DTN-27-04-2019 by Dailytimes

FG registers over 3m poor, vulnerable Nigerians in social register Registration carried out in 26 states, FCT

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Federal Government has registered 3, 031, 065 individuals

20 years after, 14 inmates regain freedom https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

dailytimesnigeria

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

and 755, 112 households in the ongoing national social register being handled by the National Continued on page 3

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 932

N100

Lagos Govt pardons them, converts death row for 20 others to life imprisonment

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos No fewer than 14 inmates of the Maximum Security Prison in Kirikiri, Lagos, who have been imprisoned for over 20 years for various offences, were pardoned on Friday by the Lagos State Government, through the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. Respite also came the way of another 20 inmates on death row who had their punishment converted to life imprisonment. Speaking while handing over the order for the release of the inmates signed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to prison authorities, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, said the development was pursuant to Constitutional provision which provides for the constitution of

Killings, kidnapping indicate failure of Buhari govt - Secondus g 3 Police arrest 36 suspected criminals, recover 486 livestock in Kaduna g 5

an Advisory Council and grants the Governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of the Council. “Prerogative of Mercy is a right recognised under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); Section 212(2) of the Constitution provides that the powers conferred on the Governor under Section 212(1) shall be exercised by him after consultation with the Advisory Council of the State on the Prerogative of Mercy as may be established by the Law of the State,” Kazeem stated. He said the inmates were considered to benefit from the prerogative of mercy after due examination of their case files, which revealed that they have been reformed and ready for re-integration into the society. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

DSS DG seeks g 5 effective inter-agency collaboration against insecurity

Projects: A’Ibom Social Development Agency to host World Bank g 5

Music industry right now lacks creativity-Jaywon g 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Nigeria losing $3bn dollars annually Short News to piracy - Commission 13 -year -old boy dies in a well in Kano Tom Okpe, Abuja

The Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) on Friday disclosed that Nigeria is losing $3 billion annually to activities of pirates. Director-General of the commission, Mr. John Asein, made the disclosure at the 2019 World Intellectual Property Day with the theme: “Reach for gold: IP and sports’’ held in Abuja. Asein, represented by the Director, Legal Services, Mr. Abdul TerKohol, urged government to put adequate, responsive and effective legal frameworks for the protection and enforcement of sporting and associated industries rights. He said with the advent of new technologies, the task of sport-related copyright had become more daunting. The director general also noted that the expansion of high-speed internet around the world, the proliferation of portable devices and the rise of online streaming platforms had made tackling

illegal exploitation of rights more difficult. “Thousands of websites that illegally stream sporting and entertainment content in real time threaten the copyright in content. “For full potential of the sporting ad associated industries to be realised, countries must put in place adequate, responsive and effective legal frameworks for the protection, administration and enforcement of rights. “The intellectual property system, especially copyright, offers a practical and effective mechanism for achieving this,’’ the commission added. According to Asein, intellectual property, particularly copyright, lies at the heart of the commercial exploitation of sports and contributes substantially to the growth of a community of players and fans whose net worth is more than 300 billion dollars. He said that Nigeria occupies a unique place in the world of sports given its exploits and

remarkable successes in various sporting events. He urged stakeholders to continue to support government in its determination to build a functional copyright system that would deliver the expected dividends to right owners and guarantee sustainable development of sports. Asein also advised beneficiaries from the intellectual property system to commit some of their earnings to rebuilding infrastructure required to keep the system functional. He said the commission was prepared to collaborate with interested stakeholders to promote respect for intellectual property and complement government’s commitment to growing human capital in today’s knowledge-driven economy. Director, Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ngene, said the significance of the day was to raise global awareness on the nature, contribution and importance of intellectual property.

A 13-year-old boy identified as Abubakar Isa, is reported to have died in a well at Madawa in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano state. Spokesman of Kano state Fire Service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, while confirming the development to newsmen in Kano, said that the incident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. on Friday. He said that the service received a distress call in the early hours of Friday from one Idi Lele, at about 7:45am that a boy had fallen into a well. “On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 8:50 am. “The cause of the incident is still under investigation to know what happened. Bello was found dead and his corpse was later handed over to the police,’’ Mohammed said.

No new salary for military, defence headquarters confirms

The defence headquarters said on Friday that a new salary structure had not been approved for the members of the armed forces. The defence headquarters said it is reacting to a fictitious document being circulated on some social media platforms in that regard. “The defence headquarters therefore, wishes to reiterate that the purported new salary scale for members of the armed forces being circulated, is nothing but a false and malicious publication intended to cause disaffection among members of the armed forces, as no such salary scale exists,” Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement. Col. Nwachukwu said the defence headquarters was dismayed by the circulation of the fictitious document which had gone viral on social media, purportedly showing a new upgraded salary structure with effect from May 2019. “The defence headquarters wishes to clarify that the said document does not exist; neither does it reflect the true salary structure of personnel of the armed forces. It would be recalled that that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, signed a new minimum wage of N30, 000 on April 18. “It is also very pertinent for the general public to note that the armed forces do not approve salaries for its personnel,” Nwachukwu said. He therefore, urged personnel and the general public to discountenance the fake document in its entirety.

I no longer love my husband’, divorce seeking wife tells court

A housewife, Mariam Sadiq, has approached a Sharia Court in Minna, Niger state, seeking the dissolution of her marriage because she no longer loves her husband. “I have fallen out of love with my husband and I am no longer interested in the marriage. That is why I am asking this honourable court to dissolve the marriage,” she said. Sadiq, however, said he still loves his wife and would not want them to separate. He prayed the court to give him some time to try and prevail on his wife to change her position on the matter. The presiding judge, Ahmed Bima, advised the couple to resolve their differences, adding that marriage requires patience and understanding. He thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 15 for report of settlement.

The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Director Human Resources Management, Ajibola Ibrahim, delivering a keynote address during a-2 day Zonal Sensitization Workshop on Resolving Trade Disputes and Seeking Redress for Labour Injustice in Nigeria at Maraba, Nasarawa State.

Police arrest 5 suspected kidnappers, 4 cattle rustlers in Taraba

The police in Taraba state on Friday arrested five suspected kidnappers and four cattle rustlers accused of wreaking havoc in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkasim Sanusi, disclosed this to journalists at the command headquarters in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital Sanusi said operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested the suspected kidnappers when they attempted to collect ransom from families of kidnapped victims. “The five suspected

kidnappers were arrested when they went to collect ransom with a stolen motor cycle. The suspects are at the moment helping us with useful information to enable us to arrest their colleagues at large,” he said. Sanusi advised kidnap victims across the state to visit the state headquarters and witness the identification parade of the suspected kidnappers. He urged the people of the state, especially families of victims of kidnap to always be courageous to volunteer

information to the police any time ransom was demanded by the hoodlums. Similarly, Sanusi disclosed that the command arrested four cattle rustlers who had been wreaking havoc on cow owners in the state and recovered 58 cows from them. He said that the 58 cows would be handed over to the owners and appealed to the people to always provide timely information to the police to enable the command curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

Court dissolves 7-year-old marriage over religious deception The President of Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo state, Chief Ademola Odunade on Friday dissolved a seven-year-old marriage between Kaosara Aderinto and Emmauel over deception. Aderinto, a hair dresser, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage because Emmanuel deceived her into believing that he was a Muslim. The magistrate after careful assessment of the case, dissolved the union, citing irreconcilable differences and threat to life as reasons. He, however, awarded custody of the two children to their mother, Aderinto and ordered Emmanuel to pay a monthly allowance of N10, 000 for the children’s upkeep. He also ordered Emmanuel to be responsible for their education and other welfare. Narrating her ordeal, Aderinto, who lives in Oleyo area of Ibadan, said: “All along during our courtship, Emmanuel deceived me into believing that he was a Muslim. That was why I agreed to marry him. “However, on getting to his home, things changed completely as Emmanuel started forcing me to follow him to church. Besides, Emmanuel’s mother began to be a pain in my neck because she started finding fault in anything I do in the house. “The house in which we lived is our joint effort and I would have stayed with him, but his mother will not allow me a moment of rest,” she alleged. In his response, Emmanuel, who agreed with the divorce, denied that he deceived the petitioner into marrying her. Emmanuel a civil servant however, argued that the plaintiff could not properly cater for the two children because she is always busy. He therefore, prayed the court to grant him custody of the children.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

7 News

Nigeria among countries with fresh Short News Minister condoles family of late National measles outbreak – WHO Theater boss Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed Nigeria as one of the nine African countries where measles outbreaks have resurfaced. WHO in a statement signed by its Spokesman for Africa, Collins Boakye-Agyemang, listed other countries to include, Chad, Cameroon, DR Congo, Liberia, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali and Uganda. According to the world health body, global measles crisis is an urgent wake-up call to the need for countries to ensure that all children no matter where they live receive life-saving vaccines. It said African countries have experienced a resurgence of measles outbreaks in the last 12 months, adding that Madagascar, in particular, has had a large measles outbreak affecting more than 122, 000 cases in the months between October 2018 and April 2019.

According to the WHO/UNICEF coverage estimates as of 2017, only 16 countries in African had achieved 90 per cent or more immunization coverage of the first dose of measles vaccine while across the region, the vaccine coverage has stagnated at 70-73 per cent since 2009. At the launch of the ninth African Vaccination Week on Wednesday in São Tomé and Príncipe, immunization partners stressed the importance of countries remaining vigilant in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. The theme for this year’s African Vaccination Week is: “Protected together: Vaccines works!” emphasizing the power of vaccines in saving lives and keeping everyone healthy from infants to elders. The African Vaccination Week, also celebrates the vaccination heroes who helped expand the coverage of immunization services across the African region – from parents and community leaders to health workers and innovators. “We need to work together to improve immunization delivery so that all children are

protected from preventable diseases. Recent disease outbreaks on the continent remind us of the urgency of this goal,” the statement quoted Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa as saying. “Outbreaks of measles in Madagascar and Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo underscore the need for increased investments in immunization as a fundamental part of strengthening primary health care systems,” she said. WHO said vaccines are one of the most effective and cost-effective public health interventions available. Yet, one in five children in Africa still do not have access to all the necessary and basic vaccines a child should receive. The body said every year, more than 30 million children younger than five years in Africa fall sick due to vaccine-preventable diseases. Out of them, more than half a million die – representing 56 per cent of the global deaths related to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has condoled with the family of the late General Manager of the National Theatre, Dr. Stella Oyedepo, saying her death has created a huge vacuum in the ecosystem of the nation’s creative industry. The minister, who led management staff of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on a condolence visit to the husband of the deceased, Dr. Hezekiah Oyedepo, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Friday, described Dr. Stella Oyedepo’s death in a road accident as shocking which has created a huge vacuum in the sector. “We were all shocked and short of words, but we must just accept what God has destined to happen. But, the good side is that Dr. Oyedepo left an imprint in the national ecosystem of the creative industry within the one year that she spent as the head of the National Theatre. “We will continue to remember her enthusiasm, passion and her resolute decision to move the National Theatre and the creative industry as a whole to the next level,” he said. Alhaji Mohammed also said he has formally communicated the news of Dr. Oyedepo’s death to the President and urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that herlegacy in creativity transcended the boundaries of Nigeria.

Army redeploys NYSC DG, announces new postings

The Nigerian Army has announced new postings in its leadership structures. Among those affected are the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maj. Gen. S.Z. Kazaure, who has been moved to the Army Resource Centre, Abuja. A statement by the army spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa said the appointment takes immediate effect. The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has approved the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers. Those affected by this include, Major General S.Z. Kazaure, who has been posted from National Youth Service Corps to Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed as senior resource person, Brigadier General C.A. Bossman from Nigerian Army Achieves to Command Schools Services and appointed as director command schools’ services. “Brigadier General E. Angaye is appointed acting director Veterans Affairs Department (army) and Brigadier General B.A. Tsoho is posted from army headquarters, department of civil-military affairs to Nigerian Army Language Institute and appointed as commandant. “Others affected in the postings are Brigadier General A.A. Goni from 82 Division education to army headquarters department of civil-military affairs and appointed director information, Brigadier General F.C. Onyeari from headquarters Nigerian Army Supply and Transport to defence headquarters and appointed as acting director catering, Brigadier General S. Ibrahim from Nigerian Army University, Biu to National Youth Service Corps and appointed as director general, Brigadier General S.S. Ibrahim is now appointed registrar Nigerian Army University, Biu.

Desist from storing fuel in vehicles, Fire service warns Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

L-R: Olu of Ijoko Lemode, HRH. Oba Solomon Sokunbi; Agbedeyi of Orile Agege, HRH. Oba Akeem Ambali; Baale of Mulero Land, High Chief Olaitan Opeifa and the Jagunmolu of Mulero, High Chief Samuel Fakeye during the installation of the High Chief’s in Mulero Land in Lagos.

