyrgios, the 30th seed, a possible third round opponent.

Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who could face Federer in the quarterfinals, will start against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

The U.S. Open begins on Monday.

Enyimba FC chairman hopeful CAF will approve stadium for matches Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Chairman, Enyimba FC of Aba, says the facilities needed at the Enyimba Stadium to ensure the club hosted Tara Brazzaville of Congo match have been installed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Enyimba Stadium has been undergoing reconstruction to give it world-class touch since 2016.

Anyansi-Agwu made the assertion on Friday in Aba while speaking with newsmen during the visit of Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team to the stadium.

He said that it was very easy for anybody who visited the rehabilitated stadium with the new artificial turf and other improvements to be impressed by the work done on the facility.

He therefore, expressed the hope that the team would give approval for the use of the stadium for Enyimba’s match against Tara Brazzaville of Congo on Wednesday.

Anyansi-Agwu said that Abia needed CAF’s encouragement having

witnessed the level of development Enyimba Stadium had undergone.

He added that he hoped that CAF would in a few days give its nod for the match in Aba. The chairman, while debunking the information making the rounds on the social media that the date of the match had been changed, described it as misleading; saying that the date was still Aug. 29.

On the official opening of the stadium, the chairman said it was the Abia Government that was the custodian of the project and would determine the date for the official opening.

He thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for his magnanimity and commitment which made the Enyimba Stadium rehabilitation a reality, adding that the team would now be playing their matches at home.

NAN reports that the stadium which now has an artificial turf has undergone massive rehabilitation with improved conveniences, dressing rooms and stands.

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