Dtn 30 3 17

THE

DAILY

TIMES

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

NSE QUICK BITE

dailytimesng

Suspension: How Ndume incurred Senate’s wrath

Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Senate on Wednesday wielded a big stick against its former Leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume, placing him on six-month suspension with immediate effect.

It would be the second offensive the Senate launched against Ndume, the first being when he was removed as the Senate Leader ostensibly on the strong stance he has been taking on national issues.

76.01

80.00 5.25%

PZ

13.99

Continued on page 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 331

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

GAINERS AS AT March 29, 2017 7UP

Ndume began to get into trouble with the Senate leadership over his pro-executive stance most especially his open eagerness to defend the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu The former Senate Majority Leader is believed to be close to President Muhammadu Buhari while the Senate leadership felt

14.59

LOSERS AS AT March 29, 2017 4.29%

WAPCO

41.01

39.90

-2.71%

Legislative/ Executive face-off:

FEC sets up panel to interface with NASS

Ï R ƈ Ƅ Ɖ Ɔ Ɨ ƅ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ Ƈ ƌƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ è ƍƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛô ƈƗƆ è Ɛ ƆƏ Ɛ ƌƆƆƐ ƓƈƐ Ƌ Ɠƌ ƊƆƏ Ï d ƕ è ó&ƔƆƅƑƐƈƒƆ Əƌ ƅ ƅƆƏ ƆƗ Ɛ Ɛ ƏƆƋ Ɛƈ ƈƍ ƄƆƐƓƆƆ ƈƐ Ɨ Ɛ Ɔ ƋƆ ƈ Ƌ ƐƑƏƆ Ɛ ƌ Ɛ ô Ï `ƆƇƑ Ɔ Ɛ ƗƈƒƑƋ Ɔ ƅ Ɛ Ƈ Ƒ Əƈô ƌƆƗƈƅ Ƌ ƐƏƆ ƐƌƆ Ɛ ƈ G Ɨ Ï ƍƍƏ ƒƆ ǀƠƠƌ &ƑƏ Ƅ Ɨ

Strong indications have emerged that recent improvement in power sector may be short-lived as the management of Egbin Power have threatened to shut down operations due to non-settlement of N100 billion debt, inadequate gas supply and inefficiency in operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

45.00

44.96

-0.09%

Tony Ailemen Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Federal Executive Council on Wednesday said it has constituted a high powered committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to interface in the rift brewing between the Executive and Legislature.

The committee which is being headed by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will have all ministers who are former National Assembly members, the president’s National Assembly liaison officers and members who have relationship with the lawmakers as members.

This was part of the far reaching measures taken on Wednesday at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Continued on page 6

6 Magu: Senate summons Sagay over ‘derogatory remarks’

Power crisis looms as Egbin threatens shutdown over N110bn debt ÏÏÏ

FO

Contaminated table water: NAFDAC 12 sued over failure to release laboratory Customs denies linking ownership of seized vehicles to 6 Senate Alleged N1.4bn fraud: Peace Corps boss gets N10m bail 12

Gé`ë RƄƈ MƓ Ƒè 1Ə Ƒƍ #ƆƍƑƐƕ L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè ƅƅƆ Ɗ ^Ƌƅì 6ƆƏƄƆƏƐ zƈ ƓƆì 1Ə Ƒƍ L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əƃ &Rì Ɨ L Ƒ ƆƋ é RƋƑ è ƈƏƌ è Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƾƤƐ Ƒ Ƌ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ LƆƆƐƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ƅ Ɗ ƈ G êêê zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕê

OpeOluwani Akintayo

N150

Speaking to The Daily Times, Managing Director, Egbin Power Plc, Dallas Peavey, on Wednesday, said that the country is heading towards another blackout by next week as liquidity, transmission and gas supply issues threatened its operations.

Peavey made the disclosure against the backdrop of drop in generation.

He said that the plant was being forced to gradually shutdown

due to adverse effect of grid instability that endangers its turbines.

Peavey said that another challenges was the inadequate gas supply to generate at optimal capacity as well as the huge debts owed the company by Federal Government owned Nigerian Bulk Electricity Traders (NBET) and Market Operator.

According to him, Nigeria’s electricity supply may get worse Continued on page 12

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

3

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

www.cbn.gov.ng

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

5

12

8

9

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Legislative/ Executive face-off: FEC sets up panel to interface with NASS Continued from page 1 Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Recall that the lawmakers had on Tuesday vowed not to touch memos to the lawmakers from the President until the President complies with their demand for the removal of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This is just as the refusal of the SGF Babachir Lawal and Comptroller General of the Nigerian Custom Service, Hameed Ali, to appear before the Senate had led

to frosty relationship between the lawmakers and the Executive.

But briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly meeting on Wednesday, Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, revealed that members of the Executive were actually losing sleep over the issues, as according to him, “the executive is concerned that the relationship between the two arms of government is not as smooth as it is supposed to be”.

“In any democracy, it is a continuous struggle for balancing between the Executive and the Legislature because each of them

are creatures of the law.

“We must strive at all times to ensure that there is that balance, amity and smooth relationship.”

“Just today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, the issue was discussed and a committee is already working on ensuring that we resolve all these outstanding issues,” he added.

It is however not clear how soon the committee will meet and when the interface will commence.

Also speaking on the cost of President’s medical trip, Alhaji Mohammed noted that the matter has been overflowed as it had come up “several times and our

position on the matter is quite straight forward.”

“What are the President’s conditions of service? What are his entitlements in terms of his wellbeing and health care? The state is supposed to take responsibility for these.”

“We believe that asking for how much has been spent on the health of the President is an issue that we should weigh very well both for national security and also for moral issues.”

“I don’t know why we must divulge such very sensitive information”.

“I might be wrong, but I don’t

have experience elsewhere that the President of any country will be ill and be forced to disclose how much the state has spent on his health.”

“Yes, there is Freedom of Information Act but it is also carved in such a way that when such information is likely to endanger national security, I think it is an area that is not covered.”

FEC also on Wednesday approved the $500m Eurobond, even as it has directed the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to enforce Continued on page 7

Residents of Old Army Barrack in Suleja, protesting alleged forceful ejection and demolition of their houses, at the entrance of National Assembly, Abuja… on Wednesday.

Customs denies linking ownership of seized vehicles to Senate Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has refuted news report by some sections of the media (not The Daily Times) that the eleven vehicles seized from a house in Kano State belonged to a Senator from Kano State.

According to the Service, the report was capable misleading the public into wrong insinuations, hence the need to clarify on the issue.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah, it explained: “The Operatives of NCS Compliance Team, based on credible intelligence, trailed the movement of

some smuggled vehicles from Maigatari, Jigawa State to a house at Magaji Rumfa, GRA Kano.

“On the 7th February, 2017, eleven (11) vehicles, 10 Hilux and one (1) Land cruiser jeep were retrieved from the house at Magaji Rumfa GRA, Kano and taken for detention at the HQ of Customs Area Command Kano.

“The officers discovered there were no occupants in the house, hence the gate was forced opened to retrieve the smuggled vehicles. The investigation into the smuggling of the vehicles is still on to establish the true owner.

“From the above, it is clear that whoever introduced the

“Senator” angle to the story is out for pure mischief and does not represent the position of the service on this issue.”

“The attention of Nigerian Customs Service has been drawn to a mischievous publication in some prints and online platforms that the service has seized vehicles belonging to a Senator in Kano.

“Since this is capable of misleading the public into wrong insinuations, it is imperative to state the facts.”

The Nigeria Customs Service therefore, urged the public to discard the news making the rounds, describing it as “false and misleading report and should be discountenanced.”

Magu: Senate summons Sagay over ‘derogatory remarks’ Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Senate on Wednesday sum-

moned the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, on reports that he has been disparaging it over its decision to suspend action on consideration of list of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) forwarded to it for confirmation by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate had taken the stance on RECs in protest against the resolve by President Buhari not to remove the acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, after it rejected his confirmation.

Reacting on the position by the

Senate on the RECs, Professor Sagay, on Tuesday, referred to the Senate as childish and irresponsible in its decision.

Sagay was quoted as saying: “The Senate was filled with people of questionable character, who put their personal interest ahead of that of the nation, a situation that made its action against Magu not surprising to many Nigerians.”

The Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, had called the attention of his colleagues to the alleged derogatory remarks from Prof. Sagay, urging the Senate to summon him to appear before the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Na’ Allah (APC Kebbi South), Continued on page 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

7 News

Suspension: How Ndume incurred Senate’s wrath

Continued from page 1

that it may not be safe with Ndume as the leader.

He drew the ire of Senators when he challenged the Senate’s decision to reject Magu after President Buhari forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Ndume took to the media to fault the procedures used by the Senate to reject Magu, insisting that the Senate was wrong to have rejected the acting EFCC Chairman based on the DSS Report without giving him chance of fair hearing.

Speaking with the media shortly after his removal as Majority Leader, Ndume said: “The nominee, (Magu)

should have been called into the chamber and presented before senators who will then openly vote on whether to accept or reject his or her nomination.

“In the case of Magu, that was not done. We only had a closed-door session and when we emerged, the Senate spokesperson claimed that he had been rejected.

I had to set the record straight by saying we never rejected the nominee. This is because you don’t accept or reject a nominee at a closed session. “Ï was surprised that such a simple and harmless clarification could rattle and anger some of my colleagues. I thought it wasn’t a big deal to disagree over

issues. I didn’t realise that that simple matter would snowball into a plot to remove me.

However, Ndume had said his support for Magu was because he came from his Senatorial district and that President Buhari preferred him as the EFCC Chairman because of his commitment to war against corruption in Nigeria.

Even when the Senate refused to confirm Magu for the second time, Ndume again took to the media to castigate the stance by the Senate, stating that even Saraki has no business presiding over the Senate because he still has court cases pending against him.

Last week, Ndume raised

Legislative/ Executive face-off: FEC sets up team to interface with NASS

Continued from page 6

provisions mandating companies to list names of their directors on their letter headed papers.

Also briefing the media, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, disclosed that FEC also approved the 500 million Eurobond, which the National Assembly had approved and council was also required to approve and that was done.

“Council approved the ratification for the establishment of the West African Tax Administration forum which is a platform to promote mutual agreement and cooperation among West African tax authorities.”

“Nigeria is the host of this body but we have ratified the project. The effect

of it is that there will be better information sharing and cooperation between countries within West Africa on tax administration.

This is really part of our tax reform efforts.

“As you know, Nigerians own properties in Ghana and other neigbouring countries. Now for tax purposes, they will be able to have access to that type of information,” Adeosun said.

She also disclosed that FEC also issued a directive to the office of the SGF to remind companies that there is an existing provision in the law that companies are supposed to have on their letter headed papers the names of their directors and their registered offices.

She said: “What we have seen is that many bodies

that are transacting business with government simply have the names of the company and no details of who the directors are.”

“So for tax purposes, it is quite difficult to trace them. So the SGF will be issuing a circular reminding agencies and ministries of government that it is the law and therefore they are at liberty not to treat any document that doesn’t comply with the law.”

“And equally, the Accountant General is being advised that payment will only be effected to companies that are fully in compliance with the law just to make sure that all those who are doing business with government and making from government are paying the right taxes.”

Magu: Senate summons Sagay over ‘derogatory remarks’ Continued from page 6 anchored his motion on Orders 15, 16 and 18 of the Senate Rules, calling the attention of his colleagues to the Tuesday’s Punch newspaper publication captioned, ‘Sagay, others kick as Senate puts off RECs confirmation over Magu’.

Na’Allah said: ‘’I want Sagay to be invited to come and name the senators with questionable characters. If due diligence is followed, Sagay would not have been appointed as chairman. I, Bala Ibn Na’allah, is not of questionable character.

I don’t think there is any senator here who is of questionable character.

“There sits retired General Jeremiah Useni who spent most of his life time serving the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sagay must be invited to appear before Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee to name senators who are of questionable characters.

“There is no dispute as to the fact that today distinguished Senator Na’Allah is a senator. If somebody in the standing of Prof.

Sagay made this comment, it means this Senate is under obligation to invite him to come and name the questionable people that fill this Senate. It is very important at this stage of our political

development.”

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, stressed the need for cordial relationship between the executive and legislature under President Buhari administration.

Lawan (APC Yobe North) said: “I believe that if there is anything that this administration needs is cordiality, a relationship between the legislature and the executive. It therefore behooves on every presidential aides from ministers to the least in the ladder to behave responsibly to encourage and sustain the very cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the administration.”

a point of order, calling the attention of his colleagues to what he described as allegations against the Senate President on purchase of a bullet proof car with invalid documents. He had called for investigation of the allegations against Saraki on the issue.

However, the Senate on Wednesday, predicated reason for suspending Ndume on his alleged failure to substantiate the issues he raised against the Senate President on purchase of bullet proof car with fake papers as well as the issue of certificate scandal he raised against Senator Dino Melaye.

It said Ndume, by his action had attempted to bring “Senator Dino Melaye, his colleague and the institution of the Senate to unbearable disrepute at this time of our national life, when caution, patriotism, careful consideration and diligence should be our watchword.”

It, however, absolved Dino Melaye who was alleged to have presented deficient academic record to process his political career.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had to step down, thus yielding the space to his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, just as the

Senate was to determine Ndume’s fate while the process was spearheaded by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

Saraki said he could not preside over the matter because it was his fate that was about to be decided.

Meanwhile, earlier attempts made to save Ndume from suspension suffered a defeat when Senators who remained in the Chambers voted against it.

Senator Joshua Ledani (PDP, Gombe South) moved a motion that Ndume should simply be warned and made to apologise publicly to Saraki and Melaye.

The motion was seconded by Ahmed Abubakar Moallayidi (APC, Adamawa Central), who said there was no reason to suspend Ndume in the first place.

Senators did not allow the motion to sail through when they voted against it overwhelmingly.

The Senate had alleged that Ndume was unpatriotic by his conduct and on the issues he raised against his colleague, contending that it resolved to suspend the Senator from Borno State because he failed to cross-check facts before presentation them during the plenary It said Ndume deserve a severe punishment for his

action to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Ethics and Privileges Committee of the Senate which investigated the alleged purchase of SUV Range Rover with alleged fake Customs duty payments by the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had presented a report which found Ndume guilty of a hasty act.

The Committee led by Sam Anyanwu had also investigated the alleged certificate forgery against Senator Dino Melaye.

The 6-months suspension of Ndume was arrived at after an amendment was proposed and adopted by the Senate that the initial recommendation of 181 days suspension be reduced.

Anyanwu in his Committee’s Report said: “After carefully examining the documents available and hearing out the matter, the Committee observed that “the name of the Senate President, Senator Dr. Bukola Saraki was not mentioned anywhere in the Bill of lading or any document whatsoever connected with the importation or purchase of the SUV Range Rover vehicle; that he did not import any SUV Range Rover as corroborated by all respondents.

Contaminated table water: NAFDAC sued over failure to release laboratory Continued from page 12 of the Aquafina water were informed that the result certificate of the analysis would be ready within one month of the sample taking.

However, notwithstanding the solicitor’s letter for the release of the result, NAFDAC has failed, refused and neglected to release the certificate or report of Laboratory analysis of the Aquafina table water, despite several visit to the NAFDAC office.

Following the defect of the Aquafina Table water and the resultant effect, DAI Brothers Investment Limited was alleged to have been immediately blacklisted by the owners of the M. T. MARINA which had over six vessels working in Nigeria, and accused the applicant of negligence /collusion in the entire saga.

Yaro alleged further that following the whole saga, its good business name, image and reputation that have been built over

8 years were greatly damaged.

The Applicant contended that unless NAFDAC is compelled by an order of the court to discharge its statutory duty, by releasing the result of the analysis,

the applicant cannot be redressed.

NAFDAC is yet to file any defense to the suit.

Meanwhile, Justice Hadizat Shagari has adjourned till April 12, 2017 for hearing.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of the DEED OF TRANSFER Registered as No. 85 on Page 85 in volume 2127 dated 29 March 2006 belonging to RAGOLIS WATERS LIMITED of No. 64 Lagos /Ikorodu Road, Lagos is missing.

All efforts to trace the said document have been abortive.

If found, please contact the Lagos State Lands Registry, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

C’River state gov locks out SSG, gov’s office staffers for lateness Edem Edem, Calabar

ÏÏÏ The secretary to the government of Cross River state, Barrister Tina Agbor, was among the senior civil servants locked out by the governor, Prof Ben Ayade, on Wednesday.

The deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu, narrowly escaped being locked out too. The governor was

said to have arrived his office before 7:30 am when he observed that his office was yet to be opened for official duty.

When the office was eventually opened moments later, he directed that all entrances be locked and no one allowed gaining access to the office while he monitored the development on his CCTV. It was gathered that the chief press secre-

tary to the governor, Mr. Christian Ita, was the only appointee in the office with two members of the Press corps; Daniel Williams and Nakanda Iyadim.

Interestingly, Prof Ayade’s deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, arrived a few minutes past 8:00am and was allowed in without hesitation while two security operatives sneaked in with his convoy much to

the chagrin of their colleagues made little effort to stop them. However, source hinted that Professor Esu has been consistent in his time of arrival; he has been arriving office around 8:00am every time he is not out of Calabar.

At the main gate of the governor’s office, public and civil servants, security aides and other appointees were kept out by

stern looking security operatives in the governor’s convoy. The gates were however opened at 9:00am with some staff allowed to go in while those who came later were still standing outside.

Interestingly, some staff who got in signed the time register for their colleagues and when present, were not allowed entry as the security operatives

faulted claims that they had arrived earlier.

It will be recalled that Governor Ayade, upon resumption of duty in June 2015, locked out some staff that arrived late for duty (after 8am) which was the official resumption time for civil servants. Since then, yesterday’s incident was another major action on punctuality in recent time by the governor.

INEC chairman emerges President ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions ÏÏÏ The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has emerged President of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).

INEC spokesman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Oyekanmi, the INEC boss emerged president after a keen contest in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Oyekanmi said the INEC chairman polled 10 votes to defeat his Guinean counterpart, who received four votes.

He said that Republic of Benin and Guinea Bissau candidates emerged First and Second Vice Presidents respectively, while Burkina Faso clinched the position of Treasurer.

Oyekanmi stated that Yakubu’s election followed two days of deliberations on how to deepen the conduct of free, transparent and credible elections as well as strengthen democracy in the sub-region.

He stated that the threeday meeting, organised by ECONEC, began on March 27 in Cotonou.

“It focused on constitutional and legal frameworks, civic and voter registration, register of voters,

electoral logistics, results collation and transmission and technological innovations among others.”

According to the chief press secretary, participants of the meeting discussed the need for member-states to prioritise the production of credible register of voters.

Oyekanmi stated that participants also considered the application of technological innovations in the electoral process as a facilitator rather than a remedy for achieving credible elections.

“The meeting implored member states to boost the capacity and training of electoral officials with the overall goal of engendering efficiency in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections across the sub-region.

“Besides, the meeting called on security agencies across the member countries to always remain neutral and respect the rights of citizens in the discharge of their sacred duty of safeguarding electoral processes.

“The participants also called on member states to recognise the contributions of key stakeholders and continually engage them to deepen confidence and trust in the electoral processes.’’

L-R: Senior Officer, Informal Sector, National Health Insurance Scheme, Shem Adah; Communications and Advocacy Assistant WaterAid Nigeria, Blessing Sanni; Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Micheal ojo and FCT chairman, WashMedia Network, Wale Elekolusi, during the launch of healthy start initiative in Abuja… on Wednesday.

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Ex-DSS staff member, kidnap suspects in police net ÏÏÏ

The Inspector–General of Police Intelligence Response Team and Anti Kidnapping Squad of Police in Abuja have arrested 11 kidnap suspects, allegedly led by dismissed personnel of Department of State Services, Abdulrasheed Maigari.

ACP Abba Kyari, leader of the squad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos on Wednesday that the suspects had made millions of naira from victims abducted mostly by traffic lights in Abuja.

Kyari said the DSS’ former personnel, Maigari,

35, was 2006 Political Science graduate of Bayero University, Kano.

He said police investigation revealed that Maigari was recruited as a graduate officer in DSS in September 2011, later dismissed and charged to court in 2015 for a N310 million heist in Abuja.

According to Kyari, the suspect, who is an indigene of Donga in Taraba State, joined the kidnapping gang after he was charged to court and granted bail on Nov. 28, 2016, following his arrest with some unidentified soldiers for bank robbery

in Abuja.

“He immediately joined this kidnapping gang in Abuja and became its coordinator. He rented two houses in Suleja, where the gang was keeping its victims”, he said.

He said some victims kidnapped by the gang included 67-year old Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami, former General Manager of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), the Managing Director of Nigeria Paper Mills in Jebba, Chairman, Gateway Insurance, Ms Ngozi Dabiri, and one Mr. Japhet and his wife, who paid N5million ransom

after they were kidnapped in Gwarinpa, Abuja.

They also collected N50million ransom from the owner of a petrol filling station in Gwarinpa; N5million from two women abducted while driving in a Mercedes Benz SUV in Gwarinpa.

They also collected N2million from two ladies identified as university students abducted at Wuse 2, in Abuja.

“Alhaji Salami was rescued from the kidnappers’ hideout in a 2-bedroom house rented by Maigari in a remote part of Suleja town in Niger state.

Don’t waste your votes on undeserving legislators in future elections –IPAC ÏÏÏ The Inter Party Advi-

sory Council (IPAC), has urged the electorate not to waste their mandate on legislators pursuing personal interest instead of advancing the collective will of the people.

The Yobe state chairman

IPAC, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Wednesday that Nigerians should learn lessons from recent happenings and take wise decisions during future elections.

“It is very sad to see legis-

lators dissipating resources, time and energy on very trivial matters without recourse to the plights of Nigerians.

“They will come again in 2019. You should use your votes against poor representatives, who, rather than

promoting your plight, promoted their ego.

“Egocentrism and personality conflict, rather than service delivery, has dominated deliberations at the National Assembly, to the detriment of the electorates.

“Nigeria as a country

has very pressing problems that need the support of all stakeholders in proffering solutions that would improve the lives of the common man,” he said.

According to Kukuri, in developed democracies, legislators are always con-

cerned with issues bordering on the welfare of their electorate, and not personal interests.

He described as unnecessary, the controversy over ‘wearing of uniform’ by the Customs Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali.

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

s

When political cacophony does not matter in Adamawa Tom Garba, Yola Permit me to borrow a word from a Television interview in a popular TV program “The people” on core TV Lagos, where the interviewee did mention that “cacophony is an attempt to make a noise to distract a large audience from the main issue at stake, trying to convince people with your unpleasant distraction, when one or more people are saying what is outrightly not it. An effort to say you are there while you are not there, calling charcoal wool than black; painting Black white and white black.

The political intrigues and interest of many politicians in Adamawa State stands to be nothing than a mere political propaganda, where in many instances most of the elites in the state seems to be in strong support of the leadership style Of Senator Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, having proved himself to be a success and an achiever personified in less than two years.

In politics, constructive criticism and meaningful propaganda is allowed for the sole aim of check mating the government or those in authority, but many times the purpose is abused to the extent of showing hatred, brewing political enmity on the basis of sentiments and political Interest.

But the last Leadership Award bestowed on the governor has become a good reason that the entire Adamawa people are supporting the pragmatic leadership of Governor Bindow.

At the award, every man with a level political influence or otherwise attended and graced the occasion in solidarity with the working, or better still, “the who is who” of Adamawa State are fully involved in contributing to the recent developmental strides of Senator Jibrilla.

The men of timber and calibre that made up the state were in attendance to tell the world that Adamawa is one, peaceful, and united under a common goal, not as the sounds of political winds blowing the “cacophony” noise of distractions.

The Secretary to the Government Of The Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir David Lawal with his entire family was seen in a joyous mode with the governor exchanging pleasantries, the former vice President, the Turakin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stormed the venue with hundreds of his supporters, agreeing with the leadership style of Bindow. The most revered ranking Senator in the country, Professor Jibrilla Aminu despite old age struggled himself to the venue of the occasion amidst cheering crowds.

Former Governor James Barka, the former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur an elder statesman not only in the state but at the country at large was also there. The likes of Silas Zwimgina, Professor Maxwell Gidado, Hindu Hananiya were not left out.

The entire cabinet of his administration were gracefully in attendance.

Galaxies of personalities too numerous to mention from the state responded to the call of the award affirming that Adamawa State is good, better and more beautiful under the leadership of Senator Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow than it used to be. Senators from other states, lawmakers, diplomats and Adamawa people in the Diaspora were among

Gov. Bindow

guests who turned up to witness the occasion.

Last Saturday was indeed on point to say Adamawa State was on another page of history. For the first time all sons and daughters of the land came together for a common reason, despite One’s party affiliation, despite their religious, tribe and political beliefs, to them : “we identify with Bindow and his government.”

No Wonder, the tenacity, zest and audacity in the working governor is without measure and is limitless. This is because the Adamawa people are really behind him, tapping his back as an encouragement to carry on. It is good to

say the political noise making of others is a mere “cacophony” (distractions) which he does not want to give an attention to, to divert him from the main work that he has started.

He has vowed to change Adamawa State for good, adamant to rewrite the history of the state and to give it a new name.

Indeed it does not really matter that political pundits are saying what and what not, all that matters is that step by step, one thing at a time, Governor Bindow is committed to steadily remaking, renaming and rebuilding the state and redesign its beautiful look to the eyes of the world.

9

Why LG poll cannot hold in Kwara now —APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has said that the conduct of the local government election will be determined by an improvement in the state’s economy.

Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, the Chairman of the party in the state, told newsmen in Ilorin that the state had no funds to conduct the election now.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party’s position was coming on the heels of calls for the release of timetable for the poll.

Balogun-Fulani said the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) and the state House of Assembly, which have the power to fix date for the poll, had yet to address stakeholders on this.

He condemned those calling for the release of an election timetable, describing this as ill conceived.

The party chieftain also cautioned those comparing KWASIEC with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying both institutions have different mandates.

“People cannot arm twist the state electoral body to release schedule for the LG poll as INEC has its reason for releasing the 2019 general elections timetable in the first place.

“The state is passing through economic challenges as a result of the current recession and the situation has to improve before the election holds.

“Power and directive lie in the province of the House of Assembly, they will have to tell us when and how.

“Also, election cannot hold when the economy of the state has not improved. I think it is expedient to rather be discussing this when the state’s economy is at least stable,’’ he said.)

Aboru-Mason Link Bridge, a befitting birthday gift to Tinubu -Ambode Toheeb Ademola In line with his efforts at fulfilling the promise to construct one hundred and eighty one road in Lagos State, the state governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has commissioned the Aboru-Mason Link Bridge as part of the celebration of the 65th birthday of the former state governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola ahmed Tinubu The 5.5km Road and 480meters Link Bridge, which was commissioned by Tinubu has brought real joy and happiness to the people of the two communities.

The event was also attended by the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Lagos State Deputy Governor,

Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Adebule among many others.

In his speech Governor Ambode said the commissioning of the road was a birthday gift to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that commissioning the road is one thing he believes the former governor will really appreciate.

Ambode said, “I could remember that I came here in March 2016 on an inspection visit and I felt sorry for the residents and for the way the community was, and now we are here today making it a year to commission it,” he said.