NAFDAC debunks claim that 70 per cent of drugs in Nigeria are fake Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has described as false and grossly inaccurate reports making the round that 70 per cent of medicines in Nigeria are fake. In a statement signed and made available to journalists by NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the agency stated that a study jointly carried out by NAFDAC, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) in 2005 revealed that fake medicines in Nigeria stood at 16 per cent. She also stated that a survey conducted by NAFDAC in 2017 and 2018 on some widely used drugs showed that Nigerian medicines were 98 per cent wholesome. “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wish to inform the members of the public, especially health care providers, policy makers and development partners to disregard an online

publication at https://www.vanguardngr.com that 70 per cent of all drugs in Nigerian markets are fake. “This is categorically untrue and grossly inaccurate. NAFDAC in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as World Health Organization (WHO), Department for International Development (DFID) and United States Pharmacopeia conducted series of studies on quality of medicines in Nigeria and the report of these studies are outlined as follows: “A study of counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigeria conducted by NAFDAC in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and Department for International Development (DFID) in 2005 revealed that counterfeit medicines stood at 16.7 per cent in 2005 as against 40 per cent in 2001. “The national survey on quality of medicines using Truscan device was conducted by NAFDAC across 29 states, including the FCT, Abuja from January 2010 to April 2012. “The medicines involved in the survey included antibiotics, anti-malarial and antidiabetics. A total of 5, 790 samples of medicines

were tested. 5, 419 samples of medicines out of 5,790 (93.6%) tested during the survey passed quality tests while 371 samples (6.4%) failed. “Another survey on the quality of medicines was conducted in Lagos state in May 2012 using the Truscan device. A total of 235 samples of medicines comprising anti-malarial, antibiotics, anti-diabetics, and anti-inflammatory agents were tested. 226 samples of 235 (96.2%) passed the quality test while nine samples (3.8%) failed. “The report of the survey on quality of antimalarial medicines conducted by NAFDAC in collaboration with National Malarial Elimination Program (NMEP), National Supply Chain Management Program (NSCMP) and the United States Pharmacopeia presented on August 11, 2015 revealed that 771 samples (96.4%) out of 800 samples of anti-malarial medicines passed while 29 samples (3.6%) out of 800 samples of antimalarial medicines failed,” NAFDAC said. Furthermore, the statement said that samples of medicines for round two of the survey on the quality of anti-malarial medicines conducted by NAFDAC in collaboration with US Pharmacopeia were procured between April and May 2016.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service has warned residents to desist from storing fuel in vehicles. The agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Timveh Jerry, who issued the warning during an interview with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, said that it had been observed that people were in the habit of buying and storing fuel in gallons. “We frown strongly at people buying fuel and storing in vehicles either to use it later in generators or for any other domestic use. When you store fuel in a wind up vehicle there is every tendency for heat to be trapped in such vehicle. “Because fuel is inflammable it will always want to look for a means of escape which is what we call evaporation. As they keep evaporating, they circulate in that vehicle and once this evaporated inflammable air come in contact with any ignitable it will explode,” Jerry said. He added that the service had embarked on several sensitization programmes to educate the public against such attitude as it was a continuous process by the service. Jerry also advised filling station owners against discharging fuel when the weather was hot to avoid fire outbreak.

EFCC clamps down on Abuja Internet fraudsters Andrew Orolua, Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested one Mmizoro Chinedu and Utyo Philip for engaging in internet fraud. The two suspected internet fraudsters were arrested at the Nigerian Army Resettlement Estate, Jikwoyi, Abuja, following intelligence report that they were perpetrating internet fraud. The suspects resisted arrest which resulted in a fight and in the process injured one of the EFCC operatives. According to the EFCC, one of the suspects, Chinedu, who wanted to conceal evidence against him threw his phone into the toilet, but it was retrieved and is currently undergoing digital forensics investigation at the commission. Similarly, the zone raided the Kings Court Estate residence of three suspected internet fraudsters. They are Odili Augustine, Odili Philips and Elvis Albert. The home of the three suspects was raided following an anonymous tip-off to the commission on the activities of the suspects who were alleged to have swindled unsuspecting victims off their hard-earned money.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

N6.34bn fraud: Defendant didn’t indict Jang under duress - ICPC Andrew Orolua, Abuja An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Taiwo Oluwayemi, who is a prosecution witness in the N6.34 billion fraud trial of former Plateau state Governor, Jonah Jang, has told Plateau state High Court that the testimony of Yusuf Pam, a former cashier at Government House, Jos, was not made under duress. Pam, who is the second defendant had on April 10 alleged that his statement in which he indicted Jang was obtained under duress by the ICPC. His testimony prompted Justice Daniel Longi to order a trial within trial. Pam’s claim followed an intense cross-examination by lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) at the last sitting of the court. But, under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, Adebisi Adeyemi, the investigator (Oluwayemi) narrated how the ICPC received a petition, alleging fraudulent practices, mismanagement and diversion of funds by the Plateau state government under

Jang, which he said, was investigated by his team headed by Fatima Mohammed, now an ex-staff of ICPC. In the course of investigation, Oluwayemi revealed that letters were forwarded to various agencies of the state government. When asked to explain to the court if he knew Pam (the second defendant) and under what circumstance his statement was obtained by the ICPC, the prosecution witness affirmed he knew Pam and that he volunteered his statement to the ICPC by his free will. He further stated that though Pam was placed under arrest, he was released on bail after explaining his role in the alleged fraud involving Jang, his former boss and after fulfilling his bail conditions. Stating the prosecution’s account of what transpired, the prosecution witness stated that “in November 17, 2016, Pam (second defendant) was invited and he came to our office and was later led to the interview room. We explained to him why he was under investigation. “As provided by the Act that established the ICPC, the second

defendant was made to read the words of caution, after which it was read and explained to him for clarity. “He was also asked if he would be willing to volunteer his statement and he responded yes willingly.” The witness told the court that the second defendant subsequently on his own visited the ICPC office severally to provide additional information to the commission and gave several assurances that he will be willing at any point in time to provide information to assist the commission in its investigation. It could be recalled that Oluwayemi as a prosecution witness had earlier testified in the matter before the commencement of the trial within trial. Jang and Pam, a former cashier in Jang’s administration were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12-count charge, bothering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N6.3billion, an act contrary to and punishable under Sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2011, as amended. The case was adjourned to April 26 for continuation of trial within trial.

Short News Corps members take malaria campaign to IDPs camp Tom Okpe, Abuja To curb the spread of malaria in the country, a group of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members took the message against the spread of the infectious disease to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Durumi, a suburb of Abuja. The corps members under the aegis of Tuje Health Africa Red Cross (THARC) while performing their community development service distributed dozens of mosquito nets, soaps, insecticides and leaflets to 50 IDPs as part of activities to mark the recently held World Malaria Day. Corps members drawn from various fields also distributed packs of rat traps tutored the IDPs on the essence of cleanliness and personal hygiene as a means of tackling the deadly Lassa fever ravaging several communities across the country. Dr. John Tuje Ikhena, who led the group explained that the intervention was aimed at cushioning the plight of the IDPs displaced by various communal conflicts, including the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East geopolitical zone. Justifying the intervention, he said that “we decided to choose this because of the need in the community here in the camp. A lot of people have been affected by Boko Haram and all the tension happening in the north has displaced some people who are actually in need of the service we provide and anything we do here, we feel nothing is too small and you can see they are very appreciative.

Ogun offers residents free malaria test, drugs The Ogun state government says it is providing free test and anti-malaria drugs in all its health facilities in the bid to tackle malaria in the state. The Director, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Dr. Festus Soyinka, said this on Friday in Abeokuta during a sensitization walk to commemorate the 2019 World Malaria Day with the theme: ‘’Zero malaria starts with me; join me.’’ According to Soyinka, the malaria parasite is transmitted to people through bites of the female Anopheles mosquito and described malaria as one of the life-threatening diseases in the world, adding that it is preventable and curable if reported at an early stage. Soyinka said that the disease had been responsible for the deaths of many children under the age of five and pregnant women. The director enjoined members of the public to be hygienically sensitive by ridding their environment of stagnant water. “The most effective and inexpensive way to prevent the transmission is sleeping under long lasting insecticidal treated nets,” he said.

Court remands man for allegedly destroying 38 economic trees

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governorelect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after the collection of Certificate of return to the Lagos State governor-elect and his deputy, in Lagos.

Lagos pardons 14 inmates after 20 years in prison Peter Fowoyo, Lagos Fourteen inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison who have been imprisoned for over 20 years for various offences were pardoned on Friday by the Lagos state government through the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. Respite also came the way of another 20 inmates on death row who had their sentences converted to life imprisonment. Speaking while handing over the order for the release of the inmates signed by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to prison authorities, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) said the development was pursuant to constitutional provisions which provide for the constitution of an advisory council and grants the governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons based on the advice of the council.

“Prerogative of mercy is a right recognized under the 1999 Constitution as Section 212 (2) of the constitution provides that the powers conferred on the governor under Section 212 (1) shall be exercised by him after consultation with the advisory council of the state on the prerogative of mercy as may be established by the law of the state,” Kazeem stated. He said the inmates were considered to benefit from the prerogative of mercy after due examination of their case files, which revealed that they have been reformed and ready for reintegration into the society. Kazeem, who is also a member of the council, specifically congratulated the inmates and advised them to be of good conduct outside the prison. Also speaking, Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, said aside its power under the constitution, the setting up of the council also serves as a way of decongesting the prisons.

He equally congratulated the beneficiaries of the clemency by the governor and urged them to avoid acts that leads them into prison in the first place. Controller of Prisons in charge of Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Emmanuel Oluwaniyi commended the state government, especially the commissioner for justice for the efforts to decongest the prison. Oluwaniyi, who was newly deployed to the state, said it was particularly gratifying that he was commencing his stewardship in the state on a good note with the release of inmates who are due to be reintegrated into society, just as he equally admonished them to be of good conduct outside prison. Aside Oyewo and Kazeem, other members of the Lagos state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy are Mr. Adedotun Adetunji, Mrs. Musili Onasanya, Mr. Olumide Oniyire, Mr. Chris Okoye, Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun, and Mrs. Yemisi Ogunlola (secretary).

An Ile-Ife Magistrate Court on Friday remanded a 40-yearold man, Taiwo Rufus, in prison custody for allegedly destroying 38 economic trees valued at N1. 4 million. Magistrate Olukunle Owolawi, ordered that Rufus be remanded in Ile-Ife Prison until Monday. Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Ona Glory, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 27, 2019 between 10 a.m and 6 p.m. at Agidi Village via Modakeke-Ife. Glory said that the defendant conspired with others now at large to commit felony to wit stealing, adding that the defendant forcibly entered into the farmland of Odelola Semiu with intent to commit felony therein. The prosecutor stated further that the defendant unlawfully and maliciously damaged the cocoa trees valued at N950, 000 and plantain trees valued at N470, 000. He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 81, 383, 390, 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code of Osun. The defendant pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, intent to commit felony, stealing and malicious damage. The defence counsel, Mr. Abednego Enejo, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal term.

Police arrest driver for allegedly killing ex-employer’s wife in Oyo

A 37-year-old driver who allegedly murdered the wife of his former employer was on Friday paraded in Ibadan by the police. Twelve other suspects who were said to have inflicted machete cuts on a police officer were also paraded. Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, told newsmen that the driver had called the deceased, Rachael Ayanwale, on April 11 and lured her to the Awe-Oyo Road under the pretense of taking her for prayers. He said that the driver on the way strangled her, allegedly as punishment for supporting her husband in sacking him without paying his entitlements. “The corpse of the deceased was later recovered at a nearby bush along the Awe-Oyo Road and has been deposited at the morgue for autopsy. Investigation conducted by the police led to the arrest of the suspect on April 18 at Sango-Ota, Ogun state, where he had relocated. “The Vibe Pontiac car of the deceased was also recovered in Mokola, Ibadan, where the suspect was attempting to dispose it off,” Olukolu said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Ijaw youths demand state control of natural resources Owen Akenzua, Asaba The Ijaw National Congress (IYC) on Friday called for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow states control and harness natural resources in their areas, noting that with the illegal mining activities in the north, the Niger Delta should also be allowed to carry out the exploration for crude oil. National President of the IYC, Roland Owelaemi in a statement, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, said given the mining of solid minerals belonging to the nation in parts of the north, the IYC would not hesitate in its drive for states in the Niger Delta to exercise control over resources in their land. He stated that “with the rather surprising news of Illegal mining action in the northern part of the

country where mining activities are ongoing and powerful individuals are allowed to tap the natural resources in their domain, the IYC is calling on the federal government to commence the amendment of the constitution by allowing states to harness and control their resources in their land. “This call has become necessary because the Niger Delta people want to control the resources in their land, since solid minerals exploration in the north has now been reduced to individuals ownership in spite of the enabling laws in the country vesting ownership of natural resources on the federal government.” The group stated that despite the fact that illegal mining activities are causing crisis in the north, the federal government has not deemed it fit to set up a military

joint task force to checkmate the illegal activities because the solid minerals in the country are seen as private owned by some persons in the north. It added that “it’s either the federal government restructures the country by allowing states to harness and control the resources in their domain or we will take every step necessary to exercise control over the resources in our fatherland.” Meanwhile, as the effects of the lingering power blackout in Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area of Delta state continues to bite harder, a social- political group, known as Form For Democracy and Development (FODD) has called on Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene so as to restore power supply to the community.

9 News

Short News EFCC nabs 32 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan zonal office has arrested 32 suspected internet fraudsters, better known as “yahoo-yahoo boys.” The suspects were arrested at Liberty Estate, Laderin area of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital in an early morning sting operation. Ranging between the ages of 15 and 39 years, the suspects were taken by surprise when EFCC operatives swooped on them at one of their havens in the estate. 14 of the suspects claimed they were undergraduates, while 18 others said they are self-employed in various vocations. Their arrest was sequel to a petition detailing their alleged fraudulent activities, including internet fraud through which they obtain illicit funds from unsuspecting victims. Items recovered from them include, six exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones, several documents containing false pretenses and fetish objects. The suspects are already helping operatives of the commission with useful information. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

End indiscriminate felling of economic trees, Sani-Bello tells FG Saka Bolaji, Minna The federal government has been called upon to intervene in curbing the incessant and indiscriminate felling of economic tress across the country, warning of the imminent environmental disaster that awaits the country. Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger state made this call when he paid a visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Audu Ogbeh in his office in Abuja. The governor noted that the felling of trees which cut across the country would in no distant time lead to environmental threats to both humans and animals, hence the need for the matter to be discussed at the federal executive council level. He said his administration has already put in place measures to address the illegal and indiscriminate felling of economic trees across the state through a task force empowered to effect arrest and prosecution of those engaged in such act. “If we allow the rate at which these economic trees are being felled indiscriminately to go unchecked, we may be having in our hands serious environmental crisis for the country. The sad thing is, they fell these trees without replanting new ones. This uncharitable act exposes the country to desert encroachment and a serious distortion in our rainfall pattern. “That is why in Niger state, we have a law that prohibits tree felling. We have resolved to arrest and prosecute those involved in this act, especially those felling our economic trees for charcoal business. “The state government will not fold its arms and allow people to endanger the environment. The importance of these trees are too enormous to man and animal. If we continue in this act of deforestation, it will result to global warming which will endanger our lives,” he warned. Gov. Sani-Bello then urged the federal government to provide communities with seedlings for planting of trees across states so as to avert environmental hazards in the nearest future.

