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Ï FIDA kicks against gender-based violence Ï Lawyer calls for family court Tom Okpe, Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Minister of

Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 244

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Aisha Jummai Alhassan, has reiterated the government’s effort to stop early child marriage in the

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FG plans to end child marriage

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Re-run: Wike to release video implicating CP Agbu, Ï Footages to be made public soon Ï Fingers INEC in rigging plot Amaka Port Harcourt Ï Alleges deployment of 600 SARS’ personnel to APC chieftains ÏÏÏ Rivers State governor, Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Ï Allegation inconceivable –Police

has announced that the state government would, in the coming weeks, release audio-visual footages of the Continued on page 6

PDP rejects outcome of Ondo election, heads to tribunal 12 Nigeria, 15th worst place to do business –Report 12

Mimiko, Atiku, Yari, Obaseki congratulate Akeredolu 23 Ï Oke concedes defeat

Flooded... Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday after a heavy downpour.

PHOTO: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

We’re not frustrating 2017 budget –Senate Call to Entry

6 Days to go!!!

Become a Queen go to www.missnigeria.ng Entries open to females between 18-26 yrs

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Page Three

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Editorial Marking the World Toilet Day

n November 19, 2016, the international community marked the World Toilet Day. The Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the 2.4 billion people around the world who live without a toilet and the rates of diseases due to inadequate access to sanitation and unsafe water. The theme for this year’s campaign is, ‘toilets and jobs’ which focuses on how the lack of sanitation affects peoples’ livelihoods. For example, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) estimates that in many countries, it creates a five per cent loss in gross domestic product (GDP). According to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, “Toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong economy. A lack of toilets at work and at home has severe consequences, including poor health leading to absenteeism, reduced concentration, exhaustion, and decreased productivity.” The UN helmsman, therefore, said that every dollar invested in water and sanitation leads to $4 in economic returns. Before the World Toilet Organisation (WTO) came into existence in 2001, the subject of sanitation received little media attention on the global development agenda. Today, sanitation has become more of a priority, even as the current level of prioritisation is still very different from what is required, given the scale and impact of the sanitation crisis. We, therefore, join the international community in calling for concerted action to address this massive problem facing more than 40 percent of humanity. For example, one in three people in the world still do not have access to a clean and safe toilet, while 1,000 chil-

dren die each day due to poor sanitation. Moreover, one billion people still defecate in the open, even as poor sanitation increases the risk of disease and malnutrition, especially for women and children. Women and girls risk rape and abuse, because they have no toilet that offers privacy. In Nigeria, statistics show that more than 34 million people use the open fields, forests, bushes, and bodies of water as convenience. This situation is responsible for the health challenges confronting the country, many of them fatal, particularly to children. Today, Nigeria has become one big open space, where people defecate openly and without putting into consideration the impact of their action on the health of others. In many rural communities, people still build houses without water closets or pit latrines. The situation is even more embarrassing in the urban areas, where most houses still lack such basic conveniences. Even the country’s higher institutions are found wanting in this regard, given that many of their hostels lack adequate toilet facilities, thereby forcing the students to defecate in nearby bushes. Equally too, toilets generally remain inadequate for populations with special needs, such as the disabled and elderly, including women and girls during menstrual period. Similarly, poor sanitation has been linked to skin problems, stunted growth, malnutrition and reduced school attendance. We, therefore, call on governments, at every levels, and other Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) to provide more public toilets in the rural and urban areas, and more importantly, create awareness on why people should use the toilet.

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President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Barr. Sharon Ikeazor, during a courtesy visit on Buhari at the State House in Abuja… on Monday.

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“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Re-run: Wike to release video implicating CP Continued from page 1 state commissioner of police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, allegedly plotting with politicians on the methods to be adopted in rigging the December 10 rescheduled legislative elections. Governor Wike, in a press statement signed by his Special Assistant, Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, made the announcement while flagging off rehabilitation works of the General Hospital, Abonnema in AkukuToru Local Government Area of the state, yesterday. According to him, the audiovisual footages would be made

public through different media platforms to expose the extreme rigging desires of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the backing of the police and other security agencies. The governor further alleged that 600 policemen working with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state have already been distributed to prominent APC leaders on local government basis by the Police Commissioner for the indiscriminate arrest of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters a few days to the election. The governor added that the 600 SARS personnel so distributed

would also be used to unleash unprecedented violence on the people on election day, so that APC leaders would have time to substitute result sheets handed over to them by the INEC leadership. “We are now in possession of the DVD of how the Police Commissioner and some politicians were planning on how to rig the forthcoming legislative re-run elections in Rivers State. At the appropriate time, we shall release the materials for Nigerians to understand the depth of the electoral fraud being perpetrated by INEC and Police. “For the security of this allimportant audio-visual material,

we have mass-produced them and kept them at different locations. Nigerians are entitled to know the truth about the unfortunate rigging machine. “Now that we have caught them on tape, this will shake the world. Rivers State is not like other states where you can plot and execute easy rigging plans. “We are ahead of them by 50 steps. If they take one step, we take 50. On behalf of our people, we shall continue to monitor these persons, who are trying to steal the mandate of our people,” he said. Reacting, the police image maker in the state, Mr. Nnamdi

Omoni, told The Daily Times in a telephone conversation that although he was not aware, as at press time, of the governor’s allegation, it was not possible that the commissioner of police held such clandestine meetings with any political group or agency where a plot to rig the rerun election was perfected. Mr. Omoni stated that such a plot was inconceivable, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, has been meeting with politicians, security agencies and other agencies over security issues on the rerun election and that there was nothing wrong with that.

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite; representative of Minister of Transport, Mr. Mohammed Babakobi; Managing Director, Planet Project Limited, Mr. Biodun Otunola; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Secretary General, Union African Public Transport, Mr. Yssoufou Cisse and Training Director, International Association of Public Transport, Mr. Kaan Yildizgoz, at the 1st International Railway Conference in Lagos… on Monday.

FG plans to end child marriage

Continued from page 1

country. The Minister said a technical working group consisting of 30 members, drawn from ministries, donor agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and faithbased organizations, among others, have been put together by the federal government for this task. In a similar development, a consensus was reached, Monday, among participants at the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)’s Week/Annual General Meeting that strong procedures were required to check gender-based violence in Nigeria. Also, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Arthur Obi Okafor, Monday, advocated for the creation of family court and an outfit of a department within the State Criminal Investigation Department, to deal specifically with gender-based violence in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the minister pointed that the aim of the TWG is to institutionalize the campaign and develop a holistic multi-sectoral strategy for ending child marriage in Nigeria as well as create awareness and sensitize Nigerians on the ills of child marriage. She said: “Child marriage as you know is marital union with a person not matured physically or mentally, and also not emotionally ready or prepared for marriage and its responsibilities. “The consequences of such marriage and other harmful traditional practices on children, and by extension, to their families, are getting worst and must be checked. Child marriage indeed has a negative effect on the health of the girl-child such as premature pregnancy and Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a heal often have a profound effect on the patient’s emotional well-being; most times, loss of the opportunity to be edu-

cated generally. Pregnancy related deaths are the leading causes of mortality for girls between the ages of 15 – 19 worldwide. “Indicators on maternal health, education, food security, poverty eradication, HIV/AIDS and gender inequality are all negatively linked with child marriage,” she said. The campaign to end child’s marriage was launched by the African Union on May 29, 2014 during the 4th African Union Conference of Ministers of Social Development; also at the 25th African Union Ordinary Session of Heads of States and Governments held in June 2015, African leaders endorsed the African common position on ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices as recommended in the conclusions of the 4th conference of African Union Ministers of Social Development. The campaign will be launched today by His Excellency, the Vice

President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) in Abuja. Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, said beside strong procedures, the processes must be punitively caved to engage perpetrators of violence against women and girls. Mrs. Saraki, founder/president of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, who spoke through Mrs. Bolanle Rafiu Ibrahim, stated this while declaring open the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Africa Regional Congress and the Nigeria Week/Annual General Meeting in Abuja. She was emphatic that decisive hard steps must be taken to reduce gender-based violence in the country in view of its increase in recent time. “It is important to strengthen the institutions in the public and private sector, as well as to empower an active citizens’ engagement through the civil society, in order to achieve a drastic reduc-

tion in gender violence,” she said. She said that established strong procedures that punitively engage perpetrators of violence will not only serve as a deterrent for further acts, it is also a moral imperative for our society. She decried the lukewarm attitude of many toward genderbased violence and observed that:”The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP),” which was assented into law in May 2015 after 12 years of being stalled, has remained only a federal law enforceable in the Federal Capital Territory, while the states are yet domesticate it. She said the time called for an urgent need to push state governments to domesticate the law. She urged members of FIDA to join hands with others and extend advocacy to keep everybody, including the police and other law enforcement agencies, abreast of its provisions of the laws on gender violence.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

News 8 NCWS empowers widows, pays WAEC fee for indigent students Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎMoved

by the number of school-age students that hawk petty goods on the streets and major highways during school hours owing to the impoverished conditions of some widows and orphans in the country, the National Council for Women Society (NCWS) in collaboration with a Non-governmental Organization has concluded plans to give twenty thousand naira each to indigent students to enable them register for the West African School Certificate Examination. The President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Laraba Gloria Shoda, who gave this hint in Abuja at the official flag off and inauguration of the empowerment programme, also explained that widows and orphans would get thirty thousand naira each to start a trade or go into small scale farming. She further explained that the council for women societies decided to go into collaboration with a non-profit organization to economically empower widows/orphans and educationally assist indigent students in the country because government alone cannot do everything. Shoda, however, appealed to corporate bodies to centre their corporate social responsibilities on education, skill acquisition and economic empowerment with the view of assisting disadvantaged citizens out of poverty. The President explained that 12,000 beneficiaries of the programme would be selected from across the federation, adding that the project would be launched in the six geo-political zones of the country. On her part, the Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari represented by former Minister of Science and Technology, Dame Pauline Talen commended the initiative and pledged to support the effort. She said that her pet project is anchored on helping the less privilege citizens as well as women empowerment. Other dignitaries that attended the official flag include first ladies of Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Gombe states, Commissioner of Women Affairs Niger state, and Directors of Federal Ministries.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Volunteer Corps: FG verifies 90% of 200,000 beneficiaries Motolani Oseni

ÎÎÎNinety percent of

the 200, 000 unemployed Nigerian graduates selected in the first batch of the N-Power Volunteer Corps (NPVC) have been verified using the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and therefore any untrue information submitted in the process of application is a ground for disqualification. The Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, in an emailed statement disclosed the update on the NPVC. He explained that the initiative is now advancing with assignment of beneficiaries to their places of deployments in their states of residence, adding that some of them express satisfaction that even though they knew no one in

government, they were selected for the paid volunteer job program, attesting to the transparency of the selection process. The Senior Special Assistant stated that all the states and the FCT through the focal persons they appointed have since received the list of the 200,000, and now working on deploying the beneficiaries to their places of assignment. He also explained that by using the BVN which is one of the most viable means of identification in the country today, there is hardly any way anything fraudulent can sail through in the process. According to him, “we are confident that the selection process, all the way through with BVN, and physical verification at the points of deployment in the states and the local government areas, are both transparent and impossible to abhor ghost benefi-

ciaries, or any kind of fraud.” Already, Akande disclosed that 93 percent of those selected have been screened through the BVN, with the commendable assistance of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc, NIBSS, and only authentic and verifiable beneficiaries will be paid the N30, 000 monthly stipends starting from December. Responding to some allusions made in sections of the media about random searches conducted on social media platforms, the SSA dismissed them stating that such cannot be better than “biometric identification we have secured through the BVN.” He continued, “besides the BVN, there is going to be physical verification, through an in-built component in our selection system that requires that information submitted online during the application would have to be authenticated at the point

of deployment across the country, including verification of academic credentials and residence status.” He added that just as is normal when someone gets a job or even admission to school, he or she would proceed to present papers that have been submitted during application for verification. “This is also going to be like that, some applicants that claims to be residents of states would be dealt with if it turns out such claims are false. If an applicant cannot supply proof of residence, the selection is terminated.” Besides, he explained that in a local government such as Abadam in Borno State, where there have been claims that nonresidents applied and were selected, Akande assured that there is no cause for alarm because such people would have to show up for verification on the spot.

How we’ve decimated Boko Haram- COAS Femi Ganiyu

ÎÎÎ

L-R: Executive Director, Heal the Youth Foundation, Mrs. Aji Robinson; Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, Save the Children International, Mr. Ifedilichukwu Ekene; Assistant Secretary, CS-SUNN, Miss. Ngozi Ogbonna and Programme officer, Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria, Miss Ngozi Mabel, at the 2nd media advocacy for increased budgetary allocation for health and nutrition in Nigeria in Abuja... on Monday. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Activist urges women to take voter registration serious Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎ

Worried by the low participation of women in politics and its attendant consequences on the female gender in Nigeria, a gender advocate, Dr. Aisha Sani Lemu, has observed that women must take the issue of voter registration serious if they are ready to enforce the 35 percent affirmative action as well as participate actively in governance. Dr. Lemu noted that until women realize that the power to elect a fellow female to represent their

interests in government rests in their voters card, they would continue to beg for the implementation of the globally affirmed 35 per cent affirmative action and may not even get half of it. She gave the charge in Abuja at the National Women Summit organized by the Ezeife Leadership Foundation also noting that women have no reason to be excluded in governance of the country judging by their ‘superior population.’ Only women understands the plight and need of her fellow women and therefore need to be in government to advance poli-

cies that will favour female folks, she said. The gender advocate equally posited that women have the right to vote and be voted for in an election but however argued that women cannot exercise that power if they do not possess permanent voters card. Earlier in an address of welcome, the former governor of old Anambra state and the convener of the summit, Dr. Chukwuemka Ezeife said “it is in the interests of Nigeria that Nigerian women should increase their participation in politics and governance.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has said that the Nigerian Army has substantially curtailed the activities of the Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram in the North region of the country, saying that they had played a critical role in this connection. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a 3-day training program tagged: “New Generation Warfare: The Dynamics of Information Management, held at the 81 Division, Officers’ Mess, Onikan, Lagos, Buratai said, apart from using the electronic and print media substantially to disseminate information about its operations to the people, the Army has also recognized the role of the New Media in this direction. The Army Chief, who spoke on the topic: “The Utilisation of New Generation Warfare Tactics: Gains and Successes in the North-East Operation, the Chief of Military Intelligence, Major General Podje,” also said that the Army has a robust partnership with the press to frontally end insurgency in the country. He said the Army was now partnering with some private radio stations in the North East to disseminate critical information about operations in the area and sought the continued cooperation of the media in achieving peace and security in the country. The Acting Director, Army Public Relation, Col. Sani Usman said the Army welcomes cross-fertilization of ideas, between the media and the Army so as to rid the country of any threat to its people and its territorial integrity.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Politics

Atiku Abubakar: Blessed to be a blessing Louis Okoroma Due to the high level of corruption in Nigeria, and the existence of several wealthy people whose source of wealth are questionable, it has become fashionable to label every person of means as a corrupt person. It’s not fair however to say that every rich person must have stolen from the public purse as there are millions of hard working men and women out there, namely business people, traders, professionals and even athletes who have made good through dint of hard work, and who then turned round to invest their earnings. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria is one such man who can be said to have been blessed by providence with wealth through the blessing of the work of his hands. Though as a former Vice President, no one can say he might not have benefitted from some privileges of office, but this is normal in all countries of the world, and Nigeria cannot be an exception. The point of interest is that this dedicated public servant did not get involved in the kind of thievery that leads to scandals and wagging of tongues culminating in probes and litigations and national economic ruin as we are witnessing now following the corrupt and wasteful stewardship of former PDP leaders. A taxi driver who took this writer on a trip within Abuja recently aptly summarised the issue of Atiku’s wealth. Lamenting that much injustice has been done to the amiable Turakin Adamawa in politics, despite his selflessness, loyalty and kindness to many Nigerians, the taxi man declared that the former Vice President was destined to be rich! And that it is unfair because of politics to label him corrupt in the mould of those who ruled Nigeria in the immediate past. Also, when one hears the account of how the young Atiku, the only child of his parents worked as a teenage labourer to purchase a mud house for his mother, it thus becomes clear that the young lad had a knack for business and survival. Nigeria’s former Vice President who was a herdsman in the tradition of the Fulani people from where he hails, did not have a rosy childhood but through hard work, education, perseverance and fortune made his life better. As a Customs officer, many of his colleagues testified that the man Atiku always monitored his colleagues to ensure that financial records and entries were carefully made in official documents to maximise revenue accruing to the government. For this reason, his colleagues and clients of the service nick named him, Murtala Muhammad Junior, after the no nonsense leader of blessed memory; while miscreants in his area of command dared not misbehave. In effect, the picture here is one of an honest, responsible and disciplined officer who did his job well and who was mindful of his reputation. To supplement his meagre income as a Custom officer in the 1970s, Atiku took a loan from the Federal Staff Housing Fund with which he built a modest bungalow in Maiduguri, his first house, rented it and used the money to purchase land to build another one which he similarly rented out. Having discovered the profit in such a venture, he did not look back. In later years, the then Customs officer went

Atiku

into large scale farming. He founded the GesseDesiderabe farms on 2,500 hectares of land off Yola-Numan Road with a bank loan and grew maize and cotton. At a time he was the largest grower of maize in the country. Later, the Turakin Adamawa invested in an oil services company started by a foreign acquaintance of his. That oil company today, that

The above in a nutshell shows the way and manner, the former Vice President was able to garner much of the wealth which enables him to be a formidable politician, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

go by the name, INTELS, has become a very profitable company based in Port Harcourt, with branches in many foreign countries. Therefore, when the question is asked as to how Atiku made his money, which has become pertinent because of the public nature of his life and activities, more so, being a former Vice President, it is important that we engage in fair assessment and commentary except it has become a crime to work hard, invest and obtain both God’s blessing and good return on investment! Atiku is a man, like many others whose labour and investment has been blessed but unlike many others, he daily shows gratitude to the creator by the many lives he touches. Atiku from this writer’s reading of him is a man favoured by providence. When he was dragged into politics by his mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, his ambition was modest, to be governor of his people in Adamawa State, and to use the available resources and arable land of the Adamawa plains to improve their lives. He achieved this with ease in 1999, but fate had other plans for him. Before he could be sworn in, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, elected President in 1999, acutely aware of Atiku’s legendary loyalty, commitment and patriotism selected him as his Deputy and that was how this remarkable youngster from Adamawa State became Vice President of

Nigeria, 1999 to 2007, and not the governor he set out to be! The Turakin Adamawa takes business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy seriously. He enjoys business and the profit that accrues from it and takes delight in deploying this profit for the benefit of the needy in society. His business empire has created thousands of jobs and the interesting thing is that even in a period of economic recession when what we hear daily in the news are retrenchment, downsizing and salary reduction, Atiku Abubakar has done none of these painful things to his fellow citizens who work and earn their living in his enterprises. Aside GesseDesiderabe farms which is the first of his agricultural ventures, Atiku in his usual character of moving ahead of the tide, has diversified into agro-allied businesses. Atiku, desirous of revolutionising the livestock industry in the country by providing suitable nutrition for the nation’s cattle population and thereby lessen the burden of herdsmen who traverse the country in search of pasture, decided to float an animal feed factory in Abuja. This company, Rico Gardo Nutritional is a joint venture between GesseDesiderabe farms, and his foreign partners from Portugal. The foundation laying ceremony of the animal feeds factory was laid in Abuja at a well-attended ceremony in May, 2016. Rico Gardo already has in operation, a factory in Numan, in Adamawa State, Atiku’s home State. According to industry experts, the factory is already solving the animal feed needs of the North Eastern part of Nigeria and surrounding areas. It produces 50,000 metric tons of high quality animal feed per annum. This means that with its operations, the company creates jobs for hundreds of Nigerians, conserves foreign exchange and enables the government to obtain revenue as the company pays its taxes. Part of the business plan of the former Vice President is to establish other animal feed factories, one in each geo-political zone of the North with a view to providing affordable, adequate and nutritious feed for several types of animals to boost nutrition and food security, and reduce, if not eliminate the incessant farmers/herdsmen clash which is posing a security problem for the country and the government. With the foundation laying ceremony of the Rico Gado Animal Feed factory having been carried out on the 21st of May, 2016 at Idu Industrial Estate in Abuja in the presence of top government officials, it can be said that Nigerian business people have commenced the much-talked about, but hitherto elusive diversification in some sectors of the economy. These categories of Nigerians namely, Atiku Abubakar, Aliko Dangote and Eric Umeofia, among others, are heeding the marching orders of President Muhammadu Buhari to “produce in Nigeria and export abroad”. Rico Gado Nutritional, scheduled to be completed in 36 weeks, when operational would have the capacity to produce 120, 000 metric tons of high quality animal feed per annum. The above in a nutshell shows the way and manner, the former Vice President was able to garner much of the wealth which enables him to be a formidable politician, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

PDP will reclaim Edo guber mandate at tribunal -Edionwele Hon. Joe Edionwele represents Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State in the 8th House of Representatives. In this Interview with EMMANUEL IRIOGBE, he bares his mind on topical national issues, insisting that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won the last governorship election in Edo State and that their mandate will be restored by the judiciary soon. Since coming to the 8th House of Reps, what has been your contributions in terms of the number of Bills sponsored and Motions moved? Since moving to the House, I have sponsored and moved over 15 Bills and Motions. Some of them include the Motion that led to the construction of a pedestal bridge in front of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma. By the way, Ekpoma is the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State which falls under my Federal Constituency. This pedestrian bridge has impacted positively on the university community as it has reduced drastically the accidents which see students killed week in week out on the major express road leading to Abuja that cuts across the school. Also there was the Motion on the need for a hospital at Ewu junction in Esan Central Local Government Area. That junction is notorious for its vehicular accidents involving Tankers, because of the sloppy nature of the road there. There are Motions on erosion control and the tarring of the EmuhiUhi road. The Bill on the extortion of youths before being employed is one I remember and also paying some money on-line to access jobs. There was also the one on making sure juveniles guilty of committing crimes are not made to serve in regular prisons where they will mingle with hardened criminals and turn out at the end of their sentence to take to crime full time. There is the Bill on AMCON which seeks to make the government agency more effective and responsive to its duties. We discovered in the course of our oversight visit to the agency that it was highly defective and ineffective in discharging its constitutional responsibilities. The huge debt portfolio of the agency we discovered could not be managed effectively because of the composition of the board. A situation where board members are selected from MDAs and the Chairman acting on part time basis was room for laxity. We discovered huge sums of money that the agency had to manage emanating from bank loans by customers. We, through the Bill are asking that board members are appointed and cut across the six geo-political zones in the country and the chairman performing his duties in permanent capacity. Their role of debt recovering has to be looked into. How have you been able to cope as a first termer and a renowned grass root politician? You were once a local government chairman and party leader in your constituency. I must let you know that politics is localized. I’m glad you recognize that I am indeed a grassroots politician, but here in the national Assembly, I am representing my people at the grassroots. Everything I do has to do with them because I am part and parcel of them. I go home regularly and hold town hall meetings with my constituents where we discuss issues that affect them. Such meetings allow me to meet some of their needs where I distribute items like motor bikes, grinding machines, school books, reno-

Edionwele

vate schools, farm implements and seedlings, food items and so many other things. Taking a look at the deposition of the Onojie of Uromi by the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, how do you react and feel as an Esanman? It was a very unfortunate and sad commentary. I see it as purely political. It is instructive to note that the former governor wrote three different letters to the Onojie, the first one had to do with his majesty tendering an unreserved apology to the government which the Onojie did. There came a second letter by the then governor where the Onojie was suspended for one month and without allowing the dust to settle, he followed that up with a letter deposing him. I really do not know what Oshiomhole wanted to prove by insulting an entire race by his action. Kings in Esanland are born and not appointed. The palace belongs to them. Maybe the stipends paid to traditional rulers by government is what the Onojie will lose but the deposition does not diminish his status among his people and he will continue to function as king to his people. So the deposition is not an issue.

