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President writes NASS, urges expedited action on $5. 85bn Chinese loan

Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday appealed to the National Assembly to expedite the approval of the $5.851 billion loan request his administration plans to obtain from the Chinese government for the upgrading of the nation’s rail infrastructure.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 351

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GAINERS AS AT April 26, 2017 7UP

The President warned in his letter which was read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara that following the approval by the Chinese authorities to grant Nigeria the $5. 85billion loan, the country stands the risk of losing the facility if the National Assembly delays in assenting to the obtaining of the for-

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Apprehension as Senate declares 2017 Budget missing

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Olufemi Samuel, Chris Emetoh, and Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Plans by President Muhammadu

Buhari’s administration to draw the Nigerian economy out of recession through the 2017 budget may have sufContinued on page 6

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Reps probe N13bn Osborne Towers recovery by EFCC 7

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Presidency: Buhari not harassing Jonathan’s family 6

Shiites protest in Abuja, demand immediate release of El-Zakzaky ÏÏÏ Members of

the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), on Wednesday, staged a protest at the Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to mark the 500th day since their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky,

was arrested.

Members of the group in their hundreds marched in separate male and female columns along the roadside from the event Continued on page 12

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Voters registration exercise: PDP tasks INEC on neutrality Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ As the Independent National Elec-

toral Commission (INEC) commences its continuous voters registration exercise nationwide today, the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the chairmanship of Senator Ahmed Makarfi has tasked the commission to remain neutral, independent and unbiased during the exercise.

The NCC of the PDP further enjoined the electoral umpire to allow all potential voters in the 774 local government areas in the country, irrespective of their political leaning, gender, tribe or religion, to participate in the forthcoming Continuous Voters Registration Exercise.

The NCC, in a statement on Wednesday by its national publicity secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, insisted that the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC must avoid a repeat of the 2014 episode where majority of Nigerians were disenfranchised.

The commission, it advised, should allow the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) evenly to all zones of the federation.

It called on all its members, supporters, leaders and stakeholders at all levels to mobilize people in their locality to participate in this all-important exercise, saying, “the revolution for genuine ‘change’ begins now. Register, collect and protect your PVC for 2019.”

The national caretaker committee, in its statement said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the commencement of Voters Registration Exercise nationwide beginning from Thursday, April 27, 2017 “We urge all citizens who did not register in the last exercise especially, those that have turned 18 years to come out enmass and register to vote and be voted for in the 2019 General Elections.

Your registration is your power to vote, so take responsibility now.

“We want to inform Nigerians that this is an opportunity for those who are suffering and undergoing the suffocating hardship, poverty, hunger, comatose economy, insecurity, crass ineptitude, gagging of the press and opposition leaders and members, and more atrocities; to get registered in order to vote out this none performing All Progressive Congress (APC) led Administration at all levels.

News

N1.3bn fraud: Lamido challenges CJ’s transfer of his suit from Justice Ademola ...EFCC kicks against Ademola’s hearing of case Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer

governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has challenged the decision of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, transferring his criminal trial from Justice Adeniyi Ademola to Justice B. O. Quadri in Abuja for determination.

Lamino, his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha and two others, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in September, 2015, before Justice Ademola in Abuja on a 27 count charge bordering on the alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

However, following Justice Ademola’s arraignment and trial at an Abuja High Court over alleged bribery and corruption, the EFCC applied to the Chief Judge for the re-assignment of Lamido’s case to another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Ademola , his wife and Joe

Agi (SAN) were recently discharged of the corruption charges slammed against them by the federal government.

But in a response letter dated April 11, 2017, and addressed to the Chief Judge, the EFCC pointed out that “it will not be in the interest of justice for the case to be transferred back to Justice Ademola’s court for continuation of trial.

“This is because of the negative impressions the public may have about the outcome of the trial whether the defendants (Lamido and sons) or convicted.”

The anti-graft agency further said, “the fear of this public perception may put the judge (Justice Ademola) under intense pressure which may affect his sense of judgment.”

When the matter came up on Wednesday, Lamido through his lawyer, Chief Joe Agi (SAN), queried the re-assignment of the suit to Justice Quari on the grounds of law.

In a defendants’ written address dated April 26, 2017, in support of a

motion on notice, Agi disclosed that 18 out of the 20 witnesses lined up by the prosecution had already testified in the suit, adding that the EFCC had applied to the Chief Judge to reassign the matter and it was reassigned to Justice Quadri for trial to commence (denovo) afresh.

“We wrote to the Chief Judge to resign the case back to his Lordship, Honourable Justice Admola in view of the fact that 18 witnessed had been called and that by Section 98 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, transfer of cases in criminal trials are not done as a matter of course,” Agi said.

The defence lawyer countered EFCC’s position on public sentiment in the event that the suit is returned Justice Ademola’s court, saying, “the issue of public perception is not found anywhere... The law is the law.”

He urged the court to make an order that the case file be returned to the Justice Ademola.

“An order directing an accelerated

L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; parents of the triplets, Mr. and Mrs. Segun Akinmosin and Dr. Akinwale Shodunke, during the presentation of gift to the triplets by the governor’s wife, at the Epe General Hospital, as part of the activities marking the 2017 World Malaria Day in Lagos…on Wednesday.

Navy Arrests Foreign Vessel laden with Stolen Crude; 10 Foreign & Nigerian Crew Members

ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Navy Ship ‘NNS Delta’ has arrested an ocean going vessel loaded with stolen crude oil suspected to have been siphoned from one of the export loading platforms in the Niger Delta.

According to sources close to NNS Delta, the massive Panama

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registered vessel ‘MT Tecne’ measured 73m in length, 14m in breadth and has a draught of 4m.

It was revealed that the stolen crude oil was bunkered from ‘AFREMO A’ platform which is quantified to be 1905.836MT. Aboard the arrested ship on

Tuesday were 10 foreign and local crew members including 1 Nigerian, 2 Pakistanis, 3 Ghanaians, 1 Indonesian, 1 Béninois, 2 Ukrainian.

The vessel was captained by Captain Nasir Khan, a Pakistani.

At the time of arrest the vessel was completely darkened to avoid detection.

The breakthrough was sequel to the arrest of the vessel by NNS Delta patrol team at Latitude 05.27 , 36 N Long 005 10.11E. As at the time of arrest, the vessel was connected to an unlighted jacket stealing product suspected to be crude oil.

hearing and determination of the charge against the defendants.”

In a five paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Femi Popoola, the defence submitted that the trial denovo (afresh) at this time would unleash hardship on the defendants.

Meanwhile, Justice Quadri adjourned the suit till May 3 for ruling.

NCAA warns pilots, others on inherent hazardous weather Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Civil Aviation

Authority (NCAA) has issued a weather alert cautioning pilots, airline operators and air traffic controllers on the inherent danger associated with severe thunderstorms.

These hazards include severe turbulence, microburst, low level wind shears and hail events that could affect the safety of flight operations.

A statement by the general manager public affairs NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said, the weather alert was necessitated by the fact that rainy season, at onset, was usually accompanied with severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena.

“The Advisory Circular (AC) is based on the year 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). It indicates that rainy season is predicted to commence in March/April and May/June 2017 in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria respectively.”

The statement added that Air Traffic Controllers may temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines microburst or low level windshear are observed or forecast while Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) shall ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima.

It further advised Pilots to exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather was observed or forecast, “Pilots/Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NiMet Aerodrome Meteorological Offices prior to flight operations.”

Adurogboye warned that NCAA will ensure strict compliance.

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕè ƍƏƈƋ ƾƣè ƾƠơƣ

Apprehension as Senate declares 2017 Budget missing Continued from page 1

fered a setback as the Senate on Wednesday declared the Budget document missing.

But the development is causing apprehension in the polity as some stakeholders are expressing divergent views over the propriety of the alleged missing appropriation documents.

The Daily Times recalls that this will be the second time the nation’s Appropriation Bill will be declared missing under President Muhamnadu Buhari’s administration. The first being the 2016 budget which the Senate also declared missing while the National Assembly members were on short

recess.

It took several accusations and counter accusations between the executive and the legislature to get the impasse surrounding the budget sorted out before the document was passed and assented to by the President.

It is instructive to note that this time around, the Senate is linking the missing budget documents to an earlier invasion and raid on the residence of the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje.

But the lawmakers are claiming that several documents and files on the budget were missing during the police’s raid.

Incidentally, Danjuma is equal-

ly the Chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation saddled with the task of harmonising budget issues between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

But this development appears like a play out of the worsening relationship between the Executive and the Senate over some irreconcilable differences.

The Senate had earlier shown aversion to the insistence by President Buhari to stick to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, after it rejected him twice.

The Daily Times recalls that the senators had threatened to always

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stand down further requests from the President until removal of Magu.

The Police had, however, claimed that the force conducted a search on the home of Senator Goje, following a tipoff from a whistle blower.

But the drama over the missing 2017 budget document came to the fore during Wednesday’s plenary when Senator Goje recounted his ordeal with the police invasion of his residence last Thursday to his colleagues.

According to Goje, policemen who raided his residence at Asokoro, Abuja, took away 18 files containing his working documents on the budget as well as his laptop where more of the information on the budget were stored as well as cash in both local and foreign currencies.

Goje added that the Police only found N18 million, $19,000 and 4,000 Saudi’s Ryadh in his residence.

He further told his colleagues that the Police last Thursday stormed his residence in a commando like operation and immediately blocked all entry to his residence while preventing family members from going in or out of the building.

He also stated that the officers numbering over 20 came in 6 Hillux vans and one big bus, saying that on entering into the main building, broke all doors, especially those leading to his study, bedroom and the wardrobe to cart away money, documents, files and his laptop.

He said that police occupied his building and subjected members of his family, his grandchildren and visitors to a four hour trauma, saying that at the end, left everyone they met frightened.

The Senate Appropriation Committee Chairman also said he was at the National Assembly

working on the 2017 Budget with his colleagues when the Police came calling.

Goje further claimed that the Senate Appropriation Committee had concluded plans to work on the budget with break neck speed with intent to turn in the final document to the Senate for approval this week.

But he declared that from indications, the raid on his residence by the Police had disrupted the plan for budget presentation.

He said: “Up till now, I don’t know why the Police came to raid my house. I still don’t know what they took away because they took my laptop, 18 files and other documents.

“From last Thursday till now, I have not been able to do anything because there is nothing to work on.

“As a result of the raid, the 2017 Appropriation documents have been taken and that means the budget may suffer setback.

“The police searched virtually everywhere in my house including soak aways, what they were looking for, I don’t know. Up till this moment, I have no official contact with the police and I have no idea why they came to my house. So I should not be blamed if the budget is delayed again.”

Goje, who further lamented that the 2017 budget documents are now with the police for unclear reasons, also exonerated the Senate of any blame having to do with further delay of the budget.

He explained that work had already been concluded on the Appropriation bill and that the committee was hoping to present it to the Senate today (Wednesday) for consideration and passage and for assent by the President.

In his remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said it was Continued on page 7

Buhari not harassing Jonathan’s family, says Presidency Tony Amokeodo, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Presidency on Wednesday debunked allegations that President Muhammadu Buhari was harassing members of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s family.

The Presidency stated this while reacting to Jonathan’s claim that the present administration is harassing his family.

Jonathan had made the allegation of harassment and raised other issues in a yet to be published book.

The book, titled, “ Against The Run of Play’, was authored by Mr. Segun Adeniyi, chairman of the editorial board of THISDAY. Jonathan was also disagreed

with the style being used by the Buhari administration in fighting corruption.

Reacting to Jonathan’s allegation, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, denied that Buhari was harassing members of Jonathan’s family, adding that recent discoveries made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have shown that corruption had an “uninhibited course” during Jonathan’s regime.

Adesina further argued that Buhari’s fight against graft is not targeted at any individual or group.

He said: “We make bold to state unequivocally that President Buhari harasses nobody;

he merely allows the law to take its course.

“For the umpteenth time, we say that anybody without skeleton in his or her cupboard, has nothing to fear about the bared fangs of the anti-corruption initiative.

“Fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office. Anybody who feels aggrieved is free to approach the courts to seek redress or justice.”

The presidential spokesman further disclosed that Buhari believes in rule of law and due process, saying that nothing would made the president departs from the tenets of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He said: “President Buhari

believes in the rule of law and that is why his campaign against corruption is anchored on that plank.

“With regard to President Buhari’s anti-graft style, which the former president deprecates, given the scale of revelations and recoveries so far by the anti-corruption agencies, it is obvious that corruption had an uninhibited course during our recent past.

“In any case, time will give the verdict on whose style of fighting corruption ultimately yielded the most dividends.

“President Buhari firmly believes that national interest must always be placed above personal interest, no matter who is involved.”

C Ɛ

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

President writes NASS, urges expedited action on $5. 85bn Chinese loan

Continued from page 12

eign loan.

In the letter, Buhari said there was need for the legislature to urgently approve the loan on time to enable the country access the China -African fund which is provided for in the 2016-2018 external borrowing rolling plan.

He stressed that the China-African fund is limited and applications from the African continent are funded by the Chinese based on first come, first serve basis.

The president informed the lawmakers that the earmarked rail projects form part of the overall plan by the Federal Government to

resuscitate the rail transport system across the country and drive economic growth.

“I wish to refer to my earlier letter with respect to the above subject and to inform the House that the China Exim Bank has approved our request for a loan to execute the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project, Lagos-Ibadan segment for a sum of $1.231 billion.

“China has also informed us that the approval of the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project, KanoKaduna segment and coastal railway project, the Lagos-Calabar segment are eminent.

“The China Exim Bank supported projects are the Lagos-Kano modernisation projects, Lagos-Ibadan segment $1.231 billion; LagosKano railway modernisation project, Kano-Kaduna segment $1.146 billion and coastal railway project, the Lagos-Calabar segment $3.474 billion, making a total of $5.851 billion.

“As you are aware, the funds available under the China African fund are limited and loan applications from all over Africa are funded based on first come, first serve and therefore there is an urgent need to sign these loans as soon as they are approved or we

may lose out in the event that we delayed in signing the loan agreement.

“These loans form part of the overall money for the rail strategy. We are in the process of completing the concession of the Port- Harcourt -Maiduguri line to immediately link the eastern part of the nation.

“We fully intend to source further concessioning funding to ultimately upgrade this critical line to high speed standard gauge.

These projects form the overall plan to resuscitate the rail transport across the nation and thereby drive inclusive growth,” Buhari stated in his letter.

7 News

Reps probe N13bn Osborne Towers recovery by EFCC Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to unravel the mystery surrounding the N13 billion discovered at the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The House therefore is to set up a Committee to investigate the source of the discovered funds and ascertain the owner(s) of the money.

The House resolution to mandate its Committee on National Intelligence to probe the source of the N13 billion followed the adoption of a motion sponsored

by Rep. Gabriel Kolawole.

Leading debate on the motion, the lawmaker said the call to unravel the true identity of the owner(s) of the money was based on claims and counter claims as to the true ownership of the funds.

He added that the development was having nega-

tive effects on the anti-corruption drive of the federal government.

He said that “there is need for thorough investigation into the matter in order to ascertain the source of the money given the claims on its ownership, purpose and the damaging effects it is having on the Federal Government’s anticorruption drive.

“Recall that so many people were fingered as the owner(s) of the N13 billion when EFCC discovered the money. The anti-graft agency on the other hand has not named any person as the owner(s).

“While the suspended Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayodele Oke, had claimed that the money belongs to the agency and was approved by the previous administration for covert operations, the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, on the other hand had said that the money belonged to the Rivers State government.

Sacked PenCom DG evades DSS Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

R-L: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badru Abubaka, after the governors received Awards of Excellence from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), during their 10th Quadrennial National Delegate’s Conference of the union in Kaduna...on Wednesday.

Apprehension as Senate declares 2017 Budget missing Continued from page 6 imperative for the Police to come out clearly to state reason why policemen raided the residence of Senator Goje.

Saraki said he found it most unfortunate to be told that the Police admitted that they were misinformed and misled by a whistle-blower to raid Goje’s residence, a development he described as highly embarrassing to the Senate.

He, however, called on the Police to as a matter of urgency, return the files containing the 2017 Budget which he said they took away from Senator Goje and make a public presentation of the documents to him.

The Senate President thereafter referred the mat-

ter to an ad-hoc Committee set up to look into the attempted assassination on Senator Dino Melaye and the issues raised against the Police by Senator Goje.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Wednesday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to return all documents relating to the 2017 budget carted away from the Abuja residence of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, by the police during a raid last week.

The House while condemning the invasion of Senator Goje’s residence by the police last Thursday, said during the raid, the security agents broke doors, ceiling and carted away documents, including re-

ports of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.

The House directed that the documents must be returned not later than today (Thursday) so as not to jeopardise the passage of the 2017 budget billed to be laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly this week.

Meanwhile, the Presidency last night kept mum over the development as efforts to get the President’s Adviser on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, for reaction proved abortive as he was said to have been out of his office when The Daily Times called.

The Presidential adviser also did not respond to calls made severally to his mobile phone, although one of his aides said he would respond at the appropriate

time.

Relatedly, the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday evening visited the National Assembly and spoke with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal.

Though he refused to disclose the purpose of his visit to National Assembly Correspondents, The Daily Times learnt that his visit might not be unconnected with the raid on Senator Goje’s residence and the alleged missing 2017 Budget.

The IGP was also said to have had extensive discussion with Ekweremadu and later visited the Senate Leader.

The police chief arrived Senate building at about 4pm and left at about 5pm.

ÏÏÏ The sacked former Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu, is now having a running battle with the Department of State Services (DSS), following her refusal to honour the invitation of the secret police.

The DSS had directed the embattled ex-PenCom boss to appear before it on Monday over the controversy on her failure to hand over in good time and the alleged tampering of documents.

The Daily Times had exclusively reported on Saturday that Anohu-Amazu refused

to hand-over and was given instructions as at Friday in spite of her removal by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Though Anohu-Amazu reportedly handed over to a senior official of the commission on Monday, she was said to have ignored the DSS’ invitation.

The development was said to have prompted the DSS operatives to be on her trail with a view to arresting her.

A source close to the matter also confided in The Daily Times Wednesday night that the DSS operatives are now checking for AnohuAmazu’s whereabouts so as to compel her to answer to some of the allegations.

What I said about President working from home -Mohammed Chris Emetoh, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday evening, corrected the erroneous reporting in a section of the media (not The Daily Times), of his post-Federal Executive Council (FEC) press briefing earlier in the day, noting he never said the President is to work

from home henceforth.

In a statement issued in Abuja signed by his Special Adviser, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister said the President only decided to work from home on Wednesday, not that he has decided to work from home henceforth.

He said the headlines in a section of the media, ‘’Buhari to now work from home - Lai Mohammed,’’ is a misrepresentation of his statement at the briefing.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

World malaria day: Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏWife

of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has advised mothers and mothers-to-be, to do all within their powers to prevent malaria rather than cure it.

She gave the advice when she visited the mother of triplets, Mrs. Segun Akinmosin, at the Epe General Hospital, on the occasion of the 2017 World Malaria Day, which had the theme,

“A Push for Prevention”.

According to her, this year’s theme was a clear demonstration that prevention was cheaper and far better than cure, just as she advocated the use of insecticide treated nets, which was most effective in preventing malaria, accounting for an estimated 69 per cent of cases prevented through control tools.

Mrs. Ambode noted that the administration in the state places the health needs of La-

gosians on priority list, adding that maternal health would continue to be a priority, while also advising mothers and their children to sleep under treated nets.

She disclosed that the inclusion of mosquito nets aside other baby items in the gifts packs for the new borns was a deliberate, life-saving malaria prevention technique.

The representative of the Medical Director of Epe General Hospital, Dr. Jolaosho

Adekunle, and parents of the triplets, Mr. and Mrs. Segun Akinmosin, expressed appreciation to the wife of the Governor, stressing that her largesse couldn’t have come at a better time.

Since 2000, malaria’s prevention has played an important role in reducing cases and deaths, primarily through the scale up of insecticide treated nets and indoor spraying with insecticides.

Court reinstates AFAN Chairman, Jiller Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÏÏÏA High Court sitting in Jos, the

Cross-section of street hawkers at Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos … on Wednesday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

Buhari’s health not a challenge -APC Govs Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Forum of All Progressives Congress Governors has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s inability to preside over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the third consecutive time over his health condition is not a challenge to the body, saying they are not worried as such meeting is not compulsory for the president.

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday night after a closed door meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the governing party, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, who spoke on behalf of other governors, said it is a normal thing for the President at the age of 74 to have one ailment or the other.

When asked whether the Progressives Governors and the party were worried over inability of President Buhari to preside over FEC meeting, el-rufai answered to the contrary.

“We are not worried about the development, it is not compulsory for the President to preside over every Federal Executive Council (FEC). That is why our constitution makes available the place of the Vice President.

“Mr. President is 74 years old; at that age, it is possible to have one ailment or the other, even I at 57

take medications for one ailment or the other. Our prayers is that the president gets better but the reason he has a Vice President is because of a time like this, it may not be as a reason of sickness at he did not attend Federal Executive Council (FEC), he may have had other pressing issues to attend to. I have not had to chair every state Executive Council in Kaduna state because the deputy governor is there if I have other issues of greater priority to attend to.

“We are not worried yet or have any reason to be worried but I call on every Nigerian to pray for the improve health of the President. It has improved in the last few weeks since he came back and we will continue to pray for his improve health”.

Speaking on the outcome of the closed door meeting, he said: “The most important decision is that henceforth we will hold a meeting here at the National secretariat once every month.

He said: “This is with a view to increase the interaction, foster relations between the National and state branches of the party as well as work towards strengthening the party. We also took certain resolutions and the first is that the Progressives governors have committed to work assiduously at strengthening and rebuilding the party and ensuring reconciliation

and unification of the party at all levels.

“We have committed to providing the NWC all the support that they need. We will also engage in fund raising from our donors, sympathizers of the APC to ensure that the National headquarters of the party and indeed all organs of the party have the wherewithal to continue with the difficult work they have been doing within the party.

“The joint meeting between the NWC and the governors also resolved that at our next meeting, we are going to look at the arrangements for the midterm convention and put in place the resources necessary needed to ensure that the convention holds as required by our party.

“The governors restate their loyalty to Mr. President, the Vice President and all leaders of our party will enjoin Nigerians to continue to pray for the improved health of the President. We are proud as a party and as governors, the Progress that the state governments under the APC have recorded in the last few months and the increasing performance of the federal government at the National level. The governors will continue to advance the course of good governance, fighting corruption and improving security in our country”.

Plateau State Capital has reinstated one Mr. Goting Jiler, as the authentic chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

Daily Times had earlier reported that the former chairman Mrs. Sarah Chuwang, having exhausted her constitutional enshrined maximum tenure of six years, refused to hand over to a newly elected chairman, Mr. John Goting Jiller, as the valid chairman of the association.

Failure to vacate office, Mr. John Goting Jiller, dragged Mrs. Chuwang to court, seeking a proper interpretation of the AFAN Constitution which stipulates a six years tenure in office for the chairman of the association.

The case registered under suit No. PLD/J256M/2016, accused Mrs. Sarah Chuwang for overstaying in office and failing to conduct election after exhausting their constitutionally enshrined maximum tenure of six years which expired in 2007.

The judge presiding over the matter, Justice P.D Damuluk, declared that the defendants ceased to be the Plateau State executive of AFAN since 2007 and their dealings since that period were ultra vires, null and void.

Damuluk in favour of the Mr. Jiller, directed Mrs. Sarah Chuwang to hand over to the new EXCO headed by John G. Jiller, with immediate effect and slammed N50,000 cost against the defendants in favour of the plaintiff.

Consequently, in a statement singed by the AFAN State Legal Adviser, Barr.

Micah Adaji Esq and made available to newsmen, it laud the decision of the court, while calling on members of the association to join hands with the newly reinstated EXCO to further take AFAN to the next level.

His words, “there is no better way to advance the cause. Of Agriculture and farmers on the Plateau other than through the unity of purpose and Cohesiveness of the over 80 percent of farmers in the state; Agriculture is the single largest employer of labour not only in Plateau State but in Nigeria as a whole therefore the present leadership of AFAN is ready to shoulder this cause and together we shall succeed”, he said.

Lagos sanctions 42 health workers for negligence Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Federal Ministry of Finance

has refuted an allegation that it hired a United Kingdom-based Public Relations Consultant for a fee of $2 million (N800 million) per month as reported by an online media.

The minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in a statement made available to the Daily Times on Wednesday by the Director of Information, Mr Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta said “This claim is clearly false, malicious and devoid of professionalism as no attempt was made to contact the Minister for input to the story.”

According to the minister, the Public Relations firm, Africa Practice, has been retained by the Federal Government on the approval of the Federal Executive Council to work with the Debt Management Office as part of the Eurobond programme for a three-year period alongside four other firms.

However, neither the minister nor the federal ministry of finance revealed how much is being paid to the UK based Public Relations firm and how the four other firms are being paid.

Also the ministry said that their engagement followed a competitive tender that was advertised and due process was fully followed and was publicly announced earlier this year, but was mute on the terms of engagement and payment.

The statement read: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been drawn to an inaccurate report by one Simon Ateba of an online publication, the Simon Ateba News, to the effect that the Ministry has hired a United Kingdom-based Public Relations Consultant for US$2 million (N800 million) monthly.”

“The representative of Africa Practice was in Washington DC in continuation of the Eurobond programme and in support of the country’s outreach with international investors who showed great enthusiasm to do business with Nigeria.”

“However, the false story has not dimmed the successful participation of the Nigerian delegation in the World Bank and IMF Spring meetings, nor questioned the obvious gains made by Nigeria in the course of the meetings as widely reported by correspondents of Nigerian media houses that covered the meetings.”

“The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has always appreciated the contribution of Nigerian journalists, whom she hold in high esteem, for the coverage they gave to the activities of the Nigerian delegation to the Spring Meetings in Washington DC and at home.”

Kemi Adeosun

Politics Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Rivers State, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), impartiality as it gets set to commence the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration on April 27 across the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation.

The PDP Chairman, Rivers State chapter, Bro Felix Obuah, called on the Commission to ensure the exercise was transparent and devoid of discrimination, manipulation and intimidation.

Bro Obuah also welcomed the INEC exercise, stating that it would improve the data base and increase voters’ participation in the forthcoming general elections, only if it was done credibly and without bias by the handlers of the process.

The party chairman called on Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC boss, as well as the INEC Commissioner, Mrs Amina Zakari not to see the exercise as another opportunity to demonstrate their preference and ‘loyalty’ to a particular political party and section of the country. “INEC should rather prove to Nigerians that they are detribalised, apolitical, and objectively carrying out the mandate of a federal and ‘independent’ Commission,” he said.

He said that the Voter Registration exercise offers the Commission another opportunity to correct its already battered image, by doing the right and proper thing and to ensure that all units and wards in the 774 LGAs in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory are accurately covered in terms of fresh registration and distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The PDP chairman observed that apart from helping to consolidate the nation’s democracy, the success of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration would greatly impact on the conduct of the forthcoming elections, and therefore put the Commission on test as it engages in the exercise.

The party therefore, called on all eligible citizens, particularly all those who have turned 18 years of age since

Daily Times Nigeria Thurs day, April 27, 2017

s VOTER REGISTRATION

PDP wants impartiality from INEC

Prof. Yakubu

Obuah

the last registration, as well as those who did not register during the last exercise, to come out enmass to the various registration centres and ensure they are duly registered.

The PDP also urged all its members and eligible electorate who have the Temporary Voters Cards (TVCs) but whose names are on the register to ensure they collect their PVCs to avoid being issued to impostors by unscrupulous elements and agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as witnessed in previous elections.

The Rivers PDP Chairman further charged all relevant security agencies and institutions to commit themselves more to ensuring that the voter registra-

tion exercise was not manipulated by the ruling party, the APC, or compromised by officials of the Commission, as every qualified Nigerian has the right of participation in the exercise, as contained in the Electoral Act 2016 (as amended) without being intimidated, denied, or coerced by any superior power or authority.

“It’s important that the Commission ensures its staff involved in the registration are always at their duty post during the hours of the exercise, and not to hoard the PVCs/TVCs, and to allow equal free access to all potential registrants, no matter the sex, political affiliation, state of origin, or religions background,” Obuah emphasised.

9

Warri South Bye Election: CDHR warns against malpractices Isaac olamikan, warri The Delta State Chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has warned youths to desist from snatching of ballot boxes, violence and other electoral offences during the forthcoming by-election of the Warri South Constituency I Seat in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Chairman of the state chapter of the body, Comrade Prince Kehinde-Taiga, who handed down the warning at a Press Conference held in Warri stated that 21 years imprisonment awaits anyone caught engaging in any illegal act during the election.

“We want to sincerely advice you to desist from such act because when you are caught, you will be sentenced to 21 years imprisonment.”

CDHR noted that other youths are serving jail terms for similar offences within the state pointing out that the politicians who used them during previous elections abandoned them to their fates.

“The politicians who bought guns for you will not come to your rescue when you are caught.”

