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NDLEA decries upsurge in Tramadol seizure Many youths dying of drug overdose – NAFDAC

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo and Angela Onwuzoo, Lagos The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) commander at the Lagos Airport, Ahmadu Garba, has observed that there is an increase in the influx of Tramadol into Nigeria, a situation https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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Plateau massacre

that is creating a very serious problem in the country.

Ahmadu said the agency has recorded an upsurge in the quantity of Tramadol seizure and arrest since 2017, a development, he said, was unprecedented in the last ten years in terms of quantity.

Ahmadu, who revealed this

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Politicians behind killings Buhari No, arrest perpetrators, prosecute them, says PDP g4

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and some monarchs during the visit of Urhobo Traditional Rulers and Leadership of the Urhobo Progressive Union to the President at the State House in Abuja... on Monday.

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EFCC: Jumoke Akinjide’s husband returned N10m from N650m fraud

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, May 11, 2018 Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

NDLEA decries upsurge in Tramadol seizure Continued from page 1 on Monday in an event to mark the “United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” in Lagos, advised that it is high time all and sundry stood up and see what they can do to make sure Nigerians see to the end of drug abuse in the country.

The Commander emphasised that the quantity of Tramadol coming into the country is of high volume because traffickers are bringing a lot of it, apart from other drugs, adding that there are also several upsurge of outward trafficking of Methamphetamine and Ephedrine.

Tramadol is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. When taken as an immediate-release oral formulation, the onset of pain relief usually occurs within about an hour.

Apart from its pain relieving effects, tramadol has been discovered to give a feeling of euphoric high when taken in large quantity. When opioids like tramadol are mixed with alcohol, it increases the effects of the alcohol.

Recently, a man in his mid-20’s reportedly died in Otukpo, Benue State, after consuming an overdose of tramadol.

Ahmadu said because of the vigilance of NDLEA at the Lagos Airport, a lot of departures from Nigeria divert to other West African countries, whenever they are coming back to the country.

He said: “If you look at manifest so far, you see a lot of departures from Nigeria but somehow, when they are coming back, you see them diverting to most West African countries. There is an upsurge in the quantity of drug seizure because if you look at what we have been able to arrest in 2017 it is a kind of unprecedented in the last 10 years in terms of quantity. Again, if you look at this year now, we have almost tripled what we have been able to do and what is surprising about this thing is the quantity of Tramadol coming into the country.

“The volume is much because they are bringing a lot of it, apart from other drugs. There are several upsurge too of either inward or outward trafficking, mostly outward trafficking of

Methamphetamine and Ephedrine. These are things that are very clear and there is a growing increase in trafficking of Methamphetamine, Ephedrine and Tramadol”, he added.

Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed concern over the high rate of consumption and sale of tramadol in the country, blaming the worrisome development on the porous nature of Nigerian borders which enable people smuggle them into the country in large quantities.

Speaking on the issue during public launch of drug related health policies and guidelines in Abuja, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed that many youths were dying of drug overdose including Tramadol because it was very easy for them to access addictive drugs.

“Using drugs is centrally controlled or central nervous system-based which means it hits the brain immediately and it changes the user to somebody else. During the first use and second use, the brain of the user becomes very different because of dependence.

“They are no longer able to control themselves and that is where the crime, terrorism come in.

Therefore, please let the word go out that drug use comes with consequences.

“Of course, we are going after the peddlers.

As we speak, we just intercepted two lorries full of tramadol. And where are they going? They are going to the Ajegunles of Nigeria, to the Kanos of Nigeria. Who are they targeting? Our children.

Therefore, we need to all come in. It’s our business, “she said.

The NAFDAC boss called on the National Assembly to amend the law such that drug peddlers could be given stiffer penalties.

On the mode of seizures, Ahmadu said: “Most of the seizures are not really abandoned seizures. But a few of them are. One of the largest seizure - that of Tramadol is an abandoned one. But almost all the seizures have people attached to them. It is either, even if it is not arrest made at the initial stage, we do follow up and at the end of the day we are able to get those responsible for it. Even

this Tramadol seizure is not like we have relaxed.

We are still working on it.

We are trying to see how we are going to trace the person that import them.

In almost all the places, there are people who have been arrested for those seizures and in a few cases where there are no people arrested, after follow up investigations, we are able to get this people. I think the success rate of follow up in the command so far has been very encouraging”.

Advising that everybody has a quota to contribute to make sure Nigeria see to the end of drug abuse in this country, the NDLEA boss pointed out that although the Joint Border Task Force project has provided some vehicles to them, they still have issues in the areas of manpower and adequate funding.

Stating that NDLEA has robust relationship with their collaborators, Ahmadu commended the efforts of the partners in the areas of local and oversea trainings which he said have yielded positive results by way of number of seizures. Our relations is cordial.

Speaking further on the “United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”, Ahmadu noted that the theme of this year is “Listen First” which entails that “Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”.

He said: “The theme of the year is Listen First. It is important for parents to listen to drug users.

Counsellors, first have to know why the children go into drug. They don’t demonise the habit but create an impression so that they can be able solve the problem. What drug addicts need is help.

For you it is important to know how they started; so that even if they are rehabilitated, they would not go back. This is why you have to know why they started taking drugs in the first place”.

“You also have to know if it is peer pressure or other causes. Sometimes, one of the causes of going into drug is parental drug use in the house. If you drink a lot of beer and come back drunk; or you fight too much with your wife and everyday he gets angry. So we as parents too have to listen to the children”, he added.

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PHOTO TIMES

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa, jointly addressing leadership of the Arewa community in Ekiti...on Monday.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN (right) his wife, Mrs Betty AnyanwuAkeredolu (left) at a dinner meeting with the USA Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington (2nd left) and his wife Susan (2nd right), At the Ondo State House, Abuja... on Sunday

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, assisted by his Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, Gen. Maina Saleh (rtd) decorating his Aide-In Camp (ADC), Usman Dungunza Na’abu, with his new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), in Abuja yesterday.

Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Stella-Maris Imasuen (left) representing Edo Head of Service, presenting Selfcare tool kits to Sickle Cell Sufferers flanked by Board Chairman, Edo Sickle Centre, Prof. Mrs. Caroline Omoti, Chairman and CEO Tonymay Foundation Sickle Cell Aid, Barr. Andrew Otokhina and Mrs. Edith Otokhina respectively in Benin City. .

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Plateau massacre: Politicians behind killings - Buhari No, arrest perpetrators, prosecute them, says PDP

Motolani Oseni, Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest massacre of no fewer than 100 persons in nine communities of Plateau State, saying politicians ‘‘are taking advantage of the situation’’ which he described as ‘‘incredibly unfortunate.”

Buhari, who stated this in a statement made available by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, also noted that a number of geographical and economic factors are contributing to the longstanding herdsmen/farmers clashes.

The President urged “Nigerians affected by the herdsmen/farmers clashes to always allow the due process of the law to take its course rather than taking matters into their own hands.

The statement reads in part, “According to information available to the Presidency, about 100 cattle had been rustled by a community in Plateau State, and some herdsmen were killed in the process. The state Governor, Simon Lalong, had invited the aggrieved groups and pleaded against further action while the law enforcement agents looked into the matter. Less than 24 hours later, violence broke out.

“Some local thugs then took advantage of the situation, turning it into an opportunity to extort the public, and to attack people from rival political parties.

There were reports of vehicles being stopped along the roads in the state, with people being dragged out of their cars and attacked if they stated that they supported certain politicians or political

party. ‘‘On his way back to Jos after attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention in Abuja, the state governor had to dismantle a number of illegal road blocks set up by these thugs. There were also a number of dead bodies thugs had killed, lying along the road.”

For its part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decried the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians in the affected communities on Saturday.

The party expressed regrets that if President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC had adhered to wise counsel by the PDP and Nigerians, such killings would have been averted.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party insisted that the President’s failure to address and bring to book, the perpetrators of killings and bloodletting in various parts of the country is emboldening insurgents and marauders to further attack and murder defenseless Nigerians.

“It is most disheartening that compatriots are being killed daily because those saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding lives, care less about the wellbeing and safety of the people, as they focus only on their ill-fated 2019 reelection bid.

“Even when the Zamfara State Governor, Abdul-aziz Yari cried out that he was overwhelmed by the spate of insecurity and killings, the Federal Government gave him an ineffectual response laced with their trite blame game.

“We urge Nigerians to note that since the escalation of killings and bloodletting in various parts of the

Jumoke Akinjide’s husband returned N10m from alleged N650m fraud - EFCC Peter Fowoyo, Lagos The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, informed a Federal High Court in Lagos that the N10 million bank draft received from Hon. Aliyu Pategi, the husband of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, was part of the N650million traced to her and two others.

An investigator with the EFCC, Usman Zakari, made the disclosure yesterday while testifying in the trial-within-trial ordered by the court to determine the veracity of claims by the former minister and her coaccused that all their statements to the anti-graft agency were made under duress.

During cross - examination by Akinjide’s lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the witness said the N10 million deposit payment was not the condition upon which Akinjide was released.

Zakari said, “On August 9, 2016, the first defendant (Akinjide) and her husband, Hon. Aliyu Pategi, were present throughout. I did not ask Pategi to make payment to ensure the release of the first defendant. Pategi reported to the EFCC’s office on August 10, 2016 alongside his wife.

Neither myself nor any of member of my team interviewed him on the said

date. He however made a statement.

“It is not correct to say that the only relationship and connection Pategi has to this case is that he is only the husband of the first defendant.

The first connection of Hon. Aliyu Pategi, to this case is that he took the first defendant on bail. The second connection was that, on August 10, 2016, he volunteered a Sterling bank draft of N10 million on behalf of his wife as part payment of the N650 million that was traced to her and her co-accused”.

Zakari further disclosed that the other part of the money is yet to be paid.

“The N10 million was paid by the first defendant’s husband on her behalf and the remaining N640 million has not been paid”, he said.

When told by Akinjide’s lawyer that the balance has been paid, Zakari said: “I am aware that the sum of N640 million was received from the first defendant in Stanbic IBTC bank draft in another case investigated by a team tagged, HOPST, which was headed by one, Shuaibu Shehu”.

The witness added that he did not endorse or counter-sign the statements because they are not confessional.

Meanwhile Justice Muslim Sule Hassan has adjourned further hearing in the trial to October 18.

Buhari

country, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states, no concrete steps have been taken by the APC administration to strengthen and fortify the security architecture in the troubled areas.

“Instead, what we are witnessing are inactions, impotent assurances and blame games that have continued to compromise security in the areas thereby creating opening for marauders to continue to ravage our people”, he said.

The PDP insisted that if the over 7,000 security personnel, police surveillance helicopters and Armoured Personnel Carriers were not withdrawn from their primary security duties and drafted to be part of the APC national convention, the marauders would not have had a field day in this Plateau attack.

Besides, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also expressed disappointment and shock at the spate of killings that was unleashed on three local government areas of Plateau State by herdsmen.

The CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement on Monday said: “We are alarmed that no fewer than

86 lives, as confirmed by the police, have been lost, including defenceless women and children. We are sad that despite assurances and promises by President Buhari that his government is committed to safety of lives and property, these coordinated and premeditated attacks on Plateau towns were not only horrendous but also unprecedented.”

Ayokunle, stated that the organisation was at a loss how scores of people can be killed without any form of resistance by soldiers deployed to contain the security challenge.

“How could dare devil criminals assault communities without resistance by security agencies to stop these killings. Are these herdsmen in bed with soldiers to unleash mayhem on these peaceful communities?

“Of what relevance is the intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies? If communities can be attacked and hundreds slaughtered without security organisations providing rescue efforts, then, it becomes obvious that the Nigeria’s security system has been compromised. From all indications, these attacks on the Plateau clearly show

that the Federal Government needs to review its security machinery in a bid to make it effective”.

The Association called on the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations and the African Union, amongst others, to assist the Nigerian government to protect citizens against the killer herdsmen.

In a related development, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, on Monday, directed the relocation of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Department of Operations to Plateau State to restore peace in three local government areas where over 86 persons were killed at te weekend.

Also, two Helicopters, five APCs, three PMF Units, two CTU Cells and Police Intelligence Unit were deployed to the trouble spots.

Police Special investigation Team, comprising IRT, STS and TIU led

by Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit deployed to Plateau State on Sunday have since commenced investigation into the ugly incident.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, expressed deep concern over the recent killings of innocent people in Barkin-Ladi (Gashishi), Riyom, Jos South LGAs and other flash points in the state.

Idris, the statement added, is concerned about the attendant disturbance of public peace, clashes and mayhem that engulfed the affected areas in Plateau State on June 23 and 24, 2018 which resulted in the loss of several innocent lives, burning of houses and vehicles, and destruction of property in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South LGA and other flash points in the state.

The police further urged members of the public in the affected areas, other flash points or in any other location in the state in distress or with information to the Police Special Intervention Force and the investigation team can call the following numbers: 07059473022,

You can’t accuse me of stealing, Buhari tells critics Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said he has no regrets being a ‘person of honesty and integrity, saying that nobody can accuse him of stealing According to Buhari , he is satisfied with what he has, saying that he is happy to have maintain his integrity and prevent people close to him from benefiting from government contracts,” The President disclosed this on Monday when he received a delegation of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria at the State House in Abuja.

He added that he did not award contracts and did not care about who got them so long as they did a good job at a cost that is justifiable to the nation.

Buhari said, “I have been in many places including Ministry of Petroleum. I would have gone to jail if I had taken an oil well. For integrity and honesty, I have no regrets. By this, I have contributed to my social safety. I won’t go to jail.”

The President, who said he had been accused of many things, said his critics cannot accuse him of stealing.

“You cannot accuse me of stealing,” he said, adding, “I have appointed ministers and they are in charge. I appeal to their integrity. When they come here (Federal Executive Council) Chambers, we ensure they follow the due process. If I owned an oil well, I would have gone to jail.”

President Buhari also responded to a number of issues raised by the delegation, including complaints that Muslims had been marginalised in appointments to government institutions such as the military and the civil service.

The President said this illustrated how difficult his job is because he faced the same criticism from adherents of other faiths. “I am in a difficult situation,” he admitted.

On the burning issue of violent conflicts in some parts of country, President Buhari said he was putting in his best. He said that following his dissatisfaction with the performance of the Police in Zamfara State, he ordered a massive transfer of officers and men who had stayed three years and above in the troubled State.

The President appealed to the religious leaders to instruct their

followers on the importance of possessing their own voters’ cards which he described as a “national entitlement,” and to preach justice to all which is an instituted pillar of Islam.

President Buhari, who revealed that he had received a “stiff bill” from the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for the restoration of the dilapidated infrastructure and facilities of federal governmentowned radio stations in all states of the federation, promised that something would be done.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Vice-President, Sheikh Hadiyyatullahi Abdulrashid commended President Buhari for accomplishing much of what he promised before his election. He likened him to the captain of a capsizing ship and the messiah needed by the country.

Sheikh Abdulrashid also spoke about the alleged marginalisation of Muslims, violent conflicts between farmers and herders, the problems of drug abuse among youths and the fate of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna, among other issues.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

5 News

Alleged N450m fraud: Court fixes June 28 to hear Belgore’s applications

Ekiti 2018: Falegan cautions PDP, APC others over war songs

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

Hearing, of two applications brought by a former gubernatorial aspirant in Kwara State, Mr. Dele Belgore, SAN, has been fixed by a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa, on Monday fixed June 28, 2018 to take Belgore’s two applications seeking for the charges to be quashed, and permission to attend his daughter’s graduation in the UK. Mr. Belgore and Prof.

Abubakar Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning are both standing trial over an alleged fraud of N450 million.

In an application by his lawyer, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN), yesterday, Belgore urged the court to order the release of his passport to enable him attend the graduation ceremony fixed for July 4, 2018.

His daughter, he said, will be graduating as a medical doctor from the University of London, UK. According to him, he wishes to use the opportunity to visit his doctor in the UK for a medical check-up in the last week of August “once the doctors resume from their annual vacation.”

The prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr.

Rotimi Oyedepo, however opposed Belgore’s application for the release of his passport.

Oyedepo contended that since Belgore had an earlier application urging the court to quash the charges against him because of an alleged irregularity, he had no right to seek favour from the court until his application is decided.

“Can a party challenging the validity of proceedings be asking for favour from the same court?” the prosecutor queried.

Meanwhile, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has hired Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) as his new lawyer.

Oyetibo’s entrance into the

defence team followed the withdrawal of Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), who was Sulaiman’s original counsel.

At the proceedings yesterday, a lawyer from Oyetibo’s law firm, Mr. Olaniran Obele, appeared for Sulaiman, while a female lawyer from Ayanlaja’s chambers, who identified herself only as Onakoya, told the court of her principal’s application seeking to withdraw his services from the ex-minister.

As the prosecutor, Oyedepo, argued that the application had been overtaken by events since another counsel had appeared for Suleiman, Justice Aikawa eventually struck it out, after Onakoya had asked for the

withdrawal of same.

The EFCC is prosecuting Belgore and Sulaiman for allegedly receiving a sum of N450m from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

The anti-graft agency claimed that they ought to have “reasonably known” that the N450m was part of proceeds of unlawful activities, adding that they handled the money without going through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. But the defendants pleaded not guilty.

2 docked over alleged N470,000 Swedish visa fraud A woman, Adaku Ofoegbu, and her brother-in-law, Kalu Samuel, who allegedly duped one Opara Kingsley of N470,000 over a Swedish visa, appeared in an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Ofoegbu 38, and Samuel 30, who claimed to be travelling agents allegedly duped the woman on the

pretext of procuring a visa for her.

The accused, both of No. 3, Ramoni St., Lawanson area of Surulere, Lagos, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.

The Prosecutor, Insp.

Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the accused committed the offences

sometime in February in their residence at 1.00 p.m.

According to him, the duo collected N470, 000 from the complainant with a promise to procure a Swedish visa for him but never did.

“The accused collected the money and failed to get the visa as promised; they converted the money into their personal use,’’ he said.

The prosecutor alleged

that whenever the complainant asked for his money, the accused threatened his life.

Emurhi said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Section 287 prescribes 14 years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 stipulates 15 years for obtaining money by false

pretence.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Sule-Amzat adjourned the case until Aug. 2 for mention.

R-L: National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; Chairman, APC, Edo State Chapter, Barr.

Anselm Ojezua; and Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Political Matters, Chief Osaro Idah, at the APC National Convention in Abuja at the weekend

Let integrity be your watchword, Onnoghen tells new FHC judges Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday sworn-in nine new judges for the Federal High Court, with a charge to allow integrity be their watchword in the dispensation of justice to litigants appearing before them.

Onnoghen also asked them to always remember that they are accountable to God, who chose them for their exalted

positions.

CJN reemphasised the need for judges to always abide by the constitution, oath of Office, oath of allegiance and Code of Conduct for judicial officers so as not to go astray.

He pleaded with judges to look beyond temporary advantages and to work assiduously so as to make their names and marks on the bench.

“With your inauguration today, you are now judges to dispense justice to all manners of mankind. In doing so, I

urge you to let integrity be your watchword, be bold and fearless when you are applying law with facts and judicial precedence.

“Let nothing untoward influence your decision on the bench. Pick your models from the retired and serving judges, pick the best style of writing judgment, improve on it for expeditions dispensation of justice”, he said.

Besides, the CJN pleaded with the new judges to be in charge of their courts, master

the facts and apply law to the facts to be able to resolve where issues have been joined by parties.

He also counselled the judges to resist invocation of their jurisdiction in commercial matters, adding that where parties freely entered into agreement such issue should be referred to arbitration for amicable settlement rather than troubling the courts.

“I assure you, the job is great, good but you can find a way of making it better

because Nigeria’s judiciary is one of the best in the world, where judges work day and night.

The new judges include; Justice Peter O. Lifu, Justice Sunday Bassey Onu, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuata, Justice Sa’adatu Ibrahim Mark.

Others are, Justice Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon, Justice Aminu Bappa Aliyu, Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim and Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha.

A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, has cautioned all the participating political parties in the July 14, governorship election in the state to make their campaigns issue-based in the interest of the people.

Falegan a United Kingdom (UK) based politician who worried about the spate of violence in the state in recent time said that the trend of ongoing campaigns of hatred, disunity and songs of war by the two major political parties, PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state posed great danger and unexpected outcome towards the poll.

The PDP chieftain, who made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, said: “It is more sane and civilised for candidates of all political parties to tell the electorate their programmes and policies rather than the current campaign of calumny and hatred in all nooks and crannies of the state.

“The development has so far, heated up the polity with majority of people of the state now sleeping with their two eyes opened because of unforeseen events due to actions and conducts of some of the Candidates and their supporters.

“It is unfortunate and disheartening to note that some candidates do not have any manifesto for the people and such candidates are now going up and down, canvassing for votes to become the governor of Ekiti State. The development is nothing but a show of shame and uncivilised in this century.

“The level of political intolerance in the state now could be blamed on lack of good policies and programmes to be executed by some of the candidates to sell themselves to the people in order to win peoples’ hearts during the poll.

“If the trend remains unabated and unchecked before the election, it could, no doubt, lead to unfavourable and ugly political atmosphere in the state and breakdown of law and order of once most peaceful state in Nigeria. This, is what we do not want nor pray for us.

“Ekiti people are enlightened, intelligent and brilliant persons with educated persons per household more than any state of the federation and the trend is always on the increase geometrically yearly.

“People know who and what they want in this part of the country more than many other states but some of our current politicians are using propaganda through hate speeches and pointing accusing fingers to cover up their ineptitude, none or shallow manifestoes to deceive the electorate in the state.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tueday, June 26, 2018

Ooni of Ife calls for teamwork in helping less privileged The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged Nigerians to show love to the less privileged by assisting them with their needs and giving them hope for a brighter future.

The Ooni spoke during a concert and launch of “Give Back” project, pioneered by “Hopes Alive Initiative” (HAI) a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that ended in the early hours of Monday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said, “I have made up my mind to serve the less privileged because I discovered that to work with them is my ministry.

“Working for these people in such a project as this puts smiles on their faces and affords them the opportunities to meet with important personalities in the society.

“I am similarly appealing to good spirited Nigerians to join me in this ministry by supporting NGOs that cater for the down trodden in several

ways,’’ he said.

The monarch said that he would continue to organise an annual concert where the oppressed, the down trodden, children with special needs and even widows, would be given hopes for survival.

He disclosed that drawing from his life as a testimony of the wonders of God, he would consistently gather and celebrate the less privileged.

Ooni, the chief convener of the concert, said that he would make them enjoy what normal persons were enjoying from well spirited Nigerians.

“These persons have outstanding talents that must not be hidden; we should not underestimate any creature, no matter the disability, the success to life lies in giving.

“The testimony has been proven in my life that the more I give, the more I receive. And the best approach to life is to inculcate the spirit of giving to the needy,” he said.

Also, Temitope Adesegun, the deputy convener of HAI,

and the organiser of the Giveback Concert, appreciated Oba Ogunwusi, for his consistent support to the project which she said started in 2017.

She also commended him for his selfless service to humanity and for creating a platform that pioneered the NGO that caters for the down trodden in the society.

“This edition is special because it provides opportunities for the monarch to have direct interaction with this group of persons and proffer solutions to their socioeconomic challenges,” she said.

A seasoned actor, Saheed Balogun said that such an initiative by the traditional ruler should be emulated by other government functionaries and good spirited individuals.

“It is a good move, it is always good for one to support the needy and the less privileged in the society because they are creations of God like us,” he said.

Balogun advised his fellow

actors to support the monarch’s initiative aimed at rendering assistance to the less privileged.

Also, Mrs Solayide Olaseinde, the proprietor of Christ Orphanage Home, Ondo in Ondo State, described the Ooni’s gesture as “Lifesaving”.

“This is our second appearance in the programme and I can say that this one is a better performance than last year’s own because the Kabiyesi is personally involved.

“He is an honest and caring man that makes sure his friends support his cause and also fulfil their pledges, “she said.

Some of the artists that performed at the concert include: Kenny Blaq, Woli Arole, Gbenga Adeyinka, Wolesax, Wole Oni and man, Footprints of David and the School for the blind.

Some of the highlights of events also include: fund raising, rendition of the national anthem in Ife language and performance of USA for Africa, “We are the world” by all the children.

Army arrests 2 Boko Haram fuel suppliers The Army has announced the arrest of two persons suspected of supplying fuel to Boko Haram terrorists located in Nafada area of Gombe State.

Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu in a statement on Monday, named the suspects as Mohammed Adamu Zika, a driver and Bukar Adamu Haji, an assistant filling station manager in the area.

Chukwu said that an

accomplice of the suspects was at large, but efforts were on by troops to arrest him.