The Edo State governorship election has come and gone, the new government has settled down to the business of governance, but your party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gone to the election tribunal challenging the result of the election, do you think you will win at the tribunal? Oh, we are very sure of victory, our chances are very bright. We know we won the election and have all the evidence to prove that we won; we are going to present this at the tribunal. If the judiciary carries out true justice, victory will be ours. If your party wins at the tribunal what time will you have to start delivering the dividends of democracy seeing it might take a while to get this judgement? We are aware that it might take up to 180 days (6months) for the case to be adjudicated upon. We shall be patient and have structures on ground to kick-start governance the moment we get victory at the tribunal. We are different from the APC who are never prepared for governance. However, remember that the 180 days starts counting from the day the governor was

We are very sure of victory, our chances are very bright. We know we won the election and have all the evidence to prove that we won; we are going to present this at the tribunal. If the judiciary carries out true justice, victory will be ours

sworn in. Your party the PDP is having troubles on all front, do you see them coming out of it all unscathed. Also between the Markafi and Modu Sherrif group, which is the authentic PDP? There is bound to be problems among people that make up a political party, so that of the PDP is not different. To your question as to the authentic group, I want to state emphatically that the Ahmed Markafi group remains the real PDP; it is the core and heart of the people. Modu Sherrif’s emergence was unfortunate, he came in at the wrong time, he was supposed to serve a three month tenure as chairman, but the next thing we heard was him talking about staying till 2019. To me, he was a sponsored cancerous charmer that came to destroy the party, fortunately, he has failed, and PDP as a party has structure across the length and breadth of the country, so the party cannot die. People tend to see the likes of Chief Tony Anenih as a major problem with the PDP especially in Edo State. He is accused of favoritism and imposition of candidates, do you ascribe to this thinking? Chief Tony Anenih is my mentor; he has done a lot for the PDP and the people. He tries to balance the order; He is a leader and a follower and I can state authoritatively that as a leader, he supervises. He may have done the things you accuse him of in the past but not any longer. My emergence as the party’s choice for the House of Representatives is a clear testimony to this; I defeated the incumbent in a free and fair contest. Anenih allows the popular candidate to emerge. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo only recently came hard on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially with the state of the economy and also referred to National Assembly as being populated by very corrupt and dishonest Nigerians, do you agree? First I must say that Obasanjo is suffering from NASS denial of his third term ambition. He contributed to making the NASS corrupt with his attempt to bribe members with N50m each to elongate his tenure. To the question of the present economic state in the country, I can attribute it to the inability of the Executive to implement budgets. If the budget is implemented to the letter, there will be impact on the people. It is sad when you hear that N25billion has been approved for release for social welfare and at the end of the day, only N1billion of that lump sum is actually released. Another sour point is the government’s insistence that 250,000 Nigeria youths have been employed, the figure is mind boggling yet we do not know where these youths are. Government should release these names state by state and when I cross check those from my constituency, I can now say if the information is right or wrong. As to the issue of recession, I must state that recession is not a death sentence and depends on how it is managed. Loans sought to get us out of recession must be tied to infrastructure.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

11 Politics

Over 200 PDP members decamp to APC in Rivers Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt As Rivers State counts down to the December 10 rerun, more than 200 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), at Bua Zaakpon community in Khana Local Government Area and Akpajo community in Eleme Local Government as part of “Choose-Your-Senator-Campaign” in the Rivers South East Senatorial District. The two local government councils will on December 10 choose between Senator Magnus Ngei Abe of the APC and Hon. Olaka Nwogu of the PDP among other contestants for the national and legislative seats. Receiving the decampees at Zaak-

pon Community, Senator Magnus Abe commended the people of Rivers South East for resolving to resist the alleged imposition of a senator by Governor Nyesom Wike for the people of the district. The Senator who lamented the marginalisation of Ogoni people said “Rivers State will be celebrating its 50 years anniversary next year and in those 50 years, no Ogoni son has been Speaker, Deputy Governor, Governor, Chief Judge, is that not marginalization?” The former Secretary to Rivers State Government stated that the detractors of Ogoni people had always erroneously blamed the marginalisation of the people on the assumption that the Ogoni people did not love each other.

He said that the Ogoni people had resolved to prove to their detractors that they loved each other by agreeing to vote for him as the senator of their choice. He assured the people that they would benefit more in APC than in PDP, pointing out that their son had been appointed an Executive Director of Finance and Administration in NDDC, a position they had not got since the inception of the commission. Senator Abe also said that the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, report implementation was on course and that if voted a Senator, he would fast-track the implementation, adding that those challenging his popularity in Zaakpon community to come and see the

turnout of people for the rally. At Akpajo community, Senator Abe said he was overwhelmed by the turnout of the people, which he said had proved that the people had made up their minds to vote for a Senator of their choice who was not imposed by the Government House. Abe told the cheering supporters that APC had been winning all the way from Edo State to Ondo State and would also win in Rivers State, come Dec. 10. Earlier in their speeches, Chief Gani Topba of Zaakpon community and Robinson Osaroluka of Akpajo community assured Senator Abe that the people had keyed into “ChooseYour-Senator- Campaign”, adding that by December 10 Abe would be returned as the Senator-elect.

Lagos lawmaker faults choice of Melaye as ‘Senator of the Year’

Hon. Olulade

The lawmaker representing Epe Constituency II, in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Olulade has described the choice of Sen. Dino Melaye as Saraki’s Senator of the year as an unending drama. Olulade said this in a statement he issued in Lagos while reacting to recent announcement of the Senator representing Kogi West in the upper legislative chambers, Dino Melaye as best Senator of the year at the Senate Press Corps Award 2016 in Abuja. The Epe II lawmaker said Nigerians no longer take the upper Chamber seriously anymore given its dwindling status, capacity to creating comic relief and melodrama instead of portraying itself as a hub for effective legislation and

astute seriousness. Hon Olulade said it was disheartening that in spite of the negative perception of the Senate by Nigerians, its leadership has continued to take Nigerians for granted by doing less legislation and more drama. “Apparently, this implies that if the Nigerian Senate is to present a sole representative to a committee of Africa’s Senators or world Senators, Dino Melaye is the best Nigeria can boast of at the moment despite the quality of personalities in the Nigerian Senate today,” Olulade said. He noted that the pedestrian romance between Saraki and Melaye have gone so petty, creating atmosphere of unseriousness, insignificant and primitive style of stooge-to-master behavioural

deficits. Olulade said a lawmaker like Melaye cannot qualify as lawmaker of the month award at the Lagos State House of Assembly if he were to be a lawmaker in Lagos. He urged the Nigerian Senate leadership to take for a model what is seen at the American Senate and British Parliament, while frowning at the way legislative institution is being desecrated over trivial and boring political antics. Olulade also lamented that Nigerians are in a trying time and uninterested in provocative attitudes emanating from careless leadership dispositions in any form. “Naming Dino Melaye a Senator of the year is nothing but a cheap political game play and insult to the entire legislative institutions in the country,” he said.

Bagudu

Kebbi APC denies rift between Bagudu and Aliero The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, has dismissed insinuations of any dispute between Gov. Atiku Bagudu and his predecessor, Sen. Adamu Aliero. Chairman of the APC Elders Committee, Alhaji Sani Zauro, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, that the speculations were the handiwork of mischief makers and dissenters within the party. “The former and present governors had maintained a cordial relationship aimed at improving the fortunes of the party,’’ he added. He said the governor and his predecessor were working in harmony to ensure that the party wins future elections to further unite the party, adding that “mischief makers have no place in the APC.” Zauro said the party would introduce modalities to ensure unity and respect for leadership as well as work towards the attainment of more victories in the future. He said the elders committee had met with Bagudu and would implement strategies that could improve the welfare of members. The APC chairman, therefore, urged party supporters to continue to support the implementation of policies and programmes, designed to move the party forward.

Ondo election, victory for democracy -Madumere The Deputy Governor of Imo, Prince Eze Madumere, has said that the All progressives Congress (APC) victory in the Ondo gubernatorial elections “is a victory for democracy.” Madumere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while reacting to the election results, that the victory was a referendum by the people of Ondo to join the ‘progressives’ in reengineering Nigeria. “First and foremost, I want to congratulate the governor-elect on his resounding victory at the polls. I also felicitate with our great party; All Progressives Congress (APC). “I congratulate specially the good peo-

ple of Ondo for honouring the call to join hands to rebuild the state and Nigeria at large,” Madumere said. The Imo deputy governor, who congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu on his well deserved victory, said that his victory was a testimony of the giant strides of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government. He expressed confidence in the political vibrancy of APC, saying that the victory was earned by the party’s resilience and closeness to the people. ‘’Let me also remind you that while others were busy quarrelling, our party campaigned vigorously with progressive’ Governors’ Forum Chairman, Ow-

elle Rochas Okorocha and other party leaders.’’ Madumere said that APC had demonstrated its sincerity in building a prosperous Nigeria which everyone would be proud of. According to him, it is sincerity of purpose that has endeared it to the people thereby bringing more states under its control. “APC is rebuilding a new Nigeria with sincerity and no state will want to be left out.” The deputy governor also noted that the election was not only credible, but free and fair with large turnout of voters. Madumere

News 12 Justice OfiliAjumogobia, Obla arraigned Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏ A Judge of the Federal High

Court, Ikoyi Lagos, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Godwin Obla were yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over alleged bribery and unlawful enrichment. The duo were docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a 30-count charge that bothers on perversion of the course of justice, bribery and unlawful enrichment. EFCC, in the charge designated LD/367/C/16, alleged that the defendants committed the offence on May 21, 2015, when they conspired to pervert the course of justice with the sum of N5 million. The said sum, according to EFCC was said to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd, in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10. At the arraignment on Monday, count one to four, accuse Obla (SAN) of offering gratification in the sum of five million Naira (N5m), by transferring the money from his company’s account Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive. The transfer according to the charge was made so as to restrain a public officer from acting in exercise of her official duties. Count five of the charge stated that Justice Ajumogobia unlawfully enriched herself by receiving a transfer or the sum of N18 million from one Arkleem Oil and Gas Ltd, to her Diamond bank account. The commission in counts six to 20 also alleged that Justice Ajumogobia received a transfer of monies from various outlets to her Diamond bank account to the tune of over 788,000 dollars. Other counts also stated that the Federal High Court judge was accused of forging a deed of assignment between a company, County City Bricks Dev. Co. Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd. Justice Ajumogobia was also accused of making a false statement to the EFCC, that she was on admission at one Gold Cross Hospital, located at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, which statement was found to be false. The anti-graft agency maintained that the offences are contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 as well as the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004. Counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr. Olawole Akoni (SAN) in his application for bail, prayed the court to release his client who had been in the custody of the EFCC for a while.

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Nigeria, 15th worst place to do business –Report Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ A global index agency, Ashish J. Thakkar Global Entrepreneurship Index of 85 countries, has ranked Nigeria as the 15th worst place to do business globally. The country was ranked 70 out of the ranked countries. Singapore was rated as the best environment for entrepreneurs. In Africa, Namibia remains the best, coming 42 ahead of other prominent African markets, such as Kenya and South Africa, and of course Nigeria. The ranking based on research conducted by Mara Foundation and Opinion Research, examines the state of entrepreneurship around the world. Inaugural index features special ‘Focus on Africa’ section, with a deeper look at ‘women in the workplace’ and ‘youth unemployment’. The inaugural Ashish J Thakkar Global Entrepreneurship Index measures entrepreneurial environments around the world

and assesses each of its 85 countries against a set of criteria that spans policy, infrastructure, education, entrepreneurial environment and finance. The African nations, Namibia ranks 42nd overall, Rwanda 43rd, Botswana 44th and South Africa 46th – all of which perform well on the ‘Policy’ pillar but have some way to go to improve on infrastructure and education in particular. The top two African countries in the Index, Namibia and Botswana are stronger on the education pillar because of comparatively higher levels of literacy and quality in education. Both countries have made education central to their development. Rwanda scored highly on the Policy and Finance Pillars driven by government initiatives to increase the ease of doing business. Credit is easily available and business transparency is high. Zambia scored particularly well on the Finance Pillar (72)

primarily because of the availability of credit and a low total tax rate. Zambia, South Africa and Rwanda, the top three countries in Africa on the Finance pillar, stand head and shoulders above their peers, with scores of 72, 66 and 65 respectively. This places Zambia in the top 10 of all countries globally on the Finance Pillar, just behind the USA (78). Significant challenges exist in terms of Africa’s political stability, underdeveloped infrastructure, poor education and under-diversified economies. Comparatively lower scores for infrastructure are primarily driven by a lack of electrical access and the technology that comes with reliable access to energy, such as telecommunications and internet access. Lower scores for education are due to the overall quality of education and lower literacy rates. Boosting opportunities for a quality education is imperative for increasing the region’s quality of

entrepreneurs and start-ups and providing a suitable workforce. While much of western Europe does well overall in the Index, Greece and Spain rank relatively low (34th and 50th respectively). Both nations are continuing to reel from the after-effects of the financial crisis, which have been exacerbated by poor levels of entrepreneurial opportunities. The Executive Director, Rona Kotecha, and Mara Foundation said: The Ashish J. Thakkar Global Entrepreneurship Index offers a powerful insight into various elements, which impact entrepreneurship globally. Whilst Mara Mentor enables and empowers entrepreneurs, the Index and its 20 policy recommendations are designed to provide a starting point for changes that can be implemented to create more effective entrepreneurial environments. This, in turn, will lead to job creation and a positive impact on economies around the world.”

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PDP rejects outcome of Ondo election, heads to tribunal ÏÏÏ The Peoples Democratic Par-

ty (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the Ondo state governorship election held on Saturday, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of aiding the All Progressive Congress (APC) in rigging the election. The party described the outcome of the election as declared by INEC’s Chief Returning Officer Prof Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, as a “charade and not the true reflection of the will of the people of Ondo State.” Ambali had on Sunday declared the APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, winner of the election. The PDP spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Monday, accused INEC of “graduating from inconclusive elections as seen in Kogi, Bayelsa, Osun, FCT, Imo,

Nassarawa and some other previous by-elections in the country to ‘Advanced Election Rigging’, as in the case of Edo and Ondo states’ gubernatorial elections.” Adeyeye, in a statement, said “it is common knowledge that the APC agents openly bought votes of the electorates in the full glare of security operatives who did nothing to prevent such dastardly violation of the Electoral Law. “It is not surprising that the electorates in Ondo state became so vulnerable to the corruptive influence of the APC because of the hash economic situation in the country inflicted on Nigerians by the APC administration which has indeed made all Nigerians virtually beggars in their own country.” Mr. Adeyeye said PDP had persistently called for the postponement of the election before Saturday, for at least two weeks to

enable the party campaign and prepare properly for the election. He said the party’s request followed the setback orchestrated by “Justice Okon Abang and the charlatans in PDP who allowed themselves to be used by the APC to destroy our chances in the Ondo state election. “The actions of INEC in collaboration with the APC-led administration left us no time to campaign and sell our candidate and party manifesto to the electorates in Ondo state. “Our persistent call for the postponement of the election which was backed and supported by more than 20 other political parties were all rejected by INEC which were acting the script of the APC. “It was a carefully planned and well-orchestrated strategy to rig the election well in advance by

preventing the PDP from planning and campaigning for the election. The APC has hereby introduced a new formula of rigging election in Nigeria. “In view of the fact that the election was blatantly manipulated from the beginning to the end to favour the APC, we vehemently reject the results of the November 26, 2016 Gubernatorial Election in Ondo state,” he said. He also said the election and all actions leading to it fell short of laid down principles guiding conduct of elections in Nigeria. “We have instructed our candidate and the Ondo State chapter of our party to proceed to the Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. “We call on the Judiciary to redeem Nigeria’s image on this matter as we request for the total cancellation of the election in Ondo state,” the party said.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

When the President will not govern?

Jibrin Ibrahim

ur Constitution places the power of the Executive in one person, the president. At the same time, the Constitution, conscious of the fact that the president cannot alone execute the vast array of governmental processes, requires that ministers, advisers and heads of parastatals be appointed to help the president carry out the huge responsibility of executing government policies. At the beginning of the Buhari Administration, there was a general expectation that he would hit the ground running. This was because he used the two months between his election and inauguration to consult extensively with his political allies. Having sought for power for over a decade, it was assumed that he knew exactly what to do with power. In any case, he had exercised power previously and was fully aware of the job description of the president. He got inaugurated on May 29, 2015 and then nothing happened for such a long time. Well, he did request for approval to appoint 15 special advisers, which he obtained on June 3, 2015, just five days after his inauguration. Today, 18 months after inauguration, he has succeeded in appointing only five out of the fifteen that have been approved. Out of the five, he sent three to the vice president and one to the minister for Budget and National Planning. It took President Muhammadu Buhari five months after inauguration to appoint ministers. The heads of most government agencies are yet to be appointed and the president appears to be sticking rigorously to his assertion that political appointees are noisemakers and those who do the real work are civil servants. The problem with governance is that if you do not make political appointments, civil servants take all the political decisions, including the most important decision of NOT MAKING DECISIONS. Sometimes, civil servants do not want to make decisions so that they do not get noticed or disturbed as they enjoy the perquisites of power, including the most harmful one of looting public funds. When, therefore, the president does not appoint people to govern, those at the head of governmental organisations create forms of governance linked to prolonging their temporary positions. Achieving the policy goals of the government cannot be their priority because their logic is that they are there for a short time until the president decides on who should do the job on a full time basis. As tenures of temporary heads extend from weeks to months and into years, confusion becomes the name of the game. The temporary heads begin to envisage permanency on the jobs and, above

all, start working towards it. This means investing public funds at their disposal to oiling the process of retaining their positions, and we all know what that means. Governance is a continuous process of decision-making and interaction in all organisations, governments, markets, families, non-governmental organisations, and so on. Governance is therefore the rules, norms, power equations, actions and processes through which organisations achieve objectives that have been defined. It is for this reason that organisations give specific mandates to people they appoint to achieve the set objectives. When that is not done, those who find themselves in the position use the opportunity to achieve their own objectives. Governance is a normative concept that underscores whether expectations and objectives have been met or not. It is for this reason that we talk of fair, good and bad governance. The norms refer to respect to the interests and expectations of stakeholders and are therefore about accountability. When you do not appoint people that are responsible to you, those in position address other interests. It is for this reason that the permanent advice to presidents is to set up their teams quickly and make them understand his expectations. On assuming office, the president prioritised Nigeria’s international relations and has invested heavily in visiting numerous countries in the pursuit of Nigeria’s interests. Any diplomat will tell you that while presidential visits are very important in defining priorities, the real work never happens between the presidents. Things happen when the diplomats follow up. Diplomats can only follow up with authority if they have been accredited. No one in

the world can understand why President Buhari is investing so much time and energy in diplomacy while he has no ambassadors to follow up on anything. There are simply too many blockages that prevent consular staff from following up on presidential visits when no ambassador has been accredited to the country. A couple of weeks ago, the president held three meetings with the Senate president within a few days. It was not clear what the visits were over. What has been clear, however, is that the cold war between the president and the Senate president had side-lined the possibility of the pursuit of the president’s legislative agenda. There are at least three urgent issues. The first is the reduction of the cost of governance through carrying out legislation that would enable the implementation of the Oronsanye Report. This would make it possible to close down and/ or merge numerous parastatals that are duplication of governmental mandates and drains on crucial resources. The second is the Petroleum Industry Bill, which we had been told would be prioritised within the first quarter of the Administration. The third is the merging and/or strengthening of the anti-corruption agencies to ease the anti-corruption commitments of the government. Nothing has happened on these fronts. The impression created was that there was no hurry to act until the right leadership could emerge in the National Assembly. I have followed the announcement made by President Buhari in September 2015 closely, that he was dismantling President Jonathan’s Presidential Initiative in the North East (PINE) and establishing a new one – Presidential Committee on North East Initiatives under Gener-

al T. Y. Danjuma. His argument was that the situation in the North-East was disastrous and needed urgent action by people with competence and integrity. The PCNI was finally established and inaugurated on October 26, 2016, 13 months after the initial presidential directive to set it up. As it is clear that the president had been committed to the Initiative from day one, the only explanation for the delay is the dearth of people in the presidency to do the paper work. It appeared that the publication of photographs of starving babies dying in Bama by Doctors Without Borders was what reminded the president that no one had acted on his directive to set up the PCNI. It will be recalled that it took President Buhari about five months after election to appoint his Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The president is still searching for a good Principal Private Secretary. This means paper work piles up simply because there are too few hands to process them. Governing Nigeria is no easy task and our problems are so many and so deep that governance processes have to be pursued with urgency. There are many successes in President Buhari’s efforts especially on the wars against terrorism and corruption and he must be commended for his achievements. Handling the economy has been less successful and there is virtually a consensus in the country today that the economic team simply hasn’t got the capacity to do the work. The president has to be conscious that the last year of his tenure will be devoted to the elections, whether he is contesting again or not. He therefore has only one year to make a mark and governance processes must be accelerated and done with even more competence

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

15 Opinion

As Nigerians continue waiting for Godot

L Okay Osuji

ook around, chances are that you would be assaulted everywhere by the glitz and banality of conspicuous consumption even in the midst of human squalour and overwhelming deprivation. These take the forms of pharaohnic size mansions and outlandish gleaming cars to boisterous revelries that cause the closure of entire neighbourhoods in the name of house warming or traditional marriage ceremonies. The irony is that such debaucheries are taking place in an economy that is not only depressed but also in a country where more that 80 percent of the population live on less that $2 per day. More sobering is that Nigeria has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world with estimates putting the figure at an alarming 70 percent of the youth population. According to a recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, the country has one of the highest infant and maternal deaths in the world, even as one in every Nigerian child dies before reaching the age of five years, while 30 of every 1,000 pregnant mothers die at

childbirth. Painful is that most of these deaths and diseases are preventable. For example, polio, which is prevalent in some parts of the country, is preventable through immunisation of children at birth. Malaria, whopping cough, tuberculosis, measles and even river blindness can be eradicated through simple hygiene and making the environment conducive for human habitation. The grisly reality is that Nigeria falls short on every Human Development Index (HDI) ranging from education to life expectancy. For example, the average life of a Nigerian male is 43 years, while that of the female is 48 years and these are among the lowest in the world. Compare that with an American male and female at 72 and 80 years respectively. For Japan, it stands at 80 and 90years for male and female respectively. Every conclusion points to the fact that life in Nigeria is nasty, brutish and short. Those in this infamous league with Nigeria include Chad, Niger, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia, even when the latter has no functioning government in the past 26 years. That Nigeria has remained a child at 56 years old is due to the benign indifference of the leaders to the plight of the masses. Paradoxically, even in such midst of chaos and squalor, the few rich are turn-

ing Nigeria to a “Sodom” of debauchery and licentious lifestyles. Surprising is that both the spiritual and temporal leaders are together in this business of impoverishing the people through mindless exploitation. The failure of the Nigerian state is evident everywhere, ranging from crumbling roads, lack of electricity, potable water, health and educational facilities, even against the predicted population of 300 million by 2030. In this Hobbesian state, an enlightened form of “Voodooism” in the cloak of new religion and ideology has taken over the land. Unsurprising, this state of anomie is being propped up by a detached Executive (Presidency) and an army of prosperity preachers that is always in the habit of promising abundant good times, even in the face of increasing despair. As factories and industries close down and retrench their workers due to the biting economic recession, the abandoned buildings are converted to places of worship by all manner of bible wielding persons in designer suits with eye on the financial returns. Increasingly, Nigerians are turning to places that are more esoteric and engaging in all manner of bestialities like ritual killing and kidnapping for ransom to find solution to their problems, which of course are ephemeral. Nigeria has

become ancient Rome that burnt while her leaders are fiddling. Even as the government is enamoured of this pathetic state of affairs, Nigerians both individually and collectively have become oblivious to this dysfunctional state of affairs. They see the country’s problems as spiritually ordained rather than a function of ineptitude and incompetence on the part of the leaders who lack focus, vision and intellectual capacity to lead them out of the present quagmire. With such mindset, they no more hold their leaders to account. Timidly, everyone continues waiting for miracles to end our collective and personal woes, while those entrusted with making the system work continue employing propaganda to hoodwink the unwary. In the play “Waiting for Godot”, two characters, Estragon and Vladmir rather than engage in meaningful enterprise for a living decided to wait for a mythical Godot in the expectation that he would bring them all the good things of life. To occupy themselves, they eat, sleep, converse, argue, sing play games, exercise, swap hats and even contemplate suicide. At the end of the day, they were impoverished and disappointed for the Father Christmas failed to arrive. Nigerians would fall into this trap if we continue to wait for a mythical Deux Machina.