It also urged the military and other security agencies not to allow themselves to be used by the politicians to truncate the election process, but to be law abiding and ensure that the election is conducted free and fair.

“We don’t want to hear of police brutality and violation of rights of people during the election. There should be freedom of movement as guaranteed in the constitution.

“You must discharge your duties within the ambit of the law. The right of citizens should not be infringed. Work within the ambit of the law,” he said.

EBONYI APC CRISIS: Party national leadership ratified Nwaobasi’s suspension, says Acting Chairman Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, has said that the former chairman, Mr Chief Ben Nwaobasi was removed from office for anti-party activities.

Nwachukwu who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abakaliki, said that the suspension took place during an executive committee meeting presided over

by Nwaobasi.

He said that the suspension followed due process and was ratified by over twothirds of the members of the state executive council.

He said that the suspension was referred to the zonal leadership of the APC, in line with the party’s constitution.

Nwachukwu said that the national leadership of APC ratified the suspen-

sion after it received and studied the report of the Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume committee.

“Nwaobasi was suspended on May 4, 2015 following his anti-party activities, embezzlement, incompetence and gross misconduct, which led to the dismal performance of APC in the April 2015 general elections in Ebonyi .

“Apart from the suspension of Nwaobasi from the executive committee, no other member of the executive committee was dropped, nor any non-elected member included on the committee,’’ he said.

He said that APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the Secretary, Mai-Mala Buni, were not in contempt of any court order by dealing with the Ebonyi APC state executive.

He was reacting to a publication that alleged that the two national officers were in contempt of a court order issued by Justice

Alloy Nwigwe of an Abakaliki High Court.

“The executive remains intact under my leadership as the acting chairman, and we are wondering where the story of disobedience to court order by the party’s national chairman and secretary is coming from.

“Let me put the record straight, the Ebonyi APC state executive committee has not been dissolved nor the entire executive suspended, it was only the erring chairman that was suspended from the executive.

“The masterminds of the said publication are sponsored agents bent on rupturing the existing peace in the Ebonyi APC, and we are going to tackle them through legal means,” Nwachukwu added.

He stressed that since Nwaobasi was suspended, the party did not organise any congress to elect state executive council members.

He explained that the party and its state

and national leadership were committed to the rule of law and had been respecting the subsisting court order issued on Nov. 6, 2014 by Nwigwe, restraining the party from electing officers.

Nwachukwu said that APC as a party was established on the principle of rule of law and has great respect for the court.

Meanwhile, Nwaobasi in his reaction insisted that he remained the authentic chairman of the APC in Ebonyi, stressing that his purported suspension was illegal, null and void.

“I am the authentic chairman of the APC in Ebonyi, my purported suspension is illegal, null and void and of no material effect.

“I have been discharging my duties as the state chairman of APC and I challenge any person claiming otherwise to present genuine document from the national leadership endorsing my alleged suspension,” Nwaobasi said.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27. 2017

Our trips to seek foreign investment will soon start yielding results in Benue - Ortom You turned 56 recently, any word on your birthday anniversary?

I thank the Almighty God and I appreciate my people from the land of my birth in Guma Local Government and then the Benue people. They have made me proud and I appreciate God for lifting me from humble beginnings to where I am today.

I’m really humbled and I look forward that whatever I am today I’ll continue to complement the lives of Benue people and Nigerians. What I can do to add value to the lives of our people is a very big challenge to me. As governor what can I do to alleviate the sufferings of my people, what can I do to add to the development of Benue State and Nigeria? For God to have kept me up to this time I want to assure you that I’ll continue to do my best to add value. My prayer is that the Almighty God whom I trust and who has lifted me up from my humble beginnings to where I am today and who has given me the opportunity to do modest achievements in the development of our economy, in the development of the social life of the people and the development of the political life of the people will continue to help me not to in any way make the lives of our people miserable, but rather God will help me to add value to the development of life.

You just returned from a trip to China, what would you say are the gains of the trip?

Of course I attended the business forum organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum which about fifteen of Nigerian Governors attended, including myself and with the Chinese business men. For those of you who have been to China you will appreciate the fact that China is moving at a very fast speed that requires Nigeria to take a cue from it. We were all developing countries in the seventies, but where China is today Nigeria needs to copy just like we copied from other parts of the world.

I think we have so much to learn from them, their resilience, their hard work, their discipline, their understanding of putting their country first before any other thing. We need to learn and tap from it. And there is so much that we can learn and one good thing that I’m happy that is in line with my development agenda is about industrialisation. Industrialisation remains the beacon of development for the third world. Jobs will be created; wealth will be created and other massive opportunities as we see in China. China with their massive population they have been able to engage the people through industrialisation and I think from what I’ve seen we can also take a cue from there.

And one thing that I am happy which I intend to replicate here is that the business community, the government and the party have a common agenda of adding value and developing the economy and welfare of the people of China. I think if we take our bearing from there we will have a lot of good things to take home. So I look forward that we will benefit. While we were there we were able to meet with several business communities and sign several MOUs and we agreed also on partnership between our cities especially Makurdi city and a city in China. We also agreed on how we can transfer technology to our people.

We also agreed on how we can make the untapped resources that are here in Nigeria to be opened up by the Chinese business community who are quite advanced

Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has refuted the allegations making the rounds across the state that a commissioner in his cabinet was arrested in China.

Governor ortom who returned from a business and investment forum in China on the eve of his 56th birthday equally speaks about the gains of the trip, his party’s recent council congresses and other issues. FREDDIE ADAMGBE reports: in terms of technology in developing agriculture, in developing mining, in developing other untapped resources that we have here.

Even in culture and tourism I think we have a lot to learn based on their expertise. So it went on very well.

One thing I am happy about is that it was my initiative when I was Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment to organise a forum in Guangzhou, China and today it is progressing. Last year we hosted the North Central Zonal meeting and this year we were able to host the entire Nigeria Governors Forum. I think that each state that went there had something to take home. We had a lot to

take home back here in agriculture, in business, in industry and so on. So I’m happy and well fulfilled that this forum yielded better results more than ever.

Your Excellency, while you were away there was this news that one of your commissioners was arrested in China, can you use this opportunity to clear the air?

You see I don’t know whether this came from any of the media that is here interviewing me in Benue State. I recognise you. I do not recognise social media as an authentic source of news. Please as a person I’ve with-

Look, these things are not a one day business, it’s a process. One, we have visited and they will come here. You have been seeing Chinese delegations coming here and doing their due diligence. Right now as I talk to you, due diligence has been done in industrial layout. As I talk to you, we have signed MOU with companies in China in agriculture, in solid Minerals and so on. So, we have done these visits and we are expecting a payback visit from some of these investors. It’s a continuous process.

drawn from Facebook. I’ve withdrawn from all activities of illegal sources on social media. If I go to the internet I can browse what Channels are saying, I can browse what The Guardian or any other national paper, Punch, Sun or any other media is giving me story about myself or Nigeria, I’ll listen.

There is no single iota of truth in any of my delegation arrested in China. We went in, we passed through the immigration, we passed through the customs and as we came back we passed through the immigration again and all members of my delegation came back with me. There was not any interruption of any our activities throughout our stay. We visited other provinces, not just in Guandong province where we went. We visited other provinces. I personally went to about two other provinces and my commissioners went to two other provinces including Beijing and Shanghai and they came back. So it is completely false. I want to advice people that please if you want to confirm any information about this government or about Samuel Ortom please contact our media team or the office right here in Government House, The Situation room.

We have already established that and I think we will make it available to people who are interested in knowing about us. There is no iota of truth and there is no basis whatsoever. The people I went with are quite disciplined people, they are highly educated and they know what to do. They respect the law and so there couldn’t have been anything like that. And they have never been criminals. These are two professors; Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment who is an associate Professor and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology who is a long standing professor. So there is no basis whatsoever. It was just meant to smear the name of my team and I want to use this opportunity to advise Benue people and Nigerians that please, such lies should not be considered to be anything. Social media is not the best place to go.

You have been out there wooing investors. The concern of the opposition party is that you have been traveling and telling them that investors are coming.

Has any one of these investors come to town already or when do you think that they can actually start something on ground for people to see that yes these trips are yielding fruits?

Look, these things are not a one day business, it’s a process. One, we have visited and they will come here. You have been seeing Chinese delegations coming here and doing their due diligence. Right now as I talk to you, due diligence has been done in industrial layout. As I talk to you, we have signed MOU with companies in China in agriculture, in solid Minerals and so on. So, we have done these visits and we are expecting a payback visit from some of these investors.

It’s a continuous process because some of them cannot materialise during the tenure of my administration. But if I had had the foundation that had been laid through these contacts and all that, by now we would have been seeing a lot of things happening. For instance, while we were there, one of the contacts we made this time was for generation of power and of course you know that that is our main problem. How can Nigeria with a population of over 170 million by 2012 projection be talking about 4000 megawatts of power when a city within a province in China is talking about 12, 15,000 megawatts?

This is a challenge. And some of these cities

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27 . 2017

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 do not need power generation again. And one of the contacts we made was through a Chinese businessman who is doing business in Benue State, and in Nigeria, was to bring two 36 megawatts plants in Benue State. And they gave us the latitude to ask other people who have the capacity of fueling these generating plants like we have three of them; one 180, one 260 and one 210, that they are ready to move them to Nigeria. I inspected them; I saw them physically. So, it’s not something that can be done overnight. One, for the 36 megawatts, which are two, that is 72 megawatts, if you power them through boiler, each of them can generate up to 50 megawatts. This is what we were told. Our concern for going for the lower one was because of the high rate of consumption of natural Gas. We don’t have it here. We have to transport it from the South to Benue State. So it’s a process. We are expecting the people to come over here, look at the site and then we sign agreement on what role government will play because we don’t have the money to give them, but we can identify areas like policy and regulation at the national level and what we can do here by providing land and so on.

They will shift their equipment here, invest here and of course if they invest, it means based on the policy at the federal level, Benue State government will be entitled to own 20 percent of the power generation that is being made. Once we have that, like I keep singing, our major problem is not industries, it is about power generation and security in this country. If we have that, the contacts we have made are enough to bring massive investment. That is why I have continued to talk to our people that no need taking laws into our hands. Let us work together to achieve security for this land.

Investors are willing to come, but it cannot be done in the midst of anarchy, insecurity, when people know that their investments are not secured, it becomes very difficult to convince them to come and begin to invest.

Several people have come here, but because of this power challenge, and of course security challenges, they left and are still trying time. We’ve already made contacts for Taraku Mills, we’ve already made contacts for several other industries that are moribund in this state and several others that intend to come and invest including glass industry that can use raw materials from our river here which has been adjudged one of the best. It can be used. So, these are the challenges. It is not something that can be done overnight.

You are not going to buy something on the shelf. It’s a process, but we’ll continue to do it. Even when I leave as governor, the foundation has been laid so this thing will continue and it will be for the benefit of all of our people.

Can you give us an update on the Mbatyav Cement Factory?

Of course, we signed an MOU with a Chinese Company, One Belt One Road Company in China and we are expecting them to come here and do their due diligence. In China, there are several cement plants and with their technology some can be very portable. While we are doing that of Igumale, we can still do that of the Mbatyav and Benue Cement can still continue its operation because the need for cement is massive and there is no quantity that will be too much for Benue State and for Nigeria. And also, on the Igumale Cement Plant, we are in touch with the investor but unfortunately we could not meet while we were in China because he was in Kenya where they already have another plant, but we have completed everything that we agreed that government of Benue State was going to do. For instance, we have secured the expatriate quota for the

11 Politics

‘Solution to Fulani invasion against farmers in this country is ranching’ As I said the solution to Fulani invasion against farmers in this country is ranching. Nowhere in civilised world that you see cattle moving about as they move in Nigeria, even in Africa. So we must ranch our cattle. We must look at this. I have been crying for this for how many years that we must ranch our cattle. This will put an end to that. cement plant, it’s now being given to us about last month, we have also done due diligence on other things that we’re supposed to do. We were supposed to pay a consultant to obtain a license for mining including coal, because they intend to generate their own power to power the plant and so all the licenses that are required we have paid the consultant for them and the processes are going on. On his part, the fabrication of the machinery has been completed right there in China, what is expected now is for them to shift it to Igumale so that work would be completed.

While you were away your party conducted primaries for councilors and chairmanship candidates and you and Senator George Akume are being accused of manipulating the process, what’s your reaction?

We expect that because this is a ruling party, everybody is in. Before I left we heard a caucus meeting and we agreed that the right thing be done. But for those of us who have been in this game for a long time this is not an unusual thing, it is normal, protest is normal but it should be addressed. The party will set up appeal panels both at the councilorship and chairmanship levels and every contestant will have an opportunity of making him or herself available to those panels and these can go as far as the National Executive Committee of the party where people are not still satisfied with what is done here. When I heard about people protesting I said there is no need for protests, because the guidelines of the party are very clear. If you are aggrieved, if you are not satisfied with the process that went on, report to the next level and it will be addressed. I think that that is not a problem. Those who have made contact with me I have told them that there is no problem; we will work out a solution. A committee is already in place which is headed by the Deputy Governor, looking at all those issues to verify them and where there is need to go to the appeal panel they go.

But one thing I want to emphasise is that the decision of the people must count while as governor I will still continue to push that that must be done. It is not fair to accuse the Senator and accuse me, I think we have done our best and we will continue to ensure that there is transparency in what we are doing because we derive this power from the people and we must work with them, more so that we are in a recession. Things are difficult; the issue of

Ortom

ensuring that the grassroots have leadership must come from the people. So, that is where we stand. But you know some people, there is no amount of what you do that they will still be satisfied, but I think that we are on the right path. We are compelled by law to do the election, we are going to do it, but definitely, there are challenges ahead, I look forward that Benue people will continue to pray and those who are coming in will also continue to pray that the economy improves and things work out so that all of us will be better for it.

While you were away, there were Fulani invasions in parts of Kwande, that is Jato Aka and Ikpayongo in Gwer Local Government Area. Can you react to these?

The issue of herdsmen invasion in Benue State is not new, but government is on top of it and the security men are here with us. We appreciate Mr. President for supporting us by providing security men.

As I speak to you, there is a detachment of soldiers that are available for us to have an augment where it is necessary to support the police and the civil defense. We have policemen that were sent here by the Inspector General of Police to support us and that is why relatively there is some calm in the state.

Where issues of insecurity are reported to us, we move in swiftly and we keep emphasing that nobody should take laws into their hands. People should be law abiding. Report to us trespasses, killings, destructions and we will handle that on their behalf. That is why Mr. President sent these security men to work with me here. You don’t need to go and fight any Fulani man. Let me know that this is your problem. I have set up committees at the kindred level, at ward, at the local government level and at the state level and I expect that where there are issues report to us and we will handle them. Those ones that have been reported to us we have handled them and today there is peace in those places. But

people when they decide to take laws into their hands by blocking roads and doing all kinds of other atrocities, two wrongs can never make a right. So let us work together to achieve peace.

People will begin to be afraid of Benue State when we continue to be a terror to ourselves. But let the law, the police men are there they are paid by the Federal Government, it’s the tax payer’s money that is paid to them. Allow them do their job. Why do you want to take their job in their place? So I want to appeal to our people that no matter the provocation we must be law abiding so that government can defend us.

But you when you decide to take laws into your hands it makes it difficult.

And when you go to arrest one side they will say why have you arrested this one, if you go to arrest from this other side they we say why did you arrest this one? So you are putting the government in a fix. As I said the solution to Fulani invasion against farmers in this country is ranching. Nowhere in civilised world that you see cattle moving about as they move in Nigeria, even in Africa.

So we must ranch our cattle. We must look at this. I have been crying for this for how many years that we must ranch our cattle. This will put an end to that.

I coming from China, I went to an agricultural state in Zouzou and I saw cattle in ranch, even sheep. I did not see a chicken on the road. Why can’t we do it here? Why must we live with animals? This is not right. And so Nigerians must come together, we must come together, the Federal Government and the states must come together to support the herdsmen to ranch their cattle.

That is the only way we can find peace.

They will find peace, farmers will find peace, government will find peace, security men will find their peace.

News 12 World Ranking: Press freedom has worsened under Buhari - RSF ÏÏÏ

Reporters without Borders (RSF), on Wednesday, said press freedom in Nigeria has worsened since President Muhammadu Buhari took office on May 2015.

This was contained in the international press freedom index released by the orgnisation, which ranked Nigeria 122 out of 180 countries examined.

Since President Buhari took power in 2015, Nigeria, according to the index, has been on a decline on the world ranking, falling from 111 to 116 in the first year of the administration.

This year, 2017, the country recorded another fall, moving from 116 to 122 — entering the red-zone for press freedom across the world.

“In Nigeria, it is nearly impossible to cover stories involving politics, terrorism, or financial embezzlement. Journalists are often threatened, subjected to physical violence, or denied access to information by government officials, police, and sometimes the public itself.

“The all-powerful regional governors are often their most determined persecutors. As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria nonetheless has more than 100 independent media outlets.

“Online freedom was recently curbed by a cyber-crime law that punishes bloggers in an arbitrary manner,” RSF said.

According to the index, which was released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Wednesday, Norway, Sweden and Finland, are the countries with the best press freedom in the world -in that order.

The worst countries on the index are Syria, Turkmenistan, Eritrea and North Korea.

RSF said in 2017 alone, eight journalists have been killed across the world, while 193 are currently imprisoned.

Reacting to the report, Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media to President Buhari, said the administration is committed to press freedom in Nigeria.

Also, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, said the president will never approve the humiliation of any journalist.

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Excitement, encomiums as Folio Media Group unveils DT Now in style Ladesope Ladelokun

ÏÏÏ All roads led to Utopia, Vic-

toria Island, Lagos, venue of the unveiling of the much anticipated bi-monthly publication of the Folio Media Group, as dignitaries from all walks of life on Tuesday thronged the venue to witness the birth of Daily Times Now. The lifestyle magazine, which is expected to be a total package, has everything for everybody, including fashion, entertainment, music and politics.

On what to expect from DT Now, the Editor, Ngozi Omambala, said the magazine seeks to express what people want to

know, educate a new generation and promote Nigerians doing well in their respective careers. ‘‘People should expect a good read,’’ she said.

Dismissing the possibility of gossips in the content, Ngozi said: “It’s not a gossip magazine. There’s enough gossip out there. We don’t have time for gossips. It’s going to be inspirational, we are going to tell you about Nigerians who are making a difference, especially women and encourage youths that they can be what they want to be.’’

On his part, prominent designer, Mr. Frank Oshodi, commended the Folio Media Group

for the initiative, stating that it would mark the beginning of a new era. ‘‘I don’t want to lie to you. I’ve not read print for a long time.

With the emergence of DT Now, we are going to have lifestyle, fashion and all that. Pullouts are interesting. Ladies, youngsters and some of us in the industry like them. I think it’s a good idea.’’

However, the atmosphere became turbo-charged as world famous English journalist and CNN anchor and reporter, Richard Quest, breezed in to grace the occasion.

Other dignitaries present at the event included screen god-

dess, Omotola Jalade –Ekeinde, African China, Mr. Frank Oshodi, current Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, publisher Daily Times, Mr. Noel Anosike, GMD, Daily Times and other movers and shakers of the business and entertainment world.

Meanwhile, the night was spiced up with electrifying performances of live bands that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

African China was on hand to raise the roof with performances of some of his old smash hits.

He also performed songs off his latest album “Letter to Mr. President.”

Gé`ë #ƈƏƆƅƐ Ə Ƈ 0Ƒ Ɨè RƇƇƈƅƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅƅ Ƒ Ɛ Ɛ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ 0ƆƗƆƏ Ɛƈ è ƋƆƔ ƗƆƏ ƗƆƕƆƌƈì ƈƏƌ è Ƈƈ ƅƆ ƅ ƌƌƈ ƈ ƆƏ è 6 ê L ƌ Ɨ d Ƌƈ Ƒ Ƒ ì Ɨ ƅƅ Ƒ Ɛ Ɛ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ 0ƆƗƆƏ Ɛƈ è LƏê ƌƆƗ 9ƗƏƈ è ƗƑƏƈ 0ƆƗƆƏ Ɛƈ ƅƅ Ƒ Ɛ ƋƋ ƅ Ɛƈ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ æ0 çè ƌƆƆƐƈ ƈ ƄƑƉ êêê zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕê ^ Ɛ ë j&L9jR^& GR1nMê

Shiites protest in Abuja, demand immediate release of El-Zakzaky Continued from page 1

centre to the main entrance of the National Assembly, demanding the immediate release of their leader.

Recall that the Shi’ites’ leader, El-Zakzaky, and his wife were arrested on December 14, 2015, following a bloody clash between members of his group and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

In a statement on the protest, Chairman, Martyrs Foundation of IMN, Abdullhamid Bello, said: “As Sheikh Zakzaky clocks 500

days of unjustifiable detention, we come out in our numbers to peacefully show our dissatisfaction with the way the government of President Buhari has been handling the subject of Zaria pogrom that was conducted by the Army under his ultimate command”, he said in the statement.

“This was what led to the Sheikh’s unwarranted detention in the first place, and its aftermaths, including the extrajudicial murder of over a thousand innocent citizens under 48 hours.

“As Sheikh Zakzaky clocks 500 days in this unjustified detention,

we have come out to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to Sheikh’s freedom and justice for all those oppressed sequel to that brutal massacre. We will not be cowed into silence by any oppressive measure this government will employ”, he stated.

Bello recalled that a court had ordered the Federal Government to release El-Zakzaky and his wife within 45 days but that the two had remained in the custody of the State Security Service over 100 days after the court order.

He said: “The Nigerian Army that has committed this horrible massacre in Zaria remains un-

punished and has even chosen not to investigate what it did between December 12- 14, 2015, as it recently inaugurated an investigative panel on accusations of human rights abuses against the army.

“What is the Army hierarchy afraid of that it can’t even dare investigate a serious allegation of coldblooded killing of over 1000 civilians in Zaria?”

He appealed to Nigerians and the international community to prevail on the Federal Government to release the IMN leader and his wife alongside members of the group unconditionally without delay.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

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13

PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Extractive Industry and Nigeria’s economy

O

ne of the highlights of the Buhari administration’s 2016 budget is the plan to diversify the Nigerian economy from its over reliance on crude oil to solid minerals. In presenting the immediate past budget, the President expressed optimism that its funding and implementation would partly be from the solid minerals in due course.

The Nigerian Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report suggest “there are about 40 different kinds of solid minerals and precious metals in the country with estimated commercial value running into trillions of naira. The report states that more than 40 million tonnes of talc deposits exist in Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states, even as there are huge deposits of coal ranging from bituminous to lignite in the Anambra Basin of SouthEastern Nigeria.

In addition, there are identified deposits of lead-zinc ores within the Asaba Area of Niger Delta, while tin, niobium, and lead, exist in Oyo and Igbeti, even as more than a billion tonnes of gypsum have been discovered in Sokoto, Niger, Ondo and Ekiti states. Studies by geologists reveal that limestone deposits occur in Cross River, Ogun, Benue, Gombe, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Edo and Kogi states, as there is existence of magnesite in Adamawa and Kebbi states, while manganese are in Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara.

Moreover experts state that columbite, ilmenite, mica, barytes, pyrite, galena, limestone, sodium chloride, ephalerite, silica sand, granites, tantalite, mica, sphalerite, talc, gemstone (tourmaline, aquamarine and sapphire), halcopyrite, topaz, cassiterite, columbite, tantalite, emerald, heliodor, amethyst, quartz, coking coal, marble, and iron ore are found in abundance in Nasarawa State.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

\Industry analysts believe that Nigeria loses more than N8 trillion annually in unexploited gold alone.

Incidentally, Nigerians are at loss in knowing why successive federal administrations had paid little or no attention to the solid minerals sector for so long, despite its massive revenue- yielding potentials. Experts posit that the lack of foreign and domestic investments in the sector is due to the structure, which vests ownership of all solid minerals in the federal government, especially through the 2007 Minerals Act. We believe this should not be so. For the country to come out of the present recession, this vital sector should be decentralised to allow the states to explore and mine minerals within their jurisdiction. This should be done through amendment of the present Minerals Act. It is a fact that the new Solid Minerals Ministry is the last frontier at diversifying the country’s economy.

Nigeria’s failure since independence to put in place structure that will make the benefits of the exploitation of solid minerals available is responsible for the lack of economic development in the country.

Presently, mining of minerals accounts for a miniscule 0.3 per cent GDP. We believe exploitation and utilisation of these resources will create more than one million direct and indirect jobs for Nigeria’s teeming unemployed. Therefore, what the country needs is a clear policy framework to create an enabling environment for the exploitation of these minerals.

However, government should also address the problem of illegal mining and the poor funding of the sector.

There is no denying that perceived social and political instability in the country poses obstacles to the realisation of an enduring mining regime, even as addressing these challenges would be a magnet to attracting investors to the solid minerals sector.

Ag. Head, Operations Sunny Chikwe 08023335777

Editor, Daily Sam Nzeh 08050220692

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Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano (l), and Consul-General of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Guang Zhongqi, during a courtesy visit on the governor at the Governor’s Lodge... on Wednesday.

Monsignor Livinus Ukah

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (m), addressing journalists during the demolition of the kidnapper’s hideout in Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State…. on Wednesday. With him are, K.U. Sidi of the Nigerian Army (r); and Leye Oyebade, Abia State Commissioner of Police.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Deputy General Manager Northern Operations Tony Ailemen 08036073601

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, with baby Yahaya Abubakar, (r); mother of the baby, Hajia Asmau Abdullahi (l); personal physician to the Senate President, Dr. Suleiman Yero (2nd l); Dr. Ukoha David and Mrs. Adams Sadikat, when he led the leadership of the Senate to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) on babies at the National Assembly Clinic, as part of activities to mark this year’s World Immunization Day, in Abuja… on Wednesday.

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Any priest who preaches resurrection of Jesus Christ without seeing the resurrection of the economy - is wasting his time

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ibrahim Babangida

Wole Soyinka

“The work of Nigeria is not complete for as long as there is any one Nigerian who goes to bed on empty stomach.”

“The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, July 27, 2017

Timely completion of Abuja airport runway will impact positively on govt agencies -NCAC DG Ebere Chibuzor

ÏÏÏ

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe has stated that the formal opening of the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport (NAA) Abuja within the promised time frame will rob off positively on all agencies of government saddled with national projects.

Otunba Runsewe added that such development will help to fast track delivery on expectations and promises, thereby accelerating national development.

It will be recalled that the Abuja airport was closed by the federal government for six weeks between March 8 to April 19, 2017 to carry out major repair on the only runway in the gateway airport.

The minister had said that he would resign if the project was

not delivered by April 19, 2017 as planned.

Runsewe therefore, assured that NCAC will pursue the change in orientation and also raise the faith of ordinary Nigerians on government policy decisions.

The NCAC DG commended the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Serika for keeping to the promise of reopening Abuja Airport within the time frame.

According to him, the development has greatly improved and changed the perception of Nigerians and foreign observers to government assurances to deliver on dividends of democracy.

“Senator Hadi Sirika has got guts and knows his onions as a pilot and Senator, his positive and exemplary attitude is welcomed by all Nigerians,” he said.

Abuja residents laud Glo for bursting stress with Laffta Fest

ÏÏÏ

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja last weekend eulogised telecommunications giant, Globacom, as its stress-busting flagship comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, hit the capital city.

The event which held at the Old Parade Ground in Garki, was witnessed by a capacity crowd which came from all the nooks and crannies of the FCT and as far as neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Excited residents attested to the fact that in the more than three decades’ existence of the Abuja landmark, only very few corporate organisations had achieved the feat that Globacom recorded with the iconic show.

Jos-based comedian, Osama, opened the show with rib-cracking jokes and anecdotes about life in the pseudo-militarised city of Jos. MC Tagwaye, who is noted for perfectly mimicking President Mohammadu Buhari, raised the bar as he reeled out jokes bordering on the socio-political circumstances around the country.

His performance reached a crescendo when he gave some members of the audience opportunity to ask questions about his achievements as ‘His Excellency’. The spontaneity and quick wit got him a loud ovation as the crowd tagged along with him. They equally sought his views on how “his administration” would iron out issues of witches and wizards flying at night. He hilariously responded that the matter would be addressed by his Minister of Aviation.

Dan the Humorous whose jokes bear largely Port Harcourt-oriented plots picked the baton and served the crowd

jokes on health and care-giving institutions, especially teaching hospitals.

Ugandan comedian, Salvador serenaded the audience with his own style of jokes. His jocular comparison of reactions of the authorities to suicidal people in the advanced countries and in his home country, Uganda drew wild laughter.

Other comedians who thrilled the audience to no end include I Go Dye, Gordons, Bovi and Basketmouth.

Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, Mr. Kazeem Kaka, described the show as reward for Globacom subscribers for their loyalty to the brand.

The show, according to him, would be taken to 25 more cities over the next six months.