“The two suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution,” he said.

Chukwu recalled that all fuel stations within Nafada general area had been warned against selling large quantities of fuel to motorists.

Man, 22, allegedly stabs friend at pub, gets N100, 000 bail A 22-year-old man, Abiodun Abayomi, who allegedly stabbed his friend with a broken bottle in the eye at a bar, was on Monday before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of assault.

A fight broke out at a bar between the two friends over sharing of money, according to the prosecution.

“They were drinking beer and suddenly they started arguing over how to share some money.

“The accused broke the bottle of beer before him and stabbed his friend, Alaba Akinleye, in his left eye.

“He fled the scene immediately, but was caught in his hiding,” Police Prosecutor Akpan Ikem told the court.

Ikem said the accused committed the offence on June 17 at Magbon area of Badagry.

The offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Chief Magistrate Jimoh Adefioye granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties in like sum who must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until July 31.

Obasanjo, others condole with Dbanj over son’s death

L-R: A senior official of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mr. George Piro and the Director of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Mohammed Umar Abbah during the visit of FBI delegation to the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja... on Monday

Group laments over 2000 displaced Ekiti residents Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado-Ekiti

A group under the aegis of Ado New Age Coalition (ANAC), has lamented over alleged displacement of about 5000 Ekiti residents by Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose without compensation.

The group in a release signed by its chairman, Chief Temitope Fatai, and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti lamented that

demolition of houses by Fayose administration across parts of Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state and other towns and communities, have displaced nearly 5000 residents.

They alleged that the situation had created serious humanitarian crisis in the state, resulting in sundry insecurity challenges.

Governor Fayose had, about two years ago, demolished houses and

shops, especially in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to facilitate his urban beautification and renewal efforts, a move that was condemned by sections of the community.

The group lamented that many of the affected residents were in deep economic crisis arising from homelessness and joblessness, while their family members, including wives and children, suffer extreme difficulties as a result of their displacement from

homes and businesses.

Disclosing plans to sue both governor Fayose and the state government for embarking on what it called “unplanned, unneeded, and extremely disrupting demolition”, the group explained it had commenced collating list of those affected by the exercise for possible supports, noting that the affected people should be ready to submit their petitions soon after the election.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has commiserated with popular singer, Daniel Oyebanjo, a.k.a Dbanj over the death of his son David Jnr. Dbanj confirmed the death of David, fondly referred to as Daniel the 3rd on Sunday night on his Instagram page.

Sharing a black picture, he wrote @iambangalee, “Trying times but my God is always and forever faithful.”

Daniel, who celebrated his first birthday in May, reportedly drowned in the family pool.

Following confirmation of the sad news, condolences began to troop in from celebrities and fans alike replicating the black picture shared by the bereaved father, Dbanj.

Obasanjo who wrote on his twitter handle @chief_ obasanjo said “My heart and prayers are with Dapo and his family.

“No parent should ever have to bury a child. As a parent, it’s the worst thing imaginable.

“May God give you the fortitude to bear the loss, Dbanj,’’ Obasanjo stated.

Also, former labelmate and producer, Don Jazzy

wrote @donjazzy, “Just heard the worst news in a long time.”

Singer Bank W wrote @bankywellington, “Sending prayers up for @ iambangalee, his wife and their entire family.

“This is a nightmare.

Heart wrenching news. May God strengthen and comfort y’all in this absolutely terrible time in Jesus name.”

Mavin First Lady wrote @tiwasavage, “I was just holding you last month celebrating your birthday.

“I am in shock, my heart is broken. This is unbearable.”

Another former labelmate, Dr Did said @ iamdrsid, “The Lord is your strength my brother.”

Others including Big Brother Naija 2018 alumni Alex-Unusual and Tobi Bakre; singer Dija and actress Tonto Dikeh.

Meanwhile, fans of the singer have taken to social media to commensurate with him. @Ify_love tweeted, “the worst news.

Couldn’t possibly imagine what they are going through.” @felyxxx01 wrote, “This is really sad. Such a lovely kid.

My condolences to Dbanj and his wife.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

7 News

Ebonyi disowns social media video on border crisis with Cross River

Ebonyi Government on Monday disowned the video footages displayed on social media about the border crisis between Igbeagu community of the state and Ukelle community of Cross River.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Emmanuel Onwe, told journalists that the videos were posted by some ‘reckless and thoughtless individuals’.

Onwe said that the horrendous images posted on the social media platforms, did not

originate from the border clashes as insinuated by the individuals who posted them.

“First, the video in question trended for several weeks in 2017 and purportedly emanated from Boko Haram atrocities in the Lake Chad Basin region.

“The observable injuries are not characteristics of injuries inflicted by

gunshots or machete cuts which are weapons reportedly deployed by those engaged in the confrontation in the Ebonyi/ Cross River crisis.

“Anyone who cares to pay attention to the language in the video would have instantly appreciated that the clearly audible language spoken by the

beleaguered victims is French and not any known Nigerian language or dialect.

“To post a video of such charged and aggravating content and link it to the clashes at the border of both states, is an act of stupidity and mindboggling ignorance,” he said.

He noted that such insensitive and reckless

posts are capable of sparking devastating events of unpredictable nature and those who initiated and propagated it would have blood on their hands.

“The Ebonyi Government will stop at nothing to make them answerable for their inflammatory actions, even as the communal clash has been brought

under reasonable control,” he said.

The commissioner said that in the interim, a combined team of the police and military operatives have taken control of the area at the directive of the governor.

“The military operatives have established a firm occupation of the disputed territory,” he said.

Ikwerre LG boss vows to tackle cultism, kidnapping The Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, has expressed his administration’s resolve to tackle cultism and kidnapping in the area.

Nwanosike, the newly elected chairman, made the pledge on Monday while reacting to the recent arrest of some suspected kidnappers in Ozuaha community.

According to police reports, nine hostages were released in the process of arresting the two suspects in their hideouts.

Some communities in the area were reported to be involved in cult and kidnapping activities.

“It is time for us to say no to evil; we will approach this move with utmost sense of direction, commitment and vigour.

“That you belong to any political party is no excuse; that you are related to a highly placed political or government official is also no route for escape,’’ he said.

Nwanosike commended the Police for their courage and gallantry in the process of arresting the suspects and subsequent release of their hostages.

He urged residents of Ikwerre communities to support the government and law enforcement agencies in the move to tackle this ugly menace.

“Security should be our collective responsibility; as a people, we must provide information that will expose crime within our domains,’’ he said.

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, with five newly promoted police officers among his security detail. With their new ranks (from left), are Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Acheche Noah, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mohammed Bashir, Aide-In Camp (ADC) to the President of the Senate, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Usman Dungunza Na’abu, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Salisu Ibrahim and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Haruna Habila, after they were decorated by Saraki in Abuja yesterday.

Playwright advises script writers to accept criticisms The Artistic Director of Renegade Theatre, Wole Oguntokun, on Monday, urged script writers to allow their works to be criticized by the public.

Oguntokun, also a playwright, told journalists in Lagos that they should also open their minds for criticisms of their play so that they could learn from others.

He spoke against the backdrop of many writers in the country that were not always pleased when their works were criticised by others.

The playwright said that the country did not have enough script writers, but the existing ones should raise their games and allow for criticism.

“It is done abroad, and it helps to improve on people’s works to become better

because no one knows it all.

“The country needs more script writers for the theatre to feature good plays, so the existing script writers have to allow other people to comment on their works,’’ he said .

Oguntokun also advised them to always ensure they had presence of the minds when writing their scripts for them to produce good plays.

“We have people who can write but I guess maybe the encouragement is not there because of our clime,’’ he said.

Oguntokun said that if script writers did not want the public to criticize their works, they should not venture into either literature or be in the arts.

He said “Literary criticism is about people having different opinions about an

individual’s work of art. It is not literature if other people cannot touch it”.

He appealed to the Federal Government to always fund the arts as it was being done in Europe and in other places.

He said that would facilitate the country’s cultures and traditions to be well established.

He said, “There is no way you can propel a country without the culture, tourism and arts behind its existence.

“Culture is always a vehicle that drives arts; government has to take very positive steps to grow the sector.’’

Oguntokun graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, with a Bachelor degree in Law, and later attended the Nigeria Law School.

He also obtained his Masters of Laws as well as in Humanitarian and Refugees Studies, both from the University of Lagos.

His past plays are: “Family Inheritance and

Greed’’; “Anatomy of a Woman’’; “Death and the Kings Horseman’’ and others.

He was honoured by British Council in 2014.

Gov Bagudu’s wife pays N1.3m for sickle cell patient hip replacement The wife of Kebbi Governor, Mrs Zainab Bagudu, on Monday, says she paid N1.3 million for the surgical operation of 16-yearold Hadiza Bagudu, who has been suffering from sickle cell disorder.

Bagudu, who is also the founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, made the announcement at a news conference in Birnin Kebbi.

She said “I have paid the

medical expenses of Hadiza Bagudu, who needs N1.3 million for hip replacement operation.”

She wished the 16-year-old girl a successful operation and pledged to continue to do her best for humanity.

“I am looking forward to seeing you again, Hadiza, after the operation, and I pray that God will make the operation successful.

“I will continue to do my best to assist people.”

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Tueday, June 26, 2018

Federal Poly of Oil & Gas mission accomplished, says Sen Ucha Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, Rivers state, Senator Julius Ucha yesterday disclosed that the mission given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari since June, 2017 has been accomplished.

Ucha, is a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi state and the 2015 governorship candidate of the party, also two term senator for Ebonyi central at the upper chamber from 2003 to 2011.

Addressing newsmen

while presenting the Council’s scorecard in Abakaliki, Ucha noted that the school which was hitherto non-functional was brought to full scale academic activities under his chairmanship.

He further expressed happiness that he secured accreditation of five departments, confirmation of staff and superintended over the appointment of substantive Rector of the school.

He gave insight on his scorecards: “I was appointed chairman governing council of Polytechnic of Oil and Gas Bonny, Rivers

state. We met a very wonderful environment, magnificent buildings.

Good structures were on ground. But unfortunately we were shocked on what we saw.

Apart from the staff, no academic activities were going on in the school.

“It was difficult to know what they were doing because in an institution

of that nature, one would have expected students on ground because that was what would keep the staff. So we quickly called a meeting with the staff, addressed and admonished them.

“As a council we made a promise that if within one year, we are not able as council to secure accreditation, for

some departments of the Poly, that means that the council has failed on her responsibilities. Council swung into action and since then we have been working hard to ensure we change the situation on ground”.

He therefore commended President Buhari for giving him the opportunity to

serve the nation in uplifting the standard of education also stressing “I remain eternally grateful to Director of Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas and the Rectors of Polytechnics, Nekede and Ken Saro Wiwa for the supports, encouragement they gave to us during the accreditation.

Glo Promo: New winners fly out to Russia Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has announced the names of six new winners in its reward promo dubbed “Go Russia”.

The six lucky winners have increased the rank of winners so far in the promo to 13, out of the 22 advertised spots. Nine more winners are to emerge in the offer.

The lucky winners left the shores of Nigeria aboard an Emirates Airline flight which took off at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday. They include Mayowa Ibe Akinbode from Ijaiye in Abeokuta, Muyideen Olayiwola Disu from Isale Eko, Maxwell Igwegbe from Lugbe, Abuja, Popoola Abdulrafiu Olaide from Ijebu Igbo and Ebube Benson Uzoma from Imo State.

The last of the six winners, Osagie Edwin Isibor, who hails from Benin City could not proceed on the trip because of ill-health.

Globacom felicitated with them at a short sendoff ceremony for emerging winners and charged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and, indeed, Globacom in Russia.

One of the winners, a 200-level student of Public Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Miss Uzoma Ebube Benson, enthused at the send-off ceremony that, “Globacom has shown over the years that it is a company that truly believes in Nigeria and Nigerians with the way it gives back to the country”.

In the same vein, 32-yearold fashion designer,

Akinbode Mayowa, posited that the trip to Russia “is very unique because this is the first time I will be making a foreign trip and it is absolutely free of charge in every respect. I thank Glo.” Also speaking, Disu Muyideen Olayiwola said, “I initially doubted the authenticity of the promo, but it is a reality today and I cannot but be grateful to Globacom for this golden and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

The company encouraged subscribers to participate in the promo in order to secure a chance to visit Russia, while reemphasising its commitment to the empowerment of its subscribers at all times by availing them world-class and affordable voice and data services.

“More winners will be unveiled from the next set of draws to be conducted soon in the GO RUSSIA promo which was designed to reward our amazing subscribers who have stood solidly behind the brand over the years,” the company promised.

GO Russia Promo started on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, and is open to all prospective and existing Glo subscribers on the prepaid and postpaid platforms.

Subscribers can therefore send GO to 240 on the Glo network to be part of the remaining 9 winners who will be eligible to embark on an all-expenses-paid trip to Russia between now and the end of the promo.

Some cows at the entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja... on Monday

Ministry tasks Nigerians on agriculture to ensure food security The Ministry of Budget and National Planning on Monday urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture to ensure food security.

Director of Economic Growth in the ministry, Mr Sam Eloho, made the call during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Lagos.

The meeting was organised by the ministry in collaboration with Actionaid and Oxfarm.

According to Eloho, the meeting is convened to facilitate conversation among stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

“It will mark another landmark in our efforts to ensure food availability and security for all Nigerians.

“It will also examine the adequacy of National Agricultural Investment Plan 2 (NAIP 2) in meeting national objectives contained in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP),’’ he said.

Eloho said the outcome of the meeting would contribute in the 2019 budget proposals toward boosting agriculture in Nigeria.

“This platform will facilitate more inputs into the 2019 agriculture budget by creating ownership, linking and integrating programme that will help Nigeria achieve food security and the attainment of the ERGP,” he said.

He said the collaboration with Actionaid and Oxfam

would support government’s priority programmes in the sector.

“Government’s objective in this regards is to ensure that we grow what we eat and to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

“It is also to ensure optimal nutritional status and increased value added agricultural export.

“The target is to make agriculture a commercial activity through science, technology and innovation,’’ Eloho said.

Also speaking, Mr Vapkparaye Patrick, Assistant Director, Economic Growth in the ministry, said that Federal Government’s commitment

in agriculture was evident in recent boost in rice farming across the country.

He advised that same commitment should be replicated in the development of other agricultural products.

“The recent boost in rice cultivation underscores government’s commitment to agriculture.

“Such commitment should also apply to other agricultural products.

“Government’s commitment is to produce what we eat; if China, with a population of more than one billion can achieve food sufficiency, then Nigeria can do much better than it is doing presently,’’ he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Plateau killings: NOA calls for community joint task force The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Plateau State has condemned the recent killings in the state and called for community Joint Task Force (JTF), as a preventive measure.

The Director of NOA in Plateau, Mr Bulus Dabit, made the call in an interview with journalists, on Monday in Jos. He said it was important for the public to realise that the community played a critical role in ensuring peace through reporting early warning signals.

“Community JTF would be a panacea for the killings in Plateau.

It can work within the regulations of the State Security apparatus, Operation Rainbow.

“The organisation should train the youths and deploy them to communities to protect lives in their area of Jurisdiction,” he said.

The director said that countries like Afghanistan also adopted the measure to address insurgency and was yielding effective result.

Dabit expressed worry that insurgents attacked innocent children and women hiding under the pretence of farmers and herdsmen clashes.

He called on Plateau residents to live in peace as it was a criterion for rapid development in the area.

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration would not rest until the murderers and sponsors of the crime were brought to justice.

Spokesperson of the Police Command in Plateau, Mr Terna Tyopev, said 86 deaths were recorded while six persons were injured.

The attacks were on 11 communities in Gashish District in Barkin Ladi LGA and some communities in Bokkos LGA which started on Friday.

A dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs to restore peace in the various communities.

9 News

Customs impounds 3000 bags of smuggled rice Joy Anyim, Lagos Operatives of the Comptroller General of Customs Strike Force on smuggling of foreign parboiled rice have intercepted five trailers load of rice from the Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.

It was gathered that the smuggled rice numbering about 3000 bags of 50kg has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N42 million.

The Zonal commander of the strike force, Zone A, Assistant Controller of Customs, Salisu Assababullah who made the

disclosure said the parboiled foreign rice were concealed inside containers and trucks belonging to corporate organisations (name withheld).

This interception is coming barely a week after the minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe hinted about the planned closure of the land borders due to massive smuggling of rice into the country.

However, the strike force was able to make the seizure through Intelligence gathered on the new tactics of smuggler to bring foreign rice into the country.

Assababullah said, “The CGC task force intercepted 3000 bags of 50kg rice smuggled into the country. They were intercepted along Ijebu Ode expressway with two suspects in custody.”

“We were able to get intelligence report that container laden trucks were taken to the border area, load it with smuggled rice and put seal as if it were a container released from seaports.”

The CGC Strike Force further attributed the success recorded to team effort and also acknowledged the federal

government approval of brand new pickup for anti-smuggling which he said aided in the recent interception.

“After the FG’s approval of anti - smuggling vehicles the zonal strike force was given nine vehicles and we have been able to make these large seizures.”

Recall that on June 7th, 2016, the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari approved over N1 billion for the procurement of 68 brand new Ford Pickup operational vehicles for Customs.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun alongside the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu had told journalists at the state house that the operational vehicles currently available for the Nigeria Customs service are grossly inadequate for effective antismuggling activities.

The Assistant Comptroller however advised smugglers to engage in legitimate business as the ad-hoc body knows their antics and they will be caught.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside in a handshake with the Deputy Governor, Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro during the 2018 Day of the Seafarers with the theme: “seafarers wellbeing” held in Warri, Delta State.

Court grants N10m bails each to 4 IPOB members Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday admitted four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to bail in the sum of N10 million each.

Justice Nyako, admitted Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, David Nwawuisdi and Benjamin Madubugwu to bail.

Chimezie, Onwudiwe, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi, aged between 33 and 45, are facing three-count charge of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony and illegal possession of firearms.

They were all arrested in 2016 and had been in detention since then.

They were charged along with the former leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu who has not been seen since Sept. 22, 2017 Nyako in granting them bail, said she had carefully considered the consolidated application for bail submitted by their counsel and the number of years they had spent in prison custody.

She also made reference to the defendants health status as well as the ruling she had read of “a sister judge’’ as well as

the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,(ACJA)2015.

In considering their bail, Justice Nyako ordered the defendants to deposit monetary sum of N10 million each with the Chief Registrar of the court.

She added that the defendants are not allowed to travel outside the country that they are to deposit their travelling documents at the court as well.

The judge ordered that they were not to seen in any gathering at any time or granting newsmen interviews or any type of interviews.

“No welcome `oyoyo’ gathering. If you do that, you will be sent back to prison. Go home, be with your family, come to court. The trial has commenced, Nyako said.

At the prayer of the defence counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the judge ordered that the defendants to report to the Commissioner of Police at their locality every two weeks, instead of Abuja.

She ordered the first defendant, Chimezie to report to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers.

Nyako also ordered the second defendant,

Onwudiwe and the fourth, Nwawuisdi to both report to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu state.

She said the third, Benjamin Madubugwu should report to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra.

Chimezie also pleaded the court to stop men of the State Security Operatives from invading their residence after being admitted to bail.

Justice Nyako in response, assured them that they were under the custody of the court.

She adjourned the commencement of trial until Nov. 14.

Edo Assembly probes Dep Speaker for divulging official secrets Titus Akhigbe, Benin-City The Edo House of Assembly on Monday constituted a five-man adhoc committee to investigate allegations of breach of legislative powers and divulging of official secrets levelled against

the deputy speaker, Victor Edoror.

The Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto who constituted the committee during plenary in Benin said the deputy speaker was accused of divulging official secret to the public.

Adjoto explained that the

allegations were weighty and capable of bringing the house to disrepute He thereafter listed the members of the committee to include Mr Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing (APC Orhionmwon East) who would serve as the chairman.

Others are: Mr Victor Asein, member representing (APC Owan West), Mr Osaigbovo Iyoha, member representing (APC orhionmwon Oredo East), Mr Festus Edughele, member representing (APC Esan SouthEast) and Mr Patrick Iruobe, member representing (PDP Esan

North East 1).

According to the Speaker, the committee has up to Wednesday, June 27 to submit its report.

Meanwhile, the house has adopted a business calendar of 65 days for the first quarter, fourth session of the sixth assembly.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tueday, June 26, 2018

Army begins operational planning skills training Joy Anyim, Lagos

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army on Monday flagged off the Division’s Operational Planning Cadre training for the year 2018.

The training programme which has the theme ‘Articulating the Roles of Commanders and Staff Officers in Planning Military Operations other than War (MOOTW)’ is expected to run from June 25th to June 28th, 2018.

The General Officer

Commanding 81 Division, Major-General Enobong Udoh who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion said the training was designed to improve the operational planning skills of Commanders and Staff Officers in both joint and single service operations.

In his inaugural address, Major-General Udoh disclosed that the training will further enhance the professional output of personnel of the Nigerian Army and sister security agencies participating, as

well as expose them to many aspects of military operations.

He said, “The activities of the 2018 Training Directive reflect the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) resolve to improve the quality of officers and soldiers and enhance synergy with sister services, security agencies and parastatals.

“The saying by Field Marshal Rommel that the best form of welfare for troops is first class training holds true, hence the high premium that the COAS attaches to training and retraining which is one of the key pivots of his vision,

‘To have a Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the Discharge of it Constitutional roles’.”

“This vision is seen to be alive in the successes being recorded by troops in Operation Lafia Dole, Awatse, Delta Safe and Operation last Hold which are still ongoing.

To further consolidate on these, the Division is pursuing full implementation of the 2018 Training Directive”.

Udoh also stated that the topics and resource persons have been carefully selected to enable participants derive

maximum benefits from the cadre.

He further noted that the programme has been deliberately tailored to focus on the manoeuvre’s approach to warfare, estimate process as well as military operations other than war (MOOTW).

The GOC urged all participants to take advantage of the opportunity to scoop from the wealth of knowledge and experience of the resource persons.

One of the Guest Lecturer, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute

2019 election: Hon Ajibo declares for Nsukka West constituency Moses Oyediran, Enugu The winner of Enugu House of Assembly for Nsukka West constituency in 2010, Hon. Oliver Ajibo whose mandate was denied by the then Vita Abba led Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State has vowed to reclaim it come 2019.

Ajibo made this known

while declaring his intention to contest Enugu House of Assembly to represent Nsukka West constituency.

He said, he would give the 2019 election his all to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2010 when his mandate was given to the person who came third in the election.

When asked to speak on what transpired and while he

was denied the mandate by his party, Ajibo simply said it was the decision of the party hierarchy that Dame Nkechi Omeje Ogbu be allowed to represent the party in the House of Assembly election.

The retired naval officer said, “It was the decision of the party that I should allow Dame Nkechi Omeje Ogbu to go to the State House of

Assembly.

“It was unfortunate that I was not allowed to represent my people who gave me their support to contest the Enugu House of Assembly election in 2010. But I want to thank them for their unflinching support and promise them that I will not betray their confidence come 2019.

He said, he would continue

to remain loyal to the party which made him party chairman in Nsukka LGA and urged his supporters to disregard whatever they have been hearing.

Investigation by Daily Times revealed that 12 aspirants contested the Nsukka West constituency in the Enugu House of Assembly in 2010.

L-R: Newly elected National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), during the swearing-in of Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the party in Abuja...on Sunday.

2019: Ebonyi CAN endorses Gov Umahi for second term Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki The Ebonyi state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has endorsed the re-election of Ebonyi state governor, Engr.

David Umahi in the 2019 governorship election.

The body made this known yesterday in Abakaliki during a courtesy call on the governor, at the Executive Council chambers in Abakaliki.

In an address read by the Secretary, Rev. Donatus Njoku,

the Religious Body noted that it was the role of the church to promote justice and civic rights of the people.

Njoku stressed that it was the wish of the people that the governor completes his tenure as his predecessors in the state for the continual solidification, completion and maintenance of his gigantic and democratic institutions.

He said: “As a Body of CAN in Ebonyi State whose role is not only to pray, but also to offer good counsel, we proudly

identify ourselves with you, especially in allowing God, Christ, and the Church to have a place in your government”.

“Besides prayers is a good counsel. It is the role and constitutional duty of CAN to support the government of the day, to ginger it to provide democratic dividends. Sir, you have done very well in this area and we are proud of you”.

“It is the role of the Church to promote justice, civil rights of our members, made up of 98 percent of the State, to pick

their Permanent Voters Card and exercise their franchise. As an institution of justice, it is the wish of your people that you complete your tenure as your predecessors, for the continual solidification, completion and maintenance of your gigantic, strategic and Democratic institutions, he said.