Padded” N-Power shortlist: A post-mortem

Jaafar Jaafar

ince the release of the shortlist of the 200,000 applicants of the NPower programme, a number of people from the North have drawn my attention to the “adulteration” of the list of some northern states with what they call “strange names”. N-Power is the present administration’s multi-component economic programme aimed at empowerment, the creation of employment opportunities and trained manpower in the areas of basic education, primary healthcare and agriculture. Although a salary of N23, 000 or N30, 000 may not be enough to sustain a worker in this current economic hardship; the programme is, largely, a step in the right direction. As I skimmed through the list, I noticed some non-native names in some Northern states where such names are almost impossible to be found among the natives. Scanning further into the list, my face suddenly wore a sheepish smile when I recalled how I was attacked, tagged anti-North and demonised for daring to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari’s lopsided federal appointments and sheer disregard for the federal character principle in favour of the North. While sympathising with ‘my

people’ for being somewhat shortchanged (at least this time), as an advocate of the federal character principle and conscientious Nigerian, I must say that the adulteration of the list was not particularly heartwarming. Like the Electoral College system in American politics, the federal character principle in Nigeria has its merits and demerits. I believe the framers of the Nigerian laws recognised our divisions as a nation and the educational disadvantages of the North and found a way of trying to make up for this in our constitution. In recognition of our diversity, previous empowerment schemes, like Obasanjo’s NAPEP and Jonathan’s Sure-P had state coordinating offices, staff and heads in the 36 states and FCT before take off of the programmes. However, the Federal Government, this time, was in a hurry to beat the deadline, make good its promises and avoid the severe censure its serial failures draw. Faced with the previously mentioned challenges, the scheme was shabbily thought-out, while the coordinator of the scheme, Maryam Uwais was wrongly chosen, and the shortlist hastily improvised. Against a trove of the qualified economists Nigeria

is endowed with, Mrs Uwais, a lawyer, was appointed to coordinate this complex economic programme simply because she was VP Osinbajo’s Law School mate and the chairperson of a foundation she established for her late father, Ambassador Isa Wali. Worse, still, she is reporting to another lawyer, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. But while some people berate the Northern youth for showing a lack of interest in the scheme, I tend to look at the issue from a different perspective. One cannot equate the number of graduates from the South with those from the North. Despite our advantage in population, yet for every graduate the North produces, there are at least five more produced by the South. Look at this grim reality: of the 69 private universities in Nigeria, only eight are in the North. Of the 40 private polytechnics in Nigeria, not more than 10 are in the North. Out of the 10, about seven of them are scattered through Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Abuja. While the first private polytechnic in Kano (Aminu Dabo Polytechnic) took off this year (2016), the first private polytechnic in Lagos (Grace Polytechnic, Surulere) was established in 1962. So in a chaotic situation automated application system like this,

chances are that over 80 percent of the successful candidates will be Southerners. The night before, I called Laolu Akande, the spokesman of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, under whose office the programme is being coordinated, to know the cause of this lopsidedness. Mr. Akande told me that there was no cause for alarm over the appearance of such names in the shortlist of the North. According to him, the screening was based on the location where each applicant is residing. “Go through the list,” he challenged me, “call any of the shortlisted candidate and ask where he is living. People should note that wherever your name appears, you would render your service to that particular area.” Quite really, Akande gave me a cogent explanation as to why the northern list was a kind of orisirisi, while the southern list appeared purely like an okro soup. In the light of this, the Buhari administration is to blame here for its failure to factor in our differences and the educational advantage of the South by establishing state coordinating offices before the take commencement of the programme. Jaafar Jaafar, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Emmanuel, Agugbom retain Dala Hard Court titles ANDREW EKEJIUBA

efending champions, Sylvester Emmanuel and Christy Agugbom, at the weekend, successfully defended their men’s and women’s singles titles at the 30th Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship in Kano. Emmanuel got the better of US-bound Moses Michael 7-6, 6-4 while Agugbom survived the threat of Blessing Samuel

winning their nail-biting encounter 6-2, 6-7, 7-6. A repeat of last year’s final and the third straight showdown of the top two Nigerian players in the final of a major championship lived up to expectations and in the end, it was a sweet revenge for Emmanuel following his loss to the Tombim-sponsored player at the year’s Central Bank of Nigeria Open in Lagos in June. The Kaduna-based Emmanuel

pocketed N800, 000 for his achievement while Agugbom got N500, 000. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State pledged government continuous support for the tournament. Ganduje was represented by former Nigeria Football Federation president, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who is the Chairman of the newly-formed Kano State Sports Commission. The tournament also got a big boost

following the emergence of the Dangote Group as one of the major sponsors. A representative of Dangote Group, Alhaji Danladi Hanga pledged its support for the championship. Dala Hard Court Tennis Chairman, Alhaji Bashar Gumel expressed appreciation to First Bank, Fidelity Bank and Kano Electricity Distribution Company, who all declared their unremitting support.

Page 17

Emmanuel

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Katsina United team

Katsina Utd hold ASFAN in pre-season friendly

atsina United drew 2-2 with Niger champions ASFAN in their first preseason friendly at the Niamey Stadium in Niger Republic. Bidemi Abdulwahab scored Katsina’s

second goal. He said after the match: “ASFAN gave us a good fight with their very tall players. “But even though I am not tall, I tormented their defence.”

The former FC IfeanyiUbah striker is again playing under Coach Bala Nikyu having also played under him at SEC FC, Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes. “He knows what I am capable of,” said the

PCN allocates grants to Federations ANDREW EKEJIUBA

etermined to continue to encourage the physically challenged even at this period of the on-going World Disable Day Celebration, the Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN) that is at the forefront of proving that there is great ability in disability, has disbursed grants to the various sporting federations under its control for them to consolidate on their success as could be seen from their recent performance in global events including the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil where Nigeria para-athletes shone like million stars. Made up of eight sports, the beneficiaries include, Amputtee Football, Para-athletics, Para-Swimming, Para-

Table-tennis, Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair tennis. Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria, Dr. Frank Thorpe who revealed this in Lagos at the weekend, said the grant is for the Federations to carry out laudable programmes for their athletes towards this last quarter of the year in line with the PCN’s promise of making the Federations viable all year round. Adding that Nigeria through her performance in recent time has positioned herself as a strong force to be reckoned with when it comes to Para-sports globally hence no stone must be left unturned in sustaining that tempo since the country cannot afford to take the back bench again.

President PCN, Monday Emoghavwe has warned the Federations not to misuse the funds but to ensure that they are used judiciously, more so when it appears that such may be their last programme for the outgoing year 2016. Emoghavwe challenged all Para-athletes in the country to be more focused in the wake of the on-going economic realities in the country while promising that PCN will continue to provide the enabling environment for them to succeed in their chosen career. It would recalled team Nigeria Paraathletes to the just concluded Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil came back with 8 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals to record Nigeria’s best performance since participating at the Paralympic Games.

striker. “And the pre-season has been going well, hopefully we can take the Nigeria premier league by storm with good football and results.”

Niger Boxing Association approaches IBB for sponsorship Saka Bolaji, Minna

he Niger State Boxing Association has decried the lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards sports, especially boxing and approached Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) for support. The State Chairman of the Association who is also the National President of Boxing Referee/Judges of Nigeria, Mr Teejay Adams made the observation in a meeting held at the

weekend in Minna, assuring to work hard to revamp the lost glory of boxing in the state. This was contained in a press statement issues by the Association’s Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Mustapha Bina. The chairman said that the state was well known for boxing before now hence needed rejuvenation, searching for new good talents that he emphasized are numerous in the state if given adequate attention and motivation to succeed.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Red Devils still

in title race — Toure M

anchester United are still one of six teams in the race to win the Premier League, according to Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. City are level on points with Liverpool, one adrift of leaders Chelsea in a tightly contested field after 13 games. But Toure will not rule out the teams behind his side, including Arsenal, Tottenham and even Jose Mourinho’s United, who are 11 points behind Chelsea. The former Barcelona star thinks all six sides are capable of staying in the running until the final stages of the season. “To be honest it’s Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United,” Toure told

reporters when asked who City’s title rivals were. “The league this year is unpredictable and it’s going to be decided in the last two or three months this year.” City are at home to Chelsea in a huge league clash on Saturday and Toure is in no doubt his side are at a disadvantage due to Antonio Conte’s side not being involved in European competition. The 33-year-old added: “When you are a top player and you only play once a week - like the Chelsea players, they only play once a week - it’s easier to play well, it’s easier to recover well and easier to take full advantage. It’s going to be a tough game on Saturday, that’s for sure. They definitely have an advantage.”

Liverpool ready

for ‘parked buses’, says Klopp

Toure

Guardiola

frustrated by Man City schedule

ep Guardiola says Manchester City’s busy fixture schedule highlights why English clubs are struggling to make an impact in the Champions League. City battled to a 2-1 victory over Burnley in Saturday’s early kickoff having played away to Borussia

Guardiola

Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Wednesday. Guardiola knows there is nothing he can do about the problem, but suggested it was putting Premier League sides at a major disadvantage in Europe. “What happened to English teams in the last decade is England’s problem - you have to analyse, not me,” the City boss told reporters. “Burnley are here one week, working, planning mentally for this game. You have hours - after the European game you cannot speak about Burnley, you have to rest their minds. “We are not the only ones, it happens to all teams. I’m not a guy who complains so much, believe me. It’s happened... what can I do? Call the federation? No. They are going to change? No. “They put 12.30 [kick-off] so we have to be here, play at 12.30 and if you lose congratulations Burnley and keep going.” City host Chelsea in a huge league clash on Saturday and Guardiola is thrilled his team are within touching distance of the Blues despite having had the burden of playing in Europe.

Klopp

iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his team are ready to play against “parked buses” after extending their unbeaten run. A Divock Origi goal and James Milner penalty saw Klopp’s men to a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, although they were made to wait until the final 15 minutes at Anfield. Unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, Liverpool’s free-scoring start to the season has eased.

But Klopp feels his side can cope should teams decide to sit deep – as their two most recent opponents in Southampton and Sunderland have done. “I think there is no doubt this team is ready to play against parked buses. We have all the skills, but you need to be patient,” the German told reporters. “If you score the first goal early, then we get the second, the third, the fourth. It opens the game but it is all about the timing of when you get the first and the longer you don’t, the most important thing is you don’t get frustrated because we need to get used to situations like this. “Last year the games were different with a few teams played defensively against us. This time, because we are better, we have forced them into situations like this.” Beaten just once in the league this season, Liverpool are a point behind leaders Chelsea. Klopp is prepared for defensive teams, and he warned the other clubs near the top to expect similar.

Kroos to retire at Real

Toni Kroos would not consider switching Real Madrid for Barcelona and revealed he could retire at the end of his current contract. The likes of Michael Laudrup, Luis Enrique, Luis Figo and Ronaldo have all played for the two Clasico rivals during their career, but Kroos has no interest in joining that list. The midfielder signed a new contract last month to keep him at Santiago Bernabeu until 2022, which would see him remain in the Spanish capital until the age of 32.

Injury not so serious, says Alves

Juventus full-back Dani Alves allayed fears of a serious injury, despite suffering a broken leg during Sunday’s shock Serie A loss to Genoa. Italian champions Juve were beaten 3-1 at Genoa, a result compounded by an injury to Alves, who was carried off the field on a stretcher with 14 minutes remaining following a challenge on Lucas Ocampos. Postmatch, Juve announced the 33-yearold Brazil international sustained a compound fracture ahead of further examinations, but Alves used social media to play down the injury.

Augenthaler

stunned by Wolfsburg philosophy Former Wolfsburg head coach Klaus Augenthaler is at a loss to understand the club’s philosophy as they continue to struggle in the Bundesliga this season. After Saturday’s 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Ingolstadt, Wolfsburg find themselves dangerously close to the relegation places, 14th and just two points clear of the play-off position. Augenthaler - who was coach at Volkswagen Arena from 2005 to 2007.

De Rossi: No

contract talks with Roma!

Roma veteran Daniele De Rossi said there are no talks regarding a contract extension with the Serie A club, though he is relaxed over his future. De Rossi’s contract expires at the end of the season and there appears to be no offer forthcoming for the 33-year-old Rome-born midfielder in the Italian capital. Asked about the situation regarding his contract extension following Sunday’s 3-2 win over Pescara, in which he celebrated his 400th Serie A match, De Rossi said: “Nothing has changed, we’re not talking about it.”

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

EXTRATIME

NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD WITH FRANK JUMBO

Onyekuru’s

Zenke scores,

Belgian restates promotion club held ambition for Tublize in 6-goal thriller E x-Nigeria youth international Simon Zenke has insisted his promotion target with Tubize is still intact after he scored the winner in a 2-1 win over visiting Lommel United. The former Samsunspor of Turkey striker said his team can still finish top of the table to qualify for the promotion playoffs. Tubize are fifth on the league table with four points from three games in the second round of the Belgian second-tier

Onyekuru

league. “I feel really good to score a goal that gave us victory after I missed our last game, which we lost 3-0 due to illness,” Zenke said. “I have the game on my mind, it was a game we knew victory will move us closer to the leaders. We had chances to score more, but the victory is what we needed. “With the way we played Lommel, I am hopeful we will get the promotion.”

Nwakaeme nets winner for Israeli champions N

igerian striker Anthony Nwakaeme was on song again for his Israeli top-flight team Hapoel Be’er Sheva as they beat Hapoel Kfar Shaba 2-0. Nwakaeme hit the target in the 87th minute. He has now scored seven goals in the league. He also scored in a 3-2 comeback win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Europa League last week. The 27-year-old striker has said he is open to play for Nigeria now after concentrating mostly on his club career over the years. Nwakaeme has played for Aries Turda and Universitatea Cluj, Petrolul Ploiesti (all in Romania) and Hapoel Ra’anana(Israel). John Ogu also featured in Sunday’s game for Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

igerian forward Henry Onyekuru has said he is disappointed his Belgian club Eupen failed to beat Westerlo at the weekend even when they had chances to do so. The 19-year-old player, who scored what could have been the winner for the home team Eupen in the 3-3 draw, said a lot has to be learnt from the game. “I am happy to score a goal, but very sad we couldn’t win a game which we had in our hands,” he said. “The fact that they came back to equalise after every of our goal made me feel bad, but I believe it’s a game we should learn from.” He has now scored seven goals in 16 games for Eupen.

Zenke

Nwakaeme

Ikeme benched by struggling Wolves N

Ikeme

igeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has recovered from a hip injury which kept him out of a World Cup qualifier against Algeria, but he was benched by his English Championship side Wolves at the weekend. Wolves lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield

Wednesday with Ikeme an unused substitute, while compatriot Dominic Iorfa played the entire game. Wolves are now flirting with relegation under new manager Paul Lambert. They are 21st on the 24-team table with 18 points from as many matches.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

GLORIOUS MOUNTAIN CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. Names of Trustees: 1. Pastor Olutoyin Olukoya - President 2. Sister Ini Yvonne Abel - Secretary 3. Brother Austin Ochade - Treasurer 4. Brother Joseph Clement - Co-ordinator AIM & OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the undiluted Word of God. 2. To organize outreach, seminars and bible conference of God on practical biblical theology in and outside Nigeria. 3. To establish and manage religious educational institutions for the advancement of bible knowledge. 4. To engage in the production of literary materials such as tracts publication and other materials in furtherance of evangelical work. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of this publication. Signed: Pastor Olutoyin Olukoya

--- ( President)

AGBASA YORUBA LARUGE CLUB

This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. Trustees 1. Mrs. Skekoni Tobiloba Iyabode 2. Mrs. Sadiat Omolola Adepoju 3. Mr. Abel Oluwafemi Simeon.

LOVEWORKS GOSPEL MISSION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Mission has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, LFN 2004.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AMAECHI LOVEDAY .C 2.JOHN LAWERENCE .C

TRUSTEES ARE 1.OLAKA JONATHAN NNANA................PRESIDENT 2.OLAKA BRIDGET JONATHAN.............SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND TO EVANGELIZE THE WORD OF GOD. Any objection to the registration should be directed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

SIGN AMAECHI LOVEDAY .C

SIGN: PRESIDENT

SAMARITAN FAMILY FOUNDATION. This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. UDEH GODFREY 2. UDEH ONYEKACHUKWU PATRICK 3. UDEH NICHOLAS IKECHUKWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO GIVE FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL RELIEF TO THE POOR AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN AFRICA 2. TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SOCIAL AMENITIES FOR POOR RURAL COMMUNITIES Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

Signed : Secretary

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Olutoye Adegboye Chairman - Board Member 2. Dr. Florian Reichert - Secretary Board Member 3. Olusegun Adegboye - Treasurer Board Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: a) Veterinary (and allied profession) research b) Provision of animal health care services to less privileged animals c) Provision of aid or support to animal care givers and animal owners with the purpose of caring for the welfare of the animals and ameliorating poverty amongst the populace d) Conservation of wildlife and protection of endangered species e) Veterinary education and promotion of positive co-operation among animal healthcare providers. f) Bridging the gap between animal and human health care providers in developing countries Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES. FORTRESS OF HOPE EDUCATIONAL & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

BROADCAST JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

Any objection to the registration should be directed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication

SUCCESS EZEANI ABILITY FOUNDATION Notice is hereby given to the General Public that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts No. 1 of 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. ONOME OGHENEMARO NDUPU 2. ORAJIAKA PAUL IZUCHUKWU Aims & Objectives: 1. To showcase the untapped talent of the physically challenged persons, make life more meaningful for them and to give them reasons and hope to live on. 2. To change their mindset from asking for handout, to believe in their ability by becoming more productive members of the society. 3. To ensure there is adequate health awareness amongst them and educating them on health benefits. 4. To empower them with scholarship, trainings and job creations. 5. To develop global partnership that is all inclusive both in contribution of ideas and innovation for the physically challenged persons. 6. To restore self-confidence and self-esteem to the physically challenged persons. 7. To transform the physically challenged persons into employers of labour. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar–General Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Ivory Solicitors Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public, 374, Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos 08037122564

ANCIENT OF DAYS ORPHANAGE AND WIDOWHOOD FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above Named has applied for registration of REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLOWE KAZEEM ABIODUN 2. ADEYEMO BABATUNDE MURITALA 3. OLUKOGA PELUMI OLUSEGUN

RETAINED/OUTGOING TRUSTEES: 1. FELICIA ONWENNA - RETAINED 2. MICHAEL ELOKE - RETAINED 3. ANTHONIA MORDI - OUTGOING AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERRS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

FREEDOM CAPSULES GLOBAL MISSION.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the.Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts 1990.

THE NAMES OF TRUSTEES ARE:(1) DR OLORUNDA JOSEPH OLUGBENGA (2.) MRS OLORUNDA FEBISOLA TEMITOPE (3) DR SIMEON OLUBIYI KAYODE (4) MR SHIONNO BENNIBOR (5) MRS ADEOLA AWOYALE FLORENCE.

Trustees are: 1. REV. LINUS OBUNIKE OKEKE 2. EVANG. CAROLINE OGONNAYA OKEKE 3. MR. OBINNA COLINS OKEKE 4. PASTOR EMEKA IFEDINIRU CHARLES 5. MR. ROBORT MMADUKA 6. MR. EMEKA JOHN UMEANYICHIE.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND TO EVANGELIZE THE WORD OF GOD.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:(1)To offer educational scholarship to the less privileged, (2) To relieve poverty among vulnerable children, (3) Advocacy on social welfare Any objection to this 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

REJOICE FULL TABANACLE

Aims. 1. To promote the Yoruba heritage and culture Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH & ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATION

SIGNED BY: MICHAEL ELOKE - SECRETARY – 08034806443 PUBLIC NOTICEFOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF L.I.F.E. THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF WEST AFRICA - CAC/IT/NO. 3738. Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above mentioned name has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for change of Trustees and Amendment of the Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Law of Federation of Nigeria.

Aims & Objective: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded.to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitaima, P.M.B. 198, Garki Abuja within.28 days from the date of this publication.

Old Trustees are: 1. Rev. Adeogun Ebenezer Olanrewaju - Retained. 2. Rev. Oshibanjo Elikanah Olusola - Retained. 3. Rev. Aimes Semple McPherson - Removed. 4. Rev. Gabriel Olusoji Farounbi - Removed. 5. Rev. Shoyombo Gideon Adewole - Removed. 6. Rev. Ademulegun Johnson Adetunji - Removed. New Trustees are: 1. Rev. Felix Meduoye - New Appointed 2. Rev. Ikechukwu Ugbaja - Newly Appointed 3. Rev. Jonathan Olufemi Okunniyi - Newly Appointed 4. Rev. (Dr.) Cletus Chukwuemeka Orgu - Newly Appointed 5. Rev. Albert Olusanya Aina - Newly Appointed. The Constitution, including aims and objectives are to be amended. Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees.

Signed: Solomon S. Wada, Esq.Legal Practitioner

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

MADU DORIS CHINONSO

I, formerly known and addressed as ANAMS DORIS CHINONSO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MADU DORIS CHINONSO. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. OFOEGBU BLESSING FORTUNE

AYOUB MISTURA ENIOLA

I, formerly known as MAKANJUOLA ENIOLA MISTURA wish to be known and addressed as AYOUB MISTURA ENIOLA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note. KUTI TEMITAYO O. PETER

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FORTUNE OFOEGBU BLESSING NGOZI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OFOEGBU BLESSING FORTUNE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I Formerly known as PETER SEUN Now wish to be known and addressed as KUTI TEMITAYO O. PETER. All former documents remain valid. ACCESS BANK PLC AND FIDELITY BANK PLC. General public should please take note.

AHMED OJONUGWA SHEDRACK

SAHEED HADI OLADIPUPO

LOUIS ANIKE DEBORAH

I, formerly known as MISS ADETULA ANIKE DEBORAH wish to be known and addressed as MRS LOUIS ANIKE DEBORAH. All former document remain valid, general public please take note. TIJANI GANIU AINA

I, formerly known as ABULDGANIU AINA TIJANI wish to be known and addressed as TIJANI GANIU AINA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

ILOBUASI IYKE FIDELIS

I, formerly known as ILOBUASI IKECHUKWU FIDELIS wish to be known and addressed as ILOBUASI IYKE FIDELIS . All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

ABDULLAHI SUMAILA. CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that ABDULARHI SUMAILARHI YAHAYA and ABDULLAHI SUMAILA, are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULLAHI SUMAILA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

I, formerly known as BALOGUN RAHMAT GBEMISOLA wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN KEHINDE GBEMISOLA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

ONI ESTHER BUKUNMI I, formerly known as OGUNDELE ESTHER BUKUNMI wish to be known and addressed as ONI ESTHER BUKUNMI OGUNDELE. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

BALOGUN KEHINDE GBEMISOLA

OBIORAH CALISTUS CHUKWUJIEKWU

ADARANIJO MUTIAT ABOSEDE

COSMAS ANIEKAN JOHNSON

I, formerly known as AKEWUGBADE RIDWAN OLANREWAJU wish to be known and addressed as SAHEED HADI OLADIPUPO. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as OBIORAH CHUKWUJIEKWU and OBIORAH CHUKWUJIEKWU OKEKE wish to be known and addressed as OBIORAH CALISTUS CHUKWUJIEKWU. All former document remain valid, Diamond Bank, Fidelity bank and general public please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Alli Mutiat Abosede, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS Adaranijo Mutiat Abosede. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, COSMAS ANIEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as, COSMAS ANIEKAN JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as, MARY ODEY, now wish to be known and addressed as, INUNG REGINA ELIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ENOH FRIDAY EKANEM I, formerly known and addressed as, DANIEL NATHANIEL EKANEM now wish to be known and addressed as, ENOH FRIDAY EKANEM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ROSIJI TITILAYO COMFORT I, formerly known and addressed as, ROSIJI TITILAYO OMORINSOLA now wish to be known and addressed as, ROSIJI TITILAYO COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OZOADIBE CHIKAODI ONUORA, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOADIBE ONUORA INNOCENT.All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

OKOLI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOLI ANASTECIA .C., now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOSU ANASTECIA NGOZI. My correct date of birth is 12/5/1978. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

IBIKUNLE JOY NGOZI ONOVO I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOVO JOY NGOZI,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBIKUNLE JOY NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Nkanu East Local government and General public should please take note.

EZEME JESSICA OGONNA IROEGBU: I, formerly known and addressed as IROEGBU JESSICA OGONNA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEME JESSICA OGONNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FAVOUR: I, formerly known and addressed as, MAKATA FAVOUR AMOGE now wish to be known and addressed as MAKATA DORATHY AMOGE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

AGU MARTINA CHINAKONU EGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EGWU MARTINA CHINAKONU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGU MARTINA CHINAKONU. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission and General public should please take note.

ENEH: I, formerly known and addressed as ENEH MARCEL MADUKA ,now wish to be known and addressed as ENEOKEREKE MARCEL TOBECHUKWU . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKONKWO OZOEMENA MICHEAL

UGWU OBIAGELI THERESA

I, formerly known as AHMADU OJONUGWA wish to be known and addressed as AHMED OJONUGWA SHEDRACK. All former document remain valid, general public please take note. INUNG REGINA ELIMA

NWAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO OZOEMENE NWAFOR MICHEAL,now wish to be known and addressed as OKONKWO OZOEMENA MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MEJULU CHIZOBA JONAS

I formerly known as Jonas Chizoba Jonas now wish to be known as Mejulu Chizoba Jonas. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. KUFRE BASSEY

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

MAKATA DORATHY AMOGE.

CHIME ANTHONIA NNEKA

OZOADIBE ONUORA INNOCENT

UDE UCHE

NWOSU ANASTECIA NGOZI

ENEOKEREKE MARCEL

EZEUGWU NNAMDI

AFRICANUS IBIFURO IKPAKI

I formerly known and addressed as AFRICANUS OMIEIBI BEULAH, now wish to be known and addressed as AFRICANUS IBIFURO IKPAKI. All former documents remain valid. My date of birth is 3/9/1996 not 3/9/1995, general public please take note. IBRAHIM NANAHAWA OVAYOZA MUSA.

I, formerly known as UMORU NANAHAWA wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM NANAHAWA OVAYOZA MUSA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note. BOMA STELLA EREKOSIMA

I, formerly known and addressed as, BOMA STELLA NWADIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, BOMA STELLA EREKOSIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note AGBO JOY NKECHI I, formerly known and addressed as AGBO JOY NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBO JOY NKECHI (NEE NNAJI). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ILUKWE EDWARD AZUBUIKE ILUKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as ILUKWEM EDWARD AZUBUIKE AND ILUKWE EDWARD, now wish to be known and addressed as ILUKWE EDWARD AZUBUIKE.. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

GEOFREY EKE UBOSI

AZOTANI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AZOTANI CLARA NNEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIME ANTHONIA NNEKA .All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MICHEAL: I, formerly known and addressed as UDE UCHECHUKWU MICHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as UDE UCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SAMUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as EZEUGWU NNAMDI SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEUGWU NNAMDI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MEJULU EMEKA CELESTINE

ARUBUO EZINNE FAVOUR

I formerly known as Jonas Emeka Celestine now wish to be known as Mejulu Emeka Celestine. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ARUBUO EZINNE FAVOUR. FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IHIM EZINNE FAVOUR NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ARUBUO EZINNE FAVOUR ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ARETHA OGUNDIPA ARETHA OGUNDIPE. FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ARETHA FRANK NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ARETHA OGUNDIPA ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, HAJIYA BAKURA PATRICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as, AISHA PATRICIA BAKURA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I was formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYENEKE KASARACHI MARYANN, but now want to be known and addressed as MRS HENRY KASARACHI MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHARITY UFOAKU EZEALA

ROSE BELEMA AKANDE.

