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DAILY

TIMES

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

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UBA rewards shareholders with 55 kobo final dividend

ÏÏÏ Grows Profit before Tax by 32% Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏ United Bank for Africa (UBA)

has announced 55 kobo final dividend for the 2016 financial year ended December 31, as the bank’s audited financial statement reflects enhanced performance, irrespective of challenging macro/ micro headwinds.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading financial services group

17.70

17.71 0.06%

WAPCO

41.00

Continued on page 7

MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 328

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

GAINERS AS AT March 24, 2017 STANBIC

in sub-Saharan Africa, with presence in 19 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France.

The bank’s audited result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday showed that key performance measuring indices for the year posted remarkable performances. Profit be-

41.01

N150

LOSERS AS AT March 24, 2017 0.02%

7UP

80.00

76.01

-4.99%

Senate probes Customs over N4trn revenue loss

Olufemi Samuel, Ï Says, it will stop at nothing in tracking and recovering loss revenue Abuja Ï Links leakage to various forms of infractions, abuse, non- implementation of policies ÏÏÏ The Senate has set machinery in Ï Frowns at corruption within the NCS, collusion with stakeholders motion to probe the alleged loss of a total sum of N4 trillion revenue by the Ï ‘Customs revenue will be enhanced and non-oil revenue will be improved upon at the end of probe’ Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) be-

2016 Budget: Capital releases to MDAs hit N1trn L-R: Chairman of the fundraising occasion, Aigboje AigImoukhuede; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and President/CEO, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during the fundraising of the Africa Centre, New York, USA, sponsored by Dangote Foundation, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos… at the weekend.

tween 2006 and 2016.

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Continued on page 6

FG unfolds new vision for Niger Delta 29

Ï j ƅƏƆ ƐƆ Ɖ Ƅ Ƈ Ə ƈƋƋƆ Ƌ refiners

First 11 days: 43,000 passengers used Kaduna airport- Coordinating 6 Committee

Presidency destroying Nigeria’s democracy, says 6 Fayose

PDP peace deal breaks down after 72 hours 12

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

5 News

FG’s intervention in Etisalat’s $1.2bn debt saves over 50,000 jobs Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏ

Federal Government’s recent intervention in the $1.2 billion Etisalat debt to consortium of banks in the country may have save the job of about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The government’s intervention through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the company’s lingering debt, has been seen as demonstration of strong commitment to creation and sustenance of jobs as well as creating an ensuring enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The Daily Times findings show that with the current stance of the government on the Etisalat’s debt issue, the International investing community has once again been assured of the leadership’s commitment to creating a level playing field for all genuine businesses to thrive in the country.

Nigeria’s apex bank and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently agreed with local group of banks to pursue a default deal rather than a receivership for Etisalat Nigeria, so as not to deter investors and to avoid a wider debt crisis.

A default deal, is a formal ar-

TEF 2017 set to empower fresh 1000 young entrepreneurs Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏThe

Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has revealed its readiness to empower fresh 1,000 African entrepreneurs, for its 2017 or third edition of the 10-year, $100 million TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. The foundation, in a statement made available to Daily Times announcing the 2017 successful applicants revealed that over 93,000 entrepreneurs, from 55 countries and territories in Africa, applied in the third edition, reflecting over 200 per cent of 2016 applications and 400 per cent of 2015 entries.

Over the next nine months, the lucky young entrepreneurs will be given training and mentorship as they are expected to deploy skills acquired during the training, to develop a business plan. Following which, they will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in seed capital.

rangement by creditors to people whose accounts are in arrears.

The creditors are legally bound to do this when a debtor’s account goes into arrears, having missed or defaulted on payment agreement.

The Daily Times gathered that receiving a default Notice does

not necessarily mean that the creditor is intending to start legal action, but to push for a workable settlement option or debt rescheduling.

Default deal in this case is an agreement by the creditor and client whose account is in arrears, a formal identification that the

account is in arrears and that request for repayment arrangement as soon as possible.

Failure of which the account will go into default and the creditor will be given official permission to pursue further action to retrieve the debt.

While Receivership deal entails

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fasola (SAN), after minister’s inspection of Federal road projects in Osun State… recently.

Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Leo Ogor has kicked against moves by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to whittle down the powers of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Addressing newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, Ogor said such moves should be jettisoned as they are tantamount to eroding the independence of the apex bank.

According to him, such a plan if allowed to materialise will expose the CBN to undue political interference, thereby eroding the neutrality of the bank to act as a

Ogor opposes minister’s plans to whittle CBN powers watchdog of the economy.

He said that “rather than whittling the powers of the Central Bank which is not in conformity with best international practices as present day realities has demonstrated world wide, our Finance minister should initiate relevant fiscal policies aimed at stimulating the economy from recession.

“If the Minister succeeds with her plan, the reaction time of the CBN to monetary policies will be greatly impaired by bureaucracy

as it is expected to act through a supervisory agency and such move will result in undue political interference in monetary policies, which will not augur well for the economy.”

He further argued that rather than asking for cuts, the minister should have asked for powers to strengthen the CBN. “The Central Bank should remain independent and not be brought under the Ministry of Finance. The CBN should not be seen as an appendage of the fi-

Gov Ahmed flags off N2.3b road project

Kehinde Akinpelu I

ÏÏÏ

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed at the weekend flagged-off another road project, dualisation of KulendeUniversity of Ilorin Teaching Hospital-Oke-Ose Road, Ilorin as part of the on-going infrastructure development projects under the newly established Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund, IF-K.

the creditor filing for takeover of the clients business to recover debt. Here, an institution or enterprise is held by a receiver, a person “placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others, including tangible and intangible assets and rights “especially in cases where a company cannot meet financial obligations or enters bankruptcy.

Etisalat creditors pursuing receivership of the company, the Daily Times findings show, will throw the company’s direct and indirect employees estimated over 50,000 out of job and further weakening government’s effort at creating jobs for its mass unemployed citizens.

Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, had earlier disclosed on how the company got entangled in the debt, saying “Economic downturn, a currency devaluation and dollar shortages on Nigeria’s interbank market led to it missing payment”.

Meanwhile, cross section of experts have proposed for Etisalat to speedy process of listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to further strengthen existing bond with the Nigerian investors, government and the people, in line with one of the options taken by MTN Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ahmed said the 9km road with a completion period of 18months and awarded at a contract sum of N2.3b is part of his administration’s commitment to provide infrastructure development in order to boost commercial activities across the state.

The governor who called on the Federal Government to refund monies expended by the state on federal roads, said his adminis-

tration will not delay compensating the affected property owners.

Accoding to him, “we will ensure that this project and others across the state are executed in accordance with the design specifications and programme of work. Government will not relent in ensuring that all roads across the length and breadth of the state are made motorable.”

“Indeed, the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund

nance ministry,” he added.

Rep. Ogor, who expressed concern about the adverse impact the move would have on the larger economy by subjecting the CBN to the ministry’s supervision, stated that “reinforcing the CBN’s autonomy as a global practice should be encouraged while the relationship between the ministry and CBN should be the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies.

(IFK) provides a strong guarantee that this project, the Geri Alimi Split Diamond Interchange and other ongoing as well as new projects will be funded to completion within the life span of this administration,” the governor promised.

Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahya explained that government embarked on the project in order to reduce the inconveniences being experienced by commuters and motorists plying the route.

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Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè L Əƅ ƾƣè ƾƠơƣ

Senate probes Customs over N4trn revenue loss

Continued from page 1

The Red chamber attributed the leakage to the problem of revenue monitoring mechanism within the Nigerian Customs Service.

The Senate has therefore, mandated its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff to anchor the probe.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo West), made this known while briefing newsmen weekend in Abuja.

The decision comes five days after the Upper Legislative chamber declared the Comptroller of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) as unfit to hold any public office in the country and called on him to resign.

Uzodima said his Committee would stop at nothing in tracking and recovering the loss revenue caused by the lapses and various infractions by the revenue generating agency.

He said preliminary investigation already made by the committee, revealed that the N4 trillion leakage was as a result of various forms of infractions including abuse and non- implementation of policies targeted at achieving high revenue income for the country through various levies, duties and tariffs on imported goods.

According to him, factors responsible for the leakage were wrong classification of cargo under HS Code (Harmonised System Codes), non-screening of cargoes coming into Nigeria and lack of

adequate ICT infrastructure for revenue collection, stressing that cancellation of pre-arrival assessment reports, abandonment of single goods declaration were equally responsible for the leakage.

He said: “The committee frowns at the quantum of revenue losses and it will stop at nothing in ensuring that those involved in this ugly act would return all recoverable monies with them.

“The committee also frowns at the level of collusion and corruption within the Customs Service.

At the end of our current investigation, all these will become a thing of the past and customs revenue will be enhanced and non-oil revenue will be improved upon.

“What we are investigating is

not money spent. It is the leakages. For instance, I am supposed to pay XYZ amount of duty, I will abandon the documentation, go get fake documents, collude with customs, pay maybe a fraction of it and carry my goods. With that, the true import circle is not closed.

“Another instance is that assessment is abandoned or I fill the form M for example with a pro forma invoice, apply for foreign exchange in Central Bank, XYZ amount of money is allocated to me, money moves in but no goods shipped. I will then go get fake documents, collude with customs and then retire the allocation”.

The lawmaker decried that this sharp practice, which further include round tripping and false

declarations, had over time led to increase in the exchange rate.

He stressed that in most cases, the amount of money spent was not commensurate with the number of goods being imported, adding that the committee had started investigating activities of companies and banks indicted in the matter.

“We will not mention the companies involved because we are also very careful of the integrity and public perception of some of these companies, being that some of them are in the Stock Market.

We will be diplomatic in carrying out this investigation.

“This is to the extent that little or no damage will be done to the Continued on page 7

Presidency destroying Nigeria’s democracy, says Fayose Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏ

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First 11 days: 43,000 passengers used Kaduna airport- Coordinating Committee

Ï ơƠè ƠƠƠ ƍ Ɔ ƆƏ Ɛ ƊƆ 01ô ƇƏƆƆ ƄƑ ƑƐƐƋƆ ƄƆƐƓƆƆ ƄƑƉ è E ƗƑ ƈƏƍ ƏƐ Ï jƈ Ɛ ƆƅƑƏƈƐƕ ƏƆƍ ƏƐƆƗ ƄƑƉ éE ƗƑ Ə ƑƐƆ é^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ ƅƕ Tony Ailemen Abuja

ÏÏÏ More than 43,000 passengers

passed through the Kaduna Airport in its first 11 days of operations as the alternative to the Abuja Airport, according to the latest data submitted to the Presidency by the Federal Government Coordinating Committee overseeing the management of the airport repair, closure and relocation.

A statement released by the presidency official on Sunday disclosed that this is more than the 41,000 passengers it recorded in the entire first quarter of 2015, and the 21,000 in the first quarter of 2016.

Also, during this period, about 10,000 passengers took advantage of the free Bus Shuttle organised

by the Federal Government to transport passengers between the Abuja and Kaduna Airports.

The free Bus Shuttle conveys passengers between Abuja and Kaduna airports, starting at the Abuja Airport at 6 0’clock in the morning, and at the Kaduna airport from 8 a.m. The shuttle takes 3 hours from Airport to Airport, and runs every 30 minutes, until the arrival of the last daily flight in Kaduna.

The Shuttle is in addition to the Federal Government’s free Train Service between Abuja and Kaduna. The two-and-half-hour Train Service departs Abuja’s Idu Station for Kaduna at 6 a.m., 11.55 a.m. and 5.45 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; and departs Kaduna’s Rigasa Station for Abuja at 9 a.m., 2.50 p.m. and 8.40 p.m.

According to the report, the Federal Government’s Coordinating Committee, comprising senior officials of the Ministry of Aviation, its parastatals (FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, AIB), and security and emergency agencies (Police, FRSC, DSS, NEMA), is chaired by the Minister of State Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and has been meeting weekly to review operations, collate statistics, and implement internal and external feedback.

Also in its latest report, the Committee highlighted the deployment of 173 Police Patrol vehicles, and 2,400 police personnel – drawn from the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and Continued on page 7

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday, accused officials of the Presidency of being bent on destroying Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy and emasculating the National Assembly, urging Nigerians to resist such development.

Governor Fayose made the accusation in a statement in AdoEkiti on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, saying: “In doing so, we shall be defending our democracy and we shall also be defending ourselves and generations of Nigerians yet unborn. This democracy cost us a lot in blood and sweat. The labour and sacrifice of the heroes and heroines of our democracy must not be allowed to go in vain”.

Fayose said it is a shame when the Constitution of the country is violated by Federal appointees and the Presidency keeps silent.

He said: “It confirms that the Presidency is the one behind it.

In the uniform saga involving the Comptroller-General of Customs, it is safe to say that the Presidency is in support of Hammed Ali against the National Assembly.

It is scary that a whole Senate of the Federal Republic has to bow to an appointee who had needed the same Senate to confirm his appointment. In a democracy which thrives on separation of powers, this is tantamount to an invasion of the hallowed chambers of the legislature, in the same manner that we recently witnessed against the Judiciary.

“When the Presidency accepts and defends the arrogance of one man against the time-tested and practice-honoured intricate system of governance, then, the system as a whole has collapsed.

It is even more dangerous that the courts have been dragged into this obvious plot to destroy the legislature just as we recently witnessed a similar plot against the Judiciary itself.

“It is an open secret today that many judges are being blackmailed to do the bidding of the Presidency and the ruling party.

It is also embarrassing to ask the Senate to maintain status quo on an issue that borders on the performance of its legislative duty”.

“Presidency appointees are ridiculing and sneering at the Legislature, which is comprised of the elected representatives of the people; Presidency appointees are relentlessly and without remorse tearing the fabrics that bind this country together: What are they turning this country into? When last did this happen in Nigeria?

“Magu’s nomination has twice been rejected by the Legislature; yet, he sits pretty in office: Under what law and by whose authority?

Mrs. Jamila Shu’ara, permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, who should have retired two years ago, is being brazenly kept in the civil service in flagrant violation of extant civil service rules and regulations.

Where else in the civilised world can that happen?

“If a power-drunk Presidency is bent on violating the law, why can’t the individuals concerned be men and women of integrity?

“What is the essence of sending appointees’ nomination to the Senate? It is so that the Senate, which is the authority constitutionally-saddled with the responsibility to confirm or reject such nominations, can perform its duty. And its decision is biding; not advisory like some chop-and quench lawyers are rationalising.

Continued on page 7

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

7

News

UBA rewards shareholders with 55 kobo final dividend

Continued from page 1

fore tax (PBT) advanced by 32.3 percent to N90.6 billion from N68.4 billion recorded in 2015.

The pan-African financial services group, operating in 19 African countries, audited 2016 full year results, showed major growth in gross earnings and profits, testament to its resilience, improved efficiency and geographic spread , manifesting in the impressive input from its African subsidiaries.

The result showed that the Group documented an inspiring 22 per cent growth in gross earnings to N384 billion, from N315 billion at the end of the 2015 financial year. This shows the Bank’s capability to grow profit notwithstanding the difficult macro-economic environment.

In addition to the rising adoption of electronic banking channels in many of the African markets, where UBA operates, the Bank leveraged its strong

franchise and geographical footprint.

As reflected in the results released on March 24, 2017 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), covering the period January to December 2016, the Group saw a significant 32 percent growth in profit before tax (PBT) to N91 billion, compared to N68 billion profit recorded over the same period of 2015.

UBA’s profit after tax rose by 22 percent to N72 billion, from N60 billion recorded the previous year. The performance was buoyed by considerable growth in both interest and noninterest income, as well as increasing efficiency gains from cost management initiatives. The bank’s subsidiaries the country, continue to boost market share, strengthening the strong and impressive subsidiary contribution to the Group, estimated at one-third of profit in 2016, from a quarter in 2015 financial year.

Following the impressive performance, the Board of

Directors proposed a final dividend of 55kobo, subject to the approval of the shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, scheduled to be held on April 7, 2017 at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

The Bank had earlier paid an interim dividend of 20k to shareholders, bringing the total dividend for the 2016 financial year to N0.75, an unprecedented yield of 13.9 per cent, based on the stock’s unit price of N5.39 on the floor of the NSE. The results and dividend proposal justify investor confidence in the Bank, as reflected in the 20 per cent year-to-date rally in the share price, compared to the overall market loss of 5% over the same period.

Kennedy Uzoka, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed satisfaction at the resilience of the Bank, despite the macroeconomic challenges in a number of countries where UBA operates.

“Given the operating

First 11 days: 43,000 passengers used Kaduna airport- Coordinating Committee Continued from page 6 others – along the AbujaKaduna Highway and the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line.

Equally deployed are 30 Police motorcycles along the rail tracks, 2 Patrol Helicopters along the rail and road routes, and 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) at strategic points on the routes, including the Airports and Train stations.

The Abuja Airport runway was closed for operations on Wednesday March 8, 2017, to enable the reconstruction of the entire runway. Originally constructed in 1982, the runway has, until now, seen no repair works, despite the fact that it was built to last no more than 25 years. The recon-

struction, being carried out

by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, has since commenced, and is now in its third week – halfway into the planned six weeks.

“The reconstruction is going according to schedule, and we are fully confident that the Abuja Airport will reopen after six weeks, as planned,” said a top presidency official involved in the presidential supervision of the airport closure and oversight, adding that the Aviation Minister of State, Hadi Sirika, in particular has been working diligently to minimize the inconvenience caused by the closure.

After the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on

the runway will continue for another 18 weeks. This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules, the Presidency official further disclosed.

The source added that a media tour to allow reporters observe and assess the progress on the Abuja Airport runway repair will hold this week, as the repair is about its mid-point on Wednesday.

The Federal Government’s Coordinating Committee has launched a series of Customer Engagement initiatives to enable passengers and travellers affected by the closure get up-to-date information and updates.

‘Presidency destroying Nigeria’s democracy’ Continued from page 6 And no nominee, who fails to pass the Senate hurdle, can sit in the office to which he had been nominated.

“The spirit as well as the letters of our Constitution; and, indeed, the pillars of democratic governance erected this road block to enforce checks and bal-

ances and keep the Executive in check because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

“Otherwise, we shall have dictatorship on our hands and President Buhari would soon become Emperor Buhari in the same mould or even worse than those of Emperor Jean Bedel Bokassa and Emperor

Idi Amin Dada. God forbid!

Fayose then warned that “the infractions by Presidency officials are becoming too often, too many, and achingly intolerable, adding: “We run a constitutional government and not a dictatorship. It is a shame that they are all behaving as if Nigeria is a banana republic”.

environment in 2016, I am very pleased with our profitability - an impressive 32% growth in profit before tax to N91 billion - whilst we have also focused keenly on operational efficiencies, illustrated by the reduction in our Cost-to-Income Ratio,” Uzoka said.

On the bank’s outlook for 2017 financial year, Uzoka expressed confidence, as the Bank’s pan-African operations increasingly gain critical mass across its chosen markets.

“As we implement our Customer First Philosophy, we are approaching 2017 with real optimism, especially with the outlook remaining positive in many of our markets, where we benefit from our increasingly diverse revenue streams. We reiterate our pledge to delivering excellent service to our customers, and remain committed to creating superior and sustainable return for our shareholders,” he said.

Ugo Nwaghodoh, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

of UBA Group, stated the Bank extracted efficiency gains across its operations to boost profitability. He confirmed that the Bank has seen significant improvement across major performance metrics, including an improvement in the net interest margin.

“Our performance in 2016 reflects the strong potential and resilience of our business. We grew top and bottom lines by 22% and 32% respectively, despite the stagflation in Nigeria, our core market. Reflecting improved balance sheet management and better value extraction, our net interest margin (NIM) improved 40bps YoY to 6.7%,” the CFO noted.

He also expressed delight at the performance of the Group’s African subsidiaries (ex-Nigeria), which contributed a third of the Group’s profits, adding that the Bank will continue to leverage innovative offerings to grow its share of the respective markets.

“As we diligently execute

our Customer First initiative, I am particularly upbeat on the future of business and the value creation for shareholders.” he noted.

From a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria, UBA has emerged as a pan-African provider of banking and other financial services, to about 11 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Sahara Africa; 632 business offices, 1,750 ATMs, some 13,500 PoS, and a robust online and mobile banking platform.

The bank was the first Nigerian bank to make an Initial Public Offering (IPO), following its listing on the NSE in 1970. It was also the first Nigerian bank to issue Global Depository Receipts (GDRs). The shares of UBA are publicly traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bank has a well-diversified shareholder base, including foreign and local institutional investors as well as individual shareholders.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Sokoto mandates all workers to be computer literate ÏÏÏ Governor Aminu Wa-

L-R: Managing Director, Geum Macrophyllum, Mr. Olajide Adams; Prof. Derin Ologbenla; Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions; Dr. Akintola Benson-Oke; Director of Training, Office of Establishments, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mr. Ayodeji Aruna and Executive Director, Geum Macrophyllum, Mr. Sammy Oki, during the 2-day workshop tagged: Human Resources as Vital Tool in Lagos State Public Service in Ikeja, Lagos… recently.

ziri Tambuwal has directed all civil servants working in Sokoto State to be computer literate to enhance their chance of progression in the civil service.

He spoke following the granting of approval to the Head of Service for the training of 23,361 state workers on computer appreciation.

“We are embarking on this important project in order to increase efficiency in the civil service of Sokoto State. In this age and time, no progress can be made without knowledge of computer and by extension information and communication technology (ICT).

“The milestones achieved in the sector in the state, as can be seen from award of best state in ICT from the Nigerian Information and

Technology Development Agency (NITDA), should be sustained and built upon.

“We have involved the leadership of labour unions for easy mobilization. We hope the workers, who are direct beneficiaries, will show enough dedication and commitment to the training,” Governor Tambuwal was quoted as saying through a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto on Sunday.

The special computer training will be conducted in six centers situated at three State-owned Tertiary Institutions and the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund.

The institutions are: Sokoto State University, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Poluyechnic and Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE), Sokoto.

The statement said the Central Coordination for the training will be located at Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic under the supervision of the Rector of the institution, Prof. Aminu A. Ibrahim to be assisted by 5 others.

“Already, the Head of Service of Sokoto State, Alhaji Buhari Bello Kware, has met with the coordinating team and the leadership of the organized Labour in the State so that all stake holders are carried along in ensuring that the training is a success.

“Consequently, all civil servants are hereby enjoined to avail themselves with this golden opportunity provided by the Government,” the statement added.

The total duration for the training is 70 weeks.

FG committed to making Abia manufacturing capital of Nigeria – VP Osinbajo Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏ The

Federal Government has said it was committed to working with the state government in making Abia State the capital of manufacturing in Nigeria.

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo disclosed this in Umuahia during a town hall meeting with states in the Niger Delta region, stating that this will be in alliance with the state government, stating “We are committed to working with the state government in making this state the capital of manufacturing in Nigeria and we will support the state to ensure that it is successful and that young people and entrepreneurs and all those that intend to

be involved in commerce and industry to create the opportunities for others”.

The VP stated this while responding to agitations from the Abia Elders Advisory Council, Ukwa Youths Congress, Ukwa Women Association, Centre for the Eradication of Rural Poverty, and representatives of the Traditional Rulers Council.

Others include former Senate President, Sen. Adolfus Wabara, for Abia Elders and National Assembly members from Abia South Senatorial District, including Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and Rep. Uzoma Abonta.

Others were Eze Young Ogbonna, for traditional rulers, Mr Chima Nwogu, Ukwa Youths, Chief Don Ubani, Centre for the Eradi-

cation of Rural Poverty, Sam Nwogu, a former Abia representative in the NDDC board, and Comfort Jite, Ukwa Women.

They had informed the VP about neglect by oil companies, non-employment quota for them, abandoned federal projects in the area, including roads and electricity projects, no representation in NDDC, occupation of premier school by the army in Ukwa land, and no scholarship quota for them.

Others include non-inclusion of Abians in the federal government amnesty programme, land degradation, influence of gas flaring on the health of host communities, lack of federal institution in the area, and other federal presence.

Responding, VP Osinbajo

Okowa calls for assistance for less privileged Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏ Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Nigerians to immortalize the member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Omawumi Udoh by assisting the less privileged.

Governor Okowa made the call on Friday at the funeral service of Hon. Udoh at Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Warri.

Hon. Udoh until her death, was a member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Warri South ii constituency.

According to the Governor, “we are glad that we had an Honourable member, a truly Honourable member of the Delta State House of Assembly who was dedicated to her duties, committed to charity and showed great love for her people.”

“She loved her constituents so much and my charge to you all is to keep her memory alive in your spirit by showing love to the less privileged as she did,” the Governor said, solemnly saying, “we will miss her, we loved her, but, God loves her the most.”

The Governor prayed for

her family on behalf of the government and people of Delta State and urged them to always take solace in the fact that she lived a good life.

Earlier in a sermon, Rev. Fr. Benedict Ukutegbe stated that death remains a mystery but, Christians should always prepare for eternity.

“This is another opportunity to reflect on why we are here on earth, we pretend to be very busy; it is important that we ask ourselves what really gives meaning to our existence, how are we preparing for our last day on earth?

disclosed that “In November, 2016, NDDC visited the president at Abuja and submitted a 16-point roadmap on how to develop the oil producing community. The president therefore decided that he must undertake visits to all of the oil producing areas in the country to engage with the leadership and the people of these communities, to hear them, to seek a better understanding of their problems and concerns and also to present a new vision to the people of the oil producing communities. ”There is no question at all that the majority of people of these communities, including the Asa community and several parts of the oil producing states of this country has heard of oil wells and the prosperity,

while most have not benefited from that well”.

Here are the rest of the speeches of the VP, with the assurance that the FG will come to the rescue of the agitators: “The story of devastation is everywhere as heard from all of the severe environmental pollution and environmental damage and degradation that go on in that village.

In some places they fishers and farmers communities who have lost their means of livelihood.

“Here with the heads of agencies to propose a new way of doing things in the rural communities, a new vision and also to signpost a new era in our peace and relationships with the people of the rural communities in this state and in Nigeria

as a whole”.

He emphasized that one of the things that has happened in the past few months is that the FG has designed a new partnership with oil producing communities, a partnership of the FG, state government, local government and the oil producing communities, as well as indigenous and foreign oil companies. Not just a relationship between the FG and the oil producing communities, but anybody that is concerned with oil production as well is involved in creating this new vision.

This he said focuses on the need to see that the people see the benefit of the worth of the oil of the land.

It is just that the majority of the people do not see the benefit of the oil.