Ebonyi governor, David Umahi commended the religious body in the state for the peace and moral education in public schools in all parts of the state.

Umahi noted that his ecumenical center project was the best for the country designed with four elevators, water fountains and other ecstatic features.

He said that the killings in the country were getting out of hand, urging the religious body to cry out to the Lord to save the ugly trends claiming the lives of Nigerians.

The governor charged the Body to monitor his administration and advise it on her policies and programmes.

of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa spoke on how the military can deal with issues of human rights in military operations other than war.

He said, “The protection of human rights should not be the responsibility of the government and his Agency alone but that of the people of Nigeria.

Ex-FERMA chief, Jide Adeniji, joins Osun guber race Jide Oke, Osogbo Former Chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr.

Ezekiel Olajide Adeniji has joined the 2018 governorship race in Osun State.

Engr. Adeniji is contesting the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As part of his preparedness to contest for the governorship post, the aspirant has released his posters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital and other major cities in the state.

Speaking in a telephone interview with The Daily Times yesterday, Engr. Adeniji said he decided to run for the governorship race to right the wrongs perpetrated by the APC-led administration in the State, in the last eight years.

He said that he was fully prepared to deliver good governance characterized with transparency, prudence and due process which are the features needed for dividends of democracy, stressing that his Integrity Share Agenda which includes Security, Housing, Agriculture, Rural Infrastructure and Education would be strictly addressed if given opportunity to serve.

The civil engineer turned Politician also assured the electorate that if elected his administration would share with people their burdens, joys and every other things with committed spirit, adding that he would do everything within his power to encourage people to speak out their minds for the leadership to appreciate their problems for possible solution.

He said that his reason to be on the race is not borne out of what he would get, but due to his desire and inspiration from God to lead and improve the condition of things in the state.

The former FERMA boss also maintained that the idea of zoning formula clamoured for by some people, was not only uncalled for but was a mere derailment from true democratic settings and norms, which he noted would not augur well for our political system.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

11 Opinion

Incessant NEMA crisis: Time for Mr President to Act

E

Adama Achimugu

mergency management is too critical an issue that no sane country can afford to handle frivolously. No doubt, this basic reality underpins the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA by Federal Government of Nigeria.

As a rapid response agency, it was meant to mitigate the effects of national disasters like fire outbreak, flooding, accidents, bomb blasts and other humanitarian crisis confronting the country.

The question, however, is has NEMA lived up to expectations? Since its establishment, the agency has functioned relatively well until recently, when it was plunged into ceaseless internal crisis which is threatening its existence.

I am extremely surprise and feel very disappointed at the scandalous activities in the agency less than one year of the appointment of the current DirectorGeneral of NEMA, Eng. Mustapha Maihaja.

During the past administrations of AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (Rtd) and Mohammed Sani-Sidi, NEMA gave special attention to capacity building programmes for its emergency workers, trained volunteers who were very handy during emergency situations and responded speedily to emergencies and casualties.

What more, it procured and utilized modern tools for emergency response such as Multipurpose Emergence Response Vans, Mobile ambulances, Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU), Air Ambulance and Helicopters which have all been grounded by Maihaja.

The determination and passion of staff were high and never diminished because they were motivated with incentives.

Sadly, the reverse is now the case.

D

It’s been one trouble or the other since April 2017 that the present NEMA boss took over the management of the agency and it would interest you to note that the present crisis rocking the agency became manifest as soon as the administration came into being.

NEMA officials have been embarking on incessant strike actions in demonstration of their grievances and to press home their demands and as I write, the workers have continued the nationwide strike action, the first ever in the history of the agency since June 19, 2018, vowing not to sheath their sword until the Federal Government investigates the scandalous activities of the agency.

Among the issues that r precipitate the stresulted ikes included but not limited to the NEMA DG’s payment of N400 million Demurrage for N414mn Chinese Donated Rice; his diversion of over N15 billion funds approved for food intervention in North East, Flood Intervention in 16 States and relief for Libya returnees.

Maihaja has also been accused of high handedness- running the agency like a personal business, he does not do proper consultation or follow due process in carrying out his responsibilities and has pays no significant attention to the issue of staff welfare and training.

The NEMA boss’s refusal to release funds provided by the FG for various intervention programmes, purchase of work tools and running of their activities, refusal to settle about N2.8 billion liabilities, including the N655 million outstanding claims by some staff, redeployment of a top union member and alleged refusal to pay contractors that supplied goods to the agency includes the issues under contention.

In spite of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo wading in promptly last year to curtail the indefinite strike called

then, by directing Maihaja to negotiate with workers, most of the agreements reached at the meeting are yet to be implemented.

Some account officers who raised eyebrow on the unethical practices in the agency were said to have been witchhunted by the NEMA DG . Instead of changing his attitudes, he maliciously recommended and suspended top management officers of the agency and redeployed the account staffs to other departments and zones.

Even when the House Committee on Emergency Management of the National Assembly passed a resolution for their immediate reinstatement, the suspended NEMA directors and officers are yet to be recalled and reinstated.

It didn’t just stop at that, Maihaja allegedly sent names of directors and other officers of NEMA to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution on baseless allegations.

All this, to me is not only a national embarrassment but portends grievous consequences to Nigeria’s image before the international community.

My concern is that the Federal Government has refused to heed to the welling calls by the protesting workers to probe of these scandalous activities of the leadership of the agency.

The protesting workers have alleged redundancy, poor conditions of service, mal administration and incompetence on the part of the present management of the agency and to me, it is ridiculous that a man who lack the requisite managerial skill fundamental for running a sensitive and critical organization like NEMA would be appointed to such position in the first place!

Mr President should not continue to look away while NEMA continues to wallow in its present ‘dead’ state.

Maihaja has questions to answer on

what his administration has done with the ‘appropriate funding from the government.”

Another issue of concern to me is that it is the poor masses that are at the receiving end of the current ineffectiveness of the emergency agency.

Mr President must realize that the failure of NEMA is his failure. He cannot sit down and fold his hands while the agency burns when it should be alive to its responsibility of emergency management especially with the present challenges of Boko Haram, Herdsmen terrorist attack and the attendant wanton killing and destruction of property that is constantly displacing many Nigerians.

This is good opportunity for Mr President to prove not only to Nigerians but also to the international community’s who are watching, the genuineness of his commitment towards fighting corruption which is one of the cardinal focus of his administration.

Political opponents, observers and other Nigerians have accused the President of being selective in his fight against corruption. By continuing to ignore what is happening in NEMA, I am afraid, Mr President is giving credibility to this insinuations.

Is Maihaji above investigation?

If Mr President does not have any clandestine interest to protect here, then it is high time, he gave heed to the agitations of the protesting NEMA workers.

I think, getting first hand information from the emergency workers would offer Mr President a genuine insight into the happenings in the agency.

If Maihaja cannot manage the agency as expected, someone with proven character, outstanding experiences, requisite academic knowledge and capacity of managing a sensitive and critical organization as NEMA, should simply be appointed to take his place.

Taraba APC Congresses and matters arising

Ibrahim Bello

espite indications that the outcome of the concluded congresses of the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was characterised by pockets of controversies, which is already threatening the party’s dream for the state, it is timely to stress the need for timely intervention from the national headquarters.

It is quiet worrisome that in spite of complaints, those who could better be described as losers have continued to give the impression that all is well, leaving some of the key stakeholders to be fashioning out ways to seek refuge under other political platforms.

It may interest Nigerians and Tarabians to know that on May 20, 2019 at the rescheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) state congresses which took place at FASTRACK HOTELS, Jalingo, Taraba State, an overwhelming majority of delegates voted in favour of Hon Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi after four of the six chairmanship aspirants stepped down by consensus in his favour. A voice vote was taken, which led to his emergence as the duly elected Taraba State APC chairman in the presence of a three man panel set by the APC Taraba State Congress Election Committee (TSCEC).

Despite the fact that all other chairmanship candidates except Alhaji Abdulmumuni Faki stepped down by consensus for Hon Ibrahim El-Sudi, who was then voted unanimously by the congress delegates and the results

duly transmitted to the APC National Headquarters by the SCEC, an APC chieftain conspired with some members to overturn the results and perversely declared Alhaji Abdulmumuni Vaki as the winner of the Taraba State congress, thus brewing turmoil, discontent and looming mass defection of hundreds of thousands of party supporters to the PDP in the state.

In fact, it is worthy to mention that while the state congress was going on smoothly at FASTRACK HOTELS with APC chieftains other prominent personalities who were in attendance, include the former acting governor of Taraba State, UTC; former deputy governors, Alhaji Danladi Sani and Uba Maigari Ahmadu; Alhaji Armayau Abubakar; TUC president, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama amongst others.

Though a serving minister clearly showed his patent bias and intention to manipulate the state congresses by delaying the election until 4pm instead of the 10 am originally scheduled.

He attempted to conduct the elections without authorised delegates’ list, handing out delegate tags to thugs and touts hired by a senator from that state, three other members of the TSCEC resisted his illegal permutations by duly convening the congress that unanimously elected Hon Ibrahim El-Sudi as the Taraba State APC chairman.

In fact 10 out of the 12 APC gubernatorial aspirants in the state as can be attested by record threw their weights behind Ibrahim El-Sudi’s historic election.

Out of the five-man TSCEC panel

authorised to supervise the Taraba State congresses, a majority of three duly confirmed the election of Hon Ibrahim El-Sudi and accordingly transmitted the results to the APC national headquarters, only for his name to be falsely and illegally overturn in favour of Alhaji Abdumumuni Vaki.

May i categorically state that the election of Hon Ibrahim El-Sudi was overwhelmingly popular cutting across all segments and sections of the state APC given the fact that he is a first class legal luminary, constitutional avatar, consummate technocrat, seasoned administrator and a renowned legislative paragon of no mean repute having served as Secretary to the State Government of Taraba, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice as well as Special Adviser on Legal and Legislative Matters to a former governor of Taraba state, His Excellency, late pharmacist Danbaba Suntai of blessed memory, and as Special Adviser to the Senate President on Legal and Constitutional matters ( 2015- June 2017) As a cerebral member of the House of Representatives (2011-2015), Hon Ibrahim El-Sudi’s tenure in the hallowed Green Chamber was marked by enlightened, articulate and purposeful outspokenness and consistent advocacy on behalf of his Sardauna/Kurmi and Gashaka federal constituency as well as the resolute and pungent dissection of issues of weighty national, regional and international implication.

In the delivery of crucial democratic dividends, a compassionate Hon Ibrahim

El-Sudi was far ahead as he instituted key constituency interventions and projects in the health, education, agriculture, power, water borehole, rural development, manpower development and women and youth empowerment arenas.

Having established himself as a redoubtable political, legislative, constitutional and technocratic colossus of no mean pedigree, Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi is irrevocably committed to uniting, reconciling, regrouping and repositioning the Taraba APC as a cohesive, formidable and unbeatable entity that will steer Taraba State into the APC fold come 2019.

With his unrivalled credentials and awe inspiring resume, the supremely competent Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi could have aspired for a higher position at the national level, possibly ministerial or federal agency appointment to boot.

However, the grassroots- oriented progressive ideologue believes firmly in the aphorism: That charity begins at home, so he has set for himself the arduous but achievable task of uniting all party faithfuls, workers, supporters, loyalists and stakeholders of the Taraba APC under his lofty banner of “One APC, One Destiny” and given his immutable and time worn skills as a conciliator, interlocutor, uniter, arbiter, negotiator and political plenipotentiary per excellence. There is no doubt that as Taraba State APC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi will definitely take the party to greater heights of electoral triumph, popular acceptance and political credibility.

Column 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

World MSME Day 2018: Imperative to economic development

Times Columnist umaru radda

‘

The Youth Dimension;” directly contribute to achieving the SDGs and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Most of the interventions of Government centres on Youth Entrepreneurship aimed at curbing Youth Unemployment.

We advise the Nigerian youth to take Agriculture as a business

,

J

une, 27th every year has been declared by the United Nations as World MSME Day. The MSME Day 2018 Slogan is Youth Dimension-centring on Youth Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment.

It brings to the front burner “the strong contribution of business worldwide to livelihoods, communities and economies and the need to support MSMEs towards their success.”

SMEDAN as an Agency saddled with the responsibility of the development and promotion of MSMEs in Nigeria is celebrating the day in collaboration with its partners in the MSME ecosystem.

The occasion will be used in resetting the mind set of the youth toward entrepreneurialism, considering the present dual challenge of massive youth unemployment and unemployability confronting them. The overarching objective of this occasion is to provide a platform and a unique opportunity for discussions on how to develop requisite entrepreneurial skills for employment generation and wealth creation among our youth. They just have to be their own bosses by starting their own small business today.

There is growing recognition of the important role micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play in economic development.

They play a pivotal role through several pathways that goes beyond employment generation. They are growth-supporting sector that not only contribute significantly to improve living standards, but also bring substantial local capital formation and are responsible for driving innovation and competition in developing economics.

Government at all levels have undertaken initiatives to promote the growth and development of MSMEs. The general perspective is that MSMEs also play significant contribution in the transition from agriculture-led economies to industrial-led economies.

In Nigeria, the total number of Micro, small and medium enterprises as at 2013 stood at 37.07 million (categorised into micro-36,994,578; Small-68,168 and Medium-4670) accounting for over 90% of the total business enterprises in the country and have been noted to provide about 84.02% of employment, 48.47% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 7.27% to export. MSMEs therefore have a crucial role to play in stimulating economic development, generating employment, and contributing to poverty reduction, given their economic weight.

Certain peculiar challenges continued to militate against their optimal performance. Some of these constraints are internal while some

are external. Among the internal ones are: Poor entrepreneurial capacity of operators in successfully running MSMEs; Aversion to joint ownership is a major setback in achieving the desired relevance of MSME operations; Family ties/ interferences are major constraints in running personnel recruitment/ placements, discipline; Weak financial management; Nonrecruitment of qualitative staff as a result of keeping running cost low usually affects the quality of output from such organizations; Poor record keeping especially accounting books makes evaluation either by the business owner or potential investors difficult; Lack of standardization of products has the capacity of reducing market share with negative impact on funding; Low capacity to invest in R&D have not allowed for new, cheaper and better methods of production; and Low use of ICT in operations has a direct effect on cost of production thereby making MSMEs unattractive.

The external challenges are: Poor state of infrastructure: MSMEs need steady power supply, water, roads, markets, etc for effectiveness; Poor access to appropriate and affordable workspace; Access to market: Their access to both local, regional and international markets is a major constraint; and Inability to access affordable finance: Access to finance is a major constraint hindering MSMEs’ growth. Most financial institutions tend to address the financial needs of large enterprises leaving MSMEs unattended to among others.

It was in order to address these challenges that led to the establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in 2003. The Agency is a child of necessity to facilitate the development and promotion of a structured and efficient Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Sector that will enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

The Agency positions itself as a One Stop Shop for MSME Development with the overall objective of alleviating poverty, expanding gainful employment opportunities, wealth creation and sustainable economic growth and development.

The Agency is the apex and coordinating institution for all matters relating to starting, resuscitating and growing MSMEs

in Nigeria. The Agency is also saddled with the responsibility of contributing to the attainment of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

The Change Agenda of the present administration and the Cluster Development Approach of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are been driven by SMEDAN. The vision and mission of the Agency are to establish a structured and efficient Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector that will enhance sustainable economic development of Nigeria and to facilitate the access of Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and investors to all resources required for their development.

A well-developed MSME sector has proven to be one of the most veritable channels to combat poverty and generate massive employment. The establishment of SMEDAN is therefore justified by the need to trigger the development of Nigeria’s MSMEs in a structured and efficient manner.

The Governments in Nigeria have consistently made frantic efforts in advancing entrepreneurship and MSME development. However, in spite of these efforts, the expected results in terms of solving the challenges confronting MSMEs still persist. The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, eulogised the beauty of MSME in the MSME Clinic held in Benin, Edo State, thus: “MSMEs though small in units, accounts for over 50% of our GDP collectively.

It is why President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improving the MSME experience through the MSME Clinic- access to Finance, Business Registration, Product registration and certification.” The recent efforts of government include the following: N220 Billion MSME Development Fund of the CBN; Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin); National MSME Clinics Initiative- Office of the Vice President. 15 States have launched MSME Clinics to date; Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) - Market Moni; N-Power Programme among many.

The Vice President had also stated that the federal government Social Investment Programme (NPower) is an important National Programme. He explained that “what we want to achieve is to be able to address the question of youth unemployment. Not just youth unemployment, because it is not enough to be employed, you must also be trained to be

employed, you must also be trained and re-trained. We want to make sure that our young people have the right types of training for any type of engagement that they do later in their lives.” However, the N-Power Programme has produced about 200,000 Graduates. More 300,000 graduates are expected by the end of June, 2018.

The Nigerian MSMEs are more likely to be able to play an important role in economic development if policies and programmes that promote stable financial development, effective and secure financial systems and targeted lending; good institutions at all levels of government supporting and promoting MSMEs. This will ensure corruption and regulatory burdens are minimized and rule of law, land and property rights, creditors’ rights etc. are overcome accordingly; good infrastructure and facilities that encourage MSMEs to pool their information and resources and high level of entrepreneurship and sufficient human capital development.

There should be synergy by all public sector institutions within the MSME ecosystem to drive the overall development of the MSMEs sub-sector in Nigeria.

There should be MSME Capacity Building through partnerships with SMEDAN in order to de-risk MSMEs for access to finance. Encourage the patronage of MSMEs products by all tiers of government to stimulate the economy (Made-in-Nigeria patronage) and also procurement processes to favor local contractors.

Additional funding windows for MSMEs such as reactivation of National Enterprise Development Fund and Export Development Fund (EDF), Private Equity, Venture capital, should be vigorously explored while existing Development Finance Institutions should be strengthened through equity injection. There is also need for an improved funding of SMEDAN. If the Agency is to achieve its lofty objectives, like its counterparts in other parts of the world, it has to be adequately funded in order to be placed at an advantage to provide incentives to MSMEs. In line with the theme of MSME Day, “The Youth Dimension;” directly contribute to achieving the SDGs and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Most of the interventions of Government centres on Youth Entrepreneurship aimed at curbing Youth Unemployment.

We advise the Nigerian youth to take Agriculture as a business. The youth should take advantage of the various government agricultural initiatives to engage themselves.

The Agency has put in place a new Department- Agribusiness and Extension Services. The department is poised to chart a new course for Agriculture and Agro-allied Entrepreneurs.

The key to the economic emancipation of Nigeria lies in the generation of sufficient financial revenue, foreign exchange, increased employment and the opening of her borders to global competition.

It is reasonable to say that this is therefore firmly dependent upon an efficient, structured and orderly development of Nigeria’s MSME sector.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

13

Editorial Commentary OUR POSITION

Drug abuse and effect of codeine

F

ollowing a codeine-propelled high drug addiction problem, the Federal Government in a swift reaction, banned the production and importation of codeine containing cough syrup. The syrup usually taken by millions of youths who mix it with soft drinks, alcohol or illegal drugs, leads to physical and mental reliance on the drug and can be fatal.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had on May 1, 2018 directed the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban with immediate effect further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparations.

The documentary which went viral showed some Nigerian youths who were addicted to codeine displaying symptoms of mental illness and confined to an ill equipped rehabilitation centre.

The development however elicited a wide range of reactions from the public as well as stakeholders in the health sector.

It is worthy of note that many individuals and groups had raised alarm over the rising incidence of drug abuse in Nigeria especially among the youths.

This problem is made worse by the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria

which has left distribution of drugs largely in the hands of merchants who are usually not trained to handle such.

The fact that the Federal Government waited for a foreign media outfit to broadcast a documentary on this problem before taking such an action leaves a lot to be desired.

The ability of this move to solve the drug abuse problem in Nigeria has been queried by many industry watchers bearing in mind that a more wholistic approach remains the best option.

Its worthy of note that codeine is not the only frequently abused drug as tramadol abuse is also rampant.

It is also noteworthy that codeine is not only used for preparation of cough syrups as such it might not be appropriate to have a complete ban on codeine bearing in mind that this drug is needed for other conditions.

This makes it imperative that a more effective approach is one that ensures that only qualified persons get to handle these drugs.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) which is the umbrella body of practising Pharmacists through her President, Pharmacist Ahmed Yakasai, has again drawn attention of the Federal Government to the continued delay in the implementation of the new national drug

Historical Times in Pictures

distribution guidelines which has been shifted on several occasions.

According to Yakassai, the new directive would be better implemented under the new drug distribution guildeline.

The implementation of the new drug distribution guildelines is expected to ensure that drug distribution is always done under the watchful eyes of Pharmacists and that the drug supply chain can be tracked from the manufacturer or importer to the final consumer.

The truth is that this ban is definitely going to decrease the amount of codeine containing cough syrups in circulation but does little neither to bring any sanity to the drug distribution system in Nigeria nor to curtail this public health threat posed by drug abuse.

It is gratifying to note that there has been increased advocacy on the dangers of drug abuse. We believe that there is the need for holistic approach to tackle the menace of drugs abuse while groups such as the Young Pharmacists group, Pharmaguide Nigeria and a host of non-governmental organisations have been quite instrumental in this direction.

We are of the opinion that relevant health authorities should wake up to the challenge by creating more awareness especially among youths on the long effects of codeine.

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The Law

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Defence of mistaken identity won’t avail accused caught at scene of crime FACT OF THE CASE The Appellant, and one other accused person, Kehinde Ajumobi, were tried and convicted by the Kwara State High Court for the offence of armed robbery.

They allegedly robbed the occupants of a compound at Budo - Nuru Area, Ilorin and dispossessed of valuables,including money, phone ,and wristwatch,while “armed with gun ,cutlass, broken bottle,and dangerous weapons” The Appellant, who was the second Accused, denied the allegation and put forward a defence of mistaken identity. He claimed that he went to see the first Accused in his house,which is in the same vicinity as the scene of crime, and while the first Accused was seeing him off, they were accosted and attacked by two men, who accused them of being the robbers that operated that night. The trial Court, in its judgment of 11/7/2012, rejected his defence and him guilty. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment without option of fine.

Aggrieved, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division. But the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on 19/12/2012, affirmed the trial Court’s decision , including the conviction and sentence imposed on him.

The Appellant appeal against the conviction to this Court and Notice of Appeal contain seven grounds of appeal. The appellant formulated two issues for determination which covered grounds 3- 7 thus abandoned issues 1 and 2 in his briefs of argument.

ISSUES 1. Whether the learned Justice of the Court of Appeal came to a justifiable conclusion in law and equity when their Lordships held that that the Appellant was sufficiently identified as one of the armed robbers that committed the offence in issue and that the discrepancies between the Appellant’s Extra judicial statement and his oral testimony in Court relate to substance and not form such that the Appellant’s defence of mistaken identity may be thrown away with a wave of hand.( Grounds 3, 4 and 7).

2.Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were correct in law and equity when their Lordships held that the learned trial judge did not placed reliance on the statement (oral confession) that the Appellant purportedly made to PW8 in coming to the conclusion that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.( Grounds 5 and 6).

Having not formulated issues from Grounds 1 and 2 of the grounds of appeal ,the said grounds 1 and 2 serve no purpose in this appeal: they are abandoned and are accordingly struck out.- Ekunola v. CBN (2013) LPELR - 20391 (SC).

The Supreme noted that the language used in formulating the issues ought not only to be clear and terse “ but must be hard on and to the point”.See AG Lagos State v. Sowande(1992)8 NWLR (Pt 261)589.8 APPELLANT ARGUMENT The Appellant urged the Court to set aside 14 years imprisonment imposed on him by the Kwara State High Court.

The Appellant counsel devoted 29 pages of his 39 page Brief of argument on discrepancies between the Appellant’s testimony in Court and his statement to the police (Exhibits P5 & P6, and the gist of his nitpicking is that the discrepancies are not substantial.

That failure to tender the alleged stolen items is fatal to the prosecution’s case ; and that he had not been properly identified as one of the said armed robbers.

He submitted that the central defence in Exhibits PW5 & PW6 is one of mistaken identity as he did not deny being in the vicinity of the scene of crime, but gave his reason for being there. That he was arrested at the scene of crime because the people searching for the said robbers took him to be the robbers.

Citing Ademola v. State (1988)1 NWLR (Pt. 73)683, he argued that for the story of PW2 to “command and commend” belief, he ought to explain what happened to the stolen items.