OZOBU: I, formerly known and addressed as OZOBU OBIAGELI THERESA, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU OBIAGELI THERESA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SMITH IBIRONKE IDOWU

KINGSLEY BLESSING

I, formerly known as Smith Ibironke wish to be known and addressed as Smith Ibironke Idowu. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, BLESSING KINGSLEY EMMANUEL, wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. KINGSLEY BLESSING EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. AMADI PRINCE CHIWEIKPE

OPUTA QUEEN OGHENEVU

DIDIA PRECIOUS CHIMELA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ISAIAH QUEEN ANI, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OPUTA QUEEN OGHENEVU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, EZEORGU GABRIEL CHIMELA, now wish to be known and addressed as, DIDIA PRECIOUS CHIMELA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IKEANYI RITA ADA I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. EBEDE RITA ADA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. IKEANYI RITA ADA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ADDITION OF NAME

I, BRIGHT AKUROMAAYE OMBO, BRAIDE AKUROMAA OMBO, BRAIDE AKUROMA-AYE BRIGHT, AND AKUROMA AYE BRIGHT OMUBO, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, BRAIDE AKUROMAA OMBO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, PROMISE CHUKWUEBUKA NWADIKE, wish to add, CHUKWUEBUKA, to my name which was formerly, PROMISE NWADIKE. I now wish to be known and addressed as, PROMISE CHUKWUEBUKA NWADIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, WAMI PRINCE CHIWEIKPE, now wish to be known and addressed as, AMADI PRINCE CHIWEIKPE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

UGWU SOROCHI LOVETH

AISHA PATRICIA BAKURA

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

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. HAPPINESS OBIAGERI UDO, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. CHARITY UFOAKU EZEALA. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, and general public should take note.

EZE KING AKUDO PEACE I, formerly known and addressed as, NWATARA AKUDO PEACE AND SAMUEL PEACE, now wish to be known and addressed as, EZE KING AKUDO PEACE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, SELINA JUMBO, now wish to be known and addressed as, SELINA CHIOMA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHEKWUBECHI CONFIDENCE OKOYE

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHEKWUBECHI CONFIDENCE UDEGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHEKWUBECHI CONFIDENCE OKOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

SELINA CHIOMA DANIEL

AGUO JJEYDEYOD OJELUFAEJEROJEJOJE

I formally called, known and addressed as MIC- RAPH AMECHI JOSIAH AGOZIE but now wishes to be called, known and addressed as AGUO JJEYDEYOD OJELUFAEJEROJEJOJE. All former documents remains valid general public take note

GEOFREY: I, formerly known and addressed as GEOFREY EKEACHIA UBOSI, now wish to be known and addressed as GEOFREY EKE UBOSI My correct date of birth is 16/11/1954. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. HENRY KASARACHI MARYANN

I, formerly known and addressed as, GEORGE ROSE KALABABY JACOB, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. ROSE BELEMA AKANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. ONWUCHEKWA PEACE

I, formerly known and addressed as, NDEM PEACE, now wish to be known and addressed as, ONWUCHEKWA PEACE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. TOMBARA UDOKA TINA.

I formerly known and addressed as EDO BUNA UDOKA now wish to be known and addressed as TOMBARA UDOKA TINA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

We’re not frustrating 2017 budget proposal over onstituency project issue — Senate Olufemi Samuel Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Senate, on Monday, dismissed news report that it was all out to frustrate the submission of the 2017 budget proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari because of the presidency’s aversion to the Senators’ constituency projects. The Senate said the report published by a national daily, (not Daily Times) was totally false and misleading. It said the Senate only controverted some incongruities in the Medium Terms Expenditure Framework (MTEF) filed before it by the executive

arm of government with the intent to straighten the noticeable anomalies likely to render the 2017 budget unworkable. The Senate’s spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi, who made this known in a statement said the Senate only frowned at the unrealistic oil bench mark, exchange rate, estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and others which, it said, if approved would have caused problems for the implementation of the 2017 budget. According to the statement, the Senate never referred to the issue of constituency project while the debating on the MTEF describing the

news report as totally out of place. Senator Sabi in the statement said, “The said news item in THISDAY is completely false. The Senate on November 22, 2016 at the plenary session deliberated on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and passed it on to its legislative committees for necessary legislative actions and recommendations. “Throughout the debate at the plenary, no mention was made of the constituency projects of the lawmakers, as it was not the subject of debate. Rather, the Senators took time to comment on the

observed deficiencies of the MTEF/FSP document before the National Assembly. “The Senators observed the unrealistic aspect of the document pointing out that it was not in tune with realities on ground. For instance, the Senators that spoke complained against the crude oil benchmark projection and that expectation that over two million barrels of crude oil per day is being projected without taking into cognizance the militancy in the Niger Delta region. “The Senate at the plenary was alarmed on the Naira projection to the US Dollar, which was

not in tandem with the current Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) projection of N350 to a US Dollar, whereas the MTEF/FSP projected N290 to a US Dollar. “The Senators also complained against the projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and projected growth in 2017 and other issues. In none of these were the issue of constituency projects mentioned. “It therefore beats the imagination where THISDAY and the so-called Presidency official got their information from. It must be a product of disinformation and attempt to blackmail the National Assembly.

“For the records, the Senate has discussed and passed the MTEF/FSP and subsequently referred it to the relevant Senate Committee and the committee will come up with its recommendations as soon as possible.”

Saraki

Mimiko, Atiku, Yari, Obaseki, congratulate Akeredolu, APC over guber polls …as Oke concedes defeat

ÏÏÏIn a rare display of

gallantly, the out-going governor of Ondo state and the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has congratulated the governor-elect of the state, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who was declared winner in the November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election. In a congratulatory message, he issued on Monday, Mimiko wished Mr. Akeredolu success in his incoming administration. The governor promised to provide a smooth transition process of handing

over power to the incoming government. “It is incumbent upon me as the governor to facilitate a smooth transition between my government and the incoming one. I will, to this end, provide the ambience for a smooth and seamless transition process.” While promising to continue to provide leadership to the State till the takeover date, Mimiko expressed his appreciation to the people of the State. “I use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all our citizens for the very peaceful manner in which they conduct-

ed themselves throughout the election period. I will not waiver in providing needed leadership to our dear State till the last day of my term.” On his part, former vice president, Atiku urges Akeredolu to use the opportunity of his victory in the election to usher in good governance and development in Ondo state. Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar, Zamfara state governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Hon. Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and newly inaugurated governor

of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki also joined other Nigerians in celebrating the victory Mr. Akeredolu in the election. The politicians in separate messages felicitated with the Ondo governorelect, the people of the state and the APC for winning the gubernatorial polls, at the weekend. In a congratulatory press statement issued in Abuja by the Atiku Media Office on Monday, 28 November, the Turakin Adamawa calls the peaceful conduct of the election in Ondo State, devoid of violence and fratricidal rancour, as the path to chart

for future elections in the country nationwide. Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the gubernatorial election, Mr. Olusola Oke, has conceded defeat and congratulated the governor-elect. In a statement he issued on Monday in Akure, the state capital, Mr. Oke also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies deployed for the election for displaying a high level of professionalism during the exercise. He however expressed

ADEOLA ONADOKUN BELLO

EZEH CHINENYE JENNIFER

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AHMED UMAR I Formely known and addressed as. Ahmed. Umoru. Faruq. Now wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed. Umar All Former documents remain valid general public should take note

GBOLAHAN BISUGA I formerly known and addressed as GBOLAHON IDOWU now wish to be known and addressed as GBOLAHAN BISUGA. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADEOLA ONADOKUN OMOLOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOLA ONADOKUN BELLO All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ejiogu Chinenye. Jennifer. Now wish to be known and addressed. Ezeh. Chinenye Jennifer. All Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

AGBAJE VICTOR ADU

KEHINDE PHILIP REMILEKUN OMOWUNMI

I formerly known and addressed as NATHANIEL VICTOR ADU now wish to be known and addressed as AGBAJE VICTOR ADU. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBADINA REMILEKUN OMOWUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as KEHINDE PHILIP REMILEKUN OMOWUNMI. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

That I am the same person bearing Noel Zainab Gift and. Noel Zainab all Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

WALE-ATOLAGBE AJANI RUFUS I formerly known and addressed as AJOLAGBE OLAWALE RUFUS now wish to be known and addressed as WALE-ATOLAGBE AJANI RUFUS. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

regret over the alleged open display of money by the members of the PDP and APC during the voting exercise to induce electorates on the election day. “We shall voice our opinion whenever we believe any member of the incoming government strayed from the progressive calling required of the administration,” he posited. Former Vice President and APC chieftain, Atiku, congratulated Nigerians, particularly the people of Ondo state, for having faith in the tenets of democracy as the best form of government.

ADEWALE ESTHER OLANIKE.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNRINDE ESTHER OLANIKE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE ESTHER OLANIKE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that OTUU, ROMANUS OTA and OTUU, JOSEPH OTA refer to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as OTUU, JOSEPH OTA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

FOR SALE

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Minister pledges better culture, tourism sector ÏÏÏThe Minister of Information

and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated the commitment of the ministry to bring the Culture and Tourism Sector into the mainstream of the economy, in line with the overall goal of the Administration to diversify the economy and create jobs. The Minister stated this in Abuja on Thursday, during the oversight visit to the Ministry of Information and Culture by the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism. He said with the instability in the prices of commodities, many countries are now diversifying their economies, having realized the futility of total dependence on commodities as foreign exchange earners. Alhaji Mohammed said as part of the efforts to re-position the sector, the Ministry has kick-started new initiatives and different dynamics in order to create a new vista of opportunities, adding: ‘’After meeting stakeholders in the sector, we convened a National Summit on Culture and Tourism in which all the critical sub-sectors engaged in a meaningful dialogue. We then followed up by setting up an Implementation Committee which has since submitted a draft report, the implementation of which has already begun. ‘’The review of the Tourism Master Plan and the resuscitation of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT), both of which we are in the process of implementing, are some of the committee’s recommendations. As a matter of fact, only yesterday (Wednes-

day), I inaugurated the Technical Committee on the Review of National Tourism Development Master Plan.’’ The Minister said against the background of the need to develop new partnerships and synergies based on concrete mutual understanding and cooperation, ‘’we decided to revitalize Nigeria’s long-standing membership of the global body on tourism, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). That decision has proven to be prescient, as the UN agency has offered to assist us in key areas, such as the review of the Tourism Master

Plan and the resuscitation of the PCT.’’ He announced that starting from the 5th of December 2016, the Ministry will be hosting a sectoral support mission from the UNWTO. Alhaji Mohammed also disclosed that in order to build capacity in the sector, promote entrepreneurship and private sector economic development in the Creative Industry, facilitate the mapping of the Creative Industry, and support the efficient delivery of the Abuja Carnival, among others, the Ministry has signed two MoUs with the Tony Elumelu Foun-

dation and the British Council On the Culture sub-sector, he said since culture drives tourism, it is important to have a vibrant Culture sub-sector, adding: ‘’This explains why we have also been working very hard in the past one year to strengthen the sub-sector. Specifically, we are working with the relevant states to revive some festivals that have grown moribund in recent years, such as the Argungun Festival and The Durbar, and to create a timetable of festivals across the country for the benefit of tourists.

L-R: Chairman, Abakaliki Rice Millers Association, Joseph Ununu; Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Rice Production and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu; Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi; Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Rice Mill Industry in Abakaliki, Ebonyi… recently.

How we’ve decimated Boko Haram - COAS

Femi Ganiyu

ÏÏÏ

The Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has said that the Nigerian Army has substantially curtailed the activities of the Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram in the North region of the country, saying that the made had played a critical role in this connection. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a 3-day training program tagged: “New Generation Warfare:

The Dynamics of Information Management, held at the 81 Division, Officers’ Mess, Onikan, Lagos, Buratai said, apart from using the electronic and print media substantially to disseminate information about its operations to the people, the Army has also recognized the role of the New Media in this direction. The Army Chief, who spoke on the topic: “The Utilisation of New Generation Warfare Tactics: Gains and Successes in the North East Op-

eration, through the Chief of Military Intelligence, Major General Podje,” also said that the Army has a robust partnership with the press to frontally end insurgency in the country. He said the Army was now partnering with some private radio stations in the North East to disseminate critical information about operations in the area and sought the continued cooperation of the media in achieving peace and security in the country.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relation, Col. Sani Usman said the Army welcomes cross-fertilisation of ideas, between the media and the Army so as to rid the country of any threat to its people and its territorial integrity. Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said although there were mutual distrust between the media and the Military in the past, the situation has fared better with the advent of democracy.

New episode of Glo’s Professor Johnbull delves into oil sector crisis ÏÏÏThis week’s episode of Glo-

bacom-sponsored TV drama, Professor Johnbull, is dedicated to the exposition of sharp practices in the country’s oil industry. The episode, called “Oil Windfall”, is the fifth of Season Two and will be aired at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes. With the current economic challenges being faced by Nigeria as a result of dwindling revenues from oil, the theme of this week’s show is considered germane as it brings to the fore the implications of over-dependence on oil as the country’s sole

foreign exchange earner. Globacom in a statement released in Lagos said “Oil Windfall” will also bring to public consciousness the way of life among youths in oil producing areas in relation to heavy reliance on the natural resource. “The discovery of oil in the country in the early 1960s was no doubt a good development, which has led to the growth of the nation’s economy. But over the years, events and situations have come to show that overdependence on oil also has its own attendant effects,” Globacom stated. The statement added that, “the essence of Oil Windfall, the 5th episode of Season 2 of Professor Johnbull, is

to educate the public on the negative effects of over-dependence on oil by any economy. We hope it will help in educating our viewers that there are other potential natural resources other than oil that we can tap into for our existence.” To ensure good dramatization of the episode, humorous comedian, Oguns Baba (Samson), plays a major role in the explication of the literary theme. Viewers will be thrilled to watch him deliver his lines perfectly with his unadulterated “Waffi” enunciation. They will also find out the real essence of oil windfall. Is Samson genuinely fraudulent or just over-ambitious? What is Professor

Johnbull’s response to the agitation of the victims? Other regular faces on the programme will also feature in the week’s edition. They include Kanayo O. Kanayo (Professor Johnbull), Yomi Fash-Lanso (Olaniyi); Imeh Bishop(Etuk); and Stephen Odimgbe (Flash). Others are Bimbo Akintola (Ufoma); Mercy Johnson Okojie (Caro); Queen Nwokoye (Elizabeth); Funky Mallam (Mai Doya) and MC 4 God (Abednego). Those who miss the show on Tuesday have a chance of watching the repeat broadcast of the episode on Friday at the same time and on the same television channels.

‘ADSU, ASUU populated with rascals’

Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏ

For calling on Governor Mohammed Umar Jibrilla to remove the Vice Chancellor, Adamawa State University (ADSU), Dr. Moses Z. Zaruwa, the Chairman of ADSU Integrity Forum, Mr. Mohammed Zakari, has described the ADSU chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a worthless body that is populated by rascals and scavengers and knows nothing but vengeance or vendetta. He lashed out at the ASUU Exco members for their selfish action, calling them rogues who have only their selfish interest at heart, not that of the young university. Zakari described the current Exco as the most corrupt Nigerians that ever held union leadership, adding that lecturers that are not qualified to be in Adamawa State University today are the ones championing the removal of the Vice Chancellor due to their unbridled corrupt tendencies. He wondered how these elements were allowed audience with Governor Bindow without the prior knowledge of the Governing Council or University Authorities. He advised the Government House Protocol Office to desist from allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry, with no genuine cause, to waste His Excellency’s precious time in the heat of rebranding the state against lazy and incompetent individuals who have nothing significant to offer the state. Specifically, Mr. Zakari called some of the unionists “rascals and scavengers.” He noted that an Exco that is made up of academic misfits is not worthy of any leadership, not to mention bringing forth anything to better the lot of ADSU rather than to display their idiocy in public and often ridicule themselves. He added that the reason some of the union members would never like the Vice Chancellor is the fact that he foiled their acts of corruption and plugged all leakages that hitherto allowed them unlimited access to university funds that they either mismanaged or misappropriated. Fortunately, several of the so-called unionists have cases to answer in the on-going investigations over overpaid salaries to some staff, ghost workers, contracts partly paid but never executed, embezzlement of funds from the Abuja Liaison office, among others. The recent dismissal of their thinking machine and strategist, Dr. Itodo John Itodo, for examination malpractice by the Governing Council of the University was a bitter pill which the union found difficult to swallow, hence the onslaught on the Vice Chancellor whom they feel should have covered their crimes, but instead exposed them for necessary disciplinary action by the Governing Council.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

25 News

Lagos, CIBN to host global banking confab

Motolani Oseni

ÎÎÎAs part of activities lined up for

celebrating the 50 years anniversary of the creation of Lagos, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed its readiness and willingness to partner with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CBIN) in hosting the 22nd edition of the World Conference of Banking Institute (WCBI). Lagos State government believed that it would be a veritable vehicle for promoting investment potentials in the State. According to Ambode, “Lagos is going to be 50 next year and President and chairman of Council of CIBN, Professor Segun Ajibola, has talked so much about the hosting right of the conference. As a government, we are also trying to brand Lagos as a world class city to live in, and so we will partner and support the conference and list it as part of the events to celebrate Lagos at 50 and use it as a platform to promote financial tourism for the State.”

The Conference, which is scheduled for April 24 – 28, 2017 at Eko Hotel, Lagos, is a biennial global forum that brings together professionals from the financial services sector and other stakeholders engaged in banking operation, education and training. Since its inception in the United Kingdom in 1975, the major objective of the conference has been to provide a global platform for the review of achievements and emerging challenges concerning the functioning of Banking and Finance Institutes and their role in effectively supporting the Financial Sector’s Performance and Profitability. This will be the first time Nigeria is hosting the global conference. Governor Ambode made this disclosure while receiving members of the Governing Council of CIBN, led by its President/Chairmen , who noted that the story of the growth and development of Lagos could not have been completed without the huge contribution of the financial service industry, adding that the sector remained a veritable vehicle that

has been able to drive professionals to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State. The Governor commended the critical role played by the financial service industry in terms of creating employment, contributing to taxes and developing capacity. “It will therefore be unfair not to appreciate and commend everything that the CIBN has actually done to the growth and development of Lagos” he said. The Governor further stressed that Lagos, as the economic hub of Nigeria and the West African region, contributes about 70 percent of the financial services in the country. He therefore believes that the State in collaboration with CIBN was in a good stead to lead the nation out of recession. The Governor also expressed readiness to partner with CIBN in creating a structured capacity building for State officials with the view to getting a stream of hardworking professionals. Speaking earlier on the WCBI, Professor Ajibola hinted that the Confer-

ence would be an avenue to showcase the rich cultural heritage, hospitality and investment potentials of Lagos whilst attracting more foreign direct investments into the State. “It could further improve the internally Generated Revenue of the state as a choice tourist destination,” he enthused Professor Ajibola said that the WCBI would also provide an opportunity for Nigerian banking and finance professionals to interact and network with over a thousand delegates from all over the world. He also stated that the Governor has been scheduled to have breakfast with foreign delegates as a prelude to a planned tour to Badagry through the waterways on Thursday April, 27 2016. Explaining some of the ingenious initiatives of CIBN, he disclosed that the Institute was introducing financial literacy for secondary schools as well as a Radio and a TV Programne tagged ‘You and Your Banker’ to educate people on the rudiments of Banking, starting from Lagos State.

Police collaborate with traders to check crime in Lagos market Joy Anyim

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Business owners at the popular Ebute-Ero market in Lagos Island have joined the Eminent Persons’ Forum of the Nigeria Police Force to check criminal activities at the market. The Eminent Persons’ Forum was inaugurated at the Ebute-Ero police station following directives from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Idris Ibrahim. The Divisional Police Officer of the station SP Shina Olulade reveals that everyone has a stake in fighting crime in the community. He said “Inaugurating the Eminent Persons’Forum is a directive from the Inspector General of Police IGP Idris Ibrahim. The purpose is to bring policing to the grassroots ,where the community participates in policing thier environment.According to the mandate of the Forum It presumes that the Nigeria Police Force cannot tackle crime alone without the community participation,hence the need for Eminent Persons’ Forum. “Members are implored to partner with the police as they are closer to the community. The belief is that criminals also live in the community and they are not spirits. They are humans. They are friends, children, neighbours and when they are identified by members of the community, necessary action can be taken against them thereby reducing crime in the community” Members of the forum are scheduled to meet every three months.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), flanked by Movie Producer and Actress, Aisha Mohammed and Actress, Josephine Ramos, at the premiere of the movie: My Name is Kadi, in Abuja… at the weekend.

Auctioneers body seeks legal backing Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

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National Association of Auctioneers has expressed its determination to vigorously pursue its bill before the National Assembly, which sought to make the association an establishment of the Act of parliament. The Zonal Chairman, North West Alhaji Mustapha Bako who made this revelation in Abuja during the association’s Annual General Meeting/ Election of National Officers further explained that it has also concluded plans to forward a new

bill that seeks to create Chartered Institute of Auctioneer to the parliament for the necessary legal framework. Bako who also doubles at the Secretary of the Electoral Committee that conducted election into the national executive of the association during the AGM explained that the idea of the chartered institute was borne out of the desire to train young professional auctioneers to continue from where the founders who had nurtured the profession would stop. He however, charged the new leaders to enforce the rules and regulation governing auction-

eering services in the country to ensure that government gets what is due to it in terms of revenue and commissions. On his part, an auctioneer and the leader of the election observer group Mr. Segun Awopetu described the election that produced the new national executive of the association as peaceful, transparent, free and fair. He nonetheless appealed to losers to accept defeat and work in hand with the new executive in the spirit of sportsmanship, adding “it is God that bestows leadership position on those he wishes to.”

5,000 rural dwellers get free health service, laud NGO Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

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5,000 rural dwellers in communities across Quanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State, at the weekend received free health care from a non-governmental organization (NGO), otherwise known as Tina Bawa Ministries International. According to one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Amina Awal, said that the foundation has restored hope to many sick people in the community who before now lack access to primary health care. However, one of the doctors who spoke to our correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Chinwe Eze, said that the five days free medical exercise organized in the various communities was geared towards alleviating and addressing the difficult health challenges of the people. She said most of the ailments associated with the rural dwellers is as a result of lack of access to basic health care. Her words: “These diseases resulted from the lack of adequate water supply for the communities, they drink from any source of water and the typical diseases rampant among them include: Eye diseases, typhoid, hepatitis, guinea worm, Amebic dysentery amongst other issues. “Government should as a matter of urgency provide boreholes for the communities to enable good drinking water”, she said. Dr. Eze also appealed to state and local councils to provide the rural communities with medical facilities. “If government will pay attention to this vulnerable people, the number of people rushing to access free medical care would have reduced”, she added. She lauded the organizers for the free medical service, saying it is a good way to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others. However, Tina Bawa Foundation has renovated Kwande Primary Health Clinic, donated beds, blankets and brought experts from Washington DC to train medical personnel in the clinic on how to handle complicated cases. Founder of the NGO, Rev. Mrs Tina Bawa said the free health service is an annual event due to pressure from the people mostly women and children, who always seek for money to attend hospital and they thought as a family they should bring qualify medical experts to the village to diagnose and give drugs to the people free of charge to reduce their problems. “We are happy putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged, the exercise does not discriminate as you can see both Muslims, Christians, Fulani and other tribes. Bawa appealed to spirited individuals to sacrifice little for the betterment of other people who are living in rural community because of the level of poverty in the society.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Times Law

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Crime is simply a convenient monosyllable which we apply to what happens when the brain and the heart come into conflict and the brain is defeated.