The governor promised that his administration won’t leave any area behind, that within two weeks he will commence the construction of Ikola Road, Ogunseye Road, Okofilling Road, Anikande Road,

Aina Aladi Road, Ayetoro Road Linking it to the Ogun State boundary.

Honourable Bisi Yusuf representing Alimosho Constituency 1 in his speech commended the governor of Lagos State for his efforts towards rehabilitating Aboru community and the entire Lagos State.

“This construction has really helped to improve our community in the aspect of economy, because there was a plot of land that was to be sold for three hundred thousand last year, because of how the community is, but now that same land is worth eleven million naira,” he said.

The governor of Osun State in his speech said the community cannot effectively celebrate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode without remembering the past.

He then congratulated Ambode for his work towards improving Lagos State.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, March 30, 2017

The ordeals of Dino Melaye Chris Emetoh Ebullient Nigerian politician and flamboyant Senator of the Federal Republic, Dino Melaye is at the receiving end of his own kind of game. Melaye stormed the political scene through whistle blowing and as an anti-corruption crusader, a feat that has endeared him so much to the people. He has become a household name since his election into the 8th Senate.

A very vocal voice whose bills and motions have enjoyed remarkable attentions by all Nigerians, the Kogi State born legislator who represents Kogi west Senatorial District at the Senate never leaves a dull moment whenever given the opportunity to contribute on debates in the red carpet hallow chambers.

It is on record that Melaye has sponsored the highest number of bills and moved quite a number of motions since the 8th Senate began.

Some of the Bills to his credit include: the anti tribal marks bill which recently passed second reading, the Anti-Jungle justice bill, The “Bill for an Act for the Regulation and Registration of Lobbyists in Nigeria, The National Lottery Bill, A Bill for the abolition of State of Origin, among others. In terms of motions sponsored, Melaye has very many to his credit among which include; a motion on the Collapse of Road Infrastructure in Nigeria etc.

Since his sojourn into politics, Senator Melaye means different things to different people, some look up to him as a role model while others look at him with disdain regarding him to be a noise maker.

Melaye has been linked to many crises within the Senate.

As a matter of fact, he is considered to be Senator Bukola Saraki’s hatchet man, especially looking at the role he played during the struggle for Senate Leadership at the beginning of the 8th National Assembly which almost tore the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) apart.

In recent times, before his ordeal with the Sahara Reporters on certificate forgery allegation began, Melaye has been fingered as the man responsible for the removal of Senator Ali Ndume as the Senate Leader, an act which has brought him on a path of collision with Ndume who is also believed to have resolved to take his pound of flesh by compounding Melaye’s travails.

Senator Ali Ndume had ac-

Dino Melaye cused the Senate President, Bukola Sraki and Senator Dino Melaye of removing him as Senate Leader.

Ndume said his removal was because he insisted that the Senate did not follow due process, in rejecting the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

“What I said was that for us (Senate) to claim to have rejected a nominee sent to us by the President, we have to follow the right procedure, and observe our rules,” he said.

“The nominee should have been called into the chamber and presented before senators who will then openly vote on whether to accept or reject his or her nomination.

“In the case of Magu, that was not done. We only had a closed-door session and when we emerged the Senate spokesperson claimed that he had been rejected. I had to set the record straight by saying we never rejected the nominee. This is because you don’t accept or reject a nominee at a closed session.

“Our votes and proceedings are there as evidence of my claims,” he added.

Ndume said he heard rumours of the plot to remove him, but did not take them serious.

“I was surprised that such a simple and harmless clarifica-

tion could rattle and anger some of my colleagues,” he said.

“The other day, somebody mentioned to me that the Senate President had commissioned Dino Melaye to collect signatures to remove me. I didn’t pay much attention to the information because I actually thought it was a joke or a rumour.

“I didn’t feel that disagreeing with colleagues, and sharing my understanding of what transpired at our closed session was an offence, grievous enough to cause my removal,” he added.

During the confirmation hearing of Magu, Dino Melaye raised an SSS report dated March 14, which nailed Magu on the grounds that “In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.”

It will be recalled that Dino Melaye began the move on the need for the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service to wear uniform. He also during the last plenary while quoting relevant sections of the Nigeria Constitution (as Amended) urged the senate to demand Hameed Ali’s immediate resignation since his appointment especially on grounds of age, contradicts pro-

Bukola Saraki visions of the Pensions Act of 2004.

Dino Melaye said that the position of the CG is a rank and anyone who occupies that rank is a civil servant and as such Hameed “is not fit to be the CG of Customs” because according to the civil service rule, he has passed the civil service retirement age, and called on President Muhammdu Buhari to adhere to the rule of Law. Melaye had spoken severally against the actions of the C-G especially his grandstanding on the Senate. When the C-G through the Attorney General of the Federation refused to appear before the Senate, citing legal actions that have been taken, Melaye through a point of order, said the customs position was an affront on the legislature as an institution, and urged the Senate not to accept such.

“Democracy is standing on three legs, and one of the most important legs of democracy is the legislature. The Nigeria Customs cannot function without the National Assembly because they cannot spend or survive without appropriations and oversight.

“If this Senate takes a resolution and an agency of government will have the temerity, the guts, the strength to blatantly disregard the entire institution

of the Nigerian Senate, it is a very dark day for democracy,” he said.

Melaye added that Ali, as the number one Customs officer, has been disregarding the Senate, especially on the issue of not wearing the agency’s uniform.

“We have asked this man in the committee why he is not wearing the rank of Comptroller-General and he said uniformed men don’t wear uniform twice. I asked under which law and I educated him by reminding him that he retired as a colonel and that General Hananiya retired as a General.

“Hananiya was appointed as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and he wore promptly and daily the uniform of the commission.

If that position is a rank and you are not wearing that rank, it means you are not even proud of the Nigerian customs,” he said.

Melaye prayed that “the Senate resolves as follows: that we invite the Comptroller-General of Customs to appear in plenary and in uniform to either justify or falsify this statement. If after his appearance he insists that he said it, then I will recommend him for psychiatric test.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DailyDaily Times Nigeria Times Nigeria

Thursday, March 30, Monday, December 15,2017 2014

Politics 11 15 News

The ordeals of Dino Melaye CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Melaye said that the position of the CG is a rank and anyone who occupies that rank is a civil servant and as such Hameed “is not fit to be the CG of Customs” because according to the civil service rule, he has passed the civil service retirement age, and called on President Muhammdu Buhari to adhere to the rule of law.

Perhaps as pay back, those who Senator Melaye had stepped on their toes worked tirelessly to curtain what they consider to be his excesses by possibly keeping him busy. Like a radio commentator once put it, Dino has been given a dose of his own medicine. Although Dino Melaye who is prominent for his verve to unleash controversy on national issues as well as his vitality to instigate monumental provocation, had sometime last week raised alarm that some people were planning to witch hunt him.

Not long after that, the Sahara Reporters came up with messy certificate forgery against the politician, alleging that he never acquired a degree in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello

University, Zaria, even as some examination officers of the institution are also insisting that the senator never graduated from the school.

However, Melaye who has filed a N5 billion suit against the promoters of the online medium for libel and character assassination has been making concerted efforts to get himself out of the messy situation.

Senator Dino Melaye has vowed that the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, would go to jail for an alleged crime of cyber-stalling against his person.

On his Twitter handle (@ dino_melaye) while sharing a copy of a petition he wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, Melaye called for an investigation into the alleged crime of cyber-stalling.

In the petition, Melaye named Omoyele Sowore, Temitope Olumuyide, Incorporated Trustee of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, and Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc. as individuals to be investigated and forced to answer to the law for causing to be published a false and vexatious story that

Niger Delta group prays for Buhari, Tompolo EMMANUEL IRIOGBE, Abuja

In a rare gesture to project the correct perspective, a group known as the South South Believers Forum – a non denominational religious body, held a one day Prayer Summit in Abuja, to pray for the restoration of the health of President Muhammadu Buhari and for divine intervention in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial issues relating to for High Chief Government Ekpemupolo’s (Tampolo) travails and the for the commencement of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

The event which took place at the Phoenix Hotel, Karu-Abuja, saw over 167 pastors drawn from different ethnic groupings and churches in attendance.

According to the organisers of the Event, the continuing logjam in reaching an appropriate executive actions on all the issues necessary for peace in the Niger Delta portends a grave danger which has made the spiritual approach all the more necessary.

The prayer summit which ran with the theme ‘ intervention for sustainable peace in the Niger Delta provided four terms of reference for prayer actions to wit.- Establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ over the kingdoms of the Niger Delta; Restoration of Health for the Presi-

dent and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari; Executive, Legislative and Judicial intervention for High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo’s travails and the commencement of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko.

One of the conference speakers, Prof Tosan Blessing Harriman had suggested that given the fact that oil is a critical revolving foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, it would amount to foolhardiness for the government not to put in place remediation support scheme to cater for all the issues.

According to him; “The critical take-off point therefore is let economic expediency be the overriding factor.

“Going this route may even produce the statutory concomitant effect of mitigating vexatious political demands by the warring militants in the Niger Delta region,” he said.

He canvassed that the decision makers in this regard must acquit themselves with a measure of humility and integrity in confronting any prospect of official arrogance.

Harriman said there was need for the entire nation to pray for the full recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, who he described as a true man of integrity bent on ridding the country of corruption.

Senator Ali Ndume

“insulted, impaired, harmed, damaged and assassinated” his character.

According to the petition which had been acknowledged by the IGP, the act allegedly committed by the individuals and organisations contravened provisions of section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention ETC) Act 2015.

“Sometime this month (March 2017), the above listed individuals and organisations caused certain false and vexatious material to be sent by means of electronic communication, computer system and network against me.

“And they rightly know same to be false and that I am a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

“This is contrary to section 24(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention ETC) Act 2015.

“Subsection states thus: A person who knowingly sends message or other matter by means of computer system or network that: (b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill-will, or needless anxiety to another, or causes such a message to be sent, commits such an offence under this Act, and…

“Sir, this act is highly vexatious, an insult, and an attempt to impair, harm, and damage and assassinate my character.

“I, humbly implore you sir, to use your good office to order the immediate investigation of this act and ensure the said individuals and organisations are made to answer to the law.

“I thank you and convey to you the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Prof Ibrahim Garba

In the petition, Melaye named Omoyele Sowore, Temitope Olumuyide, Incorporated Trustee of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, and Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc. as individuals to be investigated and forced to answer to the law for causing to be published a false and vexatious story that “insulted, impaired, harmed, damaged and assassinated” his characte Sahara reporters on their part have continued to stand on their report, the problem however is that the ABU authority had remained silent on the matter and had allowed it to linger on unnecessarily. Their lackadaisical approach has left it unclear to know who is telling the truth.

But Dino said he is currently pursuing a third degree in the prestigious ivory tower, an institution renowned for quality and academic prowess. Is it possible then to enroll for a masters degree program at ABU without any proof of a first degree? There was an online release recently of the purported list of the ABU’s 1998/99 geography graduates without Sen. Dino Melaye’s name on it.

Omoyele Sowore

However, the list seem to have been authored by some ethnic propangadists. The ABU logo wasn’t there.

It is time that the ABU come out with an official position on the matter to save an unready saturated tension.

However, things seem to be getting in place for Melaye as the question of whether or not he indeed graduated from the said Ivory Towers is gradually tilting to his favour.

This is because when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges over the allegations on Monday, the Vice Chancellor of the university, the Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Ibrahim Garba was on his side.

According to the Vice Chancellor, Melaye indeed graduated from the Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria. Dino Melaye graduated with a third class in Geography.

When Melaye appeared before the committee, he did that alongside the Vice Chancellor, he insisted that Melaye indeed graduated, but not as Dino Melaye, but as Daniel Melaye, but the Senator told the committee that he officially changed his name to Dino Melaye.

He also tendered an acceptance letter, an acceptance offer of admission and results from ABU Zaria. The embattled Senator also tendered his final year project before the Senate committee. The VC also admitted that Melaye graduated as Daniel Jonah Melaye with a third class in Geography in 2000.

Hopefully, with this clarification, issues relating to the matter may have to shift from the from burners, while the concerned parties wait on the court to decide on the pending suit before it.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Power crisis looms as Egbin threatens shutdown over N110bn debt Continued from page 1 in the coming weeks as liquidity, transmission and gas supply issues are threatening the operation of its biggest power station, Egbin. ``Egbin power plant is one of the biggest single power generating stations in Africa, with an installed capacity of 1320 MW consisting of 6 units of 220MW each. ``Following the conclusion of the government’s privatization exercise in November 2013, the consortium formed by the partnership between New Electricity Distribution Company and the Korean Electric Power Corpora-

tion (NEDC/KEPCO) acquired Egbin Power plc, ‘’ he said .

The Egbin Power boss said that the effect of the debt has become worse for the company owing to the fact that it is owed N110 billion.

His words: ``We owe the gas companies and have others like our technical partners (KEPCO) to pay, and importantly our lenders, the banks. ``We have made massive investments in making the plant readily available to generate electricity sustainably but unfortunately, we can’t break even due to the gross inefficiency in the value chain.

``The government guarantees to pay us for every megawatt we generate and sell to NBET but they have not done that. ``We just got paid for the month of December, 2016, three months later and we were only paid a paltry 28 percent out of the total 100 per cent of the verified and accepted invoice for that month. ``That is how the outstanding debts kept accumulating for three and half years now. Ask what will be the effect, if the debt is not paid?’’

He said that eventually these unbearable business operating circumstances and conditions

will shut Egbin down any moment if it persists.

“That is the simple but bitter truth,” he said.

On transmission, Peavey, said the company had reached 1,100 MW while the installed capacity is 1, 320 MW, adding that the grid could not take the power because of the capability issues within the Transmission Company of Nigeria system. `` We are constrained and limited to generate about 350MW daily due to both TCN system operations and inadequate gas supply issues. `So, 70 percent of our output is

lost because available power can’t be evacuated. When you get good news from TCN that you can increase your generation, we will be faced with not “enough gas” and when there is gas, you have TCN issues. So, you have one, you don’t have the other.

“Let me be honest, if Egbin fails, it’s going to be dark as Egbin provides close to 30 per cent of Nigeria’s power, so let the required intervention be completed and urgently too, however, the Egbin turbines are ready to light up Nigeria,” he said.

Alleged N1.4bn fraud: Peace Corps boss gets N10m bail Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Ambassador, (Dr.) Dickson Akor, on Wednesday, in Abuja, secured a N10 million bail after he was arraigned on 90 counts criminal charge before the Federal High Court to which he pleaded not guilty.

Akor and the Incorporated Trustees of the organisation were arraigned before Justice John Tsoho by the Federal Government on a 90-count criminal charge for alleged conversion of monies directly derived from “extortion” amounting to about N1.4 billion.

When the counts were read before the defendant, he denied all the 90-count charges preferred against him by the Federal Government and pleaded not guilty.

Consequently, his bail application was argued by John Ochogwu, with the prosecution counsel, Aminu Alilu, in opposition.

Ruling on Akor’s bail application, two hours later, the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, granted bail to the 1st defendant in the sum of N10m with one surety in the sum of N20m.

The surety shall be resident in Abuja and must be an owner of a landed property in Abuja, the court said, adding that the surety must tender photocopies of title deeds of the property to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the court.

Also, the surety is required to submit his residential address which must be verified by the DCR litigation.

As part of the bail conditions, Justice Tsoho ordered that Akor should drop his international passport and should apply to the court whenever he wants to use it during the cause of his trial.

The Judge also ordered Akor and his surety to deposit their two

recent passport photographs with the court.

“After due consideration accorded to counsels, the court is inclined to grant the bail to the applicant because the alleged offences are not capital in nature,” he ruled.

The court said the submission of the complainant that the applicant might influence or interfere with police investigation, “is speculative and mere apprehension”.

Justice Tsoho added that the prosecution has not deposed to any affidavit showing that Akor jumped bail while on administrative bail.

Consequently, the court held that the respondent has not shown enough reason why Akor should not be granted bail.

The trial has been scheduled to commence on May 23.

The charge had among others accused Akor and the Incorporated Trustees of Peace Corps of usurping the function of the Nigerian Police by organising paramilitary training for its members, wearing of uniforms, putting on barrettes and belts that resemble those of the police.

He was also accused of flying flags without the authority of the Minister of Interior.

Some of the charges reads: “That you Dickson Akor and Incorporated Trustees of Peace Corps of Nigeria, both of Peace Corps of Nigeria Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, on or about June 24, 2016, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abuja, did conduct financial transactions when you transferred the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: the sum of N60m obtained by false pretence to one Mukthar Dantata which said transaction you designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source or ownership of the Continued on page 7

A cross section of physically challenged on a peaceful protest over none passage of the Nigeria disability bill at the entrance of National Assembly, Abuja... on Wednesday.

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Contaminated table water: NAFDAC sued over failure to release laboratory Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ Sixteen months after a firm, DAI Brothers Investment Limited, was alleged to have been supplied with contaminated Aquafina Table water by Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, the firm has filed a suit before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, urging the court to compel National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to release forthwith on oath the certificate of report of Laboratory analysis of Aquafina Table water vide the notice of complaint of the applicant.

In an affidavit sworn to by the Managing Director of DAI Brothers investment Limited, Ibrahim Yaro, the deponent alleged that sometime between November and December 2015, his company purchased Aquafina Table water from Gjonny Enterprises, an

accredited distributor /deport of Aquafina Table water with Seven -Up Bottling company Plc, the producers of Aquafina Table water for supplies to the vessel M.T.MARINA, one of its major clients.

However, the company was rudely shocked to be informed by the owners of the Vessel M.T. MARINA that the Aquafina Table water supplied was contaminated and some crew members who are foreign nationals of the M.T MARINA who consumed the said Aquafina Table water immediately took ill and were evacuated and flown to India for medical treatment.

Yaro alleged further that following a close scrutiny of the Aquafina Table water, it was discovered that the said water contains particles and foreign bodies of black substances.

Thereafter the applicants

through its Solicitors, lodged a complaint to the Director of NAFDAC in Apapa, Lagos.

Following the complaint, the men and officers of NAFDAC Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, Apapa, Lagos recovered from the Applicant’s company 22 packs of 150CL of Aquafina Table Water.

Upon the recovery of the 22 packs of the said Aquafina Table water from the store of the company, samples were taken of the said water marked and sealed for laboratory analysis by NAFDAC, in the presence of the company and the representative of Seven -Up Bottling Plc. Upon the taken of the Aquafina Table water for Laboratory analysis by NAFDAC and the representative of the manufacturer Continued on page 7

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

s

13

PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Nigeria and physically challenged citizens

L

ast Saturday, December 3 the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The annual event, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities. It, also, seeks to emphasise the gains that come from the integration of such persons in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “ Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”. This theme notes the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.

Moreover, it points out how physically challenged persons are excluded from society by promoting the removal of all types of barriers, including those relating to the physical environment, information and communications technology (ICT), or attitudinal barriers.

It is estimated that one billion people living with disabilities worldwide face many barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society. As a result, they do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others, which includes areas of transportation, employment, and education as well as social and political participation. According to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development (FMWASD), there are more than 20 million Nigerians living with one form of disability or the other. Definitely, these Nigerians have the right to participate in public life in order to reduce inequalities in the society. It is therefore imperative for the government to empower the physically challenged in the society.

This will enhance their own capaci-

Publisher/Editor in Chief

ties and enable them set their own priorities. Such empowerment involves investing in job opportunities, health, nutrition, education, and social protection.

There is no denying that when people are empowered they are better prepared to take advantage of opportunities, they become change agents and can more readily embrace their civic responsibilities. Despite being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), successive Nigerian governments have continued to place the least emphasis on the welfare of those with disabilities.

For example, our roads and highways do not have dedicated lanes for persons with disabilities. In addition, vehicles and high-rise buildings lack facilities for the physically challenged to access them easily. The plight of the disabled is even more pathetic when it comes to their families and communities as many are regarded as source of shame, even as they are treated as objects of charity by the larger society. Even the few vocational institutes set up for them by the various levels of government are ill-equipped and ill-maintained; so it is no surprise that many of them end up on the streets as beggars while others turn to drugs and other socially unacceptable practices for means of livelihood.

A country’s development is measured by its attitude towards the physically challenged population.

This is why we applaud the Senate for passing the Bill to prohibit Discrimination against persons with disability”. This will not only protect the interests of this discriminated section of society, but also restore their dignity. Signing the bill into law will reaffirm their faith in themselves and most especially in their country, Nigeria.

Ag. Head, Operations Sunny Chikwe 08023335777

Managing Editor Rose Moses 08094000037

News Editor Kelechi C. Ogbamgba 08050220561

Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224

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

Editor, Daily Sam Nzeh 08050220692

Deputy Editor, Special Projects Lateef Ibrahim 08037872585

Abuja Bureau Chief/Nations Capital Editor Tony Amokeodo 08038099089

Features Editor Gbubemi God’s Covenent Snr 09095489889

Northern Circulation & Business Development Manager Lanre Asuni 08033228839

Deputy Editor, Daily Ken Madueke 08059100364

Ag. Head, Graphics/Design Sunday Gabriel Idagwu 07030881423

Group Head Commercial & Business Development Konnie Agu 09033765031

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614

L-R: Chairman and President, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Benedict Okey Oramah; Executive Director, Commercial & Consumer Banking, Lagos & South-West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo at a meeting in Cairo, Egypt ...on Wednesday.

Monsignor Livinus Ukah

More info: www.dailytimes.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode; former Governor of Lagos State/celebrant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, during the commissioning of Aboru/Abesan bridge constructed by Lagos state Government, to commemorate the 65th birthday celebration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State … on Wednesday.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Deputy General Manager Northern Operations Tony Ailemen 08036073601

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja… on Wednesday.

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ibrahim Babangida

Wole Soyinka

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

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

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕè L Əƅ ƢƠè ƾƠơƣ

Fayemi, a bad loser seeking power through backdoor -Ekiti PDP Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏ

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti state has described former governor of the state and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as “a bad loser and day-dreamer, who is always seeking power through the backdoor,” saying; “this time around, he will never achieve his diabolical plot of per-

Ɔ ƐƏƆ Ƈ Ə 0ƈ ƅƈ Ƌ C ƑƏ Ƌƈ ƌ ƋƗ óƐ Ɔ ƄƑƋƋƈ ô ƋƆƅƐƑƏƆ

verting the will of the Ekiti people, which was clearly and unequivocally expressed in the 2014 governorship election in the state.”

Reacting to a newspaper interview granted by Fayemi in which he allegedly described the 2014 election which he lost woefully, as an “unfinished business,” the state chairman of the PDP, Barrister Gboyega Oguntuase, in a statement issued on Wednesday, advised the former governor to perish the thought that he could achieve through the back door what the people of Ekiti denied him in a free, fair and credible election.

The party alleged that:

“Credible information at our disposal this time around is that they are boasting that some judges of the apex court have now agreed to do their bidding and that they are only left with the Chief Justice of Nigeria to blackmail into their corner. It is a shame that these are the same people that the Supreme Court justices, being tried by the EFCC, had alleged approached them with offers to pervert the course of justice in the Ekiti 2014 election.”

The PDP chieftain stated that “Fayemi and his cotravellers are ceaselessly and shamelessly plotting to

subvert the sovereign will of the people of Ekiti freely expressed in an election adjudged free and fair by both local and international observers, including the United States government. He was roundly defeated in all the 16 local governments, including his own.

“He did the right thing initially by conceding defeat but the taunts of his party people and the realization that the 2014 election accurately depicts him as a paperweight politician with no electoral value have returned to haunt him.

“And knowing full well that he has never won any election in Ekiti, and will

fail if he contests the 2018 governorship election, he has devised scheme after scheme and plotted one device after another to use Federal might to compromise the Judiciary and the security forces to subvert democracy in Ekiti.

“He has failed before and he will fail again. Fayemi and his cohorts have tried repeatedly to enlist the Supreme Court justices, especially the newly appointed ones against the people and government of Ekiti.

They went to court after the 2014 election and lost all the way from the tribunal, through the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court. Fay-

Lƕ Ɨ Ƒ ƐƆƏ Ɠ Ə ƍƆƗè ƌƑƏƗƆƏƆƗ - Blessing Bassey Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏ The Bullion Lecture,

a platform conceptualized by the Centre for Financial Journalism (CFJ Nigeria) for lively discourse on national and international issues, holds on April 11, 2017 at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. The lecture, which is scheduled to hold every year, is the flagship programme of CFJ Nigeria, and it will always be delivered by first-rate academics and professionals.

This year’s lecture will be delivered by a renowned economist, Professor Olu Ajakaiye, Executive Chairman of African Centre for Shared Capacity Development Building and former director general of the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER).

It is entitled Financing Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth.

The chairman of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and immediate past Chief Executive of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Mr. Kyari Bukar, will chair the lecture, while the governor of Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will be the special guest of honour.

Prof. Ajakaiye’s lecture will be discussed by Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, a consummate financial journalist and former Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Dr. Biodun Adedipe, Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe

emi is now boasting that he will cause the Supreme Court to reverse itself on its judgment on the Ekiti election, but he will fail,” Oguntuase said.

Describing Fayemi as arrogant, the PDP chairman said he would not descend to the gutter with him; “suffice it to say that this is a man who ought to be cooling his heels in jail if not that the APC-led Federal Government is shielding him from prosecution.

ÏÏÏ

Ƅƈ dƐ ƐƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Əè #Əê RƊƆƖƈƆ 9ƊƍƆ ƖƑ æƌçì L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè Mƈ ƆƏƈ ` ƈƋƓ ƕ Əƍ Ə Ɛƈ è & Əê 0ƈƗƆƐ RƊ ƈƏƈ æÕƐ Ƌçè Ɠ Ɔ Ɔ ƋƆƗ Ɛ ƆƏ Ɛ ƍ ƌ ƆƌƆ Ɛ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ Əƍ Ə Ɛƈ ƅ ƑƏƐƆ ƕ ƒƈ ƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ ƒƆƏ Ə ƈ nƌƑ ƈ Č zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕê

Mandate Group prays for Tinubu, urges continuous loyalty to him

ÏÏÏ As encomiums continue to pour in for national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hundreds of people, on the platform of The Mandate Group of the party, gathered in Lagos to offer prayers for the foremost politician.

The group, under the leadership of, Alhaji Ganiyu Abayomi Badmus, converged at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, to renew their loyalty to the leadership of Tinubu and also to celebrate their political icon.

Speaking with reporters at the event, Alhaji Badmus said the prayer was their spiritual contribution

towards the 65th birthday celebration of their mentor and political leader.

Badmus also used the occasion to appeal to all Lagosians to join hands with Tinubu and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to continue to move the state to enviable heights.

Said he, “It should be clear to doubting Thiomasses that this man called Bola Tinubu is a God-sent to liberate His children from the bgondage of poverty, bad leadership and political isolation.

Speaking at the event, a former Head of Service in the state, Hon. Sunny Ajose, described perceived disloyalty by some members of the party as normal

in a political setting, but urged members to remain committed to the ideals of Tinubu.

According to Ajose, “We thank God that He gave us Tinubu at this time in the nation’s history. The APC is currently experiencing pool of expansion and what you call dissenting voices may be expected. As a party, we remain one, strong and united and indissoluble under Tinubu.”

Also, state secretary of The Mandate Group, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani said that the need to celebrate Tinubu could not be overemphasised because of his achievements in all areas of human endeavours.