The cities include Awka, Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC , Ajah, Owerri; Asaba; Calabar; Enugu; Aba; Suleja, Kubwa, FCT, Ibadan; Ijebu Ode; Abeokuta; Ekpoma; Kaduna; Akure; Lokoja; and Anyigba. A dance competition was also staged to add colour to the performances. Three winners, professional dancers Eunice Nkwocha and Ijeh Joy and Favour Solomon, a student emerged as people’s favourites and went home with mouth-watering gifts.

Nollywood legends, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G were celebrity guests at the show.

The next edition holds in the Coal City, Enugu.

To attend the show, current and prospective subscribers are enjoined to recharge and use up to N2,000 credit within one month and text LOL and preferred location to short code 240; for example, “LOL Enugu to 240.”

L-R: Chairman of Ibeto Group, Dr. Cletus Ibeto; Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Minister of State, Solid Minerals Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, during the inspection tour of the NigerCem Cement Plant, Nkalagu… on Tuesday.

Kogi West women threaten to recall Senator Melaye Idris Ahmed, Lokoja

ÏÏÏ

Women from across the seven local government areas in the western senatorial district of Kogi state have threatened to commence the process of recalling Senator Dino Melaye, if he fails to concentrate on the assignment given to him by the people of his constituency.

Addressing the media in Lokoja on Thursday, the spokesperson of the group, Malakwe Justina Ebunlowo, alleged that Senator Melaye had abandoned his duties as lawmaker, thereby dissipating his energy on trivialities.

She pointed out that the lawmaker has remained consistent in embarrassing the entire peo-

ple of his constituency through relentless war with the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, describing the action as shameful and childish.

She added that for close to two years now since Senator Melaye was given the mandate by the people of his constituency, he cannot point at any meaningful development he had attracted to the area, stressing that they frowned at the senseless and aimless shot at the governor by the lawmaker.

The spokesperson alleged that Senator Melaye organized the armed attack against himself, so as to frame the governor, describing the accusation of thuggery against the administrator of Ijumu local government, Hon. Taufiq Isa, by the lawmaker as

laughable.

She described Hon. Isa as a complete gentleman who has proven his worth over the years, noting that he has teamed up with governor Bello in bringing development to Okunland.

She further condemned in strong terms the alleged importation of women from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to stage protest in Aiyetoro-Gbedde, saying as highly dignified and honourable personalities, they would never stoop so low to support a self serving individual.

While urging the entire Okun women not to fall for the antics of the lawmaker, she stressed the need for the people of the area to remain resolute and steadfast in supporting the New Direction government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Ikoyi N13billion Saga: Disband Osinbajo’s Panel- Group Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏ

The Vice President Yemi Osibanjo’s probe panel investigating the discovery of N13.3b dumped at an Ikoyi flat in Lagos has been asked to dissolve itself or should be disbanded to allow the appropriate government agency, preferably the police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to investigate the matter.

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) in a statement said “we advise strongly that the Osibanjo’s probe team should throw in the towel because of obvious lack of technical competence, neutrality, ex-

pertise, legality, legitimacy and credibility.”

In the statement signed by the chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi, the human rights group, said that the relevant police department should step in and arrest the director–general of Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and others involved in the matter.

Intersociety said that the Osibanjo’s probe was alien to Nigerian’s criminal justice system, which condemned the usurpation and the undermining of the statutory functions of the criminal investigative agencies in the country especially the Nigerian police.

The group maintained that

Osibanjo and other members of the panel do not only lack the knowledge to conduct such investigation meant for experts but their appointment also amount to a colossal failure of the country’s criminal intelligence gathering under this dispensation.

Intersociety said that it is worrisome that President Mohammed Buhari may be in office but not on seat because his state of health and the secretary to the government who ought to be acting for the president has been suspended.

They said from the fore going Osibanjo might have arrogated to himself the responsibility of constituting the probe panel, which he is heading.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

15 Opinion

Barrister Kingsley Deacon Burutu Otuaro At 49: A calming balm from the militancy waters

T

William Bozimo

he name never rang a bell in the entire politics of the old Western Izon.

Kingsley BurutuOtuaro came into instant limelight when he was picked as the running mate to Dr. Senator Arthur IfeanyiOkowa in 2015 gubernatorial race in May 2015.

This is not to say that Barrister Kingsley Otuaro was a political neophyte.

Far from it. Born on April 16, 1968 at Oporoza, Warri South West Area of Delta state- Oporoza is the traditional headquarters of Gbaranmatu Kingdom.

Brewed and bred in the seemingly tempestuous mangrove swamps of the creeks of Gbaranmatu .

For me, Kingsley BurutuOtuaro, the incumbent Deputy Governor of Delta state carries the mien of a peace-maker largely unaffected by the routine militancy and violence the area he hails from symbolizes.

He is the calming balm that had ensured that pipeline vandalization in the creeks are literarily on holiday.

What could be the magic behind his influence on the hairy chested, gun totting militants who had been in the forefront of liberating the people long oppressed by successful Federal authorities, the exploiters of crude oil and gas in the Wetland.

The enduring grouse of the Niger Delta militants is the neglect of the area in terms of lack of the palpable indices of civilized good breeding. Accessible road networks,institutions of higher education, hospitals

and job placements for the teeming youth.

Looking through his working history, he has been an insider byserving under the Governor James Ibori as Special Assistant on Community Affairs and under Governor Uduaghan he was appointed a member of the Technical Committee and also served as Chairman of Internally displaced persons in the riverine areas of Delta when the military planes raised down many villages and communities during the militancy days.

Kingsley BurutuUtuaro went through the gamut of primary and secondary school education from Immaculate Conception CollegeBenin City and ended it from 19811985 and finished at Isaba Grammar School, near Ogbeijoh, in Delta state.

With a Law degree under wraps, he thought coming from a slightly volatile region bedeviled with militancy, he needed a Masters degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution which became handy when issues of militancy in his homestead became a national headache, he fitted properly into brokering peace in his native backyard.

Besides his assignment as a Deputy Governor to Governor Okowa, KingsleyBurutuUtuaro is solely responsible for Chieftaincy Affairs in the state and wherever there is dispute of land boundaries and general restiveness, he is drafted to take charge of the situation.

At 49, looking at his massive frame and physique, one could pass him for a boxer who could conveniently square his shoulders with the Boxing Greats of yester yearsMuhammed Ali, Mike Tyson and George Foreman – all Black Americans who made boxing a glamorous

art of self-defence sport.

Behind this façade of a human dynamo, lies the meek and humble Man, whose humility is rather disarming.

Since he became the Deputy Governor of Delta state, a rare feat by any Izon son or daughter from the days of Midwest Region- 1964- 1966, he is the first son of Izon ethnic Nationality to be elected a Deputy Governor, courtesy of the wisdom of Governor Okowa, believes in working with a Man with the fear of God. What seems to be going for Barrister Kingsley BurutuOtuaro, is the fact that he is also a Deacon cum staunch member of the Christ Embassy Church founded by the charismatic, Telegenic and eloquent Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Loveworld fame.

Beyond his stabilizing role in the Okowa government, Deacon Kingsley BurutuOtuaro, a quintessential Izon man in all ramifications, knowledgeable in his cultural roots and norms, he is also humility personified.

I was privileged to meet him one on one about a month ago and we exchanged pleasantries for some thirty minutes for the first time.

He convinced me as a genuine son from the aquatic waters of Izon Nation.

He is a father and good husband to his wife Engineer EBI with some kids. This columnist can only wish him many more years of useful service to Delta state and even beyond.

Izon sons under the military era were appointed military governors in Brigadiers John Yeriand CletusEmein who served out their terms meritoriously in Niger and Bendel states during the IBB reign.

But Kingsley BurutuOtuaro was

the first Izon son to be elected under democratic dispensationasDeputy Governor in Delta state.

The prayers of the elders in Izon ethnic nationality is for an Izon son to be elected a Governor of the state in 2023 after Governor Okowa’s second tenure.

The two important elements in Otuaro the spirituality and the humility in service will see him through. Happy Birthday brother, we never had it so good.

We believe as an ethnic group that one day a son or daughter from the riverine mangrove swamps of the Oil Rich Delta state would mount the seat of power in Delta state, not matter how long it will take. Your current achievement as a serving Deputy Governor is a little step toward the realization of our collective dreams that only those who live inside the neglected swamps of the Oil producing belt and Wetland will rise to take up their rightful place as Governor of a state because it is only they who know where out development shoes should be teleguided.

Upland Governors will only scratch the surface and they will not understand thsat travelling through the creeks and rivuletsd of anywhere in the Niger Delta creeks takes a lot of toll on human suffering.

We are looking forward to the day, the roads linking Bomadi to Ojobo and Forcados would become a reality.

The same prayers for road links to the Warri South creeks ending up in Oporoza former hotbeds of militancy and agitations in our part of the country. We wish you light years ahead of your political trajectory, enjoy your birthday , my brother.

LAGOS@50: Parapraxis of state legislature

T

Prince Akinboye Akintola

he final lap of the celebration of Lagos as a state that has existed in the Federal Republic of Nigeria for five decades is slated for May 27, 2017.

In the run up to that date, various events have been lined up for fifty days to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Lagos and apparently tell the story of Lagos from 1967 when the state was created, to date.

One of the strong points to drive awareness among the Lagos residents and visitors to the centre of excellence is the pictorial illustrations of Lagos success story, which doted medians and walkways along major roads in the state.

However, keen watchers have observed that the only item on the menu for the Golden Jubilee that involves the legislature is a special plenary slated for May 22.

The Executive including the

first Military Governor, Mobolaji Johnson, first Civilian Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Fourth Republic Governors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and the incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode were adequately captured.

The Judiciary was infact celebrated at the doorstep of the legislature with an illustrious son of Lagos, who performed creditably at the Apex Court epitomising the state as a land of “rule of law”.

This piece is meant to bring to the fore, wondrous and Intuitive names from the first arm of government that made marks by contributing to success and development of Lagos state in particular and Nigeria in general.

From the National Assembly, permit me to single out two political gladiators that have written their names boldly in the annals of the existence of Lagos state.

Distinguished Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora would not be for-

gotten as the Right Honourable Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003 when he proceeded to the Red Chamber and debated for two terms earning for himself “Master of Parliamentary procedures among other honours.

Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu was not just an intelligent, delectable and philanthropic former first lady of Lagos State, she’s one of the few two-term female Senators who contributed her quota to societal uplift including a bill proposing a Special Status for Lagos State.

One man whose contributions to humanity remains indelible and has the record of being the longest serving speaker of state assembly in Nigeria is Right Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Chief Ikuforiji deserves accolades for effectively managing the legislative arm of government above common standards of excellence, enacting good laws for mean-

ingful development in Lagos from the latter part of the era of former Governor Tinubu and the tenure of former Governor Fashola.

Questions have also been raised on the exclusion of the current leadership of the eighth Lagos Assembly headed by Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker, from the iconic faces who have associated their success story with Lagos state.

After an unprecedented number of people oriented private member bills initiated by Obasa himself, he is still not celebrated with Lagos at 50.

This is the extent of disdain to which the legislature is held.

The inertia in public circles nay the executive is so much as to disregard the impetus that the legislative arm provides for governance.

Prince Akinboye Akintola is Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Correspondents Association (LAHACA).

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Features

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How to shop on ‘Black Friday’ Introduction This day takes place on Friday, 25 November, 2016; and is a day of big deals and promotions for American shoppers, when online shoppers are out in full force looking for tech and gaming bargains, big promotions and marketing campaigns. We also see countries like Kenya and Nigeria following suite, with e-tailers planning big discounts.

If you’re a business builder with a small retail operation, you may wonder whether it’s a good idea to take part in the mayhem of the day, where crowds pack shops and storm websites looking for bargains.

On the one hand, it’s a great opportunity to build some hype for your small and medium business on a day that consumers are particularly receptive to spending money.

On the other hand, your promotions and marketing may be drowned out by the noise generated by retailers with massive budgets for promotions and advertising.

So, let’s look at the pros and cons of Black Friday for small businesses.

Shopper enthusiasm Pro: Customers know about

In this business advisory report for Black Friday shoppers, Africa and Middle East Sage, the market and technology leader in integrated accounting, gives some tips to shoppers, especially in this festive period, in this report by Femi Ganiyu Black Friday and look forward to shopping for bargains on the day. There’s a high level of awareness and interest among those treating themselves or shopping for Christmas gifts.

Con: If customers expect you to have wonderful Black Friday deals every year, it might discourage them from spending money in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Intense competition Pro: If you’re agile enough, have the right offers and a sharp marketing message, you might be able to attract some good business with low-cost, tactical email and social media campaigns.

Con: The competition from other retailers is intense, especially with large ecommerce sites and big retail chains offering loss-leaders to get people into their stores to spend money. It can be hard to cut through the noise.

Rid your business of old stock Pro: It’s a great opportunity to market old inventory that

you would need to mark down or dispose of, anyway.

Con: Customers are price-sensitive on Black Friday, and you could find yourself needing to discount aggressively to close sales.

Scaling up for customer traffic Pro: You can generate a lot of footfall into your shop or traffic for your website with the right offer.

Con: You need to be sure that you have the capacity to serve the customers you attract – if your website falls over under the weight of thousands of visitors, your delivery logistics aren’t up to scratch or you don’t have stock to service demand, it could damage your brand.

Draw new prospects Pro: Shoppers are adventurous on Black Friday, so you have an opportunity to attract new customers or to get customers to buy goods from you that they usually get somewhere else.

Con: It’s open to question

how loyal some of these customers will be – they could simply be bargain hunters.

However, here in Nigeria, some challenges have been identified as militating against this new business idea.

Speaking with The Daily Times, Mr. Emmanuel Ojo, said online Black Friday Shopping is okay, adding that it is yet to take proper footing in the country.

Ojo, who is an Information and Technology expert, dcried ow level Internet penetration in the country, warning that with the ongoing recession, Nigerian may not fing online shopping attractive, at least for now.

According to him, power problem, poor educational infrastructure, which has left the larger portion of Nigeria’s over 170 million people illiterate, were factors that are yet to make the system attractive.

Mrs. Adenike Sam, said that in developed countries, like Britain, Canada, USA and Germany for example,

this system has taken a firm root there. She said, I travel regularly to Europe and America, what you noticed there is that Nigerians hardly do Black Friday shopping.

She advised the government to “encourage technological education and provide adequate training and infrastructure, especially for the youths” to enable them to cope with the growing global demands, like the online businesses/ shopping being canvassed by The Sage.

Conclusion As the pros and cons show, there is no clear-cut answer about whether Black Friday is a must for small retailers – each must look at its business needs, customer expectations, capacity, and ability to execute before committing resources to Black Friday. What is clear, however, is that you must do Black Friday well if you are going to do it at all – or else you might end up with disappointing results and angry customers.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

19 Features

Corps member joins Ambode on beautification of Lagos Ladesope Ladelokun Nothing makes Osueke Chiamaka happier than showing love to the lessprivileged through her philanthropic work.

As a corps member, she is passionate about creating awareness about the beautification of tourist attractions across the country.

Born in Ihiete, in Uboma Local Government, Imo State, Chiamaka is a shining example of what a Nigeria youth can do for the society despite all the odds against them.

The third born from a family of six children, Chiamaka told our reporter she had nursed a passion for the bar and the bench in her pre-tertiary school years and desperately wanted to be a lawyer, but after four failed attempts to make the score target, history and international studies gave her admission to the University at her fifth attempt at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations. “I saw this as a divine direction and I took it in good faith,” she said.

Apart from sculptures of Danta and Ijioma which cost her a special discount rate of some N360,000, being a corps member, Chiamaka also registered some less privileged students for National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. “I registered three students from Ikeja Senior High School, GRA in Lagos; unfortunately, one of them was not serious so the Principal asked me to drop

him and I presented the cash to Ikeja Senior High School for the payment of NECO Examination for two other students, Adebayo and Adewale.”

The corps member, it was gathered, was sponsored by good spirited Nigerians who would not want their names in print.

Discussing how international relations can save the country out of the present recession, Chiamaka said this would depend on the good relationship Nigeria has with other countries.

“I mean, good relationship in terms of exchange of goods and services, importation and policy making like China relative to Nigeria, America to Nigeria in terms of peace keeping on national insurgency by sending the military to other country for rescue mission and many things that can internationally affect other country.”

On what she would do if appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the present administration, Chiamaka said she would restore back the confidence on foreign investors through international relations.

“I will invite experts from other countries to train Nigerians on how to make quality products; I will negotiate with foreign Ambassadors from various countries in the area of exportation of goods and services at a reduced rate.”

There goes a young and ambitious Nigerian youth, optimistic of a good future for her

Lagosians celebrating Chiamaka at the Ministry of Arts, Lagos recently

nation if all will learn to make use of what nature has given us in abundance to rebrand Nigeria for better marketability and internal stability and growth.

Crime

20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

INEC official docked over N112.4m scam

Oguntade Ismaila

Justice O. Efreti Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has ordered that Mrs. Fidelia Omoile, a serving official of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC), in Isoko- South Local Government Area of Delta State, be remanded in prison custody, following her arraignment last Monday, on a twocount amended charge, bordering on conspiracy and money laundering, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Omoile was docked for allegedly collecting the sum of N112, 480,000.00 (one hundred and twelve million, four hundred and eighty thousand Naira), as a bribe during the weeks leading to the 2015 Presi-

dential Election.

She was among the over 100 INEC officials that allegedly collected part of the $115million (N23bn) disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, during the countdown to the 2015 Presidential Election.

Omoile was arrested on 11 April, 2016, following intelligence received by the EFCC on the activities of some INEC workers, who allegedly connived with some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in defrauding the Federal Government of huge sums of money, running into millions of Naira.

Count one of the charge read: “That you, Fidelia Omoile, on or about the month of March, 2015, at Asaba, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did con-

Mrs. Fidelia Omoile

spire among yourselves to receive cash payment in the sum of N 112,480,000.00 (one hundred and twelve million, four hindered and eighty thousand Naira only), exceeding the statutory limit without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012, as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.” Count two of the charge read: “That you, Fidelia Omoile, on or about the month of March, 2015, at Asaba, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive cash payment in the sum of N112,480,000.00 (one hundred and twelve million, four hindered and eighty thousand Naira only), exceeding the statutory limit without going through a financial institution; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2012, as amended and punishable under Section 16 (b) and (4) of the same Act.” The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her.

In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, Sadiq Hussaini, asked for a trial date and sued that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

However, counsel to the defendant, K. O Obamogie, made an oral application for bail of his client and urged the court to grant his prayers; but, Hussaini opposed his prayers.

In his ruling, Justice Abang turned down the defendant’s application for bail, directing that the application be filed formally.

He, however, also adjourned the matter to June 6th, 2017 for hearing; and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of her bail.

Ibrahim Magu, Acting EFCC Chairman

EFCC arraigned lawyer over land scam … defrauds client of N3m Oguntade Ismaila

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, 25 April, 2017, arraigned a senior member of the bar, one Ahmed Mai Aji, before Justice F. Umar of the State High Court, Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on a 3-count charge bordering on fraudulent sale of a plot of land situated at Pompamari Commercial Light Industrial Layout, Maiduguri.

The accused person was allegedly entrusted with the title document to the property for the purpose of intervening in a land dispute between the complainant and another party, but breached the trust of the complainant by selling the property.

Ruling on whether the EFCC has jurisdiction to file criminal charge against the accused person, Justice Umar stated that the Commission could initiate criminal proceedings against the accused person and ordered that the charge be read for him to take his plea.

Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Ahmed Mai Aji, sometime in 2016, at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Baba Yusuf Bukar, to deliver to you the sum of N3,000,000.00(three million naira only), as payment for a plot of land situated at Pompamari Light Industrial Layout, Maiduguri, Borno State, covered by grant of Right of Occupancy N0:BO/6057, of 79.1981, which was kept in your custody for the purpose of discharging your responsibility without any right to sell same, contrary to and punishable under sections 320 and 321 of Penal Code Law Cap 102, Laws of the Borno State of Nigeria 1994, respectively.”

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter to May 4th, 2017, for ruling on the bail application.

Family seeks probe of ex-Shell worker’s death Joy Ekeke

The family of a former employee of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Timothy Kalio, 58, who died recently, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and Rivers State Government to investigate the mystery surrounding his death.

The deceased was said to have died in an undisclosed hospital in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital, where he was said to have been taken for treatment of an undisclosed ailment.

The family also said that after his death, Kalio’s corpse was deposited in a morgue without the knowledge of any of his children and other family members.

Speaking on the sad develop-

ment, one of the deceased’s children, Dr. (Mrs.) Belema Uduje, said all efforts to communicate with her late father on phone and Facebook prior to his death has proved abortive, as his phone was switched off, while his Facebook account had been deleted.

According to Uduje, who is the first child of deceased, “we suspect a foul play. This was a man was full of life without any sign of ailment before his death. A week before we were informed about his death, all efforts to reach him on phone and Facebook were futile, as his phone was switched off and his Facebook account deleted.

“But few days after his death, his phone became alive again and this was extremely puzzling. Why someone would deliberately switched off

his phone and deleted himself from the social media?” she said.

She added that, “We were told that he complained of headache and was rushed to a hospital where a CT scan was done and the result showed that he was bleeding from both sides of the brain, which was caused by trauma.”

According to her,”We were also told that a neurosurgeon requested that surgery be done to drain the blood, which we were told that our father consented to, but died after the operation; and thereafter, his body was taken to the mortuary. All these happened without our knowledge. He had no life threatening medical condition. He was a healthy, fun-loving man.”

The bereaved child said further that following her father’s death,

the family tried to seek answers to questions surrounding the cause of death from his second wife, but she allegedly refused to respond to such questions put to her.

She said, “We also pleaded with his siblings to ask questions, but they declined, saying, they were not interested in knowing what happened to their brother. All they wanted was just to bury him.”

Uduje said further, adding that circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious, as it is not possible for a healthy individual to bleed in the brain.

According to her, the deceased retired from Shell less than a year ago, and was paid gratuities and benefits in full, adding, “I am asking the appropriate authorities to intervene in this matter.”

She, therefore appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Rivers State Governor, Barr.

Nyesom Wike, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of her father and ensure that all those involved in his death were be brought to book and justice.

She also called on her professional association, the Nigeria Medical Association, Port-Harcourt branch, to assist her and other family members in investigating the cause of her late father’s death.

In the same vein, two of the deceased’s daughters, who are also lawyers, had appealed to the PortHarcourt Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to join in the effort in fishing out the supposed killers of their father.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

ONIYITAN TOYIBAT AJEYINKA

Formerly known and addressed as RAJI TOYIBAT AJEYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONIYITAN TOYIBAT AJEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS KAFILAT ADERONKE YUSUFF BELLO

xx NWOGU ANITA EZINWANNE Formerly known and addressed as UFONDU ANITA EZINWANNE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOGU ANITA EZINWANNE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BAYO OLUWATOSIN ADENUGA

AYENI SHADE AJOKE

21 Public Notice

OLUWEMIMO EMMANUEL AKOREDE

Formerly known and addressed as MUSTAPHA FOLASHADE SHERIFAT, now wish to be known and addressed as AYENI SHADE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SHOWEMIMO EMMANUEL AKOREDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWEMIMO EMMANUEL AKOREDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLADOKUN TAIWO OLATUNJI

ADEBAYO SHUKURAT AJOKE Formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI SHUKURAT JOKE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO SHUKURAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MAHMUD AMUDALAT OMOBOLANLE

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ADEOYE AMUDALAT OMOBOLANLE, now wish to be known, call and address as MAHMUD AMUDALAT OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remains valid, the general public should please take note.

CHRISTOPHER MATHIAS Formerly known and addressed as Christopher Utemeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Christopher Mathias. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kafilat Aderonke Yusuff, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs kafilat Aderonke Yusuff Bello. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABAYOMI ADENUGA, now wish to be known and addressed as BAYO OLUWATOSIN ADENUGA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLADOKUN TAIWO SAMSON now wish to be known and addressed as OLADOKUN TAIWO OLATUNJI. My date of birth is 26th July 1983.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

SHOYOMBO ADISA YUSUF

IGIRI NATHANIEL ABIOLA

MRS HAMZA SAIDAT AJIBOLA

xAJAO TAWAKALIT MODASOLA

Formerly known and addressed as ABDULRAHMAN YUSUF, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOYOMBO ADISA YUSUF. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ODE NATHANIEL ABI, now wish to be known and addressed as IGIRI NATHANIEL ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid.

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I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBAJE SAIDAT AJIBOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HAMZA SAIDAT AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as YUSSUF TAWAKALIT MODASOLA now wish to be known and addressed as AJAO TAWAKALIT MODASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anuoluwapo Bosede Adekola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anuoluwa Ajayi-Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ENIBE AMARA PERPETUAL

EZEANI PETER CHIDIEBERE

CONDOTTI AYOMIDE

SARAH MODUPEOLUWA BALOGUN

MRS BLESSING OKAROUMEH

Formerly known and addressed as ANAGWU AMARA PERPETUAL, now wish to be known and addressed as ENIBE AMARA PERPETUAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH Formerly known and addressed as ONYEKACHUKWU UCHECHUKWU CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as IWUCHUKWU GLORIA UCHECHUKWU. My date of birth was wrongly written as 31st Jan. 1976 instead of 31st Jan 1983. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as NNAJI CHUKWUMA JOSEPHAT now wish to be known and addressed as EZEANI PETER CHIDIEBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as MACAULAY AYOMIDE now wish to be known and addressed as CONDOTTI AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SARAH OMAYE OKAFOR now wish to be known and addressed as SARAH MODUPEOLUWA BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS IBOJEH BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING OKAROUMEH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS OLOKO MODINAT ALAKE

EDWARD AKIOYAMEN

NWABU ROSEMARY

CHANGE OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABDUL-RASAQ MODINAT ALAKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLOKO MODINAT ALAKE. All former documents remain valid.

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IBITOYE IDOWU TEMITAYO

UANSOHIA CHRISTIANA BUKOLA

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General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as OYEFESO CHRISTIANA BUKOLA now wish to be known and addressed as UANSOHIA CHRISTIANA BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRCTION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that ADEFEMI QUADRI BALOGUN ALLI is the same person bearing ALLI BALOGUN A. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IGE NIMOTA OLABISI I, Formerly known and addressed as OPOOLA NIMOTA OLABISI now wish to be known and addressed as IGE NIMOTA OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FALEYE ABIODUN OLUWADAMILARE I, formerly known and addressed as TIJANI ABIODUN FASASI, Now wish to be known and addressed as FALEYE ABIODUN OLUWADAMILARE. All former documents remain valid. Bank and general public take note.

IDIOKOKO UNYIME NOAH I, formerly known and addressed as UNYIME NOAH, Now wish to be known and addressed as IDIOKOKO UNYIME NOAH. All former documents remain valid general public take note

MRS ANUOLUWA AJAYISAMUEL

My name was wrongly written as AFOLABI SHUKURAT TINUADE instead of AFOLABI SUKURAT OMOLABAKE. That my date of birth is 27 December 1986. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALUPOGUN CAROLINE BOLAYENI

I, Formerly known and addressed as EDWARD EHIEZOJE AKIOYAMEN now wish to be known and addressed as EDWARD AKIOYAMEN. All former documents remain valid.

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MRS GARBA FADERERA SILIFAT JOKOTADE

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ADEWALE MUJIDAT MOSHOOD

I, Formerly known and addressed as NWABU ROSEMARY LARABA now wish to be known and addressed as NWABU ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ISMAILA BABA GARBA I, Formerly known and addressed as ISMAILA ATTAHIRU GARBA now wish to be known and addressed as ISMAILA BABA GARBA. All former documents remain valid.

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ANIEFIOK MICHAEL UKO

Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY KATE EKAETE, now wish to be known and addressed asSUNDAY EKAETE KATE. My date of birth was wrongly written as 15 NOV. 1991 instead of 15th NOV. 1983. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS AKANGBE ABIOLA OPEYEMI

FORMERLY known and addressed as AKINYEMI ABIOLA OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKANGBE ABIOLA OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

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NNAH IFEANYI KELVIN

Formerly known and addressed as NNAH HENRY, now wish to be known addressed as NNAH IFEANYI KELVIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MAMOOD ADAMSON SABITU

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CHIGBU ENE RITA I, Formerly known and addressed as OCHAI ENE RITA now wish to be known and addressed as CHIGBU ENE RITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKPARA IJEOMA FAVOUR I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEKPE IJEOMA CAROLINE now wish to be known and addressed as OKPARA IJEOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid.