-Arnold Bennett (1867–1931). EDITOR: Ibe Uwaleke, 08033151041, ibeuwaleke 2012@yahoo.com

Judges should be respected despite corruption scandal -Omolemen INTERVIEW

Law&

T E A M

Chief Macdonald Omijie-Omolemen, read law at the Bendel State University now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State and was called to the Nigerian Bar 28 years ago. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, Chief Omolemen who holds two Masters Degree in International Law and Diplomatic Analysis (MLS) and LL.M in Maritime and International Commercial Law with a Ph.D. in view disagreed with the erudite scholar, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), over the clampdown on Judges by the DSS. Besides, the fiery lawyer spoke about the appointment of Judges, powers of the NJC and sundry issues. How do you view the arrest, detention and subsequent arraignment of some Judges and senior lawyers by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission? I don’t think fighting corruption is wrong. Anybody that is involved in any act of corruption should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted. There is nothing wrong in arresting a Judge but the way it was carried out is what I find fault with. These are honourables that are always available, their courts are known and though there is no immunity that says they should not be arrested but one was expecting that at least, out of courtsey, they ought to have invited them. As for the evidence to establish the fact that they were corrupt, I don’t think it was good enough in this 21st century to use crude means to obtain those evidence. You may be destroying your case when you use crude means. I believe that the DSS did wrong to have gone there at an unholy hour to invade their privacy. In a civilized world like in United States of America that would have been against them because everybody has right to privacy and going to such a place in that hour would have resulted to invasion of privacy. It is because we are in Nigeria. It is better to be cautious in handling matters of people like Judges, Justices that handle issues bothering on life and freedom. Since after the invasion I have been hearing comments of ordinary persons along the street who perhaps felt there is no difference between a Judge and an armed robber. This is danger-

Omolemen

I don’t think fighting corruption is wrong. Anybody that is involved in any act of corruption should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted. There is nothing wrong in arresting a Judge but the way it was carried out is what I find faulty with. These are honorables that are always available, their courts are known and though there is no immunity that says they should not be arrested but one was expecting that at least, out of courtesy, they ought to have invited them. As for the evidence to establish the fact that they were corrupt, I don’t think it was good enough in this 21st century to use crude means to obtain those evidence. ous because you want to deal with a situation then you attack the entire system. Judiciary seems to be under attack the way they went about it, rather than concentrating the attack on very few Judges that were alleged to be corrupt. The action look as if it is the judiciary that is being attacked. Those who carried out that crude way of arrest should be brought to book. In Ghana it never happened like that, the security agencies were surveying for a long time, a lot of evidence were gathered unconsciously without they knowing that they were under survelliance before they were eventually arrested with respect. There should be a difference between the way Judges are arrested and the way armed robbers are arrested. Judges are not dangerous so why would you go to their homes in such an odd time with large retinue of security men? As if you are going to arrest the late Dr. Oyenusi. Even when robbers are arrested they were never arrested like that. The way they went about it is wrong and I disagree

EDITOR: Ibe Uwaleke Peter Fowoyo Tititope Joseph

with what Professor Itse Sagay SAN, said with due respect to him. He was wrong. Nobody is saying that corruption should not be fought but with his experience, the fact that he has produced a lot of scholars, he taught me, he should be able to stand before anything and differentiate what is good from wrong. Corruption is wrong, it is very endemic, perhaps some Judges are corrupt but the way the arrest was carried out ought to have been condemned by him. I align myself on the side of Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, his opinion was highly accepted by most lawyers. These are people that are available, their courts are known, if they are invited they will honour it, why should they be arrested like that? Those Generals that stole billions of Naira were not arrested that way, why should Judges be treated like that. It seems to me, the executive has declared war on the judiciary that is how it is. In respect of lawyers that were arrested, well, I don’t know but nobody is above the law, if they are truly guilty, they should be made to face the consequence but where they are found innocent then they should be released without delay. Are you insinuating that Nige-

rian Judges have no immunity in the course of doing their work because one of the Justices arrested claimed his arrest was due to the ruling he gave against DSS? No, they enjoy immunity to the extent of the matters before them, they are not supposed to be harrassed, detained or prosecuted over any matter they handle. If parties are not satisfied with the decision made by a Judge, he has the right of appeal. It is unfortunate that the Justice was treated that way. That brings us back to the country we are, in a civilized country those people that carried out such a raid would have been dealt with for wrongly invading a house of an innocent Judge. Justices Dimgba’s house was raided nothing was found and

Legal JOKE “You seem to be in some distress,” said the kindly judge to the witness. “Is anything the matter?” “Well, your Honour,” said the witness, “I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but every time I try, some lawyer objects.”

nothing was said about it but when his house was raided, the whole world was told the house was raided, nobody had come back to say, we are sorry, we carried out this raid in error, this is another reason why people will believe the judiciary is under attack. If the judiciary is not under attack, why would somebody’s house who ruled against DSS be raided for no justification? Yet nothing is done about it. Now, there are Judges that are giving conflicting orders, a court of coordinate jurisdiction would make an order, they will give a conflicting order that is politically connected, this same Judge has done it in respect of two states now, this same Judge has done it in respect of a political party that was the largest political party in Africa, through his orders, this political party is in disaray, no finger has been pointed at this Judge and he is known. As I speak, I am aware a lot of petitions have been written against him, nothing has happened, nobody has raided his house, nobody has called him to question, why he kept giving conflicting rulings. Something is wrong somewhere and needed to be corrected. if you want to fight corruption it has to be holistic. It should not be against ‘perceived enemies’ it doesn’t work that way. Who is to be blamed if a Judge gives conflicting order and he is not sanctioned. Is it the executive or the National Judicial Council? The NJC between you and I had always found itself in a lot of dilemma because of the fact that often time, the judiciary either at the state or federal level had always refused to respect whatever they say. When before now there was a governor in Rivers State, the regime before this present one, a CJ of that state was confirmed by the NJC because CJ’s are by virtue of seniority, except there is an indictment. That governor refused to accept that of the NJC and said his own candidate continue to act as a CJ. Oftentime I am aware as a matter of fact that they would recommend that certain Judge(s) should be dropped but the executive will not respect it. The judiciary had always been the unfortunate arm of government. Their funding is from the executive, executive approves whoever become a member of the bench, executive has right to decide who goes out of the bench and who remains there so, there is no clear cut independence for the judiciary and that is the problem. In other part of the world, the judiciary has clear cut independence, their funding is direct to them, they present their budget, they decide who becomes a member of CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

N4.7 b money laundering:High court to rearraign Ladoja Dec 14 Peter Fowoyo One week after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos to issue a warrant of arrest of a former governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja, Justice Mohammed Idris, over the weekend refused to issue the warrant. The agency had urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Ladoja for failing to appear in court, to answer to a N4.7 billion money laundering charges preferred against him at the last adjourned date on November 21, 2016. Mr. Ladoja’s counsel, Bolaji Onilenla, in his reactions to the application for a warrant of arrest, had told the court that he was not aware that the business of the day was for arraignment. He had argued that this was so because there was a pending appeal before the Supreme Court. He informed the court that after the decision of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Ladoja had changed his counsel, and then, filed an appeal at the Supreme Court. He said neither the accused nor their counsel were served with any court summons to appear in court. Mr. Onilenla had also challenged the prosecutorial powers of the prosecutor on the grounds that the fiat to prosecute was exclusively given to Festus Keyamo. He said that such a fiat could not be transferred to any other person in his chambers. The counsel also disclosed that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed Mr. Ladoja’s appeal pursuant to Order 6; Rule 3 of the Procedure Rules, but that the application had been filed to restore the appeal.

27 Law

Violence against girls, women: AGF advocates FG’s mandate to enforce law Ibe Uwaleke

Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN) has reassured of Federal Government’s mandate to ensure that the law is used as a tool to improve the lives of Nigerians. Special adviser to AGF on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, revealed that Malami who made the statement in his message to commemorate the 2016 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women insisted that the rule of law governs actions of individuals as well as that of law enforcement agencies. The event held at the premises of the Federal Ministry of Justice had as its theme, ‘The Impact of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act and Other Legislation on the Elimination of Violence Against Women’ on Friday November, 2016. Malami who was represented

by the Director Legal Drafting, Mr. Hamza Tahir, explained that the relevant legal and social recommendations should be shared in order to harness comprehensive and systematic actions for the sustenance of the Elimination of Violence against Women and also achieve one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which promotes genders equality. He said: “It is heart-warming to note that in the progress report of the SDG Goal 5 (Gender Equality) tremendous progress has been made in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment in recent decades. Girls ‘access to education has improved, the rate of child marriage declined, progress is being made in the area of reproductive health and reduction in maternal deaths”. The AGF further explained that gender equality remains a persistent challenge for countries worldwide and that the lack of such equality is a major obstacle to sustainable

development, stressing that in the year 2014, 143 countries including Nigeria guaranteed equality between men and women in their constitutions. “Subsequently, Nigeria domesticated the Child Right Act in 2003 and it has been adopted in a number of states and the passage of the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act, 2015 shows the commitment of the government to a sustainable elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. Malami therefore assured that his Ministry would ensure continuous collaboration between government agencies, the public and Civil Society Organisation, in order to send, loud and powerful messages to perpetrators of violence that they would be found and brought to book. Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan in her remarks disclosed that men and women are

victims of violence in an increasing violent world and that the forms of violence experienced by women and girls include acts that entails specific assaults on their sexuality, female genital mutilation, widowhood practices, male child preference, early and forced marriages among others. Alhassan who was represented by Mr. Iliyasu Umar hinted that violence against women whether in war time or at peace time is harmful to our National Development, adding that it is one phenomenon that has exhibited the capacity of eroding women’s ability to participate normally in social and economic life. Kebbi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rakiya Tanko Ayuba-Haruna in her keynote address disclosed that the violation of human rights and its impact ranges from immediate to long term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls resulting in deaths.

‘Judges should be respected despite...’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the bench and they also go about discipline whoever errs. But the NJC’s powers are limited, their powers are subject to the approval of the executives, they are more or less like advisory that is what they are. They make recommendations. Whether that recommendation will be respected or not is a different ball game. I want to believe that it is a deliberate act, otherwise the NJC ought to have been so empowered to have the power to dismiss a Judge that is corrupt then hand over the Judge to either EFCC, ICPC or the Police as the case may be. How do you view the new policy from NJC stating that media should not be privy to petition written against these Judges? It would seem as if the media right is trampled upon. I think the reason NJC took that decision is that they may not want the petition published yet until they get to the root of everything so that at the end of the day, wrong impression about one Judge or the other would not be diseminated. Most often, the media publish anything at all and

Malami

there is what is called newspaper judgment where somebody would be alleged to have done something wrong, it would be published and comments would follow, before you knew it, on the pages of newspapers the person may be condemned whereby he is an innocent person and the person we are talking about now is a Judge who is in a position to determine the life or the death of somebody. The question will now be, is it fair for wrong information to be disseminated because when you do that and at the end of the day the person is found innocent, people would start wondering why is that Judge still sitting? To somebody who never knew how it goes, he may end up concluding maybe he has been able to wriggle out himself corruptively. That directives by NJC was not to infringe on the rights of the media to desseminate information. There ought to have been some sensitization of the directives by NJC since the body now have a public relation outfit, through that unit, they ought to have let everybody know their intention.

MFM pastor’s wife seeks dissolution of 5-year-old marriage over violence Titilope Joseph A Lagos based housewife, Oluseyi Mark has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve her 5-year-old marriage over alleged violence by her husband. Oluseyi, who resides in Osola Street, Ifako, Agege prayed the court to end the union with Mr Jonathan Mark on grounds of violence, no more love and long separation.

In her evidence before the court, she alleged that her husband who is a pastor in Mountain Of Fire Ministry (MFM) Church beats her constantly. “When I was pregnant with our only child, my husband usually beats me and punched me severally on my already protruded stomach and this made our son to have a scar on his face when he was born and up till date. “As a pastor, l reported him in his church so that he could be cautioned

but he refused to change from his violent act,” Oluseyi said. She further alleged that whenever her husband sees people around her, or trying to hug her, he picks up a fight which always leads to beatings. “My husband lies a lot and keeps a dagger at home which he uses to threaten my life. Oluseyi who has been living separately from the husband since Dec. 2014, also told the court that she has been responsible for the education

and welfare of their child. She however, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage as she was no more interested and to allow them go their separate ways. The respondent, Jonathan, a pastor who lives at Kayode Alabi Street, Haruna. Ogba, denied all the allegations leveled against him by his estranged wife. According to him, his wife is a ‘party freak’ who cannot do without attending parties at the expense of

taking proper care of their four- yearold child. He added that his wife is unnecessarily demanding and likes giving him conditions. “Whenever l want to have sexual intercourse with my wife, she gives me conditions that are unimaginable and leads to series of misunderstandings,” Jonathan said. Jonathan also alleged that whenever they had any quarrel, his wife packs out of the house with their son.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Tech Times

FG should adopt local content bill, implement it in ICT sectorTeniola

NCC plans to extend telecoms services to more Nigerians in 2017

NITDA plans to reverse over $2.8bn ICT annual loss to import

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The telecommunications sector has contributed N 1.4 trillion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2016, or 8.0 percent, which represents a decrease of 1.8 percent points relative to the previous quarter, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, due to differing seasonal patterns, telecommunications tends to account for the lowest share of GDP in the third quarter. The share of telecommunications in total real GDP had declined throughout 2010 to 2014, but for the last six quarters growth in telecommunications has been higher, meaning the trend has reversed. Although growth in the telecommunications sector remained positive, in contrast with the economy as a whole, year on year growth nevertheless dropped in real terms from 1.5 percent in the previous quarter to 0.9 percent, the lowest rate since 2011 Q3. The total number of subscribers has increased rapidly over the past decade; at the end of 2005 there were 19,519,154 subscribers, but by the end of 2015 there were 151,017,244, which is equivalent to an increase of 13,149,809 every year. However, growth has been declining more recently, possibly as a result of high market penetration leaving less room for large expansion. In September 2016 – the end of the third quarter – there were 153,271,581 subscribers, compared with 149,803,714 in June 2015, which represents a quarterly increase of 2.31 percent. The number of subscribers had therefore surpassed its previous peak of 152,123,172, attained in November 2015. The yearly increase in total subscriber numbers was 1.73 percent; this was an increase compared to the yearly growth rate of 0.69 percent at the end of the previous quarter. This ends a decline in the year on year growth rate that had been witnessed over the past year.

Telecoms contributes N1.4tn to GDP in Q3 ÏdƑƄ ƅƏƈƄƆƏ Ƅ Ɔ Ɠ ơǀƢƌ

Telecom mast

From the end of the second quarter of 2015, until the same period in 2016, the year on year growth rate had declined consistently, from 12.05 percent to 0.69 percent. As in the previous quarter, the increase in subscriber numbers was despite a quarterly fall in CDMA subscribers of 39.15 percent, which compounded previous quarterly falls leading to year on year fall of 86.47 percent; a larger decline than in the previous quarter. The number of fixed wireless subscribers also recorded a large decline, of 31.87 percent compared to the previous quarter and 53.68 percent year on year. However, by far the most popular technology type is GSM, and therefore this technology type has a much larger effect on movements in the total number of subscribers. Subscribers by Technology Type Subscriber data is broken into four sections according to the technology type used. The first two are for mobile

technology; Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Core Division Multiple Access (CDMA), whilst the latter two are fixed lines, either wireless or wired. Mobile subscribers using GSM dominate, and accounted for 99.72 percent of the total in September 2016, followed by CDMA with 0.18 percent of the total, whilest fixed wired and wireless make up 0.08 percent and 0.02 percent respectively. The dominance of GSM users has increased since September 2015 when 98.52 percent of subscribers used this technology type; largely as a result of the continuing decline of CDMA users. The number of subscribers using fixed wireless lines has also decreased sharply, although this was from a low level and therefore only had a small effect on the total. The proportion of fixed wired lines remained relatively stable. The dominance of GSM over CDMA in the mobile technology is characteristic CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Dearth of trained manpower, bane of cybercrime law implementation Dearth of trained judicial and enforcement officers have been attributed as the bane of cybercrime law implementation which made Nigerians not to feel the impact of the cybercrime law which was signed in October last year. Commenting on this, Oluseyi Akindeinde, chief technical officer, Digital Encode, said that the cybercrime law is yet to be properly interpreted by the judges owing to the very technical nature of cybercrimes. “Currently, the judges are being trained in some of the cybercrime related offenses so as to properly adjudicate cases that come before them. There is a lot of improvement in Nigeria’s cyber defence and a lot more are still being done to fortify the cyberspace, in areas such as real time monitoring for cyberattack detection and response systems like

incident response which centres around how to respond when an attack is detected as well as digital forensics,” Akindeinde explained. According to him, these aspects of the cybercrimes are effectively handled by a national cyber security response team which is at the moment absent in the country. Tobechi Ndubuaku, chief operating officer, Tobeit Consulting, organisers of annual Hackcess conference, lamented that the delay in beginning the implementation of the law is not good for the country as organizations are continually facing threats of cyber-attacks. Ndubuaku implored agencies responsible for offering judicial workers training on the implementation of cybercrime law to

RƋƑ Ɔƕƈ Ɗƈ ƗƆƈ ƗƆè ƅ ƈƆƇ ƐƆƅ ƈƅ Ƌ ƇƇƈƅƆƏè #ƈ ƈƐ Ƌ & ƅ ƗƆè ƍƈƅƐƑƏƆ accelerate it to save private organizations from huge cost of providing cyber security for their data among other targets of cybercriminals.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29 , 2016

29 Tech Times

FG should adopt, implement local content bill in ICT sector-Teniola Mr Olusola Teniola is the President Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). He spoke with selected journalists during a media parley in Lagos concerning the intrigues in the ICT industry, the advocacy role of ATCON and other sundry issues. TONY NWAKAEGHO was there for Daily Times. Excerpts: Could you lead us into ICT industry with your experiences since you assumed the leadership of ATCON? It is six months now that I had my first briefing on my assumption of office. This industry is going through some transition and it is the only industry that has been recognized by government and other stakeholders both nationally and internationally that ICT in Nigeria is very critical sector. What I mean by critical is that we know we are in recession and government is struggling to balance its budget so they are looking to sectors that will get ourselves out of recession. Some people may have written and read what the CBN Governor said about the monetary policy, that he has used every tool. Why is it that everywhere we go whether to the Senate Presidency, National Assembly, speaking to the Ministry or the regulator, they are now pointing to the ICT. And the last one pointing to the ICT as the panacea to all our problems is NITDA. So it pose a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of ATCON, because we now need to sit down and recoup how we can assist Nigerians and including the government to take ourselves out of recession. I read a lot of things in the paper and all they talk about is the problems and not the solutions. The Senate President during our visit said that the Nigerian government of the legislators is not going to do anything that will negate the increase contribution that ICT, especially telecom is making to our GDP. Unfortunately with that statement we must recognize the fact our GDP is not the same as it was in the past. We have a contraction. Q3 forecast of the GDP is another contraction. We have inflation at 80.7 percent. We cannot be sitting there and being comfortable because we are almost entering depression. We are still in recession and if we get into depression it is harder. Some of the tools we are seeking from government; government may say it is diversification of the economy. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo at the recent eNigeria that I was involved in, mentioned that ICT is the fortune tow to diversify the economy. I agree with him, but

Teniola diversification takes time. We can all take full measures; we know the minimum that you can get on the impact on diversification in the economy of our size which at the moment the GDP is about $520billion. Anything from 24 months to three years, but we have a problem now how do we solve the 2016 and 2017 gap, that is the federal budget. The only thing we have been pleading and pushing is the local content. We can’t afford to be making the same mistakes that we have been making in the past and expect change to happen. So government has a difficult situation on their hands, stagflation is there according to the CBN Governor, he has used all the tools on monetary policy but that is the era of fiscal policy that we need to explore. We need to now ensure that the goose that is laying the golden egg which is the ICT is not killed with excessive tax. It is a balancing act. All I know is that our members are ready to work with government to find an appropriate balance that will make sense not only to this industry but to every citizen. You cannot

overtax citizens that are already seeing their wages now being obliterated just on inflation. Then you have the foreign exchange issue, our members right from the big mobile operators to the smallest operators find it difficult to import equipment to reach those same people that we want to tax. Because when you make that sector unattractive and the consumers are not able to make the necessary calls because there is no network coverage or increase or not able to extend the networks or you make the tariff expensive because they are not going to be borne by our members. It will be pushed to the consumers and it will not be at a percentage but it’s going to be at percentage plus cost to our members. They are not here as charity, they are here to ma ke profit. If they cannot make profit here they will take their investment elsewhere. You cannot force people to stay in a country. You cannot force foreigners to stay in Nigeria, the industry is foreign dependence. We can cry and do whatever; we do not work the equipment that is running this

industry. You know now that you have no choice but to create the incentive to attract that foreign direct investment that will be used as an investment to increase and improve the networks that will enable employment. Because if it does, you will have higher youth unemployment, because you cannot layoff when you do not add jobs. Our visit to the Senate President was to plead that they should not do something that will kill the real thing they are saying will diversify the economy. The suggestion that I made and it is a realistic suggestion that they should consider is that there should be 1 percent VAT increase across the board. When I say across the board it is not just on communication. You are talking of quality of service and you want to tax, it doesn’t make sense not only technically, but economically to apply that kind of thinking as a tool or a solution out of the quagmire is not going to work. We have to be realistic that the option that we presented, the VAT increase is probably the only option that makes realistic sense. If you keep on targeting the very industry that you are saying will take you out of recession, then I cannot see why we are not thinking of incentives in form of tax holidays, tax breaks, etc, not imposition of taxes. What does ATCON want government to do to assist the industry? Government should adopt the local content bill and the implementation that we have in the oil and gas sector in this ICT sector through the Office of the Nigerian Content for ICT, (ONC) which is part of NITDA. That will help to reduce the capital flight which has been recorded from 2billion plus 1 billion dollars that is associated with the software that is flying out of the country on annual basis. I say local content because it has been predicted that by 2019 the spent that Nigeria will make on foreign goods and property and services will be about a 170 billion plus, according to the new DG of NITDA. So we want members of ATCON to benefit from that because if you create local jobs it will benefit the government through the taxes generated. And that is fundamental to diversification

to those relying on the extractive industries. The other thing that we want is that the government should not impose any more taxes to this industry. ATCON is an advocacy body and we are here to protect our members’ investment and to encourage the government that they increase their investments. To date $68billion has been invested in this sector, and half of that is foreign based. One company out of the $64 billion contributed half of the $34 billion and that is significant. We want to encourage further investment because that is what it will take to build a national backbone network. We need this national backbone network so that we can have the services and platforms for the digital age. What changes are now going on in history is that the changes now are voice dependent revenue to data services. We have to create a broadband ecosystem that involves our members so that we can transit directly to the government ducts otherwise we will have a decline. There is nowhere in the world that they are using manual labour in certain sector, they are all digitalized. What must be done to get this local content right? Local Content is neither here nor there. Have you been able to articulate the skill and the type of software we have even as we don’t want foreign ones? We are only trying to play the catch-up by trying to assemble 2 billion phones and you say you don’t want to import anything is like working in a fool’s paradise. We should look for forum to be imbibing some of the foreign content. Nollywood is created by us, so why do we host Nollywood aboard and not bring them to our Data Centre here. We need application and content developers. Our youth are doing that right now. If you bring foreigners into the country to do certain jobs, the knowledge and the skill set needed should to be transferred within a specific time. We are only in sales and marketing and we need to stop dependency. NOTAP is already working a policy around it and we say implement it. We are surcharging ourselves when it comes to that by taking our money aboard and using it to employ foreigners there. What are ATCON plans for 2017? We are planning exhibition, conference and award event in Q1 2017. We will be more involved in the ICT 2016-2017 road map yet to be approved by Federal Executive Council. We will work with the regulator for members to have spectrum at affordable rate to assist in broadband penetration as we are getting close to 2018. ATCON members were honoured by the Senate for the first time and so they are aware of the issue we are facing in the nation, so we need to work with them to see the change mantra.

Tech Times 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29 , 2016

NCC plans to extend telecoms services to more Nigerians in 2017 Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), has revealed that provisions have been made in its 2017 budget to extend telecommunications services to additional 40 million people across the country. Danbatta stated this in Lagos during a sensitisation workshop organized by NCC for law enforcement agencies on telecommunications issues. Danbatta, represented by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, said that the commission had conducted a survey, which identified about 200 communities nationwide with access gap. He said that through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) being managed by a department under NCC, 40 million people in these areas would be covered in 2017. He explained that

empirical studies have shown correlation between usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and social development. He said that access to telecommunications services had caused direct and indirect rise in employment generation across the sectors of the economy. “As you are aware, the growth witnessed in the telecommunications sector in the last 15 years has been phenomenal by all standards. “From less than half a million lines on the eve of our democratic revival, today, active connected telephone lines are about 150 million, which has come with a contributing increase in tele-density. “Development in other sectors of the economy had been shaped positively and measurably by the potent realities in the telecommunications sectors. “We look forward to seeing greater development in the sector, because we are irrevocably committed to

DANBATTA

Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

full implementation of the National Broadband Plan,” he said. He said that NCC was determined to move fast in its mandate of harnessing the potential of the ICT sector to boost national economy. The EVC NCC said that the industry’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP)

was about 10 percent and the Commission was committed to seeing greater development in the sector. “In this respect, two Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) have been licensed, while the remaining five companies will be licensed shortly to commence the deployment of more broadband fibre networks beyond the major

Opeke, Anatogu attribute funding gap as barrier to innovation Funding gap has been attributed as a barrier to innovation, notwithstanding the increased broadband penetration that has led to explosion of innovation, creating more business opportunities among startups, increased productivity, efficient social service delivery like e-health, e-learning, among others. These were the

iDEA Hub (Lagos), while brainstorming at a panel session at the recent 9th eNigeria conference and exhibitions 2016, held in Abuja. Opeke lamented that for young innovators because access to capital

is limited in terms of institutions or agencies that can assist them to raise funds. She explained that the

all

which

were

with venture capitals and innovation hubs ensuring market-ready solutions, are there to support”.

attract local investors to focus on startups. Already, we have success stories in Wakanow, Yudala, Konga, Andela and rest of them who have even been described Zuckerberg, the Facebook Founder.