“You cannot speak of

politics in Nigeria today without special mention of Bola Tinubu. His achievemnents at a senator, governor and national party leader cannot be matched by anyone in Nigeria today. So, the party will continue to benefit from his wisdom and leadership and we shall continue to wax stronger,” Tijani said.

Present at the event included, Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Environment, Babatunde Hunpe; Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Babatunde Adejare; Special Adviser on Commerce, Adeyemi Olabinjo and ex-Rep, Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, among other eminent personalities.

The mother of a 14-year-old girl, Favour Bassey, who was allegedly murdered in cold blood on the November 16, 2016 at their residence of No 32 Fakoya Street Egbeda has called for justice.

Mrs. Blessing Bassey, who is a single mother, alleged that on the said date, she had left her daughter,, an only child, at home at about 2:45pm to go to her place of work. She claimed she had only returned at about 11:15pm same day to find the lifeless body of her daughter hung on the burglary of her window with wrapper on her neck and two legs on the ground.

In shock, Blessing had rushed out of her room shouting and asking from her neighbours as to what had happened, but none claimed to have heard anything or seen anyone around her apartment.

Out of confusion, she and a few others immediately rushed her daughter to Igando General Hospital after which they were referred to Ikeja General Hospital where the girl was confirmed dead on arrival.

Blessing’s ordeal was further aggravated when on the November 17 she had reported the death of her daughter at the Afonka police division, Shasha.

The DPO who also alleged she was responsible for her daughter’s death, detained her for hours and eventually extorted the sum of N19,000 from her.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

15 News

FG wants special economic zones for Japanese businesses Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎ

The federal government said that special economic zones will be created for Japanese companies and have invited them to take advantage of the various business opportunities that will be presented by such economic zones being established in various parts of the country.

The zones, which will serve as manufacturing

hubs, will have the necessary infrastructural facilities to support the country’s industrialization drive.

Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, told the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, who visited him in Abuja on Wednesday that the federal government will grant incentives to encourage investments in the priority sectors listed in its recently released Economic

Recovery and Growth Plan.

He said the plan is focused on achieving macroeconomic stability, transforming agriculture, driving sufficiency in energy, improving transportation infrastructure and growing industrialization with attention on small and medium scale enterprises.

According to him, implementation is paramount in the realization of the Plan’s objectives, therefore atten-

tion will be on prioritizing the identified strategies, establishing a clear system of accountability, allocating resources to prioritized interventions, creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment and developing an effective monitoring and evaluation system to track progress.

The Plan, he explained, is driven by some fundamental principles, including a focus on tackling constraints to growth; le-

veraging the power of the private sector and promoting national cohesion and social inclusion as well as allowing markets to function. “We believe in using the markets to drive the engine of the economy and allowing markets to work”.

The Japanese envoy was told that already, things are beginning to look up in the Nigerian economic space, pointing to the gradual reduction in the rate of infla-

tion, the economy which has stopped contracting and the narrowing in the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates.

The minister said government is focused on transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation to a producing nation; and that requires working closely with development partners for necessary support, especially in the area of technology.

Newspaper distributors seek exemption from RSG’s ‘leave the road’ order Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÎÎÎ

L-R: Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun; celebrant, Mrs. Folake Solanke (SAN); Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); his wife, Betty, at a book presentation to mark Solanke’s 85th birthday celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State... on Wednesday.

NIPOST to launch GPS enabled APP for nationwide mail delivery

Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎ The Nigerian Postal

Service (NIPOST), is set to launch the latest digital mode VS2015 which will enable its customers trace and track their mail and parcels with ease anywhere in the world.

The organisation will also be launching MEHIMail for Every House Initiative. This is a GPS enabled Application System and Programme that will allow its postmen deliver mail, (letters and parcels) to every home in Nigeria.

MEHI will be powered by the world number one addressing technology service provider, What3words based in London.

This development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Post-

master General, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi, on Wednesday.

Adegbuyi, who is the first postmaster general from the private sector, stated that NIPOST is a cash cow that had been neglected by successive governments in Nigeria and allowed to decay due to the overbearing financial attention on Nigeria’s oil.

He noted that NIPOST is currently undergoing a system restructuring programme that will enable the organisation diversify profitably into financial services, e-commerce and logistics, insurance, shipping and property.

The Postmaster General stated that he was committed to a new NIPOST agenda which is designed to transform, innovate,

integrate and move the organisation to the process of inclusion as it is done in advanced economies of the world.

He noted that the NIPOST Act 2004 empowers the postmaster general to diversify the services of the organisation to other sectors which are commercially viable, innovative and able to drive in revenue for the organisation and the country. He, however noted that one of the several challenges facing the organisation was the failure of Nigeria’s legislature to pass the Nigeria Postal Service Bill which had been at the National Assembly for eight years now.

Adegbuyi added that a fully functional and diversified NIPOST had the po-

tential to take Nigeria out of recession by way of the amount of huge revenue the organisation had the capacity to generate.

He observed that NIPOST facilities scattered all around the nooks and crannies of Nigeria will effectively soon become financial and banking facilities which will be delivered in collaboration with major banks in Nigeria.

He said NIPOST financial and banking services will take banking services to rural areas of the country where millions of Nigerians remained unbanked.

He assured that before the expiration of his fouryear term, Nigerians will start receiving their mail in coded mail boxes which will be installed in every house in Nigeria.

Newspaper distributors, going under the aegis of Newspapers Distributors Association of Nigeria (NDAN) Rivers state chapter, has appealed to the Rivers state government to exempt them from the ‘Operation Leave the Road’ policy currently threatening to put them out of business.

A statement signed by the NDAN’s Secretary, Mr. Imoh Micah, and issued in Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday, the group explained that the policy would affect them adversely because newspapers could not be sold in shops or in the markets, but in specific locations on the streets.

The NDAN explained

that newspaper vendors were very peaceful and law abiding group of persons and had never constituted a nuisance to the society, particularly to the state government.

According to the Association, “Newspaper distribution is an essential business and, therefore, deserves every respect and should be given good treatment as part of the fourth estate of the realm.”

The newspapers distributors and vendors further appealed to the state governor, Chief Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, to integrate them into the scheme of things in his government because the body had been creating jobs to over hundreds of Rivers youths, “many of who are university graduates.”

UNICEF tasks community leaders to include women in peace, security building process Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎ Community leaders in

northern Nigeria have been charged to include women in peace and security building processes, aimed at speeding up peace mechanism and check-mating their marginalization in decision making, especially in violent issues that affects the female gender directly.

This was stated during a one day workshop tagged ‘Promoting Women’s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria,’ under the auspices of United Nations Women, funded by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and European Union (UN).

The workshop submitted that a baseline survey agreed in peace initiatives holds that women are con-

spicuously marginalized from the top hierarchy of decision-making structures and mainstream peace and security bodies, adding that women representation in position of decision-making is very low, particularly in elective posts, rating Gombe as low as zero percent, Adamawa, 6.3 percent and Plateau 9.2 percent.

Speaking at the roundtable interaction, the Gender Technical Advisor on Women, Peace & Security Programme of UN Women, Ms. Sewuese Surma, stated that violence against women and girls are covered up, denied or silenced by under-reporting, societal stigmatization of victims or by institutional weakness/ failure in terms of absence of effective and accessible reporting mechanisms and protection services at community level.

Surma said, “there is a

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

17

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Giwa-Aboru Road commissioning: A tale of joy, sadness The commissioning of Giwa Road in Aboruland, Lagos State, can be likened to the two sides of a coin, eliciting happiness and sadness for residents, in this report by Femi Ganiyu Today, the kilometer-long newly constructed Giwa Road, Aboru, in Agbado-Okeo-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, would be commissioned.

On today’s historic occasion, Alausa,Ikeja, the seat of the Lagos State Government, would be literally relocated to this rural community, as the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. AkinwumiAmbode his other state functionaries, as well as the host local council officials, led by their Sole Administrator, Barrister Sola Akande, would be at the venue to formally commission the road.

Traditionally, there would be drumming, backslapping, entertainment and other side attractions to make the occasion worthwhile. Groups, such as Community Development Associations,individuals, women, youths, adults, traditional rulers from near and far, will also be there. It will simply be ecstaic to behold!

But, Beyond the euphoria of the commissioning, there are thousands of other residents of the community, including landlords and tenants, who would be in trepidation, anxiety and mourning mood. This is because their houses, which they have

been living in for the many years, will soon be devoured by the canine teeth of the bulldozers.

This is especially worrisome for the people, who claimed to always pay their tax and all other statutory obligations to the state and local government, because, they may soon be homeless, if the threat by the Lagos State Government, through its agency, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, to demolish several buildings along the canal’s corridor and the newly constructed bridge linking Abesan Estate, Ayobo, Ipaja, among other communities in the area, is carried through.

Investigations by The Daily Times indicated that thousands of building had been earmarked for demolition by the government to create rooms for the road and to open another road linkingsome communities, including Ola Mummy, in the area.

Indeed, as several structures, including shops, residential houses, which paved way for the newly constructed road are being rehabilitated by their owners, who claimed not to have been compensated at all by the government, despite assurances to that effect, other challenges are rearing their ugly heads in the area.

Therefore, house no 80, which is the seat of the Sacred Cherubim Church in the area, and hundreds of other buildings/ structures, will soon be pulled down. Already, a notice, dated

24thMarch 2017, had been served on the buildings, including house no 71, which has tenants and other occupants, including God’s Wisdom Nursery and Primary School and a burial chamber sitting in it. Now, the people are not at peace, forcing them to lodge a protest march on Tuesday, to Alausa,Ikeja, the seat of the government to register their displeasure to Governor Ambode to save them from imminent homelessness and squalor. The protesters ,who were in large number, had stormed Alausa to register their displeasure to the State House of Assembly and the governor, urging them to save their houses from being demolished.

According to one Alhaja, a landlady in the neighbourhood of the link bridge, and who claimed to have been living in the area for over 30 years, “When reptiles, like and snakes would enter our houses freely,” she does not know where to go to if her house is demolished.

For Mr. Joda Adebowale, a tenant in the area, if the government carries out the demolition order, it would mean more hardships for him and his family. He cautioned Governor Ambode to be humane and caring for the poor people like himself, more so as he said he has no where to go to.

The Ibadan,Oyo State-born octogenarian, said despite not being compensated for losing some part of her building to the new

road, the threat to demolish the entire structure of her house is a bitter pill she could not afford to swallow.

Meanwhile, the entire area in festive mood. Neatly kitted street sweepers were seen cleaning the roads, police officers were seen manning strategic areas; while the construction firm which handled the construction of the road was seen making last-minute efforts to clear the road/bridge of wastes, just as school children were ecstatic to take a long walk on the bridge, which used to be made of plank to the other side of the community.

Interestingly, banners of Governor Ambode,former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, adorn the road, which links important roads like Victor, Ero Family Road, among several others in this Awori land.

Speaking with The Daily Times, Segun, a 16-year-old student in the community, said he was “Happy” to witness the rejuvenation and construction of the road, “because in the past, we used to go through a lot of hardships crossing the canal to the other side(estate).”

He said it would be easier for him to go to school as well as to visit his friends who live at the other end of the less than a kilometer-long, but beautifully constructed bridge, which observers describe as a monument and a further prove of Ambode’s other giant strides in infrastructure development of Lagos, including

light-up Lagos and construction of roads in the 20 Local Government Areas and 30 Local Council Development Areas across the state.

Mrs. Bola Jacob, who runs a food canteen in the area, said she was happy about the new face of the road. According to her, “When the construction work of the road started, some people, particularly landlords were not happy that their houses or part of them were being demolished” to pave way for the road.

Now, she said, they are reaping bountifully from it, since rents have skyrocketed, while new tenants have occupied the houses or shops they have reshaped.

However, in a chat with The Daily Times, the Head of Information Unit, Agbado-Oke-odo Local Council Development Area, Mrs.RotimiAbolanle, denied that there were move by the government to demolish any house or structure in the area.

She said that the Sole Administrator of her LCDA, BarristerSola Akande would play a key role to enhance the successful completion of the new road today.

Abolanle said,“We would do the normal thing we usually do by being there and ensuring that the programme succeeds.”

For some of the people of Aboru, when the dusts of the commissioning of Giwa Road settle, another one that could prove fatal to their habitat and existence may just be gathering with far reaching consequences. But, only time will tell.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

19 Crime

Man murders cyclist in Lagos Ïd ƕ ó9 óƌ ƈ ƅƆ Ɛô Stories by Joy Anyim

The killing of a commercial motorcyclist, otherwise called Okada Rider in Lagos, has sent tongues wagging about the motive of the alleged killer, forcing the Police to begin a thorough probe into the case.

Therefore, the police is currently investigating the actual cause of the death of one Rasaki Bashiru at Okajire Street, Ikorodu Lagos.

Although not much has been disclosed about the identity of the deceased,information had it that on the 21st March, 2017, at about 10:50pm, the victim, Rasaki, and resident of the said area, had picked one Taoreed Ebuolurun from a bus stop to the same street.

The journey however, went sour, when an argument ensued between the two of them.

Consequently, Taoreed was alleged to have engaged Rasaki in a fight, which allegedly took the latter’s life.

According to an eye witness, Chima Uka, who spoke to our correspondent, Taoreed had insisted that the deceased take him farther than the

agreed place.

He said, “That night, I had closed late from work and I was too tired to do any serious cooking. So, I came out to eat in a canteen close to my house. I has just finished eating when I saw two people arguing between the two of them. The argument escalated; and those of us around rushed to the scene to know what was happening. I saw one man, whose name was later given as, Taoreed, pushing another, who is Rasaki.”.

Upon inquiry, the cyclist told us that Taoreed had told him he was going to Okajire Bus Stop and that on getting there, he has insisted that he should take him further for same N200 fee a drop.

He said,”The refusal of the cyclist was what angered Taoreed, who then said he wouldn’t give him a dime. This made Rasaki furious. Buy just for peace to reign, one of the men, who tried to settle the dispute, gave Rasaki the N200 and asked him to go.

Taoreed, who was not satisfied with the action, hits Rasaki on the neck. Immediately, Rasaki fell down and said ‘is this the way you will pay me for bringing you this far?’ only to give up

the ghost immediately.”

He added,”we immediately held Taoreed, who was in shock that the cyclist was dead. We called policemen from Igbogbo Police Division, a who took the corpse away and also arrested Taoreed.”

Taoreed, while telling his own side of the story, said he was in a state of shock.

Taoreed, who is a local government picketer at Koshofe Local Government Area, denied hitting the deceased anywhere at all.

The 36 years’ old father of three, said,”Yes, I did board his bike that night; and he charged me N200 to my destination. It was a surprised to me when he got to a junction and told me he wasn’t going any further. I challenged him to take me to where I had told him, but he refused. So, I threatened not to pay him if he didn’t take me to my destination. While we were arguing, he started turning his bike round and round; and he fell down; he started shaking and then, he stopped breathing. I didn’t touch him as alleged. People around just started shouting that I have killed someone; and i was ha over to the police. I am

My daughter was raped, murdered - Blessing Bassey The mother of a 14 year old girl, Favour Bassey who was allegedly murdered in cold blood on the 16th November, 2016 at their residence of No 32 Fakoya Street Egbeda has called for justice.

Mrs Blessing Bassey who is a single mother alleged that on the said date, she had left her daughter and only child at home at about 2:45pm to go to her place of work. She claimed she had only returned at about 11:15pm same day to find the lifeless body of her daughter hung on the burglary of her window with wrapper on her neck and two legs on the ground.

To her dismay, Blessing had rushed out of her room shouting and asking from her neighbours as to what had happened, but none claimed to have heard anything or seen anyone around her apartment.

Out of confusion, she and a few others immediately rushed her daughter to Igando General Hospital after which they were referred to Ikeja General Hospital where the girl was confirmed dead on arrival.

Blessing’s ordeal was further aggravated when on the 17th of November she had reported the death of her daughter at the Afonka Police division, Shasha. The DPO who also alleged she was responsible for her daughter’s death, detained her for hours and ultimately extorted the sum of

N19,000 from her.

Information that had filtered to our correspondent had it that some residents of the said house had alleged that the deceased may have taken her own life after procuring and using abortion pills.

However for Blessing that is not the case. The mother of the deceased alleged that her daughter was possibly raped and killed.

In her written petition on threat to life and possible Homicide dated 13th February addressed to and received by the Lagos State Commissioner of police, National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Commissioner for Justice Lagos State, Blessing maintained that a co-tenant popularly known as Janda may have perpetrated the act.

When The Daily Times visited the bereaved mother, she said, “my daughter wasn’t pregnant and I can bet it that she didn’t procure or even use any abortion pills. The truth is that I have been having a running battle with a co-tenant named Janda. He has constantly threatened to deal with me. “ On the second week of October 2016, he threatened my daughter that he will cripple her due to an argument between him and my daughter over generator wire

disconnection. “my worse night mare was when I had reported to the Afonka police division Shasha on the incident and the said DPO had asked his men to detain me as the first suspect in my daughter’s death. Why would I want my only child dead?

“They didn’t even bother to go to the scene of the crime or even make any possible arrest. I was even given a written paper by one Raphael, the IPO to sign and it was after signing that he read out the content to me that I reported the case of my daughter’s death after I had buried her which was all a lie.

“The police even collected N19,000 from my family who had come to secure my release as bail which I later heard of.”

On why she suspected her daughter may have been raped, Blessing disclosed that she had later gone back to her apartment to check for any possible clue as to what had happened when she discovered the bed sheet had some blood stains, and that she had gone further to check the privates of her daughter while at the mortuary where she discovered watery substances like sperm around the region with torn panties.

She said. “ all I want is justice. Yes I was naive when it happened then but now I want the killer of my daughter brought

to book. It is obvious she was raped by a known person who didn’t want her to disclose his identity and then killed her.”

She emphasised.

A source at the Homicide department of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) where the case is currently being investigated shared that although the suspect had been arrested by the police and interrogated, he was however granted bail pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Attempts to speak with the deceased while at SCIID proved abortive as he refused making any statement to the press.

A family member who had also come to secure his bail was seen shouting and raining courses on blessing and her solicitor over what he called false accusation and a calculated attempt to rubbish the reputation of the suspect.

On his part, the solicitors for Blessing, headed by Adeola Samuel-Ilorin, Esq stated that no stone will be left unturn in ensuring that the deceased gets justice. He maintained that all legal options available will be explored in getting the truth.

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Traditional rulers, 200 others join MASSOB in Enugu Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎ

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB-BIM) on Wednesday revealed that some traditional rulers have been enlisted in the pro-Biafra struggle.

Leader of MASSOBBIM in Enugu north zone of Enugu state, Chief James Omeke, told journalists during the mobili-

zation and sensitization of new members from IgboEtiti region that the group intimated new members on why they believe that non-violence would earn them their sovereignty.

He said himself and the regional administrator of Igboetiti, Mr. Jude Elugwu, with other members, went the length and breadth of the region to create awareness and convert new members.

“We see the recent mo-

bilization and sensitization of people of Igboetiti region as very successful as we now have in our fold traditional rulers and about 200 new committed members enlisted into MASSOB-BIM. “I cannot reveal the identity of the traditional rulers because it is not in my power to do so, our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, will do that when the time is ripe,” he said.

According to him, MASSOB is delighted that the aim of the mobilization, which is to enable more people join MASSOB-BIM, was fruitful.

“We told them that our national leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike had taking the matter up to the level of United Nations (UN) intimating them of his plans to carve out Biafra from Nigerian.

“The mobilization of new members witnessed

large turnout of people from twelve villages, we conscientized our new members on why MASSOB-BIM remained nonconfrontational, we told them how we intend to actualize Biafra without a single gunshot.

“Our message to them is Biafra, our weapon, is nonviolence”, he stressed.

Omeke commended Chief Uwazuruike for the opportunity giving the zone to go out and mobi-

lize and sensitize people for self-determination.

Omeke said they would work tirelessly to bring more members into the fold.

He said MASSOB-BIM believe so much in the ability of Chief Uwazuruike to deliver Biafra to the Igbo and called on all Igbo sons and daughters to close ranks and give all necessary to MASSOBBIM to actualize their freedom.

PDP factions trade blames as hoodlums attack Sheriff faction’s Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎ

L-R: Representative of Chief Judge FCT, Justice Usman Musale; former Justice of the Supreme Court and Board Member, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Justice Olufunlola Adekeye and Programme Manager, PWAN, Barbara Maigari, during the presentation of findings of court observations and court user’s satisfaction survey in Abuja… on Tuesday.

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

ADC asks court to disqualify Umeh from Anambra Senatorial rerun

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎ An aspirant for Anam-

bra Central senatorial seat, Anayo Nweke, under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from contesting the rerun election.

In a suit filed before the registry of the court dated March 28, 2017, the plaintiff has asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to call for nominations for the senatorial district from all political parties desirous of contesting for the seat.

Nweke, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/252/2017, further asked the court for an order of court disquali-

fying Chief Umeh of APGA from contesting the Anambra Central Senatorial district election for submitting false information.

He further asked for an order of injunction restraining INEC from including the name of Chief Umeh as a candidate in the election if he emerges as a candidate in a fresh nomination called for that purpose The politician is also seeking a declaration that vacancy exist in the senatorial district following the nullification of the election of the incumbent, Senator Uche Ekwunife, by the Court of Appeal and as such election to fill the vacant seat ought to have taken place within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy or within such period as extended by the Court of Appeal which in this case is

90 days.

The suit, which has Chief Umeh, APGA and INEC as defendants, asked the court to declare that having not conducted the election to fill the vacant position of a senator for the vacant senatorial seat within 30 days as stipulated by the constitution or within 90 days extended by the court, the time permitted by law has elapsed to the effect that INEC can no longer conduct the re-run election as if it were a constitution of the general election of March 28, 2015.

It the suit filed by his counsel, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN), it is the contention of the plaintiff that whether, having registered that the 1st defendant (Umeh) made false statements in the documents he submitted to INEC, to the effect that he participated

and won the primary election of APGA (2nd defendant), Umeh is disqualified from contesting the re-run election for the vacant Senatorial seat for Anambra Central Senatorial district.

Whether, having failed to conduct elections into the vacant seat in the Senate of the National Assembly for Anambra Central Senatorial district within the period stipulated by statute, and/ or as so extended by the order of court of Appeal, Enugu division on December 7, 2015, INEC can still conduct the said election as if it were a continuation of the election of March 28, 2015.

He is further seeking a declaration that section 87(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended requires the APGA, a political party, I’m seeking to nominate Umeh as its candidate for

The office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to Senattor Ali Modu Sheriff in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital was on Tuesday attacked by people suspected to be political thugs.

The PDP faction in the state chaired by Chief Williams Ajayi, which has its office located at Nova road, Adebayo area along AdoIworoko road in the capital city of the state had its office flags tore, and pulled down.

Addressing journalists on the matter, the Deputy Chairman of the group, Engr. Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi, fingered Barr Gboyega Oguntuase-led faction, known to be loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose, as the mastermind of the attack.

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, had in

its judgement of January 24, 2017 delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, declared Ajayi the authentic Chairman before the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of the judgement.

But the Publicity Secretary of Oguntuwase-ledPDP in the state, loyal to Fayose in the state, Jackson Adebayo, dismissed the allegation, saying it was part of the orchestrated plan by the PDP renegades to continue to tarnish the image of the party in the state.

The Appellate court also urged the two factions to maintain a status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Ogunbiyi said: “We left the office on Tuesday at about 6pm and only to return today around 7am and saw the flags erected brought down. The assailants scaled the fence and destroyed all the flags and the louvre blades of our office.

FMDQ admits UPDC and Nigerian Breweries N10bn Commercial Paper Afolabi Adesola

ÎÎÎ FMDQ OTC Securities

Exchange (FMDQ) has announced the quotations of a N10 billion UACN Property Development Company PLC (UPDC) and Nigerian Breweries Commercial Paper (CP)on its platform.

UPDC quoted on the FMDQ platform, N7.3 billion Series 4-11 Commercial Paper (CP) Notes under its 24.00bn CP Programme, while Nigerian Breweries quoted N2.2 billion Series 10 CP Notes under its 100.00bn CP Programme.

Giving the short-term interest fluctuations in the market, these commercial paper quotations serve as a quick and cost effective way of raising working capital for the companies as well

as offers return on investment for buyers without requiring a long-term commitment.

FMDQ said in order to support the growth of the Nigerian economy, it championed the resuscitation of the Commercial paper market to provide corporate and commercial businesses the opportunity to meet their short-term funding requirements, whilst building their profiles in the Nigerian debt capital market space.

“The time to market of these securities lays credence to the efficiency of the FMDQ quotation process and brings the count of CPs admitted onto the FMDQ platform for quarter 1 2017 to a total of fifteen (15).

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

THE LORD’S DELIVERANCE FIRE AND POWER MINISTRY

21 Public Notice

CHRIST AMBASSADOR CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM PROPHETIC MINISTRY INT’L

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

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

Trustees are: 1. Evang. Erhabor Ubaka Emmanuel-- Chairman 2. Rowland Okweze--- Secretary 3. Evang. Loveth Irabor 4. Mrs Irubor Joy 5. Mr. Oyo Silas Eghosa 6. Mrs Monye Happiness Ejime 7. Mrs Loveth Silas Peter 8. Omojate Ekele

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROPHETESS FUNMILAYO ITUNU BAMIDELE - Chairperson 2. PROPHETESS JUMOKE ADEGBOYE 3. LADY LEADER ADEDEJI ADESEWA 4. MR. ABIODUN IGE 5. LADY EVANGELIST ELIZABETH ADEROMOSE 6. APOSTLE TAIWO ADEBAYO 7. PROPHETESS ADEWUNMI AYANWANDE

Aims and Objectives To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

2. To open a palace to God’s faithful, less privilege and the poor.

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

This is to inform the General public of Loss of ORIGINAL ALLOTTEE: bearing Margaret Oyebola Shonekan with PLOT NO.1387, Measuring SIZE: 2,513.89m2, located at CADASTRAL ZONE A04, Asokoro DISTRICT. All efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. Please if found please return to the nearest police station. AGIS

ALHAJI BADARU DARAMOLA FOUNDATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLUFUNMILAYO ADELOLA. 2. DARAMOLA OLARIBIGBE SHERRIF 3. RASAKI OLAWALE 4. AKINTOLA ADEGBOYEGA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To develop estate for families in terms of need’s.

2. To proceeds on development estate for empowering youth.

3. To perfect all legal instruments required for estate and beneficiaries.

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

AWGU TOWN BROTHERS CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

YOUNG MEDIATORS AND COUNCILATORS FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACTS, 1990.

Trustees are: 1. ADAMU YUSUF - CHAIRMAN 2. LADAN USMAN SAMINU 3. SULAIMAN FIDDAUSI 4. HASSAN ESTHER OBJECTIVES 1. To mediate peace among the people of the society 2. To promote peace and harmonious co-existence at home, at work and in the society at large.