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CORRCTION OF NAME

ANDREW RACHEL NWAKEGO

My name was wrongly written as AGUNLOYE CHRISTIAN instead of AGULOYE CHRISTIAN CHUKWUMA. That my correct name is AGULOYE CHRISTIAN CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as OLISEJI RACHEL now wish to be known and addressed as ANDREW RACHEL NWAKEGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS CHRISTIAN COMFORT OTORO

I, Formerly known and addressed as ADEPEJU MUJIDAT MOSHOOD now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE MUJIDAT MOSHOOD. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as VICTOR ANIEFIOK MICHAEL UKO now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEFIOK MICHAEL UKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as OMELAGHA COMFORT OTORO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHRISTIAN COMFORT OTORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IMOH BOROKINI OLADIMEJI

CHUKWUEZE SOLOMON CHINEYEREM

MRS. ONWUBUYA IFEOMA UCHENNA

CHIDIEBERE CHUKWUKA I, Formerly known and addressed as CHIDIEBERE INNOCENT now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDIEBERE CHUKWUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

YAKUBU TAWA AINO

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I, formerly known and addressed as YUSUF OLADIMEJI DEJI, Now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH BOROKINI OLADIMEJI. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUEZE SOLOMON WISDOM, Now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEZE SOLOMON CHINEYEREM. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AZIH IFEOMA UCHENNA, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONWUBUYA IFEOMA UCHENNA. all former documents remain valid general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as YAKUBU TAWAKALI, Now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU TAWA AINO. All former documents remain valid general public take note

RUTH EFFIONG EMMANUEL

BINTU ONOSHODUWUZA OVIOGHENA

MRS. AKINBIYI OLUWATOSIN OLUWASEUN

HASSAN RASHEED BABATUNDE

MRS. ONYEDIKACHI STELLA AWOKE

I, formerly known and addressed as BINTU ONOMEOYA IDIDO, Now wish to be known and addressed as BINTU ONOSHODUWUZA OVIOGHENA. All former documents remain valid general public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATOSIN AJOSE, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKINBIYI OLUWATOSIN OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid general public take note

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I, formerly known and addressed as PRECIOUS EFFIONG EMMANUEL, Now wish to be known and addressed as RUTH EFFIONG EMMANUEL. all former documents remain valid general public take note.

MRS. OLORUNTOYIN JAIYEOLA YEKINI

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ADDITION OF NAME/ADE REMILEKUN MORILI GBADAMOSIL That I am the above named person. On my BVN my name appeared as REMILEKUN GBADAMOSIL. That I want to add MORILI to my name. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as REMILEKUN MORILI GBADAMOSIL and my date of birth is June 12 1992. All former documents remain valid.

Diamond Bank and general public take note.

MRS IGWE ESTHER CHIDIMMA Formerly Known As MISS AHAMEFULA ESTHER CHIDIMMA Now Known As MRS IGWE ESTHER CHIDIMMA. All Former Document Remain Valid, General Public Take Note.

UGORJI BENERDINE CHINWE

Formerly Known As UGORJI BENERDINE CHINWENDU. Now Known As UGORJI BENERDINE CHINWE. All Former Document Remain Valid, General Public Take Note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEDIKACHI STELLA UGWU, Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONYEDIKACHI STELLA AWOKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note

MRS ALUKO TOBI KEMISOLA I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OGUNDELE KEMISOLA DEBORAH, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ALUKO TOBI KEMISOLA DEBORAH ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Public Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

OREOLUWA OLUWATOYIN AJIBOLA

ADEDEJI TUNDE OLAMILEKAN

MRS. OLABODE MARY FOLAKEMI

MRS. ADIGUN TEJUMOLA DAMILOLA

OLUDAYO OLAMILEKAN AIGBE

OLAWUSI FLORENCE OLAMIDAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as ANIMASAUN OLUWATOYIN AJIBOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OREOLUWA OLUWATOYIN AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KILANI BABATUNDE OLAMILEKAN on my BVN form, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEDEJI TUNDE OLAMILEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OYEKANMI MARY FOLAKEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OLABODE MARY FOLAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAYINKA TEJUMOLA DAMILOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ADIGUN TEJUMOLA DAMILOLA . All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AIGBE OLAMILEKAN BAYO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUDAYO OLAMILEKAN AIGBE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as DAYO ABIOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLAWUSI FLORENCE OLAMIDAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADEBAYO MOSHOOD

NKPONKE-OBONG THELMA VICTOR BASSEY

MRS. EGBADON OFURE CORDILLIA MICHAEL I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ISEGHOHIMEN CORDILLIA OFURE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. EGBADON OFURE CORDILLIA MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABDULWAHAB MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEBAYO MOSHOOD. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note and this

IGBA JOHN OKPE

MRS ODEH MARY BISOLA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as NKPONKE-OBONG FRANCIS EKPENYONG, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NKPONKE-OBONG THELMA VICTOR BASSEY due to change in my marital status . All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and Addressed as JOHN JOHN OKOH, now wish to be known and Addressed as IGBA JOHN OKPE. All former Documents remain valid.

General Public should take note.

I, formerly known and Addressed as MISS ERABOR MARY EDWARD, now wish to be known and Addressed as MRS ODEH MARY BISOLA. All former Documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

CHIAGORO, is one and same person known and addressed as AFORKWALAM GODWIN CHIAGOROM. That all documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

RITA KRAUSE

MRS. OGBAJI BLESSING UZOMA

ONYEKWERE CHRISTABEL JUSTUS

OLUDAYO NNEKA CATHERINE

ADEGOKE OLUBUNKOLA ALABA

I, formerly known and Addressed as IHESIABA BLESSING UZOMA, now wish to be known and Addressed as MRS. OGBAJI BLESSING UZOMA. All former Documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

I formerly known as ONWU CHRISTABEL KOSISOCHUKWUNOW wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKWERE CHRISTABEL JUSTUS. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AIGBE NNEKA CATHERINE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLUDAYO NNEKA CATHERINE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and Addressed as OYEGUNLE OLUBUNKOLA ALABA, now wish to be known and Addressed as ADEGOKE OLUBUNKOLA ALABA. All former Documents remain valid.

SUBEB/SPED Lagos State Primary Education Board and General Public should take note.

AKAWE GIFT CHIYEM

ADESHINA ANIMASHAUN FATAI

CORRECTION OF NAME

ODINAKAONYE WISDOM SILVER

SHAIBU OLIJE HELEN

EZEUGO LAMBERT UZOMA

I formerly known as CELESTINE GIFT CHIYEM wish to be known and addressed as AKAWE GIFT CHIYEM .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ANIMASHAUN ABDULFATAI ADESHINA wish to be known and addressed as ADESHINA ANIMASHAUN FATAI .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as CHIDI NONYE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EHIEMERE CHINONYEREM QUEEN which is my real name. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note and this

I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY SILVER WISDOM, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ODINAKAONYE WISDOM SILVER. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH OCHUBE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SHAIBU OLIJE HELEN. That my date of birth was wrongly written as 27th day of March, 1987 instead of 15th day of July, 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note, and

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEUGO SUNDAY LAMBERT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EZEUGO LAMBERT UZOMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

We the undermentioned wish to change our surname from ONYEJEME to JONATHAN and we were formerly known and addressed as 1.ONYEJEME JONATHAN UCHE 2.ONYEJEME OLIVER CHINEDU 3.ONYEJEME CHRISTIANA IFEAYINWA 4.ONYEJEME GABRIEL EBUKA now wish to be known and addressed as 1.JONATHAN JONATHAN UCHE 2. JONATHAN OLIVER CHINEDU 3. JONATHAN CHRISTIANA IFEAYINWA 4. JONATHAN GABRIEL EBUKA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

JESUS THE FOUNDATION CORNER STONE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY 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 No 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are 1.

AGUGUO EUNICE OLUCHI 2.

AGUGUO YOSEF PRINCE 3.

DAVID EMEKA CHIAKA 4.

UKAERU SOLOMON CHIAKA Aims and Objectives 1.

To win soul 2.

To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 3.

To pray, praise and worship God in truth and in spirit Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 Days of this publication.

Signed Secretary

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

THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. Comrade Ude Adolphus (Chairman).

2. Mr Anthony Ibekwe (Secretary).

3. Lolo Queen Nwankwo .

4. Hon. Dr.(Mrs.) .Ada Nwozo 5. Bede Ibekaku 6. Hon.Nwatu Rufus Oguejiofor 7. El Aja Ogbonna 8. ENGR.Edwin Ani Aims And Objectives: 1. To Sensitise the people of Enugu west on agricultural and Socio-Economic development.

2. To promote the welfare of the people

OGUNSOLA SEFIU BABATUNDE I, formerly known and addressed as SEFIU ADEKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNSOLA SEFIU BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

MRS. TIJANI MODUPE CHRISTIANA

I formerly known as MISS. OLALEYE MODUPE CHRISTIANA wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. TIJANI MODUPE CHRISTIANA .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

NWAKAMA KENNETH NNADI

ODUWOLE STEPHEN OLAWALE

I formerly known as Nwakama Kenneth Nnamdi wish to be known and addressed as Nwakama Kenneth Nnadi .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ODUWOLE SAMUEL OLAWALE wish to be known and addressed as ODUWOLE STEPHEN OLAWALE .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CHIJIOKE NONYELUM VIVIAN

OLADIPO ASAMU OLUSEGUN I formerly known as OLADIPO OLUSEGUN wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPO ASAMU OLUSEGUN .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

MRS. AKEWUSHOLA RISIKAT TITILOPE

EKONG EMMANUEL IMEH

I formerly known as OKOH NONYELUM VIVIAN wish to be known and addressed as CHIJIOKE NONYELUM VIVIAN. .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Act, 1990.

-CHAIRMAN -GENERAL SECRETARY -FINANCIAL SECRETARY -TREASURER -ADVISER -ADVISER -ADVISER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. PROMOTING PRODUCTION OF QUALITY KETE MATERIALS. 2. REGULATING THE ACTIVITIES OF MEMBERS, PRICE CONTROL AND CONTROL AMONG MEMBERS. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

ACCESS TO WATER AND RIGHT TO LIFE INITIATIVE 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 No 1 of 1990.

– President – Vice President – Secretary

Aims and Objectives 1. To provide safe water to the less priviledged in the society who cannot afford the use of unsafe water.

2. To educate the less priviledge the danger in depending on unsafe water.

3. To always stage seminars and lectures on advantages of intake of safe water.

4. To also assist in the treatment of less priviledge who contacted water born disease.

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 DAYSof This Publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 Days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Signed Secretary

I formerly known as MISS. ALANI RISIKAT TITILOPE. wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKEWUSHOLA RISIKAT TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

EMMAN LEKE OUTREACH FOR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND RIGHTS

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. OYELEKE EMMANUEL ADEGBOYEGA 2. SANNI ADENIJI YEKINNI

- CHAIRMAN - SECRETARY

THE AIM & OBJECTIVE IS :TO MITIGATE THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABANDONMENT AND REHABILITATE THE CHILD THROUGH VISIBLE QUALITY EDUCATION. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed By: SECRETARY

Signed By: ISMAIL AYODELE & CO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS - 08037280030, 07082719287

The Trustees Are 1. OLOGUN BABATUNDE 2. EGBEEYE AYOOLA 3. OLALUSI FELICIA YEWANDE

I, formerly known and addressed as RITA IHONRE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as RITA KRAUSE . All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly known as EMMA EKONG wish to be known and addressed as EKONG EMMANUEL IMEH .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ASSOCIATION OF INDIGENOUS KETE WEAVERS OF NIGERIA

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) BEDZRA JAMES (2) TORSU JULIUS (3) GBEDEVI FEMI EDEM (4) TORSU ISAAC (5) VODJO TUNJI JUSTICE (6) KUMADE IDOWU (7) DZISA PEACE

ADENIJI TRACY NNEKA I, formerly known and Addressed as MOSANYA TRACY NNEKA, now wish to be known and Addressed as ADENIJI TRACY NNEKA. All former Documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

DIRECT ON PC UMITED IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP AND IN THE MATTERS OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (FLN) 2004 NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in pursuant of section 468 of the Companies and ALLIED Matters Act (FLN), 2004 the final Genera! Meeting of DIRECT ON PC LIMITED (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY VVINDING UP) will be held at Plot B, Block. 1 industrial Avenue, IIIupeju, Lagos on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of laying before the meeting the account of the winding up of the company and of giving any explanation thereof toward the final dissolution of the company.

Dated this day 24th day of April, 2017 WILLIAM BIYI FAGORUSI (Liquidator) A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is also entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote his/her behalf and such a proxy need not be a member of the Company

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

23 Public Notice

KIKELOMO ABIMBOLA BLAVO

ADEOSUN MARIAM ASHABI

POPOOLA ZAINAB OLAPEJU

BYENCIT DAVID LABURTA

I formerly known as AMIDU ADI ABDUL wish to be known and addressed as AMIDU ADI and wrong date of Birth is 5th Oct. 1992. corrected Date of Birth is 22nd May, 1992. All Documents / Credentials bearing these names remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as KIKELOMO ABIMBOLA ADEBIYI wish to be known and addressed as KIKELOMO ABIMBOLA BLAVO .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ALABI MARIAM ASABI wish to be known and addressed as ADEOSUN MARIAM ASHABI .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Ariyo Zainab Olapeju wish to be known and addressed as Popoola Zainab Olapeju .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BYENCIT SOLOMON LABAR, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS BYENCIT DAVID LABURTA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

EZIMOHA ALICE SADETU

NWANKWEGU ONYEKACHI JEROME

MOHAMMED DAUDA ISHOLA

MBAM CHIBUSOR NWAWBAM

ADAKU EUGENIA AKAEZE

I formerly known as IRALE ALICE SADETU wish to be known and addressed as EZIMOHA ALICE SADETU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Onyekachi Jerome.

Nwankwagu. wish to be known and addressed as Nwankwegu Onyekachi Jerome .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Albarika Dauda wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Dauda Ishola .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Mbam Louis Chibezie wish to be known and addressed as Mbam chibusor Nwawbam.

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

MR AJETUNMOBI RASAQ ABOLAJI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADAKU EUGENIA OLUCHI UGWUEKE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADAKU EUGENIA AKAEZE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR SALAU RASAK ABOLAJI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR AJETUNMOBI RASAQ ABOLAJI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ENYIKA CHIJIOKE BRIGHT

AFUWAPE OLAJUMOKE LATIFAT

I formerly known as AZEEZ OLAJUMOKE LATIFAT wish to be known and addressed as AFUWAPE OLAJUMOKE LATIFAT. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

AROWOJOBE MUIBAT BOLA

I formerly known as Arowojobe Muiba Bola wish to be known and addressed as Arowojobe Muibat Bola .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

MR. OLUWABIYI OLUWASEGUN TIMOTHY

CHANGE OF NAME & CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

JIMOH IBRAHIM KEHINDE

OLOYEDE ONIKOSI PETER ABIODUN

OFOYETAN SILIFAT ATINUKE

I formerly known as MICHAEL BRIGHT JONES wish to be known and addressed as ENYIKA CHIJIOKE BRIGHT .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Albarika Ibraheem Kehinde wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh Ibrahim Kehinde.

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

I formerly known as OLOYEDE PETER ABIODUN wish to be known and addressed as OLOYEDE ONIKOSI PETER ABIODUN .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Raheem silifat Atinuke wish to be known and addressed as Ofoyetan silifat Atinuke. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note

FLORENCE OCHE PRINCE

SANI GARBA INUWA

EBONG BRIGHT

AGUNBIADE OLUSEGUN ISAAC

I formerly known and addressed as Mohammed Sani, now wish to be known and addressed as Sani Garba Inuwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ebong Unwana Sampson, now wish to be known and addressed as Ebong Bright. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Agunbiade Oluwasegun Isaac, now wish to be known and addressed as Agunbiade Olusegun Isaac.

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

MRS. EZEKIEL MARY IMABONG

MRS. KATE IJEOMA IGBO

NJIMOGU ABIGAIL CHINENYE is the same person answering NJIMOGU ABIGAIL LOVETH, now wish to be known and addressed as NJIMOGU ABIGAIL CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known, addressd as MISS EZEKIEL MARY IMABONG now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZEKIEL MARY IMABONG all former documents remain valid general public should please take note.

I formerly known, called and addressd as KATE IJEOMA NWADIKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. KATE IJEOMA IGBO. All documents bearing my former name remains valid general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MR. FABIYI OLUWASEGUN TIMOTHY, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OLUWABIYI OLUWASEGUN TIMOTHY . All former documents remain valid. General please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Florence Ocheme , now wish to be known and addressed as Florence Oche Prince. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALESHINLOYE FATIMOH TANWA

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL FATIMOH TANWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALESHINLOYE FATIMOH TANWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IFEANYI JERRYBENSON is the same person answering IFEANYI NNAMAKA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as NKWOR IFEANYI JERRYBENSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS NKECHI NICOLE EGEJURU

ADENEYE OLATOYOSI KARIMOT

I, formerly known and addressed as NKECHI NWAGBARA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NKECHI NICOLE EGEJURU. All former documents remains valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly AKINDELE OLATOYOSI KARIMOT NoW ADENEYE OLATOYOSI KARIMOT. Former documents remains valid.

General public should please take note.

JIMOH ABIOLA FAREEDAH

ALIU OWONIKOKO YISSA

Formerly known as BAKARE ABIOLA FAREEDAH now wish to be known as JIMOH ABIOLA FAREEDAH. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Formerly known as Issa Owonikoko now wish to be known as Aliu Owonikoko Yissa. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

USMAN AMIDAT OSEBOLU

Formerly ASUNOGIE AMIDAT OSEBOLU NoW NAME USMAN AMIDAT OSEBOLU. Former documents remains valid.

General public should please take note.

USMAN MUHAMMED BELLO

Formerly known as Hutsman Bello now wish to be known as Usman Muhammed Bello. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

MRS. MEDINA PEACE ABIBU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MEDINA PEACE ABEEB WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. MEDINA PEACE ABIBU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MUSTAPHA OLUWATOSIN HANNAH SERIFAT I, formerly known and addressed as FATOLU OLUWAKEMI ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSTAPHA OLUWATOSIN HANNAH SERIFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

EBAIDE MARTHA EJIDE I, formerly known and addressed as EBAIDE MARTHA ASUELIMEN, now wish to be known and addressed as EBAIDE MARTHA EJIDE. All former documents remains valid. General public should please take note.

MRS OLAJIDE ESTHER FLORENCE

BENSON KOLAWOLE ELIJAH

EMMANUEL VICTORIA OMOLARA

Formerly MISS SOVAPE ESTHER FLORENCE NoW MRS OLAJIDE ESTHER FLORENCE. Former documents remains valid.

General public should please take note.

Formerly known as Ologuntoye Kolawole Elijah now wish to be known as Benson Kolawole Elijah. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Formerly known as FADARE OMOLARA SAIDAT now wish to be known as EMMANUEL VICTORIA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

MRS. AMUJIOGU JACINTA NNENNA

EJEMBI ROSE OWUKPE

Formerly known as Miss.

Agu Jacinta Nnenna now wish to be known as Mrs. Amujiogu Jacinta Nnenna.

All former documents remain valid. Gener public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AGBO ROSE OWUKPE now wish to be known and addressed as EJEMBI ROSE OWUKPE. General public should place take note.

MRS UGOCHUKWU CHIOMA GOODNESS

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWANERI CHIOMA GOODNESS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGOCHUKWU CHIOMA GOODNESS. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note

MRS DURU FAITH OLUCHI

YAKUBU DANIEL

MRS UDOJI OGONNA CECILIA

EGBO NNENNA AKUABATA RACHAEL

PAUL HYELDUKU EZEKIEL MSHELIA

ONYEMAECHI CHIDINMA HENRIETTA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMADI FAITH OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DURU FAITH OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed OMEGA DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU DANIEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOSU OGONNA CECILIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDOJI OGONNA CECILIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NEBONTA NNENNA AKUABATA RACHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EGBO NNENNA AKUABATA RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PAUL BENSON, now wish to be known and addressed as PAUL HYELDUKU EZEKIEL MSHELIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ILOH CHIDINMA HENRIETTA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEMAECHI CHIDINMA HENRIETTA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS EDEH OGOCHUKWU PRECIOUS.

EDEH CHINASA PERPETUAL

MRS WISDOM FAVOUR EBERECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBO OGOCHUKWU PRECIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDEH OGOCHUKWU PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONYIA CHIAMAKA CHIDERA I, formerly known and addressed as DAVID SUNITHA THEODORE, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYIA CHIAMAKA CHIDERA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EKEMEZIE CHINASA PERPETUAL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDEH CHINASA PERPETUAL. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBETA FAVOUR EBERECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS WISDOM FAVOUR EBERECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLOFU BLESSING

MRS OBUTE CYNTHIA CHINASA

OGODO CHINAGO OKPANYI

MRS MENIBA UNODINMA LEAH

I, formerly known and addressed as OLOFU BLESSING DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOFU BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ARINZE CYNTHIA CHINASA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBUTE CYNTHIA CHINASA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGODO CHINAGO PRECIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OGODO CHINAGO OKPANYI my correct date of birth 1st January 1990. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDEAGHA LEAH NWAKAEGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MENIBA UNODINMA LEAH. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and General public should please take note.

THE GREAT ELITE CLUB OF OSO EDDA NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the corporate Affairs commission for registration under part’ C’ of the company and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OJI CHINEDU OGONNAYA ........................................PRESIDENT 2. UKPAI UGBOR OBASI ................................................SEC. 3. UDU UKPAI OKORO. 4. NDUKWE NNAKWA OKO. 5. NKAMA NNANNA OKO. 6. OKORO CHINEDU. 7. OLUGHU OGBAULU OKO. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE THE GOOD NAME OF THE CLUB AND PROJECT IT IMAGE THROUGH DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES. 2. TO CHERISH, UPHOLD AND FURTHER THE PROGRESS OF EDDA IN GENERAL. 3. TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL, ECONOMIC AND PROGRESS ACTIVITIES OF ITS MEMBERS. Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar -General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

Public Notice 24 MRS MERCY CHIKA ANI NWEZE

MRS. UGWU SABINA CHIAMAKA

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

MRS ANIAGU ADAOBI MIRABEL

MRS IFO CYNTHIA CHINAZA

MRS OTUGO NWAKAEGO CHINWE

MRS ANYA CHINWE MARTHA BENITA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MERCY CHIKA NDUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MERCY CHIKA ANI NWEZE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

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

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ACHEBE ADAOBI MIRABEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIAGU ADAOBI MIRABEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGBOR CYNTHIA CHINAZA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IFO CYNTHIA CHINAZA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO NWAKAEGO CHINWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OTUGO NWAKAEGO CHINWE . All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKECHUKWU CHINWE MARTHA BENITA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYA CHINWE MARTHA BENITA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OLADELE OLUBUNMI FOLASHADE

OLATOYE ADEKUNBI ADURAGBEMISOLA

MRS AWOLESI - DAHOOD RONKE TEMITOPE

OLAGUNJU KEHINDE EZEKIEL

MRS JULIA REMILEKUN ADEKUNLE

I Formerly known and addressed as ADESOGBON OLUBUNMI FOLASHADE now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLADELE OLUBUNMI FOLASHADE All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as ADENEKAN ADEKUNBI ADURAGBEMISOLA now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLATOYE ADEKUNBI ADURAGBEMISOLA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as MISS pMOBUSE RONKE TEMITOPE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS AWOLESI - DAHOOD RONKE TEMITOPE All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLAGUNJU KEHINDE OLUWAFUNKE now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGUNJU KEHINDE EZEKIEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JULIA REMILEKUN MAKINDE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JULIA REMILEKUN ADEKUNLE.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

OSARO EGHOSA I formerly known and addressed as EGHOSA PHILLIP now wish to be known and addressed as OSARO EGHOSA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

BOLATAYO-AJAGBE YEWANDE DAMILOLA.

NWAORGU OGECHI NELLY

OMOREGIE KENNEDY EFEMUDIA

AKANIHU IKECHUKWU CHINEDU

NWANYA NNEBEMCHUKWU CHRI

I formerly known and addressed as AJAGUNNA YEWANDE DAMILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as BOLATAYO-AJAGBE YEWANDE DAMILOLA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EJIOGU OGHECHI now wish to be known and addressed as NWAORGU OGECHI NELLY. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OMOREJIE UDU KENNEDY now wish to be known and addressed as OMOREGIE KENNEDY EFEMUDIA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS ADEGBOLAGUN OLAMIPO ODUNAYO

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AYELAGBE OLAMIPO ODUNAYO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEGBOLAGUN OLAMIPO ODUNAYO.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EZEONYI IKENNA CHINEDU now wish to be known and addressed as AKANIHU IKECHUKWU CHINEDU.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NWANYA CHRISTOPHER now wish to be known and addressed as NWANYA NNEBEMCHUKWU CHRI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

WAMBA CHINENYE GLADYS

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MRS OYELEYE ORE OLUWATOYIN

MR SALIU-OREFUWA BABATUNDE ADEMOLA

MRS OREFUWA TEMITOPE MARTHA

I formerly known and addressed as AGUWAMBA GLADYS now wish to be known and addressed as AGUWAMBA CHINENYE GLADYS.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

In some of my documents my name was written as ADENEKAN AYOFEMI OLANREWAJU and In some other documents my name was written as ADENEKAN AYOFEMI FATAI.The names refer to the same person. My date of birth is 07/05/1971.All the documents bearing all the names are valid.General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ENIWAYE ORE OLUWATOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYELEYE ORE OLUWATOYIN.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

BIDMOS HARUN ORIADE

I formerly known and addressed as GBADAMOSI ARUNA ADEDEJI, BADMUS HARUN ORIADE now want to be know and addressed as BIDMOS HARUN ORIADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MR OREFUWA BABATUNDE ADEMOLA now want to be know and addressed as MR SALIUOREFUWA BABATUNDE ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDIPE TEMITOPE MARTHA now want to be know and addressed as MRS OREFUWA TEMITOPE MARTHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BATUNDE-YUSUF QUDUS OLASUPO

MRS AIGBODION OHITA ROSEMARY

IKEZUE BLESSING UKAMAKA

SHUAIB ADEMOLA ISMAIL I formerly known and addressed as GANIYU ISMAILA ADISA now want to be know and addressed as SHUAIB ADEMOLA ISMAIL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ABDUL RASHEED .O . HAMUSAT

I formerly known and addressed as HAMMUSAT ABDUL RASHEED now want to be know and addressed as ABDUL RASHEED .O . HAMUSAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF QUDUS OLASUPO now want to be know and addressed as BABATUNDE-YUSUF QUDUS OLASUPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AGHOMON OHITA ROSEMARY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AIGBODION OHITA ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHUKWUEKE NKIRUKA HOPE

BENJAMIN CHRISTABEL ESSE CHICHETARAM

CORRECTION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, MR. JONAH ORJI KALU, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, KALU JONAH ORJI, AND JONAH OKEKE KALU, instead of, MR. JONAH ORJI KALU, in my PVC and BVN, respectively. I now wish to be known and addressed as, MR. JONAH ORJI KALU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, SAUBANA DOSUNMU ADISA, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, SAUBANA DOSUNMU, instead of, SAUBANA DOSUNMU ADISA, in my BVN details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, SAUBANA DOSUNMU ADISA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIJIOKE NKIRUKA HOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEKE NKIRUKA HOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS. UMUNNAKWE IFEOMA SANDRA

MRS. NJOKU DANIEL CHIMA CHIJIOKE

MRS. OHAERI GENEVIEVE CHIMEODO

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NZEH IFEOMA ORJIUGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UMUNNAKWE IFEOMA SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMMANUEL UGOCHUKWU IKECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU GOODLUCY IKEDI, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL UGOCHUKWU IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS EZIH CYNTHIA OLUCHI

I, formerly known and addressed as NJOKU DANIEL CHIJIOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NJOKU DANIEL CHIMA CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IKEDIEGO UGOCHUKWU SOLOMON

ANTHONIA NDIDIAMAKA OKOYE

I, formerly known and addressed as IKEDIEGO JOSEPH CHUKWUEBUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as IKEDIEGO UGOCHUKWU SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ANTHONIA NDIDIAMAKA OBIKA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ANTHONIA NDIDIAMAKA OKOYE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NNAMANI BARNABAS KASIEMOBI

MRS CHUKWU SPLENDOUR NNEKA

I formerly known and addressed as ANYAWUMELU BLESSING UKAMAKA now wish to be known and addressed as IKEZUE BLESSING UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGOKE ESOMCHI BENSON

MRS. MARVIS CHIZOMAM ANORUO

I, formerly known and addressed as OGOKE NKEMJIKA BENSON, now wish to be known and addressed as OGOKE ESOMCHI BENSON. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARVIS CHIZOMAM IKPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MARVIS CHIZOMAM ANORUO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKUJOBI IFEANYICHUKWU

MRS. OGOCHUKWU RUTH OLUCHI

I, formerly known as AKUJIOBI IFEANYICHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUJOBI IFEANYICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIMA RUTH OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGOCHUKWU RUTH OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MRS. ADAOBI FLORENCE CHRISTOPHER OKORO

I, formerly known and addressed as AKHIGBE CHRISTABEL ESSE CHICHETARAM, now wish to be known and addressed as BENJAMIN CHRISTABEL ESSE CHICHETARAM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADAOBI OBIOMA ANOSIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADAOBI FLORENCE CHRISTOPHER OKORO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

\ LOSS OF DOCUMENT

MS. OSINOWO OMOLOLA ELIZABETH

ABDULLA UMAR

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Omokoro Omolola Liz now wish to be known and addressed as MS. OSINOWO OMOLOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents with Omokoro Osinowo Omolola, Osinowo Omolola Liz still remains valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABDULLAHI UMAR now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULLA UMAR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to notify the general public of loss of Certificate of Occupancy , belonging toONYIUKE NWANKWO AKUNNA ROBERT of land situate at Ugbo Oghe Abakpa Nike Enugu. Reg. as 45/45/961 land Registry Enugu.