FG committed to first class airspace radio communications Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos

L-R: Group Human Resources Director, Chanrai Summit Group, Mr. Victor Adebayo; Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Founder/Convener, 2019 HREA summit, Mrs. Erefa Coker, during the 2019 summit on HR Expo Art of Employees Engagement, in Lagos..

Buhari approves $.5m to assist Guinea Bissau hold elections Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari as chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to undertake an urgent mission as his special envoy to Guinea Bissau, in the company of ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Brou.

President Buhari had in response to an urgent request for assistance by the government of Guinea Bissau, graciously approved support for the country’s election process by donating $500, 000, 350 electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, five Hilux vans and two light trucks. This vital assistance is to ensure that legislative elections hold in Guinea Bissau, which should help in stabilizing

the country. In a separate development, the foreign affairs minister will also undertake another mission to the Republic of Benin, to deliver a personal message from Buhari to President Patrice Talon. The visit is in the context of the brewing political crisis ahead of the April 28, legislative elections in that country.

The federal government has reiterated its commitment to a safe and efficient airspace reinforced with a first rate radio communications system for the country. Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, who stated the government’s position, also vowed that all challenges experienced in the area of communications were being tackled with relentless vigour. Capt. Akinkuotu was addressing an air controllers’/pilot interactive session in Lagos with the theme: “Enhancing safety of flight operations.” He said that radio communication is a critical factor in pilots-air traffic controllers and pilot-pilot exchanges during flight operations, adding that Nigeria’s airspace deserves the very best radio communications system and that government was working hard to deliver it. Vowing that there was no going back in achieving an efficient radio communication system, he said: “We have made inroads in the area of radio communications but there are challenges. I want to assure my colleagues, the pilots and the controllers that efforts are being made. “And we are not going to stop. I am not going to stop, so long as I am in NAMA from trying to deliver an optimally functional radio communications system for our airspace.” Capt. Akinkuotu, who has a rare distinction of being a pilot and an aeronautical engineer, explained that it was essential for communication between the pilots and air traffic controllers to be crisp and clear, stressing that, “part of NAMA’s job is communication. We will keep trying; we will not rest until we fix it. We will fix it.”

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Magistrate reserves ruling in Rivers child trafficking trial Ikili Oghu, Port Harcourt

The trial of a Port-Harcourt based pastor and two other suspects accused of trafficking a day -old -baby has stalled following the refusal of the magistrate handling the case to deliver her judgement, even though counsels to the parties in the trial made their final submissions in March. Senior Magistrate Helen Hardy of the Port Harcourt Magisterial District on Friday, reserved judgment on the matter and adjourned to May 15 because defense counsels made unsatisfactory submissions before the court. Senior Pastor George Brown of the Divine Encounter Ministries, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state and two others are accused of stealing the day -old -baby and

selling her for N150, 000. Pastor Brown is alleged to have conspired with a nurse, Blessing Egbuine, now late and one Mrs. Tina Tekebe on December 15, 2011 to steal and subsequently, sell the baby girl belonging to Mrs. Grace Sunday from Yeghe in Yala Local Government Area of Cross Rivers state. The incident took place at Okocha Road in Nkpor Community in Rumuolumeni and for the past eight years the matter has been on trial. When the matter came up yesterday expectedly for ruling, the court clerk announced that the parties should take a new date as the judgement set for delivery cannot hold because the defense counsel to Pastor Brown failed to file the mandatory papers, citing the authorities in his defense while the authorities cited by the defense counsel to Mrs. Tekebe, the alleged

buyer of the one- day -old baby was scanty. A representative of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Comfort Udofia from Obio/ Akpor branch of the agency was present in the court, but declined comments on the matter saying, that it was not yet ripe for the agency to comment on the matter. Prosecuting counsel, Moses Oha, while being interviewed by journalists at the court premises, said that “it is not known in law that the magistrate must wait to get copies of authorities from the defense counsel to the second accused. It is not law that this must happen, but she ought to have delivered the judgement irrespective of the actions and inactions of the second defense counsel who refused to file copies of authorities cited in his defense.”

Short News Taraba NLC tasks Ishaku on minimum wage implementation Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo The Taraba state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Peter Gambo has tasked the Governor, Darius shaku on the need to implement the N30, 000 new minimum wage recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. Comrade Gambo, who stated this while delivering his speech at the state delegates conference of the union, held at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Conference Hall, Jalingo, said the new minimum wage should be implemented in accordance with that of the federal workers since both workers co-exist without any discrimination. He added that should Gov. Ishaku, whom he described as always having a value for successful civil service in the state, implement the new minimum wage, it will boost the state’s economy. “With the recent signing into law of the N30, 000 new minimum wage by President Buhari, we call on the Taraba state government in her usual value for successful civil service in the state and in boosting the economic status of the state to implement it at par with federal workers since we go to the same market without any discrimination,” he said. The state NLC boss also urged Ishaku to clear all outstanding salaries of local government workers and those of primary school teachers across the state. According to him, clearing all outstanding arrears, commencing the implementation of all promotions at all levels will ginger the workers and at the same time boost their morale for maximum productivity. Comrade Gambo, while commending Gov. Ishaku for lifting the embargo on employment into the state civil service, however, urged him to make a deliberate effort to bridge the gap in the service by ensuring that qualified personnel are employed.

NLC leaders in Ekiti emerge, as Fayemi promises to pay new minimum wage Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti The former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Ekiti state University branch, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo has been elected as the new chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti state. At the delegate conference which took place in Ado Ekiti, Comrade Kolapo emerged unopposed among other executive members. Speaking at the occasion, the NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Waba whose address was delivered by one of the ex-officio member, Comrade Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, said the congress would not take anything short of N30, 000 as minimum wage from state governors. Comrade Waba urged the new labour leaders to be resolute and committed in the struggle for the welfare of their members without compromise. Performing the opening ceremony, Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, promised the readiness of the state government to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage. The governor said the newly elected leadership of the trade unions in the state would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalities to ensure payment and further announced that all facilities at government offices would be upgraded while conducive environment would be provided to ensure the optimal performance of workers. Head of Service, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi, had earlier reiterated the commitment of state government to the welfare of workers.

AD guber candidate asks tribunal to stop Sanwo-Olu’s swearing-in Cross section of the experts and other participants during the 12th Steering Committee & Experts Meeting for Abidjan - Lagos Corridor Highway Development Programme chaired by the Hon. Minister of Power,Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN at the Hotel Sancta Maria, Lome, Togo.

FCTA considers bringing back Uniform youth groups in schools Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja Disturbed about the increasing rate of social vices among young people in the nation’s capital, the FCT administration has disclosed plans to resuscitate uniform youth organizations in all public and private schools in the territory. The acting Director, Youth Development Department of the Social Development Secretariat, Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, gave the hint yesterday in Abuja. Addressing the youth yesterday at the 2019 national camp of the National Association of Uniform Voluntary Youth Organizations in Abuja, Alayande described such a platform as the best instrument to tackle the menace, adding that the measure

would help redirect young people to embracing positive ways of life. “Uniform voluntary youth organizations are in the business of instilling discipline in young people. We will encourage all young people to belong to the uniform youth organizations they find interesting. “So, we are going to collaborate with the FCT education secretariat in order to ensure the resuscitation of uniform youth organizations in all public and private schools in the FCT because we feel that it’s the best instrument to reduce social vices among young people. “It ensures that we have coordinated activities around the uniform youth groups and non -governmental organizations. And we are still going to encourage them further to establish such activities within their

neighbourhoods, so as to support conventional security agencies police our neighbourhoods. We want to imbibe the volunteering spirit especially in the youth. “We need total re-orientation of the youth, to enable us address issues of drugs abuse, violence, kidnapping killings, cultism and gangsterism; so we want to put them back on track,” she stressed. Also speaking, acting Secretary of the department, Hajiya Safiya Umar, described the programme as being very significant to the advancement of youth in the FCT and Nigeria at large. Umar stated that today’s youth haven’t been shown the way to be fully involved in voluntary acgtivities, hence they have continued to look for what to do, which has led to the all social vices in the society.

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos Barely one month to the swearing-in of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the Governor of Lagos state, the gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Owolabi Salis, has filed a petition at the Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja to stop the governor -elect from taking the oath of office. In a petition with file number EPT/LAG/GOV/2/2019, Salis alleged that Sanwo-Olu has a criminal record in the United States and is of unsound mind. He therefore, urged members of the election petition tribunal to disqualify Mr. Sanwo - Olu by refusing him to be sworn-in as governor. Joined in the petition alongside the governor-elect are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the INEC residential electoral commissioner. Other respondents are, the returning officer for the Lagos state governorship election, the commissioner of police and the Nigerian Army. “The second respondent (Sanwo-Olu) is a person adjudged to be of unsound mind and who is not capable to be sworn in as the governor of Lagos state. Sanwo-Olu has records of unsound mind and rehabilitation with the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. “By virtue of Section 182 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the second respondent is a person not qualified to be sworn-in as a governor. “Akinwunmi Ambode, the present governor of Lagos state and who is the chief security officer of the state attested to the fact in Punch Newspapers of Oct. 1, 2018, that Sanwo-Olu is of unsound mind and not fit and proper to govern Lagos state. “Governor Ambode equally stated that Sanwo-Olu was arrested and detained for several months and was convicted for spending fake dollars at a night club in America,” the plaintiff alleged.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Music industry right now lacks creativity - Jaywon Oluwajuwonlo James Iledara, better known as Jaywon, has lots of attention in the Nigerian music industry; he has proved that he understood the music game properly dishing out mind-blowing songs and breathe-taking videos; no wonder his song ‘ Odun yi remains an evergreen song. The Kogia State- born super star has all reasons to be happy as he has scaled through past struggle days to a well-bred artiste. In this interview, he talks about fatherhood, and need for entertainers to be more creative amongst other issues. Enjoy… As a record CEO and an artiste; what insight did you bring into managing your own crew apart from when you are just an artiste? As a record label CEO, I strongly believe in putting up the right structure not just for me as the CEO of the label but for artistes that will be coming on board of the platform. A lot of effort has been put into making me a better person and as the trend changes we follow suit. I try as much as possible to learn new things as well as sink with the current vibe and the management of today. As an artiste, I don’t joke with learning new ideas, I don’t care who am learning it from as long as it will increase my knowledge positively; I am fine with it. Which song in recent time have you listened to on radio/ club and you wish you are the one who did the song? That’s been a while I hear a sound like that, I feel the industry right now is lacking creativity, people are paying more attention to records that will do quick and not record that will last longer, people just want to make a hit record these days and nobody is actually thinking of making music that will stand a test of time; nobody is taking time to make music that will inspire people more. Probably I will say I am feeling the songs of few artistes like

Simi, Timi Dakolo and a host of other. Your song Odun Yi is arguably one of the biggest song of all time and evergreen; do you think you can still make a song that will surpass that? For me the way music is, I don’t compete in anyway, I just go to the studio and make record, is just always good for you to take your time, make good record push and at the end of the day you will make one of the biggest song. If I tell you how I recorded this year, I was non-challant and unserious that day at the studio. For me God almighty is the only Hit maker. These days, the industry has witnessed lots of clap-back amongst artistes; will you clapback at any of your colleague who put a shot at your squad? If the person is right, there are some things people will say about you that you will know its true. I feel like you can never ridicule the hand that once fed you in public, is like you discouraging people investing in your target, you can’t go out there to go and ridicule the hand that once gave you food. People don’t get it right they get carried away easily, and when you get carried away, you forget that the position you are today, there are lot of people out there praying to have what you have.

Jaywon

Sometimes you just have to be wise and be very careful. So if you clap back at me and I feel the shot was right; there is no point responding to you unless it is otherwise where I know you are lying to gain cheap popularity; I will surely respond.

from me but one fact is that it has make me more responsible because I don’t want to appear as a bad father to my son. I want to live for him at all time. Being a father has really helped me in cutting off so many excesses.

You are a proud father; what has been a father taken away from you? It has not really taken so much

So when will you be settling down properly with your woman? Only God has that timing but when the right time comes; I will

definitely invite you all over. If not music, what else will you have engage in? If I had not done music; I would have been in the Yoruba movie industry as a multi-tasking person who does acting, directing and production. And also I will have given my brother Odunlade Adekola problem because he won’t be as popular as he is now (Laugh)

Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Tiwa Savage, Tobi Bakre, Mercy Aigbe, Wizkid, others win at NECLIVE7 It’s a big win for some top entertainer in the industry at the 7th edition of the annual Nigeria Entertainment Conference (Net Honours 2019), held at the Landmark Event centre. Some of the winners at the event includes Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe who won in the two categories in the Most Popular actress and the most searched actress ; Mercy was nominated amongst other leading actress that includes Genevieve Nnaji, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Tonto Dike, and Annie Idibia. The award was determined based on the highest number of coverage on TheNETng website in the year under review. Other winners includes Wizkid who won the most searched male musician and most popular male musician category, Odunlade Adekola (Most searched actor), Most Popular couple (Chioma & Davido), Tiwa Savage (Most searched female

Chidinma

Hayat Kimaya endorses Chidinma as brand ambassador Multi-award winning singer, Chidinma Ekile, has been unveiled as the brand ambassador for leading Turkish brand, Hayat Kimaya holdings at an august event held at the convention centre, Eko Hotels & Suites with attendance by top celebrities, retailers and brand influencers amongst others. To further aid brand communications in the country, Chidinma becomes the first ever brand ambassador and social media influencer for the new released Molped Sanitary Pads. Commenting on her new deal, Chidinma said ‘Nigerian consumers especially myself have mostly being dissatisfied with the sanitary pad brands

available for purchase here with adverse reactions ranging from itchiness, to heat irritation and most especially leakage. It was interesting to be approached by Hayat Kimaya a brand known for making exceptionally good products from their diapers to everyday toiletries. It will be great not to worry about leakages when performing on stage’ she said As a trend setter, Hayat Kimaya is the world’s 5th largest branded baby diaper manufacturer in the world as well as the largest tissue manufacturer of Middle East and with the this the new addition of two products that includes the Molped Sanitary pad and the Molfix Pant to their already existing products

further re-enforce the company’s commitment to quality service deliver around the globe. Speaking on the new product addition, the Global Marketing Director, Ertunga Kut disclosed that the new Molped Sanitary Pad is a skin friendly cotton soft pad for ladies who desire comfort while the Molfix diaper is strive to provide happiness for both Moyer and child to ensure comfort, baby’s freedom and convenience. However as part of the activities following the unveiling of Kedike star as the brand face, Chidinma thrilled the audience with her beautiful voice as well as her special composition for the new brand.