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

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

SIGNED: Kehinde DARAMOLA Legal Practitioner

FIRE OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

TRUSTEES 1. NWOBI WILLY CHUKWUMA 2. UCHE FELIX AJUMOBI 3. CHUKWU AUGUSTINE UKO

The Trustees are (1) Pastor Blessing Anyim (2) Evang. Christopher Anyim.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO FOSTER FRIENDSHIP, WELFARE, PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AWGU PEOPLE AND RESIDENTS

Aims and Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To foster unity among true believers 3. To transform lives through healing deliverance and evangelism

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

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

SIGNED: BARR ANIOBI EVELYN ULUAKANWA & ASSOCIATES 08034616948

Signed: B. C. Oguine Esq. Counsel

HELPING OTHER PEOPLE EXCEL FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustees: 1. Dr. Adeyinka Onikan 2. Rotiba Emmanuel Oluwagbenga 3. Mrs. Adeola Juliet AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To support the less privileged in the society through humanitarian projects Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Uzowulu Ugo & Co.

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Change of Name And Change of Trustees Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

FROM AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA TO AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OGIRIMA RIJA 2. AISHA RIJA 3. CYNTHIA RIJA 4. EMMANUEL RIJA 5. JOY RIJA 6. CALEB RIJA

Aims and Objective 1. To promote and encourage the ideals and universal principles of coorporation, mutual support enterprise, and wealth creation.

2. To create awareness about cooperation through the main stream media and social media.

3. To facilitate the enhancement of skills and capacity in co-operative enterprise.

4. To interface with local and international non-Governmental organization and agencies in the promotion and development of corporative enterprise.

The general public is hereby informed that the above Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Signed By Secretary

PILLARS OF THE POOR FOUNDATION

Trustees are: 1. ISIAK BABATUNDE GBADAMOSI 2. IMEH UDOH DAVID 3. AMINA GBADAMOSI TADE

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

and the general public should take note.

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

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

SIGNED: BARR. LYDIA SALOME. (Solicitor)

Signed: Secretary

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

ADVOCATES FOR MUTUAL SUPPORT AND SELF-SUSTENANCE INITIATIVE

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alhaji Kabir Yahaya Gusau - Retained 2. Richard Obor John Akalugwa - Retained 3. Emmanuel B. Akpan - Retained 4. Mrs. G C. Oduah - Removed 5. Mr. Charles Ifetayo Odunaiya - Retained THE NEW TRUSTEE: 1. Anthony Nweke The aim and objectives remain the same Any objection to this Application should be forwarded to Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF TRUSTEES & AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW LIFE FOR ALL (SABON RAI DON KOWA) - CAC/IT/NO: 9645 The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for an additional Trustee and Amendment of the Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE FORMER TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. JACOB HARUNA DANDAURA - Removed 2. REV. AKILA WANTU NACHUNGA “ 3. BISHOP AKILA TODI “ 4. REV. DEME BOT “ THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. DR. YAKUBU HASSAN 2. REV. DR. PHILIP DAFES NWEIBISH 3. REV. YAKUBU PAM 4. REV. HABU JOHNSON AWOLOWO

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND ACQUISITION INITIATIVE

TRUSTEES: 1. SENATOR MOHAMMED KABIRU JIBRIL 2. HABIBA BASHIR BETARA 3. ENGINEER SANI JAMILU OBJECTIVES AND AIMS: 1. TO STIMULATE AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS IN NIGERIA ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

5. REV. SAMUEL BIRMA SHINGGU 6. EVANGELIST DANGI SANDA 7. ELDER JOSEPH DAFIYEM KUMLENG 8. EVANGELIST THOMPSON HABU 9. REV. DAVOU DOGO GYANG

REASON FOR CHANGES: 1) The former Trustees have become incapable of discharging their duties, as a result of old age and have been on the Board for over 15 years.

2) The Constitution was amendment as a result of numbers of Trustees and to be in line with the CAC guidelines.

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

SIGNED: Secretary

INITIATIVE FOR RE-ORIENTATION OF YOUTHS AGAINST CURTISM &EVIL ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Change of Name And Change of Trustees Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Engr Agubama Prince Chiamaka, (national president) 2. Mr Ajaeroh Izuchukwu, (National Secretary) 3. Miss Okeke Chinwedu Joyce (National Treasurer) Aim and Objectives 1. To Eradicate Cultism among the Youths 2. To Re Orientate the Youths against Cultism and Evil Association ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

5. REV. DAVID OLUSIYI - Removed 6. DEACON GABRIEL OLADOSU LAWOYIN -“ 7. REV. JAMES TSWANYA HARMAN - “

KIDSNEEDKINDNESS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Habibu Uba Mohammed 2. Ibrahim Dungus

3. Abdulmalik Ahmed (Secretary) 4. Ahmad Emadi (Chairman)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To provide financial assistance to indigent individuals in the rural areas in Nigeria; 2. To provide financial assistance and material support to children and youths in the rural areas in Nigeria; 3. To provide material and educational support to children and the youths in the rural areas in Nigeria; 4. To provide counselling and rehabilitation support to delinquent youths in the society; 5. To provide empowerment for indigent individuals in Nigeria; ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

Public Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

, LOLADE JOSEPH, the Administrator in the Estate of SANGOYELE VICTOR BABASOLA (Deceased), owner of the property known and referred as Plot No. 4 in Block LVII, Ilupeju scheme layout now known as No. 35, Adeyinka Street, off Sura Mogagi Street, Ilupeju GRA, Ilupeju, Lagos State informs the general public that the DEED OF INDENTURE between the deceased and the Lagos State Development and Property Authority (LSDPC) registered as NO. 96 on Page 96 in Volume 1454 of the Lagos State and Registry, Lagos is missing.

I, ALHAJI MUNIRUDEEN OLUBODUN FOLAMI of 20 Oluwalogbon Street, Ijoko, Ogun State, the family

All efforts to trace the said Deed of Indenture have not yielded any result.

All efforts to retrieve the said documents have been abortive.

SignLOLADE JOSEPH

SignALHAJI MUNIRUDEEN OLUBODUN FOLAMI

CARLISCHI PASSION CARE FOUNDATION

GIFT OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL QUEENS FOOTBALL CLUB, UMUAHIA

CREATIVE FUTURE FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AGUBUEZE CHINWE 2. IDOKO GLORIA CHINWENDU 3. ONUKWILI CHIBUZOR CHARLES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote free health care services to people.

2. To promote youth and women empowerment 3. To organize health awareness campaign on killer disease such as Cancer, HIV, Diabetes e.t.c.

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

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF (MRS) UMEZURIKE FLORENCE ODOCHI ENYIOMA 2. CHIEF NDUBUISI UMEZURIKE 3. UGOCHUKWU DICK 4. PASTOR CHARLES DICK 5. MRS OBIOMA MADUFOR LORETTA 6. CHIEF ONWUKA CHINEDU 7. PST CHRIS OKPARA 8. PRECIOUS URENNA NANACHI UMEZURIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE FOOTBALL IN UMUAHIA AND THE SOCIETY AT LARGE 2. TO IDENTIFY AND TRAIN UP YOUNG TALANTED YOUTHS EXPECIALLY IN AREA OF SPORTS AND FOOTBALL IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: THE TRUSTEES.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) LETTER OKEOGHENE FRIDAY 2) ONI PETER IMONIKHE 3) ISERHIENRHIEN OSAGIEDUWA CYNTHIA 4) OGWU MANFRED CHIDI 5) FESTUS-IYEN OSAKPAMWAN GODSLOVE

TOWER OF PRAYER DELIVERANCE MINISTRY.

TOUCH-LIFE COMMUNITY RESPONSE INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) REV. OSAHON GODWIN - GENERAL OVERSEER (2) IGBINOMWANHIA IKUOBASE OSAKPAMWAN ERIC - SECRETARY (3) PASTOR (MRS.) JOY GBENOBA (4) PASTOR OSAHON FRIDAY (5) OSARETIN IMAFIDON AIMS/OBJECTIVES: (1) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: THE TRUSTEES.

OPOMULERO PROGESSIVE FORUM This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied matters Act, 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Engr. Ayoade Afolabi Lawal 2. Mr. Toromade Adekola 3. Mr. Ajibade Tijani Ganiyu.

4. Lawal funmilayo Teresa THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To foster unity among the Yorubas, 2. To create a platform for individual and communal developments, 3. To foster socio cultural developments, Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY :SECRETARY

HIS WAY OF HOLINESS CHRISTIAN CENTRE HIS WAY OF HOLINESS CHRISTIAN CENTRE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Trustees: (1) Rev. Mrs Ruth Olubunmi Owopetu (2) Dr Olajide Gabriel Owopetu.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: Bar Ishaya Rabo

Estate of Late LAWANI FOLAMI, the original owner of the landed property situated at No. 18 Obe Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State informs the general public that the original Documents of the above mentioned landed property is missing.

applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Dr. Chioma Vivienne Nwokoro Chairperson 2.Mr. Kenneth Maduabuchi Nwokoro 3.Elder Nnamdi Nazarus Nwachukwu

President/ Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To empower people intellectually through provision of educational and other community development programmes.

Any objections to this application must reach the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED:

PRESIDENT CEREBRAL CARE INITIATIVE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. ORUAMEN JANET IWEGBE-Chairman 2. AIGBEKAEN GLORY OSASUMWEN 3. ONI DAMILOLA - Secretary THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS :To Give Humanitarian Service Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY :SECRETARY

ACHINAGOOD FRIENDS CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Trustees: 1. UGBAJA GODWIN C. 2. EZEOBI DONATUS. C. 3. OKORO CELESTINE CHINEDU 4. EZENWANNE MALACHY. CHUKWU 5. OGUEBUE CHIDI ANTHONY 6. APUNIKE CYRIACUS Aim and objective: 1. To promote the unity among members ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: Secretary

I, BASIL ORABA, adult, male, Christian, Nigeria of No. 10b Cannon Ndu street, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers state of Nigeria, do hereby make this publication and state as follows ÷ 1. That I am the biological father of, MASTER VICTORY CHINONYELUM BASIL AND MISS. PRINCESS KOSISOCHUKWU BASIL, who are minors and were born on the 7th day of April 2008, and 3rd day of June, 2011, respectively.

2. That I wish to, in conjunction and with the consent of the above mentioned minors to wit: MASTER BASIL CHINONYELUM VICTORY AND MISS. BASIL KOSISOCHUKWU PRINCESS, change their names from the ones stated above to, MASTER VICTORY CHINONYELUM BASIL-ORABA AND MISS. PRINCESS KOSISOCHUKWU BASIL-ORABA, respectively.

3. That, henceforth their new names are, MASTER VICTORY CHINONYELUM BASIL-ORABA AND MISS. PRINCESS KOSISOCHUKWU BASIL-ORABA, respectively.

4. That all documents bearing their former names remain valid.

5. That this publication is for record purposes and to notify all relevant authorities.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: (1) TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE OUR YOUTH TO HAVE A SECURED AND GOOD FUTURE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: THE TRUSTEES.

PREVAIL HARVEST AND MIRACLE MISSION INT’L 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 1990.

The Trustees are: 1.John Cletus 2.Edonmhiaye Christiana 3.Uwadineke Ikeme Monday 4.Manuwa Vivian 5.Nweke Chukwudi 6.Ani Godwin Chukwuzubelu AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To preach the gospel of Christ to the society 2.To support members spiritually 3.To promote peace and unity among members 4.To work towards the welfare of its members.

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

Signed IKENNA OKU Esq Solicitor

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) PASTOR SUNDAY FOLORUNSHO- PRESIDENT (2) PASTOR OJINNI FESTUS OMONIYI- VICE PRESIDENT (3) REVD ODUMOSU MICHAEL ASIMIYU- GENERAL SECRETARY (4) PASTOR ONI OFELOLAOLUWA JULIUS (5) REVD(MRS) ADEOYE LYDIA (6) PASTOR BAMISAYE PRAISE OLUWAYEMI (7) APOSTLE OYEWOLE EZEKIEL OLUGBENGA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:To provide united support to the doctrínes of Scriptures as are outlined in the statement of faith.

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

SIGNED BY :SECRETARY

LOST OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE MINISTRY OF FCT ABUJA THAT THE ORIGINAL OFFER OF TERMS OF GRANTS /CONVEYANCE OF APPROVAL LETTER IN RESPECT OF PLOT 342A CHIKAKORE (BYAZHIN) KUBWA LAYOUT ABUJA, DATED 25/07/2006 WITH FILE NO IM55208, ORIGINALY BELONG TO EMMANUEL EZEMA. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. MINISTRY OF FCTA, CONCERNED AUTHORITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

23 Public Notice

OLASUPO OLASUMBO SHERIFAT Formerly known and addressed as SALIU OLASUMBO SHERIFAT, now wish to be known and addressed as OLASUPO OLASUMBO SHERIFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGECHUKWU JOHN IMENINWO

AMAJUORITSE AMEJUMA JOHN

UGWU ALEX IKECHUKWU.

MISS. OGUNSEYE CHRISTIANA OLUWASEUN

DAWODU RISIKAT AJOKE

Formerly known and addressed as DIKE JOHN OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as OGECHUKWU JOHN IMENINWO. That my date of birth is 15/12/1985.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLAMIDE TANMOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAJUORITSE AMEJUMA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OBAYI SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU ALEX IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNSEYE OLUWASEUN DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS. OGUNSEYE CHRISTIANA OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKINYEMI RISIKAT AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as DAWODU RISIKAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NOHA KEHINDE AYO.

VICTORIA CHIZOBA IZUEHIE

DAVID IZUEHIE

MRS. AKINOLA OMOBOLANLE EUNICE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OBINNA GODFREY EGUNGWU

Formerly known and addressed as VICTORIA CHIZOBA EZEHANONU, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTORIA CHIZOBA IZUEHIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as DAVID ANENE EZEHANONU, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID IZUEHIE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. SOWUNMI OMOBOLANLE EUNICE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AKINOLA OMOBOLANLE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that OLUSESI AJOKE FASILAT is the same person as OLUSESI FASILAT. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OBINNA EGUNGWU now wish to be known and addressed as OBINNA GODFREY EGUNGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKEJU SILIFAT ADEWUNMI IYABO

MRS ELIAS NURAT OLAIDE

FAISAL MUHAMMED ABIODUN

SHANU BENJAMIN OLUWASEGUN

Formerly known and addressed as KEHINDE OJOOLOWO, now wish to be known and addressed as NOHA KEHINDE AYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ODUNLAMI OLAJUMOKE OMOLARA I, Formerly known and addressed as AWUWOLOYE Olajumoke Omolara now wish to be known and addressed as ODUNLAMI Olajumoke Omolara.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Adekoya Silifat Iyabo now wish to be known and addressed as Akeju Silifat Adewunmi Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMOS OLAIDE ADEDOTUN NURAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ELIAS NURAT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. AGOH ROSE OGBUAGU

EZE JENNIFER

ZAYEDERO BUNMI FEYINTIOLA

Formerly known and addressed as MRS. AGOH ROSE CHIANUOTU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGOH ROSE OGBUAGU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EZE JENNIFER CHISOM, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE JENNIFER. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ORUNKOYI BUNMI FEYINTIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AYEDERO BUNMI FEYINTIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAMIDI OLUWASEYI ISMAIL

ADDITION OF NAME

OBANLA MONSURU ENNYOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAGIAHANO SMITH wish to add ABUCHI to my name. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as UWAGIAHANO SMITH ABUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM ROFIAT BUSAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADUNWO ROFIAT BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FERDINARD BLESSING EMENIKE Formerly known and addressed as UDOH BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as FERDINARD BLESSING EMENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLUWA AYOOLA MUJIDATU

ADEBAYO OJUOLAPE FALILAT

Formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY MUOKA AYO, now wish to be known and addressed as LAMIDI OLUWASEYI ISMAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLADUNWO ROFIAT BUSAYO

Formerly known and addressed as AYOOLA MUJIDATU MOJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWA AYOOLA MUJIDATU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ALAYA OJUOLAPE FALILAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO OJUOLAPE FALILAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as FAISAL MUHAMMED ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONYEKACHUKWU CHUKWUAGOZIE OGECHUKWU ACHU

Formerly known and addressed as SHANU BENJAMIN OLUSEGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as SHANU BENJAMIN OLUWASEGUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DINI HARUNA

IKECHUKWU CHIDERA PATIENCE

Formerly known and addressed as DINI HAMZAT, now wish to be known and addressed as DINI HARUNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as KAMALU CHIDERA PATIENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as IKECHUKWU CHIDERA PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RAJI AFUSAT NIKE

AYOBAMI FLORENCE AGBEKE

OKEMINI CHINENYE SCHOLASTICA

Formerly known and addressed as OBANLA MONSURU AHDISAH ENNY, now wish to be known and addressed as OBANLA MONSURU ENNYOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL NIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as RAJI AFUSAT NIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AYOBAMI FLORENCE ADUNNI, now wish to be known and addressed as AYOBAMI FLORENCE AGBEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as THADDEUS CHINENYE SCHOLASTICA and ONYEJIMBE CHINENYE SCHOLASTICA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEMINI CHINENYE SCHOLASTICA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. SHITTU MODUPE MODINAT

KAMALU- IKECHUKWU CHIMKASINMA OLIVE

SAMUEL CHIOMA JUMMY

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ARO MODUPE OLATOKUNBO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SHITTU MODUPE MODINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU CHIMKASINMA OLIVE, now wish to be known and addressed as KAMALU- IKECHUKWU CHIMKASINMA OLIVE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as LIASU JUMOKE CHIDIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMUEL CHIOMA JUMMY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. OSUNMAKINDE OMOLARA OLADUNNI Formerly known and addressed as LAMIDI OMOLARA OLADUNNI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OSUNMAKINDE OMOLARA OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. The University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre and general public take note.

MISS ADEYEMI OLUWATOBILOBA ADUKE

OWADAYO ROSELINE BUSAYO

Formerly known and addressed as ONYEKACHI CHIAGOAZIE OKEKE ACHU, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKACHUKWU CHUKWUAGOZIE OGECHUKWU ACHU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYEMI OLUWATOBILOBA ITUNU, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ADEYEMI OLUWATOBILOBA ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKANDE ROSELINE BUSAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OWADAYO ROSELINE BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MAMMY EDEM EDEM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MAMMY EDEM UMODUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FADERIN OLUWATOBI OLUWAFUNMILOLA Formerly known and addressed as RAFIU OLUWATOBI GANIYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as FADERIN OLUWATOBI OLUWAFUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

NATALA ROSELINE CLIFFORD

SANUSI FLORENCE BOLANLE

I formerly known and address as Eguzoro Clifford Chioma Natala Roseline,now wish to be known and address as Natala Roseline Clifford. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

OMOLADE OMOTAYO BABARINDE

LAWSON-NWABOGOR OSANEKU MARGARET MARY.

I FORMALLY KNOW AS SANUSI FLORENCE A AND NOW WISH TO BE KNOW AND ADDRESS AS SANUSI FLORENCE BOLANLE all former document remain valid general public take note

Formerly known, called and addressed as OMOLADE FELICIA OMOTAYO, now wish to be know called and addressed as OMOLADE OMOTAYO BABARINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note

.I formerly known and addressed as NWABOGOR MARGARET MARY now wish to be known and addressed as LAWSON-NWABOGOR OSANEKU MARGARET MARY.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

CHIDINMA FAVOUR ORJIAKOR

OLAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY

MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE

AHMED MASHOOD AYOGBE

.I formerly known and addressed as CHIDIMMA EZEAKOR now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDINMA FAVOUR ORJIAKOR.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

BOLADALE OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO

5.I formerly known and addressed as FAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY.My date of birth was wrongly written as 18/02/1984 instead of 18/02/1982.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MOSHOOD HAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED MASHOOD AYOGBE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

8.I formerly known and addressed as OGUNSANYA OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO(NEE OLAYIWOLA) now wish to be known and addressed as BOLADALE OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

MRS. MAMMY EDEM UMODUKE.

OKACHE DANIELLA Formerly known and addressed as OKACHE MARY OCHUOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKACHE DANIELLA. My correct date of birth is 12 April 1991 and not 12 April 1990. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALABI MURITALA

ESTHER JUMOKE FAJANA

JOHN IBEZIM NWEKE

Formerly known and addressed as ALABI AKANNI MURITALA RAFIU now wish to be known and addressed as ALABI MURITALA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as YETUNDE JUMOKE OLUJANA now wish to b known and addressed as ESTHER JUMOKE FAJANA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Nwigboji Ibezim Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as John Ibezim Nweke.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLATUNDE ABIODUN OMOBOLA KAFAYAT

.I formerly known and addressed as MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE FLORENCE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

2.I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED KAFAYAT TITILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNDE ABIODUN OMOBOLA KAFAYAT.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

My name was wrongly written as OLUWAKEMISOLA MARIAM ONI instead of OLUWAKEMI PAMILERIN ONI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ATANDA TAIYE HAFIS

Formerly known and addressed as ADEOLA WASIU ADEBAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as ATANDA TAIYE HAFIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

YISA ALIU OWONIKOKO

I formerly known and address as Ayeni Owonikoko now wish to be known and address as Yisa Aliu Owonikoko. All former docment remain valid. Gerneral public should please take note.

NWALOZIE CHIDEBERE TINA

3.I formerly known and addressed as NWOLOZIE TINA TINA now wish to be known and addressed as NWALOZIE CHIDEBERE TINA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note BOLADALE GABRIEL OLUWAFEMI.

9.I formerly known and addressed as OGUNSANYA GABRIEL BOLA now wish to be known and addressed as BOLADALE GABRIEL OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Public Notice24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

CHANGE OF FAMILY NAME

OLABINJO AZEEZ ADEDOYIN

We the under mentioned hereby change our family surname from GABRIEL to BOLADALE now we wish to be known and addressed as 1.BOLADALE OLUWADARASIMI GIDEON 2.BOLADALE OLUWATIMILEHIN GLORY 3.BOLADALE OLUWASEGUN JOSHUA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS MESHILEYA MONOLA IFEOLUWA.

11.I formerly known and addressed as OLABINJO AZEEZ EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as OLABINJO AZEEZ ADEDOYIN.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADENEKAN YETUNDE MOSUNMOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MESHILEYA MONOLA IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take

ONU BONAVENTURE NMADUABUCHI

AKANBI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO

LOLADE WOSILAT AYANNIYI I formerly known and addressed as WOSILAT OLOLADE ALAKAN now wish to be known and addressed as LOLADE WOSILAT AYANNIYI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CONFIRMATION . In some of my documents my name was written as ONOMU HANNAH EJIROGHENE and In some other documents my name was written as EWUBARE HANNAH EJIROGHENE.The names refer to the same person.All the documents bearing all the names are valid.General public to please take note.

CHIDINMA FAVOUR ORJIAKOR 4.I formerly known and addressed as CHIDIMMA EZEAKOR now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDINMA FAVOUR ORJIAKOR.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OLAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY I formerly known and addressed as FAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGBEIRO PAUL KENNY.My date of birth was wrongly written as 18/02/1984 instead of 18/02/1982.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

LOLADE WOSILAT AYANNIYI I formerly known and addressed as WOSILAT OLOLADE ALAKAN now wish to be known and addressed as LOLADE WOSILAT AYANNIYI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLUBUNMI ADEBISI AKODUJOSEPH now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBUNMI ADEBISI OGUNDUYILE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

IJEOMA JOY IJIOMAH

MRS ADEGOKE ALICE ADEDUNTAN I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEGBOYEGA ALICE ADEDUNTAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEGOKE ALICE ADEDUNTAN.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS OLUWATOYIN ADENIKE ONIWONLU I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATOYIN ADENIKE AGBAJE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWATOYIN ADENIKE ONIWONLU.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take not

IHEKWOABA AMARACHI MARY

CORRECTION OF NAME

.I formerly known and addressed as AWONIYI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO now wish to be known and addressed as AKANBI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

formerly known and addressed as IJEOMA JOY NWAOGBO now wish to be known and addressed as IJEOMA JOY IJIOMAH.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IHEKWOABA ANASTAESIA MARY now wish to be known and addressed as IHEKWOABA AMARACHI MARY.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

. In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as ADIBE GAYOS CARLOS instead of GAYOS UCHE ADIBE.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

ONYEMENONU NNEOMA FRANCES ALEXANDRIA.

SUNDAY OLUWAFEMI PETER

MRS BLESSING IDIAGHE CHARLES EKE

MMEREM CHRISTIAN CHUKWUBUIKE

SAMSUDEEN GBENGA MAIBADEJE

I formerly known as ONYEMENONU NNEOMA FRANCES, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEMENONU NNEOMA FRANCES ALEXANDRIA. All former documents remain valid. FUTO, Diamond Bank and general public take

I, formerly known and addressed as MALIKI OLUWAFEMI PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY OLUWAFEMI PETER. All former documents remain VALID. General Public take note

I Formerly known and addressed as BLESSING IDIAGHE UNUEGUARE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS BLESSING IDIAGHE CHARLES EKE All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

NWALOZIE CHIDEBERE TINA.

OLATUNDE ABIODUN OMOBOLA KAFAYAT.

LAWSON-NWABOGOR OSANEKU MARGARET MARY

ARUEDE DORIS AGOWANEFE

SULE MODUPEOLA ATIKAT

I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED KAFAYAT TITILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNDE ABIODUN OMOBOLA KAFAYAT.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

.I formerly known and addressed as NWABOGOR MARGARET MARY now wish to be known and addressed as LAWSON-NWABOGOR OSANEKU MARGARET MARY.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ARUEDE PULLEN DORIS now wish to be known and addressed as ARUEDE DORIS AGOWANEFE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADENIRAN MODUPEOLA ATIKAT now wish to be known and addressed as SULE MODUPEOLA ATIKAT .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE

AHMED MASHOOD AYOGBE

BOLADALE OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO

BOLADALE GABRIEL OLUWAFEM

.CHANGE OF FAMILY NAME

.I formerly known and addressed as MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE FLORENCE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AWOSANYA KEHINDE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

.I formerly known and addressed as MOSHOOD HAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as AHMED MASHOOD AYOGBE.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

8.I formerly known and addressed as OGUNSANYA OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO(NEE OLAYIWOLA) now wish to be known and addressed as BOLADALE OLUWABUNMI ADESAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

.I formerly known and addressed as OGUNSANYA GABRIEL BOLA now wish to be known and addressed as BOLADALE GABRIEL OLUWAFEMI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

We the under mentioned hereby change our family surname from GABRIEL to BOLADALE now we wish to be known and addressed as 1.BOLADALE OLUWADARASIMI GIDEON 2.BOLADALE OLUWATIMILEHIN GLORY 3.BOLADALE OLUWASEGUN JOSHUA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS OLUWATOYIN ADENIKE ONIWONLU

MRS ADEGOKE ALICE ADEDUNTAN.

OLUBUNMI ADEBISI OGUNDUYILE

MRS MESHILEYA MONOLA IFEOLUWA

OLABINJO AZEEZ ADEDOYIN

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

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEGBOYEGA ALICE ADEDUNTAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEGOKE ALICE ADEDUNTAN.All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

.I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADENEKAN YETUNDE MOSUNMOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MESHILEYA MONOLA IFEOLUWA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

1.I formerly known and addressed as OLABINJO AZEEZ EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as OLABINJO AZEEZ ADEDOYIN.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as STAN NMADU B. now wish to be known and addressed as ONU BONAVENTURE NMADUABUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

.I formerly known and addressed as NWOLOZIE TINA TINA now wish to be known and addressed as NWALOZIE CHIDEBERE TINA.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

IJEOMA JOY IJIOMAH.