That although it be inferred from the testimonies of

Justice Amina Adamu Augie

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA HOLDEN AT ABUJA ON FRIDAY THE 8th DAY OF JUNE, 2018 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS MUSA DATTIJO MUHAMMAD, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT KUDIRAT OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN, JUSTICE ,SUPREME COURT CHIMA CENTUS NWAEZE, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT AMINA ADAMU AUGIE, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT EJEMBI EKO, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT SC. 129/2014 BETWEEN: RAHEEM AYINDE APPELLANT AND THE STATE RESPONDENT JUDGEMENT Delivered by AMINA ADAMU AUGIE, JSC

TIMES LAW REPORT PW2, PW3, and PW4 that they identified Appellant but no identification was done.

He submitted that the manner all the witnesses referred to the arrest of the Appellant by the neighbours indicates that they were mob whose action is “irrational.”

That no evidence of recognition was led to show that the witnesses previously know the appellant, rather there is evidence that they met them for the first time, and the incident occurred around 9pm. That in the circumstances of this case, the said, “ defence of “mistaken identity is real and it is probable”.

RESPONDENT ARGUMENT But the respondent urged the Court to resolve this issue affirmatively and that the Court of Appeal was right to affirm the trial Court’s decision that the Appellant was sufficiently identified as one of the robbers. That discrepancies between his extra judicial statement and his oral testimony relate to substance and not form, such that his defence of mistaken identity cannot vitiate the direct, cogent and compelling evidence of the prosecution witnesses that he and 1st Accused were fixed to the scene of the crime that day.

He noted that there are concurrent findings of the two lower Courts on the identity of the Appellant as one of the robbers fixed to the scene of the crime, and submitted that there is sufficient evidence before the trial Court that he was not only at the scene of the crime

but that participated in the robbery attack.

It further argued that notwithstanding the incontrovertible evidence of the said prosecution witnesses and victims of the crime, the trial Court went ahead to consider the Appellant’s defence , and found that there are irreconcilable facts between his oral testimony and extra- judicial Statement to the police; and “ the trial Court held that the unworthy of positive consideration of the Court. “ Further more, that in a criminal trial. The Accused is neither bound to give a defence nor prove his innocence but when he chooses to give evidence as to his whereabout or role played or defence of mistaken identity as in this case the burden is on him to prove DECISION In this case, PW2 and PW4 may not have know the Appellant before, but from their narration of what transpired that night, it is clear that they had the opportunity of observing the two men,who robbed them, at a very close quarter.

They identified the Appellant as the one that stabbed PW2 in the head with a broken bottled, before leading him to the bedroom where the same Appellant stabbed the PW2 in stomach, he was holding in his hand.

Not only that PW4 also narrated how the same Appellant accosted her,locked her up in toilet, and threatened to kill her if she came out of there,in such

circumstances is it possible that PW2 and PW4,who were face to face with the Appellant ,could be confused as to who attacked and robbed them?

I think not; none of the witnesses said that the Appellant was masked. Thus, he did not cover his face ,and he came close enough to PW4 to push and locked her up in the toilet. Pw2 and Pw4 made it clear that their neighbours heard their shouting and were able to arrest the Appellant there, before they came out of the house.

If the Appellant was an innocent passerby in the vicinity, as he claimed, would PW2 and PW4 after their painful encounter with him, not have said so? They did not said anything that gives the impression that he was not the culprit.

In the face of that cold and hard fact, the Appellant’s contention that PW2 had to explain what happened to the stolen items, to add creditability to his story pale into insignificance. As he himself submitted , the prosecution does not have to tender stolen items or account for their whereabouts to prove its case.

On the Appellant argument on discrepancies, The position of the law it is that not every minor contradiction in evidence of witnesses that matters.

The discrepancies between his statements to the Police and his oral testimony in Court go to the issue of his creditability as a witness, and that is whether he should be believed or not.

Yes, it is elementary law that the burden on the prosecution to prove the guilty of an accused person beyond reasonable double never shifts but rests on the prosecution throughout the trial. However, the law does not impose on the prosecution, the duty or function of both the prosecution and the defence . see Ogbodu v.

State (1987)2 NWLR (Pt. 54) 20. Its duty is limited or restricted to prosecution and does not extend to putting up any defence for the accused .

So, where the evidence adduced by the prosecution conclusively points at the accused as the perpetrator of the crime for which he is charged,and the “evidence is duly tested, scrutinized and accepted by the Court” , the onus is on the accused person to rebut the presumption of guilt or to cast a reasonable doubt on the case of the prosecution by preponderance of probabilities ,see Akinmoju V. State(2000)6 NWLR (Pt.662)608 at 629SC, Kalu V. State (1993) 6 NWLR (Pt.300)385 at 397 SC and Moses Jua V. State (supra). See also Igabale V. The State (2006) 6 NWLR (Pt. 975)100 at 131 SC. So, the position of the law is that the primary onus of establishing the guilt of the accused is on the prosecution, and this burden does not shift .What does shift is the secondary onus or the onus of adducing evidence, which renders the prosecution’ s case improbable and unlikely to be true,and thereby, create a reasonable doubt- Bakare V. State (1987) 1 NWLR (Pt.52) 578 SC. The concurrent findings of the two lower Courts cannot be faulted. The Appellant testified in his own defence, and he put his creditability on the line when entered the witness box. The evidence that he adduced, having not been believed by the trial Court; the burden of proof on him was not discharged. What is more , since the story he narrated in the Witness Box was not believed, there was no evidence upon which to compare,and to consider the existence of a reasonable doubt with respect to his guilt - see Bakare V State (supra).

In the circumstances, the Court of Appeal was right to affirm the decision of the trial Court that the case against him was proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Issue 2 is based on the testimony of PW8 that when he asked the two accused persons “ their motive of coming to the area and they said they came to rob but luck ran against them” .The Court of Appeal commented as follows: The learned trial judge did not rely on the statement made by the Appellant to the Police. Instead he found it to be in conflict with evidence in Court Continued on page L3

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

15 The Law

‘NASS has power to tinker with budget’ A senior lawyer, Chief Bolanle Olugbani, in this interview with PETER FOWOYO, speaks about the Appropriation Bill signed into law by the President, autonomy of the judiciary and states Houses of Assemblies and other topical issues.

How do you view the face off between the executive and the legislature over the Appropriation Bill. Does the lawmakers have the constitutional power to tinker with the Bill?

The legislature has the constitutional power to tinker with any Appropriation Bill or Budget. The legislature as you remember has the oversight functions of the executive even though the executive has the powers under the 1999 constitution that are under the exclusive list.

So you find out that the legislature in its wise and better judgments, being representatives of the people of this country can make an input to either streamline, adjust, increase, or reduce budgetary allocations to different headings within the budget or Appropriation Bill of the country for the budget year. And in doing so, they are within the powers granted to them under the 1999 constitution.

But, the delay in the passage of the Appropriation Bill, I think it’s a fall out of the bad relations between the executive arm and the legislative arm even though they are of the same political party.

When three years ago the Senate President and certain principal officers were arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the executive arm of the same party arraigned its own same political party members holding offices in the legislature, did they not think that there will be a fall out or consequences?

When you need to have budget screening, screening of political appointees, approval by the Senate of Ministers, Directors of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Did they not think that the legislature will arm string the executive arm, who was more or less quote and unquote, persecuting them when the time came?

And if the law provides that if there is a delay in the signing of the Appropriation Bill, the budget of the previous year will enure up to six months by the time you’re signing the budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in June of every year.

What is left of the money that is supposed to be Appropriated? What is left of the capital projects which the government earmarked for commencement and completion within the budget year?

That is why there have been no meaningful infrastructural or capital projects completion or achievement by this administration. The budget year takes off in June by the release of money for just six months, within six months, how many viable economic and national projects can be concluded by the Federal Government of Nigeria?

What actually can be achieved within six months?

Monies that are suppose to have been appropriated from January to June are lost through corruption, diversion or virtual only 50 percent implementation of the budget for that year. It is a fall out of the inability of the executive arm of the same political party heading the Federal Government to ensure smoothness and harmony within the

been appointed are abini tio qualified by virtue of their year of call to Bar, their experience, their competence and haven qualified and enrolled as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the system itself, is not ensuring that the best hands are those who are appointed.

The system itself is not transparent enough. Appointment of Judges is still a matter of discretion, not merit. Until it is possible for those who excelled the most on merit to be appointed to the Bench, there is still a need to revamp and realigned the process of appointments to make sure that those who get to the Bench and higher Bench are chosen on merit.

A system that allows for recommendation by the Nigerian Bar Association to either the High Court Bench, or the Federal High Court, the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal leaves a lot to be desire.

Prof Bankole Sodipo

legislature which has a role to play in the smooth governance of this country.

Even in America, you don’t find the Republican party headed by Trump fighting totally all the principal members of the same Republican party in the legislature, it does not happen.

What is your take on the Bill signed into law by the President granting autonomy to the states judiciary. Is such law necessary when Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN had fought and won the battle in court?

The passing of the Bill into law gives legislative or legal law making approval to the position that is already settled by the judiciary of Nigeria.

As at the time the court of law pronounced the autonomy of the judiciary of Nigeria based on an action brought by a senior legal practitioner, what was available was what we call judicial pronouncements and judicial resolution of a matter that is needed to be supported by law.

That judicial pronouncement could have been overturned on appeal even though I believe it was not appealed but, if it does not given legal backing, an appellate court could have overruled it some other day, some other time. So signing it into law is the final resolution of the matter, making it a law makes it binding on all persons and incapable of

“

being appealed upon and thereby being changed.

Autonomy in itself, ensures for the rule of law, due process and ensures that one arm of government does not have an overbearing influence financially on other arms of government like the legislature and the judiciary.

If the legislature has judicial autonomy, if the judiciary has autonomy, their actions, their top processes, their decision making, their policies will be independent of the overbearing executive arm which seems to hold all the apron strings of governance in this country.

So, it’s a welcome development and the more of such ground breaking, definitive and indeed the fundamental enactment of laws, the better for Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari, recently appointed 28 Judges into the various courts. Are you satisfied with the mode of appointments of Judges as enshrined in the constitution?

I am not satisfied with the mode of appointments of Judges into our various courts because the process, while it appears to be transparent, it is not devoid of political and executive influence.

While on one hand, some appointments seem to be based on merit because indeed, all of those who have

Appointment of Judges is still a matter of discretion, not merit. Until it is possible for those who excelled the most on merit to be appointed to the Bench, there is still a need to revamp and realigned the process of appointments to make sure that those who get to the Bench and higher Bench are chosen on merit.

”

If you’re a member of the Bar who pays his dues and you’re not in one way or the other close or connected to those who are presently connected at one time or the other in charge of the affairs of the Bar Association, what are your chances that you could be shortlisted or even recommended for appointment?

Are those who heads the Nigerian Bar Association, without interest to a particular persons who they think or believe should be appointed to the Bench, those who are their friends, colleagues and families?

What are the criteria for the final selection of a Judge? Is it on the merit of cases done? Experience at the Bar, passing of the interview, geo political spread, or locality spread in the state or branch of the judiciary?

The criteria must be open, it must be transparent. There is still not enough transparency. If you’re desirable of being appointed to the Bench and you know that you’re not appointed because you did not meet certain criteria at least, you will be satisfied that the better man got the job.

Not that you know that you’re better than those who are appointed and yet you’ve shoved to be appointed but was never considered or given the opportunity of that appointment. I think that is the area where those who are in charge of this appointments need to address.

The process of appointments must not only be seen to be transparent, it must in actual fact be transparent. Must you know an Oba, or a traditional ruler, a serving Minister, the Governor of your state? Must your appointment be influenced by somebody or something?

Most of those who are finally shortlisted, have one factor or the other that assisted in the appointment which are factors other than merit.

Are you suggesting that they didn’t have the basic qualifications before they were appointed?

I am not saying that they did not have the basic qualifications and that they did not comply with the basic number of years of call to Bar. For a High Court

Judge it is 10 years, for Court of Appeal it is 13 years while for the Supreme Court you must have been called to the Bar for at least 15years. After that other factors set in that are less than transparent, that are less than meritorious.

Those are the areas we need to address. If we base it on merit, a lot of those who have been appointed ought not to be appointed, there are far better people who should have been appointed other than them.

That is not to say or remove anything from their basic qualities or their experience or their suitability for those positions. For every one appointed, there are probably 25 more who are just as competent and capable.

Two governors have been convicted so far in the war against corruption. Are you of the view that the government of the day is winning the war against graft?

From all indications, the government of the day is fighting a one sided war against corruption. There’s overwhelming evidence that the fight against corruption is lopsided. It is not a universal fight. You’re only corrupt if you’re in the opposition party. I have not seen any member of the ruling party that has been convicted and there are certainly no saints and sinners among them.

The conviction rate of the EFCC, ICPC or the Nigerian Police in terms of cases of corruption is lacklustre to say the least and generally mediocre. It may not be the fault of the courts but, the exhaustive legal and judicial processes that must be satisfied before conviction can be attained.

We thank God that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law enacted by the Federal Government has limited the ability of defendant in criminal cases to manipulate the judicial process for time wasting.

But, be that as it may, the convictions of two former governors over a decade after they were first arraigned is no mean feat. The judiciary should be commended for eventually rising up to the occasion and doing what is right.

I am however of the view that justice delayed is justified denied.

How many defendants can remain free for over or almost a decade without having been convicted, if they did not have the financial means and resources to hire the best lawyers to pursue the preliminary issues of law right up to the Supreme Court?

Justice is not only for the goose it should be for the gander. A poor man would have been convicted earlier because he has no money to hire the best lawyers and to foot the bill of judicial process.

Finally, the convictions of the two former governors, haven taken so much time should have been for a lesser term.

I believe strongly that the amounts involved should be commensurate with their terms of imprisonment.

The amount of punishment given to somebody who stole N1 million should definitely be different from somebody who stole N1.4 billion. If somebody stole N20 billion, he should probably get life imprisonment.

I think that the sentencing and the terms of imprisonment should reflect the amount of money proven to have been stolen. I think on that ground, the judiciary and the different arms CONTINUE ON PAGE L3

The Law 16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 25, 2018

‘NASS has power to tinker with budget’ Continued from page L2

of our Criminal Justice Administration system should have a re - look to ensure that a man who stole N2 million does not serve the same term of imprisonment as somebody who stole N1.5 billion, or N10 billion, or N20 billion. There’s a need to look at it.

Sentencing, amounts, type of offences, sentence that is commensurate with the offence, I think should be re - looked at in our country.

The abuse of stay of proceedings by some lawyers have delayed justice and led to abrupt end of many criminal trials. How has the abolition of technicalities in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 enhance the administration of justice?

While the removal of the possibility of filing proceedings, applications has greatly enhanced swifter, smoother criminal justice delivery in our system, technicalities generally have not been totally eliminated.

There are other technical points that can be raised by defendants in a matter right up to the Supreme Court which will ensure that a court of initial jurisdiction would not be able to touch the matter anymore until the determination of that issue is resolved by the appellate courts.

So, you find out that while stay of proceedings was a major logjam removed, there’s still need for more to be done and one of the most important things that I think ought to be done which has greatly reduced the time within which appellate courts address all issues including technical issues, is the expansion of the number of judges that are appointed to the Court of Appeal and

the Supreme Court.

In this day and age in Nigeria, it is unrealistic to have a maximum of twenty one judges at the Supreme Court and only two panels for that matter at the Supreme Court. We know that when hearing ordinary matters, the panel must be composed of at least five justices. When it’s a constitutional matter, minimum of seven justices at the Supreme Court.

But the volume of cases requiring adjudication at the Supreme Court is such that even in 2018 some people don’t have date until maybe 2021 or 2020. Some matters have actually become comatose because there are so many pending matters before such matters were even filed.

Except there are more justices of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court itself is decentralised just as the way the Court of Appeal has been decentralised. I don’t see the logjam and the volume of cases being reduced in Nigeria. I think it is high time that each geo political zone of Nigeria has its own Supreme Court.

The South West ought to have a Supreme Court, the South East ought to have a Supreme Court, the South South ought to have a Supreme Court, the North Central ought to have a Supreme Court, the North East ought to have a Supreme Court, the North West and indeed the Middle Belt ought to have a Supreme Court.

That way, matters arising from these geopolitical zones are treated at the level of their geopolitical zones without all matters amassing and cluttering up one Supreme Court in Abuja.

If the Supreme Court of your geopolitical zones determines your appeal,it is deemed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has determined your

appeal.

Cases from the Appeal Court division of certain areas should be taken to the Supreme Court of the geopolitical zone to be resolved once and for all and not all matters from all the geopolitical zones being pushed to only one Supreme Court of twenty one justices which are overworked and overburdened only in Abuja.

I think by this, we would be able to decongest the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Justice delivery would be faster and justice administration would be better.

The courts will soon go on vacation. What are your expectations from the third arm of government when it resumed for the new legal year?

Well, I would rather speak about Lagos state which is already over congested, overburdened with cases. I think more than 50 percent of cases in Nigeria are filed at the High Court. If the proposal by the governor of Lagos state and the Chief Judge of Lagos state are anything to go by, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NJC should give quick approval for the appointment of more judges into the High Court of Lagos state.

Lagos state is a major economic and capital of this country. Legal issues that arise from private business transactions, interactions between agencies and government, cases between departments and government and contractual issues between companies are so huge because of the nature of Lagos state.

If Lagos state has 200 more judges it is not too much. If they have more divisions of the Lagos state judiciary, it is not too much. There are presently divisions in Ikorodu, Epe, Ikeja, Lagos, Badagry.

There’s a need to create more divisions.

R-L: Justice Patricia Mahmud; Justice Folashade Ojo; Justie Ibrahim Andenyangtso; Justice Gabriel Kolawole; Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu; Justice James G. Aundaga; Justice Ebiowei Tobi; Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar; Justice Abubalar Mahmud Talba; Justice Abdullahi Bayero; Justice Abubakar Mu’azu Lamido and Justice Muhammad Idris during their swearing in ceremony as new Judges of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, Abuja.

...mistaken identity won’t avail accused caught at scene of crime CONTINUED FROM PAGE L1 ...The issue of placing reliance on the statement of the Appellant made to PW8 is therefore, (a) non starter and misconceived. It is accordingly discountenanced being unrelated to the decision under review.

The Appellant’ s contention is that the Court of Appeal, which pronounced the oral confession to be a non - issue equally made use of same , when it statedPW8, a Police Officer, who went to the scene of crime with three other Police Officers testified that he met PW2 in a pool of blood at the scene of the crime and the two accused persons, including the Appellant herein, were already arrested by the community members,who also recovered the weapons used by the two hoodlums in perpetrating their nefariousness. When he asked the Appellant and his accomplice about their motives, they told him and he heard them say that they were there to commit robbery but luck ran against them.

But the respondent submitted that the said finding is a mere comment, which did not go to the root of the Court of Appeal’ s decision; and that the issue did not change the Appellant’s case, as rightly held by the Court of Appeal.

I agreed with the respondent completely; the reference to the testimony of PW8 that the Appellant and his co- accused confessed to him that they came “ to rob but luck ran against them”, is not but a scratch on the surface. It has no depth, no meaning and is of no significance of any kind in this Appeal.

The two lower Courts found as a fact that the prosecution proved its case against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt, and the question of whatever the Appellant told PW8, had no bearing at all on the decision of the trial Court to reject his defence of mistaken identity, which the Court of Appeal affirmed.

In the circumstances, the two issues are resolved against the Appellant. As it is, the Appellant failed to give very good reasons why this Court should

interfere with the findings of fact arrived at by the two lower Courts. “ It is not a matter of course” Muhammad V. State (1017) 13 NWLR (Pt.1583) 386 SC. Besides, there is sufficient evidence established by the prosecution to support the concurrent findings of the two lower Courts and this Court cannot intervene.

In the final analysis, this Appeal lacks merit and it is ,hereby , dismissed. I affirmed the judgment of the Court below upholding the trial Court’s decision.

Amina Amina Augie, Justice, Supreme Court.

APPEARANCES D. A. Awosika, Esq., with N. F. John, Esq., For the Appellant.

F.O. Lawal,Esq., ( Solicitor General of Kwara state) with Ayoola Idowu Akande,Esq.,( Chief State Counsel), and A.L. Abdullahi Esq., ( State Counsel 1), For the Respondent.

CJN Walter Onnoghen

CJN wants Appeal Court judges to be courageous in dispensing justice Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Chief of Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen last week’ Friday made it clear what is expected from justices in the country including the newly sworn in Justices of the Court of Appeal.

Administering an oath of office and oath of allegiance on 12 newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen generalised his appeal to all judicial officers to apply the laws and the Constitution and take decisions on matters brought before them, adding that in any matter one party must win while the other loses.

“Abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the oath of office and oath of allegiance and Code of Conduct for judicial officers and adhere strictly to judicial precedence.”

Justice Onnoghen, probably looking at the challenges ahead in the coming months when the political campaigns and elections will dominate the polity with its resultant litigations, charged judges in the country not to turn themselves into political tools in the hands of politicians who may wish to use them in achieving their selfish ends.

“Let me emphasized here now that politics is here and election matters will be arising, as judges things should be done to bring down the temperature. We have to be careful so as not to be used as instruments for personal and intraparty squabble and that we should use the law to decide all political matters according to law because judiciary remains the hope of every man whether superman or ordinary man”, he said.

He said that with the inauguration of the justices, the Court of Appeal has been enriched with more hands, who have been found worthy and so honoured.

Stressing how their job hold the ark for peace, he reminded them that “as judicial officers, you carry the whole nation on your head in terms of justice dispensation and when you adhere to your oath of office, there would be no problem”.

Meanwhile, a cross section of Nigerians who spoke to the Daily Times law page commended the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bukachuwa for her effort to raise the number of justices to 88 Justices though less than its statutory provision of 90 Justices.

Of late, the number of Justices of Court of Appeal depleted to 76 Justices from 90 due to the demise of some and retirement of other Justices. Thus leaving some portion of its work load unattended to . we recalled that earlier this year Justice Bukachuwa has to set up special panel to decongest cases that have piled up due to increases in number of appeals in some divisions.

The Court of Appeal has 16 Divisions scattered across the country namely: in Lagos, Ibadan ,Kaduna, Jos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Benin, Enugu, Ilorin, Abuja, Owerri, Ekiti, Akure, Sokoto, Makurdi and Yola.

Asked what he expect the Court to do differently for speedy dispensation of justice, a Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome said he expect it: “To do justice more transparently, with speed,courage,boldness and alacrity”.

An Abuja based legal practitioner Hameed Jimoh said what he expect from each of the justices are: (1) absolute judicial independence; (2) upholding of rule of law; (3) manifest promotion of justice to any party whose case is to be decided without fear or favour;(4) defence and promotion of human rights of Nigerian citizens, as the last hope of the oppressed (5) God fearing; (6) to abide by professional & judicial ethical codes and(7 ) to distant from any form of corruption.

The 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal are Justice Patricia A. Mahmud, Justice Folasade O. Ojo, Justice Ibrahim A. Andenyangsto, Justice Gabriel O. Kolawole, Justice Bariki B. Aliyu, Justice James G. Abundaga, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, Justice Abubakar S. Umar, Justice Abubakar M. Talba, Justice Abdullahi M. Bayero, Justice Abubakar M. Lamido and Justice Mohammed B. Idris.

Business Times

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

OPEC deal: Oil prices fall on expected output rise

2018 Budget: Stop fighting, focus on implementation, ULC tasks FG, NASS

Union vs TCN MD: Showdown imminent over anti-workers’ practices Joy Obakeye

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC) has accused the ‎Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur Mohammed, of carrying out massive anti-labour activities in the power sector.

In this vein, ‎The President-General of SSAEAC, Comrade Chris Okonkwo,

during the National Executive Council meeting in Lagos‎, disclosed that the union will embark on a total shutdown of the sector.

Okonkwo also said that the TCN boss is ‘a security threat and lawbreaker who does not comply with the TCN condition of service and the laws’.

“MD TCN have arrogantly and illegally stopped SSAEAC dues, defied all agencies of government’s intervention, has shown himself as

a security threat, law breaker and enemy of peace.”

“Workers are saddled with arbitrariness which we have made efforts to see if we could redirect, but all efforts failed since 2016 when the current leadership of the sub-sector came on board.

He further reeled that, “Efforts to make the leader know the rules had not yielded expected behaviour.

We declared the trade dispute after several efforts to make sure the head of

TCN retrace his steps. The union has mobilised members for a showdown.”

He called on the federal government to hold the MD of TCN responsible for breakdown of law and order in all TCN stations, also demanding his removal within two weeks to avert indefinite industrial show down in the power sector.

“We demand the TCN management removal within two weeks to avert indefinite industrial show down in the power sector.” he said

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki (right), receiving souvenir from the National President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Alhaji Shehu Ladan, during a courtesy visit by ANAN officials to the governor at the Government House in Benin City... on Monday.