Music is known to draw emotional responses from its audience, and each experience varies from one song or album to the next. It was a very emotional evening at Sidewalk, Lagos, as music mavens came out to listen to the masterpiece that is ED iZycs’ ‘Gold’ album. Present at the outdoor venue of the listening were Do2dtun, Olisa Adibua, Denrele Edun, Tajudeen Adepetu, Paul Okeugo, Johnny Drille, Loose Kaynon, and Schullz, among others. The atmosphere

was vibrant, with guests mingling and drinking in anticipation of the main event of the night. ED iZycs last put out a body of work “The Songz Of iZycs” in 2016, and so everyone was understandably eager to hear ‘Gold’. As an appreciation of ED iZycs’ unique style, guests enjoyed performances by other artistes whose music styles deviate from those which dominate popular culture. Following these performances, ED iZycs’ father gave a heartfelt speech that emphasized how important the night was and how proud he was. It was also intriguing for

many to discover that all his sons are creatively inclined, taking up careers as producers, artistes, photographers, musicians and video directors. An overwhelming sense of euphoria engulfed the room as ED iZycs started his performance. Song after song, the audience was visibly elated to be experiencing live performances of the tracks on the ‘Gold’ album, often breaking into thundering applause. ED iZycs also invited Byno and Skales, both of whom featured on the album, to perform with him in addition to both artistes having solo performances.

Wizkid

Afro Euro Entertainment, 03Media, Urban Entertainment set to take Timaya on amazing Europe tour! …May 17 to June 16 are D-Dates Still basking in the euphoria of its last successful Europe tour that had Lil Kesh on its tourney, the above showbiz organizations are set for another impressive tour in the same continent. On the bill this time around will have the Egbere Papa 1, Dem Papa crooner, Timaya. The new tour’s theme is “Chulo Vibe Tour Europe 2019.’’ It kicks off from May 17 to June 16, and will go round some selected top European Afrobeat cities. History will surely be made for African music through the tour from one of the most consistent musicians and greatest Afrobeat export from Africa. Timaya himself cannot wait for the concerts to roll out, as he is eagerly preparing big time to storm the selected cities with a bang. Expected cities that have already sold out its tickets are Cyprus; Essen, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Zurich, Switzerland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Copenhagen,

D IZYCS delivers incredible live performances at the ‘Gold’ listening party Stories Mutiat Alli

musician &Most Popular female musician), Ali Baba (Most Popular comedian), Tobi Bakre (Top Big Brother Naija Star 2018), Most Popular Global Celebrity (Kim Kardashian) amongst others)

Timaya

Denmark; Rome, Italy; Madrid, Spain; Vienna, Austria and Torino, Italy. One of the managers of the companies, Alex Ozone, promised that the Timaya Concerts will be more than even successful than the previous ones earlier held by the organizations. The idea of the concert is to keep exporting Nigerian talents in the music industry to European nations and other acts are on the bill for future concerts. Previously taken on similar concerts to Europe, are Terry G; Olamide; Reekado Banks; Patoranking; Tekno and many more. By the time the Timaya Concert will commence fully, the entire European continent will be gripped with frenzy as many Africans in the Diaspora are already waiting in the wings for one of their own on the stage with superlative musical renditions and swags, which Timaya is already preparing hard for.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Society Gist

Titilayo Adelaja gives back with Mothers Pride Isaac Oguntoye As the world is busy celebrating International Women Day 2019 with the theme Balance for Better, Titilayo Adelaja a social philanthropist whose heart of gold is second to none is also empowering women with Mothers Pride and Development Initiative, non-governmental organizations. Without exaggerating, the Mothers Pride Centre around Sparklight Estate Along Ibadan Express- way was filled to the brim on 25th of April 2019 when the organizations held their first quarter Annual General Meeting with lecture and empowerment. The initiative which started six years ago has been at the forefront of empowering widow and girls child. The very articulate and industrious young woman is leaving no stone unturned as she invited top

personalities both in the business, government and private sector to talk, educate, motivate and teach the women on new skills that will make them a better person within the society. b When the delectable lady of style was asked about her vision and mission, she said her mission is to put smile on women’s face irrespective of their challenges saying “What we do here is to empower women and to make sure every woman can stand on their own while helping the younger generation to believed in themselves. We also want to help the girl child to know that, She can be a better person without selling her body. We empower them, teach them how to acquire skills so that when they enter into the University they can start small business and make money rather than depending on their aged mother or single parent.” She concluded.

Sade Okoya

Razaq Okoya and wife, Shade, set for grand 20th Wedding anniversary bash Titilayo Adelaja

Between MB Mustapha and Mala Buni The State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has given reasons why Barr. Muhammed Bello Mustapha should replace Mai Mala Buni as the national secretary of APC. Mala Buni had resigned to contest for governor of Yobe State which he won, leaving the office which was already zoned to the North East vacant. Taraba State APC while presenting Barr. MB Mustapha as consensus candidate for the office of the national secretary of the party said Mustapha is qualified and will contribute greatly to the growth of progressive political ideologies the APC is known for. They also vouched for Mustapha’s leadership ability to mend fences and reconcile aggrieved members and entrench bond of brotherhood, love, understanding and unity among party faithful if elected. Mustapha was the last aspirant to step down for Mala Buni during the party’s National convention in 2018 after an agreement by leaders of the party from the Northeast that he will replace him if he eventually emerge as Yobe State governor. Some party chieftains APC in Taraba also appealed to the national leadership of the party to strongly consider MB

MB Mustapha Mustapha candidature, insisting that the state has been marginalized in the affairs of the party with no national officer from Taraba state in the history of APC. They urged national leader of the party to rally round Mustapha in the spirit

of fairness. “Taraba APC garnered 45 per cent votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the last elections, our people have embrace APC and what its known for, their expectation is to have one of them at the national working committee of the party, also MB Mustapha is the first runner up during the 2018 national convention being the last man to step aside for Mala Buni, so it just fair and just to concede the vacant position to him.” Addressing a press conference at his flag off campaign for the post, Mustapha promised to create an atmosphere where everyone will put in his/her best for the interest of the party. He said party discipline would be enriched under his watch as he is ready to work with national chairman of the party in making the party more acceptable, better, virile and stronger to face the nation’s daunting challenges and ensure that justice, equity and fairness become order of the day. He commends national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari for laying good foundation for the party, and promised to carry along the founding fathers of APC if he is entrusted with the office.

The Platform Nigeria set to hold on May 1st The Platform Nigeria is a highly respected organic movement, conducting a series of impactful intellectual events that have transform the minds and lives of thousands, thus propelling them to the new level of operation. The event which is powered by Covenant Christian Centre is scheduled to hold this year on May 1st 2019 with the theme; ‘The Drivers, Enablers and Obstacles to our Growth at the Covenant Place beside National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The Platform events no doubt have experienced unprecedented growth; from hosting a few thousand Nigerians at its first edition held on May 1st 2007 to tens of thousands of Nigerians at further editions. Now, millions of people are expected to grace this year edition from both within and outside the nation as it has evolved into a full scale global media event adopting

Poju Oyemade the full range of key media channels and technology to broadcast the message as far and wide. This year edition will examine the personal level, organizational and national

emphasizing on things that propel growth. Some of the guest speaker expected on that day are; Ibukun Awosika, the chairman, board of directors, First Bank of Nigeria, Segun Adeniyi, a renowned Journalist, the chairman of the editorial board of This Day Newspaper, Sarah Lacy, Founder, Editor-in-chief, and chief executive officer of Pando Daily, a web publication that offer technology news, Dr. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder and publisher of African Institute of Technology, Dr. Anil Gupta, a professor of academy management, Ndidi Nwuneli and Dr. Biodun Adedipe. Meanwhile, according to Pastor Poju Oyemade, the visionary and convener of the programme, the platform is designed to facilitate growth in the areas of personal capacity and productivity as well as foster National Development within our great nation Nigeria.

How time flies, could it be almost twenty years ago when the Lagos and Nigerian high society ran amok with the news of High Chief Billionaire Industrialist Chief Razaq Okoya CON , Chairman Eleganza Group one of Nigeria’s longest standing business conglomerate in Nigeria and his beautiful young wife Shade which ended up in a marriage blessed with four children. The success story of this marriage does not limit itself to the home front alone , Shade has over the years taken to her husband business like duck to water in the process, she has not only brought a touch of glamour into the business but has through visible and tangible measurable achievements proven herself to be a suave, astute business woman in her own

right, winning and gaining honors and acclaim locally and internationally. The last week of April 2019 will be a remarkable week for the Okoya family for two remarkable reasons. 25th of April which is the birthday of Dr. Chief Mrs. Shade Okoya as she clocks 42 years & 20th Year wedding Anniversary is on 28th April 2019. Chief Dr. Mrs. Shade Okoya who is no follower of other people fashion invention & trend but a natural trail blazer and pacesetter who create fashion trends for her peers to follow and imitate, we say a hearty congratulations, happy birthday and happy anniversary celebrations in advance to Dr. Shade Okoya, trail blazer and one of the most fashionable Nigerian Queens of Heart.

Ekiti Govt restates commitment to Arts, Cultural Festival Promotion Ekiti State government has restated its commitment to support, rebrand and promote cultural festivals in the state. Director-General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, disclosure while hosting executive members of the Ogun-Onire Carnival Promotion Forum in his office in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday. He maintained that the vision of the governor is to imprint boldly the name, cultural values and tradition of the state on the world cultural map. While speaking Ogun Onire festival, Ojo lanre lauds the initiatives of the forum and other stakeholders for widening the scope of celebrating the great African deity. Ogun (God of iron)is one of the prominent deity in the world, there is no way Yoruba history will be written without mentioning the role of Ogun and its product, iron on the economic development of the world. He charged the organisers of OgunOnire festival in the state to ensure decency, civility and peace in the celebration of the festival. I’m happy you’re ready to review the way the festival is being celebrated to make it more visitor-friendly and coordinated. It must be civil, it must be decent, it must be free of violence. Let us change the paradigm. Let us have a first class international Ogun festival that will place the Ogun festival in the global cultural map. Ojo-Lanre stressed that whoever is

not proud of his culture is not supposed to live. “We shouldn’t forget our root. Our culture is our identity. It is of note that India, South Korea, among other great countries do not forget their culture. They took civilisation and education from the British, but they don’t forget about their culture,” he noted. Ojo-Lanre further said, “I respect culture, and tradition. But they must be practises with civility, decency and without any violence. We must endeavour to change the paradigm. “I’m happy you’re ready to review the way Ogun-Onire festival is being celebrated to make it more visitorfriendly and coordinated. Let us work towards having a first class international Ogun festival that will place it on the global cultural map.” Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the group, Chief Femi Ajayi, commended Governor Fayemi over the appointment of Ojo-Lanre as the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture boss, which he described as a round peg in a round hole. Ajayi also commended Ojo-Lanre for partnering with relevant stakeholders to promote arts and culture in the state. He revealed the plans of the group to sensitize the people of the state on how to celebrate Ogun-Onire festival in a more friendly and peaceful manner, and also promote the festival internationally. Ajayi also disclosed the readiness of the community to work with the government in the development of ureru groove and others around in order to make the place a tourism sites.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Mixed Grill

Nollywood: Nigeria, France sign agreement on movie distribution Mutiat Alli The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Alliance Francaise have signed an agreement to showcase and distribute the two countries movies through the “FrenchNigerian Film Distribution Conference.” The agreement was signed during a courtesy visit by Jerome Pasquier, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, to the Headquarters of the NFVCB recently in Abuja. Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director of the board and Arnand Durnon, Director of the Institue Francaise signed the agreement on behalf of the two organisations. Mr. Thomas, in his remarks, said the collaboration was to present a platform where investors, producers, distributors and other stakeholders in the motion picture industries of both countries could meet for mutually beneficial deals. He noted that the collaborative venture will, among other incentives, encourage and promote the distribution

of Nollywood movies in France. He explained that both parties have conceived ‘French-Nigerian Cinema Days’, to screen and showcase the two countries movies, as part of the distribution conference scheduled to hold later in the year. “Our Nigerian distributors would be more than happy to collaborate with big time French distributors such as Pathe, Studiocan and Bacfilms as planned in the coming collaboration conference. “The French distributors take delight in releasing movies from many different nationalities, whether big or small, as it is their belief that the French moviegoers love movies from around the world. “France prides itself as a country of moviegoers with over 5,000 screens, while in Nigeria, we are proud to say that we have achieved 200 screens, from 39 in the last two years. “Its film industry is acclaimed to be living ‘La vie en rose’ (life in roses), that its Nigerian counterpart would love to attain,” he said. The Executive Director, however,

decried the high rate of piracy as a major bane facing the evolving Nigerian moving industry, especially with the emergence of digital distribution platforms. He, therefore, solicited for technical support from France to make the sector strive with piracy effectively nipped. “Let me not pretend that all is well with the industry as we have serious piracy issue in Nigeria, though piracy is not directly within the regulatory purview of the NFVCB.” In his remarks, Mr. Pasquier, the French Envoy, said he was delighted at the partnership, adding that it was a common ground for both countries to grow their film industries and also strengthen bilateral relations. “The film industries in France and Nigeria are contributing a lot to their economies, and this agreement will further present opportunities for both countries. “This will bring better relationships, not just between the two countries government, but between their citizens as well.