I formerly known and addressed as STAN NMADU B. now wish to be known and addressed as ONU BONAVENTURE NMADUABUCHI.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

AKANBI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO I formerly known and addressed as AWONIYI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO now wish to be known and addressed as AKANBI CATHERINE OLUWAFUNMILAYO.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IJEOMA JOY NWAOGBO now wish to be known and addressed as IJEOMA JOY IJIOMAH. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

BASIL UCHENNA ONYENWERE

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

I, formerly known and addressed as, BASIL UCHENNA ONYEIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, BASIL UCHENNA ONYENWERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

: This is to confirm that I, ODUSANYA ADEWUNMI ELIZABETH is the same person answering ODUSANYA ADEWUNMI TOMISIN, now wish to be known and addressed as ODUSANYA ADEWUNMI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. AJIFOWOWE FOLAKE

ONU BONAVENTURE NMADUABUCHI

OLUBUNMI ADEBISI OGUNDUYILE

.I formerly known and addressed as OLUBUNMI ADEBISI AKODUJOSEPH now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBUNMI ADEBISI OGUNDUYILE.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, SAMSUSON GBENGA MABADEJE now wish to be known and addressed as, SAMSUDEEN GBENGA MAIBADEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME.

CONFIRMATION.

I formerly known and addressed as IHEKWOABA ANASTAESIA MARY now wish to be known and addressed as IHEKWOABA AMARACHI MARY.All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as ADIBE GAYOS CARLOS instead of GAYOS UCHE ADIBE.All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

In some of my documents my name was written as ONOMU HANNAH EJIROGHENE and In some other documents my name was written as EWUBARE HANNAH EJIROGHENE. The names refer to the same person.

All the documents bearing all the names are valid.General public to please take note.

OGUNDELE TAIWO OMOGBOLAHAN.

AKINDIPE ELIZABETH ANUOLUWAPO

MICHAEL OMONIYI ILESANMI.

TALEAT TEMITOPE GANIYU

I, formerly known and addressed as ABOLAJI OMOGBOAHAN TAIWO, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDELE TAIWO OMOGBOLAHAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADESAKIN ELIZABETH ANUOLUWAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINDIPE ELIZABETH ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ILESANMI GBENGA OMONIYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHAEL OMONIYI ILESANMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SALAWU TEMITOPE GANIYU, now wish to be known and addressed as TALEAT TEMITOPE GANIYU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. JUDITH UCHECHI ENYI

MRS. SANDRA WAMI BROWNWEST.

OMORUYI LOVETH

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. LANIPEKUN FOLAKE TAIWO, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. AJIFOWOWE FOLAKE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MRS. FAVOUR AMARACHI OGUH-ONYENWERE.

MRS. IZUNWANNE OGHENEOVO IRENE IGBUDU

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. FAVOUR AMARACHI OGUH, AND MRS. FAVOUR AMARACHI ONYEIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. FAVOUR AMARACHI OGUH-ONYENWERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, JUDITH UCHECHI ENYINNA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. JUDITH UCHECHI ENYI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly called and addressed as MISS SANDRA WAMI now wish to be called and addressed as MRS. SANDRA WAMI BROWN-WEST. All former documents remain valid.

The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IYEKEORTIN LOVETH now wish to be known and addressed as OMORUYI LOVETH. All former document remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IGBUDU IRENE OGHENEOVO now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS. IZUNWANNE OGHENEOVO IRENE IGBUDU. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

OWHONDA SALOME NKAKINI.

EKEKE CHRISTIAN IHENKO

JACKS IBINABO OBUBERENA

ISAAC FRANCIS PETER

I, formerly known and addressed as, SALOME PRICILLIA OWHONDA, now wish to be known and addressed as, OWHONDA SALOME NKAKINI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MRS. IHEAKARAM VICTORINE NKEIRUKA

MRS. UDEME MMADUEGBUNAM OKECHI

I, formerly known and addressed as, AKOMA CHRISTIAN IHENKO, now wish to be known and addressed as, EKEKE CHRISTIAN IHENKO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, JACKS IBINABO OBUBERENA KIO YOUNG, now wish to be known and addressed as, JACKS IBINABO OBUBERENA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ISIDORE FRANCIS PETER, now wish to be known and addressed as, ISAAC FRANCIS PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. EKEANYANWU VICTORINE NKEIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as, . All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

IHEKWOABA AMARACHI MARY

I, formerly known and addressed as MMEREM CHIJIOKE SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as MMEREM CHRISTIAN CHUKWUBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeme Mkpouto Gabriel, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udeme Mmaduegbunam Okechi. All documents bearing the former name remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30 , 2017

25 Public Notice

MRS. JAMES FAVOUR UGOCHI.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

JIMOH DAUDA FEMI OLASUNKANM

OGBOLU LOVETH UYOYO

OGUNYEMI VICTORIA KEMI

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NMECHA FAVOUR UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. JAMES FAVOUR UGOCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, ONUEGBU HENRY CHUKWUEMEKA, ONUEGBU HENRY CHUKWUEKE, AND ONUEGBU HENRY C., refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, ONUEGBU HENRY CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADAMS FEMI PATRICK JOSEPH now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH DAUDA FEMI OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UMUKORO LOVETH UYOYO now wish to be known and addressed as OGBOLU LOVETH UYOYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLUKUNLE VICTORIA KEMI now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNYEMI VICTORIA KEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

That my Date of Birth was mistakenly written as 13TH JULY 1980 on my Original Birth Certificate. That my correct Date of Birth is 13TH SEPTEMBER 1980. General Public please take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MISS AIYEGBO ADEBISI CHIDINMA

AUCTION

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AMOS HASSAN

THAT ADEBULUGBE ADEOLA REBECCA, ADEBAJO ADEOLA SAKIRAT, AND ADEGBULUGBE ADEOLA REBECCA ARE ONE AND SAME PERSON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THAT OJODOKUN TOSIN SUNDAY, AND OJODOKUN TOSIN JOSHUA ARE ONE AND SAME PERSON.WITH DATE OF BIRTH OF 20/06/1996.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADELAGUN ADEBISI AIYEGBO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AIYEGBO ADEBISI CHIDINMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Auction on Institution of Mushin Local Goverment. There will be a public auction of Unserviceable Vehicles at the Premiere of the Local Government Secreteraty with removal of the purchased goods within 48 hours. The auction date will commence on 30-03-2017 by 10 am prompt.

The Auctioneer Semiso Groups 08028153245, 08183505946.

This is to confirm that my correct name is TEMIDAYO OLANIBOJI ISAAC, and not OLANIBOJI TEMIDAYO ISAAC. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank, Access Bank and general public take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as AMOS HASSAN EZRA, Now wish to be known and addressed as AMOS HASSAN. All documents remain valid general public, and zenith bank, diamond bank and First bank should place take note.

NKEMDILIM WINIFRED ODIKPO

MRS. HALIMA PATIENCE REUBEN

UDUJI IFEANYI EMMANUEL

MRS CHIADIKAOBI QUEENDALINE NGOZI.

MOHAMMED LAWAL AFAKHANDE

I formerly known and addressed as LAWAL MOHAMMED LOVER, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED LAWAL AFAKHANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NKEMDILIM LYNDA IKEMEFUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as NKEMDILIM WINIFRED ODIKPO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBORO ESHOVO OGA.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Umar Halima Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Halima Patience Reuben. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBORO ESHOVO MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as OBORO ESHOVO OGA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

NWAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as NWAFOR IFEANYI EMMANUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UDUJI IFEANYI EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

ONYEKWERE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEKWERE QUEENDALINE NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIADIKAOBI QUEENDALINE NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS ENI JUSTINA NKEMDIRIM

ONYEKWELU NWAKAEGO EDITH

ENEH UZOAMAKA QUEENDALINE

NWALI PRISCILLA NJIDEKA

ENE LINDA NGOZI

UKPAI: I, formerly known and addressed as UKPAI NJIDEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWALI PRISCILLA NJIDEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS NWACHUKWU BLESSING ADAOBI

ENEH: I, formerly known and addressed as ENEH LINDA NGOZIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ENE LINDA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public should please take note.

ONYIDO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYIDO BLESSING ADAOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWACHUKWU BLESSING ADAOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NEBO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NEBO JUSTINA NKEMDIRIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENI JUSTINA NKEMDIRIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EZENWUGO: I, formerly known and addressed as EZENWUGO EDITH NWAKAEGO, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKWELU NWAKAEGO EDITH. All former documents remain valid. First Banks and General public should please take note.

ENEH: I, formerly known and addressed as ENEH QUEENDALINE LOVETH, now wish to be known and addressed as ENEH UZOAMAKA QUEENDALINE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

MRS KENECHUKWU LINDA NNENNA

MRS EZE PATIENCE CHINYER

OMEIGBO ERNEST MADUAKO

NNENNA BRIDGET ANI

MRS ANIKWE VERO ENIGHENI.

ODOCHIME CECILIA AMAUCHE.

EJIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EJIKE NNENNA ADANNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KENECHUKWU LINDA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

EZEAGU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PATIENCE CHINYERE EZEAGU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZE PATIENCE CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. Caritas University Amorji Nike, Osisatech Poly and General public should please take note.

OMEIGBO:I, formerly known and addressed as OMEIGBO ERNEST NWAMASTER, now wish to be known and addressed as OMEIGBO ERNEST MADUAKO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ARISIOKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as NNENNA ARISIOKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NNENNA BRIDGET ANI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OGEREREPH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGEREREPH ENIGHENI VERO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIKWE VERO ENIGHENI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ODOH: I, formerly known and addressed as ODOH CECILIA AMUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODOCHIME CECILIA AMAUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EZEIGWE CHUKWUMA JOHN.

MRS EDEH JUDITH CHINENYE

MRS ENEH CHINWE PEACE

MRS ANINGO VERONICA CHIOMA.

ANIOKE CHIBUGO

MRS EZEILO EUCHARIA EZINNE

IKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEIGWE CHUKWUMA JOHN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ONUOHA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUOHA JUDITH CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDEH JUDITH CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

EKPETE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EKPETE CHINWE PEACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ENEH CHINWE PEACE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IBEHI, formerly known and addressed as MISS IBEH VERONICA CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANINGO VERONICA CHIOMA. With 12th of August 1985 as correct date of birth.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take

BRODRICK: I, formerly known and addressed as BRODRICK CHIBUGO, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIOKE CHIBUGO .J. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NWEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWEKE EUCHARIA EZINNE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEILO EUCHARIA EZINNE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AUGUSTINE CHINONSO NWONU

CORRECTION OF NAME

ADDITION OF NAME

AVIDUTEI CHARLES YAW

AZUBUIKE HELEN OLAEDO

BLESSING EYIUCHE IGWE.

AUGUSTINE: I, formerly known and addressed as AUGUSTINE BENSON NWONU, now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINE CHINONSO NWONU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name ODOH UCHE HYGINUS was wrongly written when opening account but now wish to be corrected and addressed as ODOH UCHENNA HYGINUS. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public should please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as NWORIE CHIDERA that I now wish to add PETER to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as NWORIE CHIDERA PETER. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

Formerly known as Charles Eromosele agbuduwey now wish to be known as Avidutei Charles Yaw. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

This is to notify the general public that I, Azubuike Helen Onumara, now wish to be known and called Azubuike Helen Olaedo. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

Former BLESSING EYIUCHE IGBOKWE now wishes to be known and addressed as BLESSING EYIUCHE IGWE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MR CHURCHILL DAMI AYERUME

ANIGBATA BARTHOLOMEW

EZIASHI CHARLES UCHE.

BELLO ABUBAKAR.

AKANBI JAMIU

I formerly known as EZIASHI IKECHUKWU CHARLES wish to be known and addressed as EZIASHI CHARLES UCHE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Abubakar Usman wish to be known and addressed as Bello Abubakar.

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

I formerly known as AKANBI OGUNTIMEHIN wish to be known and addressed as AKANBI JAMIU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EKHUEMOKHAN AMOS

MRS HELEN EJAKPOFO

note.

formerly knw as MRS HELEN EJAKPOFO PETER,nw wish to knw as MRS HELEN EJAKPOFO AYERUME,all documents remain valid.banks and general public take note

formerly known as MR CHURCHILL DAMI PETER,nw wish to known as MR CHURCHILL DAMI AYERUME.all document remain valid banks and general public take note.

OLAWALE SAIDI AYINDE ADELEKE.

ADEGOKE ADEKUNLE AKONBI

BELLO MUTAIRU OLAWALE

AJEWOLE BOLA MUTIAT

I formerly known as Adeleke Adewale Saheed Ayinde wish to be known and addressed as Olawale Saidi Ayinde Adeleke.

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

I formerly known as Adegoke Adekunle Taofeek wish to be known and addressed as Adegoke Adekunle Akonbi. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Bello Mutairu wish to be known and addressed as BELLO MUTAIRU OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ADENIYI BOLA MUTIAT wish to be known and addressed as AJEWOLE BOLA MUTIAT. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ALATUNSE .S. OLASHILE

UDOFIA FUNMILAYO HANNAH.

NWIBO JOHN CHIDOZIE

AWOSANMA FEMI AJINAJA

I formerly known as Adeshina Funmilayo Hannah wish to be known and addressed as Udofia Funmilayo Hannah. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

OLAYIWOLA BOSEDE OMOSEIKE

I formerly known as AUGUSTINE CLEMENT wish to be known and addressed as NWIBO JOHN CHIDOZIE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as AWOSANMA FEMI JOSEPH wish to be known and addressed as AWOSANMA FEMI AJINAJA .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Fatimo Ismail wish to be known and addressed as Olayiwola Bosede Omoseike. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as Alatunse Olaoluwa wish to be known and addressed as Alatunse .S. Olashile. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as Michael Bartholomew Anigbata now wish to be known and addressed as Anigbata Bartholomew. All former documents remains valid. General public please take note.

That I Adogame Obiageli Florence Jacklyn and Adogame Obiageli Florence is the Same person wish to be known called and addressed as Adogame Obiageli Florence. All Documents /Credentials bearing these names remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as AKUES AMOS wish to be known and addressed as EKHUEMOKHAN AMOS. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ANTHONY JUDE OKAFOR I formerly known as JUDE OGUGUWA OKAFOR wish to be known and addressed as ANTHONY JUDE OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30 , 2017

Health

s

Experts stress need for FG to pass Mental Health Bill urgently Angela Onwuzoo The increasing rate of suicide cases in the country in recent times has shown that all is not well with the mental health status of many Nigerians.

The nation is still shocked at the news of a medical doctor, named Allwell Orji who took his own life two Sundays ago, by jumping into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge.

Also, a woman identified as Taiwo Titilayo Momoh who attempted to jump into the Lagoon from same Third Mainland Bridge last week Friday was rescued by the operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.

Yet again, according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, another woman identified as Mrs Abigael Ogunyinka also attempted to commit suicide after jumping into lagoon of the Third Mainland Bridge last week but was lucky to have been rescued by fisher men.

If this could be happening in Lagos state alone within two weeks, it foretells that the trend has assumed a frightening dimension, compounded by daily suicide bombings in the north eastern part of the country. No doubt, the situation calls for an urgent action by the federal government.

Experts have attributed the recent increase in suicide cases in the country to mental illness such as depression, anxiety and distress which they said were triggered by the current economic hardship.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 800,000 people die across the world due to suicide every year and suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds with 75% of the suicides occurring in low-andmiddle-income countries including Nigeria.

Worried about the negative development, psychiatrists in the country are calling on the Federal government to rise up and address the challenge by giving priority to mental health through effective polices and legislations.

Speaking with The Daily Times in a recent interview, Consultant Psychiatrist and Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Lagos, Dr. Peter Ogunubi, said the only way the federal government could effectively tackle the problem of men-

Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba

Dr. Ogunubi

tal illness and its attendant consequences such as suicide is to pass the Mental Health Bill lying at the National Assembly for many years now.

His words: “It is unfortunate that the federal government has been paying lip-service to mental health in Nigeria, forgetting that over 30 million Nigerians have one form of mental illness or the other. Passing the Mental Health Bill before the National Assembly is the only way to go, if the issue of mental illness is to reduce in the country.”

Ogunubi pointed out that government is paying attention to

ailments like cancer and HIV because they affect the rich, but, when it comes to mental illness, government is silent.

“We have discovered that any illness that does not affect the rich does not get the attention of the government in Nigeria. For years now, the Mental Health Bill has been at the National Assembly without passage. They called the Mental Health Bill an orphan bill because it has no sponsor. The National Assembly had passed other bills before it but has refused to pass the Mental Health Bill because no Ghana–must-go bag of money was attached to it.

“As we speak, Ghana has passed their mental health law and they have the Department of Mental Health. But in Nigeria, we are still groping in the dark because we have refused to pass our mental health bill,” he said.

This is even as hospital visitation record from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, shows that the number of new cases of mental illness has doubled in the last one month.

He described the Lunacy Act that is currently in use in the country as outdated and so cannot address present day needs and challenges.

According to him, the MHB, if passed and assented into law, will ensure that government increases access to mental health services, address the problem of inadequate facilities which is currently less than 50 in the country and shortage of manpower.

He went on: “If the bill is passed, it will also provide subsidised medication that mental illness patients need. As we speak, treatment for mental illness is very expensive and in Nigeria, is still out of pocket payment. It is the family members that pay for the treatment and some patients are in a medication that cost over N80,000 per month.

“But drug for HIV is free. Nigerians go as far as Benin Republic to get free medication because they have free mental healthcare there. Out of the money budgeted

for health, we don’t even have one per cent for mental health.”

He lamented that with a population of over 170 million people, Nigeria has less than 200 psychiatrists amounting to one per one million persons! He added that there are even no facilities to absorb those that have graduated from psychiatry.

Also, another Consultant Psychiatrist with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olamide Oluwaniyi, told The Daily Times that based on recent happenings, it has become important for government to integrate mental health into primary healthcare to enable those with mental illness have access to treatment.

He emphasised that though mental health disorders may be life long, but with adequate treatment, the patient could still lead a positive mental life.

“Having a mental disorder does not mean you cannot have a positive mental health. With the right treatment, it is very possible. But the problem we have in Nigeria is that, most people with mental disorders seek spiritual help rather than medical help”, he said.

Oluwaniyi therefore, urged government to promote things that will positively influence the mental health status of Nigerians such as good environmental, health, social and economic policies so as to enable everyone to be happy and fulfill his/her dreams in life.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

27 Health

Stakeholders urge Nass to reject bills against life, family values Stories by Angela Onwuzoo Citing the sacredness and uniqueness of the family as the basic unit of the society, stakeholders in the health, education and religious profession within and outside the country, have called on the nation’s lawmakers to reject bills and policies that undermine the sanctity and dignity of human life and family values.

The stakeholders made the call at the just concluded African Regional World Congress of Families in Lagos yesterday, organised by Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH) to deliberate on ways of saving the family and the society from immoral practices and abuse through anti-life and anti-family legislations.

The combined body therefore urged the leadership of the National Assembly to throw away all anti-life bills like those that promote abortion, gay marriage and to be careful also, about the kind of international treaties and conventions they ratify and domesticate for the country.

This, according to them, is crucial in order not to debase the sanctity of marriage institution as a union between a man and a woman, family values and the right to life of every human being including the life of an unborn baby.

It was revealed that some of the international treaties and conventions such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol may appear good on the surface, but are filled with lies and conspiracy underneath.

The Maputo Protocol which dwelt on women’s rights is a treaty instrument that is binding on all countries

L-R: Dr. Akosa, Arch Bishop Abegunrin, Ojinika, Fr. Opio, Brown and Dr. Okafor.

that ratify it. It went into effect in November 2005, after the minimum 15 of the 53 African Union member countries including Nigeria ratified it.

In her presentation on CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol, a public health physician, Dr. Regina Akosa, said the country should resist call and pressure from any group calling for the domestication of CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol because that would amount to legalising abortion in Nigeria.

Asoka said: “CEDAW is against life via Article 12, 16. These are used

to fight against family. Maputo Protocol approves abortion on demand.

It has good provision but all is not well with it. Article 16, 12 is against life and is all about conspiracy by the West to depopulate Africa.”

Allowing such laws in Nigeria,, she says, will contravene the constitution and therefore, called on the lawmakers to say no to their domestication.

“To domesticate CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria is to legalizes abortion”, Akosa warned.

The Catholic Arch Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Bishop Gabriel

Abegunrin, in his contribution, said the problem of individualism in the family must be checked “We must promote values that protect marriage and family in this 21st century and the dignity of the human person must be protected because it is representing the image of God. The protection of the dignity of the human person will stop practices like abortion. Marriage and family promote human dignity. Marriage is a sacred bond, and when marriage is contracted, the couple begins a new family”, he said.

For the President, World Congress of Families and Co-Sponsor of the African Regional Congress in Lagos, Brian Brown, all hands must be on deck to put an end to all that is undermining the family and marriage institution, while appealing to participants at the congress to always stand for the truth and what they believe in.

According to Brown, the truth is that human dignity is worth standing for and that the family being a basic unit of the society must at all times be respected and protected.

He stated further: “Stand up for what you know is the truth about family. Don’t accept any new form of culture that tries to change a man to a woman, and a woman to man.

We must all rise and condemn the culture of imperialism. We must remain optimistic to be able to change the world together.”

In her remarks, President of FACH, Dr. Theresa Okafor, said it was not enough to lament about the things that seek to undermine the family and the sanctity of human life, but the ability of all stakeholders concerned to proactively confront the challenges despite all odds.

“If we allow ourselves to be carried away by ‘the tail wags the dog morality’ where personal taste, self interest, self obsession and self absorption and the pleasure principle are rationalised and if we fail to think about the consequences that our actions could have, we will only have ourselves to blame”, she said.

To further check the high level of immoral practices in the society today, Okafor called for the review of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education currently in the school curriculum.

NAFDAC raids Lagos markets over fake liquor

Acting NAFDAC DG, Mrs Oni

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raided shops in the popular Oke-Arin Market, Balogun and Suru Alaba, Apapa all in Lagos State where fake liquor were allegedly being bottled and registered brands counterfeited.

The agency carried out the raid recently following a tip-off about some wine and spirits distributors, who operate local production sites where the adulteration was done.

Apart from fake liquor, counterfeited packaging materials such as empty bottles, funnels, filtering clothes, corks of registered brands among others, were discovered in the raid which involved NAFDAC Enforcement officers and journalists who monitored the exercise.

A shop at No. 12, Issa Williams, Balogun market with the business name, Ken-Zubby Emporium Ltd, belonging to one Kennedy Maduewesi, was among those sealed as large quantities of the fake liquor and counterfeited packaging

materials were discovered there.

A sales representative at the shop who identified himself as Christopher declined comments on the use of the fake packaging products.

“I am not the owner of the shop, I am only working here as a sales representative, when the owner comes you ask him what they use them for. I met everything here when I came to this shop. They have been here for a very long time,” Christopher said.

The agency also sealed a Fan Milk outfit at Alaba Suru, along Apapa road, where some of their products did not have expected labeling information such as: date markings, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates.

Commenting on the raid, Assistant Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Lagos, Mr. Uche Chidi Uzoma, said that the operation was actually informed by a kind of international opera-

tion that is going on in different parts of the world.

Uzoma said that the raid was part of a global exercise occurring simultaneously in all nations of the world called Operation Olson VI. He said the operation was jointly conducted by Europol, Interpol and other law enforcement agencies including the Customs, Police, and the Military and was aimed at dislodging criminal networks of foods and drinks products counterfeiters.

“It is aimed at dislodging organized criminal network of counterfeiters, those that are into food and drinks products,” Uzoma said.

On the fake products discovered by the team at Oke-Arin Market, he said: “We have confirmed that some of the things discovered at Oke-Arin Market belong to one KenZubby Emporium Ltd.

z

Lar

clin ger

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Ambode commissions Aboru-Abesan link bridge, adjoining roads Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎ Lagos state governor,

Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, commissioned the Aboru-Abesan link Bridge and some adjoining roads in Alimosho local government area of the state.

Speaking before a mammoth crowd, which trooped out to witness the event, the governor said he was happy that the event was a fulfilment of the promise he made to the people a year ago.

“Today is a historic day in the life of the people of Alimosho and Lagos state.

Exactly a year ago, in March 2016, I visited this axis. I emotionally bled when I saw the condition of this place. I received reports of series of deaths and fatal accidents caused by the presence of

this valley.

“I immediately gave my commitment that our government would do something about that situation.

One year after, we are here to keep our promise to the good people of Aboru, Abesan and other communities and reaffirm our commitment that no community or area will be left behind. Every Lagosian counts. We are a government of inclusion,” he said.

A 480 metres bridge linking Aboru to Abesan, both in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council of Alimosho Local Government Area was commissioned. He said the bridge will significantly ease the burden of travel between these two communities by reducing travel time and eliminating the risks associated with its non-existence.

Governor Ambode also commissioned some newly constructed additional adjoining inner roads, which, according to him, would create an efficient road network to aid connectivity permanently.

“The roads include; Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street and Salami Kazeem.

“All totalling 5.5km with drainage, walkways and street lights.

This road network eases the pressure on the Abeokuta Expressway and links residents with Iyana Ipaja, LASU - Iba Expressway,” he said.

He said the projects were an indication that his government listens and responds to the needs of the people. The governor said

he would continue to deliver first class infrastructure to improve the lives of Lagosians, boost the economy and create jobs for youths.

He said he was very grateful to the contractor, Engr.

Olalekan Adebiyi, who deemed it necessary to contribute to the healthcare of the community by donating a Primary Healthcare Centre to the Alimosho people.

“On our part, we have equipped the Health Centre and provided a brand-new ambulance which will be stationed at this centre to respond to any emergency in the community. A certificate will be issued to the donor to enable him offset his tax obligations. We hope this will encourage other well-meaning Lagosians to take up Corporate Social Responsi-

A cross-section of participants at the opening of a workshop on Illicit Financial Flows, organised by ActionAid UK, in Abuja… on Monday.

Plateau residents demand budget accountability

Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎ Residents of

Jos the Plateau state capital on Wednesday tasked the state government to x-ray state budget to the public, with a view to inculcating accountability, efficiency and transparency in the management of public funds.

Speaking at a one-day workshop tagged, ‘Understanding the Concept Of Open And Participatory Budget For Strengthening Community Engagement In Electoral Process,’ the state Director of Budget, Ministry Of Finance, Mr. Jonglapson Suleiman, said the forum will be useful if individual opinions are

considered key to development by various stakeholders, makers and implementers of the budget to promote development in the entire state.

He said an open and participatory budget ensures that citizens and communities are carried along in all areas and processes establishing budgetary provisions to represents the need and aspirations of the people and not to the elected.

“Such a process provides room for citizens to make input, track and monitor implementation of the budget in their respective communities and provide feedback to the relevant institutions and agencies of government for adjustment

and reviews in order to suit citizens’ demands and desire”.

Mr. Suleiman, monitoring of government budget helps citizens to hold government accountable for accountable for the effective use of public funds and also serve as disincentive for officials to misappropriate resources and reducing the likelihood of corruption.

However, participants at the event demanded that the yearly public hearing by the State House of Assembly needs to involve citizens to allow for more inputs and broader participation in the process, adding that the present process and practice should be reviewed.

Earlier in his remark, the Acting Executive Director, Actionaid and Community Action For Popular Participation (CAPP), Mr. Nelson Ananze, said that the need to motivate citizens participants in government budgetary is also supported by the BBC Media Action, in partnership with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), aimed at strengthening citizens’ engagement in the electoral process, taking into cognizance the engagement of women, youths and persons living with disability.