NIMASA threatens shipping companies over non implementation pension scheme Temitope Adebayo The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has threatened to report employers of Nigerian seafarers to National Pension Commission (PenCom) for refusal to implement contributory pension scheme for their workers.

Speaking on Monday during the celebration of the 2018 Day o f The Seafarer in Warri, Delta State, Director -General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside stated that the agency would sign a review of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the 28th of June 2018.

“In line with this year’s theme, I wish to reiterate the need for employers of seafarers to ensure that they implement the contributory pension scheme for their workers. This is important because henceforth, the Agency will report erring

employers to the Pension Commission for appropriate sanctions”, Peterside explained.

“It is also with great pleasure that I wish to inform you that the National Joint Industrial Council (NJlC) has concluded negotiations on the conditions of service of Nigerian Seafarers, including the minimum wages payable to all categories of seafarers. “it is expected that the agreement will be signed by all parties on the 28th of June, 2018. in this regard, l wish to assure you that the Agency will go the whole length in ensuring that the CBA is implemented as agreed.

“This year’s theme has brought to the fore the need for employers to re-dedicate their efforts and resources towards enhancing the seafarers’ wellbeing in terms of making the workplace conducive with adequate provisions for the promotion of their mental health.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians

Seafarers are faced with a lot of challenges that are work-related and bordering on depression arising from lack of job opportunities and long hours of work without commensurate pay. ln most cases the seafarers work under strenuous conditions which they are subjected to by their employers.”

The DG also informed the gathering that the agency has trained over 2051 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers development programme (NSDP).

He said the training of 2051 cadets were in addition to 500 cadets that have undergone sea time training across the country.

His words, “For the records, the Agency has so far trained over 2051 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers development programme (NSDP). In addition to those who have already undergone their mandatory sea time training 500 have been

earmarked for sea time training in 2018 fiscal year, while another 500 will undergo the training in 2019.

“Furthermore, 150 fresh cadets will benefit from the programme under the NSDP~3 which will commence in the next academic session. On the other hand, the Agency in May this year facilitated the training of 370 Nigerian Seafarers in relevant courses leading to certifications on Standard of Training Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW)), Oil tanker familiarization, Security Awareness (lSPS) Code, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (PSCRB) and Dynamic Positioning.

“Let me also mention that 560 dockworkers also benefitted from the training programme an Occupational Safety and Health which was developed in line with the lLO’s Code of practice on OSH”, he revealed.

Clearing agents strike ground activities at Lagos Airport Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Clearing agents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos grounded activities around the airport this afternoon following the introduction of a new policy by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Airport Command accusing the government revenue generators of tripling charges imposed on them for clearance of consignments at the airport.

The clearing agents in their hundreds protested in the open the directive from Mrs. Jayne Shoboiki, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), MMA Command that all consignments must as from July 13, 2018 be on Form M. The agents insisted that the policy was anti-progress, stressing that some of the consignments could not come with Form M as they were not major goods.

Mr. Chris Nwabuzor, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at the Lagos Airport, in an interview with our correspondent said that most of the policies introduced by the CAC could not work at the airport as some of their consignments could not fall into the category directed by the command.

Immediately the protest began, Customs at the command locked the long room while the leaderships of the clearing agents ordered their members to vacate the premises.

As a result of this, clearing agents at the Lagos Airport have commenced an indefinite strike to register their grievances, vowing that they would not resume for work until their grievances were addressed by the command.

Nwabuzor said: “Since this new CAC came onboard, it has been from one crisis to the other. Initially, she claimed that customs introduced new system, which would enhance clearance of cargo at the airport, but with several challenges. In fact, most of the consignments we were supposed to clear entered demurrage in the process.

“Today again, the command sent out a circular that as from July 13, 2018, which is two weeks from now, all consignments, must be on Form M, which is not possible. Form M are for huge consignments, but some of our consignments do not fall into that category. For instance, if you want to clear a one kilogramme goods now, it must be on Form M. “Even, at the seaport, car importation and clearance does not fall under Form M. how come goods of just one

Labour 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

2018 Budget: Stop fighting, focus on implementation, ULC tasks FG, NASS National President of the United Labour Congress (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has urged the three arms of government, especially the Executive and the Legislature to see themselves as partners that complement each other designed to make governance safe and more effective.

Ajaero, in a statement said “There must be mutual respect for every arm of government but we urge each arm in the exercise of its constitutional duties to apply due caution and restraint. The controversy has serious implications for our democracy and this is not good at this time especially as we prepare for next year’s election.”

“Serious issues of state must not be

allowed to be played on the field of partisan politics but should be given all the deep attention it deserves so that our nation and Nigerians will benefit both now and in the long run. Nigeria needs to make progress but that can only be possible if those in positions of leadership allow that to happen. The budgetary process is a serious business and we demand such from our leaders.”

“The national budget is both a legal document and a moral force. It is this that makes it a holy grail that ought to be protected and implemented determinedly by all. That controversy is unfortunate and truly makes a mockery of the budget and sends a wrong message to us the ordinary Nigerians that our leaders do not take this

all important document serious contrary to all of our expectations.”

“In any case while we condemn the act of making appropriations that favours the NASS or the Executive against critical projects that favours the people and the nation, we insist that the powers of each of the arms of Government in governmental processes must be respected. This enhances and consolidates our democracy as the principles of Separation of Powers is complied with thus deepens our democratic traditions.”

The union further explained that, “We do not expect the Legislature to be a rubber stamp of the Executive neither do we expect it to act with impunity. We also do not expect the Executive to be

overawed by the Legislature neither do we expect it to intimidate the Legislature anticipating that whatever it brings into the Legislative process must come out the way it went in – garbage in, garbage out!

No! That is not the essence of democracy!.

“Nigerian workers urge the NASS and the Presidency to mend fences and work together to pursue the effective implementation of this budget. Passing a budget in Nigeria historically is always a beginning and does not guarantee that what has been passed would be funded and fully implemented. That has always been our unfortunate history and we would want the two arms to close ranks and ensure that this year’s budget is different.”

L-R: Hadiza Ambursa, Executive Director, Commercial Banking (North), Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, GMD/CEO, Manuel Rossini, UNICEF Representative and Alhaji Abba Mamman Tor Habib, Non-Executive Director, Access Bank, during the presentation of Cheque by the Bank to support UNICEF projects for vulnerable children in Northern Nigeria at the Access Bank Fifth Chukker UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament which held at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club in Kaduna at the weekend

NAPTIP intensifies advocacy against human trafficking The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commenced intensive advocacy with stakeholders to help tame child labour across the country The agency also said that effective implementation of Child Right Act by key stakeholders would help tame child labour across the country.

Its Director-General, Julie Okah–Donli, said the advocacy include interface with the National Assembly, governors, state Houses of Assembly, the judiciary, relevant professional bodies, diplomatic communities, the media, civil society organisations, international partners and other key stakeholders.

“NAPTIP as an agency created by the

Federal Government for the protection of children from trafficking, child labour and abuse, has commenced purposeful advocacy across the country on the need to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Child Right Act. “It is sad to note that many individuals, organisations and even a group of people have continued to hide under one form of corporate protection or t he other to abuse children.

“I just received some concerned youths recently and their testimonies about the level of child abuse and violation by some highly placed individuals were heart breaking.

“It has come to the knowledge of the Agency that even some of our children

who were believed to be protected under the custody of revered educational institutions are the worst victims. It was gathered that administrators of those schools have continued to feast on the innocent children at will.”

She said the worst scenario is the case of children rescued from some difficult environments due to insurgency who are further subjected to unimaginable level of sexual abuse and exploitation by the very personalities that have sworn to protect them.

“The big question that is begging for answer is why is it that when there is a global economic recession and financial crunch, it is the child that is given out to work as domestic helpers and in

hazardous places and he or she bears the brunt?

Why is it that when there is a sexual desire within the family, it is the child that is sacrificed? This must change,” she said.

She said NAPTIP has commenced a nationwide advocacy to drum support for the accelerated implementation and domestication of Child Rights Act across the country.

“Already, we have kicked off consultations with stakeholders at all levels.

Our operatives have been dispatched to those areas and establishments where the rights of Nigerian children are being taken for granted. These include those confined institutions, quarries, cocoa plantations and other areas,” she said

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

19 Brands

Between CSR and Nigerian children Stories: Godwin Anyebe Over the years, Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in Nigeria has been a contemporary and contextual issue to all followers of event including the government, brand handlers and the larger society.

Analysts are of the view that the payment of taxes and the fulfillment of other civic rights are enough grounds to have the liberty to take back from the society in terms of CSR undertaken by other stakeholders.

Before now, the Nigerian society was characterised by children who are constantly seeing on the street due to bad governance or poor parental control. While the children of those in at the corridor of power attend schools in abroad, the children of the under privilege are more often than not seeing hulking on the street.

To this end, checks by Daily Times shows that most corporate organizations that are suppose to bridge the gap between government and the under privilege children are often concerned about what they can take out of the society, and

de-emphasized the need to give back to the society (their host Communities).

This attitude often renders the entire community uninhabitable. For example, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North and Militancy in southern part of Nigeria has translated to negative integrity and reputation on the part of corporate identity as people perceived this as exploitation and greed for profitability and wealth maximization within a decaying economy. Nonetheless, the general belief is that both business and society gain when firms actively strive to be socially responsible; that is, the business organizations gain in enhanced reputation, while society gains from the social projects executed by the business organization.

Though, it is believe in some quarters that if only the government can make an enabling environment for business to strive, the corporate organisations on their part will ensure they give back to the society which will have a positive effect on the children.Therefore, many companies are occupying responsibilities in Nigerian schools through CSR, because the country’s government has not improved upon the lapses in the country’s

education.

Speaking on this issue, Toyin Olakanpo, a lawyer and a passionate child rights advocate who also and sits on the Board of the Foundation for CSR & Children’s Rights as its President and Chief Executive Officer said;“the Convention on the Rights of the Child launched in 1989 was supposed to change the way children in the world were viewed and treated. It set out a pioneering set of principles that placed children as human beings with a distinct set of rights. It is important to take a close look at the Child Rights Act (Nigeria) passed into law at the Federal level in 2003 which encapsulated the Convention and its principles and see if life for the Nigerian child had indeed changed for the better.

The advocate pointed out that, “the Nigerian child’s right to survival and protection was clearly violated on November 10, 2014 when a suicide bomber, suspected to have been spurred on by the terrorist group Boko Haram, murdered 47 children as they gathered for the morning assembly at their school – the Federal Government Science School in Potiskum, Yobe State.

L-R: Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Sola David Borha; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Global Head of cash Equities ICBC Standard Bank, Ian Carton, during a meeting with the senior Management of Dangote Group in Lagos at the weekend

This was not a singular incident. On the 6th of July, 2013, Boko Haram attacked a secondary school in Mamudo, Yobe State, killing 42 children.

On September 29, 2013 gun-men from Boko Haram entered the male dormitory of the Federal Government College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, killing 44 boys. On February 25,2014 members of Boko Haram attacked the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe State where they massacred 59 boys in their sleep.”

The Nigerian child has been subject to murderous attacks in schools as far back as July 2013 and no visible remedial action has been taken by the Nigerian government to provide adequate security to make schools safe in the North Eastern part of Nigeria where insurgency has reached a climatic stage of terrifying proportion.”

The Daily Times learnt that, in other climes, where children are treated with dignity, corporate organisation through the activities of some none governmental organisation ensure that children are remembered after death. For example, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012 where 26 children were killed by a deranged madman in Newton, Conneticut, USA. On the CNN website there was a picture of each of the children who were killed and a short biography for each of them including personal details such as “her favorite stuffed animal was a lamb; pink and purple were her favorite colors.”

On this note, the questions analysts are asking is that, where is the memorial wall for all the children killed by the insurgents?

Meanwhile, in recognition of the Nigeria child’s right to dignity, the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, led by Oby Ezekwesili, insisted in giving a name to each of the 276 girls abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Nigeria on April 2014, because every human being has a name and every life matters. The BBOG Movement refused to view the abductions as just another episode of: “some girls were abducted”, but a case of someone’s daughter or sister or friend.

These were human beings whose lives mattered with a name, a face and an identity. This right of dignity is even more important in death.

Nigerians are, however, of the view that companies in the country engage in the CSR projects owing to a lack of qualitative education in the country.

This is given as the basis of national problems in the recent times that range from corruption to insecurity, from official crime to street crime and so forth. These companies had perhaps seen that investing in the foundation of education in the country would necessitate how the behaviours of Nigerians would be in a long run.

Pundits like Professor Adewale Okunuga, who was an old student of The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Lagos, as guest lecturer at the school’s 50th anniversary lecture sometime in the first quarter of this year, believed that the putrefaction in the country’s education system could be traced to the 1980s and 1990s.

NBC youth empowerment workshop extends to Benin • As Gov Obaseki pledges support for participants with best ideas In furtherance of its commitment to empower over 15,000 youths by 2019, the management of non-alcoholic beverage, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd has recently concluded its 3-days workshop in Benin, Edo State where it engaged over a thousand youths in a bid to improve their fortunes and create viable opportunities for growth.

The workshop in Benin which was held from the 12th – 15th of June, 2019 represents the 2nd location to be visited this year and the 5th in total since the programme commenced in October last year. In attendance were several notable mentors, youth leaders, non-governmental organisations and government officials.

Delivering the opening remarks for the workshop, the Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki expressed his delight for the Youth Empowered programme and advised participants to make best use of the skills which the NBC

platform has created, promising that he would not hesitate to support participants with the best ideas with necessary funding.

While commending NBC for creating such a laudable platform, Obaseki reassured the company of his administration total support for such laudable idea noting that this would go a long way to complement the administration’s policies of creating opportunities for youths by acquiring skills that would match with existing job opportunities through the ‘EdoJobs portal’.

“We are happy for what Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd is doing. I think it is a laudable initiative aimed at addressing the unemployment challenge. I believe if youths that fall within the age range of 20 to 32 years, who make up 65 per cent of Nigeria’s population are assisted to discover and improve their talent, Nigeria will become better for it” he said.

He further noted that as companies help in

developing the youths’ entrepreneurial skills, his administration has set up policies which ensures that we take full advantage of such skills, and create the atmosphere where the Edo State youths can achieve and attain a better future for themselves.

Also speaking during the workshop, the Public Affairs and Country CSR Manager (East/Central), Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, Mr. Ekuma Eze urged participants to take advantage of the unique opportunity which the initiative has provided by developing brilliant business ideas that would attract funding and create opportunities for business.

Eze expressed the company’s appreciation to the Edo state government for creating the enabling environment to lend its support to assist the youth in discovering and harnessing their talents, which he noted would consequently go a long way to tackle the scourge of unemployment in the country.

“The huge turnout for the programme

demonstrates the willingness and readiness of the youths to learn new skills as well as their desire to tap from the depth of knowledge of mentors present at the training. This is why we have considered it necessary to take this programme to every part of the country and assist them not only to be employable but also create employment” he said.

The workshop is part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic global initiative designed to support over 500,000 young unemployed people globally between the ages of 18-30 by 2020, to build life and business skills and long-lasting networks that would translate to meaningful employment and self-sufficiency The second edition of NBC Youth Empowered has taken participants through workshops in Ibadan and Benin, to help them discover themselves, understand their strengths and developmental opportunities, as well as provide a platform for meaningful interaction with business leaders and mentors.

Business Int’l 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Saudi insurance stocks soar as female drivers take to road Saudi insurance stocks surged on Sunday, with investors expecting the sector to reap significant dividends following the lifting of the ban on female drivers.

Insurance stocks — one of the worst performing sectors on the Saudi bourse for the year to date — outperformed other classifications on Sunday, ending 2.4 percent higher, compared with a 1.8 percent rise for the Kingdom’s headline index.

Amana Insurance and AlRajhi Takaful were the best performers of the day, gaining 9.9 percent each.

Tawuniya, the Kingdom’s largest insurer, ended Sunday 1.1 percent higher, with only one of the country’s 33 listed insurance providers closing lower for the day.

The lifting of restrictions on female drivers — which came into effect on Sunday after first being announced in September — is part of a series of wide-ranging reforms introduced as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation program, designed

to diversify the economy away from a reliance on oil revenues.

The advent of women drivers is forecast to benefit the economy by significantly increase female participation in the workforce, and stimulating financial, insurance and retail sectors among others.

The insurance sector is set to draw particular benefit from the move, but may remain under pressure, according to rating agency S&P. “We anticipate that efforts of the local authorities to tackle the large number of uninsured drivers, combined with the arrival of women drivers … and the introduction of additional benefits under the unified medical policy from July 1, will support further premium growth in the industry in the medium term,” said S&P in a research note in April.

“However, these factors may be offset by the large number of foreign workers that have already left or will be leaving the Kingdom in 2018.”

In spite of yesterday’s price surge, insurance stocks are 8.4 percent lower for the year to date. Tadawul as a whole is up 15.6 percent so far this year, making the bourse one of the world’s best performers for 2018.

Some petrochemical companies also added value, Reuters reported, following a rise in oil prices after OPEC decided on only modest increases in crude production last week.

Outside Saudi Arabia, Gulf markets posted minor gains. In Dubai, where the index was flat, Air Arabia was unchanged. Shares in the airline have declined by more than 10 percent since early last week, when the company said it had hired experts to protect its business interests in private equity firm Abraaj, which has filed for provisional liquidation. The airline said its exposure was around $336 million.

Last week, the UAE’s securities regulator asked listed companies to declare their exposure to Abraaj.

ARAB NEWS

L-R: The President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, Dr. Yerima Tarfa, Director, Department of Climate Change in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. B.N. Reddy, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria at the Nigeria-India Cooperation in solar and other renewable energy sources held in Abuja.

EU, China vow to uphold global trade order despite disagreements European Union and China pledged on Monday to uphold a rules-based international trade system, making an oblique criticism of growing protectionism in Washington despite their own disagreements.

The two sides held high-level economic meetings in Beijing as both face rising trade tensions with the United States. Brussels and Beijing recently announced new tariffs on US goods in retaliation for moves by the Trump administration.

“Both sides agreed to resolutely oppose unilateralism and protectionism and prevent such practices from impacting the world economy and even dragging the world economy into recession,” said Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, responsible for shepherding the world’s second largest economy.

Liu had led China’s three rounds of trade talks with the US, negotiations that have broken down over the

Trump administration’s pledge to move forward with tariffs despite an agreement in May to put the duties on hold.

“Unilateralism and trade protectionism is on the rise and tensions have appeared in the economic relations between major economies,” Liu told an audience of European and Chinese officials.

European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen echoed Liu’s words, describing the World Trade Organization “as the center of the rules-based international trading system.”

Even as the two sides seek common ground on combating the US moves, there are deep divisions between them. EU companies and officials harbor concerns about Beijing’s policies that are shared by their counterparts in Washington.

“We need more than just talk, we need to demonstrate adherence to international trading rules,”

said Katainen, proposing reforms to develop new rules for a “global level playing field” in key areas such as “industrial subsidies.”

Beijing’s industrial policies such as the “Made in China 2025” project, which is designed to transform China from a maker of sports shoes and denims into high-tech goods, is a major concern in Washington and stands at the heart of proposed new US tariffs on China.

“The two sides committed to defend the multilateral trading system that is centered on the WTO and based on rules,” said Liu, acknowledging the need to maintain fair market access.

Katainen called on Liu to go further in removing market access barriers for companies and preventing overcapacity in high-tech sectors “covered by the Made in China 2025 strategy.” He demanded that all industries enjoy equal treatment. AFP

British lawmakers set to vote on Heathrow Airport runway plan British lawmakers will vote on whether to build a new runway at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday, potentially paving the way for the airport’s expansion after decades of delays and policy U-turns.

The government is expected to win the vote, although the result could be close on the issue which has split lawmakers regardless of their party lines, with some opposed to the extra noise and air pollution it will bring to London.

Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport but is now operating at full capacity. A £14 billion plan to build a third runway faces opposition from local communities

and environmentalists, but its backers say it is needed to enable new trade links and help secure economic growth.

The decision to expand Heathrow follows almost half a century of indecision on how and where to add new airport capacity in densely populated southeast England. If it goes ahead, it will be the first full-length runway built in the London area for 70 years.

Despite the opposition, which saw the resignation of trade minister Greg Hands from the government last Thursday, the vote is expected to pass because the opposition Labour party said this week its MPs will be given free rein to vote with the government.

However, if the Scottish National Party votes against the government, which the BBC reported was a possibility, it could make the outcome close.

Heathrow’s most high-profile opponent, Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, who once said he would lie down in front of bulldozers to stop the expansion, may be out of Britain on Monday and so not attend the vote in parliament.

Even if lawmakers approve the plan, it could still face a legal challenge from a group of local councils, and last week, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he would join the action against the third runway if parliament voted to approve it. REUTERS

OPEC deal: Oil prices fall on expected output rise Brent crude oil prices fell over 1.5 percent on Monday as traders factored in an expected output increase that was agreed at the headquarters of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna last week Friday.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $74.21 per barrel at 0343 GMT, down 1.8 percent from their last close.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $68.40 a barrel, down 0.3 percent, supported more than Brent by a slight drop in US drilling activity.

Prices initially jumped after the deal was announced late last week as it was not seen boosting supply by as much as some had expected.

OPEC and non-OPEC partners including Russia have since 2017 cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to tighten the market and prop up prices.

Largely because of unplanned disruptions in places like Venezuela and Angola, the group’s output has been below the targeted cuts, which it now says will be reversed by supply rises especially from OPEC leader Saudi Arabia. Although analysts warn there is little space capacity for large-scale output increases.

“Several ministers suggested that (rises) would correspond to a 0.7 million bpd increase in production,” said US bank Goldman Sachs following the announcement of the agreement, although it added that were risks “that Iran production may be even lower than we assume” and that its output could fall further due to looming US sanctions.

Still, Britain’s Barclays bank said OPEC’s and Russia’s commitments would take “the market from a -0.2 million bpd deficit in H2 2018 to a 0.2 million bpd surplus.”

Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said the agreement “represents a compromise between responding to consumer pressure and the need for oilproducing countries to maintain oil prices and prevent harming their economies.”

In the United States, US energy companies last week cut one oil rig, the first reduction in 12 weeks, taking the total rig count to 862, Baker Hughes said on Friday.

That put the rig count on track for its smallest monthly gain since declining by two rigs in March with just three rigs added so far in June, although the overall level remains just one rig short of the March 2015 high from the previous week.

REUTERS

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

21 Business Interview

We grow technology – Oilserv CEO Last year, you disclosed that ObiafuObrikom-Oben (OB3) was 90 per cent ready and would be delivered by April 2018. What is the state of the project now and when would it be completed?

OB3 is currently undergoing precommissioning in the past three months.

A project of that size, which is the largest pipeline existing in Nigeria for gas, is 48” diameter and 67 kilometer. For you to do pre-commissioning, you have to clean up the pipe, pressurise it. Just imagine 48”67km pipeline and the volume of water you have to fill. It has to be sectionalize, fill the water, pressurise and clean it up to meet all the standard before you can now remove the water, dry it up.

To dry alone, because you can’t mix water with gas which you intend to transport, you will use a compressor with high pressure and temperature and pump. Just imagine the volume of air you have to pump into 48” diameter-67km pipeline. Sometimes, it can take up to three months to dry.

The process is long and that’s what we are doing now.

And we are also doing the installation works at the end facilities because the pipeline we are building is different from ordinary pipeline you are familiar with. We have the facilities which include the metering stations, the pigging stations and other heavy duty equipment you have to install, interconnect, test, caliberate and do all those things.

The project is at the terminal end, we are supposed to finish by end of July 2018. So we are still on track definitely.

You have been recently awarded a new Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline contract which is 614kilometer and worth $2.8billion. What gives you an edge among your peers in terms of pipeline technology?

Why Oilserv?

Oilserv is not about singing our praises, it is about fact. Oilserv was set up on a sound basis and principle. That’s the basis of sound knowledge of engineering and clear plan to grow technology and grow the company organically.

When we started in 1995, it was a very small company. It was only myself and one other employee and we slowly build it up. Now, we built it up by re-investing whatever money we make and acquiring latest technology. It’s not just about technology acquisition but by knowing the principles of these technology.

By my background, I’m a cerebral engineer and I worked in 12 different countries before I came back to Nigeria. I was principally focused on developing engineering capacity.

Along the line, we moved on to look at the best way of achieving the EPC work we have.

We later introduced the welding works.

Welding is at the core of pipeline construction and the major threat in welding is the fact that using traditional welding system which is the manual welding system, will involve welders association. Some of them are not there to work but to create problems and you can’t control the quality of output too. We moved on to develop automatic and semi-automatic welding system where it is more like being in a production line in a factory. We trained our own staffs and they became the welders. Because it is not manual welding but automatic so we are not bound by certain rules of the welder association.