Sola Sobowale, RMD team up in new movie ‘Gold statue’ 21 years after starring in Tade Ogidan’s classic ‘Diamond Ring;’ Nollywood stars, Richard Mofe Damijo and Sola Sobowale have reunited in ‘Gold Statue’. The movie is Ogidan’s second collaboration with both actors. In ‘Diamond Ring’, RMD and Sola were the parents of a teenager (played by Teju Babyface who was 19 at the time), whose gang robbed the corpse of a powerful woman wearing a diamond ring. ‘Gold Statue’ has an almost similar plot but this time around, the actors are also an onscreen couple and parents of (Gabriel Afolayan) who goes in search of a ‘Gold Statue.’ In trying to find where the supposed statue is located, Gabriel and his friend go through series of unimaginable ordeals and put themselves through some ridiculously painful situations that leave their parents shocked.

Seyi Makinde

IBCF tasks Seyi Makinde on improvement of entertainment, tourism in Oyo

Peter Fatomilola and Gabriel Afolayan on the set of ‘Gold Statue Scheduled for cinema nationwide on May 17; the film featured stellar cast that includes Norbert Young, Yvonne Jegede- Fawole, Tina Mba, Woli Arole,

Rycardo Agbor, Judith Audu, Bisola Aiyeola, Segun Arinze, and Kelvin Ikeduba are some of the stars in the movie.

GTB Food & Drinks begins this Sunday After three stellar exposés of the biggest culinary experience in Africa, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival is getting bigger for the 4th edition, which will hold for 4 days from Sunday, 28th April, to Wednesday 1st May 2019 at the GTCentre, Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos. With a success story spanning from the different editions, this year’s edition is unique as it has grown to 300 small business showcase compared to the previous 140 small businesses recorded in the last editions as well as the increase of the master class session to fifteen. Created in 2016 by leading African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, the GTBank Food and Drink

Festival has become the premier culinary event in Africa, bringing together tens of thousands of people from across the continent and beyond to support and celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant and burgeoning small businesses in the food retail sector. This year, alongside adding an extra day to the event, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival will offer free Retail Stalls to over 300 small businesses, more than double the number from the previous year. Commenting on the 2019 GTBank Food and Drink Festival, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Office or Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Segun Agbaje, said; “We are delighted to bring to our

customers, small business owners and food lovers across the continent and beyond, another edition of an event that is second to none in delivering the finest culinary experience in Africa. This year, we are taking our commitment to promoting enterprise in the SME sector further by giving small businesses more opportunities to connect with consumers and business experts from around the world.” He further stated that, “At GTBank, we will continue to focus on promoting enterprise in food and fashion, because we know that by investing in both sectors, we are propelling local entrepreneurs to dominate two critical sectors of our economy.”

The Ibadan Countdown Festival (IBCF) company, has congratulated the incoming governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde and his team for their victory at the polls. The spokesperson for the company, Mr Tunji Ilori, in a chat with Friday Treat, said that Makinde’s emergence reflected the will of the people, stressing that every inhabitant of the state must support Makinde to succeed. While also thanking the outgoing governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bayo Adelabu, for upholding the pacesetter status of the state in allowing peace to reign and eschewing politics of bitterness, he added that Oyo State has always been the melting pot of the best of the best in South West Nigeria. It is cheerful to see that all political gladiators are at peace. Governor Abiola Ajimobi has transformed Oyo State in many ways and his efforts must be lauded”, he said. IBCF further implored the incoming governor to, include the resuscitation of the entertainment and tourism sector of the state’s economy as a “first 100 days in office” priority, laying emphasis on the enormous, potential of the sector. The Ibadan Countdown Festival company, established in 2015, is a private sector initiative comprising stakeholders in the “events and entertainment” industry. For three consecutive years, IBCF has successfully organized the

largest new year countdown fireworks display in Oyo State, and other major events, earning pace setter status as the biggest entertainment platform in the South West outside Lagos. IBCF has hosted in Ibadan, live entertainment events featuring over 100 trending artistes including Davido, Tuface, Reekado Banks, Don Jazzy, Pasuma, Teni, Skibbi and many others, to the delight of thousands of fun seekers. “We are calling on the incoming governor to elevate entertainment and tourism to the pacesetter status. As joint stakeholders and investors, it is our desire for the entertainment and creative arts industry to thrive in Oyo State, and contribute its full potential to economic activities especially for the millions of youth across the state. Our vision is to establish Ibadan as the biggest entertainment hub in Nigeria. We are confident that the new administration will continue to support private sector initiatives on entertainment in Ibadan and the state in general. “He is a socially conscious person and we are optimistic about his potential. We are ready to support him to succeed”, Ilori said. IBCF Concerts are free of charge, and attract over 15,000 youths every year. All events are made possible by sponsorship and investments from the owners of IBCF, stakeholders in the various economic sectors, and the support of illustrious sons and daughters of Oyo State.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Shareholders commend FCMB’s impressive performance, higher dividend declaration Temitope Adebayo Shareholders of FCMB Group Plc at the weekend commended the Board, Management and Staff of FCMB for recording another impressive performance in 2018 in spite of the challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environment. The commendation which was given at the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Group in Lagos witnessed shareholders approving the financial results of FCMB Group and payment of a cash dividend of 14 kobo per ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2018. This translates to a total amount of N2.77 billion and going by its audited accounts for last year, the Group’s profit before tax (PBT) rose by 73 per cent to N18.4 billion as against N11.5 billion in the preceding year. The Group’s gross revenue grew to N177.4 billion, an increase of 4.3 per cent compared to the N169.9 billion for the same period in 2017 while Net interest income as at the end of 2018 rose by 3 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) to N72.6 billion. Commenting on the development and the financial results of the Group, the Chairman, Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria (TSAN), Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar, expressed the delight on the increased dividend payment. According to him, ‘’I am highly impressed with the Group’s balance sheet quality which witnessed high growth. This shows vigorous policies that have positively impacted on and optimised the balance sheet. Another significant aspect of the performance of FCMB is the growing contributions of the subsidiaries in the profit margin. The 14 kobo dividend declaration signals FCMB’s commitment to improving the lots of shareholders.’’ On his part, the National Chairman of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, said, ‘’FCMB and its subsidiaries have done very well in terms of dividend payment and the overall performance, including the loans portfolio which is also encouraging. The fact the Bank has been able to increase its branch network is an indication that it is expanding. I believe that FCMB will build on this performance.” Presenting his report, the Chairman of FCMB Group, Oladipupo Jadesimi, noted that the Group continued to move forward on the path of good governance, strengthening and improving our corporate governance structure and bringing it into line with our long-term strategy and the highest international standards in 2018. This, he said, was to increase the confidence of our shareholders, investors and other stakeholders in an environment that is demanding even more transparency. Jadesimi added that the the Board of Directors remain fully engaged and committed to the Group’s corporate culture and strategy. Also speaking at the AGM, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Ladi Balogun, said, ‘’the Commercial and Retail Banking Group (which includes First City Monument Bank Limited, Credit Direct Limited, FCMB (UK) Limited and FCMB Microfinance Bank Limited) grew its profit by 61 per cent, driven by improved performance in our consumer finance business and an increase in fees and commissions. Commercial and Retail Banking remains our largest group, contributing 83 per cent of profit. Our banking franchise continued to grow as reflected by a 20 per cent rise in deposits and our customer base also grew by 20 per cent to 4.9 million customers.’. Balogun also reported, ‘’the pre-tax profit of our Investment Banking Group (FCMB Capital Markets Limited and CSL Stockbrokers Limited) increased by 24% in 2018. This performance was driven by higher conversion of our investment banking deal pipeline as well as cost efficiencies. Our stockbroking business maintained its position as a top-three player in its sector’’. He assured shareholders and other stakeholders that 2019 would see continued growth along with all key indices for the Group, especially those around profitability, deposits, customer numbers and assets under management.

L-R: Group Head, Non-Interest Banking Sales, Mr. Garba Mohammed; Group Head, Non Interest Banking Investments & Products, Sterling Bank Pl, Dr. Basheer Oshodi; Vice President, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr Mandir Mutter; Minister for Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ms. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; MD/CEO, Jaiz Bank, Mr. Hassan Usman at the ISDB Group 44th Annual Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, recently.

MFBs granted N482.8bn loan to MSMEs in 2018 - Emefiele Mathew Dadiya In line with its operational mandate, the Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in Nigeria have given out an aggregate loan of not less than a whopping N482.896 billion as at 31st December, 2018. The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this on Friday while delivering a keynote address at the 27th Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, held in Gombe State. The CBN governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Corporate Communications, Mr Edward Adamu said that of the N482.896 billion, loan sizes below N1.4 million accounted for 72 per cent. He considered the theme of the seminar: “Repositioning Microfinance Banks for Real Sector Growth,” apt in view of our recent efforts to prime the MFBs as catalysts for financial inclusion

and poverty reduction. He noted that small businesses have been more successful in securing credit from the microfinance institutions rather than conventional deposit money banks (DMBs). The CBN had, in consistent with its developmental role, in 2005 formulated the Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework. The policy, according to Emiefele, was aimed at bringing microfinance institutions and activities into greater focus in order to deepen financial inclusion and alleviate the financing needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to him, data from the licensed credit bureaus indicated that the operations of microfinance banks have helped to improve financial inclusion amongst smallholder peasant farmers, artisans and other small business operators. The apex bank governor who

acknowledged the challenges confronting the Microfinance banks in the country, said they include: inadequate spread in the location of the MFBs in relation to their target beneficiaries, demand for immoveable collaterals for loans, highinterest rate, and absence of a credit reporting system. Emefiele, however, assured that the central bank is committed and working assiduously to address these limitations. He expressed confidence that the participants would at the end of the seminar, have gained greater understanding of the issues and efforts the CBN is making towards growing the economy and addressing some of the binding constraints on development in general. The media has on important role to play in repositioning the microfinance sub-sector for real sector growth, he stated. He said, “This forum has also availed us an opportunity to receive periodic

feedback from the fourth estate of the realm. “As always, we seek your partnership inaccurate public information and effective sensitization of the public,” the CBN governor said. The governor said that the link between microfinance and the real sector was quite strong adding that Microfinance banks are conceived to serve as critical financial lubricants for the real sector, and the pillar of sustained economic growth. “At the moment economic policy in Nigeria faces a major challenge of reviving growth which is the sure path to ending pervasive poverty. Microfinance has worked in this regard in many climes and promises to work in Nigeria, if we get it right. “Accordingly, the Bank, in collaboration with other agencies of Government, is implementing various intervention schemes in addition to promoting microfinance”, he added.

Heritage Bank, Magodo residents promote cultural diversity Motolani Oseni Heritage Bank PLC has aligned forces with Magodo Residents Association (MRA) to promote culturally diversity and ensure the success of the maiden edition of Magodo Cultural Day 2019. The two-day event, which ended with a Business Dinner held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Addressing the organizers at the Dinner, Abiodun Agbaje, Regional Head, Lagos Island, Heritage Bank PLC; said his management was impressed with the response and participation of the residents and others in the cultural exhibition and celebrations. Agbaje disclosed that, at inception, the Heritage Bank management opted

to focus at those areas that other banks had neglected with a view to making a difference and impacting positively on the financial needs of its prospective customers and society. His words: “Things that are difficult for bigger banks, Heritage Bank has done it successfully. We are open to assisting any investor that shared vision and mission with us.” He said that in line with its mission to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations, Heritage Bank decided to support this year’s Magodo Cultural Day with the belief that a diverse community promotes creativity networking and success. Agbaje therefore, assured the audience at the event that as long as the MRA members were ready to patronize Heritage Bank, his management would be glad to support the

cause again next year and beyond. Impressed by the success of the outing, Jade Niboro, Chairman, MRA; noted that for the first time, residents were able to come together, connecting. He said that the cultural exposition created the avenue for different families living in the estate to publicly interface with diverse cultures. His words: “Our culture outlines our identity and influences our behaviour. Celebrating our cultural diversity will better make us acknowledge, incorporate and relate with others in the estate. We used the recently concluded Cultural Day event to embrace our diversity. With this celebration, our interaction level will increase, there would be more exchange of ideas, beliefs and cultural traits et al. We are extending an open arm to other cultures and encouraging a healthy exchange of cultures and our

residents. We are learning to understand our beliefs and values better.” Niboro disclosed that the MRA had concluded plans to make the event more elaborate next year, as residents from other estates like Banana, Magodo Phase 1 and others would be invited to grace the occasion. The Magodo Cultural Day, tagged “Unity in Diversity” was created in a bid to raise the level of cultural consciousness and awareness in the estate, while simultaneously encouraging interaction and continuous conversation between the residing tribes. With that vision in mind, Magodo cultural day is seen as a means to bring together the diverse tribes residing in the estate to celebrate their different cultures while also celebrating each tribe for its own unique norms, cultural and moral values.