Ananze said the enlightenment is also carried out in other parts of the country.

bility activities within their communities,” he said.

He said he was elated that Lagos was celebrating her mentor and a visionary leader; one who he described as the brain behind the 21st century Lagos, the former governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We have decided to hon-

our him by commissioning the construction of a network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun States.

“The following roads have been identified for immediate construction and rehabilitation in order to complete the new face of Alimosho constituency.

Glo’s mega music, comedy shows hit 27 cities ÎÎÎ In an unprecedented

entrainment blitz acrross the country, telecoms firm, Globacom, is set to hit 27 cities in 27 weeks with two major shows simultaneously.

Globacom, which has gained the reputation of being the biggest corporate promoter of entertainment in West Africa, announced over the weekend that the next six months will see the twin mega shows, called the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour and the Glo Laffta Fest comedy show, beginning from April 7 blazing across the country.

According to Globacom, Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour is a musical jam while the second Glo Laffta Fest is a comedy event which will parade the fun-

niest humour merchants on the African continent.

Each of the shows will be held in the selected 27 cities.

Globacom said further that the shows will kick off with the musical jam in Benin City on Friday, April 7, at the Best Western Hotel, Etete Layout, Benin City, while the first Glo Laffta Fest will be held on Sunday, April 9, at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Other locations where the shows will hold include: Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC and Ajah all in Lagos; Awka; Owerri; Asaba; Calabar; Enugu; Aba; Port Harcourt; Suleja, Kubwa and FCT, all in Abuja; Ibadan; Ijebu Ode; Abeokuta; Ekpoma; Kaduna; Akure; Lokoja; and Ayingba.

ADEMOSU GBENGA MARTINS

IDOWU OMOTAYO MARIAN

I formerly known as Gbenga Mayowa Ademosu and Gbenga Ademosu Bayo wish to be known and addressed as ADEMOSU GBENGA MARTINS. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as KODAOLU Omotayo Marian wish to be known and addressed as IDOWU Omotayo Marian. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

MRS OCHO IFEOMA JUDITH

SANUSI TOSIN SUKURA

I Formerly Known And Addressed As Miss Ezugwu Ifeoma Judith Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As Mrs Ocho Ifeoma Judith All Former Document Remain Valid Federal College Of Education Kano And The General Public Please Take Note.

I formerly known as SANUSI NGOZI BLESSING wish to be known and addressed as SANUSI TOSIN SUKURA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ADEMOLA MICHAEL OLADAPO

AKOREDE MUMEEN ADEKUNLE

I formerly known as OYINBOMOLA ADE OLADAPO wish to be known and addressed as ADEMOLA MICHAEL OLADAPO. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as MUFUTAU MUMINI ADEKUNLE wish to be known and addressed as AKOREDE MUMEEN ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

NONSO DANIEL OBIMKA

OBIEALI DANIEL

I, formerly known as DANIEL NONSO now wish to be known and addressed as NONSO DANIEL OBIMKA. All former documents remain valid. Please general public should take note.

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

Please general public should take note.

MRS DAWODU MERCY ABIOLA I formerly known as Mrs Ubok Mercy Abiola wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Dawodu Mercy Abiola.

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

ADDITION OF NAME This Is To Certify That My Ezekiel that I Now Want To Add AKAN wish to be known and addressed as Udoh Ezekiel Akan. All Documents/ Credentials bearing these names remain valid, general public please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

29

News

Osinbajo to attend OECD anti-corruption, integrity forum in Paris ÏÏÏ Vice

President Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be attending the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD’s Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum holding in Paris this week between March 30 and 31.

Concerned that “corruption and abuse of public office are a blight

on democracies and a drain on public finances and with trust in government flagging,”the OECD forum brings together global leaders, Government ministers, business leaders and civil society representatives to discuss issues “including the cost to society of corruption, the use of political dona-

tions to buy influence, developments in corporate liability for graft, and the role of export controls to counter bribery.”

The Vice President who is one of the featured speakers at the global conference, left Abuja yesterday, after participating in the Federal Executive Council meeting presided

over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

During the conference, Prof. Osinbajo would hold bilateral talks with the Secretary-General of the organization Angel Gurria to review and explore relationship between Nigeria and the body including how to further

strengthen mutual cooperation in the areas such as good governance, integrity and anti-corruption efforts.

Founded in 1961, OECD’s mission includes the attainment of global economic development through supporting sustainable economic growth, boosting employment,

raising living standards, contributing to the growth of world trade and maintaining financial stability among other objectives.

While in Paris, the Vice President will also hold a number of meetings with the French Minister Mr. Bernard Cazeneuve.

He is expected back in Abuja by weekend.

FBN Capital bags three prestigious financial merit awards Afolabi Adesola

ÏÏÏ FBN Capital Limited,

a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, has started off the 2017 financial year on a winning note with awards and recognition from reputable financial awards institutions.

The firm was recognised as the ‘Best Asset Manager in Nigeria’ in the prestigious Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey; and also won awards for ‘Best Structured Finance House in Africa’ at the EMEAFinance Achievement Awards; and ‘Best Investment Bank in Nigeria’ at the Global

Finance Awards for several successfully delivered transactions in 2016.

Commenting on the development, Margaret Baale.

Ag. Managing Director of FBN Capital stated, “We are pleased to have commenced the year on such a high note by winning these prestigious awards.”

“We are always humbled by credible recognition because we know they are the result of true teamwork and a commitment to excellence. We are proud to share these with our partners, and remain grateful to them for being the inspiration behind the opportunities we deliver.” she added.

Afriland Properties disburses 125 m bonus shares to shareholders Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏ

Afriland Properties Plc has announced total assets of N16.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, representing 10 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2015.

The company’s shareholders also approved proposal by the board of directors for each shareholder to receive one bonus share for every 10 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held as at the qualifying date, totaling 125 million shares.

This was stated by the board of directors during the company’s Annual General Meeting which took place at the Banquet Hall of Lagoon Restaurant, Lagos.

The board also proposed a total of 125 million bonus shares to shareholders.

The company posted a profit before tax (PBT) and profit after tax (PAT) of N0.54 billion and N0.31 billion respectively. These represent 69% and 74 per cent reduction respectively when compared to prior

year.

Afriland Properties, is a property development and management Company, offering end-to-end services along the real estate value chain, from management to joint-venture investments.

Afriland Properties Plc. is a property development and management company, offering end-to-end services along the real estate value chain, from management to joint-venture investments.

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Afriland Properties Plc, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe, told shareholders at the meeting that the difficult economic climate adversely impacted performance of the real estate industry. Despite these extremely challenging conditions, we still kept the Company on a stable trajectory.

“Although the operating environment remains challenging, the board and management of the company are very confident that the strategic initiatives that are being implemented are set to yield better results for

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, on Environment, Babatunde Hunpe; Commissioner for Environment, Babatunde Adejare; Chairman, Mandate Group, Lagos State chapter, Alhaji Ganiyu Abayomi Badmus; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Adeyemi Olabinjo and ex-Rep, Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, at the special prayer session to mark the 65th birthday celebration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in Lagos State… on Wednesday.

How Gobir allegedly defrauded Afromedia -Witness Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏ The managing direc-

tor of outdoor advertising firm, Afromedia Plc, Mr. Akinola Olopade, on Wednesday, narrated before an Ikeja High Court how Alhaji Mohammed Gobir, allegedly defrauded the company of N45billion.

The witness disclosed this during the ongoing trial of Mohammed Gobir, one of the company’s directors who is standing trial on a 17 – count charge of stealing, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

The charges were proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Gobir, however, denied the charges against him.

Led in evidence by Mrs. Zainab Etu, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Olopade said “My Lord, after about three years of

promises, it was discovered that the promises were a bunch of lies.

“At the Afromedia board meeting held on December 20, 2013, he promised that he will be in London for Christmas and the monies will be released.

“It was all a lie; his phone was switched off and I later got to know that he travelled to Dubai.

“When I later found out that he had returned to Lagos, I came to visit him and I decided to start secretly recording all our conversations as I needed evidence of his deceit and I didn’t want to confront him with conversations I had in my memory,” Olopade said.

Excerpts of the audio recordings of Gobir evading questions from Olopade regarding the funds were played to the hearing of all present in the courtroom.

The conversations between the men were in English and Yoruba languages and Gobir could be

overheard telling Olopade that the $250million which amounted to N45billion going by the $160 to N1 exchange rate in 2013.

The audio recording dated February 11, 2013 revealed that Gobir admitted that “$250million is in town, we are trying to clear it with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The CBN needed papers to clear the money and we are presently trying to clear it, the CBN have sent me a text message alert.”

The audio recording was paused while Olopade explained to the court that; “The expectations from this meeting continued in the coming weeks.

“Gobir said on February 15, 2013 monies were to be released from the N45billion allegedly transferred to him from the CBN. “The dollar rate at the time was $160 to N1, all these stories changed till March of that year, till now I don’t know what hap-

pened to the money, as he has been coming up with different stories,” he said.

According to the EFCC, Gobir allegedly defrauded the company through a phoney investment deal he introduced to Afromedia Plc through their private placement consultants, Synergy Energy Advisory Limited, as a high net worth investor willing to inject N1billion into the company.

He was allegedly appointed as the Head of Business Development Committee in the board of directors of the company, a position of trust in which he allegedly used to defraud the company.

Gobir allegedly demanded huge sums of money including the $250million from the company as business expenses for a United Kingdom based Investment consultants, the Royal Exchange Bureau, in order to secure investments from a bank in the UK.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

THURSDAY, March 30, 2017

EXTRATIME

31

Dalung blames ICT for controversies Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

T

he Minister of Youths and Sports, Hon. Solomon Dalung, has blamed the misuse of Information Communication Technology (ICT), as responsible for the distortion and misunderstanding of his speech.

Dalung stated this in Jos while in-

teracting with newsmen, saying that he has deliberately decided not to react to some of the untrue statement created to him which has often stirred up controversies.

His words: “In a global environment where the power of ICT is well enshrined, the power of creation, reaction and editing of speeches and images is high, but I have not been too concerned

about some of the statements credited to my person and I have decided deliberately not to even react to them because we have the responsibility of leadership.

“Those statements should not be taken seriously because they are just a part taken from a general submission which makes it an incomplete statement, distorted to communicate some-

thing differently.

“It should be understood when people react because sports has a global fever which comes with a lot of passion and Nigerians only believe in success, thus anything less than that will attract criticism and uncomplimentary outburst from all quarters.

ITF/CAT AJC: Osewa in dramatic win,Abamu qualifies

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

N FIFA scraps World Cup LOCs W

orld football’s ruling body Fifa will get rid of local World Cup organising committees and take full control over tournaments’ organisation starting in 2026, according to Fifa general secretary Fatma Samoura.

“We will organise the 2026 World Cup on our own,” Samoura said in an interview published on Wednesday.

She added that the current system, which mandates local committees with organising the World Cups hosted by their countries, would go under reforms midway between the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

The next two World Cups will not be affected by the changes.

“We don’t want to have to create a new structure from scratch (for every World Cup),” Samoura said, stressing that this process was “difficult and costly”.

“We want to have a permanent professional team that will have all competences like organisation and combine this experience with local know-how.”

Samoura said the move was meant to increase “control and effectiveness”, with local organising committees having come under scrutiny in the past over delays in infrastructure projects.

She confirmed that Fifa was also considering taking over the World Cup ticket programme.

Russia is set to host the next World Cup in 11 cities including Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Sochi.

igeria’s Michael Osewa bounced back from an opening day defeat with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Keean Shah of Kenya to keep alive the hope of having a favourable draw in the knock out stage of the 2017 CAT/ITF African Junior Tennis Championship taking place at the Benoni Country Club, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The twelfth -seeded Nigerian lost his first match on Monday against third seed, Soufiane El Mesbahi of Morocco but bounced back to reckoning with a relatively easy win against his East African opponent. The win has now guaranteed him a place in the next stage with the chance of getting a fair draw.

Mathew Abamu also kept his good form that saw him triumphed in his opening match on Monday against Algeria’s Lebdi Forkane as he coasted to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Taona Mhwandagara of Zimbabwe to also progress to the knockout stage. The win against the Zimbabwean, who is the number 16 seed, sealed Abamu’s place in the boys’ 14 and under leaving Mhwandagara and Forkane to battle for the last qualification ticket in Box 8.

“It was a bit easy for me compared to my first game. I still have to play a bit better if I have to go far because there are many good players in my category,” Abamu submitted.

A day of mixed fortune for Nigeria saw Michael Ayoola and David Dawariye succumbed to defeats in their matches.

Ayoola from the Aces Tennis Club in Lagos fell 6-1, 6-1 to top seed, Youcef Rihane of Algeria in the boy’s 16 and under just as Dawariye of the Kodian Tennis Foundation, Port Harcourt, stumbled 5-7, 3-6 to Hamid Koumane of Cote d’Ivoirein the boys’ 14 and under on his debut match at the championship.

With both players in a group consisting three players, they are sure of advancing to the next stage but will be facing much tougher opponents when the draws for the knock out stage is made after the conclusion of preliminary matches on Wednesday.

Chukwu backs ultimatum to Rangers technical crew

E

nugu Rangers’ Christian Chukwu has hinted that the ultimatum given to the Flying Antelopes’ technical crew is not a witchhunt of Coach Imama Amapakabo but to ensure that the team turns a new leaf in terms of results in the league.

The reigning champions’ were last on the league table with 12 points from 12 games before their mid week tie with Remo Stars, the former Super Eagles captain pointed out that the club’s management is unhappy at the dismay performance of the team in the current campaign.

And the ultimatum is a wake-up call to the coaches and players that they must brace up.

“We are not witch-hunting anybody,’’ Chukwu said. ‘’It is our desire to see Rangers compete for the league title again like last season. It was the reason we gave the technical crew three-match ultimatum so that the coaches and players can see it as a wake-up call for them to improve. We cannot continue to sit down and look our darling team go down as we are presently.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD,

email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08050220692.

Editor Daily: SAM NSEH

Thursday, March 30, 2017

VOL. 2. NO. 331

Price: N150

Dalung blames ICT for P 31 controversies

News Hotlines: 08050220561 Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

Keep improving, Omeruo charges Ndidi W

Ndidi

Barca condemn ‘unfair’ Messi ban

B

Lionel Messi

arcelona have condemned Fifa’s decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.

Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10 000 Swiss francs ($10 069.48)

by Fifa’s disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina’s remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia.

“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the Fifa World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” the club said.

“The club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.

ilfred Ndidi has been urged to continue to improve by his Nigeria international teammate Kenneth Omeruo.

The defender was wowed by the Leicester City star during the Super Eagles’ recent matches against Senegal.

The Nigerian Football Federation named Ndid as man of the match in the 1-1 draw with the Teranga Lions last Thursday.

Omeruo has praised Ndidi for his showing and advised the player not to rest on his laurels.

“Nigeria Super Eagles London based #Omeruo keep doing great things my brother @ndidi25,” Omeruo posted on Instagram.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

FG to raise N235b from TB sales next week Page B3

Rice farmers commend FG for Anchor Borrowers Programme Page B7

Equities price decline plunges m-t-d returns into negative territory

Page B4

Access Bank shareholders endorse N11.57bn total dividend

… Raise concern over regulators induced stress on companies Bonny Amadi Shareholders of Access Bank Nigeria Plc have raised concern over on going stress on listed companies occasioned by regulatory provisions.

The cross section of shareholders reechoed the issue at the Access Bank’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Wednesday, shortly after endorsing final

dividend payment of 40 kobo, and qualifying the 2016 audited accounts of the bank.

Sir Sunny Nwosu, founding chairman of Independent shareholders Association of Nigeria said that large liquidity of banks retained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), could further be deployed by the originating banks to boost earnings and also reward investors better.

He said that hence such funds

are non interest yielding, the benefit of such large amount is denied the masses through direct application to economic activities or earnings in the form of higher dividend from banks.

Nwosu while lauding the bank directors for posting strong growth and rewarding the shareholders, however called for robust interim dividend which he said will assist the shareholders to overcome the cash economic

Thursday, March 30, 2017

scenario .

Chief Timothy Adesioyan, chairman Nigerian solidarity Shareholders Association reflecting on the impact or regulation on companies performances said that the instance by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) that companies accounts should be endorsed by a certified chartered Accountant, could be a clog in the wheel of progress of many companies.

He said that while the Financial Reporting council of Nigeria (FRC) has taken a popular stand on the issue by not insisting such accounts be signed by chartered accountant, the NSE sticks to its gun.

“We challenged the FRC and they listened to us, by the NSE appeared to be insistent on this which is not good for the retail shareholders. The retail shareholders should be allowed to have a say in the companies of which they are part owners” All the bank shareholders represented by their by various leaders poured encomium on the bank’s board for the remarkable performance recorded in the 2016 financial year, irrespective of the challenging operating environment an well as the uncertain regulatory setting.

FBN Capital starts 2017 as ‘Best Asset Manager’

L-R : Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel (3rd right), Minister of Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu (2nd right), Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote and Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, at the opening ceremony of Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair 2017 held at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, yesterday.

Porting activities increase by 2,321 in February- NCC Tony Nwakaegho

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has declared that porting activities within telecommunications service providers

BUSINESS TIMES Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

increased by 2,321 in February.

NCC’s online report of “Incoming and Outgoing Porting Activities of Mobile Network Operators” for February disclosed this in Lagos.

It said that by this increase, subscribers porting within the network had reached 21,831 from the 19,510 recorded in January.

It said that out of the 21,831 porting activities in February, 10,771 were “incoming porting activities”, while 11,060 were

“outgoing activities”.

The report disclosed that in the outgoing table, 4,003 subscribers moved from Globacom Nigeria to other networks through the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in February.

It said that 2,884 customers ported from MTN Nigeria; 2,662 subscribers moved from Airtel Nigeria, while 1,511 customers of Etisalat Nigeria ported to other networks within the same period.

However, Etisalat led in the incoming table by an additional 6,551 customers on its network in February.

Airtel Nigeria came second on the gainers’ list with 2,090 subscribers, 1,552 subscribers ported to MTN Nigeria, while Globacom Nigeria got 578 customers.

NCC commenced monitoring the porting of mobile operators since April 22, 2013, with the aim of deepening competition in the industry.

FBN Capital Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, has started off 2017 on a winning note with awards and recognition from reputable financial awards institutions.

The firm was recognised as the ‘Best Asset Manager in Nigeria’ in the prestigious Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey and also won awards for ‘Best Structured Finance House in Africa’ at the EMEAFinance Achievement Awards; and ‘Best Investment Bank in Nigeria’ at the Global Finance Awards for several successfully delivered transactions in 2016.

Commenting on the development, acting Managing Director of FBN Capital, Margaret Baale, said: “We are pleased to have commenced the year on such a high note by winning these prestigious awards.”

“We are always humbled by credible recognition because we know they are the result of true teamwork and a commitment to excellence. We are proud to share these with our partners, and remain grateful to them for being the inspiration behind the opportunities we deliver,” she added.

The prestigious Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey is the industry’s leading barometer of the world’s best service and product providers. The survey covers 15 different product and client categories and has ranking results in 70 countries, in which FBN Capital Asset Management emerged number one in Nigeria.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Union bank wins most efficient bank in e-reference operations award Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s longest-standing innovative banks, has been awarded the most effective bank in e-reference operations. This was announced at the recently concluded 2017 CBN/NIBSS Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme Awards, organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.

The e-reference operations refer to one of the activities carried out in Central Processing Centre (CPC) under the Account Opening/Documentation Unit.

Contested by all the banks in Nigeria, Union Bank was recognized as the most efficient bank in ensuring reference requests are processed within minutes of receipt on the platform, a measure which is considered commendable compared with the turnaround time of other banks in the industry.

L-R: Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Akintunde Adelana, General Manager, Projects and Operations, Engr. Paul Zuhumben, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, member of NCDMB Governing Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, Special Assistant to Executive Secretary, Mr. Mofe Megbele and Supervisor, Public Affairs, Mr. Obinna Ezeobi during an inspection visit to Total Upstream Nigeria’s Egina FPSO undergoing construction at the Samsung Heavy Industry (SHI)’s yard at Geoje, South Korea.

GreenWish doubles solar power plans to 200 Megawatts Simon Ugwu An investment company, GreenWish Partners has doubled its planned capacity addition to Nigeria’s solar power market.

GreenWish Partners now plans to set up 200 megawatts solar power capacity in Nigeria after entering into long-term agreement for power sale with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity

Trading company (NBET). The company is expected to invest $280 million to bring the capacity online.

The company plans to set up a 100 megawatt project in Enugu and two projects of 50 megawatt capacity each in Kaduna and Jigawa. The projects will be funded through 30% equity and 70% debt finance. All three projects are expected to be operational by the first quarter

of next year. The 200 megawatt capacity is expected to generate enough electricity for 2.5 million people and offset 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

The company had signed agreements with NBET last year to set up 100 megawatt capacity in northern Nigeria.

The agreements were part of the more than 1,000 megawatts agreements signed by various

indepeandent power producers to set up utility-scale solar power projects across Nigeria.

GreenWish CEO Charlotte Aubin-Kalaidjian stated that the conducive regulatory support and market conditions in Nigeria make it an apt destination for investment in solar power.

Only 50% of the Nigerian population has access to electricity and the power sector is heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

Last year, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved feed-in tariff regulations for renewable energy sourced electricity. As per the provisions of the regulations, electricity distribution companies will be required to source at least 50% of their total procurement from renewable energy sources. The Commission has also mandated that the balance 50% electricity would have to be sourced from Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Agency calls for development of renewable energy in Nigeria Power for ALL (PFA), an international NGO, has called for the development of renewable energy markets in Nigeria.

NULGE protest over local government autonomy UPDC quote, Nigerian Breweries, Joy Ekeke The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have protested over the demand of local government autonomy and also called on all Nigerians to support the initiative aimed at achieving local government independence from state governments.

The protest which was led by National President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, the National President of United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and also all the Local government workers in Lagos.

According to Khaleel, “The struggle is to secure “political, financial and administrative autonomy of Local Government Areas (LGAs), abolition of

State/LGA joint account, payment of 10 per cent internally generated revenue by State governments to LGAs and stopping the deduction from LGAs’ federal revenue allocation by State governments.

“Being the nucleus upon which the entire national political edifice of our dear country rests, we as workers in the local government system will be abdicating in our responsibilities if we’re not in the frontline of the struggle to extricate our nation from the exploitation and vice grip of our political elite.”

“We need not restate the fact that as employees in the local government system, we remain the most dependable voice from which Nigerians will measure the true situation of governance at the local government level. The burden of creating

awareness therefore lies on our shoulders to serve as the vanguard of the advocacy for local government autonomy.”

Comrade Khaleel further stressed that “Other are proposal for payment of teachers’ salaries to be on first line charge of FAAC, abolition of SIEC and reverting the conduct of local government elections to INEC, implement the ruling of Supreme Court judgment against appointment of caretaker committees for LGs and reckless dissolution of elected local government councils.”

He posited that daily experience as workers at the local government level shows that the most prevalent situation in local government administration is the perpetual encroachment of the financial and administrative powers of local councils by

10bn Commercial Papers on FMDQ

Bonny Amadi Nigerian financial market landscape, the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) on Wednesday admitted listing the UACN Property Development Company PLC 7,284,198,000.00 Series 4-11 Commercial Paper (CP) Notes under its 24.00bn CP Programme; and the Nigerian Breweries PLC 2,223,708,000.00 Series 10 CP Notes under its 100.00bn CP Programme, to its platform.

This was coming as market participants continue to align their activities in the wake of the policy reforms shaping the economy of Nigeria.

In support of the growth of the Nigerian economy, FMDQ championed the resuscitation

of the CP market to provide corporate and commercial businesses the opportunity to meet their short-term funding requirements, whilst building their profiles in the Nigerian debt capital market space. The time to market of these securities lays credence to the efficiency of the FMDQ quotation process and brings the count of CPs admitted onto the FMDQ platform for quarter 1 2017 to a total of fifteen (15).

As with securities quoted on FMDQ, these CPs will be availed global visibility and governance by the promotion of credibility and transparency of information, as part of the value-add provided by the FMDQ Listings and Quotations Service.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

B3 Money Market

Stanbic IBTC Bank owed Recession: Banks critical in ensuring $24m by Etisalat Nigeria economy recovery – Economist Stanbic IBTC Bank, on Wednesday said it has an exposure of $24 million to Etisalat Nigeria but currently on restructuring talks with the communication firm.

The Nigerian arm of Abu Dhabi-listed telecoms company Etisalat has been discussing with 13 local banks about renegotiating the terms of a $1.2 billion loan after missing a payment.

“The members are continuing discussions with Etisalat with the hope of restructuring the loan,” the bank told an analysts’ call.

Two weeks ago, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the 13 Nigerian banks with exposure to Etisalat to the tune of N377 billion ($1.2 billion) met to deliberate on how to restructure the telcos’ debts.

Mr. Tony Ojobo, the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, in a statement issued in Abuja, said CBN and the management of NCC, led by its Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, met to find an amicable resolution to the N377 billion owed by the telecom operator to the 13 banks.

According to the statement, the meeting which was held at the CBN headquarters in Abuja, was convened by the central bank at the instance of NCC, to

further deliberate on how best to stave off the attempt by the banks to takeover Etisalat.

The Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at Etisalat, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko said that the company missed payments to the banks due to the economic downturn in the country, a currency devaluation and dollar shortages.

Etisalat also confirmed that the company was still negotiating with its creditors on new modalities to refinance the $1.2 billion loan it took in 2013 for network upgrade and expansion.

The telecom company dismissed as untrue any plans by its creditors to takeover its management, explaining that discussions between it and its creditors were ongoing and a joint statement would be issued to the public as soon as discussions for new method of refinancing the loans are concluded.

Dikko who made the clarification, said: “I am in my office in Abuja and we do not have any presence of our creditors to takeover our telecoms business because we are indebted to them.

“Yes we are indebted, but we have commenced payment, and we only stopped the flow of repayment a few months ago as a result of the devaluation of the naira and scarcity of dollars.”

DTN EXCHANGE RATES 3/15/2017

USD

GBP

EUR

CBN RATES

306.5

371.49

324.52

INTERBANK

314.6

383.65

334.35

LAGOS

457

550

480

ABUJA

458

550

480

PH

459

550

480

Inflation Rates (%)

Month January February Month

January

February

All Items (Year on Change)

18.72

16.96 0

All Items (12 Months Avg. Change)

16.44

9

Food (Year on Change)/1

17.82

18.53

Food (12 Months Avg. Change)/1

15.54

16.13

All Items Less Farm Produce (Year on Change)/2

17.87

16.01

All Items Less Farm Produce (12 Months Avg. Change)/2

16.04

16.44

All Items Less Farm Produce and Energy (Year on Change)/3

14.54

13.97

All Items Less Farm Produce and Energy (12 Months Avg. Change)/3

13

13

Stories by Motolani Oseni As Nigeria continues to look for how to exit current economy recession, a Professor of Financial Economics, University Uyo, Leo U. Ukpong, has said Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in the country are critical in ensuring proper workings of the Nigeria’s economy.

A review of the recent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), show a contraction of -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51 per cent for the full year.

While speaking exclusively with the Daily

Times, the professor, noted that economic performance and banks’ performance is a two-way relationship, stressing that well managed banks, through their lending activities, would help in stimulating the economy towards healthy and sustainable growth.