“As an industry and a society, we have responsibility to figure out how to support these startups and not leave them to bear the burdens alone. This can be done by removing entrybarriers facing these new businesses.”

infractions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and other extant regulations governing the industry. He said that while the commission rolled out various campaigns to raise awareness and made some arrest with the support of the police, there was need for effective strategies to ensure that anyone arrested was prosecuted. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said that the police would do everything possible to protect lives and properties. represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of ICT, Folusho Adebanjo, called on the people to see telecommunications infrastructure within their localities as communal assets. “The law enforcement officers must work with the community people because as they are responsible in performing their duties, the community people must see telecommunications infrastructure as communal assets and report suspected criminal activities to the police,” he advised.

Ndukwe chairs panel of judges for 2016 DS-IHUB Hackathon Ernest Ndukwe, National coordinator of Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) (picture) Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, and former, executive vice chairman of NCC has been appointed as chairman Panel of Judges for the 2016 Delta State ICT Hub (DSIHUB) DSOpen Innovation Hackathon. Ndukwe chairs the Jury made up of seven (7) members with Prof. Charles Uwadia (Unilag), Prof. Stella Chiemeke (Uniben),

that grants you a credit card to support yourself while seeking for fund to launch your solution. Friends and families are still important networks to start with in

therefore canvassed for capital investments in terms of capacity building and infrastructure development in the IT industry to assist the young innovators. In her words: “If we can have one ‘Google’ or ‘Facebook’ coming out from the innovation hub, it will create enough publicity to

cities in the country. “Our model, anchored on robust development of infrastructure, transmission and retail segment, is expected to speed up the cascading of networks of fibre required by individuals and businesses to improve life and catalyse the economic growth,” he said. He stressed that these tasks underscore the need for collaborations with security agencies to curtail criminal assault against telecommunications infrastructure. He said the mandate before the NCC in ensuring that the telecommunications sector contributed more to the economy triggered the zeal to perform and the need to halt obstacles to the realisation of its objectives. He said the industry had witnessed rise in the theft of telecommunications infrastructure and vandalism of installed facilities and equipment. Danbatta added that the industry had witnessed usage of preregistered Subscribers Identification

Gules

Technologies

USA)

Editor-in-Chief. Nigeria Communications Week), as members. In a letter conveying the message to the appointees, Chris Uwaje , director general of the Hub, said that all the Hackathon members of Jury

were appointed on merit, based on their distinguished achievements and integrity profile. “Above all the Hackathon jury members are world class personalities in the fields of Science, technology, innovation and information technology. “The DSIHUB is therefore very honoured to be associated with their professional intervention and services – with assurances of adding immense value to the Hackathon Finals on 3rd December 2016”, he said. This 3 day shoot-atinnovation-code event is scheduled for 1-3 December, 2016 in Asaba, Delta-State. The Executive Governor of the state and special dignitaries at federal and state levels including VCs have indicated strong interest to be at the Hackaton scheduled to hold DSIHUB, DBS junction State.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29 , 2016

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho National Information T e c h n o l o g y Development Agency (NITDA), is considering processes to reverse the increasing economic loss to acquiring foreign hardware and software running into over $2billion annually. To this end, Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication, who doubled as chairman of the occasion gave his backing to NITDA’S new direction, adding that the present economic realities in the country, following the dwindling revenue from oil sector has spurred national alternative to diversifying the economy for sustainable development. The Minister said: “There is no such better alternative than ICT, which has recorded tremendous growth and contribute about 12.62 percent to total nominal GDP and 12.68 percent to total real GDP in second quarter of 2016 according to National Bureau of Statistics. “The ICT revolution offers a historic opportunity to enable national adjustment to a fast changing and knowledgedriven global economy. It opens the opportunity for Nigeria to transform to an open, smart, and inclusive economy. It offers new tools and platform to address the region’s challenges particularly in areas such as governance,

31 Tech Times

Telecoms NITDA plans to reverse over contributes N1.4tn $2.8bn ICT annual loss to import to GDP in Q3

Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, NITDA’s Director General employment, demands for public services, export diversification, structural transformation ,and global competitiveness amongst others”. Shittu restated, however, that the challenge presently focuses not only on closing the gap in access to technology but also on enhancing ICT innovation and promoting digital industries. “Indeed, the access to technology is an important factor for us in Africa and for that we should focus our efforts on collaborating with the ICT private sector in the digital economy and the key role SMEs play in

our digital ecosystem as well as regional strategic partnerships in order to be able to do business and make it possible for all to communicate; but we need to address the ultimate application of this potential technology to tackle the underlying challenge of human capacity development. Shittu therefore informed delegates at eNigeria that the Ministry will collaborate with NITDA to ensure all tiers of government consider the adoption of Open Data Policy (ODP) as a means of creating jobs, making data available for policy formulation and decision making

as well as reducing the cost of governance and improving service delivery. Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, NITDA’s Director General, decried that Nigeria loses approximately $2.8 billion annually from the importation of ICT goods and services, including a whopping $1 billion spent annually on software imports. Pantami described as unacceptable a situation locally manufactured or assembled computers represent less than 8 percent of all the computers used in the country. “Similarly, Nigeria is projected to expend about $143.8 billion on ICT by 2019- a vast sum that translates to over 7 times the value of the 2016 national budget! “We strongly plead with our international manufacturers to domesticate their products in order to achieve a win-win relationship. “Within the limits of the mandate that set us up, we at NITDA are repositioning ourselves to filter the IT gadgets being imported to the country in the overall interest of the nation. “We want to transform NITDA from its administrative outlook to IT-driven and knowledge-based agency, and we request the support of all to materialize this aspiration”, the DG said.

Chad to host first-ever Pan African summit on digital economy, SDGs Indication has emerged that plans have been geared up for the hosting of the first-ever Pan African summit on digital economy and sustainability development goals (SDGs) in Ndjamena, Chadian capital. This was made known after a courtesy visit by the president, African Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSISSCASI) Dr. Cissé Kane to Chad President, Mr. Idriss Deby Itno, who affirmed that his office received an approval from Chad presidency for the event to be held in 2017. Kane remarked that His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, and chairman of African Union (AU) on Friday, has accepted to hold the 1st PanAfrican Summit on the Digital Economy and Sustainable Growth in N’djamena by first quarter of next year. The audience during the visit

Dr. Cissé Kane, ACSIS president with Mr. Idriss Deby Itno Chad President includes Mr. Mahamat Allahou Taher, Chad Minister of Posts and New Information and Communication Technologies and Mr. Bedoumra Kordjé, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Chad.

ACSIS President commended President Idriss Déby Itno for his vision and pan-African leadership and for having the bright idea of setting up the African Center for Information Technologies (CATI), adding that that he had proposed

the organisation of such a summit at the WSIS Forum 2016 in Geneva (Switzerland), which received the support of several African ministers, Ambassadors and personalities present at the occasion in Geneva. Kane highlighted that the Summit will respond to three major questions, which includes: “How to make African countries benefit from resources generated by the ICT/ telecom sector in Africa? What concrete financial mechanisms to put in place to get there? How to finance sustainable digital development in Africa?; How to make Africa moving from a consumer status to a real and sustainable actor of the digital economy status?; What are the priorities for digital resources generated by Africa to be used as leverage for the development of Africa?”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

worldwide; GSM accounted for over 80 percent of the global market in Q2 2009 according to industry estimates1. With GSM technology, it is cited as being easier to switch networks, and it is regarded as being more accessible for international use, especially given that some markets (such as in Europe) have mandated the technology by law. However, CDMA is more prevalent in the United States. Mobile Subscribers (GSM) In September 2016, the total number of GSM subscribers was 152,836,997, an increase of 4,409,954, or 2.97 percent relative to September 2015. This is 1.13 percent points higher than the year on year increase in the previous quarter, and therefore is in contrast to the downward trend in this growth rate witnessed over the previous year. The number of GSM subscribers has now increased in every month since April. This was the first quarter since the previous year in which each GSM provider recorded positive quarter on quarter growth in subscriber numbers. MTN recorded the largest quarterly increase of 3.68 percent, to reach 60,558,569 subscribers compared to 59,409,767 in June. This was MTN’s highest quarterly growth rate since 2014, and the first quarter since 2014 in which MTN recorded the highest growth rate among GSM providers. Airtel recorded the second largest quarter on quarter growth rate of 2.49 percent, with 32,775,916 subscribers compared to 31,978,848 in June. Globacom and Etisalat had 36,967,712 and 22,544,800 subscribers respectively, and recorded growth rates of 1.78 percent and 0.29 percent. This contrasts sharply with the year on year performance of each provider. The provider to record by far the highest growth rate, as well as the highest growth in absolute numbers, was Globacom. This provider recorded a year on year growth rate of 18.08 percent, and gained 5,661,240 subscribers over the period. The provider to record the second highest growth rate was Airtel, who recorded growth of 5.27 percent year on year. Airtel had followed a similar trend to Globacom until March 2016, after which Airtel’s subscriber numbers declined, and Globacom’s continued to grow. Notwithstanding the recent strong quarterly growth rate, MTN recorded a year on year decline of 3.10 percent, or 1,935,163. In absolute terms this fall was larger than the decline in the number of Etisalat subscribers of 1,641,291, although as Etisalat had a smaller number to be begin with, the year on year decline was larger in percentage terms, at 4.08 percent. As a result of these trends, MTN regained slightly more market share relative to the previous quarter, with an increase in its share of subscriber numbers from 39.15 percent in June to 39.62 percent in September, although this is still below the share of 42.10 percent in September 2015. Airtel was the only other provider to increase its share relative to the previous quarter.

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Brazil coach

Tite snubs Messi in FIFA

Messi

Nigerian clubs

share N240m loot recovered by EFCC

op Nigerian clubs including Nembe City have been paid their share of 240 million Naira recovered by anti-graft agency EFCC from a television broadcast agent. The cash was paid into the Club Owners Association account. EFCC are set to recover another N100m from the TV broadcast agent as well as a former sponsor of the league.

The clubs to benefit from this largesse will be those who featured in the now defunct Nigeria Premier League (NPL). It was also understood that some principal executives during the NPL era were also paid off from this recovered money. Television rights sales during the NPL era were shrouded in controversies amid allegations of brazen fraud. It was alleged that the league got less than 10% of the broadcast cash over a period of six years.

EFCC chairman, Magu

award

razil coach Tite has revealed Lionel Messi was not even in his top three for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award. The FIFA World Player of the Year has been rebranded once again after world football’s governing body ended their Ballon d’Or collaboration with France Football. Portugal and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo received the Brazil coach’s top vote for the annual award, with Neymar second and France’s Antoine

Griezmann in third. “Messi is the best in the world, but in the past season the best was Cristiano Ronaldo,” Tite told reporters. “On their conquests this past year, Cristiano was better. Second to him was Neymar and third would be Griezmann. “I left Messi out because he got injured a lot. Cristiano is direct and forceful, and has this fascination with goals.” This year the FIFA Best Player award voting will be split. National

team captains and coaches from around the world cast their three votes, which will make up 50 per cent of the voting. The second half will be split between an online ballot and picks from over 200 media representatives. Last year Neymar finished third, behind winner Messi and secondplaced Cristiano. Ronaldinho was the last Brazilian to be awarded top individual prize, claiming backto-back FIFA World Player of the Year gongs in 2004 and 2005.

The Abia Times

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

FG should strengthen local government autonomy law – Dan Egbogu AT 4

Two model schools underway in AT 3 each Abia senatorial zone Women in public service’s honour Abia First lady ÏÏÏ

R-L: Member representing Ikwuano I in the House of Representatives, Hon. Onuigbo; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Senator T. A. Orji and Abia State Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, during unveiling of Abia Mall (Shoprite) in Umuahia...recently

LGAs election: IPAC wants Abia electoral body to reduce aspirants fees Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

The Abia

T E A M

Abia Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has pleaded with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to prevail on the chairman of Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) to drastically reduce the fees payable by the political party aspirants in the December 17, 2016 Local Government election. The Inter Party Advisory Council was at the Government House, Umuahia, on a courtesy call, stating that this was to enable them participate actively in the election, including women. The chairman of IPAC, Prince Emeka Okafor and the state chairman of APC, Hon. Donatus Okorie, also said they came to identify with the Governor on the good works he is doing in the state, recalling that the duty of the Inter Party Advisory Council is to work with the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission to enthrone fairness and

objectivity in the electoral process Responding, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu challenged members of the Abia State chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to join forces with his government to develop the state. The Governor said that as stakeholders, they have a lot to contribute towards the development of the state, adding that the state will lag behind except there is peaceful coexistence. He appreciated the delegation for their sentiments for the development of the state and promised to assist them. According to him, part of his administration’s policy is to engage strategic and critical stakeholders from time to time and made public that his decision to embark on Local Government election is because he thinks that it is the right thing to do. The Governor was of the view that the use of transition committee chairmen in running the Local

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Sunday Nwakanma

Governments was playing a negative role in deepening democracy in the country, adding that Abia State has lost a lot in terms of experience in the last 10 years that elections have not been conducted into the councils. Ikpeazu expressed surprise that IPAC has not been getting on well with the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission and prom-

ised to engage the chairman of the commission to carry them along in their activities. The Governor promised to provide subvention to all the parties involved in the December LG polls as well as to encourage women to participate in the elections and regretted that desperation of some politicians has adversely affected the ideals of democracy in the state.

We’ll not interfere in LG polls, says Abia govt ÏÏÏ ABIA State Government has as-

sured that it would not to interfere in the conduct of the December 17, 2016 Local Government election by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC). The government also commended the Commission for the level of preparation it has put in place towards the success of the council polls even as it urged participants to play by the rules. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Strategy in the state, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, who disclosed the government position while briefing journalists in Umuahia, said the decision was reached by the State Executive Council presided over by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at its weekly meeting on Thursday. In a related development, Gover-

nor Ikpeazu has frowned at the use of transition committees to run the Local Government system, saying that the arrangement impacts negatively on development of democracy. Governor Ikpeazu also lamented that Abia State has lost a lot in terms of garnering democratic experience at the council level in the state because of nonconduct of elections at that level in the last 10 years. The governor spoke when members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) paid him a visit at the Government House, Umuahia. He said that the use of transition committee chairmen in running the Local Governments was playing a negative role in deepening democracy in the country.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has extolled the performance of Abia women public servants in the just concluded inter-ministerial sports held in the state. Ikpeazu, who stated this at the a grand reception in honour of Abia First Lady and his wife, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, in Umuahia, noted that the sports events, especially the football matches will help to fish out hidden talents that can represent the state in national competitions. The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, also appreciated the state women civil servants under the aegis of Abia State Women in Public service Association, ABSWPSA, for organising the civic reception in honour of his wife, who is also their member, and who through the mercy of God has been elevated and pledged to always support them. He congratulated the winners, as well as the losers in the competition, expressing his confidence on the ability of the women to beat their counterparts as a way of exercising and relaxing their nerves after work. Earlier in her address, President of Abia State Women in Public service Association, ABSWPSA, Chief Charity Ukonu, said the reception was to “give honour and accord respect” to one of their own whom God has elevated “to the exalted position of the wife of the governor of Abia State”. Ukonu said: “Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu you kept on maintaining the objectives of this unique association. You have helped to preach the message that women are not only carved out for child bearing, fashion parade, domestic chores or other vices such as gossip and ‘pull her down syndrome’. “”You are showcasing the good image of the civil service which is your primary constituency and also creating more wealth which is one attribute you are known for. “You have also wiped away tears by your laudable projects, touching the entire state and the downtrodden inwparticular”. Responding, the wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu expressed her happiness and thanked ABSWPSA for the honour.

The Abia Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

FG begins work on Arochkwu-Ohafia road Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ Residents and commuters who

ply the Ohafia axis of Arochukwu/ Ohafia road have expressed delight at the commencement of rehabilitation work on the road by the Federal Government. This rehabilitation is coming after forty years of abandonment and neglect which has occasioned vehicle wreckages as a result of the deplorable state of the road and the resultant multiple accidents on a daily basis as well as uncountable loss of lives. The people have therefore called on the Federal Government to ensure durability and high quality work on the road to allay their past sufferings and hardships which they have endured for years. Although the contractor has commenced grading of road on the bad portion of the Ohafia Road axis of the road, residents of the constituency see the road as one of the major critical infrastructure for economic growth in the area. The people are now happy that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has finally remembered them after previous administration had neglected the area and dumped them to bemoan their faith. Speaking on the development, the traditional ruler of Akanu Ohafia, Ezeogo Mba Odo Okereke, called on

the Federal Government to ensure the completion of work, while extending his gratitude to the Buhariled administration for the intervention. Ezeogo Mba Odo Okereke thanked the member representing the federal constituency, Hon. Uko Nkole, for all the efforts he had put in place which attracted the attention of the Federal Government towards their plight as it concerns the road and called on him to extend their appreciation to the President and the Minister for Works. On his part, Deputy Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai lamented that their people has suffered for so long before now, hinting that they would ensure that the contractor gets all the necessary support to enable him finish the work without interference from any quarters. Speaking, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Uko Nkole, who was on the site to witness the commencement of work, expressed his happiness that the Federal Government has indeed realised the critical importance of the road in socio-economic development of the constituency and in the state, hence the inclusion of the road as one of the road infrastructure that deserve immediate attention.

Medical Director demands N500m take-off grant for FMC, Umuahia

ÏÏÏ The Medical Director, Federal

Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Abali Chuku, has appealed to the Federal Government to release N500 million take-off grant to the hospital. Chuku made the appeal on Thursday while briefing a team of officials from the Fiscal and Responsibility Commission (FRC), which was at the hospital to inspect ongoing federal government projects. The medical director expressed concern that the hospital had not received take-off grant since its inception in 1999 when it was taken over from the missionaries by the Federal Government. He said that the Centre had been grappling with inadequate funding, adding that the take-off grant would help it to perform optimally. Chuku added that the hospital was grossly understaffed, saying that the present staff size of 1,531 was battling to meet the work load. The medical director said that the Centre had only 236 nurses and needed more to be able to effectively discharge its duties. He explained that he had applied

to the Office of the Head of Service to employ 800 workers but received approval for 415, including medical personnel, engineering, administration and accounting officers, among others. Chuku said it had become difficult for the hospital to sponsor the training of medical and other ancilliary staff because of paucity of funds. The FRC team, led by a Deputy Director, Mr. Samson Eletuo, inspected the two-storey Slessor/Ludlow wards and two-storey consulting complex, with 33 clinics already completed. The team also inspected the ongoing construction of Crowder/Ibiam Ward, valued at over N173 million. Chuku said that only N15 million had so far been released for the project and that the job could not progress due to the lack of funds. Also inspected was the construction of the 250-bed wards, valued at about N214 million. The medical director added that the project was initiated in 1970 but stopped at the foundation level also due to the lack of funds. He said work on the project resumed after it was captured in the 2014 and 2016 budgets respectively

and that 65 per cent work had been completed, adding that its completion would add up to the hospital’s current 405-bed capacity. He then appealed for more funding of the hospital, saying it was not getting any financial assistance from the Abia Government. The team also inspected the rehabilitation of 5km portion of Aba Road, Umuahia, being supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works. In an interview with NAN at the end of the inspection, the leader of the team expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far executed at the FMC. He, however, expressed reservation with the execution of the rehabilitation of the Aba Road. He said the state government’s intervention on some portions of the project created some grey areas that required clarification from the contractor, Simidia S&I International Company Limited. A representative of the contractor, Mr. Joshua Onwuchekwa, said that the contract was awarded as a constituency project in 2011 at about N560 million.

Cleric faults prophecy on Dep Govs’ betrayal of Govs Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ The recent prophesy by a La-

gos- based prophet, Elijah Ayodele that five incumbent Deputy Governors in the country, including that of Abia State would betray their principals, has come under fire by another cleric in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The Umuahia cleric and President of Power Word Ministries, Rev. Uche Ume, made the condemnation during a chat with newsmen in Umuahia, stating that such prophesy that creates fear, acrimony is not of God. Prophet Elijah Ayodele, who is the spiritual head of the INRI Evangelistic Spiritual Church, Lagos, revealed that the Deputy Governors of Abia, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto and Taraba states would have issues with their principals before the end of their terms in office. However, Rev. Ume dismissed the prediction as false, declaring “any prophesy which creates fear, tension and acrimony is never of God. “A prophecy must be edifying and comforting. A prophecy that has come to create chaos is questionable”, he insisted. Rev. Ume queried: “Has that socalled prophecy edified the Gover-

nors or their Deputies? I refuse to accept that God will send a word to bring confusion in five Government Houses across the nation. I don’t even know some of these Governors personally and so it’s not about me. “But I am interested in helping people know the wrong from the right. I’m not saying the prophet is a false prophet, but you see this prophecy about the deputy governors? This is totally false! “How can God by Himself through a prophet set five states of the federation on fire as these Governors, if care is not taken may begin to suspect and fight their Deputies? And you know what that means for the polity. “Any prophesy that brings a sword and divides a brother from another is not of God. The Bible asks us not to despise prophesy but also we are admonished to test every spirit. “The Bible says we prophesy in parts but it’s only in Nigeria that we prophesy in full. People should be careful what they say especially when they occupy certain positions. When Jesus enters any place, he brings peace. And so should prophecies from God. I refuse to accept that God will bring confusion in five states. What exactly is the target of that prophecy?”

R-L: Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Senator representing Abia North, Barr. Okey Igwe, PDP Chairmanship Candidate Umunneochi LGA of Abia State and Commissioner for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, Abia State, Barr. Chima Mgbeke, during the 80th year Ofala festival at Umuaku Isuochi, Abia State...recently.

Ochendo legacy project, Shoprite berths in Umuahia Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

The prestigious Shoprite worldwide, Thursday berthed in Umuahia as former governor, Sen. Theodore Orji and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu among others expressed happiness over the development. Speaking during the occasion which was conceived and the foundation was laid under him as the state governor, Sen. Theodore Orji expressed his happiness that the project was realised, pointing out that the mall will create employment for Abians, while quality products will be

sold there. He disclosed that he is neither the owner of the mall nor a stakeholder, but owned by the Shoprite Company and the state government, describing it as a legacy project that will boost the economy of the state through tax payment by the company. Sen. Orji, who traced the history of the site of the Shoprite and its acquisition, allayed the fear that the establishment of the company will be injurious to local market, stating that all cannot come to buy at the company at the same time. According to him, the idea of bargaining is not there but people will

still go to places they will be afforded the opportunity to bargain, stating also that the Shoprite will also be offering consumers rare commodities that would not be found in the local market. He thanked the Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu, the host community and others who contributed to the realisation of the project he initiated. Also speaking while commissioning the mall, the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said the mall will be a hub of opportunities for people to do business, expressing joy that Abia has joined the league of states that have Shoprite malls.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

3 The Abia Times

Ngwa Advancement Initiative honours ABSU VC ÏÏÏ An all Ngwa socio-cultural or-

ganisation, Ngwa Advancement Initiative, at the weekend, honoured one of its own and the Vice Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu, Professor Uche Ikonne, as the first and only Vice Chancellor in any university in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Handing down the honour at OboOgu Hall/Events Centre, Mbubo Nsulu in Isialangwa North Local Government Area, the President, Ngwa Advancement Initiative, Chief Chinatu Njoku, described Prof. Ikonne as “a man of dignity, self-respect and distinction, and an administrator per excellence”, stating that the Vice Chancellor was being honoured “for hard work and pragmatism, administrative acumen and prudent management of resources” which saw him surmount daunting challenges at the Abia State Polytechnic where he served briefly as the Rector and from where he earned the confidence of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu “who promptly rescued the institution from over N2 billion debt overhang”. Furthermore, Njoku said: “He is already recording unparalleled landmarks under these austere and challenging times at the Abia State University, Uturu in one year as its Vice Chancellor. Earlier in his opening remarks, chairman of the occasion and the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Uzor Azubuike, described the event as “one of the most important” taking place in the state as it was an event for one of their own who through diligence, hard work and honesty reached the height he is at the moment, stating that the VC is occupying a significant position in the world as the only Ngwa man as the VC of any university, just like Governor Ikpeazu is the only Ngwa man to

be a state governor. Azubuike described Prof. Ikonne as being simple and congratulated the Ngwa Advancement Initiative for adding another feather to his shoulder. The Mbubo community from where Prof. Ikonne hails from also honoured him traditionally. Responding, the ABSU VC, Prof. Uche Ikonne, expressed his happiness that God had awaken his people from sleep by blessing them with a Vice Chancellor, Speaker of House of Assembly, a House of Representative member and by extension, a Governor of Ngwa extraction, disclosing that the community has also produced its first Professor of Law, a Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, and described all as prospective Vice Chancellors. “These are things we are celebrating today”, he said and thanked the immediate past governor of the state and now the senator representing Abia Central in the nation’s Red chamber, Sen. Theodore Orji for finding favour in his sight. According to the ABSU VC, his 14 months stay in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba as the Rector was one of apprenticeship, expressing also his thanksgiving to the immediate past VC of ABSU, Prof. Chibuzor Ogbuagu, for nominating him as a Deputy Vice Chancellor. “We have awaken. It is time for us to use this privileged position to build up ourselves, fortify and be relatively competitive with our neighbours”, Prof. Ikonne said. Speaking with the Abia Times afterwards, Prof. Ikonne said he is ABSU Vice Chancellor for Abians, not for Ndi Ngwa, assuring that he will pursue the dreams of the founding fathers of pushing the university higher.