New Bussa is without portable drinking water Saka Bolaji, Minna

ÏÏÏ The Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Kintoro IV has cried out for the supply of portable drinking water for the people of New Bussa and other parts of the emirate council.

The Royal Father in a passionate appeal called on the state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello to urgently intervene in solving the perennial scarcity of water in the chiefdom.

He lamented that despite the presence of Kainji Dam in New Bussa, the people were facing acute hardship due to lack of portable water supply.

He appealed to the government to assist in drilling boreholes regretting that the dam had affected all traditional water sources for the people.

Responding, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said that his administration was fine turning arrangement for supply of portable water in New Bussa.

According to him, the government has ear-

marked N43m for water supply project in New Bussa, adding that water experts have been mobilised on site for the project.

The Governor explained that he was on mid term assessment tour of the state adding that the tour was aimed at ensuring that campaign promises are fulfilled.

He thanked the royal father for ensuring peaceful coexistence of the people in the chiefdom, urging him to continue to maintain the security stability in the emirate council.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Politics

9

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Ortom and the challenges of killing in Benue Patrick Okohue and Freddie Adamgbe For over six years running, Benue State indigenes and residents have perpetually lived under the fear of terror attacks from all fronts.

Be it horrendous insurgency from Agatu, Gwer, Gwer West, Makurdi and Guma or herdsmen/farmers clashes in Tarka, Gboko and Buruku or the militia and criminal invasion of Sankera and Kwande local government areas, the security challenges have been enormous.

The one worrisome fact about the attacks, particularly from the so called herdsmen is the level of sophistication and condition under which the attackers carry out their destructive mission in a fashion similar to a planned military outing.

The persistent attacks that always leave several dozens of defenseless farmers dead in its wake and turn those alive into refugees in their own state with its attendant challenges made many to believe that it was a carefully planned intent to drive the inhabitants of the Benue trough away by force and take over their ancestral land for the purposes of grazing their cows by the Fulani herdsmen.

The level of destruction was so heavy that even the National Assembly had to wade in by calling on the Federal Government to intervene and stop the blood bath flowing in Benue.

However, determined to arrest this development and prevent further unprovoked and senseless attacks on the Benue people, the state governor, Samuel Ortom rose swiftly to the occasion.

He initiated several meetings with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) where the attention of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III was drawn to the matter and the fact that the committee members breached their commitment to peace.

Several other peace shuttles were made with Nasarrawa State governor, Tanko AlMakura at Agatu and Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State at Anyiase in Turan Kwande Local Government to seek ways of preventing the ceaseless mayhem on the people of Benue.

Governor Ortom has also taken up the matter with President Muhammadu Buhari where he sought the deployment of troops to the affected areas and other parts of the state that were considered as flash points of herdsmen attacks.

The governor who was also a victim of herdsmen attack three years ago took the risk to personally pay a visit to the affected communities to commiserate with victims of the insurgence and to assess the level of destruction done by the herdsmen without cows.

While in the affected communities, the governor urged the people not to resort to self-help, but to allow the government whose sole mandate is to protect lives and properties fight for them.

Gov. Samuel Ortom

Speaking while on a visit to Ugba in Logo Local Government Area of the state, Ortom expressed displeasure over the continuous herdsmen attack and urged security agencies to live up to their responsibilities.

He expressed his displeasure over what he described as “incessant, unwarranted attacks and killings allegedly being perpetrated by herdsmen and for which no arrest had been made.”

According to him, “My people are killed, displaced, vulnerable and above all, rendered homeless in their father land.’’

He noted that the available land in the state was not even adequate for farming, let alone grazing of cattle and suggested the establishment of ranches to end the incessant crisis.

The governor appealed to the Federal Government to collaborate with the state in addressing the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Benue.

Also speaking after an attack on Tarfi village by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Ortom again lamented that Benue state was under siege He revealed that the death toll in that attack had risen to over 60.

Admitting that the state government was helpless and could not contain the activities of the herdsmen, Ortom revealed that he was going to represent the matter to President Buhari because the state government was helpless in the matter.

While also on a visit to Agatu community that was attacked by the same Fulani herdsmen, Governor Ortom wept openly.

He said, “After committing the atrocities, they sacked the locals from their abode after which they occupied the ‘captured territory’”.

Ortom noted that although he had continually warned the people against carrying out reprisal attacks, they soon might resort to self-help if security agencies could not protect them.

“It is a bad situation, everyday you hear how my people are being killed, raped and maimed by these mercenaries. They do not have respect for the rule of law or security personnel. The situation has gotten to a point where if we contain the crisis in one community, they move quickly to another to massacre the people just like the Buruku case where over 60 innocent persons have been killed.

“It is a bad situation, everyday you hear how my people are being killed, raped and maimed by these mercenaries.

They do not have respect for the rule of law or security personnel. The situation has gotten to a point where if we contain the crisis in one community, they move quickly to another to massacre the people just like the Buruku case where over 60 innocent persons have been killed”

“These are wicked mercenaries under the guise of herdsmen attacking us and taking over our farmland. I have said it several times that we do not have land for grazing in the state, let them move out of the state if they cannot respect the rule of law and the sanctity of human lives,” he said.

Again speaking after a visit to one of the communities attacked by herdsmen, Governor Ortom blamed foreign herdsmen for most of the incessant attacks in the country.

He urged the government to tighten boarder security and the herdsmen to embrace the construction of ranches.

Ortom said the attacks in the country were carried out by herdsmen from Mali, Ghana, Congo and Niger and that the foreign herdsmen have been committing atrocities since 2011.

Ortom said: “Unless they are chased out, it would be hard to maintain peace in the country. These herdsmen are very destructive and well-armed. They kill women and children on sight. They are completely different from the Fulani’s that we have lived and cohabited with over the years.

“We understand that the herdsmen came from Mali, Ghana, Congo, Niger among others and are killing us every day with impunity. This must stop.

“As we speak, over eight local governments have been affected across the state.

The situation is really overwhelming.”

Insisting that the herdsmen must embrace ranches instead of grazing reserves as lands were not available in the state for such, he noted that 85 per cent of the citizens of the state were farmers and occupied the little available lands.

Traditional rulers and opinion moulders were also charged to caution the youths not to engage in the process.

He implored security agencies to ensure that the killer herdsmen are arrested and brought to book while pronouncing that armed Fulani must leave Benue with dispatch.

The action of the governor has demonstrated his genuine concern over the plight of the internally displaced persons as in many ways than one to stimulate the gradual easing of tension in several communities.

He has also urged the Benue State House of Assembly to expedite action on the accelerated passage of the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the House to prevent further attacks on farmers and their crops.

The governor who is passionate about the affected communities and victims quick return to their ancestral homes to continue their farming activities, particularly now that the cropping season is fast approaching has shown by example through quick response and visits that he values lives and he is truly elected to protect his people and it has gone a long way in calming frayed nerves.

The truth is that, were the governor an aggressive person and warmonger type of person, hell would have been let loose in Benue because of the level of provocation, which has been pushed beyond the Rubicon.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

APC, not a threat to PDP in Abia – Ogbulafor

Obioma Eze Ogbulafor, the son of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbuafor, is the newly elected chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. In this interview with SUNDAY NWAKANMA, in his office at the council headquarters in Apumiri Ubakala, the young council boss said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has shown some strength in his council area will be checked by getting the people on the side of the PDP through the delivery of democracy dividend to them, to him, the APC is not a threat to the PDP in Umuahia South.

Q: How do you feel being the chairman of Umuahia South LGA? I feel elated and give God all the glory because, it is not always easy for your people to actually say among every other sway that you should come out and serve them.

What are your plans on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) after resumption as LGA Chairman?

Working on the consolidation of the IGR of Umuahia South LGA is not an easy task going by also what is happening at the state level where the governor is also trying to consolidate the IGR of the state. It has actually improved. That is our target to actually consolidate and see how we can improve the IGR of the local government and by the special grace of God, when we roll out the drums, the IGR of the local government will definitely improve.

What sector of the local government’s economy do you intend to faced squarely so as to leave a legacy on exit as LGA chairman?

The five pillars of the state governor is a guide for everybody, in addition to my own focus areas as an addition to what the governor is doing. In the areas of healthcare, education and infrastructural development, you cannot rule out that fact, including roads and making the roads more motorable in the rural areas, and trying to see how we can upgrade and uplift our healthcare centres. In education too, we will try to see how we can, if possible, renovate our primary schools. In agriculture, the sector is the key now and the in thing where every

economy in the local government stakes, even as all the states are now staking and going into agriculture. We can also not rule out the fact that we can also leave an indelible mark in the agricultural sector which we will by the special grace of God do.

What is your impression of Gov. Ikpeazu’s instruction in the area of sanitation exercise in the state and what plans do you have for your council in that regard?

During the last sanitation exercise in the LGA, all were there to see how we faired. This time around, we are going to see how we can step up and do better than the last time the exercise held in the LGA. Those materials or palliative measures Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has put in place are actually working in terms of evacuating the bucket at various strategic places at the state capital and I am sure also in the state at large. They are working and I want to also commend the governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for providing such palliative measures to actually keep our environment neat. No wonder, he emerged as the governor from ASEPA and knows

Abdulfatah

the terrain too well.

What are going to do about the issue of ghost workers in the LGA? The state as at now is conducting its workers verification exercise, so I personally cannot dive into that area until the exercise is over. So let us be patient and wait until the exercise being conducted by the state is over and the result declared.

Are you worried by the challenge posed by the APC in your local government?

There is no serious challenge by the APC in my LGA. However, even in the APC states, there is the PDP challenging them. So in a PDP state, obviously, APC will challenge, but what we need to do is to deliver democracy dividend to our people and all can bear witness that the executive governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu is delivering democracy

In the APC states, there is the PDP challenging them. So in a PDP state, obviously, APC will challenge, but what we need to do is to deliver democracy dividend to our people and all can bear witness that the executive governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu is delivering democracy dividend to Abia people. We at the LGA level also are going to tow the same line of the governor to deliver democracy dividend to Umuahia South LGA people. So I wonder from where they (APC) are going to challenge us in the next dispensation, in 2019.

dividend to Abia people. We at the LGA level also are going to tow the same line of the governor to deliver democracy dividend to Umuahia South LGA people. So I wonder from where they (APC) are going to challenge us in the next dispensation, in 2019. So, as we are delivering democracy dividend to our people, in turn in 2019, we will be rest assured that everybody will vote for PDP. Do you think the PDP has the capacity to challenge the APC, putting into consideration what is happening within the party, even at the national level?

Well, we are at the local government level. As far as I am concerned, the PDP at the state is stabilised and the governor is at the helm of affairs and is piloting the affairs of the party. All I can see is that everywhere is calm. So, it is a family affair and will sort itself out.

What is your word for Umuahia South People?

I have always told Umuahia South people to be prayerful and I will continue to tell them to be prayerful, that they should continue to pray for their leaders and at the end of the day, God will also use the leaders of the party and leaders at the local government to touch the lives of the rural people in the local government and in the state at large.

Delta Speaker tasks Nigerians on unity, development, mourns late chief whip

Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya

The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, has urged Nigerians to be patriotic and committed to the service of the nation.

Igbuya made the call on Friday at the funeral of late Hon. Omawumi Udoh in Warri.

He described the former chief whip of the Delta State House of Assembly as a dogged fighter, grassroots woman and a courageous leader.

“Hon Omawumi Udoh was a reliable colleague, who demonstrated a life of service, love, compassion, excellence and commitment to her family, community and the state. Her life leaves us a lot to learn from.

We should be patriotic as possible to leave a good legacy” he said, Igbuya said that Hon. Udoh excelled in a male dominated environment.

“The former chief whip of the House metamorphosed from a wife and mother,

became a political amazon, broke gender barriers in a male dominated environment, a feat she achieved four times, proving to all that hers was a deliberate and candid political manoeuvre, arising from indubitable mastery of the game to which chance had no place.”

He acknowledged the late Udoh as a hardworking, intelligent and humble woman who contributed to the development of the state.

“Hon. Udoh sponsored notable bills including Delta State Waste Management Bill, Delta State Ecology Bill, Delta State Sickle Cell Bill, Delta State Micro Finance Bill as well as Delta State Estate Regulatory Authority Bill. She will be remembered for her hard work, integrity, humility and sacrifice,” he said.

He also described Udoh as a woman of peace, whose life exemplified great accomplishments.

“Udoh had generous spirit and was dependable in every facet of her life. She built a bridge of hope and unity among her people;

she also played politics of development.”

Igbuya said notwithstanding the tortuous electoral journey Udoh went through, her faith in the nation’s judiciary did not wane.

“Hon. Udoh was a true Nigerian with a true faith in her country. Her death is a great loss to the state. It is really hard to believe.

He urged leaders of the Itsekiri nation to remain united and work with the government to achieve their aspirations.

“My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the people of Itsekiri, the children and the extended family as they mourn the loss of a beloved mother, a great lawmaker and leader” he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

11 Politics

Group commends Akeredolu over peaceful resolution of Ondo Assembly crisis Ondo Action Group (OAG), a socio-political group, has lauded Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State for the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis in the state House of Assembly.

The group made the commendation in Akure on Friday through a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Mr Kunle Aladejobi and Mr Tunde Akinniyi, respectively.

The Assembly, had on Monday, March 20, appointed a new Speaker, Mr Malachi Coker, after about two months of the closure of the Assembly following the impeachment of the Speak-

Rotimi Akeredolu

er, Ms Jumoke Akindele, on Jan. 27 by 13 out of the 26 members.

Akindele and other principal officers were impeached over allegation of N15 million fraud al-

legedly found in the possession of the Assembly’s Pay Master, Mr Makanjuola Adesina.

Adesina had told the lawmakers that the money was withdrawn on the instruction of the Speaker for a project which he failed to disclose.

The impeachment led to the closure of the Assembly by the police following a clash between some members.

Akindele and other principal officers of the Assembly on Monday resigned following the amicable resolution of the leadership crisis by the governor.

The group attributed the peaceful resolution of the leadership

crisis to the genuine love Akeredolu had for the people of the state.

“The seamless resolution of this crisis is attributed to the leadership quality and wealth of experience of Akeredolu as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) coupled with his genuine love to serve the good people of Ondo State.

“OAG, therefore, appeal to the Assembly members to shun partisanship in discharging their legislative duties and work in harmony with the administration of Akeredolu in his quest to deliver

dividend of democracy to the citizenry.

“We also advise aggrieved members to sheath their swords and rally round the leadership of the House for better legislative business that has been lacking for some time now.

“Akeredolu should also use this opportunity to foster good working relationship with the legislators towards providing the dividend of democracy as promised during the electioneering so as not to betray the people who voted him into office,’’ the group stated.

Kaduna Assembly to make medical screening for would-be couples compulsory

A cross-section of participants, at the on-going 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair, in Kaduna… recently.

PDP crisis: Rep urges party members to drop sentiments for solution A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma (EdoPDP), said the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could be resolved if members dropped sentiments and face the real issues at hand.

Agbonayinma said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said that there was no problem without solution and that the ability to look beyond issues without being passionate would go a long way in bringing peace back to the party.

“So, I align with Gov. Seriake Dickson’s recommendations on ways to restore peace to the party.

“I must appreciate him and I believe his efforts will never be in vain.

“I think Dickson’s report and recommendation is the only way forward and that is what Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Chairman of PDP, has been saying.

“We must stop the impunity in our party; we must give the party back to the people. When you say, `PDP, power to the people’, we must exhibit that; we must show to the world that we really care for the people.

“It is not about being selfish, but about selflessness. Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff is not on trial, those that are on trial are those trying to blackmail him, castigate him and paint him black,’’ he said.

The lawmaker said that some people did not mean well for the

party and therefore called on all members to ensure that the party bounced back.

“Some people who don’t mean well for our party are being used by some external forces to cause crisis for PDP because they are financially buoyant.

“I tell you the truth, Nigerians are wiser than what they think and they are watching too,” he said.

Agbonayinma called on willing members of the party to join hands and ensure that the peace was restored to the party.

“Those PDP members who have the will and commitment to make sure that PDP bounces back should do so now and bring the party back from its lost glory.

This will also bring us together as one family,” he said.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Friday conducted public hearing on the Bill currently before it, seeking to compel would-be couples to conduct medical screening before marriage.

At the event in Kaduna, a non governmental organisation, Maternal and Child Civil Society, backed the proposal, saying that intending couples should be examined for diseases that hinder the well being of children.

The Coordinator of the group, Zainàb Umar said the bill, if passed into law would tackle a lot of societal issues around marriages, well being and health of women and children.

She said the law should cover diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, to safeguard unborn children.

A legal practitioner, Suleiman Lere said the main essence of the

Assembly was to make laws for the good of the people, adding that “marriage is an important institution that must be secured.

“Without marriage the entire society will collapse; the bill is apt, very thorough and it is addressing most of the problems that is affecting family relationships in the country.”

He contended that the bill, when passed into law would strengthen families and the marriage institution.

The State Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Shehu Abdrahman commended the Assembly for the initiative, but observed that the law was silent on what happened after the medical examination.

“If it comes out positive what is its significance to the intended marriage and also on the parties affected,” he queried.

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), on Friday in Calabar held a mass rally for the South-South zone over local government autonomy.

The National President of NULGE, Mr Ibrahim Tahir, said the demand for local government autonomy in the country has become very imperative, hence the rally.

He said the union decided to embark on the rally across the six geo-political zones to sensitise Nigerians on the comatose state of local governments.

He said: “we want to let Nigerians know that local governments in Nigeria are dying in silence.

“This is to tell Nigerians that what is happening at our local governments is unacceptable; and unless something urgent is done, very soon we may never have anything like local governments in Nigeria.’’

Tahir said after holding rallies in the six geo-political zones, the union would meet with the lead-

ership of the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to finally table their request.

Some of the demands of NULGE include, financial autonomy, payment of constitutional 10 per cent internally generated revenue by state governments to local government councils; and scrapping of joint account committee. The union also demanded that salaries of primary school teachers be placed on first line charge, as well as direct funding of local governments from the Federation Account.

Chairman of NULGE in Cross River, Mr Godwin Ayende, said local government autonomy would usher in true democracy at the grassroots level.

“Autonomy means true democracy at the grassroots level; autonomy means integrated and inclusive democracy.

“If there is no autonomy at the local government level in Nigeria, then, we are just deceiving ourselves about democracy,” he said.

Local government autonomy: NULGE woos Nigerians

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè L Əƅ ƾƣè ƾƠơƣ

PDP peace deal breaks down after 72 hours

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The last Thursday’s peace agreement brokered by the National Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, between the Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the party has begun to crumble.

This is because the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Sheriff has threatened legal action against those referring to the Senator Makarfi-led NCC as faction of the party.

While declaring the Makarfi -led group as illegal, Sheriff, in a statement on Sunday by his deputy, Cairo Ojougboh, said that by the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, such a group is not supposed to be in existence.

Cautioning media houses to take note and not to refer to the group as faction, Sheriff said that an appeal is not a stay of execution, insisting that the group is illegal.

He warned Makarfi and his group to stop interfering in the affairs of the party, adding that the job vacancies he declared was to fill positions, as the old staff decided to abandon their

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work even when he appealed to them.

Sheriff said: “Makarfi should behave himself, he should not interfere in our business, because we are not interested in his private business.

“Any further careless statement from him will force us to reconsider our earlier peace agreement. We have already employed staff who are running the bureaucracy efficiently.

“If Makarfi so desires, he should keep the old staff, just as he is doing now. We have had enough and enough is enough of this”, he said.

Reacting, the Makarfi group fired back and urged the staff and party stakeholders to ignore Sheriff, saying that his threats were those of “a lawless impostor.

“We went out of our way few days ago to reach accommodation with them even when some of our top leaders had serious misgivings about any type of talk with them given their unreliability,” Makarfi said.

He said that his committee showed its goodwill, while Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC) demonstrated their bad faith.

“We have always known that

Sheriff and his co-travellers especially, Cairo Ojuogbo, were never men of honour with whom one can reach any agreement.

“But we tagged along to avoid being accused of unnecessary intransigence.

“Since the leopard cannot change its spot, it is now very clear that no agreement or political solution can be reached with these bunch of people with huge integrity deficit.”

He described Ojougboh as an impostor and a rabble rouser in a non-existent NWC, saying Sheriff has no men to constitute an NWC with the required constitutional quorum.

“His threat against our hard working staff should therefore be ignored and treated with utmost contempt coming from a lawless impostor.

“For the education of Sheriff and his cohorts, our Appeal at the Supreme Court is already on.

“To that extent, the position and status of the National Caretaker Committee remains completely unaltered.

“Since they cannot comprehend even very simple matters, we will use a simple analogy.

“If a Governor loses at the election petitions tribunal and at the Court of Appeal, does he cease to be a Governor even

when his appeal is pending before the Supreme Court?

“Would the civil servants then refuse to serve him?” Makarfi asked.

He explained that the position of the law was that he would remain the governor.

He added that all government employees would continue to service his government until otherwise determined by the Supreme Court.

Makarfi added that his committee members have tried strenuously to reach Gov. Dickson to report this deliberate violation of the truce by the Sheriff Group but they were not able to get through to him.

Crises: Ekweremadu calls for alternative dispute resolution ÏÏÏ The Deputy President of the

Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has advocated Alternative Dispute Resolution as a panacea for various forms of tension and crisis bedeviling the country.

The Deputy President made the call in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja on Sunday.

He spoke when he received the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, which paid him a visit to him in Abuja.

Ekweremadu assured the council that the Senate would continue to support every organisation that is preaching peace.

He stressed that the senate would also support workable modalities from relevant stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerians lived in peace with one another to fast-track the nation’s development.

According to him, the nation is passing through a phase of rough relationships on many fronts and needed the services of trained professionals in Alternative Dispute Resolution, (ADR).

“I am sure you are aware of the growing ethnic tensions all over the country.

“Tension between herdsmen

and farmers and tension between different communities in different parts of the country.

“These we have to resolve, not through the right of might, but through some alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

“We believe that these are not matters the courts can easily and effectively deal with. They require alternative means of dispute resolution,“ he said.

The lawmaker called on the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators to deploy its resources, intellect, and skills in ensuring that some of the tensions were resolved effectively.

He said that the Senate was ready to work with the institute and other relevant organisations in promoting ethnic, religious, economic, political harmony and justice.

According to him, the upper legislative chamber has a standing committee dealing with pubic petitions.

“So, for us in the Senate, we receive and deal with petitions from our constituencies in a non-judicial manner.

“It is a kind of mediation and conciliation aimed at ensuring that disputes are resolved and justice is done in a way that leaves parties involved satisfied.

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2016 Budget: Capital releases to MDAs hit N1tr

ÏÏÏ The

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said capital releases to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the 2016 budget had reached a record N1 trillion.

In a statement by the Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Salisu Danbatta, on Sunday in Abuja, Adeosun attributed the record performance to stability in oil prices.

She said that with the return of normalcy in Niger Delta, she was confident that the Federal Government would achieve even more in the 2017 Budget.

According to the minister, the amount was released for various projects, which included the construction of a dual standard railway line from Lagos to Kano and rehabilitation of roads,

among others.

Also of importance, she said, were the expansion of irrigation facilities to boost agriculture and the upgrading of aviation infrastructure.

“The components of the releases included aggregate releases to the MDAs of N870.05 billion as at the end of February 2017 and additional releases of N65.39 billion.

“Others were Manual Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIEs) in February 2017, totalling N11.179 billion and an additional Manual AIEs worth N45.81 billion as at March 13, 2017,’’ the statement read in part.

Adeosun said the overall capital releases, totalling N992.

44 billion, had made impact on Nigeria’s economy through cre-

ation of jobs and stimulation of economic activities in communities.

The releases have also enhanced upgrading of infrastructure, thereby improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, she said.

The minister pointed out that contractors returning to project sites around the country have employed more workers.

“They are also contributing to economic growth and improved wellbeing of Nigerians.

“We are determined to transform the economy and this is why we are focused on capital expenditure.

“If we have our road, rail and power, then we will be able to generate jobs and prosperity,’’ Adeosun said in the statement.

Continued on page 7

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

s PHOTO TIMES

Editorial EFCC and detention of suspects

R

ecently, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) had cause to express dismay at the continued detention without trial of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

This dismay was sequel to the continued detention of some Nigerians, even while courts of competent jurisdiction had given such suspects bail. According to the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, such action not only deprives citizens of their fundamental rights; it also portrays the country in bad light as a democracy. We equally share such sentiment and call on the anti-graft agency to charge suspects to court within the legally stipulated period.

For example, section 36(5) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), stipulates that an accused person remains innocent in the eye of the law until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

Moreover, it provides that where a person is accused of a crime, he/she is to be presented within 48 hours before a court to face charges.

We, therefore, see some contradictions, which are clearly in conflict with chapter four of the constitution, even as the continued detention of suspects without trial breaches their fundamental human rights.

Probably, the agency is relying under Sections 293 and 294 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which states that a suspect can be remanded before arraignment in the court. Yet, the same Act gives the court the power to examine the reason for the request of remand.

Only recently, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello, gave the

Publisher/Editor in Chief

detention of persons without charge or trial is anathema in any country, which observes the rule of law. Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 stipulates: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” In addition, Article 9,paragraph 1, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states; “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person, even as no one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.”

The same Article 9, paragraph 3 stipulates: “Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer, authorised by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release. International human rights law lays down obligations which states are bound to respect.

By becoming parties to international treaties, states assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfill human rights. As signatory to UN Human Rights Conventions, Nigeria has made binding international commitments to adhere to the standards laid down in these universal human rights documents. Therefore, as an agency of government the, EFCC is bound to abide by all the rules.

L-R: External Relations leader, IBM, Central and West Africa, Mr. Muyiwa Moyela; Keynote Speaker/Founder, J C Capital, South Africa, Mr. Joel Chimhanda and Convener/ Executive Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal Group, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, during the 2017 Verdant Zeal’s Innovation lecture series in Lagos… recently.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (r), in a handshake with the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari; when the Minister paid a courtesy visit to the Emir, during an inspection tour of the gold fields in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State… recently.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike Ag. Head, Operations Sunny Chikwe 08023335777

Managing Editor Rose Moses 08094000037

News Editor Kelechi C. Ogbamgba 08050220561

Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224

Group Head Administration/ Special Project Geraldine Uba 07064933209 Business Development Manager Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714

Editor, Daily Sam Nzeh 08050220692

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Abuja Bureau Chief/Nations Capital Editor Tony Amokeodo 08038099089

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Group Head Commercial & Business Development Konnie Agu 09033765031

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi (r), with Fidelity Bank Plc., Managing Director, Nnamdi Okonkwo, when the bank chief visited the governor at the Government House, Abakaliki… at the weekend.

directive to all serving magistrates within the FCT to stop issuing remand orders to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with respect to arrest and detention of citizens accused of committing economic and financial crimes in Nigeria; which are investigated and prosecuted by EFCC under its Act of 2004.