He explained that considering adverse global macroeconomic challenges, that commercial banks performance, vis-à-vis monetary policy channels, depends on domestic and international financial and macroeconomic conditions.

“In other words, the CBN Governor statement on level of resilient of the Nigerian banking sector implies that weak international macroeconomic

conditions have adverse effects on the health of Nigerian banks. Simply put, when global macroeconomic performance declines, banks portfolio (credit or default) risks increases, too. The likelihood that loan and interest repayments will be defaulted increases”, he explained.

Furthermore, weak global economic situation reduces household income, which in-turn reduces income of firms, and ultimately reduces the demand for new loans by both household and businesses.

“With respect to the firm rating agency, Fitch, I do agree that with the current Nigerian and global economic outlook, combined with the slow imple-

mentation of the 2016-2017 economic growth stimuli, some of our banks will struggle through the next couple of years”, he affirmed.

To help reverse the “bearish” banking sector outlook, aggressive reduction in interest rates is necessary, and focused fiscal policy with short term infusion of cash into sensitive economic sectors is necessary, as well as a long-term industrialization policy to generate long term sustainable growth and reduce our import dependency.

It would be recall that Fitch in its new ratings last Wednesday affirmed that Nigerian banks will continue to face challenges in 2017, following an extremely difficult 2016.

L-R: Offiong Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Ese Eriata (Ese), EkeminiEkerette (Kemen) Raliat Oyetunde, a principal SME Consultant to Heritage Bank/CEO of Prinsult Global; CoColce Sowode (Coco-Ice), Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Communication of the bank; Gifty Powers, Uriel Oputa (Uriel), Miyonse Oluwaseyi (Miyonse) and Somadina Anyama (Soma), during the bank’s hosting of Ex-Housemates of the Big Brother Naija reality show and other 21st century emerging entrepreneurs to business breakfast meeting in Lagos... yesterday.

FG to raise N235b from TB sales next week

The Federal Government of Nigeria through its central bank has concluded plans to raise no less than N234.89 billion ($765.99 million) from the sales of shortdated Treasury Bills (TB) at an auction a week from now, on April 6, 2017.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday disclosed that the federal government plans to sell N35billion of three-month debt, N33.49 billion of sixmonth bills and N166.40 billion of one-year notes, using a Dutch auction system. Payment will be due the day after the auction.

The apex bank issues treasury bills twice

a month to finance the budget deficit, help manage commercial lenders’ liquidity and curb rising inflation.

The banks after its second Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for the year retained benchmark interest rate at 14 percent; retain the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 22.5 per cent and also the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent over decline in inflation rate of 17.78 per cent in February.

Consequently, the Nigeria government in its last two auctions in March sold one-year treasury bills at yields above the prevailing inflation rate, in a bid to lure investors

to buy more of the debt.

Nigeria at an auction on March 15, raised N213.75 billion ($681 million) from short-dated treasury bills, it sold N39 billion naira in three-month debt, N48.45 billion in six-month bills and N126.30 billion in oneyear notes, using a Dutch auction system.

The fiscal authority with the support of the monetary authority expect 2017 budget deficit to widen to N2.36 trillion as it tries to spend its way out of a recession, with more than half the deficit to be funded through local borrowing.

However, the embattled largest economy in Africa

is determined to emerge from its first recession in a quarter of a century this year and needs to put more effort in revamping its infrastructure, its budget minister said recently.

Udoma Udo Udoma said the economy was beginning to recover after it experienced a smaller contraction in the fourth quarter, although it was still in a recession.

The federal government, however, t issues treasury bills as part of a borrowing plan to finance part of the government budget deficit as well as to help manage liquidity in the banking system and curb inflationary growth.

Capital Market B4 Julius Berger reports loss of N3.8bn for 2016 FY Afolabi Adesola Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reported a loss after tax of N3.8 billion for the year ended 31st December 2016.

The company’s audited submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Tuesday showed that profit dropped from N2.4 billion in 2015 to a loss after tax of N3.8 billion in 2016 representing a decline of 256.4 percent.

The construction company also recorded a profit before tax decline from N6.5 billion to a loss before tax of N1.5 billion However, Julius Berger’s income statement revealed that revenue increased to N139 billion, by 4 percent from N134 billion in 2015, of which 95 percent were from construction contracts and 5 percent for rendering of services.

The company recorded an investment income growth to N284.7 million from N139.8 million, while other financial parameters as recorded in the financial statements showed, retained earnings dropped to N17.1 billion from N22.7 billion, shareholders’ funds rose 4 percent to N25.3 billion from N24.3 billion, total assets stood at N259.2 billion from N245.1 billion, while earnings per share increased 71 percent to N2.28 per share from N1.33.

Afolabi Adesola The Nigerian equities market further declined on Wednesday with the All Share Index (ASI) dropping 0.55 percent to close at 25,267.68 points.

The day’s performance erased month to date gains to record returns of -0.24 percent and further increased the year to date loss to -6 percent, while Market capitalisation decreased N48 billion, from N8.791 trillion to N8.743 trillion.

Major sectoral market indexes also closed lower as the Banking index posted the highest loss of 2.44 percent while the NSE Oil and Gas Index emerged

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Equities price decline plunges m-t-d returns into negative territory the day’s sole gainer with a growth of 0.38 percent FCMB topped the day’s losers with a depreciation of 6.40 percent to close at N1.17 per share, Unilever followed to close at N32 as it declined by 5.60 percent while Oando shed 4.92 percent to close at N4.83 per share.

Livestock Feeds closed at 62 kobo, following a decline of 4.62 percent and UAC- Properties recorded a decline of 4.60 percent to close at N1.66 per share.

On the gainers table, Transcorp Hotels led with 10.04 percent to close at N5.04, Air Service grew 4.84 percent to close at N3.25, while Forte Oil increased 4.44 percent to close at N47 per share.

Champion Breweries came fourth on the gainers table with an appreciation of 4.39 percent to close at N2.38 per share and Transnational Express added 4.21 percent to close at 99 kobo per share.

Top traded stocks by volume

on Wednesday were Custodian and Allied Insurance with the sale of 284.5 million units worth N954.9 million, Continental Reinsurance was next with 250.7 million units at N413.3 million, while Diamond Bank was third with 127.3 million units, worth N105 million.

United bank for Africa (UBA) came fourth by trading 21.6 million units of its shares valued at N120.7 million while FBN Holdings transacted 12.6 million shares worth N38.6 million.

GSK Consumers grows profit by 335 percent …Positions for sustainability, focus on consumer healthcare Afolabi Adesola GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has reported a 335 percent increase in its profit after tax for the 2016 financial year.

The company’s audited submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Tuesday showed that profit rose from N965 million in 2015 to N4.2 billion in 2016 on the back of profits from the divested drinks business of N1.8bn and N2.4bn (including the effect of tax credit) from continuing operations while revenue of N14.4 billion was 7 percent lower than N15.4 billion in 2015 GSK Nigeria also announced plans to reward shareholders for their continued confidence in the company, as the Board of Directors will be recommending to members a dividend of N359 million which represents 30 kobo per ordinary share, to be approved by shareholders at the 46th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 31st May 2017.

L- R: Mr. Ayodele Afolabi, Director, Portfolio Development Department, Debt Management Office (DMO); Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Dr. Abraham Nwakwo, Director General, DMO; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Capital Markets, NSE and Mr. Abubakar Sani Kolo, Head, Portfolio Development Department, DMO at listing of Series 1 of the FGN Savings Bond (N2,067,961,000.00) at the Exchange on Wednesday.

DMO lists 2.1bn units FGN retail bond on NSE Bonny Amadi The Debt Management Office (DMO) Nigeria has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the secondary listing of the federal government retail bond on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to enhance earnings from savings.

Dr. Abraham Nwankwo said this on Wednesday during the listing of FGN’s 2.1 billion units of retail bond on the official list of the Exchange at N1000.00 per unit. A total of 100,000 units of the debt instrument was transacted by investors shortly after trading.

Nwankwo who had the rare privilege of sounding the Exchange’s closing bell, lauded Nigerians for participating in the first issuance of this bond

… As Nwankwo reveals 75% ordinary Nigerians participated in offer

on March 13th, 2017 saying “this is the first time that the Federal Government ensured that the common ordinary Nigerians participate in a bond and about 75 per cent of these deals were from ordinary Nigerians.”

“The bond was issued 13th of March and 2.067 billion were allotted to 2,575 people” Nwankwo said “The bond is for the retail investors and is being issued to ensure that all Nigerians participate and I encourage everyone to patronise it. We will issue the next one on April and it will run for five days thereafter.”

He enjoined all Nigerians to invest in the Nigerian government savings Bond, a retail

savings product accessible to all income groups. The purpose is to deepen the national savings culture; diversify funding sources for the Government’ provide opportunity to all citizens irrespective of income level to contribute to National Development and enable all citizens participate in and benefit from the favourable returns available in the capital market.”

Stressing on the benefits, he said “the interest income is paid quarterly directly into bond holder’s account. The Bond is acceptable as collateral for loans by banks and can be sold for cash in the secondary market before maturity.

According to him, the bond is

good for savings towards retirement, marriage, school fees, house projects, etc.

The CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema commended the DMO for boosting activity and vibrancy of the market, even as he urged more investors to take advantage of the listing of the FGN bond to increases their portfolio and earnings.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI

25,183.10

DEALS

2,958.00

VOLUME 228,023,780.00 VALUE

2,390,880,435.86

CAP

8,715,395,547,404.25

29,000

22,000 10-Jan 13-Jan 16-Jan 19-Jan 22-Jan 25-Jan 28-Jan 31-Jan 03-Feb 06-Feb 09-Feb 12-Feb 15-Feb 18-Feb 21-Feb 24-Feb 27-Feb 02-Mar 05-Mar 08-Mar 11-Mar 14-Mar 17-Mar 20-Mar 23-Mar 26-Mar 29-Mar

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

NSE All Share Index Naira Value (m)

28,000

23,000

`

B5

12,000

10,000

27,000 8,000

26,000

25,000 6,000

24,000 4,000

2,000

-

Brands & Marketing B6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Tomato Paste: Paying price for Nigeria’s economic downturn Stories by Godwin Anyebe

Nigeria is ranked as the second largest producer of tomato in Africa, and the 13th in the world, with a total production estimated at one million hectares of land producing 1.701 million tons per annum with average of 20-30 tons/hectare. Yet Nigeria is the largest importer of tomato from China and Italy. Approximately 66,000 tons of processed tomato worth over N11.7 billion are imported annually despite its massive local production of raw tomato.

Aside from tomatoes being a rich source of Lycopene which is a major anti-oxidant, tomato can be used for the manufacture of paste and other bi-products.

Currently there is a high rate of wastage which has been put at over 75% of fresh tomatoes across Nigeria. Since the triple concentrate tomato paste is not produced locally, this has to be imported and then value added by local processors with benefits such as employment, taxable income to state, production technology, growth of local industry and the county’s economy.

To this end, analysts are of the view that, Federal Government has to convince Nigerian entrepreneurs and key stakeholders that its economic policies are not crafted to sink the country’s economy and manufacturing sector as not all stakeholders appear to be on the same page with the government as far as this is concerned.

For these analysts, the Nigerian government needs to find a balance in protecting the local industries and protecting the Naira and conserving forex. It is believed that Nigeria may resort

to being a dumping ground of smuggled foreign substandard Tomato paste with its health implications if local manufacturing firms are stifled.

Daily Times checks reveal that the introduction of the policy restricting 41 items from accessing Forex at the interbank market has dealt a huge blow on the manufacturing industry, especially the tomato paste sector, due to the inclusion of triple concentrate by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The dumping of tomato paste most of which are substandard has negative health implications to Nigerians. The management of NAFDAC had acknowledged that a large volumes of tomato paste in the market were substandard.

In a published report, it was revealed that “91.1 percent of the tomato brands studied failed NAFDAC test with virtually all the packaged brands from China being the culprit.” The report further quotes officials of the agency as observing that most of the China-made brands contained far less than the required quantity of tomato concentrate.

“They were rather filled with bulking agents such as starch and then infused with banned colouring which could cause cancer and lead to organ failure”.

Though, the government intention of restricting manufacturers from importing any of the 41 items either as raw material or wholesome is to force them to look inwards, but the other side of the policy is that some of the items cannot be manufactured locally in the meantime. For instance, the Triple Tomato Concentrate used as raw material in the manufacture of tomato paste

xxxx is among items restricted from accessing forex at the interbank market. The raw material is significant in tomato processing industry but which is not manufactured domestically.

The policy has of course led to dire consequences for not only in the tomato industry that the government is trying to protect but entire manufacturing sector.

Tomato paste processing industry is a recent emergence in Nigeria’s manufacturing industry.

Its efforts in boosting manufacturing sector’s low 9 percent contribution to GDP appears further constrained in a country that needs strong manufacturing sector to lift its economy.

According to experts, many factors have contributed to the low share of the manufacturing sector to GDP which include “vulnerability of manufacturing

to global economic pressures, as well as the impacts that policy changes can have in reshaping the sector”.

It is expected that if government allows Tomato industry to source forex at the interbank market for its Triple concentrate raw material for the manufacture of tomato paste, the industry would perhaps experience entry of new players in to the sector and this would create more employment of Nigerians and assist to boost the economy. Indeed the challenge of scarcity of forex is noted, but care needs to be taken in taking some decisions.

The Union of Tomato Paste Manufacturers in Nigeria who is hit by the single policy has in a report appealed to the Federal Government to hold back on the forex policy in order to avail them more time for backward in-

tegration. In a published report, the manufacturers through the Managing Director, Sonia Foods Industries Ltd, Nnamdi Nnodebe are asking for more time to invest in backward integration.

Other bodies including Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders have noted that the real sector has been battling some challenges since the implementation of the forex policy as several investments are at risk, with huge job loss.

According to the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President, Remi Bello, the policy has negatively affected the manufacturing sector.

In another report, Antoinette Sayer, Director, African Department of International Monetary Fund, (IMF) was quoted as saying that the measure is quite detrimental.

Shoprite launches Made in Nigeria initiative Shoprite Nigeria is reaffirming its commitment to locally manufactured products with the launch of its ‘Made in Nigeria’ initiative, a series of monthly meet-ups for local manufacturers, hosted by Shoprite to strengthen existing relationships with manufacturers of local products and identify new opportunities to showcase their goods both in Nigeria and abroad.

The launch event which held recently in Lagos was attended by local businesses currently supplying into Shoprite’s countrywide store network as well as those businesses looking to get more exposure for their products.

Shoprite Nigeria has grown its local offering over the years,

with over 80% of the goods sold in its supermarkets now locally sourced. The push towards a majority local supply throughout its

Nigeria operation comes out of a need to meet the demand from its growing customer base.

With local suppliers being

subjected to the same stringent quality standards and demanding targets expected of its international suppliers, Shoprite’s ‘Made in Nigeria’ initiative is very timely, as it seeks to provide additional support to local manufacturers to ensure consistency of supply.

Seyi Abolaji, Co-Founder and CEO of Wilsons Juice Company, a supplier to Shoprite, encouraged entrepreneurs and owners of small enterprises to take advantage of this platform to grow their businesses. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase products made in Nigeria on a national scale through Africa’s leading retail chain and an opportunity to get the support your business needs to successfully bring your product to market.”

For Ada Osakwe, founder of Ntuli Juice, producers of “Zobo” juice, working with Shoprite has been a great learning experience. “They helped us to get our product packaging right so that our juices not only look great on shelf, but are the best quality for our customers.”

Speaking on behalf of the management team The regional manager of Shoprite Nigeria Mr Olufemi Oke echoed his confident that “The ‘Made in Nigeria’ initiative is the boost that local suppliers need and will contribute towards growing the economy. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are encouraged to partner with Shoprite in its bid to bring proudly Nigerian products to households across the country.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

B7 AgriBusiness

Rice farmers commend FG for Anchor Borrowers Programme A major rice farmer in Kebbi, Alhaji Muhammad Gwadangaji, on Wednesday attributed the feats recorded in rice production to the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme which gave out loans to farmers.

Gwadangaji made the observation in an interview with

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.

“I have been into dry-season rice farming for the past seven years and I have been able to produce about 50 bags of paddy rice every season.

“However, the support I received from the Anchor Borrow-

ers Programme has facilitated my efforts to increase my production significantly,’’ he said.

Gwadangaji lauded the federal and state governments for attaching much premium to farming and for their efforts to make the country to become selfsufficient in rice production.

He noted that the decision of young Nigerians to engage in farming had consequently reduced the rate of unemployment in the state and the nation as a whole.

Also speaking, Malam Faruku Gwadangaji, another rice farmer, said that more youths now

participated actively in dry season rice farming, thereby boosting the state’s economy.

He, however, advised the beneficiaries of loans of the Anchor Borrowers Programme to promptly repay the loans so as to enable others to benefit from the agricultural credit scheme.

Wheat farmers secure N50m loan in Kano

Rice farm

IAR to release 10 new high-yielding maize varieties –Director

Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, Kaduna State Prof. Ibrahim UmarAbubakar, on Wednesday said that the institute would soon release 10 new high-yielding maize varieties.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the director disclosed this at a two-day “Annual Research Review and Planning Meeting, 2017’’ held at the institute at Samaru, Zaria.

Umar-Abubakar said: “Already efforts are being geared toward releasing additional 10 new maize varieties in the coming season.

“The institute has several candidate varieties of sorghum, groundnut, cowpea and jatropha being prepared for release soon.

“The candidate varieties are not only superior to existing varieties but also address most biotic and abiotic stresses,” he assured.

Umar-Abubakar recalled that three new high yielding maize varieties were released in the 2016 cropping season.

He identified the three new high-yielding varieties to include: SAMMAZ 49, SAMMAZ 50 and SAMMAZ 51.

“The two varieties, SAMMAZ 49 and SAMMAZ 50 are hybrids

with orange colours, respectively, while SAMMAZ 49 is provitamin ‘A’ hybrid and yields up to 7.8 tonnes per hectare.

“SAMMAZ 50 is drought and striga tolerant with yields of 9.3 tonnes per hectare, while the third variety SAMMAZ 51 is open pollinated.

“It may interest you to know that the IAR was awarded the first position among Research Institutes at the 2016 National Agricultural Show organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria,” he said.

Umar-Abubakar said the IAR, in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Adminis-

tration and Control (NAFDAC), was developing protocols for the regulation of fertiliser products and pesticides.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, expressed satisfaction that Nigeria was undergoing a gradual and rapid transformation from an oil dependent nation to a diversified agriculture-based and mining economy.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by Prof. Ezra Ammans-Bako, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), observed that such move was a commendable stride toward self-actualisation in the journey for a better Nigeria.

The Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) in Kano State has secured a N50 million loan from the State Government, its Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u, said on Wednesday.

Rabi’u said that the loan would be used to assist the farmers warehouse their produce after harvest.

The chairman told newsmen in an interview in Kano that the association had introduced the ` Warehousing Finance Receipt Programme’, to ensure safety of produce at the end of the season.

Rabi’u said farmers who need money during the period would be given interest-free loan from the N50 million.

“The idea is to discourage farmers from selling their produce at a give-away prices after harvest.

“When there is bumper harvest, middlemen buy and hoard the product and later sell it at exorbitant prices which is to the detriment of farmers.”

He believed that the introduction of the warehousing receipt programme, farmers would keep their products safely until when the commodity appreciated.

According to him, if any member requires money during the period his product is warehoused, the association would offer them the interest-free loan, to repay after selling the produce.

Rabi’u said under the programme, farmers would get 30 per cent value of their products as loan and would be made to pay a token for warehousing their commodity.

The chairman disclosed that the association had set up a committee to recover the loan disbursed to its members under the CBN anchor borrower programme.

“Harvesting has commenced and we have set up a committee for loan recovery which will soon commence its assignment.”

750 farmers in Bauchi receive training on irrigation farming No fewer than 750 farmers in Bauchi Federal Constituency recently received training in irrigation farming, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ado Danladi-Maigoro, has said.

In an interview on Tuesday in Bauchi, Danladi-Maigoro said that the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, sponsored the farmers from three local governments in the constituency.

Danladi-Maigoro, the immediate past chairman of Dass Local Government Council, said that the farmers were selected from Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government areas.

He said that the farmers were trained at the College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, in Gombe State in dry season farming and other related irrigation agricultural techniques.

Danladi-Maigoro said that the farmers would be assisted with farm inputs and other equipment to enable them to embrace dry

season farming.

He said that the speaker also appointed 20 people in Dass Local Government as legislative aides wit a view to empowering them.

The former council chairman further said that some of Dogara’s associates constructed a block of two classrooms and office accommodation each in 10 primary schools within the council area.

Danladi-Maigoro also disclosed that the speaker had embarked on the construction of three Primary Health Care Centres in the area as well as the drilling of seven solar propelled boreholes.

According to him, two of the solar propelled boreholes have been completed while the remaining five were at various stages of completion.

The APC chieftain said that Dogara also influenced the award of contract for the construction of 60kms road traversing Tudun Wuis, Wandi, Baraza, Buru, Zundu-Lucshi, Baza, Dot down to Dass.

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Hints on driving during sunny season As most parts of the country face high degree of sunshine, there may be an increase in the number of traffic accidents due to motorists being temporarily blinded by the sun.

When such happens, experts have always attribute it to the total glare from highly reflective sunrays.

Without adequate protection, sun glare not only endangers drivers’ safety, but also creates a vision-health hazard for those who drive in the day time.

According to lens expert and president/chief executive officer of Younger Optics, an international leader in the development of lens technology, David Rips, problems associated with glare from the sun while driving are largely unrecognized, but likely affect the vast majority of adults. It also appears that as people age, they become more susceptible to glare and require a longer period of time to recover from exposure to glare.

“The danger comes primarily from two different conditions of light from the sun. One occurs when driving directly into the bright sunlight, temporary blinding the driver.

The other condition comes from reflected light off of another vehicle, the roadway, or any reflective surface.”

The glare-induced “blindness” is especially prevalent during the winter months, due to the lower elevation of the sun in Toyota has tweaked its Etios range in South Africa and the big news is the arrival of a new grade called ‘Sprint’.

Replacing the previous mid-range ‘Xs’ model and sporting a redesigned front end, you could basically call this is a facelift that applies to only one model.

The ‘Xi’ base model continues with same sagging face as before, except that in place of its black grille it gets the previous Xs version’s colour coding and upper chrome garnishes.

Though the Sprint name might imply a performance upgrade of sorts, it’s a purely cosmetic enhancement. Beneath the bonnet you’ll find the same 66kW/132Nm normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol unit that the Etios has always had, and experience tells us it’s a perfectly decent motor at this price point.

The Sprint’s unique

the sky and the extremely reflective qualities of snow and ice on the ground. The powerful glare of the winter sun has the potential to damage the eye. Because snow is so reflective, there is a risk of up to 85 percent of the UV rays of the sun being transmitted upward.

“Poor visibility due to sun glare is the suspected cause of many motor vehicle accidents,” states Virginia Deputy Sheriff John McAlister. “Drivers should take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.”

Vision Council of America (VCA) offers the following tips for motorists to help reduce the dangers caused by direct sunshine: Drive cautiously and leave a proper distance to ensure ample reaction time, Make it a habit to lower visors, to help block some of the reflected light, Avoid using high-gloss vinyl cleansers on dashboards, Keep the car windshield clean and the windshield washer fluid reservoir full and When possible. Others are take an alternate route lined with trees or tall buildings in lieu of one with extreme glare, turn on headlights to reduce the possible poor visibility of oncoming drivers and Most importantly, wear sunglasses at all times. Even more important is to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to reduce glare, and lenses with UV protection to shield the eyes from damage.

All-new Ford Edge, best present this Mother’s Day – Ford Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Across the world, mothers are known to be the engine of the family, and it’s no different in Nigeria. Mothers make things happen and keep all of us calm.

It was Mother’s Day on the 26th of March, and a time once again for husbands to spoil the loved mothers in their lives. And what better way to express heartfelt thanks than by surprising her with a chic SUV, one that will help her handle the demands of family and work life, without sacrificing on style and fun.

The all-new Edge is a sophisticated vehicle that delivers premium comfort, cutting edge technologies and advanced driving dy-

namics. Vehicles have become more than an instrument that gets you from point A to point B. Consumers, even more so mothers’, spend precious moments in their vehicles, be it a moment of meditation at the traffic light, be it with one’s children during the school run, perhaps on a global business call, or running errands around Lagos, or even on a family trip to Port Harcourt.

The typical mother – whether she lives in Lagos, Abuja or Kaduna – will undoubtedly love driving the all-new Edge. This beautiful vehicle will ensure that she steps out with the status she deserves as it meets her every need.

Here are three reasons why we reckon she would love the all-new Ford Edge:

There is an abundance of space – The all-new Edge boasts a comfortable, spacious interior. Luggage space is abundant, making those long road trips between Lagos and Ogun, or Ekiti to Osun easier than ever – even with the entire family along for the ride.

Every inch of the Edge interior has been utilized to make the most of the available space. Rear seat passenger comfort is enhanced with class-leading secondrow head room of 1 023 mm and shoulder room of 1 536 mm – greater than larger competitors. Front row passenger space is also among the best in class. Luggage capacity of 1 847 litres with the rear seats folded is among the largest in the segment, and additional stowage areas are located

around the wheel arches.

Style, Comfort, Design – These elements are all important to the modern Nigerian woman. You sit like a queen in the all-new Edge – raised ground clearance enhances off-road capability, and delivers a higher seating position for a commanding view of the road. The various models include high quality leather that covers the arm rests, steering wheel, and gear knob (model dependent). Luxurious seating options, depending on model derivative, include cooled front seats that offer relief to occupants on hot days by directing cold air from the climate system through perforations in the seat leather. This all ensures mothers look and feel good in a Ford Edge.

Sprint grade gives Etios a sharper look frontal design is clearly inspired by more modern Toyotas such as the latest Auris, and although the headlights retain their fa-

miliar contours, the rest of the bumper-grille treatment is all-new, with the upper air intake getting a wing-like design and the

lower intakes increasing in size significantly.

Whereas the Xs made do with covered steel wheels, the Sprint rides on new

twin-spoke, 15-inch alloys.

The newcomer also gets a fresh rear bumper design, with a lower crease that runs into the number plate

recess.

Not much changes inside the latest Etios range, but Toyota does claim to have improved the trim surfaces.

As for standard kit, the base Xi comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, heightadjustable steering wheel, dual airbags and ABS brakes. In addition to all the visual extras already mentioned, the Sprint adds electric windows, central locking and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. The Etios Cross has all that too, and remains unchanged with its unique crossover styling elements.

A two-year/30 000km service plan is also part of the deal, across the Etios range.

The Edo Times

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Obaseki is focused, judicious –Mayaki

Lawyer drags Police to court over assassination attempt ET 2

ET 4

Edo to enjoy 24 hours electricity in six months ÏÏÏ

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (8th from right); Former Edo State Governors, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Professor Osariemen Osunbor with other awardees, at the 10th annual reunion of University of Lagos Law Class of 1980-1983 held in Benin...recently

EDSG, WHO partner to improve Healthcare delivery

Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ

The Edo

T E A M

Edo State Government has revealed that it would collaborate with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to improve the state’s health care delivery, especially for those under 15 years of age in the state.