Abia CP, others get awards at RCCG convention ÏÏÏ

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Abia State Province lll has ended the 2016 convention with an award on personalities who have distinguished themselves in the service of God and humanity. Those honoured at the occasion include the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Leye Oyebade; CEO Trustlink Dogs and Guards Institute, Elder Chukwunazom Cyra Obi; founder of RCCG Unity Parish, Prof. Greg Onwuka; RCCG provincial excellent men leader, Kingsley Okeahialam; and a retired Permanent Secretary, Abara Ijioma. Speaking during the convention/ thanksgiving service for church building project tagged “Men Arise and Shine”, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who spoke through the Pastor-incharge of the province, Pastor Tosin Olaniyan, noted that the RCCG Abia province embarked on a four day convention to draw men closer to God and remind them of the need to channel all problems to God through prayers. He pointed out that another area

the convention emphasised was bringing couples together, praying for the sustenance of families and the nation, expressing optimism that every obstacle against the people of God shall pave way for progress. Olaniyan, who appreciated members of the Church for their contributions, especially to the ongoing building project of Abia province, stated that those honoured during the convention had identified and contributed to ensure the province never lacked in terms needs. Earlier in his homily, the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who also spoke through Pastor Olaniyan, appreciated members of Abia Province lll for total commitment in the work of God and urged them not to relent. He charged Christians not to lose hope in the present condition of the country as Nigeria’s economic situation will get better soon. The clergyman urged Christians not be distracted by the economic recession, assuring that the situation is a temporary one.

L-R: Mr. Chukwuemeka Mbah (Bobos Academy); Commissioner for Sports, Abia State, Chief Chinwe Nwanganga; Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, GMD, Chrisnak Group of Companies, and another guest during a football talent hunt organised by Igwe at Umuaku Secondary School, Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of Abia State...on Monday.

Two model schools underway in each Abia senatorial zone Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

As part of its effort to improve the quality of education in the state, the Abia State Executive Council has approved the construction of two model schools in each of the three senatorial zones of the state. The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Strategy, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, disclosed this to newsmen as part of the outcome of the state’s executive council meeting. He said that the model schools will stand out as they will boast of modern facilities including

classrooms, staff quarters, modern laboratories and other basic facilities. While disclosing that approval was given by the state government for the provision of land information certificate by the Ministry of Lands and Survey for proper documentation of lands available in the state to avoid people being defrauded by fraudsters, Comrade Iwuoha further revealed that an interministerial committee comprising the commissioners of Lands, Works and Housing was appointed to look at the Lagos and Enugu Liaison offices with a view to putting them to proper use.

He said the state government commended the efforts of the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Utilities in providing genuine services to the people. The Abia State government, according to the commissioner, also commended the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for the level of preparation towards the forthcoming Local Government election in the state and urged participants to play by the rule. The government promised not to interfere with the commission in the conduct of the polls.

My wife revealed suspected killers before her death–Widower ÏÏÏ Mr. Emmanuel Orioha, the 51-

year old husband of the victim of the November 9, 2016 Isialangwa North PDP Chairmanship primaries, has disclosed that his wife knew her killers and even named them before she died. Orioha, an indigene of Umuezeagu, Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Council Area of Abia State, said his 36-yearold wife and mother of four, Mrs. Amaechi Orioha, was burnt to death by political thugs while she was in her office at Okpuala, the headquarters of Isiala Ngwa North Council. His wife was trapped in the office where she worked as a clerical officer in the Office of the Chairman of the council. Emmanuel Orioha told newsmen in tears that some prominent politicians from Ngwa Ukwu and Umuha areas of the council area were complicit in the death of his wife, basing his assumption on some inflammatory remarks the politicians had made when they visited his community to solicit support for their preferred as-

pirant, one Uzoma Ihuka. Before the wife died, Emmanuel said: “I asked her if she recognised the people that set the office on fire. My wife mentioned three persons, all of them natives of Isiala Ngwa North. “She said that the three boys came to the chairman’s office with petrol and one of their colleagues confronted them. They said that the Transition Committee chairman asked them to buy it for his generator. “Shortly after, the chairman came to his office and picked few things and left again. After that, one of the boys made a phone call after which one of them poured the fuel around chairman’s office and lit it up”, he alleged”. Orioha disclosed that his late wife told him that she was crying and pleading with the arsonists to allow her escape from the fire but they refused, lamenting that the TC chairman whom his late wife worked for did not come to see her at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia or National Orthopedics Hospital, Enugu but came to their house after the woman died.

“They have also sent a threat letter to my brother, Ugonna. The life of our family is under threat. We appeal for police and security protection”, Orioha said, stating that they said they have submitted the letter to the police. A paragraph in the threat letter sent to Ugonna, read: “Ugonna Orioha, choose to close your mouth or we shall come for you”. Emmanuel Orioha’s elder brother, Ugonna Orioha, who was also in tears as he related his wife’s ordeal, said: “On October 19, 2016, some notable politicians from Ngwa Ugwu and Umuha visited our community to solicit support for their aspirant, Uzoma Ihuka, for position of chairman of the council in the coming council election. They addressed us at the house of Chief Friday Onukwue in Umuezeagu Nsulu. Their leaders who spoke, he said, had warned that if Ginger Onwusibe won the primary election, that blood will flow. They had also threatened they will burn down the council, claiming that over 120 people were present.

The Abia Times 4

Interview

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

FG should strengthen local government autonomy law – Dan Egbogu Chief Dan Egbogu left Abia State Local Government Service Commission and the Local Government Pension Board as their chairman on November 1, 2016, having served for five years since October 4, 2011. In this interview with SUNDAY NWAKANMA in his Okwuta Ibeku, Umuahia country home, Egbogu opens up on his experiences at the Local Government Service Commission, advising the Federal Government to strengthen local government autonomy law as most state governors tend to break it. Excerpts:

You served as the immediate past chairman of Local Government Service Commission and that of Local Government Pension Board in Abia State. What was your experience like while you were in the local government system? My stint in the local government was my first in the executive, having served as an honourable member in the Abia State House of Assembly for a four-year tenure, 1999 to 2003. So, I had the legislative experience in the House. As I came out of the House, I was drawn into the executive and serving as the chairman, Governing Board of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, BCA, and after that, I also served as the chairman of Task Force on Illegal Activities on Roads before I was appointed the chairman, Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, and the LG Pension Board. These two arms of government are all in the service of the people, as a Legislator and as an Executive member. Drawing from my experience in the House, I found it very convenient to fit into the executive arm because, we were the ones who were making the laws for the executive to implement, so I found myself now in a position where I have to execute the laws that we made. So, when I was appointed into the LGSC, I brought my wealth of experience to bear on the job. Basically, the LGSC is the engine house of the LG system and our jobs mainly as members of the commission is to recruit, train, transfer, promote and discipline the LG staff. On the other side, the Pension Board is the administration of people, arranging their remunerations, pensions and gratuity and generally, looking after their welfare in any way we could. What is your view of LG sys-

tem in Abia? You will realise that I met the system already existing. The system was already there and I wasn’t the first chairman of the commission. There were others before me. I met on ground what they left behind. They had the whole staff and the system was properly in place and they had the various departments. Basically, the LG service is a grassroots service of governance and is the 3rd tier of government. So, it is the grassroots government that touches the ordinary man and that is what the LG service is all about. As long as you have the villages there, the communities, then the LGs have a lot in their hands, even more than you can talk about the state and the federal government because, the federal and the state governments hardly gets to the grassroots and if they had to get to the grassroots, they go through this tier of government. Basically, I found out that it is just managing to reach out to the people through the various departments as was established for the administration of LGs. Did Abia LG system function ideally as it should according to the constitution? For record purposes, when I was appointed in 2011, there was no democratically elected government in place. They were running the transition committee system where heads of the LGAs were just appointed, whereas the constitution provides that this democratic governance should permeate all the tiers of government. Unfortunately, it was being operated at the federal and the state levels, but at the time I took over, there was no democratically elected government, even up to the time I left on November 1, 2016. Did you consider the scenario as an aberration? Of course, it is an aberration if the truth must be told. We cannot be operating two systems as a country. If you say you are operating a democratic system, it should permeate the whole three tiers of government. If on the other hand, you are operating a military system, we know you are operating a military system. But we operating in a democracy, so let that democracy permeates the three tiers of government. That is my stand. What is your view on LG autonomy in Nigeria? The problem is that the constitution did not hamstrung the operation of the LG in any way and did not work against the autonomy of the LGs. It was assumed by the founding fathers of the 1999 constitution that the states would

Egbogu

The Federal Government should strengthen the spirit of the law and enforce it because most of these governors in the states tend to overlook or break the law. If the law is obeyed, you don’t have a problem just obey the rules and the laws, implement the provisions of the constitutions, even though there is a proviso in the constitution that it is the states who would regulate the modus operandi of the LGs. I am sure the founding fathers thought that those who are going to be charged with running the states would reach and cue into the spirit of the constitution to make sure that LG is also a democratic system of governance. So it is not as though there was anything in the constitution which says that LG has no autonomy. No, the LGs said they are going to elect their chairmen and elect their councilors. Automatically, when a man is elected, he is the choice of the people and he has the autonomy to do what he wants to do. But this autonomy became too pronounced after

the people decided to jettison the democratic system at the LG level to substitute it with appointed Transition Committee chairmen, where now you dictate to them everything along the line, including the release of funds to them. So, this whole business of autonomy is not as though every day, the LG chairman was supposed to run to the state governor to ask for what he was going to do on daily basis or tell him to give him schedule of duties. No, this man was supposed to be elected as a political leader of the people at the LG level and use his own initiative due to his own pedigree and to administer the LG as best as he can to benefit the masses. How then do you see the Federal Government allowing the states to run joint account with the LGs? Yes, that was provided for in the constitution. There is a joint account proviso in the constitution. It is a constitutional issue. But then, the way they were implementing it, the spirit of it was faulty. What was meant by joint account was a system where an account would be opened and where the LGs will have their account drawn directly from the federal allocation, then the states would contribute some parts of their own revenue to that account and then the internally generated revenue of the individual LG would also go to that account. So, that was what joint account was meant to represent, not the way it was being operated afterwards. After all, no state must put any money there. Instead of the state putting in money, they were the ones consuming the money

meant for the LG for the projects the said they are carrying out for them (LGs). How do you see the statutory deductions by the state from LG funds? There are no statutory deductions from the LG funds by the state. What about the free medical outreach by the state government which is funded by the respective LGs? Ok, the primary healthcare is supposed to come under the LG and that is why the LG has the health department. At the LG level, it is supposed to be run by the LG themselves. So, if they are given that autonomy, it is part of their duties. The elected chairman is the political head of the LG in the state and he is supposed to operate according to the constitution. There is a local government law as made by the state House of Assembly and it gives them autonomy to operate. What would be your advice to the FG over this LG autonomy? The Federal Government should strengthen the spirit of the law and enforce it because most of these governors in the states tend to overlook or break the law. If the law is obeyed, you don’t have a problem. That is, if the constitution is implemented in the spirit with which it was written, there will be no problem and we will have a perfect system going for us as far as running this country is concerned. Many states will be holding their LG elections soon. Do you think this will be sustained or will the states slide back to running the LGs with transition committees later? This will be speculative, but I am of the view that the present governor of Abia State, who has decided to conduct LG election, is sincere and would not like to go back on that restoration of the democratic system into the LG system. Backsliding will be speculative. The conduct of the LG election would, to a large extent, determine whether they are going to backslide or they are going to continue on a forward match. What will be your advice to state governors in terms of all we have discussed above? If the Local Government is restructured along the line to render more efficient services to the people and those operators, that is the elected LG chairmen and councilors behave themselves and are alive to their responsibilities of being prudent, sincere and honest in running the system, there is no reason why any governor who knows his onions would backslide on the movement.

Business Times Customs generates over N600bn in 2016 – CG

Page B2

Daily Times Nigeria

Ecobank, NIBSS enhance mobile payment with new solution, mCash Page B3

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Government shouldn’t treat DisCos with kid gloves – Okonkwo Page B7

BOI, firm collaborate on gem stone development for export Charles Okonji The Bank of Industry (BOI) and Laurel School of Mines (LSM) have partnered to develop gem stones production in Nigeria for export.

ship is the boldest initiative the Development Finance Institution (DFI) has taken so far in the solid minerals space in the country. BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, during

a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) signing ceremony with LSM, said “We have lots of agricultural resources, solid minerals and oil, but solid minerals are the lowest hanging fruits. With gem stones, you do not have to wait like

agriculture where you plant to harvest and process. We have gem stones where we can pick them up, add value and within few weeks and make thousands of dollars.” According to him, the partnership is also coming on the heels

of Nigeria’s quest to diversify its economic revenue base, saying that the gem stones industry is capable of earning the much needed foreign exchange for the Nigerian economy. CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

R – L: Executive Director, Commercial BEDC, Mr. Abu Ejoor, Chairman, House Committee on Power, Hon. Daniel Asuquo and Deputy Chairman, Committee on Power, Hon Mohammed Gololo Garba during a visit to the meter store at Nekpennekpen, Benin, where over 20,000 pieces of meters were kept for deployment ...on Friday.

NASME urges FG to review tax rates downwards Joy Ekeke

The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has called on the federal government to review tax rates downwards, noting that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are still faced with myriad of challenges hindering the sub-sector’s potential to transform the nation’s economy. The association, citing the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said there are over 37 million SMEs in the country with only five million captured in the tax net. The President, NASME, Degun Agboade, explained that there is

need to get a large number of SMEs into the tax net, urging the federal government to introduce a waiver system to attract small businesses that have not been paying over the years the opportunity to pay up their arrears while also getting them into the tax net. Agboade, during a public-private dialogue on tax and regulatory policy framework for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lagos, noted that the unprecedented global attention paid to MSMEs in developing economies especially in Nigeria clearly indicates the critical importance of the sector for sustainable economic growth. He added that statistical indi-

cators on the potential of the sector towards job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth have continued to show positive trends and its expected contributions to Gross Domestic Product. He restated the need for a conducive operating environment for MSMEs, maintaining that the current stagnation facing businesses resulting from multiple taxation, levies, fees, permits should not be overlooked. “This public private dialogue is expected to provide a platform for industries and enterprises to exchange ideas and proffer ment of a best fit-tax regime that meets government’s objectives to generate revenue while enabling economic growth via MSME success,” he said.

African Exchanges to attract liquidity by focusing on smaller businesses Bonny Amadi African stock exchanges have been urged to focus on fostering and sustaining economic growth by working towards development of smaller companies via the Alternative Securities Exchange market (ASeM), in case of Nigeria, or South Africa’s AltX. Building younger companies through the stock exchanges becomes imperative hence the role of African markets in addition to providing foreign investors with entry point to the continent, provide platforms for companies to raise capital to fund their growth and expand. In a release distributed by APO on behalf of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Chairman, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Nonkululeko Nyembezi-

Heita, said that renewed focus on smaller companies and unlisted entities would further open the doorway for Africa to attract much needed funds from the global investment community. The development of platforms for small to medium-sized businesses to list across African capital markets will also allow private equity investors to consider listing as an effective way to realising the return on their investments. This means that the development of stock exchanges will not only encourage further investment through the exchanges themselves, but also in the broader real economy. The listing process can also contribute to a company’s development through encouraging greater transparency and stronger corporate governance.

Business News B2 BOI, firm collaborate on gem stone development for export CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

“The turnaround time is faster in precious stones unlike what we have in agriculture or the petroleum sector. We are going to generate a lot of entrepreneurs in this sector. We will be training 1,600 in each location, and 200 per location across the country spanning the six geopolitical zones including Lagos and Abuja. Those who are trained and show signs of becoming a potential will be supported by the BOI. We will give them concessional facilities to enable them trade and export gem stones to earn foreign exchange which would go a long way to help Nigeria diversifying the Nigerian economy while also earning foreign exchange for the country,” he added. ”We are about to engage Laurel School of Mines, they will be training 1,600 Nigerian youths in eight locations across the country where 200 will be trained in each locations. There will be four batches of 50 each in these locations in order to ensure that the training is effective which is expected to last for three days,” he stressed. Olagunju added that the course curricular of the training programme will include picking the gem stones, adding value and trading for export. LSM is a global players and operated in Asia successfully and in some parts of Africa as well. “We are dealing with a reputable institution that is Nigerian and the MOU we are signing is also in sync with the BOI’s operation strategy. We operate and collaborate with domestic and foreign development partners. LSM happens to be a domestic development partner in the private sector and the first in the solid minerals space,” he stated. Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Mr. Tope Adebanjo, said if Nigeria channels the required efforts towards gem stone development, the industry is capable of turning the fortunes of the economy around.

Dangote Group to assist FG out of recession

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

NB Plc invests N243bn in Nigeria’s economy The Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc says it has invested N243 billion in the Nigerian economy. According to the NB’s latest newsletter, the N243 billion amounted to 0.65 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It said that NB had contributed positively to the economic and social development of the country by investing in expansion of breweries in Lagos, Aba, Enugu, Kaduna and Ota. It said that over N175 billion had been invested by NB in developing

world-class brewery facilities in the past five years in Nigeria. The newsletter said that as at 2013, NB represented 12 per cent of Nigerian manufacturing output, equivalent to 0.23 percent of the GDP. It said the NB was currently sustaining over 500,000 jobs across the country. The newsletter also listed these areas to include: health, education, sports, water and community development, among other areas, it had provided employment. It said that NB had, as well em-

powered many Nigerians in other areas such as Creative Writers’ Workshop, National Arts Competition, Maltina Dance All and Golden Pen Award. The newsletter said that NB Plc was driven by a corporate philosophy of wining with Nigeria since incorporation in 1946 and the production of Star Larger Beer from Lagos Brewery in 1949. It said that the NB had progressed from that single brewery and brand to 11 breweries spread across Nigeria and 20 iconic brands.

Chairman, Nigerian Breweries, Chief Kola Jamodu

Customs generates over N600bn in 2016 – CG

COL. ALI Dangote Group has pledged to support the federal government and Kano State in exploring key sectors of the economy to cushion the effect of the recession among Nigerians. The group said in a statement on Monday in Abuja, that it would explore opportunities opening up in agriculture, mining and infrastructure, through partnership with the levels of government. President of the group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by an executive director, Hajiya Halima

Customs Comptroler General

Dangote, made the pledge at Dangote Special Day ceremony at the Kano International Trade Fair in Kano. Dangote said challenges of the recession rather presented opportunities to explore areas of development and bring back the lost glory of Nigeria’s economy. He said it was such determination that informed re-opening of Dangote Flour Mill in Kano as well as the tomato factory processing project in Kadawa area of the state. Dangote said the project would

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), on Monday said the service has so far generated over N600 billion this quarter. Ali said this while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board in Abuja. He said Customs contributed N903 billion to the nation’s coffers in 2015. According to him, the drop is due to the fluctuating foreign exchange rates and the ban on importation of more items by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). There are 41 items banned from importation; among them are soap and cosmetics, tomatoes/tomato pastes, plywood boards and panels, wooden doors, rice, cement, margarine and toothpicks. Ali said “the service made more than N600 billion in the last quarter of 2016. “I will not say it regrets but the CBN should have liaised with the Service before placing ban on some of the items.’’

have been fully operational but for the hitches caused by Tomato disease in the country and some technicalities. He reiterated efforts by the group to ensure sustainability in rice production through extensive out-grower programme in Jigawa. “It is our intention to establish a large scale rice mill of 250,000 tonnes per annum capacity in Kano, to process production in three states,’’ Dangote He re-emphasised that Dangote Fertilisers project, with capacity

Ali said the collaboration between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Immigration Service would boost income and shift the nation’s view from oil. “With the declining revenue from the oil industry, our economy is dangerously exposed to the uncertainties in the oil sector. “We must therefore look beyond oil and focus attention on tax which is internally generated. “As revenue generating agencies, working together will put us squarely on the driving seat of Nigeria’s vehicle towards an economic model that is inward looking and self sustaining. He said the application of modern tools to check corruption among the agencies would minimize leakages. Ali said a review and expansion of excise duties were being looked into for locally manufactured items, to expand government’s tax base to generate more revenue.

of 2.8 million tonnes per annum, the largest plant in sub-saharan Africa, would be inaugurated by the end of 2017. Dangote commended the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, and the government for their commitment to the business community “as demonstrated by the fair which attracted wide range of businesses from far and near’’. He assured the chamber of the Group’s willingness to continue partnership and scale up its presence in the years ahead.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

B3 Money Market

Ecobank, NIBSS enhance mobile payment with new solution, mCash Stories by Motolani Oseni Ecobank has joined a collaboration between the Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme, NIBSS and the four major telecommunications operators (Etisalat, MTN, Airtel and Globacom), to offer a new mobile money payment solution, mCash. The new mobile payment solution enables easy payments using the mobile phone of account holders. It facilitates low value retail payment and extends e-payment benefits to payers and merchants, mostly within the mass markets. Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Tony Okpanachi, said the enlistment of Ecobank into the mCash platform is in line with its policy to provide seamless and innovative services to customers. He was optimistic that the payment system would further engender cashless payment strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and stimulate commercial activities in the nation’s economy.

Tunde Kuponiyi, Head, Consumer Distribution, Ecobank Nigeria, said “mCash is certainly the way to go. This will further bring into the banking sector micro payments in our society. Apart from reducing use of cash, it will also be quite beneficial to our teeming customers and the economy.” He added that the bank had recently introduced innovative e-payment services such as Master-

Pass QR into the financial landscape, explaining that it allows people to pay for services using mobile phones. “It also enables micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria to receive digital payments from millions of customers.” In an earlier comment, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, had said “the whole intention of mCash is to broaden the opportu-

MD, Ecobank Nigeria≈, Charles Kie

nity for people who rely mostly on usage of cash to find convenient means of making payments electronically. The CBN has been pushing the cashless initiative for a long time and we have seen significant gains but a lot of people who have benefited so far have been the banking customers. And we need to deepen and reach out to a lot more people, as we begin to make real the dream for financial inclu-

sion and as we begin to realise that a lot of government’s social programme will touch a different set of people.” mCash utilises Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, (USSD) code in payment processing. Merchants can deploy mCash as a payment channel by registering with Ecobank, who will issue them an 8-digit seller code which buyers or payers need to use while making payments to them.

Shonubi

CIBN tells FG to pursue economic diversification Stories by Motolani Oseni The President of the Chartered institute of Banker of Nigeria (CIBN) Professor Segun Ajibola, wants the federal government to show strong commitment to the diversification of the economy from oil for the country to come out from the recession. He made this call while speaking at the 2016 Annual Dinner of the Nigeria International Chamber of Commerce (ICCN) held recently in Lagos, saying that there is the need for government at all levels to involve establishing a Task Force that would review other countries’ experience that had been in a similar situation like and learn from them. He explained that government should support the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises by providing

the enabling environment for business growth and production of goods and services that would compete favourably in the global market. According to him, “There is the need for the application of cutting edge technology by agencies saddled with the responsibilities of promoting non-oil exports. This would simplify most of the processes, remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and significantly reduce the likelihood of corruption associated with manual processes.” He also pointed out the need for continuity in policy implementation from one government to the other since governance is a continuous process. “The government must intensify efforts, through its protectionist policies and initiatives, to ensure that lo-

cal industries are given the room to thrive as the menace of concerns such as smuggling and dumping of cheap imports are now more prevalent than ever,” he added. He noted that government

Ajibola

must also tackle the international barriers to the export of Nigerian goods as part of the diversification goal, stressing that the federal government must intensify efforts to boost the accept-

ability of Nigerian products within Africa and beyond. In this vein, he advised the government to deliberately devalue its currency against other currencies in order to make export of its goods and services cheaper to the outside world while making imports into the economy more expensive. Ajibola, however, said that the policy is usually employed to boost exports of goods and services. He said an example of this is China’s ever-growing export sector. According to him: “Between 1995 and 2005, China’s policy was to maintain the exchange rate of the Yuan against the Dollar at $1 for 8.28 Yuan, the constant devaluation of the Chinese Yuan during this period largely contributed to the growth thrust of China’s export market, and helped to achieve a current account surplus of $162 billion.”

External reserves rise to $642m in 30 days After weeks of consistent and gradual gains, the nation’s external reserves have increased by $642 million to hit a one-month high of $$24.57 billion, the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown. The increase now brings the stock of reserves to $24.57 billion as at November 24, up from $23.93 billion four weeks ago. It also closed up a twomonth decline of $247 million, after losing $836 million between September ($24.74) and October ($23.91). All these are in spite of a US$2.3 billion decline in average inflows of foreign exchange into the CBN every month over the last 26 months. However, the CBN disclosed in its data on foreign exchange utilization for October 2016 that it granted access to about 7,792 requests for foreign exchange, valued at over $867 million through the inter-bank window to source vital raw materials and spare parts. A summary of the foreign exchange utilization for the month showed that the raw materials sector received the highest allotment, getting access to foreign exchange valued at $355,744,861.05 or 40.99 per cent of the total value of foreign exchange utilization for the month put at $867,834,186.26. It also showed that manufacturing and petroleum industries got access to $91,276,699.30 and $150,815,804.73, respectively. Companies and other interests in the agricultural sector got access to $13,714,552.83 for the period, while entities in the aviation sector received $10,313,648.29 for the same period. Further breakdown showed that finished goods and others got allotments of $43,838,044.04 and $10,795,488.92, respectively. Invisibles, comprising of school fees, students’ upkeep and medicals, among others, received $191,335,087.10 or 22.05 per cent of the figure. Commenting on the data, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, said the release of the figures underscored the transparency of the bank in Foreign Exchange Management.