With this, we are able to do as much as 25

important. If you don’t get the first section right, you don’t have a pipeline.

The AKK project is Oilserv/Oando consortium, what’s the role of Oando in the project because it is not an engineering firm?

You have to fully understand that this project is not just an EPC project but it’s a contractor-financed project. You go into consortium for a particular reason. Oando is a partner to Oilserv while Oilserv is the principal EPC company. And I’m talking from the view of EPC, Oando does not build pipelines, we are in a consortium because it’s contractor-financed and it gives us more leverage.

Oando has always had concessions from NNPC to develop, for example, the gas pipeline system in Lagos, through their company called Gaslink. They built Eastern Horizon company, south-south pipeline which is from Okanafo through Calabar to Ifamoseng where you have Unicem Cement Plant.

Many other projects they have done but in the core of these projects was Oilserv EPC Company. Oilserv usually build the pipelines, Oando doesn’t. In the Joint Venture, Oilserv will build the pipeline and not Oando.

Okwuosa

Oilserv is a leading gas pipeline construction company that has transformed the the technology of laying of oil pipelines in the country. Chairman CEO of Oilserv Emeka Okwuosa in this interview with journalists in Lagos reveals how he employed Nigerian youths, transformed technology in pipeline construction. CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO was there for The Daily Times. joints a day. Manual welding can’t do more than six joints a day. That’s how we sped up.

The other technology is our Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology system. You may realize that in building pipelines, you cross rivers, creeks, and all kinds of barriers. If it is water, you will dredge it, drop the pipeline, and cover it up. But by doing that, you disturb the water system, damage the environment and you may muddle the water. If you don’t restate it very well, you create additional problem down the road which can be erosion of the the water bed.

We developed a system where we can drill from one bank to the other without touching the bed of the river.

In crossing roads, in the old day, we have

‘

to cut the road and imagine cutting an eight lane road. Today, we do cross-boring system by going from one end to the other without disturbing vehicular movement on the road.

These gave us advantage over others. We train students and graduates and we invest in human resources.

We won the AKK because it was through a bidding process and we came out best.

We are the only company in Nigeria today that can deliver such project, the rest can’t.

We are the first indigenous firm to graduate from being a construction firm to full EPC company. To be a full EPC company is expensive. It requires investment, it requires dedication.

If you look at AKK, you realized that we got the first section which is the most

It was only myself and one other employee and we slowly build it up. Now, we built it up by re-investing whatever money we make and acquiring latest technology.

,

Most projects of these nature are capital intensive, how do you intend to provide the fund for this project since NNPC won’t be providing fund?

Why won’t we be able to attract funding for it? That’s the whole essence of the bid. In the bidding process, you actually demonstrate how you can raise the finance, not only that you can do the job. We have already done 80 per cent of that. What we are waiting for is to close the deal with the NNPC. This is infrastructural development gas.

There are funds all over the world. You just have to have the right term sheet, the right way of providing security for it. If for example, a bank in America says they can give you a billion dollars, there is more money in the chasing projects. The problem is the risk, can you pay back and then are you trusted to deliver.

All these come together and that could have effect on the pricing. If your risk is too high, your pricing will be up. And if the pricing is too high, the project may not be economical and that’s how projects fail.

But in this case, it all balanced. Oilserv being an EPC company of repute has given us advantage because we don’t need to prove ourselves, the financiers know we can deliver. We have the capacity to deliver.

We have three financiers eager to give us fund but the biggest problem in this kind of project is guarantee by the federal government.

If the contract says when you build and you agree on 15 years, that they will continue to pay and we have confidence based on our discussion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who is our client. NNPC has a system in place with the support of the federal government to make sure that it works.

We are satisfied with the security they are providing and our banks are also satisfied with that. So the issue of funding is not a problem at all.

The way it works is that when the money is ready, it is domiciled in the JV account with the NNPC. Now comes the EPC, as you work, you are paid from that fund.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday June 26 , 2018

Politics

My experience as Clerk of Lagos Assembly, has prepared me for active politics –Abiru Otunba Ganiyu Olusagun Abiru, is the immediate past Clerk/Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State House of Assembly. A position he held after serving in several Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Lagos State government, some at the highest level.

Now retired, Abiru is seeking to contest the senatorial seat for Lagos East in the 2019 election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE, he speaks about his experience in service, his high and low points and why he wants to represent his people in the Senate.

Since you retired in 2016, almost two years now.

How have you been coping, having been a civil servant for a very long time?

Thank you very much, that’s a very good question. First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God almighty who has given me that strength and the opportunity to serve in Lagos State Public Service which offcourse is the most potent, most viral and most focused public service in Africa so to say, and I thank God also that I rose to the pinnacle of my career, to the extent that I became the Clerk to the most prestigious Lagos State House of Assembly. Well, I thank God that having retired in 2016, you know the salary of public servants are very meager. That is an area that we have been clamouring to government to look into with a view to increasing it, because it is not a living wage. It is an existing wage and we think that government should look into it with a view to seeing more of commitment on the part of public servants. But having said that well, I have been in the business of consultancy and also hospitality business and before then, I have been partnering with my wife in the management and production of sachet and bottle water and God has helped us to keep both ends meet. We have not gone beyond our bounds, we are cutting our coat according to our cloth and not according to our size. So I would say that I and Alhaja, God has been kind, God has been merciful.

You entered the public service as a very young man and left as an old man which means the most productive years of your life was spent there. So what unforgettable experience did you take from the public service?

Well, like you rightly said, I joined the service at the age of 27 and retired at the age of 60. Which means that one has put almost 33 years in the service and that long

Otunba Ganiyu Olusagun Abiru years of service, one would have seen a lot of things, experienced a lot of challenges, well I will say that yes public service is an interesting area to work, because you have the privilege of moving from one ministry to the other, gaining experience you know, preparing you for greater responsibilities in the future. In the course of your movement, you are likely to come across a lot of people with different exposure, different orientations and different backgrounds. And you would really know how to manage all of these people, but the experience that I cannot

forget in my life and let me also say that the ministry that most people hate to work, hate to be posted to is perhaps the ministry that I enjoy the most while in service, and that is the Civil

Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission should be a hub of public service. In those days, people felt that if you want to be punished, if the government wants to punish you, the best

“

My interactions with them also has exposed me to a lot of things and good enough the Lagos State House of Assembly like I said is a well focused and well structured organisation that place high premium on human capital development.

”

place that you can really get that punishment is to deploy you to civil service commission. And when I was deployed to the civil service commission, some of my friends came to me and ask Segun, who have you offended?

Why civil service commission?

I said what kind of a question is that, is civil service commission not part of government agencies and ministries? I worked there for almost four years and I can say with gratitude to God that that was where I had an experience that is enriching, that is everlasting, when I look in retrospect an experience that I would love to remember, because when I was there, I was once a director of recruitment and appeal also was a director of discipline. And these are areas where the lives and career of people in the service were being managed and that is why I say and I said it to the head of service then when I was there that the civil service commission should not be a dumping ground for those who know nothing about the norms and nuances the of the civil service. Civil Service Commission should be a place where the best of the civil service should be employed, because they are going to manage the career of public servants and they are going to formulate policies that will direct, influence and affect the career of public service and I will tell you for free that we are lucky to work with some commissioners who were forward looking then, and together we were able to redefine what the Civil Service Commission should be. And I can look back in retrospect and say that I found myself very lucky to have had the opportunity of working in the civil service commission. One other experience that I had was at the Pilgrims Board, when an error of judgement nearly cost me my job and I’ve always said it that if not for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu I wouldn’t have risen to the position of the Clerk, but because of his generosity, his sense of consideration and kindness. He really played the role of a big father, the role of a considerate governor and gave me another chance. If he had not given me another chance, I wouldn’t have risen to the position that I was and that is why forever in my house and my Continue on Page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

23 Politics

My experience as Clerk of Lagos Assembly, has prepared me for active politics Continued from page 11 very self, we will be grateful to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for that singular act.

And well, the experience in service prepares you for the future challenges, because the salaries are small and if you could manage your salary from level 8 to level 17 without running into debt, then if you have the opportunity of managing a large sum of money, it is something that you will readily and conveniently do. So I think my sojourn in the service has prepared me enormously for challenges ahead and with the quality and caliber of people in the service, you know people always have the wrong impression that public service is a dumping ground for nincompoops. I say no, because we have the best of brains in the public service and when you look at the public service in Lagos State I can tell you for free that aside from UNO if there is any other public service you want to talk about it is Lagos State because the mentorship, the counsellorship, the mentorship, the guardianship that is prevalent in the civil service helps us. I can say that I was also lucky to have worked under experienced permanent secretaries who later became heads of service and I will say that about three or four of them who later became heads of service. And I would say that the tutelage we had then helped us to really manage our lives.

Towards the end of your career in the civil service you were the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Invariably you were in the midst of politicians, the 41st honourable member so to say. How were you able to manage them, and to ensure that politicians did’t get you into trouble?

Well, thank you very much.

That question has always been asked that how were you able to survive among the so called lion’s so to say and then I would say that Lagos State again is very lucky to have the kind of honourable members that we have. I’m not saying this to patronise them. I’m saying this out of sense of responsibility and out of the fact that I have worked with them. When you look at the quality of members in Lagos State in terms of education and exposure you will agree with me that the Clerk or secretary who work with them can hardly have problems. First and foremost, the members are there for the interest of their constituents and to make laws and some other functions, so naturally everybody has different backgrounds, and these

are party members with different qualifications, with different family backgrounds, with different orientations and for you to be able to manage them, you have to come down to their level.

You have to be extremely patient, you have to be persevering, you have to be enduring, you have to be knowledgeable about your job, because sometimes they can stampede you into doing what is illegal, because they are in a hurry to achieve. Not that they want you to commit illegality, but because they are in a hurry to achieve, they want you to do certain things for them at the expense of bureaucracy or due process, but if you know your job and the manner in which you present the case to them, I think you will not have problems with them. I am lucky that to a reasonable extent we have cool headed members and with my experience like I told you that I have worked virtually in most of the ministries in the public service I have come across different characters that has prepared me for that position.

We are able to enjoy ourselves and I think my working or association with them has also improved my ability to manage people, to manage resources and to also appreciate different characters which of cause you come across in the course of your work. Yes one cannot say it has been rosy all the time.

Sometimes some of them can be funny in terms of wanting to impose their supremacy on you.

To assert themselves on you and in most cases all of these things are done rudely and you will have to be extremely patient in order to really manage them, but I can say it has been good and indeed my relationship with them had enabled me to understand politics as it were and coming now to play politics is not strange to me, because while you are working with them, you are playing politics.

The only difference is that you are not playing active politics.

Will you say your last experience in the service influenced your decision to go into full time politics and wanting to aspire for the senate?

Yes, very correct because, I saw how law was being made and I know all the intricacies around law. I know political intrigues and I know everything that you can talk about politics and if you are talking about Lagos politics, it begins from Lagos State House of Assembly. My interactions with them also has exposed me to a lot of things and good enough the Lagos State House of Assembly

like I said is a well focused and well structured organisation that place high premium on human capital development.

We have the opportunity of travelling outside of the country to exchange ideas with legislatures outside of this shore and in the course of our discussion we always realise that Lagos is always on top. So my coming into politics is not accidental. It is something that has been in me, but because we are civil servants there is no way you can play politics, but having gone out of the service and consequent to the demands of my people having seen my performances through the last Ikorodu day which perhaps was the best of the celebrations ever since they started 26 years ago, people were of the opinion that if I could within few months organise a festival in such a grandiose and unprecedented manner, I think this guy should be encouraged to go to the senate and initially I didn’t want to go for senate, because there was something that I was looking for, but my people said I should go for senate and here I am. I’ve been trying to consult and to see what I can do to realise this political ambition and with God on our side it is something that is doable. It is a role that I know I can play very well, because I have been a Clerk and the activities of legislature are not new to me. It is a familiar terrain.

I don’t need to start going to lessons or undergo training from anybody. It’s just going there and starts working right away.

Somebody is occupying that position right now and from the way things are going right now, it is obvious that he is interested in going back. How do you intends to ensure that you are victorious at the primaries?

There is no harm in anybody in the legislature wanting to go several times over, because the constitution allows for that. The legislature unlike the executive does not have any time bound.

The more you spend your years there, the more experience you are likely to have and I’m not saying that I’m better than the person that is there, but I know for sure that I can improve on what he has done. I’m a retired public servant and I am not an advocate of money politics.

I don’t even have money to spend, but I know that I want to offer myself for services to the improvement of Lagos State, to the improvement of Nigeria and also improvement of Lagos East senatorial district. It’s a game.

It’s like a football match. There

Otunba Ganiyu Olusagun Abiru shouldn’t be any enmity about it.

There shouldn’t be any acrimony about it. He has his reasons for wanting to go the third term and I cannot begrudge for that. He is exercising his constitutional rights and I am going for the first time and he also cannot begrudge me. The more the merrier. What matters most is for everyone of us who wants to partake in this election to really know what he wants to do and how the dividends of democracy can be translated to the people of the state and particularly the Lagos East senatorial district.

I wish him best of luck and I also want to know that he will also wish me best of luck. Whoever wins, it is in furtherance of our party APC and if at the end of the day the party leadership says it is him that will go, I have no choice but to give him my total support and assistance to ensure that our party wins the election. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t believe in politics of bitterness.

I don’t believe in politics of acrimony, and I don’t believe in politics that will be running the other person down. What I know is that what our people want is somebody that can alleviate their suffering, somebody that can eliminate their problems, somebody that can indeed do a lot of things that will make them achieve their purpose in life and these are areas that I think I know I can because the programs and whatever we want to do are there for us to do. It’s not that we are just going to sit down and start thinking of what to

do. What to do is there, some other people are contesting for the seat, the best I can wish everybody is the best of luck and I want to appeal to everyone that we shouldn’t rundown anybody. We shouldn’t embark on negative campaign, we should be discussing politics of issues, issues that will galvanise the politics of the state, issues that will bring the dividends of democracy to our people, that is where I stand for. Like I told my people, I am bringing about a dawn of new era of politicking, there shouldn’t be any rancour, there shouldn’t be anything. I just want to appeal to our people that we should demonetise politics. When we monetise politics, people will be scared to participate and that is the problem that we have.

People who have ideas, people who have something that can make changes they are there, but unfortunately because of the financial input that always goes into politics, into electioneering you will see the good people not coming into it and then it gives the bad people the opportunity to occupy the political scape. So we should begin that campaign that we should demonetise politics, we should not encourage that, it’s only the highest bidder that will have the shot. Let us look at the issues, let us look at the programs of that person and not his family background. Not because he is a money bag, not because he is influential or things like that.

But we must look at what will benefit the greatest number of our people.

Companies Registration 24 MARIA BREED BLESS ORPHANAGE HOME

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

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TRUSTEES 1. ALHAJI UMAR MALUMFASHI 2. MR ANIFOWOSE SANYA 3. ALHAJI CHIROMA AJA 4. DR. ASHAM MOHAMMED BENISHEIK 5. DR. FORTUNE FIBERESIMA 6. HON. ABDULLAHI MUSA 7. MR ALEXANDRA ILIYA MADU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. THE PROMOTION OF PEACE UNITY AND GOOD RELATIONS AMONG THE RESIDENTS/MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2. THE PROMOTION OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION , OTHER ASSOCIATIONS , GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND REGULATORY BODIES. 3. TO EQUIP, DEVELOP AND SUPPORT THE CAPACITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: UMAR SALEH ESQ

CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN FOUNDATION FOR PEACE

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TOGETHER AGAINST POVERTY INITIATIVE

TRUSTEES 1. HELEN MBAYAN BOIGONGO 2. HEMBAFAN MAGDALENE TERWASE 3. HAPPINESS IEMBER KANSHIO 4. FAITH ORNGUGA 5. NANCY UGASEH 7. EUNICE AKIGHIRGA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE ROLE OF UKUM WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND IN THE CULTIVATION OF ROOT, TUBERS AND CITRUS CROPS. 2. TO AID UKUM WOMEN TO ACCESS FARM IMPLEMENTS AND AGRICULTURAL INPUTS. 3. TO ENHANCE THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH INTERVENTIONS AND GOOD NUTRITION AMONG UKUM.WOMEN 4. TO ENHANCE THE PARTICIPATION OF UKUM WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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TRUSTEES 1. ALHAJI UMAR MALUMFASHI 2. MR ANIFOWOSE SANYA 3. ALHAJI CHIROMA AJA 4. DR. ASHAM MOHAMMED BENISHEIK 5. DR. FORTUNE FIBERESIMA 6. HON. ABDULLAHI MUSA 7. MR ALEXANDRA ILIYA MADU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. THE PROMOTION OF PEACE UNITY AND GOOD RELATIONS AMONG THE RESIDENTS/MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2. THE PROMOTION OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION , OTHER ASSOCIATIONS , GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND REGULATORY BODIES. 3. TO EQUIP, DEVELOP AND SUPPORT THE CAPACITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: UMAR SALEH ESQ

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TRUSTEES 1. HELEN MBAYAN BOIGONGO 2. HEMBAFAN MAGDALENE TERWASE 3. HAPPINESS IEMBER KANSHIO 4. FAITH ORNGUGA 5. NANCY UGASEH 7. EUNICE AKIGHIRGA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE ROLE OF UKUM WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND IN THE CULTIVATION OF ROOT, TUBERS AND CITRUS CROPS. 2. TO AID UKUM WOMEN TO ACCESS FARM IMPLEMENTS AND AGRICULTURAL INPUTS. 3. TO ENHANCE THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH INTERVENTIONS AND GOOD NUTRITION AMONG UKUM.WOMEN 4. TO ENHANCE THE PARTICIPATION OF UKUM WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PROF. ADEMOLA ADEKUNTE LADELE 2.MRS. ONYEMAOBI ANNE OBIAGELI 3. DR. OYERANTI OLUGBOYEGA ALABI 4. MRS. OCHU THERESA TALATU 5. DR. MUSLIM IDRIS 6. MRS. LADELE IJEOMA STEPHANIE 7. MR. JOSHUA TUNDE ABOJI AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FOSTER WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN MEDIATION OR NEGOTIATION DURING PEACE PROCESS 2. RAISE AWARENESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 3. MENTOR AND EMPOWER WOMEN, GIRLS AND YOUTH ON PEACE AND PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4. SUPPORT ADVOCACY FOR VULNERABLE REFUGES AND MIGRANTS, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MRS. LADELE IJEOMA STEPHANIE

OLD APO BOYS ASSOCIATION

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

TRUSTEES: 1. EZIEDO GOSPEL CHRISTIAN. - CHAIRMAN 2. ARIBA SIMILEOLUWA OLUWATOBI 3. OSUJI NDUBUISI ODINAKA, 4. ANEKE CLETUS ODINAKA. - SECRETARY 5. ONYEDIKACHI EKELEDO AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL INTERCOURSES BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT STUDENT OF THE COLLEGE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

NEW REVIVAL GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA, FOR APPOINTMENT,RETAINED AND REMOVED OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

OLD TRUSTEES 1. ADOBE ERNEST. ( PRESIDENT. ) - RETAINED 2. ADOBE FRANSICA NGOZI. (SECRETARY) - RETAINED NEW TRUSTEES 1 EZEH CHRISTIAN JAMES. - APPOINED 2. IGBOELI ABRAHAM EMENIKE - APPOINED 3. BLESSING OZIOMA CHUKWUEMELIE. - APPOINTED AIM AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THE CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA OF THE CAC WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

OHIORENUAN FOUNDATION

25 Companies Registration

MUHAMMED NUHU OYIBO I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AL HAKEEM NUHU MUHAMMED NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MUHAMMED NUHU OYIBO ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID UBA BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

TITILAYO ABRAHAM I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. YEWANDE EKUM, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. TITILAYO ABRAHAM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ABIODUN CHRISTIANA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AJAYI CHRISTIANA IDOWU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ABIODUN CHRISTIANA IDOWU DUE TO MARITAL STATUS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC/ AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

DAMILOLA OLUWASETEMI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DAMILOLA SETEMI TAI -ABUDU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DAMILOLA OLUWASETEMI OMIDIJI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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

TRUSTEES: 1. MR. OLALERE BABASOLA 2. OMOTOLA BABASOLA 3. MRS. MABEL BABASOLA 4. OLUFOLAJIMI BABASOLA 5. EMMANUELLA BABASOLA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: RENDERING HELP TO MOTHERLESS, ORPHANED , VULNERABLE , POOR AND STREET CHILDREN FROM AGES 6 MONTHS UPWARD

BY PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE SHELTER AND POSITIVE HOMELY ENVIRONMENT ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED WITH NEEDED PROTECTIVE AND SAFETY FACILITIES THAT WILL MAKE FOR COMFORT AND HAPPY LIVING ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MRS MABEL BABASOLA SECRETARY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

HIS EMINENCE JOHN CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN (CON) 2.

SIR B.L. OMOLUWA (KSS) 3.

DAME PAULINE TALLEN, (OFR) 4.

PROF. SANI ABUBAKAR LUGGA 5.

MOST REV. DANIEL CHUKWUDUMEBI OKOH 6.

PROF. DESIREE AMEZE GUOBADIA 7.

ALHAJI IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR JEGA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO MOBILIZE AND EQUIP LOCAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS AS ACTORS IN PEACE BUILDING. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR TONY UNACHUKWU

AYANWALE KUDIRAT

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AYANWALE AYANFUNKE KUDIRAT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS AYANWALE KUDIRAT FUNKE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE .

TITILAYO ABRAHAM

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. YEWANDE EKUM, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. TITILAYO ABRAHAM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ODERANTI ADENIKE

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNMISI ADENIKE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ODERANTI ADENIKE OGUNMISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

WE MEMBERS OF CECAN FORMALLY KNOW AS CERTIFICATED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA WHICH IS LOCATED AT 69, SOKENU ROAD OKE IJEUN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE. NOW WISHES TO BE KNOW AND ADDRESS AS CECAN : CORE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA OGUN CHAPTER. LOCATED AT 1, APENA OYESOLA STREET OKE IJEUN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC TAKE NOTICE

TABITHA-EL ELYON FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADEGOKE ADEMETO TAIWO - PRESIDENT 2. ADEGOKE OLADAPO ABIODUN – VICE-PRESIDENT 3.ASAMU OLUWOLE ADEGOKE - SECRETARY 4. ADENIJI ADEDAYO ADEYEMI - ACCOUNTANT 5. ODUNAYO LAWANI - WELFARE 6. OWOSENI ABIODUN JOSEPH - ADVISER AIM & OBJECTIVE TO CATER FOR LESS PRIVILEGED ONES IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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

TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR GODWIN CHIDERAH UWAEZUOKE-FOUNDER. 2. SISTER CHIKA OKEMIRI. - SECRETARY. 3. PASTOR MRS FAVOUR UWAEZUOKE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY DRIVERS & MECHANICS ASSOCIATION

TOGETHER AGAINST POVERTY INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES: 1. AIDELOJIE LEONARD OHIORENUAN .

2. MARIA GOMES FERREIRA AIDELOJIE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, P.M.B. 198.GARKI, ABUJA .WITHIN 28DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ARIFAYAN ALBERT GBENGA - CHAIRMAN. 2. AKINTUNDE OLUBAYO EMMANUEL. 3. FALOYE OLADELE GABREL - SECRETARY. 4. FABEKU ANTHONY OLALEKAN. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: A. TO MAINTAIN JUSTICE, LOVE, CARE AND PROPER UNDERSTANDING WITHIN DRIVERS AND MECHANICS. B. TO PROTECT THE IMAGE, INTEGRITY AND INTEREST OF THE ASSOCIATION. C. TO SETTLE DISPUTES BETWEEN MEMBERS, AND BETWEEN MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENTAL HEADS D. TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY IN OUR WORK PLACE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, P.M.B. 198.GARKI, ABUJA .WITHIN 28DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MICHAEL AKINWALE, ESQ.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OGEDENGBE OLAKUNLE - CHAIRMAN. 2. OBEMBE OLUWASEUN OMOWUMI - SECRETARY. 3. OGEDENGBE YEJISOLA OLUBUSOLA. 4. OBEMBE TUNBOSUN TIMOTHY. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE PLATFORMS THROUGH WHICH INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE LIBERATED FROM POVERTY 2. TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS WITH FINANCIAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES. 3. TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF MEMBERS. 4. TO ENCOURAGE UNITY AND COOPERATION AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, P.M.B. 198.GARKI, ABUJA .WITHIN 28DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MICHAEL AKINWALE, ESQ.