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dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

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

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

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

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Sacrilege: 14-year old girl allegedly raped in Palace Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎ

Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Delta State Police Command have mounted a manhunt for one of the Princes in Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North Local Government Area (names withheld), for allegedly defiling a 14year old Princess in the Palace.

The suspect, who is currently on the run, allegedly perpetrated the

act, which was allegedly covered up by eminent persons in the palace. In addition, the persons who allegedly conspired to cover up the case, are now wanted by the police.

Police sources revealed that following a petition written by one Prince Walter Eziashi, alleging that the act was brought to the knowledge of members of the royal family, who concealed the act and took the girl to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asaba for treatment, police have spread their dragnet to catch the prin-

cipal culprit and others.

According to the source, one of the suspects arrested over complicity in the matter, confirmed that the matter was resolved within the royal family.

According to police sources, one of the suspects arrested so far (names withheld) told the police to their amazement that the 14-year old consented to the rape hence the matter was “settled” in the palace, adding that “Police now suspect that Mbanefo and others have a case to answer for their

complicity in attempts to cover the rape”.

The source told the police that the initial suspect, who was implicated in the conspiracy involving some princes and princesses, was fined four goats and other traditional items, to appease the gods and cleanse the palace. But facts have emerged that the man who was fined is different from the suspect who committed the alleged crime.

The police source told our reporter that several attempts made to arrest all

the suspects were resisted by armed youths in the palace, who threatened violence and to burn the palace van, adding that the only one suspect arrested so far was the outcome of reinforcement by the police.

“We are still looking for the suspects to answer charges of alleged group rape of the 14-year old girl”, the police source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, when contacted, confirmed that police were still investi-

gating the case and making efforts to arrest the principal suspect, adding that police will inform the press of the outcome of the investigation.

Investigation revealed that none of the palace chiefs was willing to speak to journalists except one of them who did not want his name mentioned in the print who confirmed that the palace cannot truncate the investigation of the police, saying that the alleged sex scandal was unfortunate in the royal house.

NCPC boss calls synergy between Christians, Muslims Idu Jude Abuja

ÎÎÎ

L-R: Executive Secretary, Omotosho Abiodun; Assistant National Secretary, Osagie Odiase; National Publicity Secretary, Boye Ajayi; National Secretary, Gbenga Ismail; Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), President, (Dr.) Bolarinde J. Patunola-Ajayi; Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), Chairman, Kunle Adedeji; Assistant Financial Secretary, Mrs. Roberta Nouboue; National Treasurer, Layeni Tunde; Welfare Officer, Abidemi Okunola, during a courtesy visit by the new executives of AEAN to the NIESV at the institution’s secretariat in Lagos... recently.

We ‘ll Continue to Invest in Education –Gov Obaseki

ÎÎÎ

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said that his administration will continue to invest in the education sector of the state to ensure a productive and vibrant future of the state.

The Governor gave the assurance through his Deputy, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu who represented him at the Edo University Founder’s Day celebration at Iyamho .

Governor Obaseki who advised the students against sharp practices and shortcuts as means of pursuing successes also charged the management and lecturers of the institution to be alive to their responsibility of producing world class graduates and

researches that can impact positively on the economic life of the state.

Former Governor and Founding Visitor of the university, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of modern facilities in university system. This he said, will facilitate learning, research and quality teaching.

He charged the university to work towards Producing researches that can make the difference and effect positive change.

He noted that society does not change by amount of lamentations and tears but by actions ,resources and energy directed towards the process of that desired change.

Guest Lecturers Prof Friday Okonofua and Barr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, in their different lectures dwelt on “ The challenges in pioneering a new University in a resource constrained setting and Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, the role of the Judiciary” respectively.

Alegeh, immediate passed president of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA stressed the need for government to strengthen the judiciary by way of financial autonomy if it must continue to play it’s critical role of stabilising democracy.

In his lecture, Okonofua who is the Vice Chancellar of the University of Medical Sciences Ondo, argued

that Nigeria needs more universitlies despite the criticisms against the approval of new institutions in the country. He however submitted that “ our mounting developmental challenges to which our existing universities have not been able to find sustainable solutions indicate that the country must continue to search for new institutions with new strategic directions that can help build the kind of nation we desire.”

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor said the vision of the University is to become a centre of excellence in quality teaching, research, innovations and community development.

Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja, has tasked Christians and Muslims to embrace peace and work in synergy to bring about the much needed change in the country.

He made this charge during the inaugural meeting of NCPC and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) conference planning committee at the NCPC headquarters in Abuja.

In his statement, the NCPC helmsman described the visit of the NAHCON executives as “a seal of friendship, brotherhood and partnership in the work of nation building”, stating that Nigerians should focus on the good of the nation despite the chal-

lenges. According to him, “if Christians and Muslims in Nigeria come together and take the project of nation building as our agenda, no nation can bring Nigeria down.”

Rev. Uja also stressed that the recession is a challenge for Nigerians to rebuild and restructure the social systems of the country stating that Nigeria is not a country for only one religion, tribe or group.

“Nigerians should embrace one another and fight collectively to preserve, build and reposition Nigeria appropriately on the map of the world”.

The NCPC boss informed that despite the financial challenges in the country, the government has remained supportive of pilgrimage and therefore charged pilgrims on productivity. His words, “pilgrimage

Biometric ID card now compulsory for port operations –NIMASA DG Idu Jude

Abuja

ÎÎÎ In respect to a better

Implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code in Nigeria, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that the Agency will embrace the full implementation of the code as obtained in the international policy.

In a press statement issued by the agency in Abuja, Dr. Peterside who made assertion during the opening of the ISPS code Audi-

tors’ Training conducted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in conjunction with NIMASA in Lagos recently, noted that the Agency being the Designated Authority(DA) for the implementation of the code in Nigeria, has embraced relevant training to acquaint its operational Staff of the rudiments of ensuring that our Ports and Jetties remain safe for economic growth and development.

He stated further that the training was a follow up to the previous Ports Facilities Security Officers (PFSO’s) Training conducted by the IMO and NIMASA in August, 2016.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

15 Opinion

Random musing in New York

F

Matthew Oye Arikanki

ew years ago, I arrived Britain for the first time. I bought the oyster Transport of London ticket and board the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to the city of London.

It was a chilly ride in the whirlwind of winter and my first impression was amusing. I saw many people in the train carrying a book and reading. Was I impressed? You bet it because that was not what people are doing in the buses in Africa where I was coming from. As a writer, I have always loved to read books. And my first impression on the London train reinforced my belief that knowledge is still the highway to personal, community and national development.

Fast forward to 2017. I arrived New York, United States of America. I was expecting to enter the subway and see people reading just like I saw in first London trip. But what did I see?

This time around, many people reading something on their mobile phone or some mobile devices. The world had moved on. Technology is advancing at the speed of light. What are they reading? I tried to peep what a fellow close by on the subway train was reading. Could he be reading a book? No. He was chatting on whatsupp. I looked up another one, she was on facebook and another was tweeting.

I mused. Are people really gaining knowledge from this undying attention giving to the social

media or is this signaling the death of valuable knowledge that could be obtained from reading books?

Another thing I find interesting in New York is that residents love dogs. You couldn’t walk two minutes without seeing someone walking a dog, either in the morning or in the evening. And you don’t need to run away when you see a dog because the dogs would not harm you.

This is not the norm in the clime I was coming from. I also saw rats running around the subway station and just as about to enter my apartment, I saw some mosquitoes flying around.

Now here is a big one - getting to New York in the middle of March, the snow is everywhere, in heaps along the walkway, on rooftops, on cars everywhere. I mused and I get inspiration. I have uses for the snow in America since no one has thought about it. Very soon, I will establish my laboratory and start experimenting. How can I smelt the thick snow and get it to become shinning diamond? Secondly, very, very soon I will set up a water purification company and get the truck to load all the snow in New York into my incinerator and I will purify the snow into sparkling pure water and resell to New Yorker as drinking water.

Please don’t steal my idea because I will soon get a patent for them. I will even make the city authority to sign a bond for bringing the snow to my purification factory. As you all know the nuisance that the snow is causing the residents, at least someone is now finding a good use to put the snow.

The first thing I like to do when

I get into a new location is to check into a library and get some book to read before I set up my own library and buy my own books. My first day at the Brooklyn Public Library, Coney Island was not too pleasant. The staffers were pleasant but when I sat down and started reading, I heard the building shaking. I wanted to run out and run very fast but I saw other library users just sitting down. Don’t they know that this building is shaking? I asked myself, almost talking very loud.

I went out and read what is written on the wall of the library; that the library was submerged in hurricane sandy in 2012, rebuilt and re-opened in 2013. There and then, I started praying that no more hurricanes should come near Coney Island now that I’m here.

Then I met Akbar. That is his name. He was the one that first talked with me. I couldn’t easily pick up his accent.

“My name is Akbar, I was born and grew up in New Jersey” “My parent and grandparent also grew up in New Jersey.” We are a large family and we are Jehovah Witness” “Oh, its nice meeting you”, I said.

We got talking, and he did all the talking while I listened.

While he was talking, he started hitting me with his hands. I tried to interject the discussion but he would not allow me. “You are now in America man; I’ve got to teach you a lot of things”. “Y’all” Then the discuss veered into politic. A subject that doesn’t fascinate me. “That man, Donald Trump, is a clown. Have you been reading what he’s trying to do? The white man is

not good”. At that point, I stopped him. I have had enough. As I come to know about him later, here is a Black American in his fifties. He has no home, no job, no education and he is drinking and smoking heavily. Then I mused. This man is still playing the victim GAME. This mentality won’t work in this time and age. Go get some education man and get off the street. We have had about this victim stuff over and over again and it doesn’t sell again. Many, many of our brothers and sisters are making it big in this land of opportunities even those who came from other nations are making impart.

Why not you whose parents and grandparents are born here. There is nothing wrong with a white man.

Donald Trump is good. Have you read what happened in Westminster on Wednesday, 22nd, 2017? This nation must be protected from those who want to come in and threaten our peace.

Here is another one - I was getting off the subway. I swiped my card. A man was waiting. He saw me swiping several times and he asked for my metro card. He swiped entered and walked away. He took advantage of me.

New York in an interesting city. It is no man’s land. People keep telling me that no one will help you in New York, but that is contrary to my own experience. In New York, everybody is falling over themselves to help me.

Perhaps, my case is different.

my house. His was Mr Alamu Azeez.

Sometime later, I received a call from my gateman; he said as soon as Mr Azeez entered the compound he was blocked by three cars with men wearing masks and guns. He said that the men were shouting where is Bolarinwa Yusuff and they pulled Mr Alamu from the car and forced him into their gun point. The gateman said that the men had guns so he had remained hidden and called the police because he was afraid for his own life. As soon as they left, he called me back that the police never came. I then went to the police station to report that Mr Alamu was kidnapped, but officer refused to assist me. He said that I had to wait at least 24 hours or until the men called with ransom. I was very angry by this and asked to speak to a senior officer but I was given a similar answer. I was too afraid to go home since the gateman said that the men were calling my name and that they are really looking for me.

So I collected a few things to sango to stay with my friend Olanisebe Arisekola. When I told my parents and my wife what had happened, they both wept and said that I needed to relocate because the kidnappers were surely after me and my family.

In Nigeria, many business men and their family members are kidnapped and held for high ransom amounts

and even if the money is paid, many of them are killed. I didn’t know who the men were but I was afraid and I had given up on getting help from the police. I didn’t not go to work for the next few days because I was afraid and I realized that my fears were true on February 10, 2017, when my office was attacked and vandalized by masked gun men who were looking for me. I was told they stole many of Supplies and said to my office manager, that this was only deposit on what they wanted from me and that they would find me and collect what was owed. My manager was shaken and after he called me, I told him to call the police. I know he did so but nothing was done to assist.

The police gave the usual reason of us not knowing the men and them wearing masks and said that there was nothing they could do. The next day, the masked gunmen went to my house and vandalized my property, they took many of my belongings and swore to find me and get paid. I know this is from my neighbour, Adeyemo Abayomi, who was in my home when the men went to my house. With all of this happening, I became afraid ; my wife and children were hiding and did not go to school and since I was the main target, I knew that I had to leave the country. That’s my Story.

Matthew Oye Arikanki Coney Island, Brooklyn, USA. Email:successnewsmag@yahoo.co. uk. Tel: 9292353866

Threat to life

O

Yusuf Bolarinwa Ahmed

n March 28, 2016 I traveled to America on vacation and I also wanted to look at some prospective business ventures. I was away for three months and returned to Nigeria on July 6th, 2016. A few weeks after I returned to Nigeria, I started having some strange feelings. At first, it felt like I was being watched all the time but there was no one around me so I just dismissed the thoughts and assumed that I was just being paranoid. I would also receive strange calls where the person would hang up and and ask for the wrong person. Collectively I was concerned about these event’s but I just dismissed my concerns and my wife agreed that I was being paranoid. In January 2017, everything changed for me. One day, I was on the way to work when I noticed that a car was trailing me. This time, I was sure that I was being followed so I drove to the police station. The car paused and then continued driving.I reported what had happened to the police but the desk sergeant said that I was just imagining things and there was nothing they could do. A few days later, my children were followed to school and the school teacher also notified us that a strange man had approached the children but left when the teacher

questioned him. This ,too, I reported to the police on January 2017 but since I had no information, there was nothing they can do. When I realized that my paranoid was real and that my family and I were being watched and monitored, I became scared.

My wife also started getting phone calls saying that she should tell her husband to pay his debts or we would pay a heavy price. I had no debts and I didn’t know who was calling her.

Once again, we took the phone to the police station but they said that the number was not traceable and it was probably just a prank call. Regardless, I became afraid and I told my wife and children they should go to Bashorun village in Ibadan and stay with my brother in-law , Oladele Olayemi Adeyemo. Since my was terrified she agreed. We also cancelled her phone line and got a new number because of the treats she had received. I too decided not to go home and I spent a few days between hotels and the home of my friends. Initially, I hoped that the calls were pranks and that they would just stop and my family would return home. I knew that I was wrong on February 3rd ,2017. On this particular day, I needed some items from my house and since I was too afraid to go home, I asked the Secretary of my estate to collect the personal items for me and he used my car to go to

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Times Against Corruption

ICPC takes anticorruption crusade to NURTW, RTEAN In its effort to bring the anti-corruption crusade to various sectors of the Nigerian society, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), through its National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) organised what it tagged: “Grassroots Anti-Corruption Campaign” for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Cross River State recently.

The objective of the campaign was to strengthen the NURTW and RTEAN members through information sharing, training and education on the ills of corruption while cultivating their active participation in the fight against corruption.

In attendance at the event also were officials of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Ministry of Transportation.

The ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, who was represented at the event by the South-South Zonal Commissioner of the Commission, Mr Henry Emore, described corruption as the “breaking of rules for personal benefit”. He also observed that corruption was a criminal and corrosive worldwide epidemic found in every facet of people’s lives which deprives them of their fundamental human rights while increasing poverty.

Mr. Nta regretted that the extortion of money from motorists on the roads by law enforcement agents seemed to be on the increase and advised that it should be stopped forthwith. He also called on members of the NURTW and RTEAN to ensure that they follow due process to obtain their driver’s licence and vehicle particulars while observing that most of those documents in the possession of motorists were fake.

On his part, the representative of the Commissioner of Transport, Cross River State, Mr. Chris Haij Ajong, stated that corruption on Nigerian roads was a menace that should be tackled.

He said that there were many identified corrupt practices on the roads which everyone was aware of, and that was the reason for organizing the campaign to fight against such practices.

He advised everyone present to steer clear of corrupt acts to make the country better.

Also at the event, Mrs. Florence Osang of National Orientation Agency(NOA), pointed out that corruption manifests in different forms, not solely in money matters, explaining that it could also be in the form of perverting a system or policy of government.

She further called on the participants to go back to the society’s core values of integrity and uprightness which are captured in stanzas of the National Anthem of the country.

Falana, Magu brainstorm on new anti- graft strategy today Stories by Anthony Ailemen

Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will today (Monday ), brainstorm on new strategies to deal with looting and looters of public patrimony in Nigeria at a stakeholders summit in Abuja.

The event which twill feature renown human rights activist and Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, is the brainchild of the EFCC organized as a move to inject fresh perspectives to the battle against Crimes, especially Financial Crimes in the country.

A statement by the EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, shows that the event which is being tagged as “ First National Ant-Corruption Stakeholders Summit” is expected to hold at the EFCC training school.

The event is coming against the background of recent battle spearheaded by the Department of State Security Service, DSS to stop the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC. The Daily Times check shows that

Magu has however remained unruffled and is going about his plans at the antigraft agency.

His confidence is said to be further buoyed by the strong support he is receiving from the Presidential Committee Against Corruption (PCAC) led by Professor Itse Sagay, who has consistently advised the President Muhammadu Buhari to keep Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

Femi Falana

The battle is however far from being over as fresh memo by the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, has again justified its submission that the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, is not credible.

Recall that Senate for the second time, had relied on the same DSS report to decline confirmation of Magu as substantive EFCC boss..

The PCAC was said to have sent an advisory to the Presidency on the DSS report, the implications of the decision of the Senate and the need to renominate Magu.

In the opinion of PCAC however, the DSS report to the Senate is “very weak and very spurious’.

There is no substance in the allegations that can withstand a legal test.

“Members of PCAC saw the conspiracy against Magu coming because some people have been desperate to frustrate the anti-corruption agenda of the government.

Nyako: How N1.2bn was diverted to private companies - Witness The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its seventh witness, presented documents to show the transfer of about N1,384,525,000 diverted from the Adamawa State government, during the tenure of Murtala Nyako, to the account of Crust Energy Limited.

Nyako, a former governor of the state is facing a 37-count charge along with his son and serving senator, Abdulaziz, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

They are alleged to have committed the fraud using Blue Opal Limited, Se-

Murtala Nyako

bore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, as conduit pipes.

The witness, Chinedu Ayogu, a compliance officer with Diamond Bank, while being led in evidence by O.A. Atolagbe, told the court that the bank received request with respect to some companies linked to the defendants.

“We received a request from the EFCC to provide the account opening packages of Sentinel Production and Exploration Limited and the statements of account which consisted of the Naira and Dollar accounts, and we complied,” Ayogu said.

Ayogu identified the various documents sent to the EFCC in response to the anti-graft agency’s request, which were subsequently tendered as exhibit against them. There was no objection from counsels to the defendants, as to there admissibility, and they were accepted and marked as exhibit AD. Under cross-examination, Ayogu revealed that at various times, several amounts of money were credited into the account of Crust Energy Limited.

Ayogu said: “On May 2, 2013, Crust Energy Limited was credited with N160 million, N79 million on May 13, 2013, and another N79 million on May 14, 2013, N150 million on May 23, 2013, and another N150 million on June 7, 2013, N120 million and N100 million on July 16, 2013, N508,500,000 on November 19, 2013, and N38,025,000 on December 10, 2013.”

According to Ayogu, the documents also indicated that “on August 13, 2013, Belmark Ent. IFO Sentinel Exploration was credited with $4,500,000. On November 19, 2013, Belmark Ent. IFO Sentinel Expl was credited with $3,000,000. On December 12, 2013, Sentinel Exploration E/O Belmark Ent. Was credited with $220,000”.

While adjourning to May 2, 2017 for continuation of trial, Justice Abang fixed March 28, 2017 to hear an application brought by Abba seeking for a release of his international passport.

19 Times Against Corruption How Badeh used N800m NAF Fund for shopping mall - Witness A prosecution witness, Nuhu Dalhatu, has told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that about N800 million used for the construction of a shopping mall linked to Alex Badeh, a former Chief of Air Staff, was traced to the Nigeria Air Force, NAF’s account.

Badeh is standing trial along Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97 billion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, Dalhatu, a forensic analyst with the EFCC, told the court that investigations were carried out on a number of properties, linked to Badeh, one of which was the shopping mall located at 2, Oda Crescent.

“I was asked to investigate the procurement scam that was linked to the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA, and Nigeria Air Force arms procurement contracts,” he said.

Dalhatu, who is the 17th prosecution witness, told the court that the property located at 19, Kumasi Crescent, was linked to his son. According to him, his son was invited for interrogation, during which it was discovered that the property was bought at about N260 million through a former NAF Director of Finance.

EFCC arraigns businessman for N7m land scam The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned a businessman, Ibrahim Kamba, before Justice Y. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Jabi on one-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

Kamba is alleged to have been involved in a land scam to the tune of N7 million.

The count reads: “That you Alhaji Ibrahim Kamba ‘M’ on or about September 2008 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N7,000,000 from one Ali Hudu Iliyasu under the pretence of selling plot no 3027, Cadastral Zone A04, in Asokoro district to him knowing full well that you had already sold the same land to one Zira Maigadi ‘M’ in 2007”.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

Prosecution counsel, Dalyop Vou, while asking for date for trial to commence, urged the court to order that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

Kamba’s counsel, Hassan Liman, SAN, however, moved his application for bail, dated March 20, 2017.

“The defendant has been on administrative bail since September 2015 and so I urge the court to grant him bail on same conditions,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

ICPC plans journal of anticorruption studies Stories by Anthony Ailemen

Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to launch the first edition of the Nigerian Journal of AntiCorruption Studies.

Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the research and training arm of ICPC, Professor Sola Akinrinade, made the revelation recently in Abuja during a courtesy call to the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru.

Professor Akinrinade said that the first edition of the journal is expected to be published by middle of 2017, and it is hoped that it would enhance policy-oriented research and publications which would in turn help in the formulation of knowledge-based policies.

Speaking on ACAN, Akinrinade stated that apart from the training of ICPC staff and staff of other anti-corruption agencies, the academy has the mandate to provide training for public officials and the general public on matters relating to good governance, accountability, transparency, integrity, ethics and all issues

relating to anti-corruption and corruption prevention.

He added that the Academy was in the first phase of its activities with the principal focus on generating attitudinal change in the society on matters relating to corruption and mobilizing support for the anti-corruption war.

Akinrinade called on NNPC to partner with ICPC to fight corruption, pointing out that “the war against corruption

Ekpo Nta

cannot be won by ICPC alone. The war against corruption is something which we need a lot of people on board, we need stakeholders to join us, it is not something that ICPC can do on its own; it is something all of us together can do.”

The Provost further noted that ACAN was still new and young. He therefore called on the support of critical public sector agencies to enable the Academy go far in achieving its objective of becoming a model manpower development institution in the anti-corruption effort.

In his response, the GMD of NNPC expressed the willingness of his organisation to partner with ICPC. “We will surely partner with you to ensure that corruption is stamped out of Nigeria and in our processes, which is very much in line with the principal drivers of this government where Mr. President has continuously reminded the populace that fighting corruption is cardinal and needs to be sustained,” he stated.

EFCC plan to nail former aide to Dasuki suffers setback The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to nail a former top aide of Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Nicholas Ashinze, and three others suffered a major set back last weekend.

This is just as the case of an alleged N3 billion unlawful transfer currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja was suspended over an alleged falsehood and media trial engaged by the anti-graft agency against the military officer.

Mr Ashinze, a serving colonel, was Military Assistant to former National Security Adviser, retired colonel Sambo Dasuki.

Counsel to Mr Ashinze, Ernest Nwoye, had at the resumed trial protested the press statement issued by EFCC in which the defendant was reported to have been indicted by the court for diverting and misappropriating a whopping sum of N36billion.

Apart from the alleged N36bn said to have been diverted and misappropriated, the EFCC statement also referred to Mr Ashinze as a retired officer.

The counsel, who drew the attention of Justice Gabriel Kolawole to the offending EFCC press statement, tendered the statement and the newspaper publications at the court to establish bias and misrepresentation of the court proceeding of March 7, 2017 by the anti-graft

agency.

Mr Nwoye told the judge that Mr Ashinze was never charged by EFCC for any offence on N36billion diversion and misappropriation and wondered where EFCC Media team, that was not present in the court, got its proceeding that the defendant had been indicted for the amount.

The counsel urged the court to frown at media trial the defendant is being subjected to as such action if not checked, will lead to misrepresentation of facts by the general public.

Mr Nwoye also tendered newspaper publications that emanated from the EFCC press statement issued by Wilson Uwujare who claimed to be the Head of Media and Publicity in the EFCC. Mr Nwoye said both the complainant and the defendant are bound by court records of proceeding and any attempt by one of the parties to concoct lies to prejudice the order is against the rule of law and natural justice.

Justice Kolawole, who was taken aback by the EFCC’s press statement, asked the EFCC counsel, Ofem Uket, if he was aware of the press statement and if he ever issued any.

The EFCC counsel denied ever granting press interview in respect of the trial but admitted receiving letter of complaint from Mr Nwoye and that he consulted with EFCC and discovered

that the press statement was actually released to the media.

Mr Uket, in his defence said contrary to the charge of N3billion alleged transfer, evidence from witnesses have shown that about N5billion was involved.

However, Justice Kolawole, who was not impressed by the argument of the EFCC’s counsel, told him that the proceeding would have to stop pending the time the EFCC put its house in order by stopping to mislead the public on court proceedings.

Justice Kolawole in a short ruling on the protest from Mr Nwoye said “it is unfair for EFCC as a complainant in this trial to resort to self-help by engaging the defendant in the media trial at the same time in the court trial.

“If you want to try the defendant in the media, you have to limit yourself to the media. You have to stop misleading the public in the fact of this trial.

Let me say it for the sake of emphasis that EFCC must stop the use of journalists to distort proceedings in my court.