All efforts to trace it proved abortive.

If found please return to Ministry of Land Enugu.

HAUWA MOHAMMED

MRS OGBODO CHINYERE PETRONILA

MRS VINCENT JUDITH IJEOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ISAIAH MARY NNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWU SPLENDOUR NNEKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE JUDITH IJEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VINCENT JUDITH IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

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

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OHIRI CHINYERE PETRONILA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBODO CHINYERE PETRONILA. All former documents remain valid. N-POWER and General public should please take note.

UDEH ONYINYE JOSEPHINE

NWAFOR ROSE OGOCHUKWU

EZEH COSMOS GABRIEL

ENI UJU

NWEBONYI RICHARD NWEBONYI

I, formerly known and addressed as NWUDE OGBODO UDEH ONYINYE, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEH ONYINYE JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR ROSE OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUKA COSMOS GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH COSMOS GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EDE GRACE ASAU, now wish to be known and addressed as ENI UJU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank UBA and General public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWEBONYI RICHARD JACOB, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWEBONYI RICHARD NWEBONYI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGUNWA CYNTHIA OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZIH CYNTHIA OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NNAMANI KASIEMOBI CHIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI BARNABAS KASIEMOBI. All former documents remain valid.

Fidelity Bank and General public should please take note.

OKANYA UDOCHUKWU THANKGOD I, formerly known and addressed as OKANYA CHIDERA MARK, now wish to be known and addressed as OKANYA UDOCHUKWU THANKGOD. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GENEVIEVE CHIMEODO NJOKU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OHAERI GENEVIEVE CHIMEODO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UMEONWUJIOBI NGOZI THERESA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGBUAGU NGOZI THERESA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UMEONWUJIOBI NGOZI THERESA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

25 News

BASA: FG must protect domestic airlines –Onyeama Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÎÎÎ

The chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, has frowned at the unfriendly attitudes of foreign airlines, which frustrate the efforts of local carriers by denying them access to foreign routes.

Speaking at a press briefing, Onyeama lamented that such unfriendly attitudes were not in harmony with the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) Nigeria has signed with some of the defaulting nations, which would rather protect their airlines than to allow the Nigerian counterpart to reciprocate.

“The minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, granted us the permission to represent Nigeria as a flag bearer to South Africa, China,

MRS. UZOAMAKA JOY AMADI

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. UZOAMAKA JOY OKONKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. UZOAMAKA JOY AMADI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

WUYEP ANDREW DOMNAN I, formerly known and addressed as, ANDY DANJUMA WUYEP, now wish to be known and addressed as, WUYEP ANDREW DOMNAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

USA, Dubai and some other countries even in the face of resentment from certain quarters. How many of these African countries have allowed us to come in? As I’m talking to you, we are only doing Ghana, why? Because other countries have refused to allow us in.

“Ivory Coast never wanted to answer our request. We had to go to them pleading, they didn’t tell us no but we later discovered that one particular airline was using them to frustrate Nigerian carriers, particularly Air Peace. They see us as a threat, you need to see what they do to us in other countries.

“When the Chief Operation Officer represented us in Bahamas, she called me on the phone and I asked her to tell the Cote d’Ivoire people that I will go to court to stop any airline coming to Nigeria whose country doesn’t want to allow us come in.

“I don’t care for what-

ever it will cost me. I gave them just three weeks to honour our request or I would go to court to stop Air Cote d’Ivoire from coming into Nigeria. And I wanted to make do my threat,” he said.

Onyeama said even though the Ivorian authorities eventually granted the permission, the next challenge was imposition of exorbitant charges on ground handling services just to pose another barrier in disguise.

“They charge $4,000 for one ground handling service. Tell me how you would break even in that kind of harsh environment. Meanwhile, Air Cote d’Ivoire has been ravaging Nigeria unperturbed. They come in and do whatever they want, nobody cares. They use all sorts of excuses to prevent us. If you are asked to pay $4,000, how many people are you carrying on that aircraft? So,

since they are doing this, let us do the same thing to their airlines and let’s see if they will survive,” Onyeama said.

He related another sad experience involving Senegalese authorities where it insisted that the airline must provide full insurance after providing a clean slate of the airline’s equipment - airworthy fleet of aircraft, spare parts and flight integrity records. Even after providing a one-year insurance, the approval hasn’t still been granted till date.

The airline suffered yet another blow with the Togolese authority when it sought to reciprocate the frequencies of ASKY into Togo. The Togolese authority turned down the proposal with a flimsy excuse that it had already granted permission to Overland to come into theircountry. Meanwhile, Overland hasn’t even started flying the

CORRECTION OF NAME

MRS. OCHONMA IFEOMA SARAH

MRS. OZOIGWE EBUBECHI FRANCES

My name was wrongly written as ADENIYI ADEBAYO instead of ADENIYE ADEBAYO. GTB, the general public and authorities concerned should pls take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ONYEWEIBEYA IFEOMA SARAH, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OCHONMA IFEOMA SARAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. JOHN EBUBECHI FRANCES, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OZOIGWE EBUBECHI FRANCES. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

ENWEREMADU ELIZABETH OLU

TITUS CHIBUIKE COLLINS

ANOM TIMOTHY IORUNGWA

I, formerly known and addressed as, AKAM CHIBUIKE ALOYSIUS, now wish to be known and addressed as, TITUS CHIBUIKE COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, IORUNGWA IORORON, now wish to be known and addressed as, ANOM TIMOTHY IORUNGWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NWEKE CHIDI OGUTA

MRS. IFEANYICHUKWU OLUCHI JACINTA

BRANTHLEY CHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as, TOBIN VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as, TOBIN JAIMAL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as, BRANTHLEY CHUKS, now wish to be known and addressed as, BRANTHLEY CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ONYEMAECHI ELIZABETH OLU, now wish to be known and addressed as, ENWEREMADU ELIZABETH OLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MRS. JULIANA AKANIMO UDOFIA

SAMUEL OWOICHO SUNDAY

ONUOHA OLUCHI ELVIS

ADDITION OF NAME THAT I WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMOIGUI IYORE THAT I NOW WISH TO ADD STELLA, TO MY FORMER NAME THAT I NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OMOIGUI IYORE STELLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MONDAY OWOICHO SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as, SAMUEL OWOICHO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ISRAEL RACHAEL OROMA I, formerly known and addressed as, ACHINONU RACHAEL OROMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ISRAEL RACHAEL OROMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name ILOEBUNAM NNAMDI ELVIS was wrongly written during BVN Registration but now wish to be corrected and addressed asILOEGBUNAM NNAMDI AMARA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

TOBIN JAIMAL

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. JULIANA OGAH OGBAJI, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. JULIANA AKANIMO UDOFIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

route. At the same time, ASKY does about 4 frequencies into Nigeria.

“So even if Overland is coming into their country and it’s doing only 2 frequencies, we are supposed to do the other 2 frequencies so that there will be reciprocity in line with bilateral agreement. But the truth is that they don’t want us to come in because they are protecting ASKY. “And if Togo does not allow Air Peace to come in, by the 3rd week of May, I give them up to 21st of May, if they don’t allow us, between 22nd and 25th of May, I will go to court in Nigeria to stop ASKY from coming into Nigeria. I will do it for whatever it is worth. I will go to the Federal High Court to stop ASKY from coming into this country.

Enough is enough; we have to protect our own,” Onyeama threatened.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ONUOHA OLUCHI FAUSTINA, AND UHEGBU OLUCHI FAUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ONUOHA OLUCHI ELVIS. All former documents remain valid. General

public should take note.

NWANEBEM ECHEZONACHUKWU UNIQUE - FAVOUR I formerly known as NWANEBEM ECHEZONACHUKWU now wish to be known as NWANEBEM ECHEZONACHUKWU UNIQUE FAVOUR. Former documents remain valid. General public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as, NWANKWO RICHARD, now wish to be known and addressed as, NWEKE CHIDI OGUTA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. UMEONAKU OLUCHI JACINTA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. IFEANYICHUKWU OLUCHI JACINTA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

ADDITION OF NAME

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME OKORIE LOVETH OLUCHI WAS WRONGLY WRITTEN DURING BVN REGISTRATION BUT NOW WISH TO BE CORRECTED AND ADDRESSED AS OKOLIE LOVETH OLUCHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

That I was formerly known and addressed as OYOKE OZOEMENAMthat I now wish to add BENJAMIN to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as OYOKE OZOEMENAM BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

We have govt in Nigeria but political administration -cleric Edem Edem, Calabar

ÎÎÎ

The Archbishop of Archbishop’s Court, Ghana Wesley Synod, Dr. Barthsy Ojoi Enebiene, has said that Nigeria no longer has government with a human face but a government in power today that acts as a political administration.

“We don’t have leaders in Nigeria any longer, we don’t have government, what we have is political administration,”the cleric said.

Speaking with the Daily Times in Calabar, the Archbishop, who moved his base from Ghana to Nigeria, regretted that career civil servants no longer acted as such and if you are not a card carrying member of the ruling political power, supporting the government of the day, you cannot be promoted.

“Even the career civil servants, if you are not a card carrying member supporting the government of the day, you cannot be promoted and the slogan is wait for your turn.

“That is not what it used to be when government think about the concern of the populace, citizenries, gave good roads, hospitals, drugs, light is ok, education was free even if it was not free, it was available, reachable and avoidable.

Today, the rate of education is so expensive, the private sector have taken over education and a poor man son can no longer go to school, then we are talking about government, we don’t have government in Nigeria.

On his take on the fight against corruption by the present administration, the cleric said corruption fight was a brilliant exercise but he has some reservations base on the sincerity of the leaders explaining that the level of dishonesty in human efforts was high.

“All what we are hearing from the media is the recovery of funds but the total amount was not known, we as Nigerians and Africans at large, are looking forward to see the success of recovery base on the zero corruption in the exercise, we have not been able to have the impact of the recovery.”

The recovery itself he said should have been able to pay off Nigeria’s foreign debt, it should also be able to pay off the local debt, it should be able to establish a lot of industries and create job opportunities and so on but as it is now, it is very disheartening, which means that the human face of fighting corruption is not there.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27 , 2017

Health

s

Vaccination remains weapon against meningitis, says Pfizer boss Stories by Angela Onwuzoo To effectively tackle the current outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria which has claimed over 700 lives so far, Medical Director of Pfizer, Kodjo Soroh, has identified vaccination as key strategy to containing the bacterial infection, stressing that vaccine prevents and reduces spread of diseases.

Soroh who disclosed this in a statement to mark World Immunization Week/World Meningitis Day, said vaccines have significantly reduced the threat of diseases that were once widespread and sometimes fatal.

World Immunization Week, which is held from 24-30 April

2017, aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization throughout life, and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

According to him, more people benefit from safe and efficacious vaccines today than ever before - and the list of diseases that vaccines can help prevent continues to grow.

His words: “let’s be aware about the critical importance of immunization, bearing in mind that vaccination is key strategy to containing Meningococcal meningitis, ensuring continued protection for the current and future generation while taking into consideration the current outbreak of Meningitis in the region.

“There is need therefore, for

availability of vaccines in Nigeria to prevent outbreak of diseases.

Bacterial meningitis is very serious because its onset is rapid and the infection is associated with a significant risk of death; it may also result in mental retardation, deafness, epilepsy, etc.

“It can be treated with appropriate antibiotics that also prevent spread. Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection of the meninges that affects the brain membrane.

It can cause severe brain damage and is fatal in 50% of cases if untreated.”

Furthermore, the medic said that several different bacteria can cause meningitis. “Neisseria meningitidis is the one with the potential to cause large epidemics.

There are 12 serogroups of N. meningitidis that have been identified, 6 of which (A, B, C, W, X and Y) can cause epidemics. Geographic distribution and epidemic potential differ,” he said.

Also, “Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions. Pfizer’s goal is to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and make vaccination against potentially deadly diseases available.”

Soroh noted that Meningococcal bacteria were transmitted from person-to-person through droplets from the nose and throat of carriers. Close and prolonged contact with a carrier of meningitis facilitates the spread of the disease.

In her remarks, Director, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer, Margaret Olele, said “We encourage individuals, families and communities to learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis, the importance of urgent treatment of the disease, and that prevention is available through vaccination against some forms of meningitis”.

Olele assured that Pfizer will continue to deliver on its commitments to colleagues and customers, protecting lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide.

“We are leveraging on leading technology in vaccine design and conjugation in an effort to provide preventative solutions to these complex, difficult-to-treat bacterial pathogens”, she said.

seek prompt treatment when diagnosed of the disease so as to reduce deaths associated with the disease.

They also want government at all levels to make diagnostic and treatment facilities more accessible and affordable to the people, especially those in the rural areas.

With over 300 thousand Nigerians dying from malaria each year, the disease kills more people than HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis put together and is

the highest cause of death of children under five years. This is why on April 25 each year, the world celebrates malaria day in order to find solutions to eradicating this disease in Africa.

One of the experts and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, pointed out that accurate diagnosis of malaria would significantly improve the quality of patient care.

Idris said if the problem of late diagnosis and poor treatment is addressed and people

get early treatment, that would prevent it moving from simple malaria to severe malaria.

A National Policy on Malaria Diagnostics and Treatment formulated by the federal government recommended that people should be tested before medicines are sold to them.

People with suspected malaria are advised to have parasitological confirmation of diagnosis with either Microscopy or Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) before anti-malaria

Experts strategise to defeat malaria Malaria is a life threatening disease which is transmitted by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito.

Scientific findings confirm that malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable disease.

Reports show that increased prevention and control measures have led to a 29% reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2010. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says in 2015, there were roughly 212 million malaria cases and an estimated 429 000 malaria deaths while

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. WHO’s latest report spotlights critical gaps in prevention coverage, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The incidence and deaths from malaria is still high in Nigeria even as millions still lack access to the essential tools they need to prevent and treat the disease. As Nigeria on April 25, two days ago joined the world to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, medical experts have again reminded Nigerians of the need to present themselves early for diagnosis whenever they suspect malaria and then

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

27 Health

Nigeria’s mental health policy is 60 years behind, says Idris Benjamin Omoike, Lagos Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris, is of the opinion that the nation’s mental health policy is outdated, and in fact, is 60 years behind time. He made this assertion, among other healthrelated issues in this discourse.

In January this year, the Lagos State Government engaged a mental health training programme where a total of 93 health care professionals were trained for mental health at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Against this backdrop, the Commissioner confirmed that a total of 93 health care professionals were trained on mental health at LASUTH in January 2017. The World Health Day was celebrated on the 7th of April, 2017, with the theme; ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’.”

The proposed State Mental Health action plan includes a mental health parley, the establishment of Lagos State Mental Health Platform, continuous capacity building on mental health and inclusion of data on mental health and disability in the State’s HMIS framework.

Mental health policies, The Daily Times gathered, is a framework of the government highlighting its vision towards dealing with mental and neurological disorders in Nigeria.

Though there are policies aimed at addressing mental health issues in Nigeria, it was discovered that in-depth information on mental health service in Nigeria is nonexistent. This makes it difficult to identify areas of needs, coordinate activities of advocacy groups, and to make informed decision about policy direction. In truth, there is continued neglect of mental health issues as well as the many challenges that results from it in spite of existing government policy.

About 20 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness. A good number of them go without professional assistance. The World Health Organization estimates that only about three per cent of the government’s budget on health goes to mental health.

Nigeria’s mental health policy was first formulated in 1991. Its components include advocacy, promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

In 2003, a bill for the establishment of Mental Health Act was introduced by Sen. Ibiabuye Martyns-Yellowe and Sen. Dalhatu Tafida but was later withdrawn in April 2009. Four years later, precisely on March 20, 2013, the bill was re-introduced to the National Assembly by Hon. Samuel Babatunde Adejare and Hon. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

The Bill protects the rights of persons with mental disorders, ensures equal access to treatment

Dr. Chan, DG WHO

and care, discourage stigma and discrimination and sets standards for psychiatric practice in Nigeria.

The bill makes provisions for access to mental healthcare and

ASPIMSS to energize Trauma Centre Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

The General Manager, Abia State Passenger Integrated Manifest/Safety Scheme, ASPIMSS Kingsley Megwara, has revealed that energizing its trauma centre is what is uppermost in his mind as number one thing towards repositioning the scheme for better service.

Megwara who was addressing newsmen in Umuahia while on an official function in Umuoriehi isingwu, Umuahia North LGA Wednesday, assured he is determined to ensure that the trauma centre started by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu when he was the General Manager of the outfit sees the light of day. “We will find a way of going back to the trauma centre.

The centre is something that I so much want to energize so that as time goes on, we can get NYSC Doctors to man the place.”

He said further that in the event of non-life threatening accidents, “We can quickly take them (accident victims) to our own clinic and make sure we treat them.”

Kingsley Megwara

He notified that “ASPIMSS is the only agency removing dead bodies from the roads. When we see any dead body on the road, we make plans immediately to remove it because the hazard the dead body will in turn cause, either by motorists dodging the dead body and will have an accident or the medical problems involved, especially during the raining season, when the rains will filter back to the boreholes people drink.”

According to him, ASPIMSS is in better shape today than ever under him since its establishment, stating

that Ikpeazu as the GM of the centre established the trauma centre as a mid-range hospital where ASPIMSS can treat people on non-life threatening accidents, while lifethreatening issues are taken to the Federal Medical centre, Umuahia or Amachara General Hospital in Umuahia and Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba. “We also have a relationship with volunteer Doctors from America who have volunteered a month each year to assist ASPIMSS”, he said.

Megwara also disclosed that for the last 15 years, the scheme has not been paying compensations, but we have set up a new office for compensation.

“When people pay, they have subscribed for compensation in view of accidents, but the only problem we have on that is that people do not take advantage of that,” he said disclosing that his administration has paid seven compensations since he came in as the GM, while also doing enlightenment for drivers on the dangers of drinking and driving, not obeying road signs, stating that the drivers have started having conforming to the pattern.

services, Voluntary and involuntary treatment, Accreditation of professional and facilities, Law enforcements and other judicial issues for people with mental illness,

Mechanisms to oversee involuntary admission and mechanism to implement the provision of Mental health Legislations.

Medical practitioners seek end to acrimony in health sector In a novel initiative that seeks the rebirth of a new regime of harmony among the different professionals in the health sector, experts drawn from each of the major health disciplines will brainstorm at a symposium holding at the University of Lagos on May 11.

The Symposium is being jointly organized by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and will feature practitioners drawn from medicine, pharmacy, nursing and midwifery, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy and other specialised disciplines.

Former Minister of Health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo will deliver the keynote presentation.

A former Minister of Health and current President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, stated that “The dire state of healthcare in Nigeria today despite continuing efforts, requires that all professionals in the sector work in harmony to tackle the issues for the good of the country.”

Unfortunately, he lamented, “The poor state of affairs is made even worse by the animosity, distrust and consequently, disharmony among the different professionals in the health sector.”

The most vital resource in the health sector, said Adelusi-Adeluyi, is not the annual budgetary allocation from government, but rather, the sector’s huge human resource endowment. It is only by building on its strengths which include its diversity, that the health sector can become truly primed to deliver optimal value to Nigeria, he added.

“Here is a sector brimming with enthusiastic and well-trained doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical scientists, optometrists and other cadres of professionals. If professionals in this sector would cooperate with each other and work as one united team, it would be a big plus for healthcare delivery in our country.”

Adelusi-Adeluyi acknowledged that the mutual animosity among health professionals is not unfounded. “Developments over the years”, he said, “had unfortunately helped to pitch the different groups of professionals against each other by perpetuating negative perceptions of each other. Such negative perceptions had fed fat on anger and divisive statements by the various cadres of professionals, to the detriment of Nigerians who ought to benefit from an optimally functional healthcare industry.”

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕè CƑƋƕ ƾƣè ƾƠơƣ

More traditional rulers join MASSOB in Enugu Ï nƓ ƖƑƏƑƈƊƆ Ɨƈ ƌƈ Ɔ Ɛ ƏƆ Ɛ Ƅƕ & Ƒ Ƒ ƒƐ

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By Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ No fewer than 39 tradi-

tional rulers in Enugu North Zone on Thursday defied the threats of the Enugu State Government to attend the meeting of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, Biafra Independent Movement (MASSOB-BIM) in Enugu North Zone of the state.

A Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs source had revealed to newsmen recently that the state government ordered the

Commissioner, Barr. Fidelis Ani to investigate monarchs who attended the meeting called

by MASSOB last month with a view to sanctioning them.

The leader of MASSOB-BIM in the zone, Chief James Omeke while addressing journalists on the outcome of its meeting with traditional rulers yesterday said the national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has reacted to the alleged threats by the Enugu state government.

According to him, Chief Uwazuruike urged the traditional rulers not to be intimidated by the planned sanction of the

state government as the group seeks peaceful departure of Ndigbo from Nigeria.

“Chief Uwazuruike assured the traditional rulers that their quest to actualize Biafra republic will soon become a reality, he urged them not to be intimidated by the threats of the state government to dethrone them for joining MASSOB-BIM. According to him, “The traditional rulers under Biafra republic will be given more security and benefits than they are currently getting in Nigeria.

“MASSOB-BIM has continued to seek for a peaceful depar-

ture through non-violence from Nigeria and we believe that before long we will actualize our freedom.

“We have already taken our case to the United Nations (UN) and our agitation is at the moment getting supports from various countries of the world.

“We are determined to seek total freedom for all sons and daughters of Igbo without shooting any single bullet”, he said.

The Zonal leader Chief James Omeke equally enjoined prominent sons and daughters of Ndigbo to take a cue from their traditional leaders who have registered and joined MASSOBBIM having realized that the federal government does not have their interest at heart.

“Today we met with 39 traditional rulers from Enugu North who expressed their willingness to join us and they have since been registered and issued with membership cards.

“They were very happy with our achievements and promised to in turn register their subjects.

“We have area administrators at the Local Government Areas, district officers at all the province that will help the traditional rulers coordinate the mobilization and registration exercise of all new members at all levels,” he said.

Omeke said the traditional rulers would be given more incentives under Biafra compare to what they are presently getting from Nigerian governments.

He also said MASSOB-BIM was not among the pro-Biafra agitators observing the sit at home exercise declaration of May 30.

NigerCem: 0 ƕƆƌƈ ƍƍƋ ƑƗ nƌ ƈ

ÏÏÏ The

Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has hailed Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state for constructing a major road leading to the NigerCem Cement Factory, Nkalagu, in preparation for the revitalization of the company.

Fayemi made the commendation when he visited the cement factory in company of Umahi and the Minister of State for Minerals and Steel Development, Abubakar Bwari on Tuesday.

The minister, according to a statement on Wednesday by Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, promised to assist

the Ebonyi State Government and Ibeto Group of Companies to revitalize the plant as soon as possible.

He said he was particulary happy that Umahi had shown real commitment to ensuring the revival of NigerCem by constructing a concrete road to the plant.

His words: The governor has shown real determination to see that this company begins production again. I am particularly impressed with the concrete road he has done to ease movement in and out of this plant. We thank the governor and Dr. Cletus Ibeto for coming together with the chiefs here to

support this effort to bring NigerCem back to life.”

The minister stated that he was in Ebonyi state to ensure that NiGERCEM was revived in line with the diversification policy of the federal government .

Fayemi added that “for the President Mohammadu Buhari, diversification of our revenue base from oil is the number one agenda. I have been hearing of NigerCem, Nkalagu when I was a little boy. There were two cement companies known all over Nigeria - Ewokoro and Nkalagu.

Nkalagu is where we are today, that is why we have to revive it.

“On our part as the federal government, we are determined

to see that this comes to fruition and we will provide all the support that is necessary for this to happen. I know how passionate Governor Umahi is for the development of the people.We know that he is passionate for development.”

Responding, Umahi told the people that the minister was in Ebonyi for two major reasons: “the smelting plant in Ikwo, first of its kind in Nigeria and to ensure that NigerCem was working.”

He described Ibeto Group as God sent, adding that the company has the capacity to make the cement firm 30 times its original capacity.

1 ƈ Ɨ ƌ Ɛ ƌ ƏƊ ƿƣƐ ƄƈƏƐ Ɨ ƕ Sunday

The national coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, will on Sunday mark his 47th birthday at a grand event in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

The event which holds from 12 noon at The Batten House, Plot A2 Block G, MKO Abiola Garden Road, Beside Adonai Court, off CIPM Avenue Ikeja, according to Adams is an opportunity for him to reflect on the past and plan a better way forward.

Adams, who is also the convener, Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), said in a release announcing the birthday that, “this event, affords me opportunity to reflect on my immediate past with the aim of projecting into the future as I strive to build an egalitarian society where every individual irrespective of age, sex, religion, political creed and educational background will be proud of.”

The OPC leader who is also the chief promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation and a leader in Yoruba land is also a businessman.

Veteran journalist looses mum Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

A veteran journalist and former Editor of West Africa magazine, Ad’Obe Obe has lost his mother, Mama Onehi Obe. She died in her room at Okpanehe-Adoka in Otukpo local government area of Benue state where she had lived for the 75 years that she was married to her husband, Philip Obe Ofitu, who died a few years ago.

Aged 90 years, Mama Onehi Obe was an astute businesswoman who was popularly known for her trade in salt, which she molded and baked into balls for the retail market. She also traded in fish, pepper, maize, yams, guinea corn and okpehe (locust beans).

Ad’ Obe said of her Mother, “Though she did not attend a formal school, she had such a good head for figures that she was able to correct a fraudulent balance entry in her savings passbook in the old National Bank located in Otukpo, Benue state when she went for a withdrawal transaction.

“When she was no longer able to move about, she conducted business from her bedroom. Our telephone conversations would always end with her offering me advice on the revenue potential for my farm in any given season”. Mama Onehi Obe is survived by seven children including Ad’Obe Obe, who later became a Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on SERVICOM. She will be buried at Okpanehe-Adoka, Benue state on Friday, April 28, 2017.

Interview

Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 24, 2017 Thursday, April 27, 2017

27 29

s

Governor Ambode working to change Lagos In this interview with Femi Ganiyu and Joy Anyim, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, was upbeat that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, would keep Lagos dream of purposeful governance alive. Excerpts Sir, how would you describe your experience in the last five years working with two very handworking governors, first with former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; and the current Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, how would you describe your experience?

Well, I can say categorically that it has been a wonderful thing working with the two governors.

My little experience from where I came from, my background in Lagos State University, I was able to cope with challenges thrown at me. The first governor, Fashola, is a workaholic man; and the current Governor, is highly meticulous and hardworking; he, in fact, hardly sleeps. You must be on your toes twenty-four hours, because of the fact that his principle is how Lagos will move forward and not backward. So, everything we are doing is to ensure that we supersede what has been on the ground.

We are always on our toes, and it has been a pleasure working with them over these years.

I must tell you; it is like somebody moving from secondary school to the university. My first tenure as a special on rural development, I was a learner. My experience as special adviser, rural development, was like a starter. I learn how to talk there, how to listen and also how to respond to tissues. Then, we believed there were rural settings in Lagos, but now, we are saying there is no more rural setting in Lagos. So, my present assignment was based on my experience and how I was built up during the first tenure. Therefore it has been a wonderful experience working with those two highly wonderful people.

One thing must have informed the current governor to retain you as a special adviser, which is by no means a tasking job?

Well, I thank God because, it is not only I that wanted this position. A thousands of others looked forward to be a part of this government, but it is just a pleasure and privilege given to me by His Excellency, the Governor, to come and work with him.

At this point, I must appreciate him greatly for the opportunity given to serve Lagos State.

It has been said by some people that as special advisers, you people are just errand boys of the government, they call you at will, they send you on errands, is your own different from that, given your experience in the last five years?

I disagree with that, in the sense that, there are different categories of special advisers. Mine is special adviser, cabinet rank. So, I sit at the executive council of the state where decisions ares taken. I don’t see myself as an errand boy. But, having said that, we have the captain, who is the head of the ship, as he directs, you must abide and do what he says at the same time-the goal is how to move the state forward. We must move with the trends of things based on his directive. if you are asked to do something, I don’t see it as an errand boy job, but if people even term it as errand boy, even the governor is a servant of the people; so, if we are called errand boys, we are errand boys to the populace, it is not only to the governor, but to every Lagosians, we are errand boys because we are working for the success of the state.

Hunpe Let us take you back to three years ago, when you were a special adviser on rural development.

This is because in some of these rural areas, there was a lot of pollution, there is a lack of portable drinking water, electricity problem, housing challenges and all things that make Lagos look odd in some areas, even though it prides itself as the centre of excellence; and it is also moving towards a mega city status. Given your experience, what do you think are the demands of Lagosians?

Thank you very much.That is why I said of this current government. We don’t believe there is a rural area again in Lagos. His Excellency, the governor, in his wisdom, believes that whatever you have within the metropolis of Lagos that is the urban area, we must also have it in the interior. Let us take the ‘Light Up Lagos’ project for example, as we have it in the centre, we also have it in other areas, like Badagry, Ikorodu, you also it everywhere.