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Fidelity Bank on the path of becoming a tier 1 bank Fidelity Bank Plc may soon be classified as a tier 1 Nigerian bank, as management of the bank is working towards achieving this goal. In a recent interactive session with Business Editors of leading newspapers in Nigeria, the Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo explained how the bank will realise this through its four-year strategic growth plan. MOTOLANI OSENI was there for The Daily Times Newspaper. Except. You were a leading investment bank before the consolidation in the banking industry, but are you deemphasising corporate banking for retail banking? We have just appointed a new Executive Director, Corporate Banking and that should tell you how seriously we take Corporate Banking. Fidelity Bank used to be Fidelity Union Merchant Bank and that was why most multinational companies in the country have continued to bank with us. Supporting business in this niche segment comes at is at huge costs. Therefore, building up low-cost deposits from the lower end of the market helps support lending to the corporate segment at rates lower that higher-risk segments. We have grown our savings deposit account base from N75 billion when I became CEO on January 1, 2014, to N226 billion at present. What is your take on cybersecurity in the industry and what is your bank doing to tackle it? The entire industry is as strong as a bank with the weakest security measures. Therefore, no bank should toy with cybersecurity measures because there is a contagion effect if fraudsters can penetrate one bank. What it means is that they can also affect other banks. At the Bankers Committee, we have discussed this several times. Therefore, even at a regulatory level, there are certain measures you are compelled to take. For instance, building a Security Operations Centre and appointing people with certain qualifications and executive level personnel as Heads of IT Security. What plans do you have to grow the bank organically and inorganically? A companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic initiative for growth might be driven by either organic growth or inorganic growth. Our five-year plan was crafted to be based on organic growth, based on the projections we

to ask us: How come we grew double-digit. In 2018, we took advantage of opportunities in some sectors to grow loans. For this year we are guiding for between 7.5 per cent to 9 per cent. Still talking about last year, a lot of those were to the real sector of the economy which encourages growth and creates employment. What is your take on payment service banks? You know it has been a prolonged push by the Telcos to come into the banking space. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a problem with that. Let them be subjected to the same regulatory conditions that we have because you are talking about depositorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money. So, once all of us are subject to regulatory control, we will all do banking together. I think the sky is big enough and as banks, we are not sleeping, that is why you see some of us deepening our digital platforms.

Fidelity Bank MD, Nnamdi Okonkwo made. We also purposefully decided that we will not expand outside Nigeria until after 2022. So, our plans are based on organic growth. We also left a window that allows us to take advantage of emergent opportunities though. When these happen, we will sit down and look at them and go back to our Board to see if we need to alter anything to take advantage of such opportunities or to continue with on the organic growth path.

domiciliary accounts. We have a new product where you can transfer foreign exchange with your mobile phone up to the regulatory limit. It means that we have also seen growth in our domiciliary accounts because people built up funds so that when they want to transfer they can easily use it. We also have corporates that are in foreign currencies earning businesses. The increase in oil prices also impacted on our deposit growth as it favoured our oil and gas upstream customers.

Fidelity Bank recorded about 28 per cent growth in deposit base in 2018, what was responsible for this? The deposits came from a combination of growth in savings, growth in current and

What are you doing to sustain loans and advances above 10 per cent? The environment is so challenging that growing loans double-digit as we have done have prompted some people

Nigerian stock market is still experiencing heavy foreign capital outflows postelection, what is your opinion on this? We just got back from London on a no-deal roadshow and the outlook on Nigeria is quite positive. Indeed, based on some of the sentiments, we were being advised to raise Eurobonds because they want to increase their emerging markets investments especially the fixed income managers. On the flows, you know European Central Bank raised rates. With the increase in rates, capital will always follow where margins have just popped up. People generally move money to those areas just the same way when we had our treasury bills going for about 20 per cent, everybody rushed in. So, that is the constant dynamics of inflows and outflows. What measures have you put in place to ensure that your bank is not threatened as you grow to become a Tier 1 Bank?

We are keeping our eyes on our capital, on risk management, on governance and sustained profitability. This explains why, for instance, we had enough buffers to absorb the impact of the implementation of IFRS9. Do you plan to raise Eurobond to support capital? We do not plan an immediate increase in Eurobond. We are not doing any Eurobond this year but we may consider the local bond issue if necessary as part of Tier 11 capital but no size yet. How is Fidelity Bank leveraging Fintech to grow its franchise? Under our five-year plan which was crafted in 2017 and commenced on January 1, 2018, we got one of the big four consulting firms to do a full global analysis of Fintechs and how we can collaborate with them. Part of our engagement strategy is a partnership. This partnership has been on several fronts including the deployment of a solution for a major customer of ours; an airline. We are bankers to an airline that controls about 40 per cent of the industry. Initially, they had challenges with ticketing on the electronic system they were using, and they came to us. Through collaborating with a Fintech, we migrated their entire transactions to the cloud. This has worked so efficiently well in the last one and half years without fail. Aside from partnering with Fintechs, we then decided that there was a need for us to develop our internal capacities as well. We decided to build a digital lab as part of the outcomes of the strategic studies we had done with the consulting firm in the last six years. Today we have several millennial that are IT savvy, working at solving problems with innovative solutions, under flexible hours and work environment, at our digital lab.

POLITICS TIMES g Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

Nigerians should be good Ambassadors, build good leadership – Rev. Uja Uja Tor Uja, a Reverend Minister is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). He recently spoke with select journalists during the bidding of airlines and ground handlers for this year’s Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja. Uja described Nigeria as a “Tiger getting ready for battle and an Elephant that can’t be conquered. TOM OKPE was there for The Daily Times. Can you say pilgrimage is part of developing Nigeria? In a few years, Nigeria is going to be the song of the whole world, because we are going in the right direction. We are, perhaps, the only country in the world that can repute to be a country with a future. Most countries in the world have not only reached their zenith, but are also coming down. But Nigeria is still evolving, moving from point to point, glory to glory. I come from a village that doesn’t appear to be on any map, but I am proud of my heritage. Therefore, Nigerians should make a stake in this country so that when the history of the country is written, their names will be mentioned. In the course of my pilgrimage, I am gathering books, biographies and autobiographies, because I am looking for people who did things for their countries. Those who made sacrifices to make their nation what they are, who labored in Israel to turn the arid region into an enterprising nation. Who labored in known and unknown areas to bring the nation into great repute today; Those Nigerians who in the midst of problems choose to stay and invest so that tomorrow a story will be told of how they contributed in the shaping and making of our country. I believe we will get there.

Why is the open bidding a regular event instead of using the service providers that the commission had been using? We want to make the fairness doctrine to be our life style, to be the yardstick to which we will get things done. We believe Nigeria is on the right path to get things done properly and having an organized process, especially procurement and all the things we do. This has been long coming. We advertised it on social media and the newspapers. We invited all the stakeholders to be present. Everything has been done in the public eye. And we believe that every other process leading to the final award of contract will also be done in the public eye. Whatever it will take we will be fair to everybody who is qualified. You don’t need to lobby. Nobody will need to know anybody. All you have to do is to get your acts correct. And you will be correct in the procurement process. How would you want to develop the Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria? It may be a scintillating element that may warrant people to go and see on the ground in Israel. We have set out to develop pilgrimage and to make it more fluent and enjoyable and result-oriented, both spiritually and developmentally. 2018 pilgrimage took off a bit late, but went successfully and was adjudged the best pilgrimage NCPC has organised ever. The indices, timeliness of everything, quality of the aircraft, beauty of the services, movement to sights, both spiritual and development matters and the ease with which we went. For the third year running, we have had one hundred per cent return in terms of health that nobody died while on pilgrimage. We intend to surpass that record. People will go and come back healthier and invest in their country. Invest in Nigeria. Make it in Nigeria. Make it for Nigeria. Be proud of Nigeria. Yes, Nigeria has limitations here and there, but we are an evolving great nation. We are a young lion that is waking up from sleep, an elephant that cannot be conquered - a tiger that is getting ready for battle. Nigerians should be good ambassadors of Nigeria and anyone who goes on pilgrimage

Uja Tor should build leadership, productive and national development in every sphere of their lives. What are the strides expected of the pilgrimage today and even in time to come? We need to provide and develop pilgrimage infrastructure in such a manner that we will do the pilgrimage without stress and pressure. These infrastructures include buildings, auditorium, public address system, equipment, vehicles and so on. We need pilgrimage infrastructure that will help us provide for better organisation. Better management of pilgrimage and improved interaction among

stakeholders of pilgrimage. It is in that vein that NCPC has commenced the construction of a 1,000-seater auditorium, which we hope will be ready under-one year. If we don’t complete it before the end of the year, we shall be there early next year. Also, very soon we are going to commence work on our pilgrims’ camp where we will focus on training, orientation, fellowship, planning, interaction and relaxation. The camp will also have a session we call mini Israel, where people who may not travel to Israel and who may not be available to travel can still have access to the basic things, especially those that are Biblical that we have in Israel.

People will go and come back healthier and invest in their country. Invest in Nigeria. Make it in Nigeria. Make it for Nigeria. Be proud of Nigeria. Yes, Nigeria has limitations here and there, but we are an evolving great nation. We are a young lion that is waking up from sleep, an elephant that cannot be conquered - a tiger that is getting ready for battle. Nigerians should be good ambassadors of Nigeria and anyone who goes on pilgrimage should build leadership, productive and national development in every sphere of their lives.

What about the procurement act; does the act..(Cuts in) Years ago, there was no procurement law and people did things anyhow they wanted. However, one of our presidents traveled somewhere and discovered that there was more organised program for the procurement of goods and services and he was told that there was a procurement law. He got the law and nigerianised it. Now, we have the Public Procurement Act that guides the procurement of anything that has public funds attached to it. NCPC is not a very big physical organisation, but in the past couple of years, we have recorded one hundred per cent compliance to the Procurement Act. That Act enables us to demonstrate who we are, that we possess a fairness doctrine. Let us possess the fairness doctrine that will build fairness around us, to compete fairly without engaging in drugs, to compete with fairness in mind so that when and if you lose fairly, you will also accept it fairly. You are preaching fairness creed, how does it relate to the Commission? There are people that still write petitions against me and I challenge them to take the petitions anywhere. NCPC under our watch has no particular interest in anybody. We have an interest in fairness and doing things the right way, the right time. It is a creed for us. Our service providers should note that doing the right things doesn’t end with the bid opening or procurement. It continues with the services you render, that you demonstrate fairness. The

Continued on page 18

Politics Times 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Read more on: www.dailytimes.ng

APC women mounts pressure, makes demand ahead of Buhari’s second term Patrick Okohue The All Progressives Congress (APC), Women Aspirants Forum on Friday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to appoint women into key positions as he plans to form a new cabinet after May 29. NAN reports that the coordinator of the group, Adedoyin Eshanumi, made the appeal in a news conference in Abuja. Eshanumi, who was a senatorial aspirant in Kogi West, said that the demand became necessary after over 90 per cent of the political positions in the party had been taken over by their male counterparts.

Eshanumi said that the APC Women Aspirant want 35 per cent of the number of cabinet members and 35 to 50 per cent appointments as board members of parastatals. According to her, “We want an inclusive government for all the women, most especially, the aspirants, because some of us spent so much in the grassroots working for the President to win the election. “What we are looking for is appointments. In the policy of APC, there should be a space that is mandatory or a quota in each state for women. “We want that in the senate, states of assembly, chairman, and councillors, there should be women. If possible, in

all APC states a women must be deputy. “Please remember the APC women aspirants who were bullied out and intimidated during the primary elections, in spite of our grassroots base, solid structures and popularity. “This thereby decreases the number of women at various elective positions and creating a huge gender imbalance in governance.” Also, the group while congratulating the President on his victory, urged him to remember his promise to engage more women in his cabinet. “In your speech at the victory dinner for women and youth presidential campaign team, you clearly stated your commitment to engage more women in your cabinet.”

Nigerians should be good Ambassadors... Continued from page 17 people you are dealing with are people who may not be as rich as you are. The way the world evolves today, those who are down today may be up tomorrow. If you have fairness, even when the scale is turned, people will respect you for your humanity and contributions to their development. What is your message to the NCPC service providers? Service providers should provide excellent services to our pilgrims, without cutting corners or compromising standards or interests; they deserve it. Let it be that whatever you have in the contract is executed. If you cannot do it, you let us know why. It should not be you will do things anyhow and believe there is nothing anybody can do. In some cases, there is nothing anybody can do, but there is something God can do. And the Stakeholders, what advice do you have for them? We invited stakeholders from anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the general public to come and watch what we do. We’ve introduced a process such that anybody who succeeds in a bid or expression of interest is given a letter on why he succeeded or not. That’s why those who wrote all kinds of petitions against me disappeared into thin air because the documentations are there. We are not compromised. We work for the better good of Nigerians and humanity. NCPC is built on fairness and truth. We will not cheat, reduce or withhold the wages of service providers, as the Bible says it is the wicked man that withholds the wages of servants. We will not make any compromise to reduce the services required. We will demand you keep to the tenet of our contract and do what is right. The pay may look small to the service providers, but for the nation we are in, and the numbers we carry every time, it is not a bad pay at all. People sweat to pay it and we want them to have, at least, that short time of pleasure that they can learn and demonstrate spirituality and come back rejoicing that they were part of pilgrimage. Our stakeholders in EFCC, ICPC, CSOs, BPP, henceforth, should write a report and put it to the public domain and to their institutions about the clarity and exemplary dimension

NCPC is bringing to the procurement process in Nigeria so that the world will know what is going on. If we do wrong, people will be told. If we do right, let the world be told. What should Nigeria and its citizens be expecting going forward as it concerns pilgrimage in Nigeria? Many of the things we have introduced have sharpened our operations. We are even an example to older establishments. It has made our pilgrimage easier, smoother and the processes predictable. It has also enhanced our service delivery. For instance, the recruitment of medical personnel for pilgrimage, we make them to write medical examinations through JAMB. No human beings are marking them; the exams are passed through the computer, so you will either pass or fail. All those who passed are picked without knowing anybody, no compromises. You will notice that we have recorded one hundred per cent return rate of medical attention. Nobody has died. Those who had challenges, through proper attention, became healthier. Those who were weak have become stronger. In the same vein, all the areas of our operation are done through fairness, so that qualified people are the ones that procure our services. So, the policies are working, the direction is clear, and we will have to ensure that this continues so that you won’t have to receive a note from anybody. Just know who you are, do what is right and you will get there. What is the 2019 pilgrimage preparations like at the moment? We are beginning the preparations for the November/December pilgrimage now. We ought to have gone on the Easter pilgrimage by now, but due to the many holidays in Israel, we have deferred it, so Easter pilgrimage will now run in June. We have tied up all elements. The states that are going have already been identified. Numbers have been taken and pilgrims are being screened. We have tidied up and have concluded that any group that comes beyond April 27 will only go in the November/December. We don’t want any delays and we are trusting God that everything will go according to plan, but we are beginning the mobilisation now. To states, churches, private groups, companies, and even to strategic individuals so that by September or early October, we should have closed

screening for the main pilgrimage. The pilgrimage must commence on November 23 and end by December ending. You mentioned at the Thanksgiving Service of success despite challenges, what do you really mean? During the Commission’s Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, April 14, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Central Business District, Abuja, for a successful 2018 pilgrimage exercise; I really mentioned that the 2018 pilgrimage came with so many difficulties and challenges, but God saw the commission through it all and gave NCPC the best pilgrimage ever Despite the challenges we faced as a Commission, we had the best pilgrimage ever and ended the pilgrimage with surplus. No life was lost and every activity of the commission in 2018 recorded a huge success. We are happy that there was few abscondment in 2018. Israel gave us a commendation mark for a successful 2018 pilgrimage. To have that kind of rate of below 20 abscondment out of about 9,800 pilgrims, Israel commended us and has returned all the guaranteed payments we made for the pilgrims and we are hoping that in this coming year, they may not even ask us to pay anything and visas will be granted without problems. Nigeria is the only country that goes on pilgrimage to the State of Israel and holds prayer convocations yearly. I want us to build a prayer convocation ground, through this prayer convocation ground; the whole world will know that the Church in Nigeria is alive. The commission is working towards moving pilgrimage from government enterprise to a private enterprise and as such urged Christians to take ownership of pilgrimage and sponsor its activities. The Commission has registered over 120 Christian pilgrimage operators (CPOs). The northern Christians should set up CPOs and take up their responsibility so that they can own the land and endear people’s attention to the North. The major goal of the commission is that Christ should be at the centre of pilgrimage and to use pilgrimage activities to preach the gospel in Nigeria and the world at large. We want our pilgrimage to be such that everyone who goes on pilgrimage should have an encounter with Christ.