You cannot be engaging in two trial: one in the court and one in the media at the same time. If you are not satisfied with my decision to stop this trial pending the time the EFCC retract this offending press statement of my court proceeding, then you can take your case to another court

20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

21 Public Notice

PATHS OF LIFE MINISTRY INT’L

ORLU - ZURU -MEE IGWEBUIKE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

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

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

TRUSTEES: 1, PASTOR GERRY CHUKWUEKWUNIFE ONUGHA 2, EVANG MRS NGOZI OKONGWU 3, MRS HELEN EBERE ONUGHA 4, JOHN AFUBERO

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROF. FRANCIS DIKE, 2. CHIEF EMEKA DIWE 3. MRS CHIOMA AMANKWE 4. NZE SIMBO OKAFOR

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD. 2. TO TAKE CARE OF THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. 3. TO ESTABLISH LOCAL BRANCHES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL WORLDWIDE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

ADETORO AINA FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that (the above name) ADETORO AINA FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1, MRS. ADEWOYE CATHERINE ADETORO 2, MR. ADEDOKUN ADEBAYO OYEDELE 3, MR. ADEDOKUN ADENIYI OLUWATOSIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1, To feed the hungry in the society.

2, To promote empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication.

3, To provide social integration, full employment and decent work to members and the public.

Any objection to the registration shall be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, F.C.T. Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: Ganiyat Abidemi Adisa 49, Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos State.

08179280234 & 07055107907

THE COAST OF HELP FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under PART C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Odiaka Ifeanyi - Chairman 2. Ogbaa Michael Kalu 3. Udonya Anne Aghoghome; and 4. Igborgbor Samuel Chukwuemeka.

The main objectives are: 1. To cater for children, widows, the destitute and the less privileged; 2. To provide relief to poor children, widows, distressed orphans and underprivileged persons through financial assistance, self-help programmes, entrepreneurial capacity building and mentoring initiatives; 3. To contribute to poverty alleviation in rural communities in through establishment of vocational and skill acquisition centres, provision of economic empowerment for the less privileged, education support for orphans and vulnerable children, and creation of enabling environment; 4. To work with the private sector and other stakeholders in initiating, piloting, introducing or scaling partnerships and/or sustainability projects that directly and indirectly improve the livelihood of children and the less privileged.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF ORLU ZONE. 2. TO IGNITE AND SHAPE A NEW CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS WITH A VIEW TO CREATE A NEW CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE ORLU PEOPLE. 3. TO REVIVE THE CULTURE OF THE ORLU PEOPLE THROUGH CULTURAL FESTIVALS, SYMPOSIUM, LECTURES ETC. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Akinwale Olukorede Daniel 2. Akinwale Remilekun Maria 3. Bose Akinwale-Ayeni 4. Akinwale Banke Biola AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To Foster Love And Unity Among Members 2. To Encourage and Promote the Interest of Its Members Generally 3. To Assist the Poor and Less Privileged in Society ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

BALM OF GILEAD WIDOWS AND ORPHANS MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry with its headquarters in Oyo, Oyo State is seeking for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No 1 of 1990.

Signed: Secretary

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

CHRISTIAN ABUNDANT GLORY INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. EHINEBO IMONBHIO KENNEDY. 2. KEN-EHINEBO TEMITOPE. 3. NWAOKOLO. A. HENRY. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary BOGIJE & EYINOSA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that (the above name Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Trustees: 1. ALHAJI MUSEDIKU SARAFA AYOKULEYIN. 2. MR. SHITTU BABATUNDE NURAINI. 3. HON. SULUKADEEN B. LATEEF. 4. MR. RASAKI WALIU OLASUNKANMI 5. MR. OJORA MUKAILA OLAKUNLE.

Aims and Objective: 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to widows and orphans and world.

2. To encourage and support widows in their afflictions.

3. To assist the vulnerable widows and orphans.

Aim and objectives 1. To protect the interest of members 2. To encourage development in biogije and eyinosa community.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

COURTVIEW ESTATE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

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

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST LORD JESUS

Trustees are: 1. MOSES OLUBUNMI AJAYI 7. DR. OYEDIRAN DEMI OLAOYE 2. (REV. DR) BOLAJI ELIZABETH ADERONKE 8. (MRS.) RAJI DEBORAH ADERONKE 3. OLAPADE REBECCA GBEMISOLA 9. PASTOR MEBAWONDU ADEBAYO 4. ADEJIN ADELEYE JOSEPH MORDECAI 5. AJAO OYEDIRAN JOSHUA 6. ARCH BISHOP LAWRENCE SANDA AYO-LADIGBOLU

AFRICA DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION

Aims and Objectives: (1) To support the public and private sectors in Africa (2) To achieve sustainable development through research, advocacy, capacity building, policy dialogue and information sharing.

TRUSTEES: 1. ADELEKE, GABRIEL KAREEM. 2. ADEKUNLE ADEOYE SUNDAY 3. OLAWALE OLANREWAJU DAVID

Signed by Secretary

SIGNED: ADEJIN ADELEYE JOSEPH Secretary

Trustees are: (1) Professor Walter Ollor (2) Mr. Gabriel Idahosa (3) Mrs Igbanibo Ela.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: Egware Stanley, Esq. Secretary

This is to inform the general public that (the above name Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

THE ISOKAN ETERNAL SACRED ORDER OF THE CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH

This is to inform the general public that (the above name Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Trustees: 1. Mr. Abdulgaffar Sanusi.

- (Chairman) 2. Mr. Nnabugwu Chika.

- (Secretary) 3. Alhaji Mustapha Sanusi Mohammed.

4. Mr. Kehinde Charles Olasunkanmi.

5. Mr. Evarest Ikeonu.

6. Mr. Sunday Bobbi.

7. Mr. Nnamdi Ezeabasirim.

Aims and Objectives: 1. for the overall interest of the members of the association.

2. To chart a course for the well-being of the estate and its environs.

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

- CHAIRMAN - VICE CHAIRMAN - GENERAL SECRETARY - ORAGANISING SECRETARY - MEMBER

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

Signed: AFRIKE CHAMBERS

D0MIAYE INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This is to inform the general public that (the above name Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Trustees: 1. NEDOMIAYERE OSAHON. - CHAIRMAN 2. NEDOMIAYERE JOY ITOHAN. - SECRETARY 3. ISERHIENRHIEN DEBORAH OROBOSA Aim and objectives: 1. To empower people economically, particularly the most Vulnerable women and children on the need to be self reliant.

2. To supporting members through multiple programs such as education, social justice and welfare awareness.

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

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Barr Godwin

THE EXCELLENT SPIRIT DIVINE CHURCH

GODSPOWER OSHODIN GLOBAL FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that (the above name Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Godspower Oshodin 2. Victor Emmanuel Ejiofor 3. Matthew Gbinije 4. Gloria Oshodin 5. Mr. Yakubu Babangida Yakubu

Trustees: 1. Reuben Buhari 2. Patience Dodo 3. Bavoshi Gloria Nyan 4. John Mark Cheitnum 5. Vincent Bodam

Trustees: 1. OKAFOR PATIENCE EBELE. 2. CHIBUEZE NNEKA BENEDETTA. 3. BOLAJOKO BOLADE OLUGBENGA. 4. UGORJI MARTINS CHINEDUM. Aim and objective 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P. M. B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28th days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Aims and Objectives: a. To help in promoting good societal values through humanitarian activities b. To assist the poor, less privilege and needy c. To assist one another d. To educate and enlighten one another on healthy ideas and values ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: Uchenna Bright Moneke - 08033723121

SOUTHERN KADUNA VICTIMS SUPPORT INITIATIVE

Aims and objectives: To assist and support the victims of southern Kaduna ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Patrick Uzum Solicitor

Public Notice 22 CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND HEALTH EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION [CEHEF]

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

JEUNESSE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

THE WORLD CHANGERS YOUTH INITIATIVE

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE

THE TRUSTEES ARE

for better future

this publication

ASMAYI CHARITY FOUNDATION

THE ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE SALVAGE BUYERS OF NIGERIA

Trustees are:

TRUSTEES ARE -

TRUSTEES-

AIYELOKUN FOUNDATION

GRACE AND PAUL HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION.

ELPIDA WOMEN EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

BUKOLA OLAJUMOKE UDAYA FOUNDATION.

Trustees are: Trustees are :

Trustees are :

URBAN/NEW HEAVEN BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL ENUGU, OLD BOY ASSOCIATION

GLOBAL ACADEMIC INITIATIVE FOR AKWAIBOMITES.

THE LYTROSIS LIVING CHURCH OF GOD.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

THE TRUSTEES ARE:-

IKENGA DEVELOPMENT UNION

PARTAKERS CHAPEL INT’L

THE BIG HANDS EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

THE TRUSTEES ARE:TRUSTEES:

TRUSTEES ARE;

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform general public of loss of original land documents belonging to MR BENJAMIN OBIORA over land situated at plot 5 kingsway road G. R. A. Enugu. Building lease Reg. As 1/1/293, inrevocable power of Attornery Reg. As 87/87/1184 and indenture Assign. Reg as 74/74/1296 of land registry Enugu is missing. If found contact Enugu ministry of land and 08036729779

OMOBOLANLE ELIZABETH I formerly known and addressed as OLUSEYE OMOBOLANLE LATIFAT now wish to be known and addressed as IDRIS OMOBOLANLE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as VENATUIS CHUKWUDI AJIERO instead of AJIERO VENA CUTE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

AKINMOLA FOLORUNSO HARRIS I formerly known and addressed as AKIN FOLORUNSO HARRIS now wish to be known and addressed as AKINMOLA FOLORUNSO HARRIS. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ADEFOLUKE AYOOLA I formerly known and addressed as ADEFOLUKE ADETUJOYE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEFOLUKE AYOOLA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS HAPPINESS IDARAESIT AWOTAYO I formerly known and addressed as MISS HAPPINESS IDARAESIT UDOH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HAPPINESS IDARAESIT AWOTAYO All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ADEOYE ABDUL FATAI ADENIYI

AKANNI ABIMBOLA ABIBAT

EJEMBI JOY

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNSINA KUBURAT OLAIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SANNI KUBURAT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AKANNI ABIMBOLA AWEDA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AKANNI ABIMBOLA ABIBAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as ITODO JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as EJEMBI JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKANDE ADURAGBEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AKANLE GBADURA OLUWAKEMI. That my date of birth is 11th of March, 1984.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHIBUZOR ONYEMACHI

CONFIDENCE ASIBOR

LIZZY NWACHUKWU OLUWATOYIN

MRS SANNI KUBURAT OLAIDE.

My name was wrongly written as AHMED YAKUBU, instead of YAKOOB AHMED AIYAOSIEOBE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OWOIGBE OLUDARE EMMANUEL

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DIMCHI ONYEMAECHI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS SUCCESS CHIBUZOR ONYEMACHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. OWOIGBE OLUDARE EMMANUEL

Formerly known and addressed as Owoigbe Oludare Adeniyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Owoigbe Oludare Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OWOIGBE OLUDARE ADENIYI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OWOIGBE OLUDARE EMMANUEL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

MRS ALESHINLOYE CYNTHIA

MRS OBAZEE YESIDE OLATOBI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KAZEEM HAKEEM BABATUNDE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OPEYEMI ABDUL HAKEEM BAAQI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known and addressed as NAPOLEON ELIZABETH DAHIP now wish to be known and addressed as ALFRED CHARITY NANBAN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

KEKE CHRISTIANA OLUCHI

OLUFUNMILOLA ADERONKE IBIJOJU

SULEIMAN KEHINDE ANIKE.

I formerly known and addressed as SHONOLA KEHINDE now wish to be known and addressed as SULEIMAN KEHINDE ANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OKOFOR FARVOUR NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KEKE CHRISTIANA OLUCHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADENEYE BOLATITO KOFOWOROLA AZEEZAT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UDOSEN BOLATITO KOFOWOROLA AZEEZAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME.

DECLARATION OF NAME

MRS ENEH IFEOMA HELEN

I, Mrs Adetoun Ganiyat Balogun am also the same person bearing NEE Adetoun Mayegun.

All documents remains valid, General public please note.

MRS. OPARA HAPPINESS CHIKAODI.

TITILAYO YETUNDE VERATINA FESTUS I FORMERLY KNOWN AS TITILAYO YETUNDE VERATINA DAVID NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AD ADRESSED AS TITILAYO YETUNDE VERATINA FESTUS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME

MOYOFOLA ADETEJU VICTORIA Formerly known and addressed as ADEJUMOBI ADETEJU VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MOYOFOLA ADETEJU VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AYINLA GANIYAT OLOLADE

ALFRED CHARITY NANBAN

I formerly known and addressed as USMAN SAFIYA now wish to be known and addressed as ADAMA LADI AWA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH AMOO OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as LIZZY NWACHUKWU OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

. In some of my documents my name was written as JOHN OLU ADEJUMO while in some other documents it was written as JOHN FAITH ADEJUMO.I am the one bearing all the names. All documents bearing the names are valid. General public to take note.

OPEYEMI ABDUL HAKEEM BAAQI

I, formerly known and addressed as AROGUNDADE TEMIDOLA OMOLOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as IMOREN TEMIDOLA OMOLOLA, due to marriage. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ORJI IFEOMA HELENnow wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENEH IFEOMA HELEN.All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME.

AKANLE GBADURA OLUWAKEMI

In some of my documents my name was written as NUHU MOMOH NUHU and NUHU MOMOH AFOLABI while in some other documents it was written as ABDULSALAM NUHU AFOLABI.I am the one bearing all the names. All documents bearing the names are valid. General public to take note.

ADAMA LADI AWA.

I formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI FATAI ADESHINA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOYE ABDUL FATAI ADENIYI All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly Miss LOVETH OVIGWERAE ETEFIA now wishes to be known as LOVETH OVIGWERAE EGONE. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note

JOSEPH ABOSEDE. Formerly known and addressed as AJEWOLE IBUKUNOLUWA ABOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH ABOSEDE. That my date of birth was mistakenly written on as 5th of December, 1980 instead of 5th of December, 1982. That my correct date of birth is 5th of December, 1982. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OBAZEE YESIDE OTUYALO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OBAZEE YESIDE OLATOBI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

UDOSEN BOLATITO KOFOWOROLA AZEEZAT.

LOVETH OVIGWERAE EGONE.

Formerly known and addressed as CONFIDENCE RICHARD, now wish to be known and addressed as CONFIDENCE ASIBOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ASA CYNTHIA BOLAJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ALESHINLOYE CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

IMOREN TEMIDOLA OMOLOLA,

This is to confirm that OKPARA UGOCHUKWU EMEKA and OGO CHUKWU OGONNA refer to one and the same person,now wish to be known and addressed as OKPARA UGOCHUKWU EMEKA and my correct date of birth is 20th August,1981.All former documents remain valid.Banks and general public please take note.

23 Public Notice

I formerly known and addressed as OLUFUNMILOLA ADERONKE ESTHER OGUNJIRIN now wish to be known and addressed as OLUFUNMILOLA ADERONKE IBIJOJU. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ABOLUWARIN ABIODUN MICHAEL.

I formerly known and addressed as BAKARE TITILAYO OLOLADE now wish to be known and addressed as AYINLA GANIYAT OLOLADE All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MR OLAJIDE SAMUEL OLATUNJI. I formerly known and addressed as MR MAKANJUOLA OLAJIDE OLATUNJI now wish to be known and addressed as MR OLAJIDE SAMUEL OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OGUNBAMBI ADENIYI LATEEF. Formerly known and addressed as OGUNBAMBI LATEEF, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNBAMBI ADENIYI LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IFEANYI EMMANUEL UGWU. Formerly known and addressed as IFEANYI UGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as IFEANYI EMMANUEL UGWU. That I was born on 10/01/1983 and not on 28/08/1983. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME That in my document my name were written on as UKA IGWE EZEOGO instead of RICHWILL DANIEL IGWE EZEOGO the full name. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME In some of my documents my name was written as ORIMOLADE ABIODUN EMMANUEL while in some other documents it was written as ORIMOLADE ADEDEJI EMMANUEL.I am the one bearing all the names. All documents bearing the names are valid. General public to take note.

MRS ABUBAKAR SHUKURAT OMOLOLA. I formerly known and addressed as MISS KAREEM SHUKURAT OMOLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABUBAKAR SHUKURAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

VICTOR KUNLE FARINAKO. I formerly known and addressed as VICTOR KUNLE ALADELA now wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR KUNLE FARINAKO. My date of birth is 27/7/1997.

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

ADELEKE BOLAJI AJOKE

ADLEKUN OLUFUNMILAYO.

I, formerly known and addressed as FARINLOYE ABIODUN OLUWOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as ABOLUWARIN ABIODUN MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly Adeleke Mobolaji Florence now to be known and addressed as Adeleke Bolaji Ajoke. Former documents remains valid. General public please note.

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

CORRECTION OF NAME ON BVN

MR ADENIYI OLASOJI

That my name was wrongly written as BABATUNDE AKINOLA ABDUL,date Of Birth 29-03-1963 instead of the correct Name: BABATUNDE IKEOLA ABDUL,date Of Birth 29-3-1968. All former documents remain valid, General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Former: Mr OLU ADENIYI OLASOJI now wish to be known and address as Mr ADENIYI OLASOJI . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EKECHUKWU CHISOM JOY

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IHEME HAPPINESS CHIKAODI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OPARA HAPPINESS CHIKAODI. All former documents valid. General public please take note.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME NNODUMELE CHUKWUKA WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN WHEN OPENING MY ACCOUNT BUT NOW WISH TO BE CORRECTED AND ADDRESSED AS NNADIMELE NELSON CHUKWUKA. MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 02/04/1990.

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

This is to confirm and certify that OBASIOKOLO CHUKWUEBUKA BENJAMIN, OKOLO BENJAMIN IKECHUKWU and OKOLO CHUKWUEBUKA BENJAMIN refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as OKOLO BENJAMIN IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

NNOROM: I formerly known and addressed as NNOROM CHISOM JOYnow wish to be known and addressed as EKECHUKWU CHISOM JOY.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS UDUMA CHIMEZIE

MRS ODENIGBO NNEAMAKA CYNTHIA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ODO CHIMEZIE NDUKWE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDUMA CHIMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITE), ABSU, (Uturu), Banks and General public should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS IKWUEZE NNEAMAKA CYNTHIA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ODENIGBO NNEAMAKA CYNTHIA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS UDE JOSEPHINE NKEMBUCHI

MRS MOSES IFEOMA LYDIA

MBANUSI: I formerly known and addressed as MISS MBANUSI JOSEPHINE NKEMBUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDE JOSEPHINE NKEMBUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and General public should please take note.

UGWU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS IFEOMA LUCY UGWU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MOSES IFEOMA LYDIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MARY YOHANNA I, formerly known andaddressed as MARY JAMES, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY YOHANNA. Former documents remain valid. Compol A, police Maiduguri and general public should take note.

CHUKWU JOY ANNE CHUKWU: I formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU JOY OGOCHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWU JOY ANNE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note EZINWANYI NWODO MONICA NWASO: I formerly known and addressed as NWASO MONICA now wish to be known and addressed as EZINWANYI NWODO MONICA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

Public Notice24 MRS ADEGBOYEGA JULIET. I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OBAZEE EHIZOGIE PRINCESS, NOW WANT TO BE ADDRESSED AS MRS ADEGBOYEGA JULIET. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

JUDITH NNAKA ORIAKU I, formerly known and addressed as JUDITH NNAKA, now wish to be known, called an addressed as JUDITH NNAKA ORIAKU due to change in my marital status. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

ALFRED ADEDOYIN KUDIRATU

I, formerly known and addressed as BURAIMOH ADEDOYIN KUDIRATU, now wish to be known, called an addressed as ALFRED ADEDOYIN KUDIRATU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

ONAJA DAVID JIBO Formerly known and addressed as Onaja David now wish to be known and addressed as Onaja David Jibo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OWOLABI SHOLA RAMOT Formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI ISHOLA RAMOT now wish to be known and addressed as OWOLABI SHOLA RAMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS FAKEYE OLAJUMOKE ODUNAYO

ADDITION OF NAME

On my Document, my name was formerly written as IBRAHIM SARR, now I am adding ‘BABA’ to my name, Hencefort I wish to be known, Called and Addressed as IBRAHIM BABA SARR. General Public and Authority Concerned should take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

MRS. OBETTA JANE NKIRUKA I, FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS MISS UGWU JANE NKIRUKA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OBETTA JANE NKIRUKA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

OLATUNJI BIODUN OLADUNNI.

ANDREW MICHEAL

I, formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI BELIAU, now wish to be known, called an addressed as OLATUNJI BIODUN OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IKWUOCHE EMMANUEL MICHEAL, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AN ADDRESSED AS ANDREW MICHEAL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

ABDULLAH AFUSAT AYINKE

I, formerly known and addressed as AFUSATU ABDULKAREEM, now wish to be known, called an addressed as ABDULLAH AFUSAT AYINKE. That I was born on the 12th day of April, 1965. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

CHIDI AWOKE STEVE. I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDI AWOKE, now wish to be known, called an addressed as CHIDI AWOKE STEVE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

MRS ODU AYOBAMI ESTHER

SULEIMAN FATI I, formerly known, called and addressed as UMAR FATI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SULEIMAN FATI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LEONARD GBENGA AYANDELE I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED GBEMIGA JINADOU, now wish to be known, called an addressed as LEONARD GBENGA AYANDELE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

OGUNBA AYODELE

IFEYINWA DIVINE EZENWA I, formerly known and addressed as IFEOMA LUCY EZENWA, now wish to be known, called an addressed as IFEYINWA DIVINE EZENWA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH On my Document, my name was wrongly written as NDUBUISI FELICIA NWAKEGO instead of NDUBISI FELICIA NWAKEGO and my date of birth was wrongly written as 6/12/1982 instead of 6/12/1983.

General public and Authority Concerned should take note.

STELLA KEHINDE SOKUNBI

IKE GEORGE FRIDAY

NNAMEDE CHIKA EMMANUEL

I, formerly known and addressed as IKE GEORGE PRINCE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IKE GEORGE FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NNAM CHIKA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NNAMEDE CHIKA EMMANUEL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE NOTE.

I Formerly known and addressed as MISS KAZEEM AYOBAMI ESTHER now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ODU AYOBAMI ESTHER All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

That I OGUNBA AYODELE KAYODE,is the same person as OGUNBA AYODELE,All document/ credentials remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as STELLA KEHINDE WILLIAMS now wish to be known and addressed as STELLA KEHINDE SOKUNBI all former document remain valid general public take note

UNIQUE EKE. SAMUEL.

OLOTU. EHIOZEFE. EFE.

ROTIMI OMOLARA ABIDEMI

MRS ADELABU BOLANLE MARY.

CORRECTION OF NAMES AND DATE OF BIRTH

Formerly known and addressed as UNIQUE SAMUEL. O. KALU. now wish to be known and addressed as UNIQUE EKE. SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLOTU. EFE. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLOTU. EHIOZEFE. EFE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

MRS ADEKUNLE ESTHER IYABO

EMMANUEL AMAECHI PETER.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS SAKA IYABO MULIKAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEKUNLE ESTHER IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMECHI EMMANUEL OLOHUN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EMMANUEL AMAECHI PETER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as SHADARE OMOLARA ABIDEMI now wish to be known and addressed as ROTIMI OMOLARA ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LUKMAN ALAO RAMON Formerly known and addressed as RAMAON ALAO ALADE wrong date of birth 2/4/1961 now wish to be known and addressed as LUKMAN ALAO RAMON correct date of birth 01/2/1961. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EDWIN ONYINYECHI ANITA SAMIRAH

Formerly known and addressed as MISS EMIOLA BOLANLE MARY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADELABU BOLANLE MARY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EZEH SUNDAY OGBOCHUKWU

I formerly known as Ezeh Sunday Barry wish to be known and addressed as Ezeh Sunday Ogbochukwu .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

OGUNNIYI MARIA OLUWATOYIN

HAMZAT OLUWATOYIN.

YISA MARIA ADENIKE

I formerly known as MISS ABOLADE OLAJUMOKE ODUNAYO wish to be known and addressed as MRS FAKEYE OLAJUMOKE ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

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

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS YISA MARIA FOLASHADE WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS YISA MARIA ADENIKE .ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known as Edwin Onyinyechi wish to be known and addressed as Edwin Onyinyechi Anita Samirah .

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

I formerly known as OGUNDIPE MARIA OLUWATOYIN wish to be known and addressed as OGUNNIYI MARIA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

MRS ESTHER APANYI IGWE

AJOSE OMOLAJA MOROTI.

CORRECTION OF NAME

OMOHA PAULINUS

MONA ROBINSON DUMLESI

That the names AKPORODE EJAITA CLEMENTINA stated in my National Identity Card was not correct. That my correct names are AKPORODE EJAETA GRACIOUS. That the date of birth 12th January, 1985 stated in my National Identity Card was not correct. That my correct date of birth is 12th September, 1989 as recorded in the family record book by my parents.

SAMUEL OGUN FAMAKINWA I formerly known as Samuel Famakinwa wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Ogun Famakinwa .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

FOLORUNSHO OLUMIDE JOSEPH

I formerly known as OLUMIDE SEUN JOSEPH wish to be known and addressed as FOLORUNSHO OLUMIDE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

EWUZIE MICHAEL IKENNA

I formerly known as MISS ESTHER APANYI OKWUAGWU wish to be known and addressed as MRS ESTHER APANYI IGWE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as AJOSE OMOLAJA SHAMSIDEEN wish to be known and addressed as AJOSE OMOLAJA MOROTI. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

THAT I EZEOKEKE CHUKWUEBUKA ONYEBUCHI MY NAME WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN AS EBUKA ONYEBUCHI EZEOKEKE WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EZEOKEKE CHUKWUEBUKA ONYEBUCHI. ALL DOCUMENTS /CREDENTIALS BEARING THESE NAMES REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I formerly known and address as Eze John Okofor now wish to be known and address as Omoha Paulinus. All former document remain valid.