So, whatever they are enjoying at the centre, we also have it at the grassroots level so that development to me has shown that whatever is good for the people in the centre is also good for the people at the other end. If we look at them as rural areas, those good things will not go there. The issues of 114 roads that have given up to 181 roads now, so, all those developments are there. You know we have 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs in the state, if we have two new roads within Ikeja local government, you will also have that two new roads at Olorunda LCDA in Badagry area. Every goody that is

due for the people at the centre, is also being spread all over the state; that shows that we are bringing all our areas to the same level.

So, you feel that the governor is also toeing a similar path that people like former governors Bola Tinubu, Fashiola toed and building on it?

Exactly. You have to fall in because, it is a developmental projection, which you must follow.

Our grandfather, former governor Tinubu laid the foundation and Fashola’s regime also built on it; and now we are also developing the foundation laid by our grandfather and others.

You are from Badagry, which has been seen as the most neglected community; and with the coming of governor Ambode, do you think Badagry is now a pride of Badagarians; and in what areas can you specifically tell us are new developents? What are those developmental strikes coming up there?

As I told you before, formally people looked at Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe, those axis, as rural areas, but as of today, things are changing, if you enter Badagry at night, you will think you are at Ikeja. It wasn’t like that before. Aside that, if you go to Imeke area, going to Ajido or Winspring Palm, there is an area there, before now, if there is rain, you will need to roll your trouser up to your waist before you could pass. But today, go there, we now have a good bridge that has been constructed by the state government. So, all this development and many others, like the 48-room chalet in Badagry, develop-

ment of the water front, the cinema; the development of the sea port is coming, the discovery of crude oil is also there. So many things are coming up there and to me, I believe, these are things that make up development.

What is your advice to the people of your constituency with respect to their support for the Lagos state government?

Thank you very much. My advice to them is that if you want good things to come, you must support the government of the day; you must follow the path that those who are receiving good things are following; and the path is to support the government of the day, you must not be in the opposition. Before we were termed ‘bad agreement’, but today, in Badagry, we are good agreement; and we will continue to be good agreement. And I know my people have keyed into the system and they will never go back to the old days again.I assure you.

How are you carrying them along in terms of your own corporate social responsibility, your contribution to the youths, the elderly, women, market development and road?

Thank you very much. There is no way you can satisfy everybody. I know within my capacity, I have been trying my best in the area of attracting good projects to the area, I have been trying my possible best. In the area of human capacity development, the youths, the women, I have been trying my possible best to assist them.

What are those projects that you have attracted to that area, can you be specific?

It was during my time as a member of the Executive council, that the construction of the bridge I told you before came in; it was during my time that the road that leads to Agunvipe also came on board, it was during my time that the road constructed at Ilogbo Eremi came in, even the Imeke Bridge. Of recent, the entire Ajara axis was light up.

Were you doing it because you have political ambition or personal reasons or because you believe in the development of your community?

No. if you are serving anywhere you don’t think about yourself, you think about your people, what is good for your people, what you believe they are lacking, you must bring it on board to the table of the government for the government to know your people needs it.

Are you are a grassroots person?

Of course, if you term it so, I’m always in touch with my community, the leaders, and the youths.

If you are called upon to do some other things, maybe, on a higher level, will you respond to that call?

You see, I cannot say I will not respond because, it is my people that I have my mind to serve. It is not an issue of imposing myself on them. If I’m called upon to serve, I will definitely serve them again.

Beyond your current level and status, what else are you aiming at?

Everything is in God’s care, we cannot determine what tomorrow will be. It is God that will decide it.

News 30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 30, 2017

Prof Borishade, former minister dies

ÏÏÏProfessor

L-R: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede; President of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mr. Tony Braide; and Executive Secretary, Federal Housing Loans Board, Mrs. Hanatu Fika, at the 2017 Federal Integrated Staff Housing Summit, in Abuja… on Tuesday.

Fraudulent possession: Police arrests sick woman outside court premises on IGP order Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏOperatives

of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF on Wednesday arrested one elderly woman, Mrs. Victoria Ibiyinka Komolafe, inside the court premises purportedly on the orders of Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

Mrs. Komolafe who was having a Plaster of Paris (POP), was arrested and whisked away by eight policemen in a white bus, in the presence of her lawyer without explaining the reason for the arrest except that it was on the order of IGP. Komolafe was picked just after stepping out of a Lagos High Court where her case is before Justice I. O. Akinkugbe on stay of execution on a consent judgment which was overuled by

the judge on point of law.

Prior to her arrest, Komolafe through her lawyer had sought an order staying further execution of the consent judgment delivered July 8, 2015 and an order setting aside the execution carried out by the 5th defendant, who is the Deputy Sheriff, Ikeja High Court.

Other defendants are Dr. Adedayo Olumide Mokuolu, Kehinde Seyi Mokuolu, Idowu Oluwasegun Mokuolu, Oluwaseyi Oladipupo Mokuolu, with Titilayo Omowunmi Aguda as respondents/claimants.

She told the court through her lawyer that the judgement in question was obtained by fraud since all original documents, including C of O in respect of the property now partially demolished by virtue of

the judgment remains in her custody.

At the resumption of the proceedings, counsel to the sick woman, Chief Olusegun Raji told the court that he agreed with the ruling and that he will file necessary papers for appeal.

“My lord to avoid a situation where the judgment creditors will come again to this court to use the consent judment of this honourable court as an instrument of fraud, the applicant is desirous of appealing against the said judgement as an interested party in the subject matter of the judgement”, he said.

Citing a book written by Afe Babalola, SAN, he said, “To succeed in an application for stay of further proceeding by virtue of Order 54 of the Lagos State

High Court(Civil Proceedure), Rule 2012, one of the elements is to establish fraud in obtaining judgment which is in this instant”, he said.

He also told the court that the life of Mrs. Komolafe is in danger since she lives on the disputed property.

According to him, Mrs. Komolafe was attacked by thugs who knocked her down and injured her last week even before the ruling and that the thugs are making life unbearable for his client and prayed for her protection.

The judge however encouraged him to report the case to the Nigerian Police to take necessary action.

The victim however, said her life is under threat. “They want to kill me, she said in tears.

UN to support Nigeria’s judiciary to curb rape, sexual assaults ÏÏÏThe United Nations Office

on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says it will continue to support the Nigerian judiciary to curb the spate of rape and other sexual assaults in the country.

UNODC’s Project Coordinator of Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria, Dr Uju Agomoh, stated this at a three-day network Meeting of Justice Sector Reform Teams Conference in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Agomoh said part of the UNODC’s commitment to achieving the goal was the coordination of justice sector reform teams both at the federal and state levels.

She noted that some states have established sexual assault referral centres with requisite infrastructure through the justice sector reforms.

“The increase in sexual violence and sexual assault cases has become a thing of great concern to us.

“A lot of justice sector players have also began to see the importance of addressing this issue.

“Sexual assault referral centres have actually come up and there are pilot schemes that have been implemented through other programmes both in Enugu and in Lagos.

“Through the support of initiatives such as providing a platform for justice reform team network meetings, you find states that already have these as an approach recommending what they are doing.

“Through programmes like you see replication and multiplication of referral centres.

“It initially started with two but now through the sharing of ideas many others states are very interested in it.

“We know that Akwa Ibom State has actually dedicated a place; they have received equipment from other partners to make sure that this is done.

“In Kaduna State we have heard that there is a particular initiative whereby you have the sexual assault referral centre being supported by a donor agency.

“There are other initiatives like what can be done in terms of non-custodian measures, multi-door court houses, restorative justice, transformative justice involving community service and the adoption of the administration of criminal justice laws.’’

Agomoh also reiterated UNODC’s commitment to promoting child justice as well as to increasing access to justice and respect for human rights.

She said the bloc was committed to ensuring that the Child Rights Act, which has been signed into law, was domesticated in the various states of the federation.

“Under one of the outcomes of the UNODC projects, we have been able to provide support and funding to UNICEF to help work with us to implement that component about child’s right.”

The coordinator urged participants to continue to work towards enduring and sustainable reforms in the sector through proper coordination of stakeholders.

Babalola Borishashade, former federal minister, has passed on into eternity.

Borishade died in London on Wednesday after a brief illness.

He was initially rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, last week from where he was taken to London.

The cause of death was lung and heart–related.

Borishade was born in UsiEkiti on March 7, 1946 into the Ebi Ilotin Family.

He served as a minister for four times, between 1999-2011.

He is popularly known as an Electrical Engineer, a Teacher and a Political Strategist.

Between February 2001 and May 2003, he served as the Minister of Education.

In recognition of his contributions to Education in Nigeria, Africa and the World at large, Borishade was elected the ViceChairman of the E9 Group of the United Nations, President of the UNESCO International Conference on Education, as well as Chairman Education for All (EFA)

NCPC solicits FG’s support, targets independence in five years ÏÏÏRev.

Tor Uja, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has appealed to the Federal Government to support pilgrimage financially as it targets independence in the next five years.

Uja made the call at the Conference of Metropolitan and Zonal Coordinators with Management and Desk Officers, held at the commission’s Head Quarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

He explained that with proper strategy and work plan, the commission would be able to generate funds to mobilise and effectively take pilgrims to the Holy Land.

The Executive Secretary also said that pilgrimage was beneficial to the nation both in spiritual and socio-economic terms.

“We urge the government to give us support for five years and with the five years support, NCPC will be independent of government support for the next generations.

“If we have a proper strategy and work plan, we will be able to generate our funds by mobilising and effectively carrying our pilgrims to the promise land and bringing them back.

“We will also ensure that pilgrimage is also beneficial to our nation in both spiritual and socio- economic terms.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

EXTRATIME

31

Alteo Group Boosts Nigeria Football ANDREW EKEJIUBA

N

igeria’s foremost energy solutions company, Aiteo Group, on Wednesday signed a 5-Year partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation, which has conferred on the company the title of Official Optimum Partner of the NFF. The financial obligation to Aiteo Group is valued at N2.5 Billion in support to NFF and activation of the partnership agreement, and the marketing

agency is Mediterranean.

The partnership, which is the first in-country sports sponsorship for the energy giant, will start on 1st May 2017, and has an initial option of one-year extension.

“Aiteo Group’s overarching social responsibility objectives are to encourage a positive impact, through our activities on the society-atlarge and has successfully done so for several years.

Football brings joy to the

lives of Nigerians and each moment celebrated by families in their living rooms over a goal scored or friends catching up on highlights of a well –taken free –kick by their local heroes, leaves an indelible mark with memories for a life time,” Aiteo’s Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, said.

“This is a long –awaited injection of funds the NFF has earnestly yearned for.

We are convinced that we

are turning a new chapter in Nigerian Football with this agreement in place. As Aiteo Group is breaking grounds in all spheres, we share a vision of excellence to promoting the delight of football –loving Nigerians,” said NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire.

At Wednesday’s signing ceremony, NFF President Amaju Pinnick said: “This is a heartwarming landmark in the history of football spon-

sorship in Nigeria. I am very happy that a critical area of our expenditure is being taken care of by this agreement.”

Aiteo Group is one of Africa’s fastest –growing energy leaders. It operates through her subsidiaries of which Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd is her main subsidiary. Aiteo has a clear vision for the future, with the experience and assets necessary to provide oil and gas products on a regional and global scale.

Iwobi tasks Arsenal players on form

A

rsenal attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi has admitted that they need to prove to the fans that they are still a force in England in their last eight games of the season.

Arsene Wenger’s side who occupied seventh position in the Premier League standings before Wednesday after managing four wins in their last ten matches in the top flight, may have to settle for a Europa League spot if they don’t win their remaining matches.

“I’m the type of person who likes to keep moving forward,” Iwobi said in Arsenal’s matchday programme ahead of the Leicester game.

“You have to improve day by day and obviously we’re not doing as well as we believe we should be doing, so when the next challenge comes up we have to try to prove to the fans and prove to everyone at Arsenal what we can do.”

The Gunners number 17 added : “We have some big games coming up, so everyone should be pumped up. We need to prove ourselves in these games.

“We have to prove to everyone that we can play against these top teams.”

Arsenal battled champions Leicester City at the Emirates on Wednesday night, before facing Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their next two fixtures.

NFF plans massive support for Eagles

T

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr.

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised that everything would be in place to see the national team, Super Eagles, qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

According to the NFF’s spokesman Ademola Olajire, he said the federation is working hard to see Coach Gernot Rohr and his team to reach the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup. The Super Eagles will face South Africa in a 2019 AFCON qualifier in June, with the former African champions seeking a return to the tournament after missing the last two editions.

In August, Nigeria will play African champions Cameroon in their crucial qualifier en route to Russia.

“We are on course, everything has been put in place for the two games against South Africa and Cameroon,”

said Olajire to reporters.

“The Federation is doing everything possible to make sure we qualify for the Nations Cup and the World Cup. “As you are already aware, we took a tour of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and it has been approved for the game.

“We have also written to the Akwa Ibom State Government as regards what needs to be done to get the stadium ready.

“The Technical and Development Committee is also working hand in hand with Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr to get the team ready.

“The committee is constantly in touch with Rohr and they are expecting him to give a list of players he wants to use to prosecute the matches. He has a free hand to pick whoever he wants.

“Once this is done, the committee, alongside the coach will sit down and fine

tune the squad so that everything is in place. We are leaving nothing at ensuring the best legs prosecute these games.”

Meanwhile, Gernot Rohr has requested that Nigeria play friendly matches against teams placed higher in the FIFA rankings.

According to reports Rohr’s request will enable the team to improve their standing on the FIFA rankings - an important factor when it comes to seeding for major international tournaments.

Nigeria (placed 40th on FIFA’s latest release) have already overlooked Congo Brazzaville (84th) in favour of the higher-ranked Burkina Faso (35th) when it comes to their next friendly.

The Super Eagles are set to face the Stallions in France as part of their preparation for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in June.

Ogun Fed Cup: Remo Stars, others reach semis ANDREW EKEJIUBA

A

lmar Football Club, Remo Stars Football Club and JCTC Football Club have reached the semifinal of the 2017, Ogun State Federation Cup. Almar defeated A4 distinctive Football Club by 3 goals to 1, to reach the semifinal and JCTC edged out Olisa Football Club 6-5, on penalties, after 1-1 draw in regulation time, to also reach the semifinal.

Remo Stars however defeated Dominion Football Club, 1-0 to progress to the last four.

The last quarter final match between Gateway United Football Club and Remo Stars Feeders team will be played next Wednesday, at the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro.

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email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08050220692 Editor Daily: SAM NZEH

Thursday, April 27, 2017

VOL. 2. NO. 351

NFF plans Pg. 31 P 31 massive support for Eagles News Hotlines: 08050220561 Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

Price: N150

Rivers Utd in tough CAF Confed Cup Draw N Rivers United technical adviser, Stanley Eguma

igerian club, Rivers United, are in for a tough battle as they face Moroccan club, Fath Union Sport de Rabat (FUS Rabat) in the group stage of the 2017 Caf Confederation Cup. Rabat were winners of the

CYG: Dalung’s team concludes inspection of Bahamas facilities ANDREW EKEJIUBA

N

igeria’s delegation to the Bahamas has concluded its inspection of facilities for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) billed for Nassau in July.

The team comprising the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung, the Director Grassroots Sports, Dr Ademola Aare and the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Tunde Popoola inspected the training areas, tracks, athletes’ accommodation, indoor sports hall and swimming pools.

According to the leader of the delegation Barrister Dalung, the venues are almost ready for the 6th edition of

the games billed for July 19 to 23.

“The host city for the Commonwealth Youth Games is about 70% ready and they have assured us that all venues will be ready before the opening ceremony. We held valuable discussions with the country’s sports minister who led us on the inspection

Caf Champions League in 2010 and were also runnersup in the Caf Super Cup in 2011.

Rivers United will also face 2011 Caf Confederation Cup runners up, Club Africain of Tunisia while Ugandan club, KCAA completes the line up in Group A.

tour of hostels and other facilities.

We are impressed with what we’ve seen so far,” he said.

Nigeria will be represented by 26 athletes taking part in 7 sports namely; swimming, athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, boxing, tennis and judo.

According to the NOC Secretary General Tunde Popoola, the visit was hectic.

“Two hours after we arrived, we were taken to the World relays also holding in the Bahamas. Thereafter, we had a classroom session where we went through all registrations and events registered for and what they will provide for the contingents. The games will be held on an island and the temperature as of today is about 30 degrees.

“We were told that the temperature will be hotter during the games so these are things we need to keep in view.

Rivers United originally qualified to represent Nigeria in the 2017 Caf Champions League but after despatching Malian club, AS Real Bamako in the preliminary round, they came unstuck against Sudanese club, Al-Merreikh in the first round.

The ‘Pride of Rivers’ then dropped to Africa’s secondtier club competition, the Caf Confederation Cup alongside

all losers at the first round stage of the Caf Champions League. A 2-0 aggregate success over Rwandan club, Rayon Sports in the playoff round of the Caf Confederation meant United booked a ticket for the playoff round of the competition.

No Nigerian club has ever won the Caf Confederation Cup title and United will be looking to break that jinx.

Reacting to the draw on Wednesday, the Rivers United technical manager, Stanley Eguma expressed confidence in his side’s ability to progress to the last eight of the competition.

“I must say it is a very tough group with two North African clubs from Morocco and Tunisia but we are confident of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

“We must also not overlook or underrate (Ugandan club), KCAA who have also earned a right to be here.

“Now, we must work hard, study our opponents and try to do Nigeria proud,” he told reporters shortly after the draw.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Naira closes 387/$1 at parallel market Page B3

Market capitalisation sheds N68.5bn

Page B4

Nigerian Breweries making profit despite economic recession Page B6

LCCI wants positive engagement between govt, private sector The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called for robust engagement between the private sector and government to actualise the new period for business registration.

The Director-General of LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that there was need to constantly monitor and ensure effective implementation of the

new reform.

According to him, this will boost investors’ confidence and economic growth.

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) meeting on April 24 ended with a resolution to reduce business registration period from 10 days to two days.

The decision is to save time and reduce cost of business registration, improve the business

clime and the country’s Ease of Doing Business ranking.

According to Yusuf, the private sector is duty-bound to constantly assist government with feedbacks to achieve effective implementation of the reform.

“The decision is laudable and I believe it will have desired effects because the government is committed to it.

“As stakeholders in the economy, we should assist govern-

ment with information and feedback to drive the implementation.

“If it is not working in line with what is promised, we will engage government on it.

“What is important is that there is sincerity of purpose, government is committed to it and the council is headed by the Vice President.

“There cannot be a better commitment and seriousness

L – R: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr.

David Umahi (2nd left); Chairman of Ibeto Group, Dr. Cletus Ibeto; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Minister of State, Solid Minerals Development, Abubakar Bwari, during inspection of the NigerCem Cement Plant in Nkalagu on Tuesday.

Mainone to execute Data Center project in Sagamu

Tony Nwakaegho

MainOne, West Africa’s leading connectivity and data center solutions provider, has pledged its commitment to execute a data center project in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The company’s Chairman, Fola Adeola, disclosed MainOne’s plans to make investments that will boost ICT

BUSINESS TIMES Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

development in the State during a recent courtesy visit of the company’s Board and Management to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Adeola explained there are untapped investment opportunities in the country, adding that ICT infrastructure investments will support rapid technology proliferation in the State.

He said that “Given its market and reputation as haven for manufacturing and other enterprises, growth potential, investment-friendly disposition and proximity to Lagos State, Ogun State has the potential to become one of the major hubs of industrialization in Nigeria. Technology has a major role to play in that evolution. The focus of the state government on infra-

structural development is a welcome development, and technology will be critical to achieve the full potential for economic development.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his remarks, cited the investor-friendly posture of his administration, to ‘Rebuild the Gateway State,’ which has been attracting a significant portion of new Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into Nigeria and the state.

“We believe that infrastructure development is a vital component for Ogun State’s economic growth and have continued to invest in new road and rail infrastructure within the state, which is already transforming the ease of doing business. In addition, Ogun State has a network of 21 tertiary institutions, which guarantees employers a capable indigenous

Thursday, April 27, 2017

workforce”, Amosun said.

On her part, Funke Opeke, chief executive officer of MainOne, informed the governor that “As a pioneering broadband company in Nigeria, we are excited to partner with Ogun State by creating in Sagamua technology hub, capable of attracting local and international technology companies to do business in the state. This is similar to what we have achieved in Lagos, where we transformed the Yaba area into Nigeria’s undisputed “Silicon Valley” that is now attracting international attention and investments. Yaba is home to a significant number of Nigeria’s tech hubs and start up community and has created thousands of direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs, by stimulation of the ISP, eCommerce and ICT sectors.”

than that,” he said.

Yusuf said that the decision would boost investment, encourage more Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to formalise their businesses and spur the development of the sector for improved contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

FG signs N13bn MoU on housing Mortgage Refinancing Joy Ekeke The federal government on Tuesday moved a step closer towards delivering decent and affordable public housing for Nigerian workers by signing a N13 billion Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on mortgage refinancing.

The signed MoUs is focused at loan schemes that would make it possible for civil servants to purchase houses through the Federal Government backed Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.

The agreement was signed at the FISH Summit between Federal Government Staff Housing Loan Board (FGSHLB) and Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company, while the second MoU was entered between Family Homes Funds which is another government institution to provide affordable housing and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Also, The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Managing Director Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, Dr Charles Iyangete, signed the multi-billion loan agreement, while the Executive Secretary Federal Housing Loans Board, Hanatu Fika, signed the second agreement with the Federal Housing Authority on behalf of workers.

Already, there are over 30,000 registered and profiled off-takers who have authorised deductions of mortgage or loan repayment directly from their monthly salaries.

Meanwhile, The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS) also entered into partnership with the manufacturers of building materials led by Dangote Cement for discounted volume prices of building materials.

The HoS, Mrs. Wilfred Oyo-Ita, described yesterday’s summit as a golden opportunity to deliberate on strategies that would guarantee affordable housing as well as sustainable sources of funds for FISH Programme.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Lagos State domestic debt stood at N311.7bn in 2016 – DMO Lagos State had a local debt stock of N311.7 billion as at Dec. 31, 2016, according to the Debt Management Office.

The state, referred to as the commercial hub of Nigeria, had the highest local debt stock in the country during the period.

A document posted on the Website of DMO disclosed that total local debts of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was N2.958 trillion as at December 31, 2016.

Delta followed Lagos with N241.3 billion in local debts, while Akwa Ibom came third with N155.4 billion in local debts.

The three states were followed

by FCT with N152.8 billion debt stock, Osun with N147 billion, Rivers N142.4 billion and Bayelsa N140.1 billion.

The document also said that the lowest indebted state was Anambra with N3.9 billion, followed by Yobe with N13.5 billion and Jigawa with N19 billion.

L-R: General Manager, RB, West Africa, Rahul Murgai; Representative, World Health Organization, Dr. Rex Mpazanje; Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole and Chairman, 2017 World Malaria Planning Committee and Executive Secretary – PMGMAN, Dr. Obi Adigwe, at the Ministerial Press Briefing Co-Sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser in Commemoration of the 2017 World Malaria Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

FirstBank hosts SME Conference to drive Made in Nigeria goods First Bank of Nigeria Limited, through one of its Sustainability initiatives, the FirstBank Sustainability Centre in partnership with the Lagos Business School is hosting the 2017 SME Conference to drive creativity, innovation and productivity among local manufacturers in Nigeria.

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are pivotal to the development of any nation’s economy, and it is imperative for

public and private enterprises to nurture this sector to stimulate the production and patronage of local goods and services. This would certainly be the catalyst required to revive the economy as it would build a sustainable local business sector, generate income within the economy, create employment, and progressively move Nigeria from an import based economy to an export based economy.

The SME Conference with the

theme: ‘Made in Nigeria: Driving Productivity & Competitiveness’ would explore the role of SMEs in ensuring the sustainable economic growth of the nation, especially at a time when the Nigerian government is looking to diversify its income stream.

Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, would be the keynote speaker at the event.

The conference will bring to-

Jibunoh named new President/CEO of Transcorp Nigeria’s leading listed conglomerate operating in the power, oil and gas, hospitality and agro-industry sectors, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, has named Mr. Adim Jibunoh, as its new President/Chief Executive Officer.

Jibunoh will succeed Emmanuel Nnorom, who has been appointed President of Heirs Holdings, the Lagos based panAfrican investment firm. Jibunoh, who is currently Director, Business Development at Heirs Holdings, a strategic investor in Transcorp, will commence his position beginning June 2017.

Adim Jibunoh, a First-Class graduate in economics from the University of Port Harcourt, has spent seven years at Heirs Holdings, holding a series of senior positions and

has a background in banking, serving as an Executive Director of Standard Trust Bank Plc and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Trust Bank. He is also a non-executive director of Avon HMO and Heirs Insurance Brokers, other members of the Heirs Holdings group of companies.

Commenting on the new appointment, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Transcorp, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, said: “Adim has made a considerable contribution towards the growth of Heirs Holdings. He is highly respected within the Group and has a record of outstanding leadership and the ability to innovate and execute.

“Transcorp has a very special mission in Nigeria - we want to be the biggest provider of power to the Nigerian economy;

we want to put light in homes, schools and hospitals; we want to provide the power for Nigeria’s industrialisation; and when foreign investors come to Nigeria, we want to host them in our Transcorp Hilton hotels across Nigeria; and we want to supply indigenous oil and gas to power our industries and infrastructure. I am very certain that Adim will help us deliver on these big dreams.”

Commenting on his new role, Jibunoh expressed his commitment to helping Transcorp reach its strategic objectives. He stated that he will continue to work and live by the company’s values of “execution, enterprise and excellence”, while honouring the Group’s commitment to creating jobs, community empowerment, and improving the quality of life of all Nigerians.

gether various stakeholders in a forum for policy influencing conversations and advocacy whilst inspiring action on ‘Made in Nigeria’ products and services.

Some of the panelists at the event include Gbenga Shobo Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Peter Bamkole - Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC); Tara Fela-Durotoye – Founder/ CEO, House of Tara; Bosun Tijani – CEO, CCHub and Oluwa-

seun Onigbinde, Founder BudgiT; among others.

According to FirstBank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, FirstBank as the number one SME Bank in Nigeria understands the needs of SMEs and is able to provide bespoke solutions in promoting SME development.

“It is our sincere hope that this conference will create an exciting new landscape of opportunities for SMEs in Nigeria, boost capacity development and push the frontiers of economic empowerment initiatives in the long run”, she said.

The event would hold on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the Lagos Business School, Lekki-Epe Expressway Ajah, Lagos.

NUPENG commends FG’s proposed second refinery in North The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Wednesday commended the Federal Government on the proposed second refinery in the Northern part of the country.

Mr Benjamin Rotimi, the Vice-Chairman, South-West Chapter of the union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the initiative would reduce hardship associated with transporting petroleum products.

Recall that on April 22, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, told journalists in Bauchi State that the federal government planned to build a second refinery in the northern part of Nigeria.

Kachikwu said plans to put the Kaduna refinery in better shape were also underway.

Rotimi said the plans of the

government were laudable and would help in ensuring the availability of the product round the country.

“The second refinery will also provide employment and increase circulation of products in the north.

“With the discovery of oil in some states in the north, the second refinery will help in refining it.

“This is what we should have done more than 10 years ago,” he said.

The union leader, however, urged the federal government to also think of building more refineries in other parts of the country.

He noted that the country’s present refineries could only produce 30 per cent of Nigeria’s consumption needs, as that they were built when the nation’s population stood at 80 million.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

B3 Money Market

How small businesses can boost Nigeria’s GDP, by expert Motolani Oseni

.As MSMEs constitute over 50% GDP

An industry expert has highlighted how small businesses can boost the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while proffering solutions to challenges facing the entrepreneurs.

This is even as various estimates have said

MSMEs constitute over 50 per cent GDP, as well as generating largest proportion of employment in the country.

The Daily Times checks puts their numbers in excess of 37 million, while more than 97 per cent of these businesses operate

in the Micro space with less than 10 employees with asset base not exceeding N10 million.

Commenting on the challenges facing the sector, Managing Director/ CEO, Quest Advisory Services Ltd., Mr. Bayo Rotimi, said approximate 90

per cent of their funding requirements come from Personal savings as well as Family and Friends.

He notes that despites generating the largest proportion of employment in the country, the MSMEs still suffer from multiple challenges including but

L-R: Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; Head, Digital, CNN Nigeria, Greg Cussel; Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Henry Bassey and CNN Nigeria Representative, Henry Oligbo, during a courtesy visit to the bank’s headquarters in Lagos…yesterday.

Naira closes 387/$1 at parallel market The Nigerian currency, the Naira on Wednesday was steady at 387 to a dollar at the unofficial foreign exchange market.

At the official market, the naira closed at 305.90 against the US dollar, but at the interbank segment, the local currency, settled at 313.50 per dollar, the pound and Euro were traded at 401.75 and 341.08, respectively.