Labour B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

NLC tasks FG to halt naira depreciation

Stories by Joy Ekeke

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on federal government to apply strategies capable of halting the depreciation of the Naira against major international currencies. The labour union said it was worried at the fruitless moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bring the situation under control, saying the devaluation and the attendant inflation have caused massive distress to millions of families across the country. The NLC noted that the protest it embarked upon in May against the hike in fuel price of petroleum products justified its position that tying the fuel price to crude oil price at the international market and the foreign exchange rate was not sustainable. In a communiqué signed by the president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba; and General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson; NLC “NEC expressed concern at the freefall of the Naira and the abortive efforts by the Central Bank to arrest this fall.” “NEC noted the harm and pain the massive devaluation and the attendant inflation

have wrought on tens of millions of families across the country. “NEC noted that this situation may escalate into a state of national panic except a solution to the economic malaise is found soon. “NEC accordingly resolved to urge the government to take all measures necessary to arrest the recession and turn the economy aroundincluding recovering from multinational oil companies the un-remitted over $20 billion (as reported by NEITI), $7 billion bail-out fund given to commercial banks by government with no re-payment reschedule and the billions Ozo-Esan of Naira similarly given as bail-out to private airlines but with nothing to show for it. “NEC urged the government to comprehensively reform its budget process as well as put in place a transparent and accountable system in line with the principles of good gover-

TUC appeals to financial Institutions to help rescue economy The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said financial institutions could help the economy come out of recession by not forcing more people out of work. Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, National President of TUC, made the appeal at a conference of members of the union from financial institutions held recently in Abuja. According to him, financial corruption in the banking and insurance sector of the economy will further worsen Nigeria’s economic situation if operators refused to act. “In a country where we are looking at creating more jobs, we should not lay off the existing ones that are in their job places. “Just like the judiciary is trying to clean itself, every sector of the economy of this country must clean itself of corruption, includ-

nance.” The NLC also asked the federal government to consider a more “pocket-friendly template on petroleum pricing” in view of the pressure by devaluations of the Naira and inflation on workers’ wages, quality of life.

ing the banking and insurance sector,” Kaigama stressed. sentative of the Minister of Labour and Employment and that of the Central Bank Governor. They appealed to employers of labour in the financial sector to promote policies that would contribute to quick economic recovery. the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Clement Ilo, pointed out that the labour union had enjoyed relative peace over the years, saying that it had in no small measure contributed in sustaining industrial peace and harmony in the banking sector. “I therefore wish to remind all of you of the significance of the understanding reached between the unions and employers which was midwifed by my ministry, and the utmost need to sustain and promote the path which would no doubt contribute to economic recovery,” he said. On his part, the Director of Financial Policy Regulation, Central Bank of Nigeria, Franckline Ahonkhai, stressed the need for the labour union to prevail on members to enhance productivity. grow the economy, labour unions should be in the forefront, rallying their members to enhance labour productivity. “I urge you therefore to use this

Kaigama

Inadequate remuneration, bane of corruption in public service – The level of corruption among workers in the public sector has been blamed on federal government’s inability to pay adequate salaries and allowances to its workers. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the fight against corruption can only succeed if government takes adequate measure to renumerate workers and ensure prompt payment of salaries and allowances. It said the fight against corruption was being eroded by vindictive actions against whistle-blowers by government agencies while government officials look the other way. In a communique at the end of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting , the congress condemned what it termed vindictive action being taken against workers of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Federal University of Agriculture, Akure for exposing corrupt practices in the institutions. It warned that it would not hesitate to rise up and defend its members if the government fails to take measures to address the situation in the two institutions with

immediate effect. Hailing the government for its tenacious militancy against corruption, the NLC said a lot still needs to be done to win the fight, citing instances of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where corruption was being allegedly rewarded and whistleblowers punished. It condemned in strong terms the vindictive actions being carried out against whistle-blowers in the two federal institutions, including the termination of appointments of 23 workers at FUNAAB and expressed dismay at the failure of the Ministries of Health, Justice and the office of the President to respond to the complaints of vendetta brought before them. It said it might be compelled to act in defence of its members if government fails to take the necessary steps. In the communique signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the congress said the motions by government, in spite of occasional denials, were

highlights of another round of pump price increase. The NLC stressed that its position has been justified as it had warned that tying the pump price to the price of crude in the international market and the black market exchange rate was not sustainable. It resolved to engage government, saying that the citizens and the private sector could not afford the burden of another round of increase since it would substantially affect the cost of production. It resolved to begin sensitisation of its members and allies in anticipation of a formal announcement of an increase, while resolving to do self-cleansing as well as review its strategies and tactics to achieve maximum effect in subsequent protest rallies. The labour body expressed concern over the continued poor quality of service, arbitrary charges, unwillingness of DISCOs to make available to consumers prepaid metres, deficit of technical competence and lack of capacity to turnaround the energy sector owing to a funding gap of N1trillion.

Aremu

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Power challenges, solutions - WAPIC 2016 The West Africa Power Industry Convention, WAPIC took place in Lagos last week with interactive programme that reflected the dynamic energy landscape of the region. The 13th yearly convention attracted power professionals, experts and industry stalwarts. The two-day event had side attractions such as the third edition of West Africa Power Industry Awards, exhibitions from both local and international power companies, screening of documentary, ‘Nowhere to Run’ produced by the Yar’Adua Foundation, West Africa Women in Power luncheon, Roundtable think tank exercise, and the Gas to Power conference track and training. Speakers at the convention included Managing Director, Spintelligent, South Africa, David Ashdown; Chief Architect, Huawei Nigeria, Olayemi Joseph; Chairman, House Committee on Power, House of Representatives, Hon. Effiong Asuquo Daniel; and acting Chairman /CEO, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Anthony Akah. Speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe; and Hon. Asukwo both asked Nigerians to banish the thought that power is a free commodity. According to them, metre bypass and power theft and non-payment of electricity bills have become big problems which should be addressed as soon as possible in the country. “We have to tell ourselves the truth. Nigerians still see electricity as a free commodity. That is why we keep having power theft, metre bypasses, and even non-payment of electricity bills. The truth is, if electricity will be free or subsidized, the government has to put money into it ; but no, government has

stopped taking any part since privatization,” they said. Power theft, meter bypass and non-payment are terms the distribution companies are yet to come to terms with especially since privatization of the power sector. The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies, ANEDC recently said for Nigeria to have 24 hours electricity, each home must be ready to pay between N9000 and N10,000 monthly. Spokesman for ANEDC, Sunday Oduntan, made the comment while addressing the solution to stable electricity in the country. In view of this, Oduntan said Nigeria should “forget about uninterrupted power supply for now.” “We have a long way to go to where we ought to be,” he said. Continuing,he said “even if we are going to have stable power supply, each home should be ready to pay between N9000 and N10,000 monthly.” Recently, the Association of Power Generation Companies also said the country needs 180 million megawatts of electricity. According to its Executive Secretary, Dr. Joy Ogaji, “The rule of thumb for an industrial nation is about 1MW for every thousand of the population. This puts Nigeria’s energy needs in about 180,000MW range given its population of about 180 million. The Federal Government has a target of 40,000MW by the year 2020.” “It is not about projecting the megawatts, we should also put other building blocks which go with generating the megawatts such as a firm, independent and knowledgeable regulator, a default-proof payment plan, firm payment guarantees, and incentives for investors.

B5 Energy

Next 25 years, energy use in water sector will more than double - IEA Opeoluwani Akintayo Energy and water have always been closely intertwined. Water is essential for all phases of energy production, from fossil fuels to biofuels and power plants. Likewise, energy is critical to water supply, wastewater treatment and desalination. This critical nexus between water and energy was examined in the November edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO). This International Energy Agency’s flagship publication looked at how the complex interdependencies between water and energy will deepen in the next decades. The recently released report finds that almost all of the weaknesses in the global energy system, whether they are related to energy access, energy security or the response to climate change, can be exacerbated by changes in water availability. And almost all of the fault lines in global water

supply can be widened by failures on the energy side. The WEO-2016 analysis provides the first systematic global estimate for the amount of energy used to provide water services to consumers. It shows that over the next 25 years, the amount of energy used in the water sector will more than double, mostly because of desalination projects. By 2040, these desalination projects will account for 20% of water-related electricity demand. Largescale water transfer projects and increasing demand for wastewater treatment (and higher levels of treatment) also contribute to the water sector’s rising energy needs. The water sector’s share of global electricity consumption remains around 4% by 2040, according to WEO-2016, but the figure hides some large regional differences. In the United States and the European Union, the water sector’s share of total electricity consumption is around 3%. In the Middle East, on the other hand,

the share increases from 9% in 2015 to 16% by 2040, due to a rise in desalination capacity. The energy sector is also set to become thirstier over the next decades, with energy-related water consumption increasing by nearly 60% between 2014 and 2040. Some technologies, such as wind and solar PV, require very little water, but others like biofuels production, concentrating solar power, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and nuclear power can have more significant water demands. As such, switching to a lower carbon pathway could exacerbate water stress or be limited by it if it is not properly managed, according to WEO-2016. The availability of water, particularly for emerging economies, could become an increasingly important issue. For instance, demand for water from many end users is increasing in China and India, which both rely on nuclear and coal-fired power plants, many of which are located in areas of water stress.

OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, met with IR Iran’s Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, during a closed-door session in the capital city of Tehran recently

Kachikwu, oil players to brainstorm on security issues in Lagos

Ibe

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and oil and gas industry players have begun meeting in Lagos to brainstorm on security, health and environmental issues. The brainstorming session which is part of the 17th series of the international Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) biennial conference of the nation’s oil and gas industry will kicked off

yesterday, and conclude tomorrow. According to the planning committe chairperson, Mrs Sibeudu Onyebuchi, the HSE conference provides a platform for HSE professionals in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to meet and share experiences relating to HSE issues arising from exploration and production, downstream and other related activities. The aim, she said is to promote and entrench a safe and

environmental sustainable oil and gas industry in Nigeria. With the theme, “Integrated security approach, new strategies and the way to go in the Nigerian oil and gas industry”, this year’s edition, according to Onyebuchi, would discuss contemporary issues and pertinent issues on security, safety of life and assets, its effects on the environment. “We expect that the knowledge

derived from the plenary and technical sessions would help provide further insight and approaches for tackling safety concerns as well as increase awareness on practical global safety and environmental issues and innovations that would be beneficial to the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” said Onyebuchi who is also a de puty director, HSE division, Department of Petroleum Resources.

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Equities Market kicks off week with 40 % loss Stories by Afolabi Adesola

The volume of shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) appreciated by 40.4 percent to settle at 202.4 million units, as the market opened the week with further price losses yesterday. The shares traded in 2,558 deals were valued at N1.616 billion compared to 144.2 million units valued at N2.143 billion and exchanged in 2,459 deals recorded in previous session. The All Share Index (ASI) dropped 0.06 percent to close at 25,318.41 from last Friday’s closing figure of 25,333.39 points. Investors worth also recorded further depreciation of N5.2 billion as market capitalization closed at N8.715 trillion compared to N54 billion lost on Friday when market capitalisation closed at N8.720 trillion.

Mobil led the day’s eight appreciating stocks with a 5 percent uptick to close at N219.41 per share. Eterna Oil followed with a 4.56 percent growth to close at N2.98 per share, while Fidson Healthcare Pharmaceuticals recorded a gain of 4.29 percent to close at N1.46 per share. Fidelity Bank recorded a 3.80 percent growth to close at 82 kobo per share and Ecobank Transnational added 3.16 percent to close at N9.80 per share. On the flip side, Forte Oil and UACN led the day’s 22 retreating stocks, with a 5 percent depreciation to close at N59.66 and N16.15 per share respectively, this was followed by UAC- Property that shed 4.86 percent to close at N2.35 per share while Africa Prudential Registrars lost 4.79 percent to close at N2.78 per share. AxaMansard Insurance closed the day at N1.80 per share following a depre-

ciation of 4.76 percent. Wema Bank emerged the most traded stock for the day with 75.4 million shares valued at N39.2 million, Access Bank followed with 22.9 million units of shares worth N131.6 million while Zenith Bank came third with the sale of 14.8 million shares worth N199.7 million. FCMB traded 14.3 million shares worth N15.1 million and FBN Holdings sold approximately 13.5 million shares at N41.3 million.

CEO, NSE, Oscar Onyema

FMDQ launches Debt Capital Market Development Project FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) has launched the Debt Capital Market Development (DCMD) Project to implement the recommendations drawn from the Debt Capital Market (DCM) workshop in October, according to an official statement. The launching took place last week during the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Third Quarter Capital Market Committee (CMC). “The DCM workshop on `the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets – Toward a Brighter Future’, was organized by FMDQ, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with the support of SEC,” according to the statement. “The sole aim of the workshop is to harness the capacity and potential of the domestic DCM and facilitate the exchange of ideas for enhancing and deepening the Nigerian financial market.’’ The workshop, which

was attended by domestic and international financial market experts and regulators, considered various challenges limiting the growth of the Nigerian DCM. The resolutions of the workshop had been translated into the Nigerian DCM Transformation Roadmap to be executed through the DCMD Project. The statement said that the DCMD project “seeks to fast-track the realisation of the DCM initiatives in the SEC’s 10-Year Nigerian Capital Market Master Plan (NCMMP)’’. It said that the vision of the DCMD project was also aligned with the Financial System Strategy (FSS) 2020 initiative aimed at making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020. It said that at the end of the DCMD project, “it is expected that the Nigerian DCM would surpass its peers in Africa in terms of diversity of products in-

Summary of activities on NSE

79 percent of ETI preference shareholders meet conversion deadline Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of the Ecobank Group, has said that 79 percent of its preference shareholders were able to meet the deadline of October 31st to indicate their intent of converting to ordinary shareholding According to a statement from the company, out of an outstanding of 1,031,515,911 preference shares, as at the end of December 2015, the holders of 819,424,548 preference shares exercised their right to convert their preference shares into ordinary shares in the company, one of which is Qatar National Bank (QNB), with 732,277,056 preference shares. The statement explained that once the requisite approvals are obtained, these preferences shares will result in 630,325,909 ETI ordinary shares at an implied conversion price of N21.32 per new ordinary share. ETI Group Chief Executive Officer, Ade Ayeyemi notes: “We appreciate the trust and confidence that the preference shareholders, particularly QNB, have in Ecobank. With the support of all our shareholders, we shall continue to provide the best quality

banking services to our numerous clients across the largest banking network in Africa.” The total ETI shares will thus increase to 24,730,354,443 ordinary shares upon conversion. ETI said it is taking all necessary steps to get the shares converted, issued and listed on the three stock exchanges on which the company is listed: the NigeriaN Stock Exchange in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra and the West Africa Stock Exchange (BRVM) in Abidjan. It would be recalled that a resolution passed on the 14th of September 2011, authorized the ETI to acquire Oceanic Bank International Plc (Oceanic). In line with the terms on conversion of preference shares recommended to Oceanic shareholders by the Oceanic board, as stated in the scheme of arrangement documents, and approved by Oceanic shareholders, preference shareholders had the right, exercisable at any time between the third anniversary of the issue date and the fifth anniversary of this date, to convert their preference shares into ordinary shares in the company

at the rate of one preference share to 0.76923 ordinary share. Preference shareholders, therefore, had the right to convert their preference shares up to Monday the 31st of October, 2016.

CEO, ETI, Ade Adeyemi

ASI DEALS VOLUME

25,318.41 2,558.00 202,432,468.00

VALUE CAP

1,615,751,299.37 8,715,639,153,987.76

Roads Nigeria loses N227.8 million in 2015 Construction company, Roads Nigeria, has released its audited financial statements for the financial period ended 31st March 2015, showing a loss after tax of N227.8 million. The loss represents a 266.3 percent decline from a profit after tax of N137 million recorded in 2014. The company’s revenue dropped 42 percent to N1.9 billion from N3.3 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2014. Other highlights of the result were a 259 percent decrease in pretax loss

of N323.7 million from a pretax profit N203.4 million recorded in the previous year, while earnings per share decreased from N6.85 in 2014 to a loss per share of N11.39 in 2014. Shareholders’ funds dropped 44 percent to N290.3 million from N517.9 million in 2014, while total assets declined 2 percent to N3.517 billion from N3.589 billion. Roads Nigeria Plc is engaged in the business of construction of roads, bridges, airfields and dams, with share price of N6.60 per share.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29, 2016

B7 Business Interview

Government shouldn’t treat DisCos with kid gloves – Okonkwo There is no denying that electricity is the bedrock of economic and industrial development in any society. Unfortunately, electricity remains a luxury and scarce commodity in Nigeria. In this interview, the President General, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Dr. Chris Okonkwo spoke on the rot in the power sector and way out of the quagmire. OKAY OSUJI reports. What role does your association play in the power sector? The association is a body of management and senior staff of electricity sector that includes public and private. It is a body responsible for the welfare of staff of all electricity related businesses in the country. We look out for the interest of these people, including how their employers treat them. Are you are a trade union? Yes, we are. Who are your members? They include those working with Distribution, Generating and Transmission companies, including cable manufacturers and other allied companies. How are you addressing the issue of casualisation of your members? Of course, the so-called owners of the distribution companies came with the intention to eliminate the trade unions, which they see as obstacles in their bid to exploit to our members. However, we are resisting such anti-labour practice and are fighting to stop it. We hear that some companies are threatening to retrench workers? Definitely, some have done so in Kano and Enugu. However, we are resisting the move. As you know we have been very resolute in prodding the Federal Ministry of Labour to rein in these companies, while impressing on them the need to adhere to labour laws and keep to terms of agreement entered into. Unfortunately, the federal government through the Ministry of Labour has been very docile in checking the excesses of these organisations, thereby exposing our members to all kinds of chicanery. However, we are determined to protect the interests of our members to the very last. Do you relate with owners of the DisCos? Who are the owners? Are the owners invisible? What is happening is a charade. What we have is a situation where the government presents some persons as owners of the Discos, even when the real owners are hiding somewhere. Let the

government tell us who the real owners are. What we have is a situation where the real owners are hiding somewhere and remotely controlling the government. What of Sir Emeka Offor of Enugu Power Distribution Company (EPDC)? We know of his battle with Geometrics Co? Yes, there has been a running battle between the two organisations, which necessitated the intervention of the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. We can only know if it the quarrel has been settled when Geometrics Co. begins operations. For now, we are waiting and watching. Three years after the unbundling of PHCN, are Nigerians better off ? I do not think Nigerians are better off. In fact, the government made a very grave mistake in unbundling the PHCN, even against the advice of the electricity and labour unions. Unfortunately, what the government did was to sell the unbundled corporation to their political patrons. Well, as you know, business and politics are strange bedfellows. Unfortunately, the power sector has been compromised and what we hear every day from the operators are surfeit of reasons why they are underperforming. Just recently, the General Manager of Benin Distribution Company told consumers that it would take at least five years to get their acts right. Therefore, it means that Nigerians have been deceived. They told us it would take only six months to turn the situation round. Now, they want us to wait until eternity. Recently, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing opposed the Senate call to revisit sale of PHCN. How do you see that? I think the Minister is prejudiced in opposing such call. Not only the Senate has called for a revisit of the sale. Such personalities as Alhaji Dangote and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have added their voices too. Then, who do you think among them knows better? What Fashola should have done is to undertake a comprehensive look at the operations of the DisCos to see whether they are keeping to the terms

Okonkwo of the agreement entered into. Where any of them has violated the terms of the agreement, then it should be sanctioned, while those living up to expectations encouraged. Some DisCos see Dangote’s comment as betraying his interest in acquiring their outfit. Is that your view? I do not subscribe to their view, because Dangote was there from the onset of the unbundling of PHCN. If he had any interest, nothing stopped from being a major player and buying the outfits. I see their comments as cheap blackmail. The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Fayemi said that government would issue licences for exploration in that sector. What is your opinion? As a responsible union, we are supporting the Minister in this regard. However, there is a difference between raw politics and hard economic action. If the government had decided in that direction, then it is fine. For long, it looked like successive administrations never wanted to resume coal exploration, especially in the old Eastern Region since the 1970’s. There was an element of politics in all this because it gave the im-

pression that they were all out to cripple the region economically. There is no denying that the country needs constant and reliable electricity and this can only be possible if it explores all sources of power generation of which coal is one of the most abundant. Why won’t the country explore coal for electricity when the existing ones are not only insufficient but more so are hostage to seasonal and security problems? For example, the hydro power plants are either affected by seasonal water fluctuations or funding while the gas-fired stations are concentrated in one geographical axis. Incidentally, they are very far from the source of gas supply. Unfortunately, the country has been playing politics with power generation and that is not good. What we need is sincere and concerted efforts to explore all available sources, including coal and solar energy for power. Which is the way forward? The way forward is for the government to demand performance from the DISCOs. What is happening is that government is encouraging them to come up with barrage of reasons why they are not performing. The government should come down heav-

ily and demand performance from them. Those unable to meet the standard should be shown the way out. Incidentally, what these companies have done is to form a clique known as “ANED” through which they shortchange Nigerian with spurious claims and adverts. Sadly, the government is watching and not doing anything. In the heat of all this non-performance, they still demand that government should privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). We will not allow that to happen. Do you support reversal of the sale of PHCN? As a senior staff union, we will not support the repurchase of DISCOs. Our stand is that the government should enforce the letters of the agreement and those not complying should be sanctioned. How do you see the demand for 16% derivation by your members? I see the demand as very legitimate. Incidentally, it is as result of the delay that came in the wake of the purchase and implementation of the agreement. For example, it took 16 months for the parties to start implementing the agreement. We are fighting on behalf of our members on this issue.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 29 2016

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Life&

TIMES Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Woli Arole:

Social media has opened doors for me

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

My skits are designed to make you relieve stress - Woli Arole Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, is one of the comedians on the rise in this part of the country. His choice of comedy,however, is what sets him apart from his counterparts ; Arole connects and touches lives with his brand of comedy which is usually in a prophetic disguise. The graduate of Psychology from the Obafemi Awolowo University is keen on taking his brand global and hopes to keep sharing fun and happiness with people. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Woli Arole as he is fondly called takes us on his journey and what sets him apart, amongst others.

Your style of comedy; did you ever wish to be a prophet in real life? I am a prophet in my ministry. While I was growing up, I was always inspired by God to give prophecies. I see visions till now, it is a God- given gift and I am very grateful. I do real prayers as well. I have a real prophetic calling aside from my social media skits. You are big on social media especially to instagram alone? I would say I was inspired by God. I just posted the skit I posted was on a Sunday; I began with my prayer point pattern, I went into the bush, began to pray like people in the white garment churches do. People loved it and I never stopped since that time. I did not see it as a big deal, I saw it as a form of expressing myself and people loved it. I am still doing my skits till now. Why do you focus on prayer points in your skit and what is the relevance of the bush you always enter for your skits?

I felt that the same way the Fuji musicians promote their craft and take it to the far end of the world, the same way an American rapper would promote hiphop, is the same way I can promote my background in Cherubim and Seraphim church. The manner at which they pray and fast; I would say I was inspired by God and my background because I attend CAC and Mountain of Fire. I felt if the background is being exposed to people within and outside Nigeria through my funny prayer pattern, it would be beautiful. I just wanted to promote my religion. Do you think your posts have made any impact in the lives of Nigerian youths? There has been a massive impact on the lives of youths all over the world. We have people sending us message from all over the world. The number one impact my skits have on people is that it relieves them of stress. I believe my skits are medicinal because people get back from work sometimes frustrated but when they go through my page, they laugh away their sorrows. I am like a therapist; I take away their stress and spend over N5,000; all you need is a little data on your phone and you would laugh in the comfort of thanks to my skits. I am like a doctor to people and that is really big for me.

Life&

T E A M

Your skits are mostly done in Yoruba, how do you connect with people who cannot speak Yoruba? For now, I am only able to connect with people that understand Yoruba but I subtitle some of my videos so that people who cannot speak Yoruba can also understand what I am saying. Soon I would broaden my scope. The reason I speak in Yoruba is because the person called Woli Arole is a character that God called from the south-western part of Nigeria and he is a Yoruba man. So if he starts speaking English, it means he probably went to a school of theology. I realised that the fact that I speak Yoruba even make

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

people who do not live in Nigeria connect with me. My skits are culture and language rooted. If an Asian man could be a worldwide superstar then I should be able to speak Yoruba in London. I would, also, use this medium to teach foreigners about my language. The beautiful thing is that some universities abroad are now teaching students Yoruba language. I am an ambassador of my language through my skits. I am proud of my language. How do you deal with amorous and naughty advances from women online? Do women want to send nude pictures to a prophet? If you tell me you love me, I tell you thank you, God bless you. If you say you like me, I tell you

Are you saying that because your brand is built around being a prophet it has deterred ladies wooing you? They still do but there is a way they do it and I know how I reply them. When they make such advances, I tell them comically that I am fasting. They know what I stand for and it helps me. That does not me but it is just the grace of God. Would you say that social media have opened doors for you? put food on my table and that of my family as well. The greatest joy it gives me is that I make people happy. You have no idea how I feel when people stop me on the road to commend my efforts.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

The right

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Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, November 29, 2016