General public should please take note

I formerly called and addressed as MONA ROBINSON CHARLES now wish to be called and addressed as MONA ROBINSON DUMLESI All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, EWUZIE MICHAEL JOHNFITZ, now wish to be known and addressed as, EWUZIE MICHAEL IKENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

HAMID KHADIJAH ILIYAS

MRS. EDERIGBE MARTHA ENABOIFO

MRS. DUM-ADI GIDEON GARAH

PRINCEWILL OBINNA LAWRENCE

MRS. MARY EMMANUEL

ATTAH CHIOMA MONDAY

I, formerly known and addressed as, KHADIJAH ABUBAKAR JALO, now wish to be known and addressed as, HAMID KHADIJAH ILIYAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

NSISONG NSIKAN JOSHUA I, formerly known and addressed as, NSISONG NSIKAN UDOM, now wish to be known and addressed as, NSISONG NSIKAN JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. OLUCHUKWU TOOCHUKWU NGOZI MERCY. I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. OKEKE TOOCHUKWU NGOZI MERCY, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OLUCHUKWU TOOCHUKWU NGOZI MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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

EMMANUEL OKEWULONU

I, formerly known and addressed as, EMMANUEL OKEWULONU ENYERIBE, now wish to be known and addressed as, EMMANUEL OKEWULONU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME THIS IS TO CONFIRM, THAT I FRANK HENRY ONYEBU AND FRANK HENRY ONYEBUCHUKWU ARE MINE AND REFERS TO ONE AND THE SAME PERSON,THAT Now wish to be known and address as FRANK HENRY ONYEBU. All former documents remain valid. THAT THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF UBA PLC AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS, VIDO DUM-ADI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS, MRS. DUM-ADI GIDEON GARAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, PRINCEWILL OBIOMA NNANTA OKOROCHA, now wish to be known and addressed as, PRINCEWILL OBINNA LAWRENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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

I, formerly known and addressed as, ATTAH CHIOMA RITA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ATTAH CHIOMA MONDAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS BAOKU DEBORAH ADEOLA NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONIFADE DEBORAH ADEOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ANASTASIA ERIC OKORIE

OYEWUNMI ABOSEDE ABIKE

I formerly known as BLESSING NNAJI ANASTASIA now wishes to be known and addressed as ANASTASIA ERIC OKORIE. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as FAKOLUJO ABOSEDE ABIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEWUNMI ABOSEDE ABIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EBUKA ULASI now wish to be known and addressed as ULASI EBUKA FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AHMED KAMALDEEN AJAO.

MRS ODOH THERESA IFEYINWA

I, GODWIN IJEOMA JOY, AND GODWIN IJEOMA ELIZABETH, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, GODWIN IJEOMA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as KAMALDEEN A. AMODU, now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED KAMALDEEN AJAO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OSINGA THERESA IFEYINWA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODOH THERESA IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ONIFADE DEBORAH ADEOLA

I, DIBANG JAMES BROWN, AND JAMES BROWN, REFER TO ONE AND SAME PERSON BUT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS, DIBANG JAMES BROWN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

ULASI EBUKA FRANCIS

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27 , 2017

DULKAREEM ABDUL RASHEED ISHOLA I, formerly known and addressed as ISHOLA ABDULKAREEM now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULKAREEM ABDUL RASHEED ISHOLA . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

KWUNTOLE ISAAC JONATHAN. Formerly known and addressed as IKWUNTOLE JOSEPH- EGBO OCHOFIE ISAAC JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as IKWUNTOLE ISAAC JONATHAN. That my date of birth is 01-10-1987. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SALAU MUNIAT AYINKE.

Formerly known and addressed as SALAU MUINAT ARINKE now wish to be known and addressed as SALAU MUNIAT AYINKE. That my date of birth is 03-06-1983. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WAFAILU-BELLO IBRAHIM KHALIL . Formerly known and addressed as WAFAILU IBRAHIM KHALIL now wish to be known and addressed as WAFAILUBELLO IBRAHIM KHALIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKOLIGAN AMAOBI Formerly known and addressed as AKPU OKECHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as OKOLIGAN AMAOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. OKOYE DORIS IJEOMA. I, Miss ONYIMADU DORIS Is The Same Person As Miss ONYIMADU DORIS IJEOMA Now Wish To Be Known & Addressed As Mrs. OKOYE DORIS IJEOMA. All Document Remain Valid General public take note.

25 Public Notice

ADEOLA SOLOMON OLUFEMI.

MRS ADEOLA OLUSHOLA OLUWAFUNMILAYO.

DENFA KAPYIL KAPYA

.I, Formerly known and addressed as Adefi Solomon Olufemi now wish to be known and addressed as Adeola Solomon Olufemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONOVO BISHOP ONYEBUCHI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AKINOLA OLUSHOLA OLUFUNMILAYO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ADEOLA OLUSHOLA OLUWAFUNMILAYO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as Denfa Matthew now wish to be known and addressed as Denfa Kapyil Kapya. My Correct date of birth is 20 /2/1983 as against 24 /4/1989.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKPAN BISHOP ONYEBUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as ONOVO BISHOP ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IKWUNTOLE ISAAC JONATHAN.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

SULEIMAN ABDULATEEF AKANDE.

Formerly known and addressed as IKWUNTOLE JOSEPH- EGBO OCHOFIE ISAAC JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as IKWUNTOLE ISAAC JONATHAN. That my date of birth is 01-10-1987.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OMOTAYO SAMSON ADENUGA

Formerly known and addressed as OMOTAYO BANJO ADENUGA now wish to be known and addressed as OMOTAYO SAMSON ADENUGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WAFAILU-BELLO FATIMA WAZIR Formerly known and addressed as WAFAILU FATIMA WAZIRI now wish to be known and addressed as WAFAILU-BELLO FATIMA WAZIRI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that IFADE VICTORIA JULIET and IFADE VICTORIA ITOHAN is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as IFADA VICTORIA ITOHAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

RAJI FATIMA OMOWUNMI.

.Formerly known and addressed as BARUWA FATIMA OMOWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as RAJI FATIMA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

DIOCESE OF LAGOS MAINLAND ANGLICAN COMMUNION RC41258 THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFY THAT THE ABOVE NAME BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION TO CHANGE ITS REGISTERED TRUSTEES UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES: 1. THE RT. REV. PRO. ADEBAYO DADA AKINDE - BISHOP 2. HON. JUSTICE IBIKUNLE ADESALU-CHANCELLOR 3. VENERABLE TITUS OLONILUYI AKINWANDE--SYNOD SECRETARY NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. THE RT.REV. BABATUNDE COLENSO AKINPELU JOHNSON - BISHOP 2. HON. JUSTICE AYOKUNLE OLAYINKA FAJI -CHANCELLOR. 3. VENERABLE EMMANUEL ADESINA ADEKOYA- SYNOD SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P. M. B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AKINTOLA EJIWUNMI ESQ LEGAL SECRETARY - DIOCESE OF LAGOS MAINLAND

EDO STATE WOMEN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA 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 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RT. HON. MRS. ELIZABETH UYINMWEN 2. MRS. DORCAS EHIOGHAE 3. DR. MRS. CAROL DICKSON 4. HON. aMRS. STELLA OKORO 5. CHIEF MRS. INUMIDUN AIGBOKHAE 6. MRS. AINA USIOMOIFO 7. MRS. ITOHAN IGBINOBA 8. IVY ADODO The aims and objectives: 1. To serve as a voice for Edo state women to air their view on state and national issues 2. To serve as a platform for the training, mobilization and empowerment of Edo state women 3. To raise a strong voice against all forms of violence abuses against Edo State women Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: SECRETARY

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MRS.MBA, ORIAKU PAT.

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IJEOMA PATRICIA NKENCHOR

MRS. OKE OMOTOLA TAIWO

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RAJI FATIMA OMOWUNMI.

ABDULHAMAD MUHAMMAD.

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General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHINWUBA NNAMDI JOSEPH.

This is to confirm and certify that EBOH CHIGOZIE KINGSLEY and EBOH CHIGOZIE FELIX is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as EBOH CHIGOZIE FELIX. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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MRS. AKINRINADE OLAJOJU OLUYEMI

OKELEKE CHUKWUSALI EMMANUEL

ONJEH FRANCIS PATRICK. FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TEMA GAGU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONJEH FRANCIS PATRICK. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

EDEH CHIOMA HOPE

THIS IS TO STATE THAT MY NAME WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN ON MY BANK DOCUMENTS AS OBEREBE JAHSWELL OGHENEBROZIE, INSTEAD OF OBEREBE JAHSWILL OGHENEBROZIE. THAT MY CORRECT NAME IS OBEREBE JAHSWILL OGHENEBROZIE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

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First Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

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BADARAWA ORPHANAGE AND LESS PRIVILEGED EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER “PART C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004.

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-

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BARR. LEO EKPEYONG PRESIDENT 2. BARR. PATRICK SAMPSON EBHODAGHE -SECRETARY 3. MR. DENNISE AYADU - P.R.O AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. CHRIS MBAM

26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Features

s

Excitement, as Abule EgbaIle-Epo prepares for new face

Abule Egba fly over

Ladesope Ladelokun

F

or residents, motorists and commuters in the Ile-EpoAbule - Egba corridor on the Lagos-Abeokuta Express Way area of LagosState, respite appears to be on the way, following the near completion of the Abule- Egba flyover and the commencement of Bus Rapid Transport.

BRT, dedicated lanes expected to ease traffic congestion in the area.

In fact,the perennial traffic situation in the area had long given commuters and residents of the area, which many have described as killing sad tales, more so as people had developed goose pimples over the years, following precious man- hours lost due to traffic snarls and gridlocks they usually went through on

the road daily.

From Abule - Egba junction to the site of the on-going construction work on Abule Egba flyover and then to Ile-Epo Junction , Abule-Egba and its environs are one big construction site. It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government had earlier in the year unfolded plans to extend the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) system to the Abule -Egba,Oshodi corridor, with supervision of the project by Planet Project and handled by Messrs Strabag construction firm.

Explaining why the project is significant, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority’s (LAMATA) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abiodun Dabiri, says the project would complement the current construction of the Abule -Egba flyover—a move

some residents have described as an answered prayer to the problem of chaotic traffic situation experienced by motorists and commuters that spend precious man-hour on the road.

Also, the LAMATA CEO added that the work would entail an uninterrupted BRT service, which would be complemented with eleven pedestrian bridges ,one bus depot and two bus terminals at Iyana Ipaja and Abule Egba.

According to Dabiri, the project would halt the spate of traffic congestion and indiscriminate picking of passengers along the corridor.

However, residents of Ile Epo and Abule Egba have expressed divergent views over the on-going construction work in Abule Egba and its environs.

While some have showered plaudits on the government for efforts targeted at al-

leviating the suffering and untold hardship experienced on the roads, the development has left bad taste in the mouths of many.

For Emeka Okoli, a carpenter near Ile Epo Bus Stop, the Lagos State Government should be commended for having Abule Egba in its mega city plan by starting the BRT lane project and the about-to- becompleted flyover. Adukwu said, ‘‘ I think it’s a welcome development. Who does not like something good. We have been seeing something like this in other parts of the State, if we now have it here, we should thank the governor for having us in his plans. It shows we have not been forgotten.

We are grateful to the governor.’’

In the same vein, Kubura Akanni, who sells roasted fish around the Zenith Bank area of Abule Egba, praised the Lagos State Government for changing the face

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Features 27

Excitement,.as Abule Egba-IleEpo prepares fornew face

of Abule Egba . She said the Abule Egba and BRT dedicated lanes would bring succour to residents of Abule Egba and its environs. ‘‘ We are happy about it.

The traffic here is something else. With the construction of the flyover and BRT lanes, we are sure traffic situation here would be better. Commuters and motorists will also have a better deal. It’s a good thing.’’

Asked how the project is affecting her business, Kubura said, ‘‘No doubt, it has its effect on my business. As you can see, buses no longer ply this road because of the construction work, the bus stops are not anywhere close again, so we only depend on passers-by to patronize us. We don’t enjoy the same level of patronage we enjoyed before work began on this bridge. But there is nothing we can do about it. Everything that is done now is for us. We are the ones to use the bridge and the BRT lanes when work is completed on them. So, I think it’s a sacrifice that is worth making.’’

But a businessman, Alhaji Jimoh Bolarinwa- Agbaje, who has lived in Abule Egba for 37 years, decried the manner in which the Lagos State Government went about the project.

He said two of his buildings were demolished after he was given a 7-day notice like other people that suffered the same fate. Jimoh narrates his story: “ I have two buildings that the demolition affected. Towards the end of 2015, we saw some surveyors that came to do soil test.

They said they wanted to do flyover and we were happy because we know what traffic jams do to us here.’’

Jamiu said that 11 months after the construction work began, Commission-

er of the Environment sent a circular to all stakeholders to have a meeting at Oke Odo LCDA. ‘‘ The commissioner told us that some people might be affected but everyone would be compensated.’’

He added : “After one week, we got another letter, informing us they wanted to take another measurement because they wanted to extend the initial measurement. And, suddenly, under one week , they just started demolishing build-

ings. I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that over 50,000 people were affected . Five filling stations, four banks, eateries, etc were destroyed.

Don’t forget that people work and live in the structures that were demolished.’’

He continued: “ Many have died, many have lost their jobs , many still have health issues as a result of shock occasioned by sudden demolition of their properties. The shock was too much to

bear. Even my BP that has never risen above 120 is now oscillating between 149 and 150.Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good project ,we like it.

Though we have been told the government would compensate us in the next four weeks when the governor came to inspect the project some days back, it is unfair to just inform people 7 days ahead of the demolition of their properties. It can be likened to a death sentence.”

Reacting to the allegation by victims of Abule Egba demolition that structures were demolished only after 7 days’ notice, the new Public Affairs Officer of the State’s Ministry of Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Bukola Iwona, said, ‘‘ I am the new Public Affairs Officer there, but I have not a assumed duty.

I will advise you get in touch with the outgoing PAO for now, but I am sure that the LASG cannot demolish any structure without going through due process of serving all statutory notices to the occupants of those structures.’’

But when the outgoing Public Affairs Officer , Mr Odunuga, was reached on phone, he says could not make an official statement on the matter since he has ceased being the PAO. Meanwhile, drivers,particularly commercial ones, still continue to manouvre to get to their destinations,while residents in the area remain optimistic of a new face and better days ahead, as the road gradually inches towards its completion and hand over date, even in spite of some challenges the construction firm may face.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27 , 2017

NDDC Begins Project Monitoring in Rivers Amaka Agbu , Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Vice President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Emmanuel Ejewere; Executive Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Oluwaseyi Ashade; Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri and General Manager, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya, during the 2017 Businessday AgriBusiness and food security summit in Lagos… recently.

OPEC, non-OPEC extend oil cut deal by six months OpeOluwani Akintayo

ÏÏÏ

A joint committee of ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers have recommended extending the oil cut output deal by six months.

According to a draft press release from their meeting on Sunday, there was need to extend the global cut deal to reduce oil output, .

OPEC and rival oil-producing countries met in Kuwait to review progress with their global pact to cut supplies.

In December, OPEC and 11 other leading oil producers including Russia agreed to cut a combined output of almost 1.8 million barrels per day in the first half of the year.

The oil ministerial committee “expressed its satisfaction with the progress made toward full conformity with the voluntary production adjustments and encouraged all participating countries to press on toward 100 percent conformity,” said the draft, seen by Daily Times.

The cut which took off in

January, has lifted crude LCOc1 to more than $50 a barrel.

Seeing the price gain, the U.S. shale oil producers which were not part of the deal, were encouraged to boost output.

The committee said it acknowledge that certain factors, such as low seasonal demand, refinery maintenance and rising non-OPEC supply, had led to an increase in crude oil stocks, it also observed the liquidation of positions by financial players.

“However, the end of the refinery maintenance season and noticeable slowdown in U.S. stock build as well as the reduction in floating storage will support the positive efforts undertaken to achieve stability in the market,” it said.

Before the meeting, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi told reporters there were some encouraging elements that suggested the oil market was improving, and that if all OPEC members agreed measures to help price stability, Iraq would support such steps.

“Any decisions taken unanimously by members of OPEC ...

Iraq will be part of the decision and will not be deviating from this,” Luaibi said.

Iraq’s oil production is running at 4.312 million bpd this month, Luaibi said, adding that his country had cut its oil exports by 187,000 bpd so far and would reach 210,000 bpd in a few days.

Compliance with the supplycut deal was 94 percent in February among OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers combined, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said.

Russia said it is committed to cuts of 300,000 bpd by the end of April, Novak said, adding that a deal extension could be discussed on Sunday.

“For today, obviously, this is within the sphere of our questions,” Novak said.

Novak said he expects global oil stockpiles to decrease in the second quarter of this year.

“The dynamics are positive here, I believe,” Novak said, adding that inventories in the United States and other industrialized countries had risen by less than in the past.

Kuwaiti Oil Minister Essam al-Marzouq said the oil market may return to balance by the third quarter of this year if producers comply fully with their production targets.

Following a 30-day ultimatum given by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to contractors handling its projects to return to site or face sanctions, the Commission has started inspection visits to projects in Rivers State to enforce compliance.

Leading a team of NDDC officials on a four-day inspection that ended at the weekend, Hon Harry Dabibi, the Representative of Rivers State on the board of the Commission, restated the resolve of the Managing Director, Mr Nsima U. Ekere to fast track the on-going audit of projects awarded in the region.

The NDDC inspection team, which included Mr Benson Asubop, the Director of Rivers State Office, several engineers and the project consultants, visited 32 projects being executed in different local government areas of the state.

Top on the list of projects inspected was the 4.72-Km KaaAtaba Road and bridge project in Khana Local Government Area.

The team took a boat ride to the Ataba end of the first bridge in Andoni Local Government Area to assess the entire project.

Hon Dabibi said he was happy with the progress of work at the site. He, however, urged the contractor to put in more efforts to quicken the pace of work.

He noted that some of the problems that had previously slowed down the pace of work on NDDC projects had been addressed, adding that “the process of payment has been streamlined and fine-tuned.”

Hon Dabibi charged all NDDC contractors to fulfil their obligations to the commission by working expeditiously to deliver the various projects on schedule and in accordance with specified standards. He warned; “Contractors that are not on site or fail to keep to specifications will have themselves to blame because the NDDC will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to bring them to book.”

He charged contractors working for the NDDC to buckle up as “the board will not entertain excuses for non-performance. Our contractors must prioritize the prompt and early completion of projects. Where there are chal-

lenges, we should know immediately,” Dabibi said.

Responding, the Project Manager of the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge, Engr. Mene Solomon, assured that his company would work towards early completion of the job. He attributed the delay experienced so far to the turbulent waves in the water, which had hampered the delivery of materials to the site and affected the schedule for casting of the piers.

Another project inspected was the 3.65-kilometre Okrika-Borokiri Road with three bridges at Kolabi, Abotoru and Okpoka creeks in Okrika Local Government Area.

Hon Dabibi observed that there were no activities at the site and directed the NDDC Director of Rivers State office to invite the contractor for a meeting to determine the best way forward.

The site manager for the company handling the project, Engr.

Jolien Keneem, told the NDDC officials that his firm had devised a strategy that would help it to expedite work on the project, explaining that the work would be approached from different points simultaneously when more funds were released to his company.

At the site of the Niger Delta Regional Specialist Hospital (orthopaedic and cardiovascular), in Port Harcourt, the NDDC team was greeted with another encouraging performance by its contractors.

Hon Dabibi said he was impressed with the quality of work done so far and the appreciable progress made in putting up the two hospitals, noting that the people needed to be healthy to enjoy the benefits of good roads and bridges.

The NDDC team also inspected the Nigerian Police barracks being built for the Special Protection Unit, base 6 at Omagwa in the outskirts of Port Harcourt. The complex contains an administrative building and six blocks of residential quarters.

According to the NDDC team leader, the status of work at the complex was satisfactory considering that the main administrative block and the residential quarters for the Police Commander in the barracks had been completed.

Over 10, 000 capacity cemetery fills, decomposing bodies exhumed to bury fresh one Edem Edem, Calabar

ÏÏÏ

The over ten thousand capacity cemetery at Hawkins Road Calabar, in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State has been filled to capacity. The grave side measuring more than three hectares is older than Nigeria and had been used for the burial of important personalities before it was

changed for the burial of both poor and rich.

Hawkins Road Cemetery, Calabar, was established by the British at about the time of the Second World War. It was a resting place for people who departed this mother earth. Today, the grave has filled to capacity hence; skeletons of decomposed bodies are exhumed to give way for the burial of new corpses.

The sudden filling may not be unconnected with the number

of corpses buried every day. It was gathered that not less than 20 or more corpses were buried on daily basis in the cemetery.

Besides the Hawkins Cemetery, another closed to the Hawkins, Eyo Ita axis was established and was meant for the burial of important personalities.

“The Eyo Ita axis cemetery was in fact opened between 2006 and 2007, mainly to be use for the burial of important personalities in the State. Unfortunately,

the burial ground which despite its new status was still being divided into the rich and the poor.

The rich portion of the grave was use in the burrial of personalities such as the former deputy governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong, Dr. Mrs Margaret Ekpo and other notable Nigerians” our source stated.

Consequently, the story is different as the Eyo Ita axis was also filled to the brim. When our correspondent visited the

Eyo Ita axis of the grave, he discovered that the digging of the grave is no more six feet as it use to be and the width have equally been reduced to meet up with the increase of demand. Each grave now cost for more than N70, 000-N100, 000.

This excluded the moulding of the grave and the tilling. Adding, all the charges, the grave cost up N300, 000-N500, 000.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

29 News

Skill acquisition: ADSG trains over 700 women, youths Tom Garba, Yola

ÎÎÎ The Adamawa State

Government has so far trained over 700 youths and women in various skills acquisition programmes geared towards tackling the challenges of poverty and unemployment in the state .

The state coordinator of Poverty Alleviation Programme in the state,who also doubles as the Special

Adviser to the governor on Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation,Hon. Ayuba Audu made this disclosure while speaking to journalists.

According to him, they started by training 60 youths selected from the 21 local government areas of the state on repairing of tricycles, this efforts he explained was in collaboration with an India company called Simba, a leading manufacturer of

tricycles.

This was followed by another collaborations with the Industrial Training Funds (ITF) where over 500 youths and women were trained on various skills such as jewelries and beads making, window and aluminum, handsets repairs, electrical appliances among others.

Audu added that,the state government have also procured some equipments such as diagonizer

which once inserted into handsets will immediately dictate the faults and make it easy for the trainees to dictate the fault without any stress.

The co-ordinator disclosed further that,the state government in collaborations with United Nation Development Programme (UNDP)are training 179 youths from 3 North East states of Borno,Yobe and Adamawa, who were carefully selected from the IDPs

camps presently in yola undergoing training in various skills after undergoing rigorous test in Jos to ascertain their mental fitness and ensure that, they have no links with the insurgents.

On government decision to revisit the skills acquisition and technical training centres established by Nyako’s administration with the view to revive,admit and trained more Adamawa youths he noted that,the

decision is taking on the overall interest of the state and inline with the governor campaign promises to provides employment to the people of the state.

He added that the committee constituted by the government would begin tour of all the skills acquisition centres in the state and once they finished their assignment more youths in the state would be admitted and trained in various skills.

African Primate charges Nigerian leaders to lead by example Abiodun Taiwo!

Abeokuta

ÎÎÎ The Primate of the Af-

L-R: Chief Eletu, Bashir Adeniyi Dosumu; Chairman, Asiwaju Unity Forum (AUF), Oba Mobadenle Oyekan; chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Nurudeen Eyinfunjowo; Onisiwo of Tomaro and Abagbo Kingdom,Oba Musiliu Onisiwo and Chief Opeluwa Mondiu Lawal, during the inauguration of AUF in Festac Town, Lagos…at the weekend.

FG unfolds new vision for Niger Delta to create jobs for illegal refiners ÎÎÎ Details of

the President Muhammadu Buhari’s new vision for oilproducing communities in the Niger Delta, is emerging as an idea is now being worked out to explore how some of the illegal refiners and the local communities in the region can become shareholders in the proposed Modular refineries concept of the Federal Government, presidency sources have disclosed.

The consideration going on now is subsequent to the promises made by the Federal Government during the presidential interactive engagements in several oil-producing States led by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to integrate the illegal refiners, rather than a scorched-earth policy that seeks to eliminate the operations of such refiners.

But sources explain that there are a number of significant hurdles to be

Ï^Ə ƍ Ƌ ƈ Ɛ ƆƋƋ ƅƏƑƗƆ ƗƈƏƆƅƐƋƕ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔƌ crossed especially issues around the engineering and technical ramifications of such a conversion, besides figuring out the financial models that would be workable and profitable.

However, specific consideration on how to integrate local “illegal” refiners in the oil-producing communities into the Federal Government’s proposed modular refinery concept is now in progress with the Presidency and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Agency, NSIA, spear-heading efforts.

At a meeting late last week at the Presidential Villa, issues around technical and engineering implications of how to integrate the refiners were discussed with industry experts and practitioners making presentations on how to implement the Buhari presidency modular refinery initiative

said to have been first proposed by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

At the meeting the experts reported that they have worked closely with the NNPC, Oil & Gas operators, owners of marginal fields, operators of refineries and various technical services providers “to develop a workable system to develop this initiative,” a presidency source disclosed.

A modular refinery is a refinery made up of smaller and mobile parts- (skidmounted)- that are more easily fabricated and can be more quickly transported to site. They come in different sizes with varying capacities normally lower capacity than conventional refineries with more elaborate and complication set-up.

Under the plan being considered in the presidency,

the Federal Government could supply crude to the local refineries at a reasonably considered price, as an incentive to stop the current practice whereby the illegal refiners vandalise and steal the crude. This concept would also prevent the environment degradation that the spills and damaging the trunk lines have been causing.

Also, marginal field operators can also supply crude to the new modular refineries that would have the illegal refiners integrated.

Another important component of the plan under consideration is to involve the current illegal refiners and their communities as shareholders while the NDDC and the NSIA will also hold substantial holdings/equity sufficient to make the smaller refineries operational as a business and a going concern.

rican Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia on Sunday called on political leaders to always lead by example in order for the Country to overcome series of challenges facing it.

Dr Udofia also said the only way for Nigeria to come out of the current economic recession is for both the leaders and the followers to go back and seek God’s face.

Udofia who spoke to journalists at the end of the Church’s 2017 Zion Congress in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital added that only God wisdom not their own, could help the country grow.

He explained that the country was in the mess because its leaders and followers forsake God and started doing things in their own way.

He called on the Nigerian leaders to always have the fear of God in all their dealings and ensure they put the people’s interest in their affairs.

His words: “The bible says righteousness exalt a nation but sin brings reproach, if our leaders, be it political leaders or not, they should know that they were there through God not by their power and if this is at the back of their minds, they should be able to govern well and have people’s interest in their hearts, they should also have the fear of God because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”.

Ihedioha cautions Okorocha on threat to Ilomuanya Val Okara, Owerri

ÎÎÎ Former Deputy Speak-

er, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has cautioned Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State over his threat to banish the reinstated Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH. Eze Cletus Ilomuanya describing the outburst as disturbing, reckless and very unbecoming of a governor of a state .