The local currency, at the parallel market also relapsed slightly against

the pound and Euro, exchanged at 495 and 420 against 490 and 415 sold on Tuesday.

The naira, at the end of trading on the previous trading day steady at 387 to a dollar, which was a lightly depreciation from the 385 traded on the first trading day of the week.

The local currency on Monday rose to 385 per dollar in the parallel market even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected another $246.2 million into the foreign exchange mar-

ket.

A survey of the parallel market revealed that the parallel market exchange rate which closed on Friday at N385 per dollar, dropped to N382 per dollar due to expectation of dollar sales to Bureaux de change (BDCs) by the CBN. Meanwhile, the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $25 million on Tuesday in its first day of offering foreign exchange to investors and exporters, it said in a statement.

The central bank also sold $96.37 million in currency forwards at an auction, it said, part of its effort to narrow the spread between official and black market exchange rates and improve foreign exchange liquidity.

The central bank has been intervening in the official market to try to narrow the spread between the official and unofficial markets and has sold about $4 billion since February, analysts say, a pace they doubt it can sustain.

not limited to the following: Lack of access to finance, financing under the right conditions, pricing, tenor, relaxed conditions (collateral), proposed collateral registry a step in the right direction etc.

Also, lack of access to markets; Gross under capacity amongst owners and managers of MSMEs poor education and skills, limited to no R&D, lack of basic systems, structures, processes, governance, financial management, automation etc; Infrastructure deficits, power, transportation, water, storage etc; Multiple taxation by agents of the Federal, State and Local Governments and Unfriendly business and operating environment, policy inconsistencies.

Others are uncontrolled influx of foreign goods and services; and ease of doing business challenges.

He, therefore, observed that government after government in the country develops and rolls out plan after plan articulating the problems and proffering solutions, but often face with challenges implementation.

“Nonetheless, in addition to the myriad of policies and programs outlined by the federal government, I would like to proffer the following thoughts that I believe would further accelerate the turnaround in the MSME space that we so desperately seek.”

According to him, whilst I acknowledge the current pressures on the nation’s finances, I reckon that the quickest way to catalyse the MSME space is to consider providing 3three to five year tax holidays.

“All that is required at this time is to get all

MSMEs to register onto a central database (starting at the CAC) and using the recommended tax holidays as an incentive.”

He explained that the government will ultimately generate significantly increased tax revenues from a much larger pool of viable businesses rather than the current situation where, “we have an appallingly low level of tax compliant businesses and it actually seems like the few compliant businesses are made to bear the financial burden of the millions of businesses operating outside the tax net.”

Mr. Rotimi, also pointed out that access to finance is another factor to be looked into, even though it should be approached from a totally different perspective.

“A lot of the special intervention programs rolled out by successive Governments in the recent passed have almost always been routed through Banks including the new kid on the block, the Development Bank of Nigeria.

“However the challenge remains the gross under capacity of banks and bankers to provide the business advisory and support services required by the MSMEs. “All businesses require finance but in my view they require Business advisory services even more.

Bankers ignore this space because they themselves lack knowledge in this area. Banks with their thousands of branches are the perfect development partners but only if they can scale up”, he said.

The finance analyst, therefore, urged that CBN to engage Bankers to ensure capacity is speedily built.

GTBank records N50.39bn PBT in Q1 2017 Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) on Wednesday declared a total sum of N50.39 billion Profit before Tax (PbT) for its First Quarter (Q1) financial period ended March, 2017.

A review of the results showed that the lender’s PBT stood at N50.39billion, representing a growth of 64 percent over N30.68billion recorded in the corresponding period of March 2016.

The Bank’s loan to customers dipped marginally by 2 per cent from N1.591trillion recorded in December 2016 to N1.563trillion as at March 2017.

Deposit from customers grew margin-

ally by 1percent from N1.986trillion in December 2016 to N2.012trillion in March 2017.

However, the bank gross earnings for the period grew by 39 per cent to N104.66billion from N75.39billion reported in March 2016; driven primarily by growth in interest income The Bank’s balance sheet remained strong with a 1.6 per cent growth in Total Assets as the Bank closed the quarter ended March 2017 with Total Assets of N3.16trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of N546.9Billion.

The Bank’s non-performing loans re-

mained low and within regulatory threshold at 3.62 per cent (Bank: 3.27%) with adequate coverage of 231.6 per cent (Bank: 266.6%). Capital remains strong with CAR of 20.03 per cent. On the backdrop of this result, Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) closed at 31.55 per cent and 5.28 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said that “Given the significant progress we made in 2016, we came into the year better equipped to navigate any further economic headwinds, and our performance in the

first quarter demonstrates our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth. We remain committed to maximizing shareholders’ value and delivering superior and sustainable return, guided by our founding values of hard work, discipline and integrity.

He further stated that “As we transform our organization into a platform for enriching lives, we are providing our customers with information and access they need to thrive. We are also leveraging our brand and networks to support small businesses through free business platforms and capacity building initiatives.

Capital Market B4 Afolabi Adesola The bullish equities transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) reversed on Wednesday, as market capitalisation declined by N68.5 billion.

The day’s performance was recorded in spite of 24 gainers paired against 10 losers, as the All-Share Index (ASI) reduced by 197.9 points, closing at 25,620.94 basis points.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Market capitalisation sheds N68.5bn The market capitalisation closed at N8.865 trillion, shedding N68.5 billion in contrast to N25 billion added previously to close at N8.933 trillion.

A total of 255.73 million shares valued at N1.67 billion were transacted by investors in 2,845 deals. This was against

the 127.43 million shares worth N909.33 million exchanged in 3,176 deals on Tuesday.

Transcorp was the most traded stock in the day’s transaction, with 56 million shares valued at N48.09 million. Oando followed in activity table with 45.43 million shares

worth N267.28 million, while UAC Property transacted 25.49 million shares valued at N47.44 million.

Diamond Bank posted a turnover of 18.17 million shares worth N15.17 million and FBN Holdings exchanged 16.33 million shares valued at N56.33

million.

Diamond Bank led the losers table with 8.79 percent drop in equity price to close at 83 kobo per share.

Transcorp followed with a loss of 6.45 percent to close at 87 kobo and Presco dropped 3.64 percent to close at N45 per share.

Dangote cement was fourth on the losers chart with a depreciation of 3.64 percent to close at N159, while Airservice

lost 3.02 percent to close at N4.17 per share.

On the other hand, Oando led the gainers’ table, growing by 6.11 percent to close at N5.73 per share.

Stanbic followed with a gain of 4.98 percent to close at N23.42, while NEM appreciated by 4.76 percent to close at 88 kobo per share.

Honeywell flourmills added 4.46 percent to close at N1.17, while Lawunion grew 4.11 percent to close at 76 kobo

Livestock Feeds Q1 administrative expenses rises to N93.05m … As gross profit rises by about 150% Bonny Amadi

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Ahmed Yakassai; Executive Director, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Halima Dangote; Managing Director, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Thabo Mab, and Human Resources Manager, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Datti Danjuma, during Dangote Flour Mills Plc re-launch of one of its product, Dangote Pasta, in Kano, on Wednesday.

UPDC Q1 2017 cost of sales records over 300% increase Bonny Amadi

..As net finance cost peaked at N1.3bn

The UACN Property Development Company Plc, consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period ended 31st march 2017, released Wednesday, showed surge in cost of sales by about 300 per cent, even as revenue ballooned.

The result released by the Nigerian Stock Ex-

change (NSE) showed that UPDC’s revenue in first quarter 2017 rose to N1.98 billion, against N682.464 million posted in first quarter 2016.

However, cost of sales peaked at N1.8 billion, against N565.33 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2016, reflecting massive on the company’s profit and loss (P/L) lines.

Cost of goods sold

(COSG) or cost of sales, translates to the raw materials and direct labour used to bring the product or service into existence.

Without these things, there wouldn’t have a product or service to sell in the first place. But when the cost is increasing, it further show that the company is expending more on production, which eats up earnings before profit is entered.

The UPDC Q1 2017 result further showed that Gross profit rose to N181.641million, from N117.130 million in the corresponding period of 2016.

Selling and distribution expenses however dropped to N31.138 million, from N38.205 million in Q1 2016.

The company recorded low administrative expenses of N287.354 million, from N299.200 million in 2016.

Livestock feeds Plc first quarter result for the period ended 31 March 2017 has shown higher administrative expenses even as gross profit grew by over 150 per cent.

The periodic result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday showed that revenue in the first quarter peaked at N3.12 billion, from N2.09 billion posted in the first quarter of 2016.

Due to rising challenges, the company’s cost of sales soared to N2.74 billion, from N1. 92 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2016.

Gross profit for the same period of Q1 2017 rose to N382.979 million, from N173.121 million recorded in the first quarter 2016, other operating income dropped to N27.581million, from N44.790 million in Q1

Transcorp group records 24% boost in Q1 2017 PAT Bonny Amadi

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), first quarter ended March 31, 2017 released Wednesday showed that the Group’s total revenue rose from N13.2bn to N15.8bn representing a 20 per cent boost compared to Q1 2016.

The conglomerates result for the Q1 2017 released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Wednesday showed that Profit After Tax peaked at N1.49billion , against Profit After Tax of N1.21bn in Q1 2016,reflecting 24 per cent YoY increase.

Gross Profit peaked at N6.94billion,

from N5.91billion recorded in the corresponding period 2016, indicating 17 per cent growth year on year (Y/Y).

Operating Profit rose to N4.23billion from N3.25billion in Q1 2016, showing 30 per cent year on year (YoY), Net Finance cost increased to N2.81billion compared to N1.52bn in Q1 2016. The result showed that the conglomerates paid tax of N238million, compared to N524million in Q1 2016.

Profit before Tax rose to N1.73billion compared to N1.72bn in Q1 2016, Profit after Tax stood at N1.49billion.

Total Comprehensive Income: closed the Q1 period at N2.1billion compared to

N1.1billio in Q1 2016, indicating 92 per cent YoY increase.

The group’s balance Sheet showed that Total Assets stood at N244.87billion up from N232billion as at 31 December 2016, while Shareholders Fund rose to N88.56billion, from N86billion as at December 2016.

Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp, said “Transcorp’s resilient performance is drawn from the diversity of our various business offerings. The closure of the Abuja Airport negatively affected occupancy for our hotel business, however this was buoyed by top line Year-on-Year

2016.

Marketing and distribution expenses BY Livestock feeds in Q1 2017 closed at N53.861million, against N51. 945 million posted in first quarter 2016. Also, Administrative expenses closed Q1 2017 higher at N93.053 million, against N68.166million recorded in Q1 2016.

The company’s Q1 2017 result further showed that profit from operations rose to N263.646 million, from N97.80 million in Q1 2016, finance expenses rose to N237.693million in Q1 2017, from N94.38 million in 2016 recorded in the first quarter 2016.

Net finance expense rose to N237.693million from N94.377 million in Q1 2016, while Profit before taxation rose to N25.954 million from N3.423million in Q1 2016.

Income tax expenses rose to N8.305 billion, from N1.095 billion posted in Q1 2016.

growth in our power business following improvements in gas supply.

He said that group said that it is positioned to recover lost grounds due to closure of Abuja International Airport. “We expect to recover the lost ground brought on by the Abuja airport closure in Q2 2017.

The reopening of the airport will pave the way for aggressive marketing that will improve traffic and occupancy at Transcorp Hotels” Nnorom added “ In addition we expect to see continued improvement in our power sector revenue as gas supply stabilises following the increased capacity of our plant arising from the recent commissioning of Gas Turbine 15”.

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27 , 2017

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Brands & Marketing B6 Stories by Godwin Anyebe The struggle between the current economic recession and brand owners in Nigeria, reminds one of the 2008 recession where the world’s largest coffee retailer, Starbucks, pulled itself out of the financial meltdown by aligning its operations with customer demands through social media.

In an attempt to increase sales, the marketing teams started a promotion to increase customer visits to stores during breakfast hours. It included a free pastry with a coffee bought before 10:30 a.m. The initiative created traction online and over one million people across the US queued up at Starbucks outlets.

Sometime in June last year, the federal government reviewed the foreign exchange policy with a view to making the forex market more flexible. This led to an official devaluation of the naira, first, from one hundred and ninety seven naira to two hundred and eighty naira, and subse-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Nigerian Breweries making profit despite economic recession quently settling at three hundred and five naira. Notwithstanding, the action, companies and brand owners continued to grapple with the challenge of sourcing and procuring foreign exchange.

Also the disparity between the official forex rate and the parallel widened even further, with the latter going as high as four hundred and ninety five naira in the course of the year, thereby making business difficult for brands owners.

In the midst of all these, Nigerian Breweries PLC, one of the leaders in Nigerian beer market has recorded N314 billion revenue for 2016. Speaking to journalists in a media briefing ahead of its Annual General Meeting recently in Lagos, Managing Direc-

tor of the Company, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde ascribed the success to the company’s twin agenda of Cost Leadership and Market Leadership, supported by Innovation.

According to him, “the analysis of the audited results shows that the N314 billion revenue represents a 6.7% growth from the N293 billion it recorded in 2015. The declared total dividend of N3.58 per share is also a 100% earnings pay out.”

“When all factors are considered, our results have been positive and creditable over the years. Despite the deterioration in consumer purchasing power, our robust brand portfolio which covers a broad spectrum of consumer needs enabled us to pro-

tect revenue and profitability,” he said.

Further, he pointed out that; “The operating environment in 2016 was very challenging especially from an input cost, FOREX and purchasing power perspectives. Our volume growth was in the mid-single digit region, coupled with the price increases that we implemented positively impacted our revenue growth, “ Meanwhile the board of the company has recommended a total dividend of N28, 386, 181, 179 (Twenty Eight Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty Six Million, One Hundred and Eighty One Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Nine Naira only), for approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting which

holds on May 3, 2017. The total dividend amounts to N3.58 (three Naira fifty kobo) per ordinary share of fifty kobo each for the 2016 financial year.

It would be recalled that the company had earlier paid an interim dividend of N7.9 billion, that is, N1.00 (One Naira only) last year to its shareholders.

Thus, the final dividend will be N20. 5 billion that is, N2.50 (Two Naira fifty kobo) per share.

According to Vervelde, the operating environment in 2017 is expected to be similar to 2016, but the company is confident that it is well positioned to adapt to the operating environment as required, and stay committed to delivering a good return on investment to shareholders.

Lucozade does not contain Benzoic acid - Suntory

Chi Limited unveils Breakfast with Chivita 100% campaign CHI Limited, one of Nigeria’s market leaders in fruit juices and dairy, producer of the 100% fruit juice brand , has unveiled its new marketing communication campaign tagged ‘#BreakfastWithChivita100%.

This is part of efforts to reinforce its flagship’s brand proposition and drive awareness initiatives for a complete healthy breakfast.

Speaking on the Communication campaign in a statement made available to newsmen recently in Lagos, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, Head of Market-

ing, Chi Limited said, “The new #breakfastwithchivita100% television advertisement is part of our strategic effort to highlight the importance of a complete and healthy breakfast to consumers. We understand the role a creative television commercial can play in influencing consumer choice to live a healthier life and have spared nothing to ensure only the best television advertisement and product is out there for our consumers. It is our belief that through the course of this campaign consumer would em-

brace the choice of a healthy and complete breakfast with Chivita 100%”.

According to him, “the look of the television advertisement showcases the creativity and strategic intent of the brand managers as every quality of Chivita 100% fruit juice is portrayed with sublime imageries. It also engages consumers by showcasing internationally renowned football stars like Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly. The television commercial which is currently been aired on terrestrial and satellite channels portrays a brilliant depiction of these football stars engaging in amazing soccer artistry as they are teleported into a Pinball machine.”

“Wayne Rooney challenges his team mates and they eagerly take up the challenge with the goal of reaching 100% success in the game. This goal closely resonates

with the brand’s value of 100% commitment and 100% achievement. More importantly, it reiterates the refreshing and nourishing value of the 100% fruit Juice as an addition for a complete breakfast.” He added. he pointed out that, “busy lifestyles have meant that more people are tending towards skipping breakfast or having inadequate breakfast diets. Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day and a good chance to get a head start on packing in the nutrients the body needs to function well. Through its newly launched communication campaign which is being deployed through television, digital, out-of-home, consumer activation and point of sales, Chivita 100% seeks to be at the forefront and own complete healthy breakfast narrative in the minds of consumers with scheduled activities in the weeks and months ahead.

Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria Limited manufacturers of Lucozade have assured its consumers that its range of Lucozade drinks do not contain benzoic acid and as such are safe and healthy for human consumption. The clarification became necessary after some media reports claimed that benzoic acid has been detected in Lucozade.

In a media statement from the management recently in Lagos, the company said that all its brands are produced in line with local and international standards and it will not compromise quality or endanger the lives of Nigerians.

“Our attention has been drawn to media reports on an investigation commissioned by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) to analyse the levels of benzoic acid contained in soft drinks produced in Nigeria in which our brand Lucozade was mentioned. Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria Limited will like to state categorically that Lucozade does NOT contain benzoic acid and our products are processed and manufactured under the best quality standard that meets both local regulations and global guidelines” the statement said.

It was further stated that “our local supervisory agencies including NAFDAC and SON routinely validate our processes and standards to ensure the safety of our products for consumer benefits.”

In view of this clarification, the company reassured its consumers of its commitment towards producing brands that Nigerians can trust at all times.

“Lucozade is a drink of heritage that has energised Nigerians for over four decades.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

B7 AgriBusiness

6, 000 farmers achieve high yield in soybean, cowpea production — IITA The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have assisted 6,000 farmers in the country to achieve high yield in soybean and cow-pea production.

Dr Nkeki Kamai, the Coordinator, N2 Africa Project, made this known at the Annual National Partners Review and Planning Workshop, which the institute cohosted with the foundation.

He said that through the assistance, the farmers recorded remarkable feats in soybean and cowpea production, adding that the two crops had been neglected in the past.

He said that the development would improve farmers’ income, livelihood and the quest to diversify the country’s economy through agriculture.

He said that the feat was recorded under a new project known as

N2Africa, which entailed nitrogen fixation in the soil to boost the productivity of smallholder farmers growing legumes across Africa.

Kamai said that the five-year project, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was currently in its third year, adding that it had increased farmers’ productivity, improved household nutrition and boosted incomes.

“So far, a lot has been achieved through this project. We are into leguminous crops such as cowpea, beans, soybean and groundnut because these crops are important for household usage.

“Ironically, these crops have been neglected in the country despite their huge importance. Our target is to close the yield gap that farmers were getting before the coming of the project.

“From the results we have gathered so far, there are lots of im-

provements in terms of outputs.

“Before now, farmers usually get one tonne per hectare but today, because of the best agronomy introduced to them (farmers), they get 2.5 to three tonnes per hectare.

“Through the new project, we introduced a new technology called inoculants to prevent diseases in

the crops,’’ he added.

Kamai said that research was underway to get inoculants for other crops because of their importance, adding that the process was relatively cheap as it involved the process of fixing nitrogen in the soil.

“IITA is the implementing part-

ner of the project in Nigeria. We will make sure we cover much more farmers; more than what we have proposed,” he said.

Kamai said that there were pests that fixed bacteria naturally to crops via the root, while inoculants reinforced the strength of the crops.

“What farmers need at this stage is inoculants; that is why this technology is important,” he said.

The coordinator said that the technology was environmentfriendly because it was natural, adding that it would also save farmers from the burden of looking for fertiliser, which was expensive and not forthcoming.

Kamai, nonetheless, encouraged farmers to key into using the technology because of its efficacy and ability to facilitate the country’s efforts to achieve food security.

Support farmers input system, IAR&T urges state govts

The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, has urged state governments in the SouthWest geopolitical zone to support the activities of Research-ExtensionFarmers-Input Linkage System (REFILS) in their states.

The institute’s Executive Director, Prof. James Adediran, made the call at the South-West REFILS workshop in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The theme of the workshop is “Diversification

and Sustainability of Agricultural Production: the Role of Mechanisation’’.

Adediran underscored the need for the state governments to make concerted efforts to boost food security and sustainable agricultural production in their states by assisting all those who were engaged in agriculture.

He appealed to stakeholders, friends of research institutes and Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) to fund the activities of REFILS.

“We have to forge ahead with this mission if we want to be relevant to the needs of our farmers; all hands must be on the deck to achieve success,” he said.

The executive director noted that the level of performance and achievement of ADPs in the South-West states were quite low because of “epileptic’’ financial support.

Adediran, however, said that some of the technologies developed by IAR&T in the last few years were now available for the

farmers’ use.

He stressed that research was dynamic, while new grounds must be broken continually to improve the well-being of mankind.

He added that research efforts in the agricultural sector should be tailored toward solving the farmers’ problems.

In his keynote address, Mr Abiodun Oladehinde, a former Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, stressed the need to encourage the local manufacture, repair and servicing

of agriculture machinery and implements.

He said that government should assist local fabricators by providing financial aid for them.

Oladehinde underscored the need to increase research and development efforts on agricultural mechanisation, particularly in the country’s universities.

Earlier, Prof. Gabriel Oluwatosin, the SouthWest Zonal Coordinator of REFILS, said that the workshop was organised every year to consider cur-

rent reports on REFILS in the six geopolitical zones.

He said that the aim of the workshop was to bring scientists, non-governmental organisations, policymakers, and farmers, among others, together to find pragmatic solutions to the production challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Oluwatosin said that it would also review the results of research and farming trials conducted by the ADP’s in the zone, while considering new proposals.

Adesina said with IITA training initiative and the financial support from AfDB, more youths would be interested to go into agribusiness.

He said that AfDB was working with 33 countries to give assistance to youths in agriculture.

Adesina said Zambia, Sudan, GR Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria had already been given necessary assistance in 2016.

He said that the bank was targeting 37,000 youths in Nigeria who would be given $50,000 each as support in agriculture business.

“The $280m that we have approved for Nigeria cannot be enough; we need $1.8 billion to

accommodate the 37,000 youths.

“This is why we are giving 80 per cent of the money to commercial banks so that they can lend from their own balance sheet and we expect that every dollar we put in would generate five dollars,’’ he said.

Adesina said the programme was for young graduates who could easily be trained on agriculture.

He said that evidence had shown that youths could become the driving force of agricultural transformation in Nigeria if given access to the agribusiness enterprise.

Mr Ken Lohento, the Programme Coordina-

tor, Technical Centre for Agriculture (CTA), highlighted various job opportunities in ‘Agripreneur’

which may not involve working on the farms.

Lonhento said that most youths were not

aware of these opportunities, resulting in many of them shunning the agriculture sector.

AfDB approves $280m to support Nigerian youths in agriculture The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said that the $280 million approved by the bank would be used to encourage Nigerian youths to go into agro-business.

Adesina, represented

by Dr Chiji Ojukwu, a Director in AfDB, stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan at the African Youth Agripreneurs (AYA) Forum organised by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

The forum was convened to attract youths across Africa into agribusiness as well as mentor them to invest in agriculture.

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Lagos Motor Fair to showcase 50 automobile participants indoors Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Over 50 reputable and major players in the global automotive industry will be showcasing the best and latest from their stables as the 12th Lagos Motor Fair & 6th Autoparts Expo kicks off at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from April 28 to May 4, 2016.

Disclosing this during a media briefing, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Chairman of the Organising Committee said that the event, which is organized

by BKG Exhibitions Limited of Nigeria and SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Istanbul, Turkey, was recording such turnout in these challenging

times underscores the seriousness of stakeholders to keep the sector running.

Mr. Agwu, who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, noted that the presence of these giants will go a long way in reinforcing the aims and objectives of the show which is fasttracking the development of the automotive sector in Nigeria. Their coming at this time shows seriousness and resilience on their part. “The theme of this edition is: New approach; new options; new opportunities’, which is informed by the enormous challenges facing the sector in recent times especially in Nigeria. The challenges notwithstanding we shifted to new ap-

proach of educating the people and government in developing new options and approaches for creating and harnessing new abundant opportunities in the sector through new approaches to achieve better customer relationship ,marketing, etc; looking at the future. The emphasis is on keeping the sector alive”.

According the head of the organizing committee, Lagos Motor Fair remains the unparalleled gathering of established brands as well as new entrants, ranging from passenger busses, cars, trucks, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, financials and many more; adding that the importance of continuously staging the show cannot

be over-emphasized as all hands must be on deck to promote and support investments into the sector, as it occupies a strategic position in enhancing the economic development of Nigeria” Continuing Mr. Agwu revealed, “As part of our efforts in promoting investment into the automotive sector, all strategies have been deployed to ensure that the fair more than ever before receives the needed attention from participants, institutional, trade, professional and individual buyers as well as visitors. We have packaged a show that could effectively be used by the participants and visitors to maximize the benefits derivable from the fair.

Ford donates three vehicles to automobile training centre Ford Motor Company recently donated three vehicles - a Ranger, an Everest and a Figo to the Coscharis’ CG Eko LLP Automobile Training Centre in Ikeja. This is a continuation of Ford’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s automotive industry. Ford is unswerving in its efforts to reduce the skills gap in Nigeria by training technicians to become experts in the automotive industry. Automotive technicians in Nigeria must be trained to compete globally.

The CG-Eko LLP Training Centre in Lagos recently took delivery of a 2.5-litre Ranger in fourwheel drive double cab configuration along with a 3.2-litre Everest SUV and 1.5-litre Figo hatchback. Ford previously donated an EcoSport to the training centre in March 2015 and two Rangers were handed over in April 2016. The donated vehicles are used for demonstration and practical technical training.

Skilled automotive technicians are a key component for Nigeria to move forward as a competitive automotive country in Africa. It is anticipated that as many as 600 technicians will be trained on these vehicles.

The recently donated vehicles incorporate many of the latest features, making them vital links in introducing the techni-

cians to this new technology. The training includes theoretical instruction and exercises in the classroom as well as practical training in the workshop which educates students on the basic features of automotive transmissions, brake and suspension system analysis and basic systems testing and analysis among other activities.

The previous vehicles donated by Ford - two Rangers and an EcoSport - have benefited many technicians already by supporting the training programme, providing physical Ford vehicles that the trainees can take apart and put back together again, thereby leading to a technically skilled workforce that is more proficient and productive.

Sunday Tanimowo, the Training Manager at CG-Eko LLP, is enthusiastic about the benefits that will accrue from the donation of additional vehicles for use at the training centre. “We are very grateful to Ford for donating these vehicles to the centre. It’s important that organisations such as Ford continue to support the training of technicians in Nigeria by providing them with the latest models. Our aim is to help grow Nigeria’s overall automotive industry by providing skilled technicians that can compete globally.”

Kia partners Arthouse creative exhibition

New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: Born to run The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a spacious, refined van that offers mobility in an economical and sustainable manner. With its low emissions and fuel consumption, The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter provides first class transportation of passengers and cargo safely to any desired destination. Now available for immediate delivery in Nigeria, the Sprinter serves as a key instrument for mass transport of people and goods all around the country. It takes the strain off the driver’s daily workload by yielding a load compartment of 17 cubic meters, which ac-

commodates a payload of 2695 kilograms.

It comes in multiple configurations for either moving cargo, cabin crew or transporting just passengers. The cargo van fits two front seats to an empty cargo bay, while the crew van essentially adds a three-place rear bench seat to the cargo van, raising seating capacity to five.

In addition, the Sprinter can be easily converted to a minibus when seats are installed in the cargo area; thus accommodating up to 12 passengers across its four-row seating. The crew and passenger vans are available in two wheel-

bases and two roof heights (standard and high), with a third roof height (super high) available on the cargo van.

Powered by a 258HP 6 cylinder petrol engine, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter possesses a gross vehicle weight of 3.2tonnes and runs on a five speed automatic transmission for petrol engines or an optional 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven speed transmission for diesel engines. The available BlueEfficiency package helps to reduce fuel consumption to 7 liters per 100 kilometers as its eco start/ stop function promptly stops the engine during

waiting periods in traffic and restarts it as soon as the driver is ready to move again.

On the inside, the Sprinter combines functionality and comfort for an enjoyable driving experience.

Standard equipment include black Tunja fabric seat covers and upholstery, laminated windshield glass, sun visor for driver and passenger, a side shelf, height adjustable head restraints for the driver and co-driver, three-point seat belt for all seats. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers a wide variety of optional extras to suit the needs of the driver.

Kia Motor Company is partnering Arthouse Contemporary to bring yet again one of the best creative exhibitions of the works of art of the celebrated painter and mixed media artist, Diseye Tantua in the on-going S’Art solo exhibition. The solo exhibition brings together the works of both Tantua and master artist and architect Demas Nwoko as it sets to attract the teeming enthusiasts of creativity and ingenuity from all works of life to the Kia Showroom in Victoria Island Lagos.

The exhibition titled S’Art was coined from the past tense of the word ‘sit’ chronicling the influence of Nwoko’s chairs on the Tantua, as well as celebrating the life and works of Demas Nwoko at 81. Best known for his iconic style of “Afro Pop Art,” Tantua’s combination of graphic symbols, bold colours and expressive text is adjudged one of the most creative works of art

in this part of the world.