DIVINE COUNSELING AND FREE READING CENTRE

GREEN ACHIEVERS UNITED SKILLS FOUNDATION

PROGRESSIVE VICTORIAN UNIQUE CLUB OF NIGERIA

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. (MRS.) MARGARET MODUPE SASEYI 2. EVANGELIST JOHN OLUWOLE SASEYI 3. DR.(MRS) SERAH OLUWAWEMIMO HALLY 4. MR. FAITH HALLY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO TEACH AND PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO PROVIDE FREE READING LIBRARY INVOLVING CHRISTIAN BOOKS, TAPES MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS. 3. TO COUNSEL JOBLESS CHRISTIAN MEN AND WOMEN AND RENDERING HELP TO THEM 4. TO RENDER SPIRITUAL COUNSELING SERVICES IN AREA OF MARITAL CHALLENGES,GOOD PARENTING AND SINGLE ISSUES 5. TO PROVIDE FREE SERVICES IN ALL CASES ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKEKUNLE AKINTUNDE 2. ARISHE OLATUNDE SAMUEL 3. OKEKUNLE KOFOWOROLA 4. ADEKUNJO IDOWU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO EMPOWER THE UNEMPLOYED THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMMS 2. TO ADD ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL VALUE TO RURAL COMMUNITIES 3. TO PARTNER AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS TO TRAIN PEOPLE ON DIFFRENT AGRICULTURAL SKILLS 4. TO OFFER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES TO CITIZENS AND GIVD FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO DIFFRENT LEVEL OF FARMERS 5. TO JOIN OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE MOVEMENT FOR NATION BUILDING. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR YINUSA BOLAJI MURITALA 2. MR HASSAN SALIU OMOBOLAJI 3. ENGR. AYOOLA ADEOLA PETER 4. ENGR. ADEDIRAN SALAKO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PRESIDENT

Companies Registration 26 iWosan yin yanG healinG foundaTion

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

God’s melodious musicians associaTion of niGeria

medecine de rue foundaTion

The General Public is hereby informed ThaT The above named foundaTion has aPPlied To The corPoraTe affairs commission for reGisTraTion under ParT “c” of The comPanies and allied maTTers acT 1990.

The TrusTees are:(1) adeTunJi Tiamiyu adenrele -chairman (2) folaranmi-alade TeJumade shaKira - secreTary (3) shiTTa-bey olushola (4) adebanJoh omolara WaKilaT (5) odebo michael abiodun The aims and obJecTives are:(1) TaKinG care of Physically challenGed PeoPle and less PrivileGed in The socieTy (2) helP needy in The socieTy so as To become somebody in life in order To conTribuTe To naTion’s buildinG. any obJecTion To This reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrarGeneral corPoraTe affairs commission(cac)PloT 420 TiGris crescenT off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT, maiTama, abuJa WiThin 28 days of This PublicaTion.

The General Public is hereby noTified ThaT The above named orGaniZaTion has aPPlied To The corPoraTe affairs commission, abuJa, for reGisTraTion under ParT c of The comPanies and allied maTTers acT, 1990.

The TrusTees are:1. chrisTian sainT urdu (chairman) 2. michael iKechuKWu osemene (secreTary) 3. TochuKWu david ndulue 4. uchechuKWu TimoThy iroha 5. JosePh chuKWumuanya osilonya The aims and obJecTives of The orGaniZaTion are as folloWs:1. To evanGeliZe ThrouGh GosPel music 2. To uniTe members of The associaTion any obJecTion To The said reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar - General corPoraTe affairs commission, maiTama, abuJa WiThin 28 days of This PublicaTion.

siGned by: secreTary

siGned by: secreTary

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 comPany and allied maTTers acT of 1990 TrusTees.

(1)oWoaJe eme Theodara (2)olude maTTheW ayoKunle (3)aJayi hannah olubunmi (4)boluJoKo olufunmilayo oluTayo (5)soGunro bolanle olufunbi. (6) adeyemi adeTola (7) afolabi samson duroJaiye. (8) afolabi ifedayo isaac aim and obJecTives.

To Provide in conJuncTion WiTh ParTners and volunTeers,holisTic and mulTidisciPlinary free qualiTy basic,healThcare service for The homeless ny obJecTions To The reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar General corPoraTe affairs commission PloT 420 TiGris crescenT off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT maiTama abuJa WiThin 28days of This PublicaTion siGn: secreTary

advocacy for everGreen emPoWermenT (aee)

aKu ProGressive youThs associaTion enuGu

Global hePhZibah foundaTion for develoPmenT

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 comPany and allied maTTers acT of 1990 The TrusTees are: 1. mr. oluGbenGa ayo olumoyeGun, fca- chairman 2. mr. adeWumi Temidire olumoyeGun- secreTary 3. Prince adeToye emmanuel aladedunye- member aim and obJecTives.

1. To conTribuTe effecTively To The GroWTh of niGeria’s economy ThrouGh value-chain aPProach To aGriculTural develoPmenT. 2. To helP in imProvinG The qualiTy of life for rural farmers 3. To oversee The acTiviTies of The farmers and Provide informaTion & assisTance for effecTive culTivaTion & ProcessinG 4. To be involved in issues of Gender, youTh emPoWermenT, Women emPoWermenT and all rural develoPmenTal focused advocacy ProGrams. any obJecTions To The reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar General corPoraTe affairs commission PloT 420 TiGris crescenT off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT maiTama abuJa WiThin 28days of This PublicaTion siGn: secreTary

This is To inform The General Public ThaT The above named associaTion has aPPlied To The corPoraTe affairs commission abuJa for reGisTraTion under ParT “c” of The comPanies and allied maTTers acT of 1990.

The TrusTees are: 1. mr. nnadi chiGbo -chairman 2. mr. oKechuKWu oGbodo -secreTary 3. mr. amadi chinWeiKPe -member 4. mr. duGWu chima -member 5. mr. eZiKe vicTor -member aims & obJecTives 1. PromoTion of Peace and love amonGsT The members To reflecT The Good name of aKu dieWa communiTy as The sTronGesT eGaliTarian socieTy, easT of The niGer. 2. To challenGe The WeaK sPiriT of laZiness amonG The youThs ParTicularly The younG school leaves in aKu 3. To sTand as Pace-seTers amonG aKu youThs and oTher communiTies in iGbo naTion across The oTher sTaTes of niGeria 4. To PromoTe The sPiriT of hard WorK as The only virTue ThaT yields success in life 5. GivinG arms To The Poor and needy in The securiTy. any obJecTion To The reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar General, corPoraTe affairs commission, PloT 420 TiGris crescenT, off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT maiTama, abuJa WiThin 28 days from daTe of This PublicaTion. siGned: oKechuKWu oGbodo secreTary

Kalabari laWyers forum

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 comPany and allied maTTers acT of 1990 .

The TrusTees are : 1) faye diKio san- chairman 2) amonia amaso- secreTary 3) chief alu lonGJohn 4)chief oTonye Tom amachree 5)chief TalboT denven obaye-eKine aims and obJecTives; 1. To fosTer uniTy and ProGress amonG Kalabari laWyers 2. To esTablishmenT of schemes for The advancemenT of members in The leGal Professions any obJecTions To The reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar General corPoraTe affairs commission PloT 420 TiGris crescenT off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT maiTama abuJa WiThin 28days of This PublicaTion. siGned : vicTor amachree esq.

This is To inform The General Public ThaT The above orGaniZaTion has aPPlied To The corPoraTe affairs commission (cac) for reGisTraTion under ParT “c” of The comPanies and allied maTTers acT 1990 The TrusTees are: 1. evanGelisT emmanuel nnana –Kalu 2. rev. ivan eKonG 3. PasTor PhiliP omoTosho 4. sisTer chidinma chuKWu 5. rev. JusTine eZeuGo 6. rev. eJibe eme 7. rev. dr. Kalu-ofon emmanuel aims and obJecTives 1. To PromoTe research, educaTional, scienTific, indusTrial, TechnoloGical and social develoPmenT. 2. To PromoTe World Trade and indusTrial co-oPeraTion and collaboraTions 3. To PromoTe WorldWide reliGious freedom, Tolerance and accomodaTion 4. To PromoTe and sPonsor The TraininG of chrisTian evanGelisTs, PasTors and oTher classes of reliGious leaders any obJecTion To The reGisTraTion should be forWarded To The reGisTrar-General, corPoraTe affairs commission, PloT 420 TiGris crescenT off aGuiyi ironsi sTreeT, maiTama, abuJa WiThin 28 days of This PublicaTion. siGned: dr. franK aZuoma m/s anThioch GrouP 08036674986

onyiriuKa blessinG

mrs. udeh blessinG

bolaTiTo samoTa

i formerly KnoWn as abimbola risqaT moJisola noW Wish To be KnoWn as sufian risqaT moJisola. all former documenTs remain valid.General Public TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as alaKWe blessinG and odoemenam blessinG noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as onyiriuKa blessinG. all former documenTs remain valid. banKs and The General Public Please TaKe noTe

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss blessinG chiWeTa uGenWe noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs. udeh blessinG chiWeTa. all former documenTs remain valid. banKs and The General Public Please TaKe noTe

formerly KnoWn and addressed as bola folarin noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as bolaTiTo samoTa aina-Tolofari. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public TaKe noTe.

michael anayo

ilo chrisTian

onyema-domiKe chuKWuKa

feliX damilola

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as michael aGbionu noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as michael anayo obioha. all former documenTs remain valid. banKs and The General Public Please TaKe noTe

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as onyema ilo noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as ilo chrisTian. all former documenTs remain valid. banKs and The General Public Please TaKe noTe

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as onWuaGba chuKWuKa anThony noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as onyema-domiKe chuKWuKa anThony. all former documenTs remain valid. sT. Paul’s inTernaTional and The General Public Please TaKe noTe

formerly KnoWn and addressed as feliX damilola solomon noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as feliX damilola GodWin. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public TaKe noTe.

sufian risqaT

mrs olumide Grace

mrs adeGbenro oluWaToyin

mrs ayoola buKola

aTobaTele marvellous

uGWu oluchi

salami rofiaT

formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss adeleye Grace adebisi noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs olumide Grace adebisi. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public TaKe noTe.

formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss adesina oluWaToyin oluWaKemi noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs adeGbenro oluWaToyin oluWaKemi. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public TaKe noTe

formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss adeboye buKola esTher noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs ayoola buKola esTher. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public and auThoriTy concerned TaKe noTe.

i, formerly KnoWn as aTobaTele marvellous oluWole, noW Wish To be KnoWn as aTobaTele marvellous Wole. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as onyenuforo oluchi faiTh, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as uGWu oluchi faiTh Precious. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public Please TaKe noTe.

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as Ganiyu rofiaT moTunrayo, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as salami rofiaT moTunrayo. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public Please TaKe noTe

roseTTa roberT

mrs JosePh oluyemi

PeTer naThan

Jerome riTa

olaleye salimoT

mrs oyeWo-adeyemi mary

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as roseTTa KoKo nyonG bassey, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as roseTTa roberT nKansi. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public Please TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss adio, oluyemi olaTuTu, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs JosePh oluyemi olaTuTu. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public Please TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as PeTer naThan, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as PeTer naThan hamma. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public Please TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as iKeKhuame riTa Goreh, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as Jerome riTa Goreh. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public Please TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as salaudeen salimoT anu, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as olaleye salimoT anu. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public Please TaKe noTe

i, formerly KnoWn and addressed as miss adeyemi mary KudiraT, noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as mrs oyeWo-adeyemi mary KudiraT. all former documenTs remain valid. General Public TaKe noTe

adeniyi sunday

omoiKe-iTePu edes

laWson marGreT

faWenu maryam

Jimoh KafayaT

JoKolaye oluWanishola

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as adeniyi sunday neWoJuaye noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as adeniyi sunday osunma . all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as iTePu riTa edes noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as omoiKe-iTePu edes riTa. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as Godson marGreT aduKe noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as laWson marGreT aduKe . all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as hassan maryam aJoKe noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as faWenu maryam aJoKe. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as Jimoh olaWunmi ameedaT noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as Jimoh KafayaT omolola. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as oluWani JoKolaye shola noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as JoKolaye oluWanishola idoWu. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

aWoTorebo daisy-sharon

James vicToria

obioneme emmanuel

Jaiyeola KuburaT

uloeme sabina

JonaThan omoniGho JePhThah

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as oKonJi daisy-sharon obiaGeli noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as aWoTorebo daisysharon obiaGeli. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as oGbeche vicToria noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as James vicToria. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as obineme sunday emmanuel noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as obioneme emmanuel oluchi. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as adeleKe KuburaT noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as Jaiyeola KuburaT. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

i formerly KnoWn and addressed as uloeme sabina GifT noW Wish To be KnoWn and addressed as uloeme sabina nJideKa. i Was born on 01/10/1990 noT 01/10/1989. all former documenTs remain valid.

General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

in some of my documenTs (banK documenTs) my name Was WronGly WriTTen as JonaThan omoniGho insTead of JonaThan omoniGho JePhThah . i Was born on 22/06/1990. all former documenTs remain valid, General Public To Please TaKe noTe.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

27 Companies Registration

correctIon of date of bIrth

mrs ayodeJI mary

Irek francIs

olatunJI afolabI

olabode abosede

sule JemIletu

on my old InternatIonal passport no ao4069717 my date of bIrth was wronGly wrItten as 05/01/1983 Instead of 05/01/1987 as stated on my new InternatIonal passport no ao8961050.

I was born on 05/01/1987. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as kolawole mary moJIsola now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs ayodeJI mary moJIsola. all former documents remaIn valId, General publIc to please take note.

I wIsh to add okpechI to my name. I now wIsh to be known and addressed as Irek francIs okpechI. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note

I formerly known and addressed as afolabI olawande now wIsh to be known and addressed as olatunJI afolabI olawande. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as adekanmI abosede roselIne, now wIsh to be known and addressed as olabode abosede roselIne.‎ all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as suleIman JemIla adamu, now wIsh to be known and addressed as sule JemIletu. date of bIrth 21 october 1994. all former document remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note

mrs chIoma ekwuIbe

okolIe anthony

mrs ude chIGoZIe

mrs onyeka chInenye

nnaemeka amarachukwu

onIah francIsca

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss chIoma mGbore obasI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs chIoma ekwuIbe. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as okechukwu anthony chetachukwu, now wIsh to be known and addressed as okolIe anthony chetachI. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss eGbonta chIGoZIe vIvIen, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs ude chIGoZIe vIvIen. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss ubah chInenye precIous, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs onyeka chInenye precIous. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as odoeZe amarachukwu felIcIa, odo amarachukwu florebel and olIsa amarachukwu florebel now wIsh to be known and addressed as nnaemeka amarachukwu florebel. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as obosI dorothy nneka, now wIsh to be known and addressed as onIah francIsca aGaeGbu. all former documents remaIn valId. keystone bank and General publIc should please take note.

aneke doZIem

evuka aZubuIke

mrs aZIh nGoZI

eZe eunIce

eZe chIdubem

mrs oGenyI paschalIne

I, formerly known and addressed as aneke charles chIedoZIe, now wIsh to be known and addressed as aneke doZIem charly. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as evuka aZubuIke emmanuel, now wIsh to be known and addressed as evuka aZubuIke eleaZer. my correct date of bIrth Is 04/05/1974. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss anya nGoZI aGnes, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs aZIh nGoZI aGnes. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as eZe edIth ndIdIamaka, now wIsh to be known and addressed as eZe eunIce ndIdIamaka. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as eZe chIdubem chrIs, now wIsh to be known and addressed as eZe chIdubem chukwuemeka. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as anInwauGwu paschalIne chIsom, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs oGenyI paschalIne chIsom. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

mIss okafor ndIdIamaka

mrs orGa anGela

Jeffrey IfeanyI

okeke uGochukwu

udochukwu eZe

okoye olIsaemeka

I, formerly known and addressed as mrs chInwo ndIdIamaka chInonso, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mIss okafor ndIdIamaka chInonso. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss nnamanI anGela onyeka, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs orGa anGela onyeka. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IfeanyI okoroafor, now wIsh to be known and addressed as Jeffrey IfeanyI okoronkwo. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as uGo sam comme, now wIsh to be known and addressed as okeke uGochukwu samuel. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as udochukwu eZe, now wIsh to be known and addressed as udochukwu eZe akudo. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as okoye olIsakwe benJamIn, now wIsh to be known and addressed as okoye olIsaemeka benJamIn. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

anIokolIe GlorIa

mrs anI JustIna

andrew mayamInI

arInZe auGustIne

mrs eZechI blessInG

chukwuechem osIta

I, formerly known and addressed as chukwuorJI oladele GlorIa, now wIsh to be known and addressed as anIokolIe GlorIa chInaenyenwa. all former documents remaIn valId. stvsmb, banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss olInya JustIna nkechI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs anI JustIna nkechI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as andrew maya, now wIsh to be known and addressed as andrew mayamInI. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as chukwu auGustIne, now wIsh to be known and addressed as arInZe auGustIne chIGoZIe. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as mIss akpovoka blessInG oGechukwu, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mrs eZechI blessInG oGechukwu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as John James osIbru, now wIsh to be known and addressed as chukwuechem osIta James. my correct date of bIrth 28th september, 1982. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

arechImere elochukwu

audu emmanuel

shoaGa oluwafunmIlayo

oluwaseun oluwafIkunayomI

members of chukwuka famIly

akInwunmI akInsola

thIs Is to Inform the General publIc that the name chIdIebere ndIokwelu was wronGly wrItten as my bank verIfIcatIon name durInG the creatIon of my bank verIfIcatIon number (bvn). my full and correct names arechImere elochukwu ndIokwelu. all former documents remaIn valId. banks and General publIc should please take note.

formerly known and address as sunday salIfu now known as audu emmanuel sunday, General publIc and all banks should take note to correct bvn (bank verIfIcatIon number)

formerly kolawole m o G b o J u b o l a funmIlayo. now shoaGa oluwafunmIlayo bola. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

l formerly known and addressed as shakIrudeen oluwaseun yusuf now wIshes to be known and addressed as oluwaseun oluwafIkunayomI mathew aremu baloGun all former documents remaIn valId General publIc should please take note

we, formerly known as members of onwuka famIly now wIsh to be known and addressed as members of chukwuka famIly. all former documents remaIn valId. the General publIc please take note. sIGned: Jude chukwuka, for the famIly.

formerly oGunmeru oladIpo akInwunmI. now akInwunmI akInsola former oladIpo. documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

akIndele Gbolade

adekoGbe bukky

asoGwa fIdelIa

aGbabIaka marIam

panshak haruna

ohuo yetunde

formerly adekoGbe bukky fatImot now adekoGbe bukky raJI. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

formerly omeh fIdelIa tochukwu now asoGwa fIdelIa tochukwu. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

formerly fasasI maryam adewunmI. now aGbabIaka marIam adewunmI. former documents remaIns valId. General publIc should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as bulus John , now wIsh to be known and addressed as panshak haruna. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ohuo yetunde adewunmI now wIsh to be known and addressed as ohuo yetunde abIona. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note

formerly: akIndele omonIyI mathew now akIndele Gbolade samson, correct date of bIrth: 4th september, 1995.

General publIc should take note. obadare matthew

alao fowora

oJIkutu faoZIah

awanGa rosemary

olaseInde erebI

ossaI anIta

formerly known and addressed as obadare mattew, now wIsh to be known and addressed as obadare matthew ayodele. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as alao esther olabIsI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as alao fowora esther olabIsI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as adetunJI faoZIah afolake olubukola, now wIsh to be known and addressed as oJIkutu faoZIah afolake olubukola. all former documents remaIn valId. oGun state local Government servIce commIssIon and the General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as akpan rosemary eno, now wIsh to be known and addressed as awanGa rosemary eno. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as eferu erebI dIanah, now wIsh to be known and addressed as olaseInde erebI dIanah. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as usama trustlynn, now wIsh to be known and addressed as ossaI anIta. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

olokor blessInG

mohammed IsmaIla

akInleye olamIlekan

onu onyebuchI

ZaInab aderonke

omotosho GbemIsola

formerly known and addressed as Irekponor blessInG yemIsI, now wIsh to be known and addressed as olokor blessInG yemIsI. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as mamman IsmaIla, now wIsh to be known and addressed as mohammed IsmaIla. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

thIs Is to Inform the General publIc that my name was wronGly wrItten on as akInyele olamIlekan tosIn Instead of akInleye olamIlekan tosIn. that my correct name Is akInleye olamIlekan tosIn. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note

formerly known and addressed as eZe Ikenna GodwIn, now wIsh to be known and addressed as onu onyebuchI James. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as prIncess ZaInab aderonke IbrahIm, now wIsh to be known and addressed as ZaInab aderonke IbrahIm-oGunfayo. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as omotosho oluwaGbemIsola enItan, now wIsh to be known and addressed as omotosho GbemIsola oluwaseun. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

anyanwu GenesIs

deborah eJIroh

eZenta asuZu

IleaJe oluwatosIn

GanIyu tawa

prIncess Gladys adeyInka

formerly known and addressed as eZekIel GenesIs, now wIsh to be known and addressed as anyanwu GenesIs chInedu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as deborah faIth akpotaIre, now wIsh to be known and addressed as deborah eJIroh akpotaIre. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

thIs Is to confIrm and certIfy that asuZu Jane Ifeoma Is the same person as eZenta Jane Ifeoma. henceforth, I wIsh to be known and addressed as eZenta asuZu Jane Ifeoma. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as IleaJe oluwatosIn ebeneZer, now wIsh to be known and addressed as IleaJe oluwatosIn olanrewaJu. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as GanIu tawa adenIke, now wIsh to be known and addressed as GanIyu tawa. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

formerly known and addressed as prIncess Gladys adeyInka oduyela, now wIsh to be known and addressed as prIncess Gladys adeyInka aJIbola dIXon. all former documents remaIn valId. General publIc take note.

Change of Names 28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

2019: PDP presidential aspirants will close ranks to sack APC, says Turaki Tunde Opalana, Abuja A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has called on others contesting the party’ presidential ticket not to loose focus of working conscientiously toward unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.

He said all aspirants should be conscious of the fact that the contest is not about individual but for PDP to regain its lost glory and to revamp the country from the brink of collapse as a result of maladministration of the APC -led government.

The party, he said, has the enormous responsibility of delivering Nigeria from imminent total collapse.

He said, this is the more reason why the PDP presidential aspirants need to work together with whoever that win the party’s ticket in a fairly contested primary for the sole aim of getting rid of the present administration.

Speaking with journalists after an interface with members of the forum of the PDP former states assemblies principal officers at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on Monday, Turaki said the party had all it takes to “regain power and put Nigeria back on the path of prosperity, peace and unity”.

The former minister said

MONDAY BABA

I, MATHEW MONDAY BABA WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN AND ARRANGED AS BABA MONDAY ON MY BVN INSTEAD OF MATHEW MONDAY BABA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, AUTHORITIES CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

the nation has found itself in an unfortunate situation of economic decay, insecurity, sectionalism and political victimisation which are hallmarks of the Buhari administration.

According to him, “the party has men and women of integrity, who are knowledgeable about the nation’s politics, those are bridge builders. They are experienced, they have done it before and are ready to do it again” The PDP, he admitted, has done mistakes in the past, have learnt from its mistakes and is ready to correct those mistakes.

He was happy that within just three years, Nigerians have condemned the APC, “a platform that is driving the nation into poverty, penury, division along ethnic and religious line and grave instability occasioned by incessant killings on daily basis” The chairman of the forum of former PDP principal officers, Hon Inuwa Garuba, who was a former speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly called on all PDP aspirants to pose a common front and avoid divisive tendencies.

He urged them not to see the contest for the party’s presidential ticket as a do-ordie affair. He said they should accept the fact that “power belongs to God”.

Convinced that the party will wrest power from the APC in 2019, he said, the forum is meeting with the party’s presidential hopefuls as part of consensus building to ensure that the PDP come out of its presidential primaries unscathed.

He described the ruling APC as “full of confusion; there is confusion in the polity, there are myriad of socio-economic problems, the country is in disarray, everybody is worried and the government has no answer to all these.

“So, our party, the PDP has come as a rebranded and focused party to correct the wrongs and we know that Nigerians are going to give us another chance.

The group had earlier met with the national working committee of the party at PDP secretariat where the national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, allayed the fear of imposition not only for the presidential ticket contest but every other positions.

Secondus reiterated that the national leadership under his watch will provide level play ground for every aspirants.

He said, “PDP has been rebranded and we are repositioned as we walk along.

And by the grace of God, we will regain the lost ground including the presidency that we lost in 2015.

“Nigerians can see better.