Akeredolu

Ondo APC crisis deepens, as Ilori fingers Akeredolu for Buhari’s loss in state The crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have entered a new dimension, as a chieftain of the party and former Commissioner for Regional Integration in Osun State, Mr Bola Ilori has accused Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as being the architect of disunity within the ruling APC in Ondo state Ilori said the governor’s actions caused the failure of President Muhammed Buhari in the state during the last election. According to him, his vindictive traits has aided disharmony within Ondo APC, stressing that it was strange for a man that has become governor for years to still be grudging on an intra-party primary that preceded his tenure. Ilori, an indigene of Ondo State in a statement noted that the open exposure of the fraud that lined his way to the Government House was never at rest. He recalled that the party’s Appeal Panel annulled the primaries that produced Akeredolu due to glaring fraud, stressing that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party never agreed to the emergence of Akeredolu, but the Oyegun/Saraki conspiracy of that era, allegedly and unilaterally submitted Akeredolu’s name to INEC and allegedly mobilised huge funds for his victory to become an’ imposed’ Governor in Ondo State. He said “Some of us could not stand such shenanigan led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. We followed the party’s internal mechanism, but it was unilaterally terminated by the then National Chairman. “Subsequently, we left the party in the expression of our democratic rights on the platform of another party in agitation against the clear injustice. We lost the elections. “It was well reported on national headlines that Akeredolu organised an attack on me at the venue of an official government assignment in Akure. We were to go to court, but some elders of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others intervened. “They appealed to all

aggrieved against the gubernatorial election processes to drop all further agitation and return to the party and embrace unity. The governor thereafter organised a unity rally and I attended. “Chief Olusola Oke has since been working hard for the success of the party and was the South West Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign, while I, who was his Director General in the AD, was the Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (Field Operations) Door – Door Campaign throughout the Country. “Akeredolu’s anti-party activity would have been justifiable as a payback were it to be that their mischief were directed against either Oke or Ilori, but neither of us were on the ballot, but President Buhari and our National Assembly candidates. “I was not holding any position in the party or government six months before and after the 2016 elections, contrary to their claims that I was in Osun Government while in AD, Osun had no cabinet for about 16 months at the time. So, dragging Aregbesola into their justification of treachery is not only based on falsehood but pure mischief.” Speaking further, he said “I also wish to place on the record that, as the Director General of the Alliance for Democracy campaigns in 2016, I don’t have any record of funding received from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola or Senator Ajayi Boroffice for the AD. “I dare Akeredolu and his team to come up with such fact. Let it be noted that neither Asiwaju Tinubu nor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola directed us to the AD nor funded the party. They did not campaign for the party to the best of my record also. If any of Akeredolu minions is in possession of substantive evidence against any of our leaders let such fellow come forward with it or forever keep their peace. “We as adult have rights to our independent actions and Tinubu never encourage sycophancy, he promotes robust intellectual discuss and don’t see dissent as a crime, yet we voluntarily hold him in high esteem,” he said.

19 Classified

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

GOD’S GLORY PALACE MINISTRY

EDWARD ONUZULIKE FOUNDATION

PACIFICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION INITIATIVE

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 OF 1990.

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE NEWMAN CHUKWUAJAH - CHIARMAN 2. EVANGELIST UGOCHKWU .B. ONUZULIKE - VICE CHIARMAN 3. PASTOR GODSOWN ONUZULIKE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANG. EZE UCHECHUKWU 2. DR. CHISOM ANIEZE 3. MRS. UGWUNNA OGOCHUKWU 4. MADUKWE MAXWELL OBICHUKWU 5. OLINYA TOCHUKWU VINCENT

TRUSTEES: 1. HON. JUSTICE OLU ADEYEYE CFR (RTD) – CHAIRMAN 2. CHRISTOPHER OLAYIWOLA OGUNDARE 3. MRS. OLAYEMI OGUNDARE 4. ADEBOWALE JOHNSON ESQ 5. EZEOGU JENNIFER ONYINYECHUKWU – SECRETARY/LEGAL ADVISER

AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1) TO PROMOTE GOOD MORALS IN OUR PRIMARY, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. 2) TO HELP IN ELEVATING POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITIES. 3) TO PROVIDE AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS AND ASSISTANCE. 4) TO PROVIDE BUSINESS GRANTS AND LOANS TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 5) TO FUND/MAKE EDUCATION AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE POOR AND LESS PRIVILEGED.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1) TO PROMOTE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH EVANGELISTIC MINISTRY. 2) TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. 3) TO PROVIDE SOCIAL WELFARE SUPPORT TO MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC.

YOUTH CENTRE FOR LEADERSHIP AND VALUE ADVANCEMENT

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990. NAMES OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS ARE (1) VICTOR LUCKY ODUDU(CHAIRMAN) (2) GODWIN OROELU AGIDI (GEN. SEC) (3) CHUCKS OKAFOR OGBONMEH (FINANCIAL SEC) (4) MONDAY IJEOMA OKOWA (TREASURER) (5) MILLICENT IBELEMA ETIM (PUBLICITY SEC)

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1) TO EMPOWER THE YOUTHS TO POSITIVELY PARTICIPATION IN THE SOCIETY. 2) TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR THE YOUTHS TO AIR THEIR VIEWS IN GOVERNANCE 3) TO ADVOCATE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO UNITE THE OLD STUDENTS OF OWA ALERO SECONDARY COMMERCIAL SCHOOL. 2. FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE OLD STUDENTS OF OWA ALERO SECONDARY COMMERCIAL SCHOOL.

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.

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

SIGNED: OCHINAWATA KINGSLEY ONYEBUCHI CHAIRMAN

IDOKO MMADUABUCHI I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IDOKO MMADUABUCHI PROSPER, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IDOKO MMADUABUCHI EMMANUEL. MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 26TH DECCEMBER, 1995. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ANDEORJI OKWUDILICHUKWU THAT I WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DANIEL ANDEORJI THAT I NOW WISH TO ADD OKWUDILICHUKWU TO MY FORMER NAME THAT I NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ANDEORJI OKWUDILICHUKWU DANIEL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

THAT MY NAME WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN ON MY ACCOUNT AS OMOWUNMI AISHA ADEREMI INSTEAD OF DAUDA-AKOREDE ADEREMI. THAT MY CORRECT NAME IS DAUDA-AKOREDE ADEREMI. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHUKWUDIRE DEBORAH

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EZIKEOZOR DEBORAH GINIKA , NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHUKWUDIRE DEBORAH GINIKA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. ERIOFOLOH ESTHER

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. EKPENKHINA ESTHER OMON NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ERIOFOLOH ESTHER OMON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

MRS UBA IHUOMA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NWAGBARA IHUOMA OKEZIE, NOW

WISH

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ASSOCIATION OF OLD STUDENTS OF OWA ALERO SECONDARY COMMERCIAL SCHOOL

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

UGWU ONYEKA ERIC

KNOWN

SIGNED: MRS. UGWUNNA OGOCHUKWU SECRETARY

SIGNED: APOSTLE NEWMAN CHUKWUAJAH CHIARMAN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ORURUONYE ONYEKA ERIC, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UGWU ONYEKA ERIC. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. PEACE BUILDING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND DE ESCALATION. 2. TRAINING OF MEDIATORS AND PEACE BUILDERS 3. PROMOTION OF PEACE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OCHINAWATA KINGSLEY ONYEBUCHI 2. OCHINAWATA JENNIFER TOCHUKWU 4. MACHIE CHARLES CHUKWUKA 5. OCHINAWATA CHINONSO HENRIETTA

CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETARY MEMBER MEMBER

AND

ADDRESSED AS MRS UBA IHUOMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

UDE NKECHI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONAGA NKECHI RITA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UDE NKECHI RITA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS NWUZOR ESTHER

MRS EZE BLESSING

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS NWAFOR BLESSING IRUOMA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS EZE BLESSING IRUOMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OKOM MONDAY

ENYI CHINYERE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

MISS NWANKWO ESTHER CHINASA, NOW

AS OKUMPU OGNUABO ELIZABETH,

WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

NOW

WISH

AS MRS NWUZOR ESTHER CHINASA

ADDRESSED

NWANKWO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS

ELIZABETH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS

REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME SANDRA IGWE CHIDIMMA., WAS WRONGLY ARRANGED BUT NOW WISH TO BE CORRECTED AND ADDRESSED AS IGWE SANDRA CHIDIMMA. MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 25TH APRIL 1985. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

VICTOR IFEANYI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS VICTOR IFEANYI ULASI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS VICTOR IFEANYI GLORY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MORENIKEJI ABOSEDE

KNOWN

ENYI

AND

CHINYERE

MRS. NEBOLISA NNEKA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MORENIKEJI ABOSEDE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MORENIKEJI ABOSEDE ADEWEKUN. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. ILOH NNEKA CHIWENDU, NOW TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. NEBOLISA NNEKA CHIWENDU. ALL DOCUMENT BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

AGBAUN MARY

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AGBAUN MARY UNOGWU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AGBAUN MARY ORINYA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BARRY CHUKWUGEKWU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BARRY CHRISTOPHER ENE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BARRY CHUKWUGEKWU ENEH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

UDANOR DONATUS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONWUKWE DONATUS NWABUNWANNE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UDANOR DONATUS CHINEDU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ENEH DAVID

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWAEZEORJI DAVID ORJI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ENEH DAVID. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

AND

DAVID SOLOMON

OLUYEMI OLUSEGUN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

AS LUKPATA MONDAY IKONG, NOW WISH

ADDRESSED AS MISS FOLORUNSO

SHOYOYE SALIUDEEN OLAMILEKAN NOW

AS OLUYEMI SEGUN, NOW TO BE KNOWN

WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

AND ADDRESSED AS OLUYEMI OLUSEGUN

MICHAEL.

TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKOM MONDAY IKONG. ALL DOCUMENT BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAIN

MRS. AGIM OLAJUMOKE

MRS NKWUDA GIFT I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OGBONNAYA GIFT NNENWOGO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS NKWUDA GIFT NNENWOGO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY

KNOWN

OLAJUMOKE OLUREMI, WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS

VALID. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND

MRS. AGIM OLAJUMOKE OLUREMI,

GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE NOTE.‎

MRS. REBECCA EKPE

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. FLORENCE EKAMA EKPE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. REBECCA EKPE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

MRS. ABISOLA ESTHER

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. ABISOLA ESTHER AKINBANKOLE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ABISOLA ESTHER GBEMISOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

MRS. OBODO TINA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. NWAOKOLO TINA NKECHI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OBODO TINA NKECHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

BARIBOR SUNDAY

I, FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS GBARAKPOR FRIDAY, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS BARIBOR SUNDAY. ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID. ZENITH BANK, RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

DAVID SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN.ALL

ALL

DOCUMENT

BEARING

GENERAL

AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL

AND

AUTHORITY

CONCERNED PLEASE TAKE NOTE

ODEYEMI PELUMI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ODEYEMI PELUMI PAUL NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ODEYEMI PELUMI OLAYINKA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

NWANKWOALA CHINAGOROM

FORMERLY KNOWN AS NWANKWOALA JONATHAN. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NWANKWOALA CHINAGOROM. ALL DOC BEARING FORMER NAME REMAINS... FOR OFFICIAL AND REC PURP. GENERAL PUB TAKE NOTE.

NAME

REMAIN

CHINWE AMUCHE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHINWE AMUCHE NNAMANI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHINWE AMUCHE OKERE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ENEH JOSEPH

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ENEH JOSEPH OBI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ENEH JOSEPH TAIWO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ESTHER CHUKWUMA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ASOGWA ESTHER CHUKWUNONSO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ESTHER CHUKWUMA KALU UDUMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHUKWUDEBERE UCHENNA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UCHE JOY, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS CHUKWUDEBERE UCHENNA JOY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OLUYEMI OLABISI

FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID PUBLIC

FORMER

OLOVONWAEKWE-LECHI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKONWEKWE INNOCENT INOKA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLOVONWAEKWELECHI INOKA OCHA. MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 25-08-1993. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

VALID.

PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ALABI ABIOLA

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALABI ABIOLA PETER NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ALABI ABIOLA ADIGUN.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUYEMI OLABISI, NOW TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUYEMI OLABISI OLUFUNMILAYO. ALL DOCUMENT BEARING MY FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

OREBELA BABATUNDE I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OREBELA ST.MARK TUNDE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OREBELA BABATUNDE

ODUNITAN.ALL

FORMER

DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

TAIRU FATIMA OMOLARA

ADDITION OF NAME

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED

: ON MY BANK ACCOUNT MY NAME WAS WRITTEN AS NWOSU OSITA NOW WISH TO ADD CHIMANKPA TO MY NAME. HENCEFORTH I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWOSU OSITA CHIMANKPA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

AS TAIRU FATIMA OMOLARA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TAIRU FATIMA OMOLARA JIMOH. DUE TO MARRIAGE.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS

REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

FOREIGN TIMES READ MORE ON: www.dailytimes.ng

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 20, 2019

Protesters have massed outside the army complex in central Khartoum since April 6

Sudan protesters vow to keep up campaign for civilian rule Thousands of Sudanese protesters have performed the weekly Muslim prayers outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, a day after a vast crowd of demonstrators flooded the capital to demand the military rulers cede power. “Freedom, freedom,” the protesters chanted on Friday as prayer leader Sheikh Matter Younis delivered a sermon. “We will not retreat until we get our main demand of civilian rule,” said Younis, an activist from Sudan’s war-torn western region of Darfur, according to the AFP news agency. He also called for the “symbols” of the old regime to be punished. “They must face fair and transparent justice, they have to be

held accountable,” he said, as the protesters chanted: “Blood for blood! We will not accept compensation!” Demonstrators have massed outside the army complex in central Khartoum since April 6, initially to demand the overthrow of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir. But since his removal by the army on April 11, the protesters have kept up their sit-in, demanding the military council that took control to hand power to a civilian administration. Despite international support for the protesters, the council has so far resisted, although three of its 10 members resigned on Wednesday under pressure from the street. Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Vall, reporting from Khartoum, said the

military rulers and the protest leaders have been able to reach agreements on a number of issues, including the creation of the joint committee to supervise the transition to a civilian rule. “But they are in disagreement about who should be the leading part in this partnership. The military want what they call sovereignty in their hands, because they believe they are the side that can maintain peace and security,” Vall said. “They are going to allow for a civilian government to have a civilian cabinet, a civilian prime minister to deal with the day-to-day affairs of the country.” He said the protest leaders wanted the military away from the ruling

positions completely. “The people are tired of the military ruling the country. They say the military should be for the protection of the country, for the protection of the borders, but the leadership of the country, including the presidency, the cabinet and so on should be in the hands of civilians.” At a separate Friday prayer gathering in a mosque in southern Khartoum, Muslim preachers long allied to al-Bashir’s government called for a rally to support military-backed Islamic rule in the face of alleged attempts by protesters to abolish it. “They want to write a secular constitution, but we will protect Sharia (Islamic laws),” said Abdelhai Yousef, a prominent conservative imam. “We will gather on Monday to tell them that Sharia is a red line.” Since independence in 1956, Sudan has bounced between tumultuous party politics and military rule. But al-Bashir successfully presented himself as the leader of a new wave of “political Islam”, based on an alliance between conservative Muslim preachers and the military. As a young officer, al-Bashir and his army were trusted by the conservative Muslim movement, which played a key role in propping him up for years. After leading his coup with a few fellow officers, al-Bashir declared the imposition of Islamic law. The new rules included stoning and amputations as punishments. The conservative Muslims “have not stopped their attempts at regrouping themselves, but they are not capable of standing against the revolution,” said Faysal Saleh, a Sudanese journalist. “Hence, they are rallying behind the military council.” Some see no imminent threat posed by hardliners, arguing they lack a solid support base in today’s Sudan. “So far these groups are standing alone and people are already resentful of them and hold them responsible for supporting al-Bashir’s regime for decades,” said Saleh.

Deadly cyclone leaves trail of destruction across Mozambique Cyclone Kenneth has killed at least one person and left a trail of destruction in northern Mozambique, destroying houses, ripping up trees and knocking out power, authorities said on Friday. The cyclone brought storm surges and wind gusts of up to 280km per hour when it made landfall on Thursday evening, after killing three people in the island nation of Comoros. It was the most powerful storm on record to hit Mozambique’s northern coast and came just six weeks after Cyclone Idai battered the impoverished nation, causing devastating floods and killing more than 1,000 people across a swath of Southern Africa. The World Food Programme warned that Kenneth could dump as much as 600mm of rain on the region over the next 10 days - twice of that brought by Cyclone Idai. One woman in the port town of Pemba died after being hit by a falling tree, the Emergency Operations Committee for Cabo Delgado (COE) said in a statement, while another person was injured. In rural areas outside Pemba, many homes are made of mud. In the main town on the island of Ibo, 90 percent

of the houses were destroyed, officials said. Around 15,000 people were out in the open or in “overcrowded” shelters and there was a need for tents, food and water, they said. There were also reports of a large number of homes and some infrastructure destroyed in Macomia district, a mainland district adjacent to Ibo. A local group, the Friends of Pemba Association, had earlier reported that they could not reach people in Muidumbe, a district further inland. Mark Lowcock, United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, warned the storm could require another major humanitarian operation in Mozambique. “Cyclone Kenneth marks the first time two cyclones have made landfall in Mozambique during the same season, further stressing the government’s limited resources,” he said in a statement. Flood warnings Shaquila Alberto, owner of the beach-front Messano Flower Lodge in Macomia, said there were many fallen trees there, and in rural areas, homes had been damaged. Some areas of

WFP warned that Kenneth could dump as much as 600mm of rain on the region over the next 10 days nearby Pemba had no power. “Even my workers, they said the roof and all the things fell down,” she said by phone. Further south, in Pemba, Elton Ernesto, a receptionist at Raphael’s Hotel, said there were fallen trees but not too much damage. The hotel had power and water, he said, while phones rang in the background. “The rain has stopped,” he added. However, Michael Charles, an officer for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said heavy rains over the next few days were likely to bring a “second

wave of destruction” in the form of flooding. “The houses are not all solid, and the topography is very sandy,” Charles said. In the days after Cyclone Idai, heavy inland rains prompted rivers to burst their banks, submerging entire villages, cutting areas off from aid and ruining crops. There were concerns the same could happen again in northern Mozambique. Before Kenneth hit, the government and aid workers moved around 30,000 people to safer buildings such as schools. However, authorities said about 680,000 people were in the path of the storm.

g 20 Irish, British governments call new Northern Ireland talks Britain and Ireland have announced a new round of talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland in a bid to restore Belfast’s collapsed government. In a joint statement on Friday, British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar said the talks will begin next week after local elections are held in the region. Northern Ireland has not had a government for two years, since the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party withdrew from a compulsory powersharing agreement with the proBritish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). But the killing of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee during a riot last week by the New IRA, an Irish nationalist paramilitary group, has increased pressure on political parties and the British and Irish governments to resolve the political crisis. “In coming together with other political leaders in St Anne’s Cathedral to pay tribute to Lyra McKee, we gave expression to the clear will and determination of all of the people of these islands to reject violence and to support peace,” May and Varadkar said in a joint statement. “We also heard the unmistakable message to all political leaders that people across Northern Ireland want to see a new momentum for political progress. We agree that what is now needed is actions and not just words from all of us who are in positions of leadership.” The aim of the talks was to quickly re-establish the full operation of the institutions with progress to be reviewed at the end of May, they said. The New IRA, which violently opposes the peace process in Northern Ireland, admitted one of its members killed McKee, saying she was accidentally shot as they attacked police officers. At McKee’s funeral on Wednesday, Father Martin Magill praised Northern Ireland’s political leaders for coming together but received a standing ovation when he asked: “Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?” The two biggest parties in Northern Ireland are supposed to govern in a compulsory power-sharing agreement reached in 1998 to end decades of conflict. The agreement broke down in January 2017 over a range of issues, including rights for Irish-language speakers. Both the DUP and Sinn Fein have blamed each other for the political paralysis, as several rounds of talks have failed to produce an agreement. The talks most recently collapsed in February last year. “The death of Lyra McKee has certainly sparked off a wave of emotion right across society here,” journalist Eamonn McCann told Al Jazeera from Londonderry, also known as Derry. “But it’s a bit early to say that this wave of emotion is going to carry us to peace, or carry us to a new political settlement.” “There is no doubt that there is a great yearning for new thinking, for something that can be done differently. One of the problems is that, if you look at the two main political leaderships, there is no indication at all that either of these parties are changing their basic beliefs. And their basic beliefs are divided from one another,” he said. Attempts to find an agreement have been complicated by the DUP’s role in propping up May’s minority government in London and the impact on the region of Britain’s planned exit from the European Union.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Daily Times Advert Rates Sizes

Rates

Vat

Sizes

Colour

Rates

Vat

F/PAGE H/PAGE Q/PAGE 14”X5 14”X4 14”X2 FPS 6”X3 FPS 6”X2 BPS 6”X3 BPS 6”X2 ROP2”X6 FPS 2”X6 BPS 2”X6 13”X5

585,000.00 303,439.60 163,431.45 516,379.50 266,617.34 296,551.80 873,388.02 582,267.81 861,432.81 565,621.87 198,096.61 582,257.82 565,621.87 479,495.25

29,250.00 15.171.97 8,171.57 25,818.97 13,426.86 10,327.59 43,669.40 29,122.89 43,071.64 28,281.09 9,904.84 29,131.09 28,281.09 23,974.76

10”X5 10”X5 10”X4 10”X3 10”X2 9”X6 9”X5 9”X4 9”X3 8”X6 8”X5 8”X4 8”X3 8”X2

506,732,50 324,252.34 421,528.04 337,222.43 131,839.81 455,159.25 379,375.23 303,500.18 210,126.15 404,568.92 337,222.43 259,777.95 186,801.63 124,522.05

25,286.62 13,780/72 21,076.40 19,861,12 6,591.99 22,767.96 18,968.76 15,176.00 10,056,30 20,233.34 16,861.12 13,488,89 9,340.08 8,226.10

13”X2 11”X5 11”X4 11”X2

164,774.84 463,680.84 370,424.87 139,424.87

8,238.74 23,184.04 18,521.24 6,971.24

7”X5 7”X4 7”X2 6”X4

295,059.63 206,551.80 88,724.91 156,001.52

14,753.48 10,327.59 4,406.24 9,340.08

Sizes

6”X3 6”X2 5”X5 5:X4 5”X3 5”X2 4”X2 3”X3 3”X2 2”X2 1”X2 1”X1 BPS 2”X2

Rates

114974.85 76,049.94 168,437.36 131M839.81 86,062.36 63,374,94 50,699.95 43,874.94 20,240.98 19,499.98 9,749.99 4,876.00 349,354.69

Vat

5,703.74 3,802.74 7,921.86 6,591.99 4,763.11 3,168.74 2,534.99 1,864.68 1,243.12 828.75 828.75 207.19 17,467.73

EARPIECE 2”X2 365,900.62 CENTER SPREAD 1,497,234 DOUBLE SPREAD 1,330,876.00 DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2) 665,437.50

18,299.53 74,861.71 66,543.76 33,210.97

Black & White S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

SIZES F/PAGE H/PAGE Q/PAGE 14”X5 14”X4 14”X2 13”X5 13”X2 11”X5 11”X4 11”X2 10”X6 10”X5 10”X4 10”X3

RATES 442,402.65 229,476.11 124,895.04 390,611.25 312,409.60 157,994.09 362,617.60 124,601.51 360,647.44 281,516.05 105,440.15 383,460.20 320,067.93 255,641.86 191,665.00

VAT 22,120.31 11,473.80 6,244.75 19,526.63 15,620.48 7,899.79 18,130.88 6,230.07 17,532.37 14,090.90 5,272.00 19,123.01 16,003.39 12,752.09 9,583.34

S/N 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

SIZES 10”X2 9”X6 9”X5 8”X4 9”X3 8”X6 8”X5 8”X 4 8”X3 8”X2 7”X5 7”X4 7”X2 6”X4 6”X3

RATES 124,611,09 343,369.19 286,789.47 229,536.51 155,328.58 306,019.70 204,020.39 204,032.45 141,263.20 76,631.55 223,003.40 167,994.09 51,614.05 173,871.36 66,360.90

VAT 6,230.55 17,168.45 14,339.47 11,476.02 7,766.43 15,300.98 10,201.46 10,201,62 7,063.16 3,831.57 71,116.12 7,698.67 2,193.60 4,818.40 2,820.34

S/N 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

SIZES 6”X2 5”X5 5”X4 6”X3 6”X2 4”X 2 3”X3 3”X2 2”X5 2”X2 1”X2 1”X1

RATES 44,240.63 119,813.65 94,554.69 55,300.74 36,867.18 29,493.75 33,180.45 22,120.32 48,173.99 14,746.87 7,373.44 3,685.72

DOUBLE SPREAD 774,210.84 DOUBLE SPREAD(1/2) 367,105.47

VAT 1,880.23 6,990.68 3,133.71 2,360.26 1,566.85 1,253.48 1,410.17 940.11 2,047.39 626.74 313.37 156.69

32,803.96 16,451.98

Lilian Okechukwu - 08036693468, Maryamu Mohammed - 08038344225, Sandra Onyema - 08038541505 Head, Marketing / Sales Department

Marketing / Sales Executive

SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 27, 2019

Africa’s No.1 Aruna Quadri accepts ITTF world championship defeat in good faith

Nigeria and Africa’s top-ranked Table Tennis player Aruna Quadri has stated that he has nothing to contest about his elimination at the ongoing ITTF world championship in Budapest after losing at the round of 32 to tournament top-ranked player and China’s Fan Zhendong. Aruna it was gathered admitted losing to a better player although pointed out