His drawings are based on traditional proverbs that are made popular by headboards and bumper stickers on buses, taxis, tricycles and street signs. Tantua focuses on social groups in urban spaces around the city, often depicting forms of transit and movement.

It will be recalled that Kia has over the years partnered Arthouse to present a meld of beautifully designed cars and astonishingly curated works of art that make its showroom a destination for collectors and enthusiasts of not just cars, but also modern art and design. In this exhibition, Tantua is showcasing his recent threedimensional objects, forming the subject matter of his paintings in the round.

Using vintage cars, among them his father’s classic cars, Tantua has created chairs, couches, and tables that have been welded and painted to breathe new life into the salvaged car parts.

The Edo Times

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Obaseki assures local government pensioners on payment of arrears

ET 3

Edo-Azura power plans attracts ET 2 World Bank, IMF interest …Urges citizens to embrace FG’s GEEP ÏÏÏ Edo State Government has

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle), his deputy, Philip Shaibu, with some state government functionaries and National Emergency Management (NEMA) officials when the latter paid a courtesy visit on the governor at Government House Benin...recently

EDSG set to prosecute forest reserve encroachers

Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ Edo State Governor, Mr. God-

The Edo

T E A M

win Obaseki, on Wednesday, said his administration is set to prosecute and punish those encroaching on the state’s forest reserve, especially Ogba Zoological Garden in Ogba Community of the state.

He made this known while receiving management and staff of Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), led by the Executive Director, Adeshola Adepoju, on a courtesy visit to the Edo State Government House in Benin City, the state capital.

Governor Obaseki said his government would focus on reviving the forest reserve in the state because it was the heritage of the

people, and his administration was set to draft a bill, which would be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly (ESHA) to institutionalise a Forest Commission, which the state was prepared to set up to revive forest reserves in the state.

He continued that the move to create a forest commission was a fallout from the environment workshop organised by the state government.

“The issue of forest reserve kept playing up when we had a workshop on environment and the determination to save the forest gave rise to the move to set up a forest commission to help regenerate our forest reserve,” he said, adding that the move was important and urgent.

“Edo State has barely 15 per-

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Titus Akhigbe

cent of forest resources, and, as a government, we are committed to rebuilding our forest reserve. We will soon start rolling out our administration’s forestry plan”, he revealed.

The governor explained that he had put some modalities in place to boost investments in the forestry business, which would complement the state’s efforts to rebuild her forest reserve.

“We will need support and collaboration in this area and your visit is apt at this time as your institution has the experience, knowledge and capacity to collaborate with my administration to ensure we rebuild and re-grow our forest reserve. We have so many areas to partner with you so that you can help us bring back standard practices in our forest reserve”.

Meanwhile, the leader of the FRIN delegation, Adeshola Adepoju, hailed the governor for the cooperation and mutual understanding that existed between the

Institute and the state.

He said Edo State is still one of the stakeholders in the left-over forest cover of the country, even though forest cover had depleted to less than 5 percent, contrary to the expected minimum of 25 percent.

“The purpose of this visit is to intimate you on the activities of the Institute and to strengthen our existing relationship and hopefully explore other areas of cooperation that will bring further development to the state especially in the area of forestry”.

Adepoju said research activities in Edo State started over 40 years ago at Sakponba Forest reserve, continuing that the institute had established several hectares of research plantations in Sakponba, Ubiaja, Agbede, Uzairue as well as permanent Sample Plots (PSP) and Strict Natural Reserve (SNR) in Urhonigbe, Iguobazuwa, Ohosu and Okomu purely for research purposes.

called on citizens of the state to avail themselves of the opportunity of the Federal Government General Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP), saying that the forms are still available for collection.

The government said this on Monday, adding that over 1,000 farmers, business cooperatives and market associations across the state have so far registered for the loan scheme.

A statement from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki said the forms are available at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Besides, the statement explained the process of the implementation of the enterprise programme in the state.

It said: “GEEP is part of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme geared towards the empowerment of petty traders, market women, small-scale farmers and artisans in the country.

“The scheme targets the registration of over 120,000 cooperatives and associations in the state to benefit from loans ranging from N10, 000 to N100,000 in the first phase.

“We have called for expression of interest; the programme is for cooperatives and not for individuals, but individuals are allowed to form associations. So far, over 600 co-operative societies and 400 associations have come to take the ‘expression of interest form.

“The loan is a soft credit facility to the lower cadre of the society, which has a repayment period of 6 months (24 weeks) and has a moratorium of between 2 to 3 weeks”.

It added saying, “Once an association completes repayment of the loan disbursed at the first phase, it would be qualified for the second phase, which is a loan of N250, 000 and that the federal government’ agent for the programme in the state was in charge of the disbursement of the loan to the qualified beneficiaries”.

The Edo Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

EDSG to foot quintuplets’ hospital bills

Edo-Azura power plans attracts World Bank, IMF interest

win Obaseki, has paid a surprise visit to the Uduehi family, which recently gave birth to a set of quintuplets at the National Hospital in Abuja.

Uduehi, who hails from Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, had earlier expressed surprise and joy at having five children at once, revealing that they had only asked God for twins.

A statement endorsed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki said, “Governor Obaseki, on hearing the news, immediately paid the family a visit through a representative, and supported them with N1 million, while he also promised them of additional support by covering the medical bills among other bills”.

The delegation representing the

Stories by Titus Akhigbe

ÏÏÏEdo State Governor, Mr. God-

governor was of the Edo State Abuja Liaison Office, and was led by Mr. Festus Osagie Osaigbovo, who said: “We are here at the instance of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the governor of Edo State.

When he heard of the quintuplets delivered at the Abuja Hospital, he immediately put together this team from the liaison office to bring warm greetings to you (the family) and this hospital”.

He continued: “He has assured that he will settle all the bills that may arise from the care of these children. The governor will personally visit the family and the quintuplets”.

The family, consisting Mr. Imudia Mark and Mrs. Oluwakemi Uduehi, is based in Abuja and have named their children Ainose, Esose, Osejade, Obehi and Omose.

EDSG set to receive 2.6m treated mosquito nets, collaborates with FMH ÏÏÏ Edo State Government is to

commence immediate renovation of its Central Medical Stores in Benin City, the state capital, in preparation for the receipt of about 2.6 million insecticide treated mosquito nets to be distributed to in the 192 wards across the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the move is in furtherance of the state’s health policy to collaborate with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the roll back malaria campaign.

The Deputy Governor made this known while inspecting facilities at the state owned medical stores in Benin, on Wednesday.

According to him, the visit was to carry out on the spot assessment on the facility to know whether the medical stores has the capacity to keep the expected 2.6 million nets before distribution.

Shaibu noted that despite the short time frame, the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed that all modalities must be in place

before the arrival of the third and fourth tranches of the treated nets, adding that the governor also directed that the beneficiaries across the 192 wards in the local government areas must be properly sensitised towards the use of the insecticide treated nets before distribution.

He assured that the state health committee being headed by himself will be thorough in the supervision and monitoring of the distribution process, explaining that the state government would not leave anything to chance as it was ready to collaborate with all supporting agencies and the none governmental organisations to ensure equitable distribution to the 192 wards in the state, especially the rural communities.

“On the issue of ensuring that the nets get to the rural areas, where they are needed most, we will ensure that proper monitoring is done across all the local governments and we are collaborating with nongovernmental organizations so as to ensure that the right people get the nets,” Hhe emphasised.

Group proffers solution to stem money laundering, terrorism ÏÏÏ

Director, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit and inter-Government Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Correspondent to Nigeria, Mr. Francis Usani, has stated that the globalisation of money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism crimes “does not leave any gaps for an African-specific crime regime as some people try to suggest.”

Going further, he asked: “What is the relationship between adequate or inadequate rule of law, to the capability of the state to attract enough foreign direct investment?”

He was speaking at an annual

public lecture series on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Regimes in West Africa held at the University of Benin on Monday.

According to him, “the questions that will always come to mind are: why are we continually experiencing socio-political adversity in our region?

“Can we experience a boost in social and human capital for sustainable development in West Africa by always calling on the Western nations, development partners and world bodies to send more donations or other forms of aid to Africa and the Region in particular?”

Benin

ÏÏÏ The Edo State Government’s

performance index in promoting Independent Power Plants (IPP) as a business model and opening up economic opportunities has received international recognition, as it became the cynosure of over 10,000 international personalities at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Spring Meeting in Washington DC last week.

This was as the Azura Independent Power Plant, financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is expected to provide electricity to 14 million residential consumers, was highlighted to display how the World Bank Group’s collaboration supports the development and implementation of infrastructure development.

A statement from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to state Governor, Mr. John Mayaki, recalled that this project was initiated during the administration of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, in which Governor Godwin Obaseki, as the Chairman of the State’s Economic Team, midwifed and facilitated the project to the state, thereby making Edo state an investor destination in sub-Saharan Africa.

Meanwhile, the Azura power project includes the construction, operation and maintenance of a 459 megawatts gas-fired open-cycle power plant near Benin City, and necessary to add power to the national grid while being considered a priority project for the Federal Government.

With the ability to produce 459 megawatts in the first phase alone, the plant is expected to be the first Greenfield Independent Power

Project post sector reform to come on stream and has been described as a ground-breaking project set to pave the way for future private sector driven IPPs in Nigeria.

In a special publication widely circulated at the World Bank IMF Office Complex to over 10,000 participants, titled: “Nigeria: the AzuraEdo Independent Power Plant”, it was revealed that the power plant was part of a scheme called the Energy Business Plan (EBP).

It was further explained that the sponsors raised a total of $868m through equity contributions, while the power plant would deliver muchneeded additional power to Nigeria, and, in turn, the broader West African power grid.

On the benefits of this, the publication said: “The project is expected to provide access to affordable electricity to about 14 million residential consumers at a fraction of the cost of self-generated power”.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Edo State,Dr. Peter Ugbodaga (left) explains some points to the state Deputy Governor,Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, who was on inspection of Medical stores,Uselu, Benin ...on Wednesday. With them is Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Ehigiamusor and Director/Programme Manager, Essential Drugs, Dr. Ikpefan Solomon.

Security: Group urges Obaseki to check activities of Fulani herdsmen ÏÏÏ A popular social-cultural or-

ganisation, Benin National Congress (BNC), has raised the alarm over what it described as the unusual large concentration of Fulani herdsmen in major areas of Edo South Senatorial district.

The Group in a statement signed by its Director of Correspondence, Comrade Raymond Evbuomwan, said the clandestine activities of the marauding herdsmen is capable of jeopardising the peace of the state and called on Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to rise to the looming security threat.

The statement reads: “We have received oral complaints, and consequent upon same, we caused our relevant committee to investigate allegations of mass camping of Fulani youths in our rural communities; our findings portrayed a

picture of desperate ‘settlers’ who have been recruited for unclear devious objectives.

“It is no news in Nigeria that a bulk of kidnappings are perpetrated by these stern looking Fulani, and their massive assembly around our farming and fishing communities have forced our young women, old women and old men out of our villages to flee, judging by the rising cases of rape, brutality and the untouchable toga they carry on based on the seeming protection they get from law enforcement agencies.

“Mr. Governor, you will appreciate that most visitors and settlers in Benin Kingdom have been paying our hospitality with hates and other stereotypical tendencies of ungratefulness, and the need to seek your intervention urgently cannot be overemphasized as our youths are at the verge of seeking

self-help with unpleasant repercussions.

“The Benin National Congress and our esteemed people will not take responsibility for self-defence if the rapacious tendencies of these herdsmen are not effectively checkmated urgently. Is it Siluko, Egor, or Ehor, Abudu, or Ologbo, the rights to freedom of movement and agriculture of our people are daily trampled upon as they are either kidnapped or raped or assaulted by these herdsmen.

“As a group committed to the promotion, protection and projection of the core values of hospitality, culture and industry, it has become incumbent on us to sound it to your knowledge that the elasticity of ‘suffering and smiling’ condition of our people is fast degenerating into self-defence if adequate security is not provided”.

The Edo Times 3

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

EDSG to renovate Central Medical Stores ÏÏÏ The Edo State Government

Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu (middle) and other top Government officials with Local Government Pensioners when the pensioners visited the Government House, Benin City…on Monday

EDSG to clampdown on traffic offenders, street traders Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ

Edo State Government has expressed worry over the malaise of street hawking and the “self-induced chaotic traffic situation” in the state’s metropolis, warning that it would deal ruthlessly with those responsible for the lawlessness.

Besides, the government said it was dealing with the issue in a sustainable manner, with strategies that could provide a lasting solution to the challenges facing traffic management and street hawkers.

A statement endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. John Mayaki said: “the government is not unaware of complaints made and issues raised via the social media concerning the state of Traffic Management in the State and challenges experienced in commuting within the state”.

On the issue of heavy traffic in the state, we spend time in detail to understand every issue before we proffer solutions to such issues. So, we have deliberated on the cause of traffic problems in the state.

The media aide admitted that there was an increase in the volume of economic activities, particularly in Benin City, which has brought about an increase in traffic, movement, and settlement, adding that some of the issues identified were illegal trading on the streets, reckless driving by commercial drivers and bad roads.

He said, “This administration is a progressive one and we have made plans to repair the roads in the state.

This will ease the tension on traffic in the inner roads connecting to the major roads to an extent, and we will ensure that every driver obeys the traffic laws.

“The government has hired an

expert with immense experience in traffic management, and he will head the Edo State Traffic Management Agency. He has resumed work, and in a fortnight, the structure we are designing will manifest in traffic management across the city.

“Our administration is not aiming to provide ad hoc solutions to the problem; we aim to fix traffic management permanently and on a sustainable basis.

“250 young men and women are being trained and once their training is complete, we will deploy them to manage and help regulate traffic in the state.

“Once more, this government appreciates the feedback and we want to assure you, the good people of Edo State, that we are taking every step possible to fix the problems in the state and make life easier”, he said.

Obaseki assures local government pensioners on payment of arrears ÏÏÏ

Local government pensioners in Edo State, on Monday, protested non-payment of their entitlements as they visited the Edo State Government House where Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, addressed their grievances.

The protest later became a congenial meeting as both parties reached a truce on the modalities of the government’s ongoing efforts to offset their outstanding arrears and set the tone for sustainable payment process.

They also asked for settlement of their outstanding pension arrears, enrolment of newly retired pensioners, harmonisation of their pensions, and regular payments of their monthly pensions.

They also alleged that the bailout funds from the Federal Government had been used to pay the

state pensioners but the local government pensioners were still being owed arrears.

Addressing the pensioners on behalf of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu noted that the government felt it was lawful for them to express their grievances, as the Pensioners Association was to serve as a mediator between the state government and the pensioners.

He said: “This is not the first time we are talking. The last time, both State and Local Government pensioners came. We discussed the issue of bailout, how it would be used and we had another meeting with the governor on it. Today, the issue of state has already been resolved. For state pensioners that have been captured, before the Governor or Deputy Governor receives their salary, they are the

first to be paid. They are paid before even workers in the civil service get their salaries”.

He, however, rued the fact that the Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners was not present at the protest because the state did not owe any money to the pensioners.

Explaining, he revealed that since 2008, Local Governments had been in charge of their internally generated revenue, so they had also been in charge of their workers’ pensions.

Nevertheless, the state had been responsible for paying the pensions of its workers and had already done so with the bailout funds from the federal government, while also putting modalities in place for a sustainable method of paying the pensioners their entitlements and gratuities.

is to commence immediate renovation of its Central Medical Stores in Benin, in preparation for the receipt of 2.6 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

The nets are a part of the roll back malaria campaign of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is being organised in collaboration with the state government.

Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Philip Shuaibu, stated this in Benin on Wednesday while inspecting facilities at the stateowned central medical stores.

Shuaibu said that despite the short time frame, the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, had directed that modalities must be in place before the arrival of the third and fourth tranches of the treated nets.

He explained that the state government was ready to col-

laborate with the WHO in furtherance of the state’s health policy.

The deputy governor explained that proper monitoring of the treated nets would be done across all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Ugbodaga, who conducted the deputy governor and his team round the facility, said the state had already taken the delivery of the first and second trenches.

Ugbodaga said that the state had received 36 trucks of the nets, while about 34 trucks are being expected in June, this year.

He explained that the distribution of the insecticide-treated nets would be done in July and August, this year, across the 192 wards in the state.

Customs destroy N216.3m smuggled poultry products in Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ Owerri, on Tuesday in Benin, the Edo State capital, destroyed imported smuggled poultry products valued at N216.3 million.

The officer in Charge of the FOU in the zone, Mr. Usman Dahiru, spoke on behalf of the Area Comptroller in Charge of Edo and Delta, Mr. Oni Ogbemu, at the destruction ceremony.

Dahiru said the products were seized on April 19 along the Benin-Ekiadolor axis of the BeninLagos road.

He said that a truck with regis-

tration number: Lagos AJL 861 XA carrying 24,032 cartons of imported poultry products was arrested by officers of the unit at 7:22 p.m.

The officer said that the products were destroyed in compliance with the Federal Government policy banning the importation of poultry products.

The destruction was witnessed by officials of the customs, police, DSS, NSCDC, NAFDAC, The Nigerian Immigration Service as well as the Edo Environmental Protection Agency.

Senate Deputy Whip mourns Senator Adeleke ÏÏÏThe Deputy Whip of the Sen-

ate, Senator Francis Alimikhena, has expressed shock over the sudden departure of a worthy colleague, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who recently passed away.

He expressed sadness and pain for the loss. According to him “Senator Adeleke died when his services and wisdom was needed most by both the Senate, Nigerians and the people of Osun State where he hadd served as the first civilian Governor with remarkable contribution and impact.

“Senator Adeleke was a leader of rare character. He was an honest man, an extraordinary politician, a great leader and a man of principle. His character was legendary, particularly the demonstration of his vast knowledge and elderly wisdom in expressing his contributions in the Senate.”

The Deputy whip of the Senate and Senator representing Edo

North in his condolence message by his Personal Assistant, Benjamin Atu, said “Nigerians will certainly miss the man who left a lasting stamp in Osun State.

Adeleke will be remembered for his very unique and purposeful leadership. He will also be remembered by Nigerians as a brave leader who has given the people of Osun State a worthy representation in the Senate.

Senator Alimikhena while joining the family to mourn the painful departure, encouraged the people of Osun State to find consolation in the fact that Senator Adeleke lived a life worthy of emulation and his contributions to humanity can’t be forgotten.

“It is my prayers to our Heavenly Father to grant our great colleague and brother eternal rest.

May God also comfort his family at this very difficult moment of grief,” the statement added.

The Edo Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Opinion/News

Edo: On the anvil of a new governance philosophy

By Aiyevbekpen Osakue It was admittedly distractive and in many inscrutable ways an irritant. In saner climes, the theatrics and ballyhoo that characterised the post-election activities of the opposition should have been roundly condemned as an amateurish concert of flaming ambition. But their infantile posturing was ill advisedly elevated to the level of Governorship Election Petition.

Thank God, the grandstanding crash-landed irretrievably by the trial Tribunal judgement delivered on Good Friday, April 14, 2017 in Benin City. With that put to rest, it has now become imperative to attempt an excursion into the governance philosophy of the new government. There is no gainsaying the fact that the first eight years of the present republic which began in1999 was an unmitigated disaster in Edo State. It may not have been so deliberately designed but undeniably, the rapacious political elites that held sway during the period were single-mindedly propelled by bottomless greed and avarice. The people, supposedly the essence and purpose of government programmes had their interest vaguely captured on the foot note of governance considerations. At best, they were like pawns on the political chessboard!

The first set of State Governors across the country and Party Leaders who took over

the reins of power in 1999 were dominated by military apologists who yielded the political space to them. The power of the people to freely elect leaders of their choice was given with the right hand and taken away with the left simultaneously.

The midwives of the transition programme usurped the people’s power by anointing and installing their favourites as State Governors. Thus, the new helmsmen owed no allegiance to the people who were nevertheless happy that the military returned to the barracks. Political parties that emerged did not help matters either as they were not organized around any ideology and sound governance philosophy. In the face of ideological emptiness, the governors and their godfathers relied on their whims and caprices. And goaded by the godfathers, they had no qualms descending on the treasury of the people with savage acquisitive instincts.

The people were deemed entitled to mere tokenism by way of infrastructure repairs. With the enormous powers and resources at their disposal, they soon became more powerful than the parties that sponsored them.

When the experimental first term expired in 2003 and the non - performing governors sought the renewal of their imposition, the flustered electorate in their naivity thought it was their turn to vent their anger on their oppressors but behold, the politicians led by their godfathers had become

CVR: INEC trains 90 staff in Edo ÏÏÏ

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had trained 90 staff in Edo State for the continuous Voter Registration (CVR) beginning today (Thursday) across the country.

The Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Mr. Oscar-Lee Amaechi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

He said that five of the trained personnel would be assigned to each of the 18 local government areas in the state for the exercise.

Amaechi said that the exercise would be conducted in INEC’s office in each of the local government areas, adding that it would end on July 25. ”The nationwide continuous voter registration will be done in the

774 local government areas in the federation, with Edo inclusive. ”The exercise will commence on Thursday and end on July 25, 2017, lasting for 90 days. ”It will commence at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. on weekdays only, excluding public holidays,” he said.

According to Amaechi, those eligible to register include people that have turned 18 years after the last voter registration.

“Also eligible are those people with the temporary voter card (TVC) whose names are not in the voters register and people who did not register at all during the last exercise.

“Those who are seeking transfer from one place to the other are also eligible to participate in the exercise.

Idahosa even more ingenious in political manipulation and election fixing. Again, in the manner of impunity, election results were concocted and the arrant governors were returned. Thus, the capacity of some godfathers to upturn the will of the people in favour of political cabals earned them national titles such as Mr. fix it. Indeed, the political cabals were nihilistic!

Unfortunately, these conservative godfathers and party patrons held sway for more than a decade with their demonic ministration. In Edo State, the government was coldly insensitive, improvident, .callous and grossly irresponsible. They felt

no pang of pains by the sight of decrepit infrastructures everywhere one turned which made the state comparable to a war torn zone! They had no plans or blueprints to follow and those who dared suggest handsome ideas on how to deliver on the economy and social services were either brow beaten or allowed to wallow ruefully in their reverie. Governance responsibilities were completely abdicated. Like vultures, they simply busied themselves descending on state resources as if they were carcasses.

Delivering a lecture on the topic ‘2016: Edo Politics and Matters of Integrity’ on June

100,000 applicants register for EDSG employment scheme in Auchi ÏÏÏ No fewer than 100,000 ap-

plicants have registered in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo State, for the state employment initiative, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

An official of the scheme, who pleaded anonymity, said 100,000 applicants had so far registered for the jobs.

The scheme is to enable government to have statistics on the number of applicants,

to enable it to work out modalities for placement of the 200,000 jobs to be created by the state government.

The scheme is to absorb unemployed graduates in the area of agriculture, revenue collection, road management and waste management.

Registration for the scheme commenced on March 8 across the 18 local government areas of the state and was expected to end on Tuesday.

18, 2013, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu summarized the situation as follows: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that produced the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007 had no manifesto, blueprint or plan for governance and Edo state was actually personified by one lead character that was literarily worshipped and the owner and giver of power’ He further stated ‘ that the pressures and subtle threats from the godfather and his supporters were excessive and distractive in the process of project planning and execution as well as management of state resources’. What a fitting attestation of the tenterhooks to which the State was condemned under the PDP administration. Interestingly, the gory tale of Edo state dissension into insular backwaters was told by a man who was perhaps, the most influential and powerful within the context of the lugubrious narrative.

However, between 2008 and 2016, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave State infrastructures a Midas touch and the treasury was attended with exceptional magisterial integrity. The monuments of achievements by the immediate past governor has restored hope and confidence in government. But the current economic recession in the country has introduced new challenges and the imperative of a shift in paradigm. It is a compelling factor to change our politics and our governance philosophy. The state must go back to the drawing board and restructure her politics in a manner that spurs economic competitiveness. Put succinctly, the new politics must promote and support production and economic development initiatives.

The huge human and material resources still lying fallow and untapped in the state must be opened up for economic exploitation. All idle hands that are willing and ready to work must be engaged in one economic activity or the other. The resultant economic boom from escalated economic activities in the State will be reflected in the delivery of social services and improved quality of life of our people.

That is the way to go!

Osakue is a political strategist and was the State Coordinator of Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation.

Life&

TIMES Thursday, April 27, 2017

Joke Silva, Yeni Kuti others in Battleground L2

P

Gist L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Comedian Yaw Gears Up for 9th Edition of Yaw Live on Stage tagged #Apere Award-winning

comedian,

Joke Silva, Oga Bello others star in Femi Odugbemi’s Battleground’ Fresh from the success of the

has announced the 9th edition of

has it that former advertising czar, writer, renowned documentary, TV and Film producer/Director Mr. Femi Odugbemi is back to TV with a new collaboration with Africa Magic. The promo of the project quietly hit the screens a couple of weeks ago and it is looking like a winner.

Battleground, a Telenovela-

to hold on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Eko Hotel Convention Centre, is an amusing stage play titled as they take a completely satirical and holistic view at the issues surrounding Nigeria.

serious when it is a triple barrel

the other entertainers that will be performing at the show, one can guess from previous editions that the stage will be graced by top comedians and music acts in the country and the show will also be attended by a host of celebrities, show titled “Shala dignitaries and socialites.

Speaking on his plans for this Apart from being a sold-out show, Shalanga had in attendance most excited that we are at the 9th of the movers and shakers of the edition of the show. I am grateful entertainment industry and some VIPs to everyone for the support so far including Former F State Mrs Abiombola Fashola, Don going to be the most entertaining performance Nigerians have ever Baba, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, witnessed yet. I will be joined by my brother Sound Sultan and what we many others.

One Nite: Live & unplugged to celebrate African China

controversial and extremely wealthy patriarch of the Badmus family and tells the story of power, love, deceit, and intrigue all packed into an hour of primetime TV with a lot of eye candy and we suspect, appealing dialogue.

What even adds the intrigue is, its pay offline “The common ground between loyalty and It features an interesting mix of great talent from theatre thespians to music and of course was further piqued seeing acting greats like Joke Silva, Oga Bello, Gbenga Titiloye, Jide Kosoko, IT girl, Ini Dima-Okojie, The Vice Finalist Chike, vocal powerhouse Kuti, theatre thespians, Steve Ogunleye, Bikiya Graham-

Joke Silva

Douglas, Zara Ejorh, screen favourites Shaffy, Ozzy, Francis Onwochei, Hauwa Allahbura, Keturah King and many more screen and audio gods and goddesses set to make cameo appearances every week.

Efforts to get the Executive Producer of Battleground Mr. Odugbemi is declining interviews for now pleading to let the show speak for itself when it launches on the 1st of May. Some members of the cast when reached to get more information on the project declined to comment, we are made to understand

Femi Odugbemi

that the production and even its location are shrouded in such secrecy as cast and crew were made to sign water tight Non-disclosure Agreements.

As Odugbemi disrupts the industry with the star studded and talent rich meal that is Battleground, guaranteed to keep its viewers at the edge of their seats; make sure you secure a seat in front of your television, grab your small chops or TV grub, call a friend and/neighbour, because from May 1st 2017 on Africa Magic; Battleground is battle ready to take on the top spot in TV content in Africa.

9ice Releases New Video, ‘Glass House’ Following on the success of his popularly known as 9ice has blessed fans with a hot new video entitled African China

today Tuesday, April 25.

It was directed and photographed This weekend, Management will

NMO be

august

gathering,

Chinagorom

Victoria Island. The event is expected to attract the attendance of top musicians and socialites.

With the several acts billed to perform at the forthcoming

us on a music Fiesta of fun and pure entertainment.

T E A M

best musician African China come Saturday April 29, 2017

Life&

Onuoha

award

aka

The compelling visual for Glass House is a cinematic eye-candy that contemporary dance. since lining up with a new team, Temple Management Company.

Please enjoy the video, share with friends and leave your comments.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Gist

L3

Mutiat Alli

New Music Alert: Chocolate City act Dice Ailes out with Ella Chocolate

City

Music

Former PMAN Boss Enlivens wedding spirit with New Songs

in 2016, which is currently the

Iron Rose premieres on Telemundo this May Oluwadare Joseph

Faraday Okoro and Biyi Bandele’s ‘Nigerian Prince’ Wins $1million Grant at Tribeca Film Festival, New York

Iron Rose

re

handicapped father, Lazaro announced

winner

on

Biyi Bandele

has learnt to use

and Monic

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, April 27, 2017

How an accident almost ruined my career –Adegboyega, musician Fast rising singer, Adeyemi Adegboyega is blessed with a captivating voice. The young but talented artiste, whose stage name is simply Adegboyega, boasts of a different and unique style of music, which he dubs “Urban Afro”.

In this interview, the Physics Engineering graduate of What has been your best moment so far as an artiste?

Redeemers University narrates how his love for music began and how his dream career was almost shattered by a ghastly motor accident last year.

you to him?

Asa live in Lagos Encore: The return, the love, the celebration holds this weekend

First quarter finalists emerge in Goldberg talent hunt initiative

Asa After a sold-out concept Ado -

place