Nigerians can now compare the newly rebranded PDP and the APC. No amount of lies, deceit, propaganda will change the mindset of Nigerians.

“NIgeria voted for the APC to allow them rule, but since they took over there have been one calamity before another. The unemployment rate is on unimaginable level, the worst in the history of our country and what are they talking about ?

Secondus also berated the current government as a threat to national unity. He

JImoh salamoT

adIGun olabIsI

adeyemI TemIlade

Formerly known and addressed as damIlola omolola and aromIre salamoT damIlola, now wIsh To be known and addressed as JImoh salamoT damIlola. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

Formerly known and addressed as mIss oGunsekan olabIsI TaoFFkaT, now wIsh To be known and addressed as adIGun olabIsI TaoFeekaT. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

Formerly known and addressed as ademuJImI TemIlade arInola, now wIsh To be known and addressed as adeyemI TemIlade arInola. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

said the APC government has continuously threatened democracy fought for by the nation’s forefathers and defended by the PDP and on

which platform the APC based its administration.

Welcoming the forum, Secondus said, “the boldness that you have taking to come

to the Secretariat shows clearly that the PDP is back and we are working hard with ordinary Nigerians to rescue this nation”.

Ex Govs Tapgun, Jang condemn killings in Plateau, urges caution, restraint Former Governor of Plateau State, Ambassador, Fidelis Tapgun, has expressed surprise at the number of deaths and level of carnage in the recent killing of innocent citizens by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement he personally signed, Tapgun described the recurring killing in Plateau state as unacceptable, especially as some semblance of peace has been restored in the state.

“I appreciate the efforts of the present administration to maintain the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state as well as the efforts of the Special Task Force or Operation Safe Haven, in keeping and restoring the peace on the Plateau.

“I urge all residents of the state to eschew violence and allow peace to reign. I also urge them to learn to live in peace, love and harmony and this is only the panacea to peace.

“I commiserate with the government and people of Plateau state, especially the families of those who lost their lives,” he said.

Similarly, another former governor and Senator Representing Plateau North Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, Jonah David Jang, has also condemned the attack

describing it as barbaric and called on security agencies to fish out those behind the heinous act.

In a statement signed by his Media Aid, Mr. Clinton Garuba, and made available to our correspondent, Jang said, “the barbaric killing of over 200 people in Gashish District, Razat, Ruku Nyarr, and GanaRopp in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State by Fulani herdsmen, are fast becoming a coordinated attempt at genocide aimed at annihilating our people and stealing our God-given heritage.

“As one who is particular about the welfare and wellbeing of the people, the Senator’s heart is with the families of all those who have been deliberately and mercilessly separated from their loved ones for eternity.

“At a time the Government of Plateau State is boasting of creating an island of peace, it is a wonder where that island is located: surely, our towns and villages around the State where people are attacked and killed in their sleep, on their farms, and on rural roads almost on daily basis are not part of that island.

On the role of the Armed Forces, Senator Jonah Jang observes that “their mode of operation and response to the attacks on Plateau State

is worrisome and capable of causing massive apathy and loss of confidence on the part of citizens.

“They continue to attract controversies and accusations of complicity as clearly noted by notable statesmen like General T.Y Danjuma (Rtd.),” he said.

To address the threat herdsmen now pose to the very existence of Plateau State, the Senator is of the opinion that Governor Simon Lalong must display uncommon will to stand with Plateau people for the fortification of the State from external aggression and attacks.

Jang said that Lalong must stop playing politics with the security situation in the State, as there is no gain in proclaiming peace that only exists in dreamland while people are being killed on the Plateau.

“Accordingly, Governor Simon Lalong should also consider reviving Operation Rainbow by funding and equipping it for intelligence gathering and swift response to incessant attacks in the State,” the statement reads.

More than 86 people were killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed when some herdsmen allegedly invaded 11 villages in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South South Local Government Area of the state.

free space

free space

free space

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ayorInde mercy

ola dada

olusanya emmanuel

mrs anITa elo

orJI obInna

orJI obInna

I Formerly known and addressed as GodswIll mercy couraGe now wIsh To be known called and addressed as ayorInde mercy couraGe. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

I Formerly known and addressed as moses kehInde adewunmI now wIsh To be known called and addressed as ola dada kehInde. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

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I, Formerly known and addressed as mIss anITa elo IGene now wIsh To be known and addressed as mrs anITa elo aGeh. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

I Formerly known and addressed as chukwuma IFeanyI sTanley now wIsh To be known called and addressed as orJI obInna auGusTIne. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

I Formerly known and addressed as chukwuma IFeanyI sTanley now wIsh To be known called and addressed as orJI obInna auGusTIne. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

oderInde Glory

mIssInG oF mIddle name/ correcT daTe oF bIrTh

adekoya GanIyu

musa-abdullahI IdayaT

anayochukwu auGusTIne

mrs. anIFowoshe sukuraT

Formerly known and addressed as salamI IdayaT ronke, now wIsh To be known and addressed as musaabdullahI IdayaT ronke. all Former documenTs remaIn valId. General publIc Take noTe.

I Formerly known and addressed as anayo okeke now wIsh To be known and addressed as anayochukwu auGusTIne okeke. all Former documenTs remaIn valId, General publIc kIndly Take noTe.

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ThaT I olaleye ayomIde kolade my name was Formerly wrITTen as ayomIde olaleye. now wIsh To be known and addressed as olaleye ayomIde kolade wronG daTe oF bIrTh; 15Th /11/ 1998. correcT daTe oF bIrTh; 15Th /11/1994. all Former documenTs remaIn valId, General publIc kIndly Take noTe.

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eZeamalu emIlIa

eGbo chrIsTIana

maduka Theresa

danJuma olabIsI

muhammed sulaIman

Idowu- wIllIams elIZabeTh

I Formerly known and addressed as adIsa Theresa may now wIsh

I Formerly known and addressed as onasanya olabIsI marGareT

I Formerly known and addressed as sheu sulaIman muhammed

I Formerly known and addressed as Idowu-aloZIe elIZabeTh

I Formerly known and addressed as asoGwa emIlIa chIdIebere

I Formerly known and addressed as onuIGbo chrIsTIana onyIn

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

29

Foreign Affairs Zimbabwe explosion sullies hopes for an election free of tension

Erdogan victory ushers in new presidential era Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking on extensive new executive powers following his outright election victory in Sunday’s poll.

Parliament has been weakened and the post of prime minister abolished, as measures approved in a controversial referendum last year take effect.

Defeated opposition candidate Muharrem Ince said Turkey was now entering a dangerous period

of “one-man rule”.

Mr Erdogan polled nearly 53% in the most fiercely fought election in years.

Mr Ince received just 31%, despite a lively campaign attracting huge crowds.

Mr Erdogan, 64, has presided over a strong economy and built up a solid support base. But he has also polarised opinion, cracking down on opponents and putting some 160,000 people in jail.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Catholic Church suspends priest for rapping during mass A Catholic priest in Kenya has been suspended from leading public mass for a year because he rapped during sermons, his superior has told the BBC. Father Paul Ogallo, who was nicknamed “Sweet Paul”, had to “choose between being a rapper and a priest”.

The sacred and the secular could not mix, added Bishop

Philip Anyolo, of the Homa Bay Diocese in western Kenya.

But the bishop insisted Father Ogallo could use rap and drama to preach to young people - just not from the altar.

After mass, Father Ogallo would change from his priest’s robes into his rapper’s outfit of T-shirt and bandana.

Explaining his alter ego, he told the BBC last month: “Young

people call me ‘Sweet Paul’ because I rap sweet”.

He said he adopted his unconventional style because he wanted young people to be entertained safely at the church, instead of at unsafe venues.

An incident in 2004 when three young people were trampled to death at a music event in Nairobi was the trigger, he added.

The priest, who was suspended

last month, now has a year to think about the seriousness of life as a clergyman, Bishop Anyolo said.

His suspension means he cannot be the main priest during public mass or administer Holy Communion, but is allowed to lead private mass.

Father Ogallo has not commented on his suspension.

Source: BBC

Prince William visits ancient city in Jordan

Prince William

The Duke of Cambridge has spent the day in Jordan as he continued his royal trip to the Middle East.

Prince William visited a Roman archaeological site where he met young people helped by a charity refugee programme.

His wife, Catherine, visited the ancient ruins during the 1980s.

Later, the prince, 36, landed in Tel Aviv for the first official royal visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The duke and the Crown

Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II - who on Sunday watched the England football match together - arrived at Jerash, the ruins of a Roman city dating from the first century.

The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed there as a girl with her father, Michael Middleton, and sister, Pippa, during a visit in the 1980s.

She moved to Jordan in 1984 when she was two years old, after her father, a British Airways manager, relocated to the capital of Amman.

She spent nearly three years

there and attended an English language nursery.

The duke said on Sunday that his wife “loved” living in the country, adding: “She is very upset that I am coming here without her.”

Prince William was photographed in the same spot, adding: “Need to come back with the family for this shot.”

He laughed when he was shown an enlarged copy of the photograph and said: “Michael’s looking very smart in his flip-flops.”

Source: BBC

Chamisa, who has experienced physical assault at the hands of state agents under the former government, expressed wariness of driving back to Harare at night.

He added that it was “impossible” for Zimbabwe to hold credible and peaceful polls, expressing concern over how security institutions were likely to play a key role in shaping Zimbabwe’s political environment ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls on 30 July.

Police hunt Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, whose wife Mary was among those injured in the grenade attack, has condemned it as a “terrorist act” and vowed those responsible will be found.

A police hunt for possible perpetrators is under way and the country’s highways, which had been free of roadblocks for months, are again littered with security checkpoints from one town to another.

Last November, Chiwenga led a military operation that saw the end of President Robert Mugabe’s 37-year strongman rule and the rise of Mnangagwa, his protege.

Mnangagwa blames his usual enemies for the explosion, which has been described as a possible “assassination attempt” by state media but he has vowed under his leadership, the ruling ZanuPF is assured of victory in the scheduled July poll.

Zimbabwe opposition leader fears poll violence

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, has said that his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and its coalition partners feel more susceptible to violence after a bomb attack on a Zanu-PF party rally narrowly failed to kill President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chamisa told Al Jazeera that although Zimbabwewas more stable than a decade ago, Saturday’s attack on the stadium in Bulawayo where Mnangagwa spoke made him expectant of more tension directed at the opposition ahead of next month’s elections.

“It shows you that things can

turn ugly, it has been ugly in the past and over the past 38 years we have had disputed elections, violent elections, state-sponsored violence and we are likely to see that ugly feature rearing its head once more.

“Zimbabweans are vulnerable … the electorate is vulnerable, political players like myself are

vulnerable. I have scars on account of political violence in the past, so it’s something we have budgeted for,” he said in an interview held on the lawns of a hotel in Kadoma currently hosting opposition and ruling party members alike.

Saturday’s bomb attack struck only a few metres away from Mnangagwa, but the president

escaped unhurt. About 50 people were injured.

The run-up to the polls has been characterised by intra-party tensions mainly in urban areas, but inter-party violence over food aid and voter registration, has been a feature mostly in rural areas where the majority of the 14 million population live.

TIMES SPORTS

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

FIBA qualifiers: D’Tigers bank on Ike Diogu Nigeria’s D’Tigers team will be relying on the quality and experience of team captain, Ike Diogu, when they file out for their FIBA Men’s World Cup qualifiers in Lagos.

D’Tigers head coach, Alex Nwora said this at the weekend while speaking with the media department of the Nigeria Basketball Federation in Lagos as they intensify their preparation.

Nwora described Diogu who was co-captain of the 2015 Afrobasket winning team in Tunisia before leading the team to another silver finish 2 years later as the essential foundation that holds the young D’Tigers team together.

“He knows that we have an unfinished business and he has embraced the leadership role as the captain of the D’Tigers. He is the foundation that holds us together,” he pointed out.

Having won three games so far with three more to go in the preliminary group phase of the qualifiers, Coach Alex is optimistic that the Sichuan Blue Whales of China power forward who was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Afrobasket can provide the needed experience for the relatively young team.

“Hopefully, he is going to keep leading these young players that are coming to the national team for the first time, teach them the right way and a very good way to represent Nigeria like he has been doing over the years.”

Nigeria will resume their world cup campaign on 29th of this month when they battle Uganda at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, before facing Rwanda and Mali on the 30th of June and 1st of July respectively.

FIFA World Cup Results, June 25 Saudi Arabia 2 - 1 Egypt Uruguay 3 - 0 Russia Iran 1 - 1 Portugal Spain 2 - 2 Morocco

FIFA World Cup Fixtures, June 26 15:00 Australia vs Peru 15:00 Denmark vs France 19:00 Iceland vs Croatia 19:00 Nigeria vs Argentina

Russia 2018: Kwara Correspondents hail Rivers governor over sponsorship of 10 Journalists The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara Council has hailed Rivers State Governor, Nysome Wike for sponsoring 10 Nigerian Journalists including one of its members to the ongoing FIFA soccer World cup in Russia.

Mr .Yinka Owolewa of News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), Ilorin office and 9 others across the country were among Nigerian Journalists currently in Russia for World cup coverage courtesy of the River state governor.

This was contained in a statement issued in Ilorin by its Chairman, Layi Olanrewaju and Secretary, Umar Abdulwahab.

The statement noted that the opportunity provided to the Journalists

by the governor would go a long way in enhancing their capabilities in the coverage of major international sporting events within and outside the country in future.

It urged Nigerians to invest well in Sports as it remained Nigerian’s unifying factor.

The statement also congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their victor over Iceland last Friday.

The statement expressed delight that the Super Eagles have made Nigerians and Africa proud by their performance in their last Friday’ match.

It urged the Nigerian team to go all-out against Argentina in their last group match on Tuesday to advance to the next round of the biggest world sporting event.

NFF: Super Eagles will play best game against Argentina

Christian Chukwu advises Super Eagles to exhibit team spirit against Argentina

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday assured that the Super Eagles would give their best as they tackle Argentina in their last group D match in the FIFA World Cup in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, stated this in a statement in Lagos, saying that beating Argentina would guarantee a second round berth for the Eagles at the mundial in Russia.

Olajire said the technical crew led

by Franco-German tactician; Gernot Rohr is putting all strategies together to ensure the best formation against Argentina.

He said: “Long before the contingent arrived in Saint Petersburg on Sunday, technical chiefs concerned themselves principally on what will be the best formation.

“They hope to establish an

impregnable defense, a resilient and coherent midfield and a lethal front section that would make hay from half chances.

“There is belief that first choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is growing in confidence and will do his utmost, but the outfield is where Coach Rohr and assistants are presented with interesting choice.

“They are keeping playing personnel and formation close to their chests.

He said: “The 67,000 capacity Zenit Arena is located on a piece of land reclaimed from the sea, in the Krestovsky Ostrov (Krestovsky Island) district of Saint Petersburg.

“Behind the magnificent facility is a vast stretch of water that leads to the Gulf of Finland.

“Argentina has won two FIFA World Cup title and finished as runners-up on two occasions before Nigeria made her

debut at the finals in 1994.

“This will amount to much when Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir’s whistle goes for kick-off on Tuesday night.’’

“The Argentines are in desperate situation following a score-draw in their first game against Iceland and comprehensive defeat by Croatia, and will throw everything at their disposal at the Eagles.

“The African flag bearers are not a team to be easily brow-beaten, and have adopted an ‘Argentina Must Fall’ motto since flaying Iceland in Volgogr “The 0-3 reverse to Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod on Thursday was the heaviest World Cup group stage defeat suffered by Argentina since they were annihilated 6-1 by then Czechoslovakia in Helsinborg (Sweden) 60 years ago.

“Expectedly, Tuesday’s encounter is poised as the biggest occasion for their array of superstars in recent years.”

Christian Chukwu, former coach of the Super Eagles, has urged the Super Eagles to exhibit team spirit to overcome Argentina on June 26 at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Chukwu, who gave the advice in an interview w ith the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, said that team spirit was what the Nigerian side needed to advance to the round of 16 in the tournament.

Chukwu, who was also former captain of the Green Eagles, described the mood of the team against Iceland as impressive and urged them to hold on to it.

He said: “If the Super Eagles should come all out in the manner and spirit they played Iceland, then the six points is already theirs.

“We should target the six points, nothing more, nothing less in order to qualify.”

The former coach, who commended the Super Eagles for restoring hope of Nigerians with their last outing, said that there was no reason not to crush Argentina.

According to him, the team is just waking up from their slumber, adding that Nigerians needed more results.

Chukwu also restated his belief in the ability of the Gernot Rohr boys to get to the round 16 in the tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles will face Argentina in their last Group D match at Saint Petersburg.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, June 26, 2018

31 Times Sports

South Africa officially appeals IAAF hyperandrogenism rule Athletics SA (ASA) has joined the fray against the new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) female eligibility rules and formally lodged its statement of appeal with the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This comes after Caster Semenya announced on Monday she would take the rules on review.

“As a loyal member federation of the IAAF and to that extent, ASA has a duty to protect all its athletes, including female athletes who may fall foul of these regulations,” the ASA said on Saturday.

The ASA has engaged the IAAF directly since May 10, declaring its intention to oppose the implementation of the regulations.

“Subsequently, the IAAF’s legal representatives have been corresponding with lawyers appointed

by ASA to represent its interests.”

IAAF Hyperandrogenism rule The IAAF introduced a new policy in April attempting to regulate women

who naturally produce testosterone levels above five nanomoles per litre of blood. For now, the regulations are limited to athletes who compete in events ranging from 400m to the mile. The ASA said it had requested a meeting with the IAAF executive, with the SA federation’s president Aleck Skhosana set to meet the parent body’s head, Lord Sebastian Coe, in the coming week.

It has also applied for the implementation of the regulations to be suspended pending the outcome of the CAS arbitration. The IAAF during the week said it would “stand ready” to defend its new female eligibility rules after the CAS confirmed an arbitration procedure had been opened.

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport has informed the IAAF this morning (Tuesday) that it has received a request for arbitration filed by Caster Semenya vs/ IAAF,” the IAAF said in a statement.

“We await further information and stand ready to defend the new regulations.”

Semenya’s lawyers released a

statement on Monday saying their client would challenge the IAAF’s rules “to ensure, safeguard and protect the rights of all women”.

The ASA’s challenge is led by a legal and medical team supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation and the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

The SA athletics body said in its statement of appeal it contends the regulations “discriminate impermissibly against certain female athletes on the basis of natural physical characteristics, and/or sex”.

“The regulations, and their implementation, constitute an infringement of the right of the affected female athletes to a private life, which includes the right to the protection of a person’s physical, moral and psychological integrity, as well as the right to choose or to exercise personal autonomy. These are inviolable human rights.

“There is insufficient scientific evidence to assert that testosterone is the predominant factor which

causes male athletes to perform substantially better than female athletes and, accordingly, if testosterone does not determine male performance, it can logically not define the difference between male and female performance.

“There is insufficient scientific evidence that: (a) endogenous testosterone significantly improves athletic performance in female athletes;

and (b) 5nmol/L is the scientifically correct threshold at which female athletes are in the “normal range” of endogenous testosterone for females.

“The regulations are disproportionate in the context of: (a) the fact that they discriminate on the basis of a natural physical characteristic and/or sex; (b) violate fundamental human rights of affected athletes.”

Gernot Rohr: Super Eagles will get better against Argentina

Fans floods Saint Petersburg for Super Eagles’s match against Argentina The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday said that Saint Petersburg, the town hosting the allimportant match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the La Albiceleste of Argentina had been flooded with fans from both countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grudge match between the two football powerhouses will be played at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday.

Both countries will have it at the back of their minds that a win or burst situation when they square up will determine who picks the last spot for the qualifications to the knockout stages.

Croatia leads the standings in the Group D after securing six points from their last two matches having defeated Nigeria 2-0 and also walloped Argentina 3-0 thereby securing their qualification.

The remaining countries in the Group D, Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland will still fancy their qualifications to the knockout stages depending on their various results.

Nigeria will square up with

Argentina the presumed biggest encounter of the 7 P.M matches to be played concurrently with Croatia versus Iceland.

Nigeria is on three points, while Argentina has only one point together with Iceland.

However, the intensity generated by the match have attracted many fans who are eager to watch another epic encounter between the Super Eagles and the La Albiceleste.

“Never in the history of Saint Petersburg has it seen such an unending influx of Nigerians and Argentines.

“Large contingent of nationals of both countries have continued to pour into the city through the Pulkovo Airport and by other entry points.

“A fresh influx of Nigerians, who have made their own private arrangements to watch the FIFA World Cup (particularly the Nigeria/ Argentina match), started arriving in Saint Petersburg on Thursday last week.

“Hotels in the city are bursting at the seams as football–loving Nigerians and Argentines from different parts of the world, as well as those resident in Russia, have

swooped on Russia’s second city,’’ it said.

It added that the Senate President Bukola Saraki will lead the cheers for the Super Eagles, alongside Ambassador Steve Davies Ugbah, Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung who returned to Saint Petersburg on Monday.

“The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Olusade Adesola, as well as other members of the Nigeria Government delegation.

“Members of the National Assembly (Senators and House of Representative Members), NFF Executive Committee Members, Members of the NFF Congress and former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries will also be at the match venue.

“Former Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde, directors in the Youth and Sports Ministry, Alhaji Abba Yola, Mr Mainasara Illo and delegations from different States.

“Other stakeholders, including Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club owners are among those who will also cheer the Super Eagles live,’’ it said.

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has insisted that his young squad will get better in their final group D match against Argentina at Saint Petersburg on Tuesday because he has noticed some learning process in the first and second group games against Croatia and Iceland respectively.

The 65 years old FrancoGerman coach made this known earlier on Monday “Even between our first and second games I could see a learning process taking place. The team will get better again in the third match,” said Rohr.

He added that “If you have a young team then

you have to be patient and accept that mistakes will happen because they’re part and parcel of the game.

“Despite the huge pressure of expectation, it’s important that the joy of participating at a World Cup remains tangible in every training session.

“It’s easy to show solidarity when you win but your real character only comes out when you lose.”

Nigeria are second on Group B table with three points behind Croatia who has six points. A win over Argentina in the last group game on Tuesday will secure them a place in the round of 16.

Spain level late against Morocco after VAR overturns late offside goal Morocco were denied a shock World Cup win against Spain in their Group B finale on Monday when VAR overturned an offside call on a late Iago Aspas goal as the match finished 2-2.

The result, combined with Portugal’s 1-1 draw against Iran, sees Spain through to the round of 16 as group winners because of total goals scored and will face Russia in the knockout round.

A tense opening 10 minutes saw Spain have the better of possession, but Morocco take the lead when Khalid Boutaib picked up the ball at midfield from a Sergio Ramos giveaway, charge in on goal and beat David De Gea with a composed finish to give his team the lead and their first goal at the World Cup since 1998.

Spain wasted no time equalising when Andres Iniesta set Isco up at the top of the sixyard box with a clever pass and the Real Madrid man took one touch and then smashed his second into the roof of the net.

Morocco almost retook the lead minutes later again through Boutaib, who was in on goal from a long throw in, but this time De Gea got down to keep out the striker’s close-range effort.

The teams came out of the dressing room for the second half level at 1-1 and it was Spain that were again on the front foot only to see Morocco fashion the best early chance when Nordin Amrabat’s swerving shot from outside the area smashed off the crossbar with De Gea easily beaten.

Rafael Nadal ousts Roger Federer to regain top spot Spain’s Rafael Nadal regained the top spot in the men’s ATP rankings from old rival Roger Federer on Monday after the latter’s surprise final loss on the grass in Halle.

Nadal had slipped down to number two despite his 11th French Open success after Federer, 36, took the Stuttgart Cup to bag the number one ranking for the sixth time in his career and bask in a record 310th week at the summit.

But his Halle loss to Borna Coric cost him not only a 99th career title but his pole position as Nadal moved back above him by 50 points as the countdown to Wimbledon nears its end.

Coric’s win lifted him 13 places meanwhile to a career-high 21st.

Queen’s Club champion Marin Cilic moved up a spot to fifth after his win over Novak Djokovic, who moves back into the top 20.

ATP rankings as of June 25: 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8770 pts (+1) 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 8720 (-1) 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5755 4. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG) 5080 5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 5060 (+1) 6. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 4780 (-1) 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3835 8. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3635 9. David Goffin (BEL) 3110 10. John Isner (USA) 3070 11. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2435 12. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2145 13. Sam Querrey (USA) 2130 14. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2120 (+2) 15. Jack Sock (USA) 2110 (-1) 16. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2030 (-1) 17. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 1965 (+5) 18. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 1950 (-1) 19. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 1855 (+2) 20. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 1835 (-2)

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