Ihedioha insisted that Eze Ilomuanya, did nothing by approaching the courts to ventilate his displeasure on the unlawful dissolution of the State Council of Traditional Rulers under his chairmanship by Governor Okorocha.

Ihedioha who gave the warnings at the weekend

in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Chibuike Onyeukwu in Owerri stated that Ilomuanya having won his case up to the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, directed in a letter to the governor that Eze Ilomuanya be accorded full rights and privileges, but he dismissed the Federal Government’s directive with a wave of hand.

“To recourse to self help by threatening to banish a highly revered monarch of Eze Ilomuanya’s standing is laughable, primitive, unfortunate and constitutes an affront on the rule of law. Okorocha must realise that power is transient and he cannot be wiser than the many Lordships that have reviewed his irresponsible actions.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

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Monday, March 27, 2017

EXTRATIME

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Pinnick off to Zurich for FIFA meeting

N

FF President Amaju Pinnick will fly to Zurich, Switzerland on Tuesday to attend the inaugural meeting of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, taking place at the Home of FIFA on Wednesday.

Nigerian Football’s supremo was in January appointed a member of the second most important committee in world football (after the FIFA Council), which also has the Presidents of three Confederations (UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Oceania President David Chung and Asia boss Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa).

The Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions replaced the plethora of organizing committees for FIFA’s competitions, viz FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA U20 World Cup, FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA U17 World Cup, FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA Futsal World Cup and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The new model has only the following committees: Governance, Finance, Development, Member Associations, Referees, Players’ Status, Football Stakeholders, Medical, Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions.

The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions is headed

by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and the tenure of members is for 2017-2021.

In line with the new FIFA reforms, each proposed member of any of the committees was made to go through a comprehensive integrity check conducted by several organisations of global relevance and stature.

Pinnick, who earlier served on the Organizing Committee for the FIFA U20 World Cup, is vice president of WAFU B and Member of the Executive Committee of Confederation of African Football.

Pinnick

Ebuehi senior ‘proud’ son has committed to Nigeria M arvin Ebuehi has spoken of his joy that first son Tyronne Ebuehi has finally committed to Nigeria after the misunderstanding that trailed his first call-up by fatherland.

“I must confess to you that I am glad that he has finally committed to Nigeria. I am very proud as a father. The first call –up, there was a misunderstanding and things went the way they did, unfortunately.

“I apologize for that misunderstanding. I have always said that he would have to play for Nigeria at senior level, because I am proud of my country,” said the Edo State – born father of three.

Ebuehi, an Amsterdam –based businessman was at the Super Eagles’ Crowne Plaza London Ealing hotel on Saturday with Dutch wife, Toos and a couple of in-laws.

“Tyronne has always been crazy about football from an early age. I put him in an academy at the age of six and I’m not surprised that he’s on the way to living his dream.”

Tyronne’s sister Tyvanne is a UK – based model and brother Trevin is a student in Holland.

“I am praying that Tyronne fulfills his ambition of playing for a big club in Europe, and also become an important player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Cisse : Nigeria Is A Good Team Speaking after the international friendly between Nigeria and Senegal at the Hive Stadium, coach of the Teranga Lions Aliou Cissé was impressed with the performance of the Super Eagles players despite the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

The former Birmingham City defender revealed that Senegal accepted to play the friendly against Nigeria because they are preparing for the World Cup qualifiers and have to play against big teams.

“Nigeria is a good team. Nigeria is a football country, with many very good players. That has always been the case, with Jay-Jay Okocha, and so on, ” Cisse said.

“We respect this team. They did not qualify for the last African Cup of Nations but it is a good team that has a future.

“Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Algeria, are the future of African football.”

Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow opened the scoring for Senegal before Kelechi Iheanacho equalised for the Super Eagles with seven minutes remaining.

Pinnick off to Zurich for FIFA meeting P 31

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World Cup,AFCON Qualification Our Focus - Onazi

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Iwobi Hopes To Convince Arsenal To Sign Iheanacho

N

igeria international Alex Iwobi wants Kelechi Iheanacho to join him at the Emirates Stadium, and is hoping he can convince Arsenal to sign the M a n chester C i t y striker in the

near future.

Iheanacho and the Hale End Academy product have formed a close bond on and off the pitch, with the Citizens wonderkid helping him settle into the Super Eagles squad when he was first called up.

“I tell you, you should see us on Snapchat! Always bantering. We’re room-mates right now and he’s just the funniest guy I know, ” Iwobi said.

“We do get on well off the pitch as well as on the pitch. Maybe I can try to convince Arsenal to sign him – but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Iwobi picked up the CAF Youth Player of the Year at a gala ceremony in January, while his pal Iheanacho was named the Most Promising Talent for the second time in his career.

Both 20-year-olds started Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Senegal in an international friendly held at the Hive Stadium three days ago.

uper Eagles stand in captain Ogenyi Onazi has assured that the team will maintain their unbeaten streak under coach Gernot Rohr as they bid to clinch the 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFCON qualification tickets.

Nigeria’s young and vibrant squad is thinking of little else apart from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, so says stand-in Captain Eddy Ogenyi Onazi.

The petite but lion –hearted midfielder spoke on Sunday during a meeting of the Super Eagles with NFF President Amaju Pinnick, at the team’s Crowne Plaza London Ealing hotel.

“I am always delighted anytime I look at the faces of everyone in camp. The determination is real and infectious. It is a young and focused group; we all want to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 and the next Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are happy that the NFF President is here and spoken very well, and we want to assure Nigerians that we will keep up the momentum in the World Cup qualifying race and at the same time go all out for the Cup of Nations ticket.”

Onazi, who plays for Trabzonspor FC of Turkey, added that the friendly

against Senegal’s Teranga Lions on Thursday was an excellent preparation for the Super Eagles’ very crucial five competitive matches later this year.

Nigeria host South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June, before quick, home-and-away 2018 FIFA World Cup sessions against Cameroon late August and early September, and concluding World Cup qualifiers against Zambia (at home in October) and Algeria (away in November).

Earlier, Pinnick appreciated the players and officials for their sense of duty and commitment to the cause, while assuring that the Federation will work assiduously hard to see that their outstanding entitlements are offset soonest.

On Saturday night, youthful Chelsea FC and England U20 defender Ola Aina arrived at the Super Eagles’ camp, joined soon after by attacking midfielders Josh Maja (Sunderland) and Ebere Eze (Queens Park Rangers).

All were invited to join the Nigeria squad for a training match on Monday, for assessment by the technical crew.

The Anambra Times

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

. Onitsha fire disaster committee submits report to Obiano AT 2

Conduct Anambra Central Senatorial election now, APGA BoT member tells INEC AT 2 Reps move to address ecological challenges in Anambra ÏÏÏThe House of Representatives

Primate Nicholas Okoh, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion (centre) with other Bishops of the Church after dedicating Basilica of St. James the Great, Ogbaru...recently

Obiano inaugurates committee to resolve communal clashes

Stories by Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏThe

The

Anambra

T E A M

Anambra State Government has inaugurated a 14-man Standing Committee on the Resolution of Intra and Inter Communal Clashes in the state.

Speaking during the inauguration at the Government Lodge, Amawbia, Governor Willie Obiano charged the committee members to bring to bear their wealth of experience on the job.

Gov. Obiano while stating that the committee has the right to incorporate more people in its fold, said the aim of government inaugurating the Committee was to nip in the bud incessant crises between villages, traditional rulers and their Community President Generals, among others.

The Governor, who reiterated the commitment of his ad-

ministration to ensure lasting peace in the state, enumerated the terms of reference of the Committee to include determination of the immediate and remote causes of disputes and disturbances within communities, identification of the major parties to disputes and their respective roles in the disputes, making recommendations to the state government on remedial measures to implement in order to address the clashes and reconcile the parties involved in the fracas.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, noted that it had become common practice by government to anticipate problems before they arise and to fashion out ways of preventing or addressing them.

Professor Chukwulobelu said the decision by the present administration to set up the committee was reached during the state’s Security Council meeting.

He noted that the committee

was made up of people drawn from different fields of endeavour including service commanders in the state.

In a remark, Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sam Okaula, expressed gratitude to the government for giving the Committee members opportunity to serve the state and promised that they would discharge their duties with high sense of discipline and diligence.

ÏÏÏ Governor Willie Obiano

on admission and was compassionate after seeing the plight of the patients including amputees.

A beneficiary of the governor’s gesture, Mr. Paul Ifemesi, said that they had been discharged but their parents and guardians could not offset the hospital bills.

He commended the governor for the gesture as the bills run into thousands of naira.

The indigent patients lined up at the entrance through

which the governor went to the ward to see his relation.

Mr. Kris Ngige, Director of Information of the hospital, while confirming the Obiano’s gesture, said that the beneficiaries’ plans had worked when they heard of the governor’s presence.

“Obiano came out and learnt they were indigent patients and ordered for their bills to be computed and posted to his account,’’ he said.

…Settles medical bills for 12 patients

of Anambra on Friday directed the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, management to free 12 indigent children treated of various ailments.

Gov. Obiano visited the hospital to see a relation

Special Projects Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondents: Alphonsus Nweze Philip Balepo John Chinenye

on Thursday called on the Federal Government to address the erosion threatening lives and property in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra and across the nation.

The House urged the government to direct the Ecological Fund Office to carry out Environment Impact Assessment of erosion and flooding disasters in the area.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of the affected communities and victims displaced by erosion and flooding.

These were sequel to a motion

by Rep. Obinna Chidoka (Anambra-PDP).

In the motion, Chidoka said that communities in Idemili North/ South of Anambra State and neighbouring areas, over the years suffered hardship from gully erosion and perennial flooding.

According to him, the challenges have displaced hundreds of families, made hectares of farmland useless and uprooted trees of economic value.

The other communities, he said, included Obosi, Nkpor, Ogidi, Abatete, Alor, Ideani, Nnobi, Ojoto and Oba. Chidoka expressed concern that roads linking those communities and their farmlands had come under severe threat and had become uphill tasks to access farms to evacuate harvested crops and other items.

He said that the situation could worsen food insecurity in the affected communities.

The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.

The House mandated its Committee on Environment and Habitat to visit the erosion and flooding sites in the communities and across the nation and make recommendations.

The committee was given eight weeks for the assignment.

In his response to the judgment, Chief Victor Umeh, who is the APGA candidate, said that with the judgment, the coast was clear for INEC to fix a date to conduct the Anambra Central Senatorial zone election, noting that there was no obstacles again on their way to the conduct of the election.

The Anambra Times A2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Onitsha fire disaster committee submits report to Obiano Stories by Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha ÏÏÏThe Anambra State Government has received the report of the twelve man Assessment Committee on the Onitsha Fire disaster.

Receiving the report at the Governor’s lodge Amawbia, Governor Willie Obiano, who commended the Committee for a job well done, promised that government would implement its recommendations to the letter.

Governor Obiano while recounting other fire incidents that occurred in four different places on the day of the Onitsha Fire disaster, expressed regret that most of the causes of fire outbreaks in the state could have been avoided.

The Governor, who noted that his administration had already started implementing part of the Committee’s recommendations by compensating the seventeen victims, who lost their houses and belongings in the Onitsha Fire disaster, announced that government had taken delivery of the three automated fire trucks it ordered from overseas.

He stated that the recruitment of the one hundred additional fire fighters to replace those about to retire had commenced

in earnest.

Governor Obiano advised Ndi Anambra to learn to insure their properties to avoid losses in the event of any fire outbreak.

The Chairman of the Assessment Committee on the Onitsha Fire disaster and Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, who explained that the Committee commenced work immediately after its inauguration in March this year to ensure that it completed the report before the three weeks deadline, said the Committee was able to come up with some recommendations on the immediate and remote causes of the fire outbreak.

Odenigbo expressed hope that with the full implementation of the Committee’s report, incidences of fire outbreak would be drastically reduced in the area.

He thanked the government for giving the Committee members opportunity to serve the state in that capacity.

Mrs. Obiano advocates Entrepreneurship as panacea for sustainable empowerment of women The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, has identi-

fied the creation of entrepreneurship venture opportunities as the panacea to the challenges of sustainable empowerment of rural women.

Mrs. Obiano made the assertion recently in a presentation titled ‘Opportunities for Entrepreneurship for Rural Women,’ at the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) side event at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) held, in New York, United States of America.

Mrs. Obiano, who made the presentation as the founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), a Non-Governmental Organisation, asserted that “When you take away economy power from the woman, you take away her gender power”.

She argued that modern society by its very nature has unwittingly denied rural woman economic power with the absence of an economic growth vehicle which created an economic gulf between the womenfolk and the men counterpart. A situation, she noted, worsened under a weak Nigerian economy long before the recession set-in with the rural women at the vanguard of those most affected and traumatized.

Conduct Anambra Central Senatorial election now, APGA BoT member tells INEC ÏÏÏ Member,

Board of Trustees (BoT) of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has vowed to invoke the gods of Ogirisigbo and Igbo land against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if they continue to delay the conduct Anambra Central Senatorial zone election.

Chief Ezeonwuka, who is the Ogirisigbo, said with the Supreme Court judgment which stamped the Appeal Court judgment and the latest judgment by a Federal High Court Judge, there is no barrier again stopping INEC from organising the election.

He wondered why the electoral management body has all the time to announce the Presidential election time-table that is almost two half years ahead but would not set machinery in motion to organise the Anaambra Central Senatorial election which does not have a Senator

Monarch lauds Bishop Ezeofor over development of Ogbaru

ÏÏÏ The commitment and dedi-

Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Afam Mbanefo, addressing members of the state chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) when they called at his office in Awka recently. On his immediate right is chairman of the association, Prince Ugochukwu Okparaeke.

cation of the Anglican Bishop of Ogbaru Missionary Diocese to physically develop and evangelise the new diocese has elicited rare encomium from prominent Ogbaru personalities including the traditional ruler of Atani, Igwe Augustine Azuka Ngoddy.

The traditional ruler, who expressed joy over the dedication of the Basilica of St. James the great by the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, noted that the church has been stagnant in the entire Ogbaru until the Missionary Diocese was created about 10 years

Mrs. Obiano advocates Entrepreneurship as panacea for sustainable empowerment of women ÏÏÏ

The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, has identified the creation of entrepreneurship venture opportunities as the panacea to the challenges of sustainable empowerment of rural women.

Mrs. Obiano made the assertion recently in a presentation titled ‘Opportunities for Entrepreneurship for Rural Women,’ at the Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) side event at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) held, in New York, United States of America.

Mrs. Obiano, who made the presentation as the founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), a Non-Governmental Organisation, asserted that “When you take away economy power from the woman, you take away her gender power”.

She argued that modern society by its very nature has unwittingly denied rural woman economic power with the absence of an economic growth vehicle which created an economic gulf between the womenfolk and the men counterpart. A situation, she noted, worsened under a weak Nigerian economy long before the recession set-in with the rural women at the

vanguard of those most affected and traumatized.

She painted a picture of the post-civil war Nigeria society and the global oil boom which created more attractions in the cities and neglected the rural communities.

The outcome was the migration of young men in search of greener pastures, and preference for male education with the females abandoned to a fate of waiting to be married often without commensurate training and skills to escaping poverty in the household.

“To increase opportunities for them as entrepreneurs, we need to promote collaboration and opportunities for their empowerment by

in the Senate of the Federal Republic since 2015.

The Anambra Central Senatorial zone has not had representation in the Senate since the Appeal Court removed Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and barred her and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking part in the subsequent election.

She however appealed the judgment to the Supreme Court which dismissed it on the ground that the apex court has no jurisdiction, since the Appeal Court has the ultimate jurisdiction in Election Petition pertaining to the National Assembly. This effectively sealed the hope of Ekwunife.

But Sharon Ikeazor of All Progressives Congress (APC) went to a Federal High Court, asking it to order INEC to take her as replacement to Dr. Chris Ngige who has declined to contest since he is now a minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

creating more openings for their financial inclusion, promote information sharing and positive exchanges between NGO’s on capacity building and opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and devising of transparent funding mechanism and support for NGO’s like CAFÉ with track record of outreach to women in hard-to-reach communities,’’ she said.

Mrs. Obiano commended the enterprising spirit of the rural women under the umbrella of Otu Umunwanyi which was exemplified in her story about the Ezikedike family women of Ukpor.

ago under the spiritual leadership of a young Bishop, Rev (Dr.) Samuel Ezeofor.

“Look at what he did within 10 years. We the leadership and the people of Atani will find ways to work with him. We will support him. He has vision, goals. He is helping us to develop our communities,” said Igwe Ngonadi.

He noted that apart from building a cathedral, the Diocese under Ezeofor has set up a seminary a school, a gigantic conference centre by women ministry of the Diocese.

Before now, said the traditional ruler, Anglican Church was found in about three communities in Ogbaru but within the last ten years, it has virtually spread to every community in Ogbaru Local Government Area.

He called on other churches in Ogbaru to emulate the hard work of Bishop Ezeofor and his team of workers in the physical development of the church in the area as well as spiritual development of the people.

He also used the opportunity commend the personalities that graced the dedication and the 10th anniversary celebration of the diocese such as Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, the Primate Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Lawyer, 3 others arraigned for arson ÏÏÏAn Onitsha based legal prac-

titioner, Mr. Ifeanyi Onwuanyi, has been arraigned with three of his kinsmen, Mr. Abanobi Onwuanyi, Ndubueze Onwuanyi and Chukwudu Ebodi Onwuanyi at an Anambra State High Court sitting at Otuocha.

They were arraigned on a two -count charge of arson (burning down of their Umueri village hall, Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area) and malicious damage of properties by the Anambra State Government.

The prosecuting counsel, senior state counsel in the state Ministry of Justice, Mrs. S.A.M Oforkansi, in the charges said the accused Abanobi Onwuanyi, Ndubueze Onwuanyi, Ifeanyi Owuanyi Chukwudi and Ebodi Onwuanyi on March 14, 2016 at Nkwelle Ezunaka within Otuocha Judicial division unlawfully and willfully set fire on Umueri Village hall building, the property of Umueri family valued at N25,000,000 (twenty five million), thereby committed arson contrary to section 416 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol 11 revised laws of Anambra State of Nigeria.

The charge reads: “That you, Abanobi Onwuanyi, Ndubueze

Onwuanyi, Ifeanyi Onwuanyi and Chukwudi Ebedi Onwuanyi on the 14th day of March at Nkwelle Ezunaka within Otuocha Judicial division intentionally and willfully damaged one Honda Car property of Ikechukwu Onwnayi, one pathfinder jeep property of Boniface Onwuanyi and Honda Pilot Jeep, property of Ifeanyi Eziakor, Alumaco doors and Windows of a building, property of George Eneanya, thereby committed malicious damages contrary to section 415 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Laws of the Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.

The Presiding Judge, Justice B. O. C Amaechina, while granting all the accused persons bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties who will be a property owner in the Otuocha Judicial division and who also will be somebody with reasonable means of livelihood, said that having observed that the charges under which all the accused were charged are bailable offences and also taken into consideration an already bail granted the accused by a magistrate court where they were initially arraigned which they are enjoying, he saw no reason in refusing them bail.

The Anambra Times A3

Community asks Obiano to intervene in alleged illegal sale of airport land Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏSome

indigenes of Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have called for the intervention of the state government over the use of the land acquired for building an airport.

The said the land initially acquired by the state government to build an airport was being sold by land speculators for building private residences.

The people, in a petition to the government, told newsmen in Oba that it was wrong for government to allow land meant for public good to be sold to private individuals without compensating the original owners.

They said since the airport project for which it was ac-

quired had been abandoned, government should transfer it to the owners or use it for a purpose that would serve public interest.

Mr Henry Ezenwa, a former Chairman of the local government, said they were informed that 30 hectares of the land was given to shoemakers association in 2014.

Ezenwa, who is a son of the traditional ruler of Oba, said officials of the state Ministry of Lands gave the land to a speculator who sold it to private developers to erect residential buildings.

He urged Gov. Willie Obiano to investigate the matter, adding that the people would explore every legal means to get justice.

“Oba people gave government that land for airport project and

the law is clear that when the purpose is no longer feasible such land should go back to the people.

“They said 30 hectares of the land was given to Emordi Shoe Association but it turned out that they are land grabbers who are just plotting the land and selling it to private developers.

“No compensation was paid to this community in the first agreement and no compensation is being paid now, moreover there is no legal document showing the fraud going on here.

“I have personally written the governor on this and no response, the State House of Assembly has invited Oba people, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner was not able to defend these illegal dealings,” he said.

Five Onitsha market leaders arraigned for stealing N15m

ÏÏÏThe Police in Onitsha have

arraigned five Onitsha Market leaders at the Onitsha Magistrate Court II for stealing and misappropriation of public fund amounting to over N15 million.

Anthony Chiloli, President of Uba Planks and Joist Association (UPJA), Bridge head, Onitsha in Anambra State and other members of his executives- Ajaegbo Godwin, Odera Nwosu, Anadumaka Chukwuma, and Rapuluchukwu Okafor, were arraigned for five– count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

In the charge, the prosecuting police officer, ASP Crescent Ogbu, said Chiloli and Ajaegbo between October 18, 2012 and May 15 2016, conspired to commit offence with stealing, punishable under section 495 (a) of the criminal code, revised laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991.

Chiloli was also charged with stealing the sum of N15, 428, 640, being the property of UPJA, which is an offence punishable under section 358 (12) of Criminal Code, revised laws of Anambra State of Nigeria

1991.

Ajaegbo on his part, was said to have on November 5, 2014, at First Bank Plc, Bridge Head branch stolen the cash sum of N500,000.00, property of UPJA. Nwosu on the same day was said to have stolen the cash sum of over N2 million being the property of UPJA, punishable under section 353(12) of the Criminal Code, revised laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.

Anadumaka, said the prosecution, between October 18, 2012 and May 25, 2016, stole the cash sum of N251, 000.00, property of UPJA and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 353 (12) of the Criminal Code, revised laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.

But the accused pleaded not guilty in the all the five- account charges.

The counsel to the accused persons, GB Obi, asked the court to grant the accused bail, which was granted by the presiding magistrate, Chioma Amulukwe, who asked that they deposit their three years tax clearance, which must be confirmed by the police.

Cross section of clerics at the inter-denominational service during the matriculation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University Anambra State... recently

Tension in Igbo-Ukwu over dumping of deadly shrine ÏÏÏTension

and palpable fear have gripped Igbo-Ugwu, an ancient community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following the alleged dumping of a deadly shrine, Iyioji Ogbu of Umeri, Anambra East Local Government Area in the family compound of two siblings Udeze and Okpala Izuegbunam.

The shrine said to have been brought by five men in a vehicle at the instance of the Chief priest, Emeka Onochie, was to harm the two brothers for allegedly failing to pay N10 million worth of goods supplied to them by one Ejimofor Akwuobi.

It was gathered that the said Akwuobi had approached the priests of the shrine who summoned Udenze but on getting

there, they claimed he came late.

But on March 18, 2017, at about 10am, when people had gone out remaining their mother, they dumped the shrine.

Consequently, members of the family and neighbourhood were said to have started fleeing in droves which made the siblings to petition the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Okaula, through their counsel, Mr. Muoneke Eliseus Kanayo.

In the petition, he demanded that Ejimofor Akwuobi, who dragged the Izuegbunams to the shrine, the Chief priest of the shrine and his errand boys who brought the shrine to Igboukwu should be arrested and prosecuted for ‘trial by ordeal’.

Their counsel described the action of the said Akwuobi,

Chief priest and cohorts by inviting the siblings to the shrine and planting same in their family compound, as mockery to the Izuegbunem family having turned their compound to pilgrimage by crowd who trooped to have a glimpse of the shrine.

The letter of the invitation of the siblings which was signed by the Chief Priest read in part thus: “Iyioji Ogbu Umueri, summon; Ejimofor Akuluobi of Nando reported you, Udenze and Okpala Izuegbunem of Igboukwu to Iyioji Ogbu Umueri and now you are needed”.

The lawyer said the likes of Akwuobi, the Chief priest and their errand boys who have turned themselves into police and judge, should not be allowed to go unpunished.

The Anambra Times A4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Feature

Carnival as Nanka community gets new King Alponsus Nweze, Awka It was fanfare and carnival of sorts as the new Obu of Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State received certificate of recognition from Governor Willie Obiano of the State penultimate week.

As early as 8 am, the open space at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, had started witnessing visitors from Nanka who came to be part of the momentous occasion and by 11 am when the occasion was billed to take-off, the new traditional ruler had arrived with prominent sons and daughters of the town as well as musical troupes which entertained both at Governor’s Lodge and Nanka Civic Centre.

And to show the importance Governor Obiano attached to the occasion, he did not waste time to join the over joyous people of Nanka accompanied by the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and the Obi of Onitsha and the traditional ruler of Ifite Dunu, Igwe Iluno, who is the Chairman, Anambra Central of State Traditional Rulers Council.

Governor Obiano in his brief but pungent speech at the event reminded Igwe Godwin Ezeilo of Nanka that although he was unanimously elected, he still has the onerous challenge of bringing the other remaining few to his fold, urging him to extend his hand of fellowship to the few who are still dissenting.

He charged Igwe Ezeilo to properly organise the youths of his community, noting that when some miscreants in the community caused trouble in the community, he handled them and the town returned to normalcy again, promising to support the new traditional ruler in his move to ensure absolute peace and tranquility in the community.

Obu (left) and Chief Okwudlili Ezenwankwo, President- General of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS) at the occasion He said: “As Igwe, you cannot go to the Police Station. If there is anything they want from you, the Police should come to your Palace.

It is not for you to go to Police station”.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Greg Obi, said that the occasion came into being due to series of efforts by both prominent and committed citizens of the community as well the State Government officials.

He also noted that the new traditional ruler was supported by majority of the members of the community and this placed greater burden on him to ensure justice and peace in the community, noting that if he oppresses the people, they would rise against him.

The Obi of Onitsha in his brief speech said God makes king and it is their duty to rule well to justify the huge confidence both God and the people placed on them.

Obu and wife ‘(middle) with prominent Nanka sons during the occasion

He charged the new king and his colleagues that for the “good of their communities and the entire Anambra State, they must rule well”.

Igwe Achebe commended Governor Obiano for the dispatch in addressing issues bordering on traditional institutions in the state, saying with his brief stint as the Governor of the state, he has issued 23 certificates, which was more than all the certificates given by the former Governors of the state put together.