The state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, made this disclosure when he received representatives of development partners, led by the state coordinator of health body, Mrs. Faith Ireye, on a courtesy visit to Government House in Benin recently.

The governor expressed displeasure over the challenges confronting immunisation programmes in the state and pledged that his administration would leverage on the tools and approaches of WHO to get things done properly.

He said: “We want to work with you to deal with the challenges in our health sector. I am scared that if we do not begin to address the health and education challenges of the under-15 population, which constitutes a high percentage of the state’s population, we will be endangering our future”.

In addition, Gov. Obaseki expressed satisfaction towards WHO, for its renewed commitment to ensuring a healthy society, assuring the health body that of his administration’s goal was to revamp the state’s health system via implementation of strategic policies to eliminate waste of resources.

On the purpose of the visit, Mrs. Ireye noted that it was to intimate the governor on the organisation’s activities executed in 2016 in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health.

She said that the state was still faced with challenges in the imple-

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Titus Akhigbe

mentation of its immunisation programmes and the management of Lassa fever.

Meanwhile, Ireye commended the governor for flagging off the 2017 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) in the state as it signified the state’s commitment towards eradicating vaccine preventable diseases.

She listed some of the challenges confronting immunisation activities in the state to include, lack of counterpart funding by the state

and all LGAs for immunisation activities, inadequate funds for the state vaccine cold stores and no impress for immunisation-surveillance activities.

Mrs. Ireye also called on the state to beef up sensitisation of the public on the outbreak of Lassa fever in some LGAs in the state.

Governor Obaseki, however, invited the organisation to a proposed workshop on health that would be organised by the state soon.

Obaseki, Oshiomhole, Osunbor receive awards ÏÏÏ

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been presented with an award for his support to the University of Lagos Law Class of 1980-1983 at the class’s 10th Annual Reunion, which held last weekend in Benin.

Meanwhile, two former governors of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Professor Osariemen Osunbor, also received awards for their contributions to the development of Edo State.

Gov. Obaseki, for his part, described the Law class as an outstanding set, which has produced reputable Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), judges and law lecturers, even as he commended them for their contributions to nation building.

He also urged the set to seek to resolving challenges confronting the country’s judicial system, noting that the aim of his administration is to reposition Edo State and make it a reference point for good governance in the country.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people of the state that a section of the state would begin to enjoy 24 hours electricity supply based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Edo State Government and an Independent Power Project (IPP) to generate 5 megawatts of electricity.

Governor Obaseki gave this assurance while flagging off the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), a collaborative effort between the government and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to train 500 youths in the state on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Fashion Design, Pastry, Welding and fabrication.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barrister Osarodion Ogie, said the Independent Power Project company has started construction, adding that in six months, some of the trainees would have become entrepreneurs and they would utilise the 24 hours electricity running to boost their businesses and contribute their quota to the development of the state.

He said: “In six months, Edo State government intends to provide 24 hours electricity to some sections of the state and this will be made possible through the MoU signed with an IPP Company who have already started construction. Some of you will become employers of labour. You will begin to run shifts for 24 hours, having people working for you day and night”.

Meanwhile, he reiterated that the Obaseki-led administration’s dream for the state included having entrepreneurs and skilled people, who would be able to set up their own businesses and become employers of labour, thereby contributing to the development of the state.

The Edo Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Town criers to mobilise residents for jobs ÏÏÏ The government of Edo State

has concluded plans to deploy town criers to about 192 wards across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state to mobilise and inform unemployed people as well as to register them in the ongoing “Edo jobs initiative”.

A statement from the office of the Chief Press Secretary to Edo Sate Governor said: “Some people still don’t understand how to go about the registration. You do not need to travel far to register. You don’t need to go all the way to your local village of origin. All you need is to visit the headquarters of the local government council of your residence and avail yourself of this opportunity. If you stay in Oredo, register there. It is free”.

It would be recalled that the government announced the commencement of registration process for the programme earlier in this month. This was in furtherance of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s promise to create 200,000 jobs in the state.

However, to support the previous announcement and to further disseminate the information to the uninformed, the government chose to adopt the town-crier method of mass communication.

“By using the town crier method, the Government hereby, once more, calls on those unemployed residents in the state who are yet to register in the ongoing ‘Edo Jobs Initiative’ in the 18 local government areas of the state to do so while the offer lasts,” Mayaki added.

Obaseki wants foreign investors to explore Agric, energy business space ÏÏÏ

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state is safe and conducive enough for investors to engage in large-scale investments.

The governor gave this assurance, on Wednesday, when he received a delegation of Chinese investors on an official visit to the Edo State Government House in Benin.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Phillip Shaibu, Governor Obaseki implored the visitors to explore Energy and Power, and Agricultural environment of the state.

He also assured the delegation, which was led by the Chairman of Skyrun Corporation, Mr. Xie Shao, that apart from its peaceful nature, Edo State is endowed with vast fertile land as well as enough natural and human resources to encourage large-scale investment.

He told the visitors that the state government is already creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign busi-

nesses to thrive with emphasis on security, energy and power.

In addition, Shaibu re-emphasised that the Governor is committed to reducing unemployment drastically, adding that the 200, 000 jobs promised by the government would become a reality.

Meanwhile, leader of the Chinese investors group and Chairman of Skyrun Corporation, Mr. Xie Shao, revealed that their visit was to intimate the Governor on their interests and plans to engage in the expansive business environment of Edo State.

Shao specifically indicated interest in manufacturing and Agriculture, adding that the investors want to start manufacturing of home appliances in the state.

Also speaking, the National coordinator of the Nigeria-China Business Council, Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, who was part of the delegation, said that the Chinese company has been doing business in Nigeria over ten years, and that Edo State is their new destination.

Community begs INEC for voting centre

ÏÏÏAn

appeal has gone to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the need to create a voting centre at Avbiakagba community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Speaking with newsmen in his palace while answering questions on the development so far in his community, His Royal Highness, Enogie Henry Ibifade Osawaru, said that they have been disappointed over the years, while they are made to trek to the neighbouring community, Ukhiri to cast their votes during elections, not-

ing that there is a unit credited to Idogbo market instead of Avbiakagba.

The Enogie of Avbiakagba Community also added that his community has been denied infrastructural development such as access road, even social amenities such as electricity, portable water, health care, and education and urged the state governor to provide these dividends of democracy to the people.

According to him, Avbiakagba community are law abiding citizens in Edo State who pay their taxes as and when due.

Fabrication village: EDSG to partner NIW Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ The government of Edo State

has said it would collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW) to establish a fabrication village in the state.

Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of the state, disclosed this when he received a delegation from the institute on a business visit to Edo State Government House recently in Benin City.

Obaseki, lauding the institute for its numerous achievements in the areas of welding and fabrication, said the state would leverage on its technologies and vocational initiatives to create a fabrication village in the state.

He added that the village, which would be located close to a power

generation station, would not only lead to the creation of small and medium scale businesses, but also facilitate industrialisation of the state.

He said: “We are repositioning our state and NIW is a key plank for this revolution. Edo will like to go into a Memorandum of Understanding with the institute on how to accomplish a fabrication village. We have registered about 40,000 in our database for unemployed youths in the state”.

On how the programme would operate, the governor said: “We will select those who are interested in welding and train them. We believe that when they have gone through the training and start their own welding business, it will tame the quest to travel abroad in search for greener pasture”.

Speaking, leader of the NIW delegation, Dr. Solomon Edeberi, said the visit was to seek collaboration with the state government in the establishment of a fabrication yard and overall industrialisation of the state.

Edebiri said that having a fabrication village in the state was a key industrial tool to job creation and will promote a clean environment.

He said that the institute, established in 1980, was involved in the training and certification of welders within the West African region and in welding action in the oil and gas industry.

He added that the institute also intends to build its National Centre of Excellence for Welding Engineering in the state.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (6th from right) and some Government functionaries with the delegation from the National Institute of Welders on a business visit to Edo State Government House in Benin City…recently

Lawyer drags Police to court over assassination attempt ÏÏÏA

legal practitioner in Edo State, Barrister Sule Egele, has dragged the Nigeria Police to court over alleged complicity in assassination attempt on his life by some suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs.

In suit No FHC\B\CS\30\2017 before Federal High Court, Benin Division, between Sule Egele Esq and the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police, Okafor Moses, the applicant accused the police of plot to connive with the suspected thugs Egele said he narrowly escaped death but had his car badly damaged by the suspected thugs during the September 28, 2016 Governorship election in Etsako West Local Government Area for supporting the PDP Governorship candidate.

Amongst others, the applicant

through his lead Counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi therefore prayed the court for a declaration order restraining the respondents whether by themselves, servants, agents and or privies and whosoever called from harassing, intimidating, threatening to arrest and detain, inviting the applicant for questioning or interrogation He equally sought an order from the court, that the failure of the respondents to investigate the complaint of the applicant which bothers on the subject for which they are now harassing, intimidating and arresting the applicant and for which two persons had previously been charged to court is only an afterthought.

In an earlier petition to the Inspector General of Police, dated February 17, 2017, titled, ‘Tardiness and refusal of the Police to investigate alleged Conspiracy, Assault, Malicious Damage and As-

sassination Attempt by Suspected Thugs’, the complainant urged the police authority to commence comprehensive investigation into the assassination attempt and bring the culprits to book.

He also called on the Police boss to immediately take full charge of the case to ensure impartiality, fairness in the investigation process.

His words: “That from the foregoing it became apparent that there was a calculated ploy to smear my name and maliciously, surreptitiously prevent me from pursuing investigations into the dastardly attempt of the thugs “That it is appalling that the respondents who failed to do justice to my earlier petition and complaint against the thugs are now taking swift action to get me arrested and incarcerated”.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

3 The Edo Times

EDSG to reintroduce Bini History in schools

ÏÏÏ The government of Edo State

Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (middle), cutting the tape to officially commission 4 blocks of classrooms built by Edo State Government for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Edo State recently. With him are the Enogie of Urhogua,HRH, Ekiroguokhen Iduseri Eresoyen and Ms Osarugue Idahosa.

EDSG remains committed to welfare, security of citizens –Shaibu * Commissions 4 blocks of classrooms at IDP camp Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ The quality of a people is deter-

mined by the quality of skills and knowledge they have, hence Governor Obaseki’s administration is focused on providing adequate school infrastructure to improve the education standard in the state.

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, made the assertion when he commissioned four blocks of classrooms at Uhogua IDP secondary school in Uhogua village, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

Comrade Shaibu, who represented the governor at the inauguration ceremony, noted that the primary responsibility of government is to provide welfare and security for the citizenry, adding that the policy thrust of the present administration is to build human capacity through vocational training and technical education.

He assured the Internally Displaced Persons that government will continue to provide their needs

for them to survive and succeed in their educational pursuit so they can also contribute to the development of the state.

Hon. Shaibu, who noted that education is key to human capital development, charged the beneficiaries (students) to cease the opportunity to acquire knowledge in order to fit into the 21st century.

He thanked the Enogie of the community and the people for their cooperation, while assuring them of government’s response to their request.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Ms Osayuware Idahosa, in an address, commended the state government for its developmental strides in the education sector by ensuring that all the eighteen local government areas of the state were touched.

“This goes to show that the Executive Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki-led administration has continued with the good work his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole started,” she said.

She explained that the ultra-

modern four blocks of eight classrooms with furniture, functional borehole, Headmaster’s office and modern toilet facilities were 100 per cent built by Edo State Government, adding that the facilities will undoubtedly also serve the host and neighbouring communities.

On his part, the Enogie of Uhogua village, HRH Prince Frank Ekiroguaghen Idumwonyi Eresoyen, who commended Edo State Government for caring for the IDPs over the years, expressed joy over the role his community has played in rescuing thousands of displaced children, saying that the good deeds have earned their community a special place in the world map.

The Enogie specifically appealed to government to deploy Edo language teachers to the school to enable the students learn the language, noting that they are now part of his people. He also appealed for more government presence.

The coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunso, thanked the state government and the community for their support so far.

has revealed that it would reintroduce the teaching of History as a subject in schools in the state to allow the young generation learn about the labours of past heroes.

Besides, the state-owned tertiary institutions would also be equipped to teach Bini history while scholarships would be awarded to postgraduate students interested in studying Bini History for their doctorate degrees.

The state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki disclosed this during the inauguration of the Castle of Legends Initiative (COLI), a NonGovernmental Organisation, in honour of late Chief Anthony Enahoro, a foremost nationalist, in Benin last weekend.

Noting that the knowledge of History was at its lowest ebb in the country, especially among the younger generation, Governor Obaseki said the state would reintroduce History and that it would be taught alongside with Social Studies.

The governor described Late Chief Enahoro as a vibrant journalist and nationalist, who sacrificed his life, went to jail and went into exile for a better Nigeria.

Continuing, he said that Enahoro’s contributions to the country should be celebrated and his name

immortalised at the green chambers of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the president of COLI, who is also the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, presenting a lecture titled, ‘Immortalising Our Heroes Past, Nigerian Nationalists in Focus’, said national heroes like Enahoro needed to be appreciated for their immense contributions.

Edebiri expressed optimism that immortalising heroes like Enahoro, who fought for the emancipation of the country, would inspire Nigerians to be more patriotic.

In addition, the state governor unveiled a life-sized statue of Chief Anthony Enahoro, erected by the Castle of Legends Initiative at the foreground of the Edo State House of Assembly complex.

This was as awards were presented to four national heroes who contributed to the independence of the country, including Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Obi Nosike Ikpo, Chief Mbazilike Amaechi and Alhaji Tanko Yakasai.

Meanwhile, a book entitled “The Role of Militant Youths in the Struggles for Nigerian Independence: Tony Enahoro as a Case Study”, written by Chief Dr. David Edeberi, was also presented during the event.

Oye-Iyanomo community fracas: Police to arraign suspects in court

ÏÏÏ

The Police have confirmed the arrest of four members of the Oye-Iyanomo Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State for their alleged involvement in the fracas that took place in the community where properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed recently.

Speaking on the fracas, the AIG Zone 5 Public Relations Officer, Emeka Iheanacho, who confirmed the arrest, said they will be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

It was gathered that the incident was not unconnected with the dissolution of the Community Development Association (CDA) and the attempt by the Enogie and Odionwere in the community to assert their authority on the people.

According to sources, trouble broke out when the Odionwere of

Iyanomo, Pa Sunday Agho, asked one Osarobo Airomwanbor to call the former youth chairman, Mr. Iyayi Eboigbe, who was on his site working when some suspected thugs accompanied by some of the community youths rounded him up and unleashed mayhem on him.

The thugs reportedly inflicted various degrees of injuries on the occupants of the community and destroyed vehicles, houses and properties.

The Odionwere in his hideout called on the appropriate authority to return peace to the community.

Also destroyed was a church property belonging to Pastor Osarumwense Oshodin of Grace and Favour Empowerment Assembly whilst musical instruments razed and vandalised by the suspected thugs.

Lawyer gives Police IG 7-day ultimatum over harassment of 2 women

ÏÏÏ

Barrister Dele Igbinedion, a Benin based lawyer, has given the Inspector General of Police (IGP), a seven days ultimatum to address the complaints of two women against some police officers attached to the Oleh Police Station in Delta State, who they alleged brutalised and in the process attempted to kill them.

According to the victims, Miss Erowo Ekere and Miss Joy Ekere, there problem with the police officers started on December 27, 2016 when one Egbaoghene Oke came to their farm and negotiated for 14 birds (at N3000 each) which he wanted to buy. Later, he reportedly made

a phone call whereby the person he wanted to buy the birds for claimed to have bought elsewhere.

But around 4am the next morning, Miss Erowo heard a noise which on peeping through her keyhole, she saw Egbaoghene, who came to make enquiries earlier, holding two birds and running away with them.

She gave him a hot pursuit but he bolted away. But being an acquaintance, she went to his house to make enquiries about his whereabouts whereby his mother said he did not sleep at home that night.

Erowo was able to get his phone number and when she got back home

and did a check, she discovered that the 14 birds Egbaoghene had come earlier to enquire about were missing. She tried to reach him on phone but his phone was out of reach.

Surprisingly, the next morning (28th December, 2016), Egbaoghene brought the police to arrest her and she had to pay N5000 for bail to regain her freedom.

Thereafter, in line with the police order, she made several calls at the station but Egbaoghene never showed up. Thus, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), CPL Grace Joseph, advised Erowo to stop coming until she is called. However, on the

day the police called, Erowo was out of reach.

On the next day when she went to the police station with 5 months old Melody, daughter of her sister, Joy, both were allegedly detained. By 9pm when information got to Joy and she went to the station to confirm it, DSP Leonard Ofordile ordered that she too be detained.

As the argument was going on, W/ Sgt. Edith Agholor, who was not on duty that day came in and brought out a matchet with which she inflicted bodily injury to Erowo who was holding Melody in her arms. Thereafter, the victims were allegedly de-

tained for four days.

The matter was eventually brought to the attention of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, Benin.

In a telephone chat, the Zonal PPRO, DSP Emeka Iheanacho, confirmed that the report is at their desk.

“We are abreast of the situation.

It is still under investigation, the complainants have stated their case while the policemen and women mentioned in the allegation have denied it.

“There is no reason for us to shield anybody. At the appropriate time we will come out with our verdict,” Ihe-

The Edo Times 4 Mr. John Mayaki is the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. In this interview with TITUS AKHIGBE, he spoke on the achievements of the governor in his first 100 days in office and counters the claim by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the governor has refused to constitute his cabinet because of selfish reasons. Excerpts: It is over 100 days since the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration took over in Edo State. How has the journey been?

It has been… a whirlwind of sorts. When you work for a governor who is serious and intends to industrialise the state and even create nothing less 200,000 jobs, not to talk of providing 24-hour power supply, then, frankly speaking, you’ve got your work really cut out for you.

Governor Obaseki, because of the huge mandate he has to fulfil to the people of Edo State, barely rests.

He is always working. One minute, he is in one meeting, another minute, he is in another meeting.

All these meetings are always with stakeholders in the different sectors he has identified for development in the state.

After each of these meetings, the people of Edo also need to be carried along because the governor called me specially one day and told me that he wants his government to be all about transparency. He wants the people of Edo to know exactly what is going on because information is key. He even promised to support the media in every way he can.

So, as I said before, you’ve got your work cut out for you. You cannot rest if he has not rested; that would be irresponsible of you...

(Cuts. In) Yet, I will gladly do it over and over again, because I have a sense of fulfilment being a part of the team that I know will move Edo State to the next level. I have a sense of fulfilment in knowing I am serving the land of my fathers in any way possible.

Governor Obaseki is not a difficult man to work with if you know what he wants from you. In hundred days, he has done so much for the state, if I start to outline and explain for you here, you’d marvel and agree with me when I say it is a privilege to be a part of the team that will move Edo State to the next level. More than hundred days of toiling to increase the people’s living standards, I feel more connected to the people of Edo State as I do my bit to improve the state. What would you call it; labour of love?

The governor is yet to constitute his cabinet and the PDP said that the inability of the governor to appoint commissioners and board members during the period in question was to facilitate his mismanagement of state resources. How true is that?

You see, I don’t want to dismiss anybody’s opinions as irrelevant.

But when the opposition party has refused to do its job constructively,

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 30, 2017

Interview

Obaseki is focused, judicious –Mayaki then I have to tell you to that they are getting more exuberant and carried away in their duties than they should be. It really is not good for the state when the opposition cooks up falsehoods and begin to propagate it.

What is the meaning of ‘inability’? The word means you do not have the capacity to do a particular thing.

To allege that Governor Obaseki did not have the capacity to appoint commissioners and board members during that period is wrong.

So, inability is not really the word they should have used. I think they mean delay. In this case, there is delay but is it a crime? Although we are all eager to have commissioners appointed but we also have to grapple with the dynamics of the process otherwise the outcome will not be palatable for both the government and the people.

It is necessary for human beings to calm down when there is heat and pressure. You’ve heard of the aphorism ‘more haste less speed’ haven’t you? You will also have seen that when you are under pressure and in a hurry, you tend to get many things wrong and also forget many salient things.

The governor could have done it, but he decided to involve the party members in the selection of commissioners and board members, which is another reason why the process took quite some time. He already said that anyone who wants appointment as a commissioner should apply through the party at the Local Government and the ward level. This way, he has eliminated any charge of nepotism that may come up, and he has involved the party members too in the appointment process.

The various workshops this administration has embarked upon is to articulate, among other things, a blueprint for each of the ministries such that whenever the commissioners come on board, they already have a clear grasp of what their jobs will be and this will enable them key into Governor Obaseki’s administration policy thrust.

In a couple of days, or within the week, he will forward some names to the House of Assembly, and before long PDP will have to start looking for another reason to criticise the governor.

Meanwhile, all this talk of mismanagement is ridiculous. To argue that not appointing commissioners is to facilitate mismanagement is illogical. Today, the PDP is being probed here and there for corruption and mismanagement but they had commissioners and ministers in place then. And so, a government that will be corrupt will be corrupt, commissioners or no commissioners. But our government is focused and judicious in the use of scarce resources.

We have asked those people holding press conferences and brandishing documents to respect people’s intelligence by even making effort to back their claims with some legitimacy.

So if I go and use Photoshop or

Mayaki

A government that will be corrupt will be corrupt, commissioners or no commissioners.

But our government is focused and judicious in the use of scarce resources.

PageMaker to create document and I hold press conference, I have become a fighter for democracy. Mismanagement Indeed!

The party (PDP) also accused the former governor (Oshiomhole) of visiting Government House frequently in recent times, accusing him of monitoring the governor’s activities.

How true is that?

Governor Oshiomhole’s visits to the Government House have been few and far between. I am not sure if he has come up to 2 or 3 times to Government House. Is it not therefore a malapropism to say he has been paying frequent visits to the same Government House?

Comrade Oshiomhole has right to visit the Government House and so is any Nigerian, even you can visit and nothing would be wrong with it. However, I want to advise people not to wait on the CPS to come out with statements debunking claims by the opposition party before they know that PDP in Edo State gets sometimes carried away in doing their job as the opposition.

Comrade Oshiomhole has right and I think he qualifies to advise this government correctly. Governor Obaseki knows his onions. He is an intellectual governor, he is a ready

and agile governor. Go and try him.

Comrade Oshiomhole is a member of the APC and he comes to the Government House for only important issues like the last APC Caucus meeting. He is not monitoring the governor’s activities any more than you are.

Anyone telling you that he comes to Government House to do vigilante over Governor Obaseki’s governance is just being troublesome and economical with the truth.

You recently said, “After 100 days, surely it is clear to every critic that while Obaseki respects former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, he is not going to replicate his administration”.

Can you shed more light on this statement?

Oh, there should be no controversy there. I did not mean it in a negative way. I was hitting out at critics. I was clarifying that Governor Obaseki, even though he respects Comrade Oshiomhole, is still his own man. He has his own style of leadership.

Therefore, his government is based on continuity. He promised to continue the good works of Late Dr. Ogbemudia and former Governor Oshiomhole, but he never said he would base his administration on replicative governance.

Security of lives and property is one of the cardinal responsibilities of any administration.

A former council boss, Sulaimon Afegbua, was assassinated in broad daylight few days ago.

What is the governor doing in this area to attract investors to the state?

I don’t know if you read the governor’s statement reacting to the news. He was absolutely furious. In the first place, that area along BeninAuchi highway is a hot spot and the governor recently met with security chiefs on how to deal with this menace. Very soon, we shall overcome that as we need not discuss security issues and strategies in the media however, within the city, there is safety and security and above all,

Edo state is still the safest state in the geo-political zone.

In the area of attracting investors, we all will soon begin to see the result of the few trips the governor embarked upon recently. We visited Okpella and Auchi a couple of weeks ago in the company of investors over fertilizer. We visited Illushin over massive rice production with investors. We visited Amahor. We’ve signed power agreement with Siemens. We’ve set up a committee on Gelegele among others.

By the time all these programmes, initiatives and policies translate into reality – such as employment, youth development, tourism and agriculture, Edo people will become so busy that they will be the ones calling for a rest.

The governor promised to create 200,000 jobs after four years.

How much of this has been achieved in the last 100 days?

In the last 100 days, I can assure you that the template has been set and the rest will come into place like a chain reaction. Already, people are registering on an online portal for the Edo jobs programme. Those that will become agripreneurs cannot do it alone, so they will have to employ more people.

In fact, as far as agriculture is concerned, such as rice and maize farming, piggery, among others, you will begin to see the manifestation of the groundwork the governor has laid.

His trips overseas was to meet with investors with splendid records of accomplishment – I don’t mean the portfolio investors – coming to invest in the state. We have Azura already in the state employing people, and we have signed another MoU with Siemens already.

There is also the waste to wealth initiative and environment cleanliness programme that will engage our youths. There really should not be avenue for people to remain idle in the state. No less than 14,000 people have been engaged already in the federal government N-Power scheme and another 2000 will be engaged in traffic management and control by the time the modalities are perfected.

Meanwhile, other avenues, like the concrete technology for constructing roads and the electronic method of tax collection may provide as many as 20,000 or more jobs in the state. For the concrete technology, we collaborated with AG Dangote and they have already trained about 50 in the state. Our governor has already promised to empower them to be able to stand on their own and they are the future local content contractors that will be engaged in the construction and repairs of our roads and drainages.

Even Benin Technical College – by the time the school is remodelled and curriculum-tailored in such a way that will make graduates self-reliant and productive, they will start employing and engaging the youths.

I am sure it will interest you to know that we are tracking all these through the ongoing registration of the Edo Jobs initiatives in the 18 local government areas.

Life&

TIMES Thursday, March 30, 2017

Tiwa Savage, Daddy Showkey, others announced as speakers at NECLive5 L4

P

L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017

L3

Congratulations The Board and Management of Folio Media Group, owners of The Daily Times of Nigeria, congratulate and celebrate with our icon of all times.

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU

on his

65th Birthday

Signed

Fidelis Anosike Chairman, Folio Media Group

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Mixed Grill L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Iyanya releases EP track list Things may fall in place back for Mavin Singer, Iyanya, who is set

Adewale Ayuba, Adesua Etomi, Tiwa Savage, K1, others for NECLive5 event, organisers have

back the fun memories Iyanya is

members of the Mavin family that Signature EP contains eight hit singles, Up 2 Something

Some of the notable cut across the various conference

Iyanya

seeks

to

Savage, Toke Makinwa,

Nissi celebrates motherhood in new single, ‘Mama Mi’ expectations with the release of platform for networking, as key Following the release of her

reverberate throughout the lyrics infusion of th

usical

Music Star, Oritsefemi moves into a multi-million naira Lekki mansion

BBN: Again, TBoss, Debie-Rise, Bally and Marvis up for eviction

Ï Bisola breaks the jinx, becomes new female Head of House Ï New HoH saves Efe from eviction Ï Debie-Rise, TBoss teamed up to canvass for voters’ support

changing so fast, the reason is,

Debie Rise

Bally

is known for? Will the housemates get over

“What is constant in life is

housemates will have to This is to make f of the housemates, as they were all in sober

The musical Taliban, as he is

pick up the lives that viewers know them for?

Meanwhile, Bisola remains the only housemate that is yet to

proverbial cat with nine Musical Taliban, Money Stops

Life&

T E A M

help strengthen his business chain

favour before the new

by the plea for votes by Will Bally survive another

possible eviction?

The ninth eviction