He then called for support for the Governor for the second term in office by the new traditional ruler and other monarchs in the state, so that after him the Anambra South Senatorial Zone can take over the mantle of leadership of the state.

The Igwe in his appreciation commended Governor Obiano for the co-operation extended to Nanka community in his choice as the new Obu of Nanka.

He extolled the virtues and achievements of Obiano especially in the area of security of lives and property of the people of the state, which has resulted in automatic stoppage of kidnapping in the state.

Assuring the Governor of his support and that of his community, for his second term bid, Igwe Ezeilo said that God will defeat all Obiano’s opponents.

He promised to rule the people with the fear of God and in justice to usher in and encourage rapid development of the community.

The Obu Nanka commended the Governor for appointing his people into Government positions and urged for more of such appointments and provision of social amenities such as roads to the community.

Chief Okwudlili Ezenwankwo, the President- General of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS) and a prominent son of the community, called on everybody to support the new Obu, saying that almost 99 percent of the community were behind the new king but stated that they still need remaining one percent.

Ezenwanwkwo, who played prominent role in the enthronement of the new Obu as the Chairman of Selection Committee, Electoral Committee, Installation Committee, said he was not in doubt that the new traditional ruler will do well because he is a man of God. He commended Governor Willie Obaino for helping the Nanka people get a new traditional ruler without hitch, saying that was a clear signal of how he rules the state, with fear of God.

The Anambra Market boss said for this singular deed the Governor Obaiano did for Nanka people, they will support him 100 percent in the coming election.

For the few who are still kicking against the emergence of Igwe Ezeilo, Ezenwankwo advised them to swallow their pride and join forces with their kith and kin, he stated, noting that the traditional ruler has emerged and what all have to do was to support him.

The Managing Director of Chipet Petroluem, Chief Peter Chinedu, expressed joy over the emergence of the new traditional ruler, especially the support the Governor gave them in the choice of this traditional ruler.

“The new Igwe was a consensus candidate. There was no dissenting voice. The dissenting voice is very insignificant and we are talking. We are peaceful people.

Nanka is peace loving. We are talking. We are not fighting. Those in opposition are in minority. From today, absolute peace has returned to this community. When there is justice, there will be peace and when there is peace, there will be development. The town will continue to grow”, he said.

To Governor Obiano, the business mogul, said “when the righteous is in authority, the people rejoice. We are happy in Anambra State since this man came in as the Governor. He has sanitised Onitsha, the entire state, including Nanka”.

In his own contribution, the chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Aguata branch, Mr Clifford Iloebunam Okoye, said the Governor in issuing the Certificate of Recognition in a record time, has shown he was God fearing.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Operator’s N51bn trapped by lack of connectivity Page B2

Forex intervention crashes dollar to N380/$1 Page B3

NSE places full suspension on UNIC

Page B5

Shareholders allege N500m unclaimed dividend fraud at Registrars … Call CBN, SEC, NIBSS, EFCC to rescue

L-R: Founder, Lifebank, Temi Giwa-Tubosun; External relations Leader, IBM Central & West Africa, Muyiwa Moyela; Founder, JC Capital, South Africa, Joel Chimhanda; Co-Founder, She Leads Africa, Afua Osei; Executive Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal Group, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi; Founder & CEO, Ingressive, Maya Horgan-Faomdu, and Senior Vice President, Jobberman, Olalekan Olude, during the Verdant Zeal Innovention Series 2017 held in Lagos ...on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Bonny Amadi Retail shareholders in the Nigerian capital market have once again raised an alarm over unclaimed dividend related frauds incubating in some Registrars.

The alarm which was in adherence to call by capital market regulators on investors to expose irregularities in the bourse via the whistle blowing portal, has heightened renewed fraud

related cases in the market.

Shareholders, under the aegis of Progressive shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) has alleged that over N500 million shareholders unclaimed dividend funds may have been diverted by unscrupulous market operators through some Registrars.

Describing the recent Registrar related fraud as latest addition to too many crimes in recent times rocking the Capital Mar-

ket, the group called on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to urgently arrest the ugly trend before it devours the entire market.

SEC, the group said, liaising with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) need to come out with the transactional data of the alleged diversions, in order to assuage the investing

NNPC to recover $184m crude swap under-deliveries from companies

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is set to recover over $184 million in product under-deliveries recorded against three oil companies in the course of reconciliation of transactions executed during the defunct crude

BUSINESS TIMES Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

for product swap regime.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, told journalists in Abuja that the exercise is a product of ongoing extensive reconciliation process with the companies involved namely: AITEO Energy Resource Limited, Ontario Oil and Gas Limited and Televaras Group of Companies. ‘’We have engaged them and positively too, so far AITEO has been very cooperative and we had extensive reconciliation across all our chains of businesses where they are involved. In the case of

Televaras, they have agreed to make tranche payment of $10 million while Ontario has also agreed to come to the table with our team and present their repayment schedule,’’ Baru said.

He also said Ontario has already pledged to repay $17m and thanked the company for their cooperation so far.

The GMD said the ongoing recovery process is geared towards ensuring probity and accountability in the operations of the Corporation in line with current reforms in the industry.

public of sanity in the market.

The retail investors group identified Mainstreet Registrars, former Afribank Registrars Limited, among few other Registrars where diversion of unclaimed dividend may have remained at its peak over the years.

National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Okezie Boniface disclosed to Daily Times Nigeria that there has been a disclosure that N280 million unclaimed dividend belonging to the shareholders of Afribank was alleged to have been withdrawn by former acting MD seconded by SkyeBank to direct affairs of the Registrars, while shareholders of the company.

PSAN said that more of such alleged fraud could easily be identified by the searchlight of the apex capital market regulator’s forensic experts on fraud detection, a direction he urged the commission to take in order to recover diverted unclaimed dividend by cloning experts and restore dwindling market confidence.

The group asserted that the e-dividend alleged fraud, has further raised the question on how the N45 billion SEC claimed was paid over one year, was affected and into whose account.

“How did SEC arrive at the sum of N45billion that have already been paid out by the registrars in unclaimed dividends within one year” Calling on security operatives

to intensify effort at unraveling unclaimed dividend funds wherever, diverted by fraudsters through cloning of documentation of real owners, Okezie said that the N280 million was allegedly withdrawn under the presence to be paid to the real beneficiaries, but diverted to various individual accounts supposed to be shareholders, which turned out to be clones (fake shareholders).

“We demand that the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a matter of urgency will quickly liaise with CBN to give directives to NIBSS to corporate with the police who are already investigating the matter to give them the details of the transactions.

He said that such fraud was easy to commit, hence the SEC endorsed for unclaimed dividends to be plunged back into the companies that declared them, with the Registrar retaining a given portion.

The culprits, he said should face full wrath of the law “They must be made to pay for their fraudulent acts, the poor owners of the monies will be left to wallow in hunger and abject poverty while the culprits go about enjoying their loot” Mainstreet Registrars is only one case’ Okezie said “what of other places wherein wholesome malpractices might have been going on? SEC should overhaul the system before it kills the markets”

NCC, law enforcement agencies brainstorm on telecom infrastructure security

Tony Nwakaegho

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of efforts to drum more support for the security of telecommunications infrastructure in the country assembled law enforcement agencies in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State to brainstorm on the way forward.

The Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said at the meeting that the Commission is currently holding sensitization workshops for law enforcement agencies in all geopolitical zones of the country, adding that this workshops have been

designed as a strategic partnership and collaboration between NCC and the nation’s security sector, to embolden enforcement processes; the laws and regulatory frameworks; challenges of prosecution; and how ICT enables effective policing.

Ojobo also noted that similar workshops have been held in Lagos and Kano as anchors for the South West and North West zones respectively.

The consciousness of the centrality of telecommunications and the revolutionary benefits the nation has derived from the exponential growth in the telecommunication sector was highlighted at the meeting.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

BoI, operators urge FG to incorporate SMEs into value-chain

Stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to prioritise developmental initiatives towards Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development, by improving the ease of doing businesses and providing a separate tax regime for the SME sub sector in the country.

The stakeholders sue for a tax regime that would support MSMEs, as well as an integration of the sector into the value-chain, while recommending that about 10 per cent of public procurement should be handled by such businesses to aid their growth.

Moreover, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has restated its commitments to work on developing innovative products and services to support MSMEs’ operations in the country, noting that promoting the growth of small businesses in the country is the fastest way to transform and achieve rapid industrial growth and development.

The Managing Director of W-holistic Business Solution Limited, Mrs. Lanre Oniyitan who also doubles as a Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) added that MSMEs are not growing as fast they should, as she stressed the need to deepen their quality, density and increase their turnaround time.

To her, MSMEs can occupy a larger role compared to what they are currently doing, say-

ing that reasons why most small businesses fail is due to absence of right and adequate structures.

She urged the federal government to provide incentives for large enterprises to integrate SMEs into their value chain while also empowering relevant regulatory agencies to protect local industries from the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country.

She tasked BoI to evaluate its portfolio to ensure that it supports SMEs beyond numbers, saying that SMEs need pre and post financial investment support to actualize their dreams.

The Regional Head-Lagos Region, BoI, Akinsola Adetokunbo, during the bank’s customers’ engagement forum, tagged “Growing MSMEs in Lagos and Ogun States: The Challenges and Prospects”, said all hands are on deck to see the dreams of small business owners come to reality by supporting and empowering them with the requisite skills and financial resources needed to survive the operating environment in Nigeria.

“The essence of organising this customer forum was actually to engage our customers to hear them out and seek areas of adjustment in order to make them happy and better customers. To us, customer is king and we do all what we can to avoid situations that will make the customers to be angry with the

President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote (right), and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, at the Fundraising of the Africa Centre, New York, USA sponsored by Dangote Foundation, held at Eko Hotel, Lagos at the weekend. bank, because this is not good for our image. Negative information from the customer can go viral to affect the good image we have built over the years.

“From our interactions today, we have been able to see areas where we have done extremely well and areas where we still need to improve upon. We will do everything possible to make

sure that whatever products and services that needs to be deployed to achieve better and efficient performances are used.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rofenik Associates and Investment Limited, Olufemi Ogunje, said the growth of SMEs in Lagos and Ogun States must be supported to provide job opportunities, better performance and

positive impact on human life.

He said the challenges faced

by MSMEs are self-induced by MSMEs such as absentee management, limited knowledge of the business, under-capitalization, improper record keeping, intentional poor debit servicing and ineffective management, adding that other bottlenecks are government induced and environment induced.

Operator’s N51bn trapped by lack of connectivity

Abuja Airport closure not affecting business – Red Star

The glaring lack of connectivity among federal ministries and parastatals has trapped the sum of $170 million (N51 billion) belonging to Amni International Development Company Limited, an operator in the power generation sector, (GenCo).

The debt being owed Amni has affected the company negatively as it is now finding it difficult to continue in business.

The Chairman/CEO of Amni, Chief Tunde Afolabi, made this revelation in a chat with newsmen at the power conference recently in Abuja.

Amni, according to him, is a large shareholder in Mainstream, the operator of Kaiji and Jeba plants. The Company is producing up to 800 megawatts. “We are the largest power producing company in Nigeria” “I was promised that if I produce 100 megawatts, they will

Nigeria’s foremost indigenous courier and logistics company, Red Star Express Plc has assured its clients and customers nationwide that the closure of the Abuja Airport will not affect its business.

Abuja is a major destination for all courier business. Most packages emanate from Lagos and other economic cities such as Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan for next day delivery to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while others transit through Abuja to core northern states. The FCT also generates a lot of traffic in terms of shipments going to other regions which makes the Abuja Airport very vital for smooth operations in the courier industry.

In an interview with the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Operations and Services, Mrs. Inemesit JamesOkoro, she stated that Red Star

Simon Ugwu

pay for 80 megawatts regardless of what happens. The remaining 20 megawatts will be paid later.

The 80 megawatts is not paid for not to talk of the remaining 20 megawatts. The government is owing my company N51 billion,” he said.

“They are making life more difficult for me. I cannot run the business like that, if I sack all my staff, who will work for me. It is not my business if they cannot evacuate or if consumers don’t pay for the electricity tariff, the agreement is that they will pay for what I produce,” he stressed.

He stated that there is lack of connectivity between the ministries, which is affecting him negatively. Chief Afolabi maintained that there should be close relationship between the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of power. The ministers he said have to work together, the CBN governor should not feel as if he is the king of the day.” Minister of power has to tell

him what he needs, minister of finance should help to get It done.

Minister of trade and investment has to woo consumers who will pay for the power produced.”

“The representatives of the ministries were not around today at the power conference and that is why I was very angry with them today. I left what I am doing and I am here. I have five staff here and we all paid $2,000 dollars each for registration.

“The government has to take it with the seriousness that it deserves, give to each sector what is required for it to excel. Such as agriculture, we are still importing rice. 50 percent of our resources should be dedicated to agriculture until we get out that feeding bottle mentality. When the issue of power is settled, then you can start readjusting the federal allocation to the ministries.

They should prioritize the areas where attention is needed.

There are people who are not getting power supply at all.

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Express has in place, modalities that ensure prompt deliveries of client’s packages anywhere in major cities across the country.

She explained that apart from the option of land transportation, there are other air services to neighbouring cities around the FCT to facilitate early morning deliveries.

“We are out to provide Speed, reliability and ‘peace of mind’ for customers shipping in and out of the FCT during the closure of Abuja Airport as announced by the Federal Government” she stated.

Red Star Express Group is a premium logistics solution provider in Nigeria with an unrivalled local network coverage and a large market share in the domestic and international market. It enjoys a domestic strength of over 240 offices in Nigeria, delivers to additional 1,800 communities, with over 2,400 highly trained personnel and over 600 delivery vehicles in its fleet.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

Stories by Motolani Oseni The naira over the weekend consolidated its continuous gain against the US dollar at the parallel market, as it exchanged below the Bureau de Change (BDCs) official rate of N399 to close at N380 per US dollar.

Business Times checks, however observed that currency hawkers across Lagos major markets and some part of Ogun State in their numbers flooded market junctions to converse for customers to buy dollars at cheaper rate, depending on the bargaining power of such customers.

When our correspondent visited some of the parks and junctions, it was observed that the local currency was exchanged as low as 380 to a dollar, while some were seen selling between 385 and 390.

This new rate of the naira was stronger than N400 sold on Thursday, while the pound sterling and Euro closed at N490 and N430.

At the BDC window, the naira was traded at N399 to the dollar, while the pound sterling and the Euro were sold at N500 and N400.

The Nigerian currency appreciated at the interbank market, closing at N307 to the dollar, from N308 posted on Thursday.

Traders at the market said liquidity boost at the interbank market by the CBN was fast forcing the rate down at the market.

But Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the President of the

B3 Money Market

Forex intervention crashes dollar to N380/$1 Ï ƑƈƄƍ ƅƉ ƕ G Ɗ ƍƈƄƎ è ƅƅƄƍ ƃ Ƅ ƋƄƍ ƍ ƎƄ

Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), had hinted that with continuous effort from the CBN in ensuring convergence forex rates, had put estimated loss of speculators and hoarders to over N700 million in the week under review.

Although, he also said CBN-licenced BDCs would incur regulatory losses of N130 million the same week, the CBN’s disparity in applicable exchange rates among players in the market.

According to him, the public has refused to buy foreign exchange from BDCs for invisibles such as medicals, school fees, personal and business travel allowances at a rate above N375 to the dollar.

The financial expert urged the CBN to promptly address the issue.

But the surplus supply of dollars has again jolted speculators and caused a further increase in value of the Naira.

The foreign exchange market closed on Friday without selling off all the foreign currency released by the apex bank.

Fresh 100 million dollars was released at the interbank market to meet customers’ demands, but the dealers were only able

L – R: Seye Awojobi, Registrar, Chartered Institute Of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Philip Ikeazor, Managing Director/CEO Keystone Bank Limited; Igwe Nnanyelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe the 21st Obi of Onitsha, and Prof. Segun Ajibola, President/Chairman of Council CIBN... Friday.

to pick about 81.35 million dollars, leaving surplus.

Mr Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, attributed the inability of authorised dealers to pick up the entire offer of the CBN

to increasing dollar supply.

In a statement, he said another reason was the current sense of apprehension among dealers who anticipate a further crash in the rate of the dollar.

He reiterated the deter-

mination of the Bank to sustain its current interventions in the market.

“Those who doubt the capacity of the Bank to sustain the intervention in the FOREX market are beginning to have a change

of mind,” he said.

The Naira has continued to sustain its ride against major currencies, especially the United States dollar, since CBN consistently pumped in more dollars.

Why is AMCON hiding personalities behind new owner of keystone bank?

Motolani Oseni

It is no longer news that the last of the three abridged banks, Keystone Bank, formerly Bank PHB Plc, has been sold by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to a new group of masked investors at undisclosed amount.

But what has generated unanswered questions from industry watchers was the process of the sales and why the asset managers had failed to furnish the general public the vital information required during and after the sales.

For instance, AMCON did not include personalities behind the new owner in its statement released last Monday but referred to them as consortium of local investors called Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited and Riverbank Investment Resources.

Moreover, a global search on the two firms did not reveal any existing profile or transaction beyond the deal with AMCON on the Keystone Bank transaction.

Hence, further investigation revealed that some very influential business and political interests from the northern part of the country might be behind the successful take-over of the once distressed bank.

There are also some unconfirmed reports that showed that the firm believed to have won the bid was reportedly not part of the bidding for the purchase of the financial institution.

Keystone Bank with its nearly 160 branches is now owned by a firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Umar Modibbo, MD/CEO of Sigma Pensions Limited, had emerged.

The two influential Ni-

gerians are allegedly being represented by the firm which our sources said did not participate in the bidding process, in a clear contradiction of basic public asset sale requirements.

The Keystone Bank, previously known as Bank PHB, was among the three banks nationalised by the CBN in 2011, after failing failed a stress test conducted by the apex bank.

The two others, Mainstreet and Enterprise Banks, had been handed over to other stronger banks in the industry by AMCON more than a year ago.

According to an industry source close to AMCON, Mr. Kuru sidestepped laid down requirements for asset sale to ensure Keystone is ceded to his cronies.

The source said the firm being favoured by AMCON did not participate in the bidding process and that

this contradicts the basic requirements for public asset sale.

According to AMCON, 13 companies had submitted their expression of inter-

ests but none was picked.

“It is very clear that all caution was thrown to the wind as a result of a grand plan to disqualify very strong and reputable

intended buyers in order to allow the cronies and business associates of the Managing Director take over the bank,” an industry source has disclosed.

CBN releases guidelines for S4 to ensure price stability As part of effort in ensuring monetary and price stability, as well as promoting a sound financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines for the operation of Scripless Securities Settlement System (S4.)

The apex bank in a document obtained from its website on Thursday, explained that S4 as one of the pillars of global financial markets infrastructure is a system that holds securities in dematerialised form and enables book en-

try transfer of securities.

According to the bank, in some cases, the system also carries out centralised comparison, and transaction processing such as clearing and settlement of securities.

“The physical securities shall be immobilized or dematerialised so that they exist only as electronic records and maintains the definitive record of legal ownership”, it stated.

The S4 also provides central safekeeping and asset servicing, which may include the administration

of corporate actions and redemptions, and plays an important role in ensuring the integrity of securities issues (securities are not accidentally or fraudulently created or destroyed or their details changed).

It also holds securities in dematerialized form (electronic records) The S4 is set to assume a critical role to guarantee a safe and efficient transfer of securities that exist to a large extent in book entry form only and has become a central point of reference for financial markets.

Capital Market B4 Afolabi Adesola Massive decline by all sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), but NSE Lotus Index, NSE Industrial index, weakened performance of the All Share- Index by 0.77 per cent, for the week ended 24th March 2017.

The All Share-Index (ASI) during the week dropped 0.77 percent to close the week at 25,454.93 points. All other Indices finished lower during the week with the exception of the NSE Lotus and NSE Industrial Goods Indices that appreciated by 0.35 percent and 5.14 percent, as the ASEM Index closed flat.

The Market Capitalization also dipped 0.80 percent to close the week at N8.807 trillion.

Investors, during the week transacted a total turnover of 1.309 billion shares worth N10.323 billion in 13,042 deals in contrast to a total of 1.029 billion shares valued at

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

NSE’s Major sectorial declines shed 0.77% off ASI N7.980 billion that exchanged hands previous week in 13,441 deals.

The Financial Services Industry maintained its lead on the activity chart by volume as it moved 1.139 billion shares valued at N6.028 billion traded in 7,518 deals; contributing 87.01 percent and 58.39 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 71.209 million shares worth N2.306 billion in 2,261 deals. The third place was occupied by Services Industry with a turnover of 29.390 million shares worth N24.594 million in 258 deals.

Top three traded Equities also by volume last week were Continental Reinsurance Plc, Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc and FBN Hold-

ings Plc. They accounted for 565.746 million shares worth N1.450 billion in 914 deals, contributing 43.22 percent and 14.04 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Price growth table showed that 16 equities led by Lafarge appreciat-

ed in price, lower than 31 equities of the previous week, while the decliners table reflects that 35 equities that depreciated in price, higher than 22 equities of the previous week, Guinness led decliners table.

The market summary for the week showed that

126 equities remained unchanged higher than 124 equities recorded in the preceding week.

A total of 18,144 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N17.555 million were traded this week in 12 deals, compared with a total of 8,390 units valued at N8.203 mil-

lion transacted last week in 4 deals.

Also traded during the week were a total of 11,585 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N144,678.50 executed in 5 deals compared with a total of 20 units valued at N90.90 transacted last week in 2 deals.

ICT to lift Insurance contribution to GDP – Shittu

Bonny Amadi

Deployment of modern day information communication Technology (ICT) into the entire process of insurance business will boost the sectors contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

ICT, described as therapy to revive the challenged Nigerian insurance market, has the capacity to boost the sectors penetration and public acceptance over a short t medium term period.

The new trend will not only aid designing of products, distribution and communication of new products, but will at the same time educate greater populace on the importance of insurance in their everyday life, hence , the sector has not been fully harnessed in the country.

Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, said this in his keynote address titled, ‘Driving Insurance Penetration with Information and Communication Technology’ delivered at the e-Insurance Conference organised by Pinet Informatics Ltd at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos on Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Barr. Shittu said that Nigeria’s insurance sector, though offers support to the financial institutions, yet has not been harnessed

fully. ”the Insurance sector despite being a major driver of business growth that provides a critical support system to the financial market has not fared well given the current size of the Nigerian economy and population.

“Information available to me indicates that there are less than 1.5 million insurance policyholders, representing a paltry 0.9% of a population of well over 170 million citizens. Similarly, the gross premium of the sector is said to be less than 500 billion naira, implying that the sector contributes less than 1% to national GDP”.

R-L: Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank Plc; Osepiribo Ben-Willie, Divisional Head, Private Wealth Management of the bank, Offiong Edet Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Big Brother Naija’s housemate and Omobolaji Mogaji, Media Sales Executives at Multichoice; during TTT’s visit to Heritage Bank’s Corporate Communication in Victoria Island Lagos, weekend.

TEF 2017 set to empower fresh 1000 young Entrepreneurs

Bonny Amadi

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has revealed its readiness to empower fresh 1,000 African entrepreneurs, for its 2017 or third edition of the 10-year, $100 million TEF Entrepreneurship Pro-

gramme.

The foundation, in a statement made available to Daily Times announcing the 2017 successful applicants revealed that over 93,000 entrepreneurs, from 55 countries and territories in Africa, applied in the third edition, re-

Chellarams migrates to ASeM board

Afolabi Adesola

Chellarams Plc has obtained the approval of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to migrate from the Main Board to the ASeM Board of NSE. Chellarams announced this at the weekend in a regulatory filing with the Exchange “Chellarams Plc through its Stockbroker filed an application for migration to the ASeM Board as a result of the company’s inability to meet the free float requirements of the Main Board,” the company said in an issuer’s announcement to the Exchange.

The NSE requires a free float of 20 percent for companies listed on the Main Board, but companies listed on the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) are required to hold a free float of 15 percent.

However, Chellarams Plc had applied to migrate the ASeM Board following the company’s 14.87 percent free float deficiency. The effective date for the migration was Monday, 20 March 2017.

“All other information relating to the company remains unchanged,” Chellarams added.

A Free-float represents the portion of shares of a company that are in the

hands of public investors as opposed to locked-in stock held by promoters, company officers, controlling-interest investors, or government.

The free float helps to better calculate the market capitalisation of companies because it provides a more accurate reflection (than entire market capitalisation) of what public investors consider the company to be worth.

Chellarams which is one of twelve other companies listed on the NSE with free float deficiencies has been tagged BLS which means Below Listing Standards, for continuing operations with deficiencies regarding Continuing Listing Standards.

flecting over 200 per cent of 2016 applications and 400 per cent of 2015 entries.

Over the next nine months, the lucky young entrepreneurs will be given training and mentorship as they are expected to deploy skills acquired during the training, to develop a business plan. Following which, they will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in seed capital.

Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, commented: “Standing here today to announce the successful applicants is bittersweet; we have 92,000 budding business leaders who

weren’t selected for our Programme and these young African men and women have demonstrated a lot of energy innovation and creativity in their applications. We should not relent until we help them ALL realize their aspirations.”

The Foundation’s longterm investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is emblematic of Mr. Elumelu’s philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions Africa’s private sector – and most importantly entrepreneurs – as the catalysts for the economic and social development of the continent.

Summary of trading activities on NSE ASI

25,454.93

DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

2,613.00 346,026,965.00 2,330,411,203.09 8,807,020,789,838.09

Daily Times Nigeria Monday March 27, 2017

NEM Insurance files 2016 audited financial statement The NEM Insurance has said that it has through the company’s board, completed its side of approval of the 2016 audited financial statement, but has to file it with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) regulators of the insurance sector.

According to the company, the result can only be filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) following approval from the insurance sector regulator, which falls outside its control purview.

Olajumoke Philip-Akede, the company’s Secretary, in a signed statement released by the Exchange said “we shall immediately inform you, after we receive NAICOM’s approval and forward to you the approved audited financial statements and accounts.

NEM INSURANCE PLC started insurance business in Nigeria in 1948 through the agency of Edward Turner & Co. It became a Nigerian branch of NEM General Insurance Association Limited of London in 1965. Incorporated in 1970 as a Nigerian company in compliance with the Companies Decree of 1968, the company became quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1989 following the privatization by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The company, which has contributed immensely towards the growth of Insurance Industry in Nigeria, was into Life and NonLife business. Following the recapitalization exercise in 2007, the company merged with Vigilant Insurance Company Ltd to transact all classes of General Insurance.

The company has expanded its operations into the West African Sub region, with the successful registration and commencement of business of its former subsidiary, NEM INSURANCE (GHANA) LIMITED in May, 2009. T The subsidiary is now merged with Regency Alliance to form Regency Nem Insurance Ghana Ltd in September 2016 due to recapitalization requirement. A new member, NEM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED was also added to the Brand earlier in March, 2016.

Unity Kapital Insurance crisis deepens, as CEO resigns Bonny Amadi Internal crisis in the leadership and governance issues at Unity Kapital Insurance Plc is far from settled as its Chief Executive Officer barely one year in office has resigned.

Chief Executive Officer, Unity Kapital Insurance Plc, Mr. Olatunji Patrick Oluyemi resigned his appointment as the company’s CEO effective Thursday March 23rd, 2017’ Oluyemi’s resignation came after barely six months of approval of his appointment by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and barely two years six months after his predecessor Mr. Michael Dogo was appointed.

Halima J Wushishi, the company’s secretary/legal adviser, in a letter to the NSE, which was released by the Exchange on Friday March 24th, said that in lieu of the CEO’s resignation, the company has appointed Mr. Babatunde Oshadiya, Executive Director Operations as Acting MD, pending the appointment of the substantive CEO. In October 2016, the Board of

Ï LƏê RƋ ƐƑ Ɖƈ ^ ƐƏƈƅƊ RƋƑƕƆƌƈ

directors of Unity Kapital Assurance announced the appointment of Mr. Oluyemi Patrick Olatunji as the new Managing Director (MD)/ CEO of the company following the approval of the National Insurance Commission.

The former Managing Director and CEO

Michael D. Dogo had retired effective 20th July 2016.

Unity capital in an official statement then, following Patricks’ appointment said, “Mr. Oluyemi Patrick Olatunji has developed commendable experience in the insurance industry.

He has held various

NSE places full suspension on UNIC

high level positions in the insurance industry in the course of his career and was a former Managing Director of Royal Exchange Assurance of Nigeria. The Board of directors and Management are pleased to have him on Board and Look forward to his input and contribution to the growth of Unity Kapital Assurance Plc.” However, Patrick was not allowed to serve up to six months in office in the tradition of the company and its parent company in the banking sector.

Recall that the board of Unity Kapital Insurance in late September 2014 suspended three key Executive Management staff following the company’s a poor financial performance.

According to a statement from the company made available to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) then, the affected

The Nigerian stock Exchange (NSE) last week placed full suspension on trading activities in the shares of the company The Exchange revealed that UNIC Insurance Plc, full Suspension of Its Ordinary, prohibits Shares of the company from Trading on The floor of The Exchange.

The ordinary Shares of UNIC Insurance Plc (‘’the Company’’) were placed on full suspension from trading on The Floor of The Exchange effective, 22

March 2017. This is in compliance with the process required for the approved Scheme of arrangement between the Company and holders of its fully paid ordinary shares.

Meanwhile, Custodian & Allied Insurance has announced 18th April 2017 for the year ended 31 December 2016.

The company proposed 18 Kobo per unit, its, AGM Date is fixed for 3rd May 2017, to be followed by dividend payment same day, if approved by shareholders.

In compliance with the provision of the post listing requirement of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), for listed companies, the company’s board of Directors met on Tuesday March21, and considered audited financial statement for the period ended December 31st ,2016,.

The board also approved payment of dividend to existing shareholders in the company’s register by the date of its closure to be announced soon.

The company in a statement signed by Anu Shobo, the company’s secretary Dated 22 March 2017 and released by the

226 Per cent amounting to N47.0 million as against N14.4 million recorded in 2014. Loss for the year decreased by 91.2 per cent amounting to N7.2 million as against N81.89 million recorded in 2014.

The company’s shareholders fund during the year under consideration increased marginally by 0.12 per cent amounting to N2.899 billion as against N2.896 billion recorded in 2014.

Godson Ugochukwu, Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the recent meeting, solicited for continued support of all stakeholders to overcome the operat-

ing environment challenges “in togetherness, get your company out of the woods and guided to a path of sustained profitability …in the words of Henry Ford – Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” He said.

The Chairman said the board was currently manned by eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in various business and professional spheres.

“We have decided to look inwards to elevate a deserving and competent top executive to chart

a new course for the company.

This is cost saving and the incentive to deliver adequately will be heightened. I am particularly happy to announce to you today that our efforts in this regard, had begun to pay off as your company turned in profit at the end of the 2016 financial year.”

Ugochukwu lauded the new board for instituting a corporate culture and performance measurement characterized by good deportment, poise, and exceptional service delivery. Year 2015 results, he said, are pedestrian and unrepresentative of the business ideals for the company.

….As Custodian Register closes April 3

staff include Mr. Kins U. Ekebuike , Managing Director/CEO, Mr. John A. Oyidih Executive Director (Finance & Administration) and Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa Executive Director (Operations).

Subsequently, the Board pending the conclusion and submission of the report by the special investigative committee, Mr. Olugbenga Olasogba Acting Managing Director, Mr. Michael D. Dogo Acting Executive Director (Operations) and Mrs. Nkiru T. Achara Acting Executive Director (Human Resources & Administration).

The Board also appointed Ms Halima J. Wushishi as Acting Company Secretary/Legal Adviser.

The development was fallout of the company’s board meeting held on the 22 September 2014 to consider the draft audited accounts of the company for the year 2013.

Regency Alliance forwards 2016 audited statement to NAICOM

Guinea Insurance reduces loss position by 91.2%

Chairman of Guinea Insurance Plc has lauded the company’s financial performance in the 2015 financial year, a trend expected to be sustained in successive year, as its loss position is reduced by 91 .2 per cent.

In 2015 of which the audited financial statement was considered recently by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), the company recorded a gross premium income of N1.01 billion for the financial year ended 31st December, 2015 as against N867.99 million recorded in 2014.

Profit before Tax increased by

B5 Insurance

Mohammed Kari Insurance Commissioner

NSE, said that its audited financial statement will be forwarded to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for approval, assuring that its 2016 audited accounts will be filled with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) upon approval from NAICOM. Regency Alliance Insurance in 2016 notified the Exchange of the board’s appointment of Mr. Clem Omeiza Baiye, Mr. Osayaba Matt Aikhionbare and Col. Isa Aminu Kontagora as NonExecutive Directors of the Company effective 01 January 2016.

Regency Alliance commenced operation in 1994 as a private company, and in 2008 joined the league of quoted companies, when it listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

B6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

W e e kly M ark e t Ro u n d U p E q u i t i es M a r k e t Re vi e w a n d O u t l o o k

To p 10 G ain ers

Th e Nig eria n Equities m ark e t p ulle d b ack g ains fro m th e previo us w e e k as f u n d a m e n tals. Th e A ll Sh are In d ex (ASI) o p e n e d t h e w e e k o n a p ositive n o t e (+7b ps) ext e n din g t h e b ullish ru n fro m t he prior w e e k to t h e fif t h co nsecu tive tra din g sessio n. H o w ever, th e 5-d ay rally ce ase d o n Tu esd ay as t h e bro a d er in d ex dip p e d 0.4 % f ollo w in g sell-o f fs in Tier-1 Ba n ks. Losses w ere f urt h er ext e n d e d o n W e d n esd ay (-0.2 %) a n d Th ursd ay (-0.1bp), alb eit a t a slo w er p ace. Th e ASI e n d e d t h e w e e k w it h a 0.2 % d eclin e o n Frid ay, brin gin g W -o-W p erf orm a nce t o -0.8 % w hile YTD loss exp a n d e d t o

5.3 % . In t erestin gly,

m ark e t bre a d t h stre n g t h e n e d d urin g t he w e e k a n d t urn e d p ositive o n Th ursd ay (1.4x) d espit e losses record e d. M ark e t ca pit aliz a tio n trim m e d N71.1b n t o N8.8t n w hile activity level im prove d as avera g e volu m e a n d valu e tra d e d rose 7.5 % a n d 26.7 % t o 221.0m u nits a n d N1.9b n resp ectively.

Tick er W APC O FIDSO N LIVEST O CK M O BIL JBERGER CCN N TRA NSC ORP N A HC O O ANDO NESTLE To p 10 Losers

Price(N) 41.01 1.01 0.71 297.25 41.95 4.70 0.74 2.06 5.19 749.00

Tick er G UIN NESS SEPLA T DIA M O N D BN K U A C-PROP A FRIPRU D U A CN AIIC O NEIM ETH C A D BURY V A NLEER

Price(N) 60.00 359.28 0.86 1.74 2.29 12.91 0.55 0.57 7.49 9.09

Pric e C h g % 13.9 % 13.5 % 10.9 % 6.2 % 5.0 % 4.4 % 4.2 % 3.0 % 2.8 % 2.6 % Price Ch g % -9.8 % -9.7 % -8.5 % -8.4 % -8.4 % -7.8 % -6.8 % -6.6 % -6.5 % -6.2 %

To p 10 Tr a d es b y V olu m e Tick er V olu m e (m) CUST O D YINS 181.0 FBN H 161.5 UB A 151.0 G U ARA N TY 68.9 A CCESS 54.6 DIA M O N D BN K 41.8 FC M B 41.4 ZENITHB A N K 38.6 FIDELITYBK 37.4 TRA NSC ORP 22.7 To p 10 Tr a d es b y V alu e Tick er V alu e (m ) G U ARA N TY 1,840.9 UB A 808.3 NESTLE 616.4 NB 593.1 CUST O D YINS 556.4 ZENITHB A N K 537.8 FBN H 505.1 A CCESS 336.7 D A N GCE M 273.5 SEPLA T 210.4

Ch g % 22.7 % 20.2 % 18.9 % 8.6 % 6.8 % 5.2 % 5.2 % 4.8 % 4.7 % 2.8 % Ch g % 29.3 % 12.9 % 9.8 % 9.4 % 8.9 % 8.6 % 8.0 % 5.4 % 4.4 % 3.4 %

NSE A ll Sh ar e In d e x

Perf orm a nce across sect ors w as bro a dly b e arish as all in dices, save f or t he In d ustrial G o ods in d ex (+5.1 %) w hich w as b u oye d by stro n g in t erest in

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

29,500

13,000

W APC O (+13.9 %) d u e t o a b e t t er t h a n exp ect e d FY:2016 result su b mit t e d d urin g t h e w e e k. Th e O il & G as in d ex d e precia t e d t h e m ost, d o w n 3.2 % o n t h e b ack o f losses in SEPLA T (-9.7 %) a n d F ORTE (-6.2 %). Similarly, t h e Ba n kin g

9,500

27,000

in d ex slid 2.1 % as invest ors sold o f f o n A CCESS (-5.1 %) a n d ZENITH (-4.5 %).

6,000

Th e Insura nce a n d Co nsu m er G o o ds in dices also f ollo w e d suit, losin g 1.1 % 24,500

a n d 0.3 % resp ectively W-o-W .

2,500

O verall, m ark e t se n tim e n t w e a k e n e d o n a W -o-W b asis as m ark e t bre a d t h co n trast t o 32 d eclin ers. Th e Best p erf o rmin g st ocks f or t h e w e e k w ere W APC O

(+13.9 %),

FIDSO N

(+13.5 %)

and

LIVEST OCK

(+10.9 %)

w hile

(1,000)

22,000 17-Jan 20-Jan 23-Jan 26-Jan 29-Jan 01-Feb 04-Feb 07-Feb 10-Feb 13-Feb 16-Feb 19-Feb 22-Feb 25-Feb 28-Feb 03-Mar 06-Mar 09-Mar 12-Mar 15-Mar 18-Mar 21-Mar 24-Mar

close d a t 0.5x co m p are d t o 0.9x last w e e k- a t o t al o f 16 st ocks a dva nce d in

`

G UIN NESS (-9.8 %), SEPLA T (-9.7 %) a n d DIA M O N D (-8.5 %) d eclin e d t h e m ost.

As t h e e arnin gs se aso n w in ds d o w n w e b elieve m ark e t p erf orm a nce w ill b e m ajorly drive n by d e velo p m e n ts in t h e m acro eco n o mic sp ace. Y e t, f ollo w in g f o ur co nsecu tive d ays o f d eclin e, w e exp ect b arg ain h u nt ers t o sh o w in t erest in so m e f u n d a m e n t ally so u nd st ocks in t h e w e e k a h e a d.

Term of t h e d a y D e m u t u aliz a tio n is w he n a m u t u al co m p a ny o w n e d by its users/m e m b ers co nverts in t o a co m p a ny o w n e d by sh are h old ers. In ef f ect, t h e users/m e m b ers exch a n g e t h eir Inhttserb nk M t in t h e d e m u t u aliz e d com p a ny rig o fause f orark sheares Th e in t erb a n k m ark e t is t h e t o p-level f oreig n exch a n g e m ark e t w h ere b a n ks exch a n g e dif f ere n t curre ncies. Th e b a n ks ca n eit h er d e al w it h o n e a n o t h er directly, or t hro u g h electro nic bro k erin g pla t f orms.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

B7 CSR

Using CSR to grow brand affinity Godwin Anyebe All over the world, one of the ways of brand building is centred on building connections with society through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives create brand affinity in the minds of the larger society.

It does not only have the concern of brand equity awareness among the larger society, but also leads to a positive brand image among potential consumers. An increasing majority of global private companies embrace corporate social responsibility, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it strengthens their brands.

Investigations show that a chunk of majority of consumers would switch to a brand associated with the good cause. A new concept of co-donation has been triggered by some major companies in which they are giving donations that involve consumers by letting them codonate or co-decide what kind of social responsibilities will be carried out, as happened with Pepsi Refresh.

The percentage of brand value represented by corporate social responsibility is trending upward while all other identifiable contributors to corporate brand value, which includes advertising, market cap, and the industry in which a company competes appear to be declining.

Consumers increasingly expect global companies to make a broader contribution to society. Prior studies concluded that consumers’ purchase decisions are positively influenced by socially responsible initiatives implemented by companies. In a recent survey, 79% of consumers would switch to a brand associated with a good cause.

Speaking on this, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Creative Director of O seme Group, Isi Eromosele said; “co-donation and cause related marketing help promote competition, which in turn leads to corporate innovation. This is essential for developing sustainable products and promoting sustainable consumption around the world.

For brands, it is an excellent way to show they care, taking the lead with innovative “give back” schemes.”

According to him, “in the past, Procter and Gamble teamed up with UNICEF to introduce Nutristar, a powdered drinking product that addressed micronutrient malnutrition in some populations and by acquiring the PuR brand to bring low-cost water purification technologies to consumers in developing markets. The company also pro-

moted better hygiene in at-risk communities and in return had the benefit of forming new markets for its products like soap and toothpastes.”

He pointed out that; “exposure to any type of well-conceived promotional initiative for a brand leads to more positive feelings and judgments about the brand in a consumer’s mind. A promotional initiative emphasizing a brand’s affiliation with a social cause has a high degree of affinity. How much a given initiative will help or hurt a given brand will depend on the characteristics of its target markets.”

“A high degree of affinity can enhance the effectiveness of a brand’s promotional initiative that increases the likelihood of consumers treating the initiative as an important and positively weighted attribute of the brand. However, when a promotional initiative does not mention an affiliation, consumers may weight a brand’s style of marketing as a negative attribute. “he noted.

Further, he stated that, “consumers would weigh the style of marketing as positive with those types of affiliations that have alignment with a cause like cancer research, environmental protection or disaster relief. Moreover, a social-cause affiliation could also have a “halo effect” on how a brand is seen on other attributes, such as trustworthiness or quality. “ “Those initiatives in which the logic behind the brand’s affiliation can be easily recognized by most consumers typically produce a more positive effect on consumer brand judgments and feelings than initiatives with weaker fit. The management of socially responsible behavior is important because of its impact on the perception of the brand image. Enriching a brand with ethical and social questions increases its value. These associations influence the consumer in their assessment of its products and increased brand loyalty.” He added.

On his part, a brand management consultant, Bernard Okhakume told Daily Times that; “there are many companies with CSR programs but not all leverage or communicate them to help consumers understand their values. Reputation Institute does an annual survey of companies with the highest reputation scores for CSR initiatives. Google, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, BMW and Apple scored the highest in 2014. Not surprisingly these companies are some of the most successful in their market category.

According to the Reputation Institute’s website “Firms with

Isi Eromosele Chief Executive Officer/Executive Creative Director of O seme Group

better CSR reputation have a much higher ability to foster desired supportive behaviors among consumers, including buying their products, recommending their company, or trusting the company to do the right thing when faced with difficulties or disruptions.”

According to him, “there is an old (and maybe weird) saying that “the camel’s nose is in the tent”, meaning you cannot deny or turn this trend around.

CSR is in the tent and is impacting how investors, consumers, activists, and communities respond to brands with not only with their wallets but with their employment choices, their influence, and their consumption and purchasing behaviors.”

Stressing the importance of communication in corporate social reasonability, he disclosed that; “successful CSR strategy is one that is shared, nurtured and communicated consistently to all stakeholders and shareholders. It is also important for companies to engage the services of experts when to handle their CSR activity for purpose of brand affinity” He also said that, “companies that have made Corporate Social Responsibility a central part of their businesses are reaping the benefits, such as improved brand image. It works best for those companies in which social responsibility is a core company value and informs all aspects of the business.”

For him, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives are not only about philanthropy but translating these ideas into practical business strategies.

Corporate Social Responsibility driven efforts does not only relate to donating money but it talks about integrating social and ethical practices into business strategies that help the

consumer in creating a positive brand image.

“With the increase in corporate social responsibility awareness, some companies promote a very elementary understanding of corporate governance and ethical standards. Another important aspect of corporate social responsibility is that it channels funds of socially responsible investors into promoting corporate social responsibility among investors.” He said.

Speaking further, he disclosed that, “corporate social responsibility initiatives are not only about philanthropy but translating these ideas into practical business strategies. Corporate Social Responsibility driven efforts does not only relate to donating money but it talks about integrating social and ethical practices into business strategies that help the consumer in creating a positive brand image.

With the increase in corporate social responsibility awareness, some companies promote a very elementary understanding of corporate governance and ethical standards. Another important aspect of corporate social responsibility is that it channels funds of socially responsible investors into promoting corporate social responsibility among investors.”

“The content of corporate social responsibility creates an emotional connection with consumers and builds connections between the brand, its corporate social responsibility initiatives and the viewers.

Promoting brand image with the help of corporate social responsibility initiatives encourages positive comments and ultimately has a positive effect on the brand, because the company is being transparent about its external communications and internal practices which show

alignment,” he added.

Union proffers solution to FX policy on tomato paste input The Managing Director of Sonia Foods Industries Limited and stakeholder in the production of tomato paste variants, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodebe has not relented in his drive to defend the local manufacturers of tomato paste as he has proffered alternatives to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the inclusion of tomato paste triple concentrate in the Forex policy which placed restrictions on 41 items.

Nnodebe who spoke from his Lagos office recently said, “The FX policy continues to encourage smuggling of inferior tomato paste brands through the borders. The only way to save the industry is for CBN to either remove tomato paste triple concentrate from the FX policy restrictions or provide the raw materials in question to the industry; if the local producers of tomato paste get the raw materials directly from CBN this would save the industry from collapse and also help the government avoid creating more job loss.”

“It is no more profitable to produce locally hence the closures. How do you expect producers of tomato paste in Nigeria to compete with their foreign counterparts that have uninterrupted power supply, good roads and distribution network, subsidised loans from their governments. The major material used by the local brands, triple concentrate, has been taken away through this Forex policy” Nnodebe lamented.

Tomato paste triple concentrate is a crucial ingredient used to process Consumer products such as packs of tomato paste, ketchup, sauces etc. It is important for the Government to recognize that the packing industry is an essential component of the tomato paste value chain and without this sector there can be no link between the farmer and the final consumer.

He said: “Christmas and New Year celebrations were dry and if you can remember, we predicted this because you cannot talk about the Christmas or New Year rice and stew without talking about tomato both fresh and paste, as most people use both to bring out the best in their cooking. So many people couldn’t afford tomato products during the festive season and if the FX policy is not lifted Easter celebrations will be the same.”

The value of imported tomato paste in Nigeria used to be about 170 million USD (before the CBN ban on 41 items). The imported triple concentrate tomato paste used as raw material by the packers used to be around 50 million USD out of the 170 Million USD (2014).

Interview B8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 27, 2017

FG should revoke sale of power stations – Stakeholder The Federal Government has been called upon to revoke the sale of power stations and look for investors as a result of non-performance by the power companies. The Executive Chairman, Mak Mera Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Olorunfemi stated this in this interview with SIMON UGWU Debt owed electricity generation and distribution companies It has always been so for a long time. It is the government that is owing the Gencos and Discos, even when it was a complete monopoly under the government, it was government owing government. But since the power sector is operated by private companies, something has to be done with regard to the payments that should have been made to them. If you owe somebody like they owe now, you are more or less paralyzing his business so that he cannot operate. This should be addressed so that the power companies can forge ahead.

Vandalisation of power equipment and energy theft There should be a law stipulating punishment, the unemployed today have taken to crimes like vandalism of power equipment, may be as a result of insufficient number of police to police the whole nation and the power installations. Sometimes when we hear news of arrest of the vandals, we don’t get to hear the news of prosecution. Until people who involve themselves in this crime are punished, there will not be a deterrent to others. So there must be enough police personnel to police the whole area and there must be a law that will stipulate punishment for those who are arrested with regards to vandalism of power equipment. For instance in the case of kidnapping, the law says if a kidnapper is caught, he faces death sentence.

Unless there is serious punishment attached, people will not be deterred from vandalising the power equipment.

Subsidy of the downstream The truth of the matter is that the government is no longer able to subsidize petrol price. So we have said that there should be no more subsidy. There should be total deregulation so that the private sector will be able to come in and invest in the sector. Once a market is regulated, people are not eager to

go in there. Until there is total deregulation, government will be the only one shouldering the responsibility.

The masses are afraid that deregulation will bring an increase in price, yes, they do not understand that it will make people to become more rational in the use of the products. This is the only way you can introduce efficient use of the products. The days that you are subsidizing to help the man on the street is gone because the man may not see the products.

Gas development The gas producers are in a dilemma to recover their investments because they produce in dollars and sell in naira. Most of the investment is done in foreign exchange. The exchange rate is not helping matters.

Benefit by Nigerian companies in the oil and gas business Yes, some indigenous insurance companies have had the benefit of providing insurance for the International Oil Companies. Others companies in oil and gas have also benefited. So also the banks and other indigenous services companies have benefited from rendering services to the IOCs. Have Nigerians benefited from the unbundling of power sector?

I don’t think they have benefited because the government favoured their friends who didn’t have the financial muscle and the technical knowhow

in the power business during the sale of the power stations.

They should have given them to companies with the resources and the knowhow. Up till now they are still using estimated billing because they have not been able to provide meters for the residence. This is in their interest because they bill the houses more than what they consume. Assuming they have provided prepaid meters, if there is no power supply, they credit won’t burn but whether there is power supply or not they still bring bills for the power not consumed.

Government should revoke their licenses and get new investors who have the financial muscle and the technical knowhow so that the power sector can move forward. They are now raising tariff especially when they have not been able to increase power supply. They want the consumers to contribute to them to procure prepaid meters. They should have come with the fund to acquire prepaid meters for metering the houses. The sector needs an over hall as far as I am concerned.

Dissatisfaction of the masses in the performance of power companies When Babatunde Fashola was appointed the minister for Power, Works and Housing, everybody was happy because he is a man who knows his onions, who can perform. He has seen for himself that these people

The former minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told us that they spent about N3.3 billion, Bankole said they spent about N16 billion, we don’t know the actual figure. If General Electric in United States should spend $1 billion, people will see clearly what the company has invested the fund on

Chief Michael Olorunfemi

are not really the investors who should be there. So, they cannot improve, notwithstanding the pressures on them, because they don’t have the competence and the resources to perform, and there is nothing anybody can do.

From the year 1999 to the present, we are yet to ascertain how much investment that has gone into the sector. The former minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told us that they spent about N3.3 billion, Bankole said they spent about N16 billion, we don’t know the actual figure. If General Electric in United States should spend $1 billion, people will see clearly what the company has invested the fund on. This was why we supported privatization of the sector but it was given to the wrong people who were not properly scrutinized and therefore they just gave it to friends and so nothing has improved since then. This thing should be scrapped and then go back again to the tender board and look at people who really have the competence in terms of finance and experience. Until, you can improve generation of electricity in Nigeria, we cannot move forward in terms of economic development. If South Africa about one third of our population can generate about 48,000 to 50, 000 megawatts and we are still struggling with 5,000 megawatts, I think you can see the difference, one of the major huddle to development in Nigeria is lack of

power, so power generation in Nigeria is a big problem as far as I am concerned.

Benefit of divestment If you look at the Oil and Gas sector since 2014, you can see that oil prices crashed globally.

So, I am not too sure those who bought from the IOCs are doing very well now. This is because they came in when the oil prices collapsed and that may affect them very seriously.

Issues of tariff increase We have been used to Father Christmas in this country, personally as an economist, I believe there should be a system whereby we pay the market price. People should understand that the average consumer is willing to pay the tariff commensurate to what he consumes. This is because, if one uses his generating set, he spends three times more than he should have spent on electricity bills. Electricity is much cheaper than alternative power supply. So nobody will mind paying the increase in tariff if electricity is available.

I think raising tariff is not bad but there must be power supply.

Then there must be the metering, it is the lack of metering that makes people to pay for what they have not consumed, so, if we have the companies that have the way withal to increase the power supply, then raise the tariff, the consumers will not be unhappy. If there is prepaid meters, people will be more rational in usage of electricity.

Life&

TIMES Monday, March 27, 2017

Tope

Elizabeth Odebiyi Meet Africa’s No. 1 Drummer Girl

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Congratulations Our ebullient and pragmatic friend The Board and Management of Folio Media Group, owners, The Daily Times of Nigeria Congratulate and celebrate with our brother and friend

RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA

Former Deputy Speaker, The House of Representatives

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nation. We assure you of our continuous support and commitment towards actualising your political aspirations. Once again congratulations, our Icon and principled politician

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RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA Former Deputy Speaker, The House of Representatives

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Monday, March 27, 2017

Any man I marry must accept me and my drums

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Tope Elizabeth Odebiyi